QUOTE (jpod @ Jul 6 2009, 12:20 PM)

What do you mean by "sponsorship?" Do you mean the entity with the obligation to contribute to the plan? IF B is merging into A and going out of existence, this would happen by operation of law. If employees of B are transferring to employment with A, probably not any issues, but you should consult the collective bargaining agreement covering the union employees and confer with labor counsel to make sure there are no labor law issues to resolve or procedural hoops to jump through. In either scenario, you may wish to take another look at the PBGC regulations. If neither a merger nor a transfer of employees, then I would need to know what it is that the parent wishes/is intending to accomplish.
Thanks for your comment. To clarify, the Parent wants the surviving entity A to assume the pension obligations for the salaried and union employees of B.
By 'sponsorship' I mean that A will assume all responsibilities for B's Plans, i.e. become the Plan Sponsor, when B goes out of business and liquidates. All employees of B are going to be laid off except for maybe a handful or union ones hired by A. Yes, labor issues will need to be negotiated, but from a pension law perspective, are there no required notice to participants via 5310A or PBGC? I will review those PBGC regs.
But, all it should take in this case is an amendment to B's Plans, and an agreement between B and A, together with suitable corporate resolutions, to effectuate this transfer?