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Relationship Manager for Defined Benefit/Cash Balance Plans
Consulting Actuary – Relationship Manager
ADP Failure Correction Adjustments
We processed the ADP failure in March 2025 - client just provided new census and now ADP failure amount is significantly less after re-test. Trying to find the proper way to correct, not seeing anything specific on my situation. Any input is appreciated
Roth Conversion for ADP Catch-up Reclass
In 2026, if catch-up reclass is required for an ADP test failure, do we need to convert the catch-up to Roth for employees that are HCE due to compensation?
What is a plan does not allow for Roth, does the reclassed catch-up get refunded instead?
Could an employer’s contribution to a Trump account be a qualified benefit under a § 125 plan?
The exclusion from income for an employer’s contribution to a Trump account is Internal Revenue Code § 128.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.) § 125(f)(1) defines, generally, a “qualified benefit” as “any benefit which, with the application of subsection (a), is not includible in the gross income of the employee by reason of an express provision of this chapter [§§ 1®1400Z-2] (other than section 106(b), 117, 127, or 132).”
After § 128’s effective date and assuming fitting timing regarding all plan and tax years,
Could an employer’s contribution to a Trump account be a qualified benefit under a § 125 plan?
Reducing Owners Contribution to Cash Balance Plan
Client has hit some hard times, but wants to continue to benefit the employees (at least for now). They reduced the contribution to the owners in 2023, but now need to reduce their contributions again.
Generally I know you can't change the benefit annually. However, if the employees stay the same and it's just the owners who are taking a reduction (possibly as low as $0), would that be viewed as acceptable?
I don't see an issue, since it's only the HCE who are being negatively impacted. I just wanted to confirm that I wasn't overlooking anything.
Relationship Manager
Former LTPT vesting credit
Curious as to whether anyone with a "pipeline" or "contact" at the IRS has heard any rumors as to whether this foolish rule will be changed? It just isn't reasonable for someone who is a former LTPT and now a "regular" employee to receive a year of vesting credit for working 600 hours, whereas someone who started as a "regular" employee must work 1,000 hours to receive a year of vesting credit.
Not to mention, of course, the administrative nightmare and client confusion...
Assets refunded back to the Company
Per the audit report, there is an amount reported as a transfer out and within the footnote, it is indicating that assets were refunded to the company for the provision of benefits for or on the behalf of participants for claims incurred. On the Schedule H, is this reported under 2e(3) as an 'other' benefit payment and payments to provide benefits or under 2l(2) as a transfer out or within another field? Initially, I thought it would be a transfer out, but the assets went back to the company and not to another plan, so I wasn't sure the plan information to report under 5b which is required if reported it as a transfer out. Any guidance on this topic is appreciated. Thanks.
Takeover and deduction related
Hi
Looking at a possible takeover plan which I think there may be an issue with deduction. I think I know the answer (sorry, a bit fried brain today) but want to see if anyone has a fresh look and comment. My apologies for a rather long explanation. If I am not clear in any of the points, please let me know.
Not sure if a CG or ASG or if any at all but for arguments sake let's say either CG or ASG (still waiting on info).
Looking at 2023. this is a DB plan.
Prior TPA valuation report shows 300k as salary for pension purposes. Deduction was 200k.
Company A (a partnership) sponsors the plan. The majority partner's se income in box 14A shows 300k. There is also 500k under box 14C - non-farm income (which cannot be used for pension, if I recall correctly). Assume the other partner is silent and has no box 14A income.
If this was the only company sponsoring the plan with ASG/CG, even the though the deduction is within 300k se income limits under box 14A, the salary is definitely not as they would need 14A to be over 500k+ (excluding the 1/2 se tax adjustment), as per prior TPA report.
Now, Company B (a sole proprietorship), which is part of CG/ASG as assumed above and owned by the majority partner 100%. Line 31 of the schedule c shows 300k (but not adopted the plan).
If I recall correctly, for 415 limit purposes, you add both entities, please correct me on this.
