I want to see if this is just us, or are others encountering similar things, and also to get other perspectives on the issue - maybe mine is skewed.
This week , we have received notifications from a couple of vendors/recordkeeping platforms. To paraphrase succinctly, they are saying that due to the fact that Trust Provisions are no longer in the IRS pre-approved documents, that we need to notify them (the vendor) and send them a copy of the PROPOSED plan restatement provisions, at LEAST 30 days prior to sending them a copy of the restated plan. This so they can "review the provisions" to make sure they can handle the plan. For all I know, this may be something that many vendors are doing. And these are plans where the employer is the Trustee, or it is a corporate Trustee.
My feeling is BS on that. It is hard enough to do these restatements and coordinate with the employer, without getting the VENDOR to approve the choices. As far as I'm concerned, we do the restatements as usual, (after getting employer approval of any changes) and send the completed document to the vendor afterward. If they have a problem with it, we can amend the plan, or the employer can find anther vendor if the vendor won't handle the employer's desired provisions and it is important enough to the employer.
I should also state that the changes that employers are making are nearly always basic things - maybe eligibility, or adding or removing hardship withdrawals, etc. - normal things that are handled all the time by vendors when plan amendments are completed anyway.
Maybe I'm just grumpy and unreasonable this morning. Have you been seeing anything similar, and if so, any thoughts? Thanks.