Does anyone know if it is possible to obtain a listing of who the SSA currently has as being due benefits from a pension plan (as reported on Schedule SSA)? Can the plan administrator request that information from the SSA?

Perhaps I misunderstand the Q, but the Schedule SSA is not open to public inspection, so a participant cannot request a copy (but you probably knew that). Can the plan administrator request a copy of prior forms? Probably so, but I would look in my own files (or the files of the TPA who assisted in preparation) first.

Interesting question (assuming you're not just fishing for SS numbers). We've all recently gotten the PBGC's accounting of past premium payments, although their presentation/communication left a little to be desired; is this a bill or what? A check of what SSA has on file wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea from time to time to make sure that what was transmitted in past filings, especially deletions for payment, reflects current reality.

You don't know what fun is until some former participant from way back when gets that letter from the SSA saying they have money due (which was actually paid to them) and your client for some unimaginable reason can't locate a cancelled check from 17 years ago. Funny how they never remember receiving 5 figure payments when there's hope of getting more...

Apparently my question (and the motive behind it) was totally misunderstood. I was not asking whether the public had access to this information, but rather whether a plan administrator could request it. And no, I'm not "fishing for SS numbers". I wish I had nothing better to do than that.

My company is the TPA for a company that has recently received numerous inquiries from former plan participants regarding pension benefits they may be due as stated in a letter they received from the SSA. The people that have come forward thus far have all been cashed out of the plan (mainly during the early 90's) and are due no benefits. (So, mwyatt, I can relate to the end of your post.) This leads me to believe that the prior TPA failed to unreport some people that were paid out of the plan. So, to avoid further occurrences, I was hoping that the plan administrator could request a summary from the SSA as to who they are carrying as being due benefits from the plan. I could then compare that listing to our deferred vested terminee listing and if need be, unreport anyone that has already received their plan benefits.

So on that note, has anyone ever actually requested this information from the SSA? If so, what is the procedure for requesting it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

IMHO, finding old Schedule SSA's will not provide any proof that someone was previously paid. Such proof would come from a copy of the cancelled check or wire transfer, or other paperwork that accompanied the distribution.

You know the (approximate) distribution dates. Before undertaking an expensive and exhausting search of "proof of payment", perhaps the plan administrator can reply to the former employees by stating the known payment information.

In a perfect work, pax is correct.

In the real world that information just does not exist. And it IS a problem trying to research information. Companies don't have old records and neither do TPAs.

I don't have a solution, just tell them the benefit was distributed and point out the letter says MAY have a benefit.

And maybe we should try to get the list, but the SSA is by inividual and I bet the SSA can't bring it back by er!

I think it is an excellent question and providing the plan administrator the opportunity to peruse such listings could be very helpful, expecially when service providers are being changed.

I've had the fun Mike describes many times, especially with takeover cases.

I'm having the same problem. You mentioned unreporting a terminee to SSA when they get paid out early. How do you "unreport'" them?

Rene,
On the Schedule SSA you would use Entry Code "D", along with the person's SSN and name.

Thanks, Harold. I see it now.

my question would be along similar lines.
I 'inherit' a plan and have no clue if terminees were reported (as they should have been). a participant gets paid out. To be on the safe side are you still allowed to report them as a 'D' even though they may have never been reported previously?

Tom, I would do it that way.

I do it all the time. Is just a CYA thing. Looking back in old files they never reported anything but As. This is especially important for those who have been deferred vested for 10 or 20 years.

So far - since 1999 filings - I haven't heard a word about it from SSA, IRS, EFAST, or EBSA about it.