A former Employer is a "predecessor employer" with respect to a Participant in a Plan maintained by an Employer if the Employer maintains a Plan under which the Participant had accrued a benefit while performing services for the former Employer, but only if that benefit is provided under the Plan maintained by the Employer. For this purpose, the formerly affiliated plan rules in Regulation [Section 1.415(f)-1(b)(2)])] apply as if the Employer and predecessor

A former "employer" is a "predecessor employer" with respect to a participant in a plan maintained by an "employer" if the "employer" maintains a plan under which the participant had accrued a benefit while performing services for the former "employer," but only if that benefit is provided under the plan maintained by the "employer." For this purpose, the "formerly affiliated plan" rules in Regulation §1.415(f)-1(b)(2) apply as if the "employer" and "predecessor employer" constituted a single employer under the rules described in Regulation §1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2) immediately prior to the "cessation of affiliation" (and as if they constituted two, unrelated employers under the rules described in Regulation §1.415(a) -1(f)(1)

With respect to an "employer" of a Participant, a former entity that antedates the "employer" is a "predecessor employer" with respect to the Participant if, under the facts and circumstances, the "employer" constitutes a continuation of all or a portion of the trade or business of the former entity.

With respect to an Employer of a Participant, a former entity that antedates the Employer is a "predecessor employer" with respect to the Participant if, under the facts and circumstances, the Employer constitutes a continuation of all or a portion of the trade or business of the former entity.