However, for pension/deduction purposes, one cannot add both incomes for valuation purposes, only Company A can be used, please correct me on this as well.
Let's assume that it was intended that both companies to adopt the plan, say, going back to 2019, inception year (I have a feeling the plan operated similar to 2023 in prior years, afraid to ask/check but must).
Can this be corrected without VFCP i.e. is there a self-correction on this or must file with the IRS for correction? Any other comments/suggestions?
Thank you for your time.
Senior Relationship Manager
No Delays in Mandatory Roth Catch-ups, right?
I just cannot imagine that there will be any delays in mandatory Roth catch-ups, right? I mean ADP, PayChec, Paylocity, PayCor, Paycom collectively must have spent hundreds of millions. Recordkeepers made substantial investments. I just cannot imagine it would not cost tens of millions more to delay.
And then there is part about S20 being revenue neutral, paid for in large part by these mandatory roth catch-ups.
But here is an article from Willis Towers Watson saying it is possible. It can't be possible though, can it? I could see them saying "any good faith effort will be treated as not a failure even if something slips through the cracks." But not put it on hold altogether.
https://www.wtwco.com/en-us/insights/2025/08/roth-catch-up-requirement-effective-date-developments
Leased employee and controlled group related
This is possibly a stupid question but need to check.
Company A and Company B are CG.
Setting up a plan for Company A (sponsor) where Company B is an adopting employer.
Plan excludes leased employees.
Owner contacts and says, a Company A leases employees to Company B, the leased employees should not be excluded.
I read the section for leased employees under basic plan document and my understanding is that Company A is not a "leasing organization". I do not think it applies here as it is a different definition like a temp agency or something like that.
Besides as both entities are CG and no employees are excluded, who cares.
Am I missing something here?
Thanks
Sr. Retirement Plan Consultant
Reporting and withholding re: pension annuity overpayment due to late death notification
If erroneous pension annuity payments from a defined benefit plan (no beneficiary or joint and survivor annuity at issue) are made following a retirant's death due to late death notification and the plan administrator is unable to recoup from the estate, would a 1099-R be issued to the estate (no information is available as to estate tax id)? Is there a way to adjust the withholding that was submitted on future deposits or obtain a refund of the withheld amount-- through a 945-X (although instructions state it's limited to clerical errors) or other means-- because no party had a legally binding right to the payments after death? This has to be a common scenario, yet I haven't found guidance directly addressing the death overpayment situation (only guidance addressing overpayments to living retirants/participants).
MEP situation - one of the more bizarre situations I've encountered
So, you have Plan A sponsored by Employer A. Employer B signs on as a participating employer, but not a CG/ASG and thus a MEP.
Plan B winds down to one employee. Plan B is supposed to spin off, and then immediately terminate plan. Plan B employer never signs the paperwork to do this, and in the meantime, the one employee terminates employment, and the distribution is processed by plan A, where the assets were held.
The question is, does the spinoff still need to happen, and a first and final 5500 form be filed for Plan B? There are no assets to spinoff, and the temptation is strong to just ignore it, but it feels all wrong.
Anyone ever encountered such a situation?
Plan Administrator
5500-SF 9a (Plan Characteristic) Code 2D
When would you use code 2D on line 9a?
I have a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan where the employer also maintains a cash balance plan. Because the CBP was not PBGC covered in the first year, the 31% rule is applied; accordingly, the 401(a) feature of the 401(k) PSP is capped at 6%. My thought is this sounds exactly like "Plan benefits are subject to offset for retirement benefits provided in another plan or arrangement of the employer", but I've not swam these waters frequently and I'm not able to find any guidance on this code in particular.
Employer Contributions to 401(k)/Profit Sharing Limited by Cash Balance Plan
I know that when you are testing both a 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan and Cash Balance Plan together, the contributions to the Profit Sharing are limited to 6% of eligible compensation. Does that 6% include any Safe Harbor Match that is made to the 401(k) Plan? Or does it only apply to the Profit Sharing?
I think I'm confusing myself so I just want to make sure.
Thanks in advance!










