29 U.S.C. § 1104
Fiduciary duties
Except as authorized by the Secretary by regulations, no fiduciary may maintain the indicia of ownership of any assets of a plan outside the jurisdiction of the district courts of the United States.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a fiduciary to select the lowest cost contract. A fiduciary may consider the value of a contract, including features and benefits of the contract and attributes of the insurer (including, without limitation, the insurer’s financial strength) in conjunction with the cost of the contract.
A fiduciary will be deemed to have conducted the periodic review described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if the fiduciary obtains the written representations described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph (2)(A) from the insurer on an annual basis, unless the fiduciary receives any notice described in paragraph (2)(A)(iv) or otherwise becomes aware of facts that would cause the fiduciary to question such representations.
A fiduciary which satisfies the requirements of this subsection shall not be liable following the distribution of any benefit, or the investment by or on behalf of a participant or beneficiary pursuant to the selected guaranteed retirement income contract, for any losses that may result to the participant or beneficiary due to an insurer’s inability to satisfy its financial obligations under the terms of such contract.
The term “insurer” means an insurance company, insurance service, or insurance organization, including affiliates of such companies.
The term “guaranteed retirement income contract” means an annuity contract for a fixed term or a contract (or provision or feature thereof) which provides guaranteed benefits annually (or more frequently) for at least the remainder of the life of the participant or the joint lives of the participant and the participant’s designated beneficiary as part of an individual account plan.
The enactment of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B), is the enactment of Pub. L. 101–508, which was approved
2022—Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 117–328 added par. (6).
2019—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–94 added subsec. (e).
2008—Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 110–458 substituted “participant or beneficiary” for “participant” wherever appearing.
2006—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–280, § 621(a)(1), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, of subpar. (A), in cl. (ii), inserted “, except that this clause shall not apply in connection with such participant or beneficiary for any blackout period during which the ability of such participant or beneficiary to direct the investment of the assets in his or her account is suspended by a plan sponsor or fiduciary” before period at end, and added subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–280, § 621(a)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 109–280, § 624(a), added par. (5).
2002—Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(t)(1), struck out “the earlier of” after “the earlier of” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(t)(2), substituted “a transfer that” for “if the transfer”.
2001—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–16 added par. (3).
1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–188 designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and added par. (2).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 101–508, § 12002(b)(2)(A), substituted “and subchapter III” for “or subchapter III”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–508, § 12002(b)(1), added subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 96–364 inserted reference to subchapter III of this chapter.
Amendment by Pub. L. 117–328 applicable to plan years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–458 effective as if included in the provisions of Pub. L. 109–280 to which the amendment relates, except as otherwise provided, see section 112 of Pub. L. 110–458, set out as a note under section 72 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Pub. L. 109–280, title VI, § 621(b),
Pub. L. 109–280, title VI, § 624(b),
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–147 effective as if included in the provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107–16, to which such amendment relates, see section 411(x) of Pub. L. 107–147, set out as a note under section 25B of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–16 applicable to distributions made after
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–188 applicable to taxable years beginning after
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 applicable to reversions occurring after
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–364 effective
Pub. L. 109–280, title VI, § 625,
Secretary authorized, effective
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title III, § 318(a),
For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle D [§§ 1401–1465] of title I of Pub. L. 104–188 require an amendment to any plan or annuity contract, such amendment shall not be required to be made before the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after