Old Eligibility Requirements

[ConnieStorer]

I need a little help from anyone who has some reference material from way back.  What year did the eligibility requirements drop from age 25 to 21.  In a plan termination audit by the PBGC I was asked to provide an explanation as to why someone did not enter the defined benefit plan until 4 years after their initial employment date.  I do not have census information for the early 1980's so I can only speculate that it had something to do with the change in eligibility requirements.  This individual was only 20 when he was hired.  I do not have a copy of the original plan document.

[Lois Baker]

Change in eligibility age was part of REA, effective for plan years beginning after 12/31/1984:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg1426.pdf

[ConnieStorer]

Thank you for the information.  That is exactly what I was searching for!