What is a Form 11-K filing? Employee plan report
A Form 11-K filing is the annual report for an employee stock purchase, savings, or similar plan, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When a company registers the interests employees buy in such a plan, those interests are securities, so the plan itself owes an annual report on its finances. That report is the Form 11-K. This guide explains what a Form 11-K filing covers, who files it, and when. It is not investment advice.
Definition
A Form 11-K filing
is the annual report of an employee stock purchase, savings, or similar plan, filed with the SEC under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It reports the plan's financial statements and is due within 90 days of the plan's fiscal year-end, or 180 days for an ERISA plan. Source: SEC.
What does a Form 11-K filing contain?
A Form 11-K is built around the plan's financial statements, audited where required. For a plan that qualifies under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the financial statements and schedules prepared under ERISA may be used to satisfy the form. In practice a reader sees the plan's net assets, the contributions in and benefits out over the year, and how the plan's holdings are invested.
The 11-K is about the plan, not the sponsoring company's own results. The company reports those separately on its 10-K, and it must still file the 11-K even though it files that annual report too.
Who has to file a Form 11-K?
A Form 11-K is filed when a company has registered the securities offered to employees under a plan and the plan is an employee stock purchase, savings, or similar plan. It is not required for stock option plans, restricted stock plans, or other incentive compensation plans. The securities employees receive are typically registered on a Form S-8.
When is a Form 11-K due?
A Form 11-K is due within 90 days after the end of the plan's fiscal year. If the plan is subject to ERISA, the deadline is 180 days after the plan's fiscal year-end.
90 days, or 180 for an ERISA plan
Window to file a Form 11-K after the plan's fiscal year-end
Source: SEC, 17 CFR 249.311
Where the Form 11-K sits among a company's filings
The 11-K reports on an employee plan whose shares are registered on a Form S-8. For the difference between registering employee shares and a public capital raise, see S-1 vs S-8. For the Indian equivalent framework covering employee share plans, see what is an ESOP. Every 11-K is on the SEC's EDGAR system, which you can search for free.
Flock reads disclosure filings and keeps each one dated and linked back to its source, so you can go from a summary to the original 11-K in one step. What any of it means for your money is your call to make.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Form 11-K used for?
A Form 11-K is the annual report for an employee stock purchase, savings, or similar plan whose interests are registered securities. It reports the plan's financial statements to the SEC under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Source: SEC.
When is a Form 11-K due?
A Form 11-K is due within 90 days after the end of the plan's fiscal year. If the plan is subject to ERISA, the deadline extends to 180 days after the plan's fiscal year end. Source: SEC, 17 CFR 249.311.
Does a Form 11-K cover stock option plans?
No. A Form 11-K is not required for stock option plans, restricted stock plans, or other incentive compensation plans. It covers employee stock purchase, savings, and similar plans where interests are registered securities. Source: SEC.
Where can I read a company's Form 11-K?
Every Form 11-K is filed on the SEC's EDGAR system and is free to read. Search by the company's name or ticker to find the plan's annual report. Source: SEC EDGAR.
Flock tracks these filings, sourced, dated, and linked back to the original. See what smart-money entities disclosed, without the guesswork about what it means.
Disclosures shown are public regulatory filings. Data may be delayed or incomplete. Smart-money entities may no longer hold positions shown. Not investment advice.