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Everything posted by Effen
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Way to confirm enrolment of actuary?
Effen replied to AndyH's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
Really? Actually, I thought every actuary was listed on that site. I am not an SOA member, but I am listed, but not as Effen. I would be surprised if an EA is not in that data base, they are all suppose to be there. I would be interested to know if they were an EA, but not listed in the SOA's list. -
Way to confirm enrolment of actuary?
Effen replied to AndyH's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
The SOA maintains a list of all enrolled actuaries. Enrolled Actuary directory -
5500 Filing Requirement
Effen replied to Gary's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
I agree, the "100K" rule only applies to EZ filers. Did you check to see if a PBGC filing is also necessary? -
Can you be more specific with your question? What is the actual situation you need help with? DB or DC? Mulitemployer plans are exempt from some of the 415 limits.
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Insurance in DB Plan
Effen replied to Dougsbpc's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
I would add a "term cost" to the normal cost. This should be the cost of the insurance, like a term charge. It is the portion of the premium that is actually used to cover the death benefit for the current year. Kind of like an expense assumption. Ultimately the premiums are always "paid" from the trust. If the company pays them directly, the premium payments is treated as a contribution. So it's like they deposited it into the trust and then paid the premium on the same day. Net effect is 0 to the Trust. -
Forfeiture allocation and 404(a)(7) limit
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
When did the IRS start hiring pirates? I think this equal opportunity stuff has gone too far. Can't you guys get a job doing Capital One commercials? -
Forfeiture allocation and 404(a)(7) limit
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
I agree. I don't think the 404(a)(7) limit comes into play unless they are deducting contributions to both a db and dc plan during the same year. Just having a dc plan doesn't trigger the restriction. I think the full 200K would be deductible. That said, if you search the board you will find some long threads discussing this. Ultimately, it's the accountants/clients call. -
Forfeiture allocation and 404(a)(7) limit
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
Pax, why are you saying the max ded. is $150,000? If they are not making a PS contribution, I don't see why 404(a)(7) would even be an issue, unless you believe just having the PS plan makes 404(a)(7) kick in. -
A self employed doctor owns a C-corp. that sells software. The doctor practices as a self-employed physician, but also takes some compensation from the software business. The doctor maintains a db plan that covers his income from self employment and his income from the c-corp. All employees of both entities are covered. There are 4 other employees, all working for the C-corp. The C-corp. by itself is not a professional services employer. Do you think they are exempt from PBGC coverage because the physician owns the C-corp? What if most of the income came from the physician practice? "A professional service employer is any entity owned or controlled by professional individuals where both the entity and the professionals controlling it are engaged in the performance of the same professional service" Since the C-corp doesn't perform the same service, I think I'm sunk, but I wondered if anyone else had another opinion.
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Vesting Upon Plan Termination
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
Lots of prior threads on this topic that you should probably read. My personal opinion is that anyone who has not had a break s/b 100% vested. Some people argue 5 breaks, some say only those who were actually active at the time the plan terminated. If you submit for approval, the IRS will probably ask about anyone who termed during the last 5 years so be ready to defend what ever your client chooses to do. -
What is the issue? Did the policies lapse due to lack of payment? What does the Plan document say related to the death benefit? Often the death benefit is defined in the plan document as a specifc amount. The Plan owes this benefit regardless of the plan's choice to insure it. Therefore, if the premium is unpaid, it may not have any impact on the benefit which the participant is entitled.
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I think prospectively the plan should be amended to exclude him. The concept of a waiver implies he has a choice and that could lead the IRS into a CODA argument. I think the better way is to exclude him prospectively by amendment. Also, I would be concerned if he is waiving benefits he has already accrued. Does he want to waive his '05 allocation? If so, I'm not sure this would be permitted since Funding Standards apply to MP Plans. Therefore, he would be forfeiting a benefit in order to avoid a required contribution which I don't think is permitted. (That is a DB rule, but it may apply to MP plans as well.)
