Ex-Participant Request

[Guest Mr. Minor]

Is a plan sponsor required to provide a copy of the plan document to a former participant upon request (i.e. participant is terminated and complete balance has been rolled out of the plan)?

[QDROphile]

Generally no. If the request is in aid of submitting a claim (e.g. miscalculation of benefits), then the plan document should be given. Requests for plan documents can get tricky. Because of potential statutory penalties, the request should be refused only if it matters for some reason.

The plan sponsor generally has nothing to do with providing copies of plan document to participants. That is a function of the plan administrator.

[Guest Mr. Minor]

Thank you QDROphile. To further explain, I am the plan administrator in this case and this is a 401k plan. I don't know the reason behind the request but calculation of benefits shouldn't be it given the plan type. The participant has the SPD and subsequent SMMs etc. I've never had this request before and don't really understand the reason for it and my responsibilities.