UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2017 (October 30, 2017)

ARCBEST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

8401 McClure Drive

Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916

(479) 785-6000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
the registrant’s principal executive offices)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions.

o                 Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o                 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o                 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o                 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company                                        o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.       o

Item 5.02.                                        Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 30, 2017, the Board of Directors of ArcBest Corporation (the “Company”) resolved to terminate the ArcBest Corporation Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”).  The termination follows amendments to the Pension Plan to close the plan to new entrants effective December 31, 2005 and freeze benefit accruals for eligible employees in the plan effective July 1, 2013.  Additional information regarding the Pension Plan can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Pension Plan will terminate effective December 31, 2017.  Distribution of plan assets pursuant to the termination will not be made until the plan termination satisfies the regulatory requirements prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which is expected to occur in late 2018.  Except for retirees currently receiving payments under the Pension Plan, participants in that plan will have a choice of receiving a lump sum or annuity.  Annuity payments to retirees in the Pension Plan will continue under their current elections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ARCBEST CORPORATION

(Registrant)

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