Viewpoints about Small business retirement plans
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Why upgrading from SIMPLEs to 401(k)s may make sense
Incorporating retirement plans into your advisory business can be a great way to grow your practice. You can show your value to plan sponsors by clearly outlining the differences between SIMPLEs—IRA or 401(k)—and traditional 401(k)s.
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What are the lifetime income illustrations on my 401(k) statement?
If you’re saving in a defined contribution (DC) retirement plan, you receive a quarterly statement that shows your account balance and investments. To help you see how much monthly income your account balance will generate, your statement will start including two lifetime income illustrations.
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What employee classification means for your 401(k) testing
Your 401(k) plan and an individual’s working relationship with your business are interconnected. Learn how employee classifications can affect how you manage your plan.
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The basics of the 401(k) coverage test
The 401(k) coverage test is one of the nondiscrimination tests plan sponsors must perform each year to keep their plan compliant. Find out what’s involved in completing this test.
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401(k) nondiscrimination testing—a guide for plan sponsors and other fiduciaries
Nondiscrimination tests are designed to prove that qualified retirement plans aren’t just benefitting the highly compensated. Here's a review of how these tests work—and the penalties plan sponsors can pay if they get a failing grade.
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What happens when there’s a mistake in your 401(k) plan? Overview of the IRS correction program
Correcting plan errors as soon as they’re discovered can help avoid costly sanctions and negative tax consequences. Learn about the IRS correction program and key steps for fixing plan errors.
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What’s a safe harbor 401(k) plan?
Does your traditional 401(k) plan have trouble passing the nondiscrimination tests? Want a retirement plan that’s easier to administer? A safe harbor 401(k) plan could be the answer. Learn why.
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A guide to 408(b)(2) fee disclosures for retirement plan sponsors
ERISA Section 408(b)(2) stipulates that covered service providers must disclose information about their services and fees in writing to the plan’s fiduciaries. And as a fiduciary, you must evaluate the disclosures and determine whether the cost of services provided by the plan’s CSPs is reasonable.
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Group annuity or trust company—which is better for a 401(k) plan to make investments available?
Retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, offer participants the opportunity to save and invest for their future. To protect participant assets and enable them to be invested, plan sponsors must hire a provider that can recordkeep the plan and also hold the plan’s assets and provide access to investments. The two types of entities through which recordkeepers do this are generally insurance companies and trust companies. It’s helpful to understand both arrangements and the terms involved.
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What’s your ERISA duty with qualified retirement plan documents?
Failing to update your plan document for new laws, like the SECURE Act and CARES Act, jeopardizes your plan. Stay compliant. Learn the basics about documents and amendments.
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