The PBGC finalized a proposed rule that changes the flat-rate premium due date for large plans to the same as their variable-rate due date, which is 9.5 calendar months after the beginning of the premium payment year (October 15th for calendar-year plans), effective as of the 2014 plan year. Large plans are plans that had 500 or more participants for whom premiums were payable for the plan year preceding the current premium payment year. The PBGC indicated that it will finalize other aspects of its premium proposal at a later date, but finalized this particular rule now because the 2014 flat-rate premium due date for calendar-year large plans under the old rule was February 28, 2014. The new rule provides welcome relief for large plan sponsors by simplifying the PBGC premium filing process and providing additional time for large plan sponsors to determine all of the required information for the flat-rate premium filing.