Q 39 at the 2012 ASPPA Conference:
A safe harbor 401(k) plan fails the §410(b) coverage with
respect to its profit sharing plan component. Within 9-1/2
months after the close of the plan year, the employer
adopts a corrective amendment, pursuant to Treas. Reg.
§1.401(a)(4)-11(g). Does this amendment cause the
401(k) component to lose its safe harbor for the plan year
in which the corrective amendment is adopted?
ASPPA suggested answer
No. Regardless of the position taken by the IRS with
respect to amendments made to a safe harbor 401(k)
plan, an implied exception exists for any
amendments that are necessary to correct a violation
of the nondiscrimination testing rules, which is a
fundamental requirement for a qualified plan.
The IRS agrees with the proposed answer.