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.
| Plan Year End | This Month (May) | Next Month (June) |
| January 31 | 2022 AFN to Participants (DB only – 100 or more participants) | 1st Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
| February 28 | Corrective Distributions for Failed 2022 Plan Year ADP/ACP test | 2022 AFN to Participants (DB only – 100 or more participants) |
| 4th Month 2023 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | ||
| March 31 | 4th Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | Corrective Distributions for Failed 2022 Plan Year ADP/ACP test |
| 4th Month 2023 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | ||
| April 30 | 4th Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | |
| May 31 | 2021 SAR to Participants (w/ extension) | |
| Discretionary Amendment Adoption for 2022 Plan Year | ||
| Correction of Failed 2022 Plan Year ADP/ACP Test | ||
| Safe Harbor Notice to Participants for 2023 Plan Year | ||
| June 30 | 3rd Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | 2021 SAR to Participants (w/ extension) |
| Benefit Restriction Notice to Participants (DB only – assuming 2022 AFTAP not yet certified by actuary) | Discretionary Amendment Adoption for 2022 Plan Year | |
| Correction of Failed 2022 Plan Year ADP/ACP Test | ||
| Safe Harbor Notice to Participants for 2023 Plan Year | ||
| July 31 | 2021 Form 5500 (w/ extension) | 3rd Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
| 2021 AFN to Participants (DB only – less than 100 participants)* | ||
| 2022 PBGC Comprehensive Premium Filing (DB only) | ||
| Benefit Restriction Notice to Participants (DB only – assuming 2022 AFTAP not yet certified by actuary) | ||
| New Plan Adoption for 2021 Plan Year (C Corporation or Sole Proprietorship – w/ extension) | ||
| August 31 | Contribution for 2021 Plan Year | 2021 Form 5500 (w/ extension) |
| 2021 SAR to Participants (w/o extension) | 2021 AFN to Participants (DB only – less than 100 participants)* | |
| 10th Month 2022 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | 2022 PBGC Comprehensive Premium Filing (DB only) | |
| New Plan Adoption for 2021 Plan Year (S Corporation or Partnership – w/ extension) | New Plan Adoption for 2021 Plan Year (C Corporation or Sole Proprietorship – w/ extension) | |
| September 30 | 2nd Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) | Contribution for 2021 Plan Year |
| 2021 SAR to Participants (w/o extension) | ||
| 10th Month 2022 AFTAP Certification (DB only) | ||
| New Plan Adoption for 2021 Plan Year (S Corporation or Partnership – w/ extension) | ||
| October 31 | 2021 Form 5500 (w/o extension) | 2nd Quarter 2022 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
| November 30 | 2021 Form 5500 (w/o extension) | |
| December 31 | 1st Quarter 2023 Plan Year Periodic Benefit Statement (DC only) |
*AFN due by Form 5500 filing date, regardless of available extended due date.
