Can you use your IRA as collateral on a loan in Florida? My initial understanding was no, but when I read on it appears that depending on the state, it is permitted. Does anyone have any experience in using an IRA as collateral? Thanks for your help.

How is that organizations here in Massachusetts can provide a Health benefit to Management staff to Accrue sick leave to better prepare if a future long term illness/injury occurs with paid time off, while other

non-management staff must take their annual allotment of sick days or "lose them" i.e. no opportunity to bank them for any future long term illness etc.???????

Isn't this blatant DISCRIMINATION???

When completing the Form 5500C/R, on the question that asks "Did the plan at any time hold 20% or more of its assets in any single security, debt, mortgage, etc.?", do you consider mutual funds a single security?

We have not, but a book we purchased this year re: completion of 5500's says that mutual funds should be considered a single security for the purposes of this question.

We would appreciate input from other TPA's as to how you answer this question.

I represent a client who is the alternate payee on a QDRO. Can she cash this check without being subject to the 10% early distribution penalty or is this a distribution exempt under 72(t)?

What insurance companies are offering annuities or life insurance products that can be used in a 412(i) defined benefit plan?

See above.

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Susan

Our client is considering whether they should assume the seller's self-insured group health plan. What potential problems/issues should our client be aware of for these types of plans?

Sometime ago I heard of a concept called benefit banking wherein a company would offer a dollar amount per year to employees which could vary based on years of service, hours worked, etc. At an open enrollment-like period in the year, employees could elect how to spend their benefit bank, toward health insurance, paid-time off etc.? Has anyone else heard of this type of benefit, have it in place or have any idea if such a plan presents any ERISA related problems?

Can someone please summarize the tax consequences of early withdrawl of company stock held in a 401K ? Is it true that the valuation for tax purposes is the cost of when the stock was originally purchaced? If that is so, is it an advantage for highly appreciated stock to withdraw the stock, pay the penalty for early withdrawl, then hold the stock for a year in order to get taxed at the lower 20% long term capital gains rate? The 20% rate would be lower than any income tax rate that would be applied at retirement. I would appreciate any advice / insight into this. Thanks.

SINCE I AM IN BETWEEN JOBS, I AM LOOKING FOR THE MOST COST EFFICIENT WAY TO OBTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE. I HAVE READ ABOUT CATASTROPHIC HEALTH INSURANCE THAT HAS HIGH DEDUCTIBLES ($1,000 OR MORE) AND COVERS ONLY HOSPITAL AND SURGERY ETC.. SINCE WE ARE IN GOOD HEALTH,WITH NO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, THIS APPEALS TO US. I CANNOT FIND ANY MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT.IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.--THANK YOU

I'm the CFO of a 501©(3) community mental health center with an existing 403(B) plan. We have 107 eligible employees with about 60 electing to contribute to the plan. We match 50 cents on the dollar up to the first 14% the employee contributes. Could we also maintain a 457 plan that would allow the employer to contribute on the behalf of a certain class of employees such as top management only? If so, could they participate in both plans and would the annual contribution limit be $ 8,000 for the combined plans instead of the $10,000 limit for the 403(B) plan? Where can I find more information on 457 plans?

Are swimming/YMCA membership/enrollment fees for the purpose of rehab therapy eligible for Medical Expense Reimbursement under the 125 Plan?

I know that swimming lessons (even when recommended by a doctor) and health club dues are not eligible, but "physical therapy" is eligible if required for a specific medical condition.

Does every company have their own policies on severence pay for terminated employees?? I'm almost sure that it is something that does not HAVE to be given, but wouldn't most decent, reputable businesses give at least something??

I was informed on an investment BBS that I am entitled to rollover assets in my 403(B) plan to a traditional IRA by means of a custodian to custodian transfer (no distribution to me, hence no penalty).

I am just about to sign up with my new nonprofit employer's 403(B) plan (a variable annuity) which doesn't thrill me:

(1) Given that it will be a new 403(B) account set up through an insurance company as usual, at what point would I be able to rollover/transfer the assets to a traditional (new) IRA account to be held by a different custodian (a mutual fund family)?

(2) Which IRS provision specifically allows such transfers? (I may need to arm myself with chapter and verse if I meet any resistance.)

(3) My payroll deductions will of course happen monthly. But how often can I make such transfers from the 403(B) to the IRA? Once a month, once a quarter, once a year, once every ten years ...?

Any information or advice would be appreciated.

Lyric

If a 12/31 plan/tax year end company files for an extension of their federal income taxes to Sept.15, can a form 5558 then be filed to extend the 5500 to Oct.15, or is the 5500 C/R automatically due Sept.15?

Can a participant participate in more than one 401(k) plan that is sponsored by different companies?

I am interested in finding a source for PPO industry benchmarks such as Average Length of Stay (ALOS), Days per 1000, Admits per 1000, etc. Any help will be truly appreciated.

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Thanks <b>don</>

Do elective contributions count as "employer provided benefits" for purposes of the average benefits test - "benefit percentage" as defined in 410(B)(2)© - and is there any authority on this?

I recently saw some marketing materials promoting what is called "The Charlie

Plan." This plan uses a Defined Benefit Plan with maximum life insurance and

coordinates that with an ILIT containing a small policy which guarantees the

insurability of the survivor. Looks interesting, but I'm usually a little

wary when a marketing concept looks too good.Anyone familiar with this concept?

What are the chances, in your opinion, that Congress will increase the limit on the amount of money you can contribute an Roth IRA?

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bill white