SPD Mailing Requirements

[luissaha]

Mailing updated SPD out in the next month. We know we have some bad addresses. We are going to mail via USPS with address correction requested. For the addresses we know are bad, should we be sending those via first class mail? I heard from our mail service that many plans do that, but they could not tell me why. I looked at the regulations, but could not find any guidance on point. any insight would be appreciated.

[luissaha]

To clarify the above, should we be sending all SPD's via first class mail? I don't think post office will forward or return mail, if address is bad, if you mail other than first class.

[My 2 cents]

First class mail or certified, return receipt requested. Surely nobody sends mandated materials using anything less than first class mail??!

[Lou S.]

First class mail or certified, return receipt requested. Surely nobody sends mandated materials using anything less than first class mail??!

But most participant treat the SPD like junk mail, shouldn't it be sent bulk rate?

I think mailing the SPDs certified is a bit over the top, but I do agree first class seems reasonable.

[My 2 cents]

First class mail or certified, return receipt requested. Surely nobody sends mandated materials using anything less than first class mail??!

But most participant treat the SPD like junk mail, shouldn't it be sent bulk rate?

I think mailing the SPDs certified is a bit over the top, but I do agree first class seems reasonable.

The SPD being treated like junk mail is a big problem. That is the sort of thing that leads to lost participants, failure of people to claim benefits on time, etc. The DOL's nose is out of joint on that issue (as it should be).

Recognizing that sending in a way that would require signatures would probably be prohibitively expensive, that is the sort of thing that points towards requiring a recipient signature. Pay me now or pay me later - no expense can be spared, after all, to try to find each and every participant when benefits are coming due.