Download your .pdf instructions

As you may have heard the Department of Labor (DOL) has mandated that your Form 5500s (Annual Return Employee Benefit Plan) are signed and electronically filed using the NEW ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST2).

In order to comply, the Plan Sponsor will need “Filing Signer” credentials. DOL does not permit others to obtain the credentials on your behalf. To obtain the “Filing Signer” credentials, you must register on the DOL’s website.

Who should get these signing credentials – an individual who is authorized to sign on behalf of the plan sponsor.

Attached are screenshots to help you through this process. The steps are outlined below:

1. Open your web browser and go to http://www.efast.dol.gov. On the left side of the page you will see a menu. Click “Register”. The website will take you to the next page – “Register – Privacy Statement”. (see Page 3)

2. Read the privacy statement, check the box indicating that you have read the privacy statement, and then click “Accept Agreement”. The website then will take you to the next page – “Register ¬ Profile Information”. (see Page 4)

3. Enter the following information: your name, address, phone number, email address and company name. Note: the email address is probably the most important piece of information because the system will use this email address to send you a confirmation. The address should be one you monitor regularly. (see Page 5)

4. On the same page, select “Filing Signer” as the user type and click “Next”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register – Challenge Question”.

5. Select a challenge question (e.g. place or date of birth), provide an answer and click “Next”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register – Summary”. (see Page 6)

6. Verify the information is correct and click “Submit”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register – Confirmation”. (see Page 7)

7. Click “OK”. (see Page 8)

8. DOL will then send an email to the address you provided (see page 7 for sample). Note: this email should occur immediately. If you do not see the email within 5 minutes, you may want to check your “junk mail” folder. It is possible that your system may identify the email as spam. (see Page 9)

KEEP GOING – You have not finished.

9. In the email, DOL will provide a link to receive your “Filing Signer” credentials. Note: this email includes a statement that as a part of the application, you agree not to share your credentials with anyone, including a commercial service provider.
 

10. When you click the link, you will be brought back to the DOL website to the “Register – Challenge Question Verification” page. You will need to select and answer your challenge question (see step 5 above) and click “Next”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register – PIN Agreement”. (see Page 10)

11. Read the PIN agreement. Check the box indicating that you have read the PIN agreement and then click box “Accept Agreement”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register
– Finalize”. (see Page 11)

12. The DOL provides you with your User ID and PIN. It is strongly recommended that you print this page for your records. Click “Next”. The website then will take you to the next page – “Register – Password”. (see Page 12)

13. You must create a password. The password will allow you to access your User ID and PIN. After entering and confirming your password, click “Save”. The website will then take you to the next page – “Register – Confirmation”. (see Page 13)

14. Your registration is COMPLETE! (see Page 14)

Electronic filing credentials include a User ID, PIN, and a password. The User ID and PIN are used by the plan sponsor to electronically sign and file the Form 5500.

As preparer of the Form 5500, we will send you an email when your return is complete and ready for filing. This email will include a link to access and review the return. Once the return is reviewed, please print and sign a copy for your records.

In order to file the return – you need to follow instructions as to how to sign and file using your filing credentials.

You must obtain your filing credentials (per the above instructions) in order to file the return. We are recommending that more than one person with signing authority obtain credentials.

The longer you wait, the longer it will take since this is the first year of the new system and the system will no doubt get bogged down the closer we get to October 15th.

We are asking that you obtain your credentials NO LATER THAN October 1st and that you notify us via call or email us that you have done so. Remember this is your user information and accordingly you should maintain in a safe place.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have on this matter. We will be happy to help walk you through this process.