6 pages. Excerpt: The global bear market, combined with the stringent new pension plan funding rules enacted by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), has raised the specter of significantly increased funding obligations in 2009 for single-employer plans, as well as restrictions on the operation of underfunded plans and the funding of nonqualified plans. These restrictions may include: Restrictions on the payment of lump sum distributions, which will particularly affect cash balance and pension equity plans; Restrictions on any benefit increases, even pre-negotiated increases in collectively bargained plans; A prohibition on the funding of nonqualified deferred compensation plans while qualified plans are underfunded; and In extreme cases, a mandatory freeze on future benefit accruals and payment of plant closing and similar benefits.  MORE >>