Word for word from DOL Regulation:
Important Notice Concerning Your Rights Under the [Enter
Name of Individual Account Plan]
[Enter date of notice]
1. This notice is to inform you that the [enter
name of plan] will be [enter reasons for blackout period, as appropriate:
changing investment options, changing recordkeepers, etc.].
2. As a result of these changes, you temporarily
will be unable to [enter as appropriate: direct or diversify investments in
your individual accounts (if only specific investments are subject to the
blackout, those investments should be specifically identified), obtain a loan
from the plan, or obtain a distribution from the plan]. This period, during
which you will be unable to exercise these rights otherwise available under
the plan, is called a ``blackout period.'' Whether or not you are planning
retirement in the near future, we encourage you to carefully consider how this
blackout period may affect your retirement planning, as well as your overall
financial plan.
3. The blackout period for the plan will begin on
[enter date] and end [enter date].
4. [In the case of investments affected by the
blackout period, enter the following: During the blackout period you will be
unable to direct or diversify the assets held in your plan account. For this
reason, it is very important that you review and consider the appropriateness
of your current investments in light of your inability to direct or diversify
those investments during the blackout period. For your long-term retirement
security, you should give careful consideration to the importance of a
well-balanced and diversified investment portfolio, taking into account all
your assets, income and investments. You should be aware that there is a risk
to holding substantial portions of your assets in the securities of any one
company, as individual securities tend to have wider price swings, up and
down, in short periods of time, than investments in diversified funds. Stocks
that have wide price swings might have a large loss during the blackout
period, and you would not be able to direct the sale of such stocks from your
account during the blackout period.]
5. [If timely notice cannot be provided (see
paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this section) enter: (A) Federal law generally requires
that you be furnished notice of a blackout period at least 30 days in advance
of the last date on which you could exercise your affected rights immediately
before the commencement of any blackout period in order to provide you with
sufficient time to consider the effect of the blackout period on your
retirement and financial plans. (B) [Enter explanation of reasons for
inability to furnish 30 days advance notice.]]
6. If you have any questions concerning this
notice, you should contact [enter name, address and telephone number of the
plan administrator or other person responsible for answering questions about
the blackout period].