---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001140361-26-038648"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BRN"
cik: "0000010048"
company_name: "BARNWELL INDUSTRIES INC"
filed_at: "2026-10-05T21:00:27+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T14:56:14.506578+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Barnwell Industries to terminate pension plan; ~$3.7M surplus expected to revert in December 2026

## Summary
- Board approved termination of the Barnwell Employees' Pension Plan effective on or about November 30, 2026, with reversion anticipated in December 2026.
- Plan held ~$12.8M in assets as of September 30, 2026 versus an estimated termination liability of $7.3M, plus a ~$1.8M SERP obligation.
- Surplus of ~$3.7M over estimated retirement obligations is before administrative and transaction costs, excise and other taxes, and any participant benefit increase.
- CFO Philip Patman, Jr. said the reversion would free capital historically held in the pension plan, reduce complexity and ongoing costs, and add financial flexibility.
- Barnwell said it is evaluating strategic investments and acquisitions that could materially transform its scale and earnings profile.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001140361-26-038648
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BRN
- cik: 0000010048
- company_name: BARNWELL INDUSTRIES INC
- filed_at: 2026-10-05T21:00:27+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 8.01, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10048/000114036126038648/0001140361-26-038648-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/10048/000114036126038648/ef20083262_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-038648
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-038648.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-038648.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.