§ 2520.103-1 Contents of the annual report.

(a) Except as provided in §§ 2520.104–43, 2520.104–51, 2520.104a–6, and 2520.104a–9, the administrator of a plan required to file an annual report in accordance with section 104(a)(1) of the Act shall include with the annual report the information prescribed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section or in the simplified report, limited exemption or alternative method of compliance described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(1) The annual report shall contain the information prescribed in section 103 of the Act.

(2) Under the authority of subsections 104(a)(2), 104(a)(3), and 110 of the Act, section 1103(b) of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and section 202 of the SECURE Act, a simplified report, limited exemption, or alternative method of compliance is prescribed for employee welfare and pension benefit plans, as applicable. A plan filing a simplified report or electing the limited exemption, or an alternative method of compliance shall file an annual report containing the information prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as applicable, and shall furnish a summary annual report as prescribed in § 2520.104b–10.

(b) Contents of the annual report for plans with 100 or more participants electing the limited exemption or alternative method of compliance. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section and in §§ 2520.103–2, 2520.103–14, and 2520.104–44, the annual report of an employee benefit plan covering 100 or more participants at the beginning of the plan year which elects the limited exemption or alternative method of compliance described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall include:

(1) A Form 5500 “Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan” and any statements or schedules required to be attached to the form, completed in accordance with the instructions for the form, including Schedule A (Insurance Information), Schedule C (Service Provider Information), Schedule D (DFE/Participating Plan Information), Schedule G (Financial Transaction Schedules), Schedule H (Financial Information), Schedule MEP (Multiple-Employer Plan), Schedule MB (Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan and Certain Money Purchase Plan Actuarial Information), Schedule SB (Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Information), Schedule R (Retirement Plan Information), and other financial schedules described in § 2520.103–10. See the instructions for this form.

(2) Separate financial statements (in addition to the information required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section), if such financial statements are prepared in order for the independent qualified public accountant to form the opinion required by section 103(a)(3)(A) of the Act and § 2520.103–1(b)(5). These statements shall include the following:

(i) A statement of assets and liabilities at current value presented in comparative form for the beginning and end of the year. The statement of plan assets and liabilities shall include the assets and liabilities required to be reported on the Form 5500; however, the assets and liabilities may be aggregated into categories in a manner other than that used on Form 5500.