The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) will launch a new version of the My Plan Administration Account (My PAA) premium filing application on April 26.
The PBGC made the announcement on its web page that outlines upcoming changes. The agency says that it intends the enhancements to improve users’ experience with plan management, premium filing and payment processing.
Key Enhancements
The PBGC says that the updated version of My PAA will feature the following enhancements.
Screen-prepared filings. Applicable screens will display and request information based on information provided on previous screens and information stored within PBGC’s records. The new version will no longer include the existing “route/retrieve” process. Multiple team members will be able review/edit draft filings without first being given “control” of the draft.
Uploaded filings. the updated version of My PAA will screen XML files for errors before the submission process is complete. It also will provide enhanced status tracking of uploaded XML files.
Improved communications. The updated version of My PAA will include an “Ask a Question” feature, which will be an interactive communication tool with PBGC customer service representatives. It will replace phone calls and email that automatically logs all communications. It also will provide streamlined training materials that will offer information about:
- how to navigate within My PAA;
- filing premiums; and
- payment options.
Information about common premium-related questions will be available online in separate “knowledge articles” that are searchable by key words.
Simplified processes. The updated version will feature simplified processes for:
- adding a new person to the My PAA Filing Team for a particular plan;
- filing for the first time; and
- updating information about the plan administrator.
What Users Need to Do—and Not Do
Migration. The PBGC says that current My PAA users, roles and plans will be migrated to the updated system, as will previously submitted filings for plan year 2014 and later.
Filings. The PBGC says that my PAA users most likely will not need to do anything before the system is operational. However, it says, filings that are already in process will not be migrated to the new version of My PAA. Therefore, the PBGC says, My PAA users may want to take action before the migration begins; if they do not, they may have to recreate them on or after April 26. In addition, those with filings due May 15, 2021 may want to consider:
- waiting until April 26 to enter or import data into the My PAA screens, to avoid having go recreate the draft filing; or
- submitting the filing early, before the migration begins.
User Information. The PBGC says that My PAA users will not need to recreate their accounts. Users may retain their current username but will need to create a new password the first time they log into My PAA on or after April 26.
Training
The PBGC says that in late March, it will post a pre-recorded webinar highlighting the new features of My PAA, featuring enhancements and demonstrating navigation processes available in the new system. The PBGC says that additional training resources also will be made available then.
Web Browsers
The PBGC says that as is the case with the current version of My PAA, the new version also will support Chrome, FireFox and Edge. It will no longer support Internet Explorer.
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