What is a Summary Annual Report (SAR) and who must receive it?
Last updated October 2, 2026
The SAR is a one-page participant summary of the plan's Form 5500, due to covered participants within nine months after the plan year ends (or two months after an extended 5500 deadline). If your plan files a 5500 and isn't exempt, participants must get a SAR.
The SAR closes the loop on the Form 5500: after the government gets the annual report, participants get the summary. It follows a DOL-prescribed format covering the plan's basic financial information and participants' right to the full report.
Timing follows the 5500: nine months after plan year end for on-time filers (September 30 for calendar-year plans), or two months after an extended filing deadline.
Distribution can be paper or electronic under the DOL's e-delivery rules — but electronic delivery has its own conditions (work-computer access or affirmative consent), so "we posted it on the intranet" isn't automatically compliant. Plans exempt from Form 5500, and certain unfunded plans, are also exempt from the SAR; when in doubt, distribute and document it.
Thanks for your feedback!