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Trustee decisions final & binding
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
This is clearly a legal issue and should be handled by the Fund's ERISA counsel. -
Couldn't pass this one up
Effen replied to mwyatt's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
Great article, although I had a little trouble avoiding sweetmonkey. -
Posting information on workplace bulletin board
Effen replied to a topic in Communication and Disclosure to Participants
The problem with some exams, especially more basic ones, is that you can know too much. I think I would agree that "posting on workplace bulletin board" is probably an incorrect response. -
Posting information on workplace bulletin board
Effen replied to a topic in Communication and Disclosure to Participants
Again, you need to be specific. Are you trying to be 404© compliant? If so, than I think you need to give the prospectus directly to the participant. If not, you can do what ever you want with it. There are lots of Regulations and articles related to what needs to be provided and how. There are very few required communications where a simple posting is adequate. Are you a participant or a TPA? -
Posting information on workplace bulletin board
Effen replied to a topic in Communication and Disclosure to Participants
I don't think it ever was acceptable for SARs or SMMs. -
Discriminatory Plan Feature
Effen replied to a topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
You probably should read the entire section, but this little snippett should give you the general idea. I think you would be ok, as long as everyone else is eligible. §1.401(a)(4)-5. Plan amendments and plan terminations (a) Introduction (1) Overview. --This paragraph (a) provides rules for determining whether the timing of a plan amendment or series of amendments has the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs. For purposes of this section, a plan amendment includes, for example, the establishment or termination of the plan, and any change in the benefits, rights, or features, benefit formulas, or allocation formulas under the plan. Paragraph (b) of this section sets forth additional requirements that must be satisfied in the case of a plan termination. (2) Facts-and-circumstances determination. --Whether the timing of a plan amendment or series of plan amendments has the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs is determined at the time the plan amendment first becomes effective for purposes of section 401(a), based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances. These include, for example, the relative numbers of current and former HCEs and NHCEs affected by the plan amendment, the relative length of service of current and former HCEs and NHCEs, the length of time the plan or plan provision being amended has been in effect, and the turnover of employees prior to the plan amendment. In addition, the relevant facts and circumstances include the relative accrued benefits of current and former HCEs and NHCEs before and after the plan amendment and any additional benefits provided to current and former HCEs and NHCEs under other plans (including plans of other employers, if relevant). In the case of a plan amendment that provides additional benefits based on an employee's service prior to the amendment, the relevant facts and circumstances also include the benefits that employees and former employees who do not benefit under the amendment would have received had the plan, as amended, been in effect throughout the period on which the additional benefits are based. -
COPA - Who/why are they?
Effen replied to Effen's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
The board is fuly accessible to registered members. As a non-member. you will not be eligible to post. -
COPA - Who/why are they?
Effen replied to Effen's topic in Defined Benefit Plans, Including Cash Balance
How do you access your board? I didn't see anything obvious on your web site. -
If you were going to calculate a lump sum distribution payable today, based on the 415 max. would you use 5.5% (assuming they will retroactively change it back) or the current 417(e) rate (recognize that the PFEA provisions have expired). This is more of a pole. I'm pretty sure the current law allows me to use the 417(e) limit, but does anyone see any potential problems using it? I guess I am worried about the potential of a future, retro-active change.
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For most of the FSA, a deficiency is like a negative credit balance. Be careful with the RPA AFC, where it is generally ignored. I also suggest amending the 5500 since a deficiency is not the same as a contribution receivable. I assume the 2004 5500 Schedule B had a deficiency?
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Nowafreeman..... you wouldn't happen to be a physician would you? Just a guess.
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Personally, I don't see this as something the PA should be involved in. If there is no QDRO, you are just medling in their affairs (maybe litterally ) It is not the PA's responsibility to enforce a divorce decree, unless there is a QDRO or a pending QDRO.
