01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 8-K filed November 21, 2025. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
Abbott Laboratories filed a Form 8-K on November 21, 2025 disclosing a temporary blackout period under its Stock Retirement Plan (U.S.) and Stock Retirement Plan (Puerto Rico), as required under ERISA Section 101(i)(2)(E).
The blackout is needed because the plans are changing recordkeepers, the U.S. plan is changing trustees for certain funds, and the P.R. plan is changing custodians for certain funds. The blackout is expected to begin December 24, 2025 at 12 p.m. CST and end during the week of January 11, 2026.
During the blackout, plan participants cannot change contribution rates, direct or diversify investments (including in Abbott common shares), make rollovers, obtain loans, take withdrawals or distributions, or view their plan accounts. This is a routine administrative event, but it is a period in which employees cannot sell Abbott stock held in their retirement accounts, and it coincides with the close of the fourth quarter, a time when investor attention on the company's earnings is high. The filing also notes that Abbott's directors and executive officers received a notice under Section 306 of Sarbanes-Oxley and Regulation BTR.
These rules generally bar insiders from trading any Abbott equity security during the blackout, regardless of plan participation. This restriction is layered on top of Abbott's existing insider trading policy, which already blocks trades from December 15, 2025 until after the fourth-quarter earnings release. The filing contains no financial results or guidance, and the disclosure is procedural rather than a signal about company performance.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- Blackout period for Abbott's U.S. and Puerto Rico Stock Retirement Plans is expected to run from December 24, 2025 (12 p.m. CST) to the week of January 11, 2026.
- The blackout is driven by administrative changes: a new recordkeeper for both plans, a new trustee for certain U.S. plan funds, and a new custodian for certain P.R. plan funds.
- During the blackout, participants cannot trade or diversify holdings, including Abbott common shares, and cannot take loans, withdrawals, distributions, or rollovers.
- Directors and executive officers are prohibited under Sarbanes-Oxley Section 306 and Regulation BTR from trading Abbott equity securities during the blackout, even if they do not participate in the plans.
- Abbott's general insider trading policy already bars trading from December 15, 2025 until after Q4 earnings, so the blackout restriction is additional to this existing window.
- The filing contains no financial results, guidance, or operational news; it is a procedural compliance disclosure.
- Questions about the blackout can be directed to Sean Treacy, Divisional Vice President, Compensation and Benefits, at (224) 667-6100.
03—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Abbott's retirement plan going into a blackout period?
The blackout is needed to complete administrative changes: the U.S. and Puerto Rico Stock Retirement Plans are switching recordkeepers, the U.S. plan is changing trustees for certain funds, and the Puerto Rico plan is changing custodians for certain funds.
When does the blackout period start and end?
It is expected to begin December 24, 2025 at 12 p.m. CST and end during the week of January 11, 2026. Participants can confirm the actual dates by calling (224) 667-6100.
What can plan participants not do during the blackout?
Participants cannot change contribution rates, direct or diversify investments (including Abbott shares), make rollovers, take loans, request withdrawals or distributions, or view their plan accounts.
Does this blackout affect insiders differently from other employees?
Yes. Directors and executive officers are generally barred from directly or indirectly buying, selling, or transferring any Abbott equity security during the blackout, whether or not they participate in the plans. This follows Sarbanes-Oxley Section 306 and Regulation BTR.
Does this filing signal anything about Abbott's business performance?
No. The 8-K is a procedural notice about plan administration and insider trading restrictions. It contains no earnings, guidance, or operational information.
04—Continue