IRS Form 8955-SSA – In the world of retirement plan administration, staying compliant with IRS requirements is crucial for avoiding penalties and ensuring participants receive their due benefits. One key form that plan administrators must be familiar with is IRS Form 8955-SSA, also known as the Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants with Deferred Vested Benefits. This form plays a vital role in reporting information about former employees who have left the plan but are still entitled to future retirement benefits. In this SEO-optimized article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Form 8955-SSA, including its purpose, filing requirements, deadlines, and more, based on the latest IRS guidelines as of 2026.
What is IRS Form 8955-SSA?
IRS Form 8955-SSA is a specialized tax form used to report details about participants in a retirement plan who have separated from service but retain deferred vested benefits. Deferred vested benefits refer to retirement payouts that an employee has earned a non-forfeitable right to, even after leaving the employer, but which haven’t been distributed yet. This form replaced the old Schedule SSA (attached to Form 5500) and is now a standalone document filed directly with the IRS.
The primary purpose of Form 8955-SSA is to satisfy the reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 6057(a). The information provided on this form is shared with the Social Security Administration (SSA), which uses it to notify individuals applying for Social Security benefits about potential additional retirement income from past employers. This helps prevent overlooked benefits and ensures accurate tracking of vested rights in pension plans, 401(k)s, and other qualified retirement arrangements.
Key scenarios where reporting is required include:
- Participants who separated from service during the plan year and are entitled to deferred benefits (use Entry Code A).
- Updates or corrections to previously reported participants (Entry Code B).
- Participants transferred from another plan (Entry Code C).
- Participants no longer entitled to benefits, such as those who received full payouts or forfeited rights (Entry Code D).
Plans exempt from ERISA vesting rules, like governmental or church plans, may file voluntarily but are not required to do so.
Who Must File Form 8955-SSA?
The responsibility for filing Form 8955-SSA falls on the plan administrator of any retirement plan subject to the vesting standards under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This typically includes administrators of defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s, and multiemployer plans.
You must file if there are separated participants with deferred vested benefits that need to be reported or updated. However, no filing is necessary if there are no such participants for the plan year. For multiemployer plans, reporting occurs after a participant completes two successive one-year breaks in service.
Do not report participants if:
- Their benefits have been fully paid out.
- They returned to service before the filing due date.
- Benefits were forfeited prior to filing.
Third-party administrators or service providers, like those from companies such as Guideline or DWC, often handle the preparation and filing on behalf of plan sponsors, but the ultimate accountability lies with the plan administrator.
When is Form 8955-SSA Due?
The standard due date for Form 8955-SSA is the last day of the seventh month following the end of the plan year. For calendar-year plans (ending December 31), this means July 31 of the following year. For example, for the 2025 plan year, the form would be due by July 31, 2026.
Extensions are available:
- File Form 5558 for an automatic 2.5-month extension (up to October 15 for calendar-year plans).
- An automatic extension may apply if the plan sponsor extends their federal income tax return deadline, provided certain conditions are met.
If you’re amending a prior year’s filing, use the current year’s form and check the amendment box.
How to Complete and File Form 8955-SSA?
Completing Form 8955-SSA involves providing detailed information about the plan and separated participants. The form consists of Parts I-III, with participant details reported on Page 2 (and additional pages if needed).
Here’s a high-level overview of the sections:
| Section | Key Details to Include |
|---|---|
| Part I: Plan Year and Filing Type | Enter the plan year beginning and ending dates. Check boxes for voluntary filing, amendments, or extensions. |
| Part II: Basic Plan Information | Provide the plan name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), three-digit Plan Number (PN), sponsor and administrator details, and counts of new and total reported participants. Indicate if statements were provided to participants. |
| Part III: Participant Information | For each participant: Entry code (A-D), full Social Security Number (SSN), name, benefit type (e.g., annuity code), payment frequency, periodic payment amount (for defined benefit plans), or account balance (for defined contribution plans). Round to whole dollars. |
Electronic filing is mandatory for filers submitting 10 or more returns in the calendar year, including those starting in 2024 or later. Use IRS-approved software or the FIRE system. Paper filing is allowed only for smaller filers or with a hardship waiver. Do not attach this form to Form 5500 or 5500-SF.
For line-by-line guidance, refer to the official instructions.
Penalties for Non-Compliance with Form 8955-SSA
Failing to file Form 8955-SSA on time or completely can result in significant penalties under IRC Section 6652(d)(1). The base penalty is $10 per participant not reported, multiplied by the number of days the failure continues, up to a maximum of $50,000 per plan year. This increase from previous amounts ($1 per participant/day, max $5,000) was enacted by the SECURE Act for filings after December 31, 2019.
Additional penalties may apply for:
- Failure to provide statements to participants ($50 per day, max $100,000).
- Intentional disregard of filing requirements (no maximum limit).
Penalties can be waived if the failure is due to reasonable cause. The IRS will notify you if a penalty is assessed—no payments are due with late filings until billed.
Recent Updates and Changes to Form 8955-SSA
As of 2026, key updates include:
- Mandatory electronic filing for larger filers, as established in regulations for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2024.
- No major form changes for 2025 or 2026, but always use the latest version for amendments.
- Enhanced penalties under the SECURE Act remain in effect.
- For 403(b) plans and others, consult IRS FAQs for specific guidance.
Stay informed by checking the IRS website for any announcements.
Download IRS Form 8955-SSA
To get started, you can download the latest version of IRS Form 8955-SSA directly from the official IRS website. The PDF is available here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8955ssa.pdf. For instructions, visit https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8955ssa.pdf.
Navigating IRS Form 8955-SSA doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding its requirements and staying on top of deadlines, plan administrators can ensure compliance and protect participant rights. If you’re a plan sponsor, consider consulting a tax professional or retirement plan expert for personalized advice. For more resources, explore the IRS Retirement Plans section or contact the IRS directly.