Participant Benefit Statements

how often does a plan need to provide a participant statement in a 401(k) Plan?

The money is all in a brokerage account (pooled)

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-notices   See Individual Benefits Statements

There are defined contribution plan that can generate a statement on a daily basis.  Most send a statement monthly, some quarterly  and I have seen a few that only value Participant's account only on December 31st each year.  

The citation from Gina seems to confirm that 12 months is the mandatory time for benefits statements.  

Unless it is a self-directed plan, then quarterly is required. 

The citation in the law is at ERISA 105(a)(1)(A)

Quote

The administrator of an individual account plan (other than a one-participant retirement plan described in section 101(i)(8)(B) of this title) shall furnish a pension benefit statement—

(i) at least once each calendar quarter to a participant or beneficiary who has the right to direct the investment of assets in his or her account under the plan,

(ii) at least once each calendar year to a participant or beneficiary who has his or her own account under the plan but does not have the right to direct the investment of assets in that account, and

(iii) upon written request to a plan beneficiary not described in clause (i) or (ii).