I am not involved in nonprofit/governmental plan admin work, but I have a question regarding references I see to "401(a) plans". I have always viewed IRC 401(a) as a rather lengthy section containing a host of rules that apply to many types of private industry plans, and not necessarily isolated to governmental/nonprofit plans (e.g. retirement distribution rules under 401(a)(9) which apply to private plans).
Is the term "401(a) Plan" just a way those involved in administering/working in this area distinguish certain governmental/nonprofit plans (mandatory contributions, etc) from other governmental plans, like 457(b) plans, or from 401(k) plans sponsored by private employers?
I am trying to find a good way to summarize the main purposes/provisions of IRC 401(a) but just about every article I find keeps referring to governmental, educational, non-profit 401(a) "plans".
