The Department of Labor (DOL) on Aug. 28 announced that its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will extend the grace period to obtain new Login.gov credentials for the EFAST2 filing system until Dec. 31, 2023.
The ERISA Filing Acceptance System (EFAST2) is the system by which the Form 5500 series is filed. The extension of the grace period is part of the agency’s efforts to streamline the process for users. Users who created new EFAST2 accounts since Jan. 1, 2023, have already been directed to obtain Login.gov credentials.
About the Changes to the EFAST Log-in
The EFAST2 website authentication process is being modernized in 2023. The DOL says that the changes to the EFAST2 website are necessary in order to allow users to obtain new electronic signature credentials for the Form 5500 Series, and to file Form PR or to use IFILE, the government’s free Form 5500 Series filing application.
This includes phasing out the method of logging in to the site with an EFAST2-issued User ID and password and replacing it with using the unified Login.gov site, which allows people to securely log in to many government services using the same username and password. This change began to be implemented in January.
EBSA had said that existing filers may use their EFAST2-issued UserID and password to log in to the EFAST2 website until Sept. 1, 2023 in order to provide a gradual transition. But now they have until Dec. 31, 2023.
EBSA adds that EFAST2 website accounts for third-party software developers and transmitters also have an extended grace period until Dec. 31, 2023.
Obtaining the New Credentials
Users must log in to the EFAST2 website to obtain new electronic signature credentials for the Form 5500 Series, to file the Form PR, and to use IFILE, the Form 5500 Series filing application.
Existing Form 5500 series filers using approved private software generally do not need to log in to the EFAST2 website.
Limited-Time Offer
While EBSA has extended the amount of time users have to get their credentials to Dec. 31, 2023, it also reminds all users that they must obtain Login.gov credentials by that new deadline.
Finding out More
More information about obtaining EFAST 2 login credentials is available here.
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