PensionQuote Blog

April 2014 Newsletter Introduction Background Tried it but didn't like it Tried it, like it, but want to make a few changes Forfeitures...be careful when and how you use them Oops! Forgot to provide the safe harbor notice! Conclusion The safe harbor 401(k) plan roared...

As the national economy continues its recovery, more and more businesses are beginning to see their financial situations improve to near pre-recession levels. Companies that have not thought about making profit sharing contributions for years are starting to consider...

In today's business climate, it seems it is becoming increasingly common for businesses of all sizes to be structured using multiple companies. Maybe a business person is pursuing multiple ventures with different groups of co-owners. Perhaps a company decides to offer...

Anyone who has ever watched late night television is familiar with the ubiquitous Top 10 List, counting down humorous examples of whatever is in the news. Not to be upstaged, the IRS has its own Top 10 List—the top 10 plan compliance failures found in voluntary...

There are few things that will give a person that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach like opening the mailbox and seeing an envelope with the words "Internal Revenue Service" (or Department of Labor) in the return address. It is similar to seeing that police...

There are many reasons for the wide popularity of 401(k) plans, one of which is that they shift the funding burden from employers to employees. But this advantage may be diminished for plans classified as "top heavy" where special contribution rules kick in that plan...

One of the most fundamental requirements in managing a qualified retirement plan is counting an employee's length of service. It is the basis for determining such items as plan eligibility, entitlement to company contributions, vesting and even retirement itself....

Cash or deferred retirement plans, more commonly referred to as 401(k) plans, have become the backbone of the private pension system in America. They long ago replaced employer-sponsored pension plans as the most common vehicle for retirement savings. These plans,...

Sooner or later, every retirement plan will have to deal with participants who have terminated employment but still have balances in the plan. In most circumstances, the plan document provides guidance on how to proceed; however, there are a number of factors that can...

Cash balance plans have enjoyed a recent resurgence in popularity. However, these plans, which can provide tax-deductible benefits as much as five times greater than 401(k) profit sharing plans, have actually existed for more than 30 years. When the Pension Protection...