Which of the following activities is typically associated with the operations of an employee benefit plan administrator?

Administering participant loan programs is a key activity associated with the operations of an employee benefit plan administrator. This role typically involves managing loans that participants can take against their retirement or benefit accounts, ensuring that the lending process adheres to regulatory requirements, and handling the documentation involved. The administrator must also monitor the repayment of these loans and communicate with participants about their loan balances, terms, and conditions.

In contrast, activities like acting as a stock registrar, functioning as a paying agent, or acting as a transfer agent pertain more to the management of securities and the facilitation of transactions related to them. While they play important roles in financial markets, they are not specific to the administration of employee benefit plans. The core responsibilities of a benefit plan administrator focus on managing participant accounts, processing contributions, distributions, and loans, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws governing employee benefits.