Annual Deadlines
Qualified retirement plans have many recurring deadlines throughout each plan year. It is important to know the deadlines for different government filings, participant notices, plan amendments, contributions, and other actions required of the plan sponsor. Missing these deadlines can have significant consequences.
The following table summarizes basic deadlines that are approaching for defined benefit pension plans (DB) and/or defined contribution plans (DC). This table is for informational purposes only and may not be comprehensive under all circumstances. Other deadlines may apply under other situations (such as a short plan year or if your plan has a plan year different from the fiscal year).
To determine which basic deadlines apply to your plan, find the month and day that corresponds to the end of your plan’s year in the first column of the table below and read across to see which deadlines are approaching in the next two months. More than one deadline may apply in the same month and some deadlines shown may not apply to your plan.
The following two upcoming deadlines do not depend on a plan’s plan year:
April 1, 2024 – Initial Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) to commence for participants who reached their required beginning date (i.e. following attainment of age 70 1/2 (if born before July 1, 1949) or age 72 (if born after June 30, 1949, and before January 1, 1951) or retirement, as specified in plan) in a previous calendar year and terminated employment in 2023.
April 15, 2024 – Corrective distribution of 402(g) excess deferrals for 2023 must be made to applicable participants.
Plan Year End | This Month (March) | Next Month (April) |
January 31 | 4th Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | Corrective Distributions for Failed 2023 Plan Year ADP/ACP test |
4th Month 2024 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | ||
February 28 | 4th Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | |
March 31 | 2022 SAR to Participants (w/ extension) | |
Discretionary Amendment Adoption for 2023 Plan Year | ||
Correction of Failed 2023 Plan Year ADP/ACP Test | ||
Safe Harbor Notice to Participants for 2024 Plan Year | ||
April 30 | 3rd Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | 2022 SAR to Participants (w/ extension) |
Benefit Restriction Notice to Participants (DB only – assuming 2023 AFTAP not yet certified by actuary) | Discretionary Amendment Adoption for 2023 Plan Year | |
Correction of Failed 2023 Plan Year ADP/ACP Test | ||
Safe Harbor Notice to Participants for 2024 Plan Year | ||
May 31 | 2022 Form 5500 (w/ extension) | 3rd Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
2022 AFN to Participants (DB only – less than 100 participants)* | ||
2023 PBGC Comprehensive Premium Filing (DB only) | ||
Benefit Restriction Notice to Participants (DB only – assuming 2023 AFTAP not yet certified by actuary) | ||
New Plan Adoption for 2022 Plan Year (C Corporation or Sole Proprietorship – w/ extension) | ||
June 30 | Contribution for 2022 Plan Year | 2022 Form 5500 (w/ extension) |
2022 SAR to Participants (w/o extension) | 2022 AFN to Participants (DB only – less than 100 participants)* | |
10th Month 2023 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | 2023 PBGC Comprehensive Premium Filing (DB only) | |
New Plan Adoption for 2022 Plan Year (S Corporation or Partnership – w/ extension) | New Plan Adoption for 2022 Plan Year (C Corporation or Sole Proprietorship – w/ extension) | |
July 31 | 2nd Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | Contribution for 2022 Plan Year |
2022 SAR to Participants (w/o extension) | ||
10th Month 2023 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | ||
New Plan Adoption for 2022 Plan Year (S Corporation or Partnership – w/ extension) | ||
August 31 | 2022 Form 5500 (w/o extension) | 2nd Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
September 30 | 2022 Form 5500 (w/o extension) | |
October 31 | 1st Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | |
November 30 | 2022 AFN to Participants (DB only – 100 or more participants) | 1st Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
December 31 | Corrective Distributions for Failed 2023 Plan Year ADP/ACP test | 2023 AFN to Participants (DB only – 100 or more participants) |
4th Month 2024 AFTAP Certification (DB only) |
*AFN due by Form 5500 filing date, regardless of available extended due date.