QUOTE (QDROphile @ Feb 6 2007, 03:12 PM)

The signing of a purchase agreement does not necessarily change ownership status. The agreement may provide for the sale to close at later time, when ownership will change. The closing may be contingent on any number of conditions.
If the plan is terminated before the sale is effective, the IRS believes that plans of the purchaser's controlled group of businesses are not plans in the same controlled group as the terminated plan, even though the newly purchased corporation is in the controlled group. See sections 401(k)(2)(B)(i) and 401(k)(10) of the tax code for one consequence and Treasury Regulation section 411(a)-11(e) for another consequence of terminating after the effective date of the acquisition.
Great, I this is exactly what I needed. thanks for the references.