Which of the following is a requirement for small plans filing Form 5500-SF?

For small plans filing Form 5500-SF, one of the key requirements is that the plan must cover fewer than 120 participants. This specific threshold distinguishes small plans from larger plans, which have different reporting requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The Form 5500-SF is designed to simplify the filing process for small retirement plans, reducing the regulatory burden on these plans and making it easier for administrators to comply with reporting obligations.

The participant count is crucial because it determines which filing forms are appropriate. Plans with fewer than 120 participants are permitted to use the simplified Form 5500-SF instead of the more detailed Form 5500, which is required for larger plans. This aligns with government efforts to streamline processes for smaller pension plans, recognizing that they may have fewer resources to devote to complex compliance requirements.

The requirements around holding employer securities, being an owner-only plan, or having assets over $250,000 do not specifically pertain to the criteria for using Form 5500-SF. Only the participant count is a definitive factor in this context.