Tip: Filing Schedule P with Form 5500 for retirement plans is important to start the statute of limitations with regard to the trust. It is recommended that a plan sponsor never file a Form 5500 for a retirement plan without Schedule P.

If a trustee is not available to sign Schedule P, complete line 1a by inserting the plan sponsor's name -- an officer of the plan sponsor can sign Schedule P as a fiduciary. Notice the form does not require a trustee's signature, but a fiduciary's signature!