david rigby

You are correct. It affects the VRP only.

Could it be less, under PPA section 405?

I would never sell my copy. Priceless.

I haven't parsed the language, but there could be an inconsistency without an amendment. (Note that "inconsistency" is not the same as "wrong".) For example, PPA06 included language that requires plan modification in certain circumstances (such as the automatic freeze if a funding level drops below a certain level). Somewhere in the future, every plan must be amended to incorporate that concept, but we don't know yet how to do it. Thus, your plan may have that deficiency. However, it is difficult to see how a terminated one-person plan could suffer any harm by not having the language. In 2010, when the IRS provides some guidance (ha ha), it seems unlikely they will require modification for plans that no longer exist. But, what do I know. Discuss with your ERISA attorney?

What is a "WRERA amendment"? Covers what provisions?

I'm aware of waiver in the case of termination of a PBGC-covered plan, the intent being to make a plan fully funded in a standard termination. Is there another scenario?

Since WRERA changed PPA06 back to the latter's orginal effective date, it would seem that any 2008 plan year is affected. What particular section of WRERA is your focus?

I love RPN. Once you get used to it, nothing else measures up. However, with the 17BII, you can choose RPN or "conventional". Another advantage to the 17B is that it will accept non-integral "n" in a time value of money calculation.

What do you mean by "involvement"? The "FAS87 valuation" is provided by the plan's actuary. It's purpose is to provide (primarily) two pieces of information: the accounting expense for the fiscal year, and the information applicable for financial statement purposes at the end of the fiscal year. (BTW, "fiscal year" refers to the year of the plan sponsor, not the plan year.)

Quite a few years ago, I used the HP-17BII. Several others used a different HP model; I think it was the 12C.

I think that depends on the precise wording of the freeze amendment.

As I recall, in the development of a standard table a few years ago, the committee designing the table recommended a rate that never went to 1.0. I think they settled on 0.4 or 0.5 for all years after a certain age (perhaps 110 or 115). It may have been the RP-2000 table, which can be found on the Society of Actuaries website, http://www.soa.org, which was the basis (I think) for the creation of the tables in the IRS Notice.

Why are there inconsistencies in federal statutes? Perhaps, successful lobbying.

As Andy states, WRERA changed the statute. We still await commentary from the IRS as to its meaning. Earlier discussions: http://benefitslink.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=40708 http://benefitslink.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=40788

I always enjoy Peter's discussions. From the non-lawyer perspective, Sieve's question is a no-brainer: NO. It's probably also obvious that embedded within his question is the history of why we have statutes/regs that deal with leased employees.

Keep careful records. Money back in the trust. BTW, consider that this person may not be "missing", but could be deceased.

Hmmm. Released as a directive to DOL staff ("field assistance bulletin"). "Questions concerning this memorandum may be directed to Stephanie Ward at 202.693.8500." Grant, if you call with your question, please post the response.

A few prior discussions similar to this one. Perhaps oversimplified, it boils down to the relationship, including written service agreement, between the vendor and the plan sponsor.

Perhaps many of us are available for hire.

I second Effen's comments. That said, it always true that the customer has the right to consider other vendors. Feel free to consider. However, don't get hung up on the hourly billing rate. What counts (primarily) is: value. As customer, you are entitled to judge value on any basis you choose (we call that free enterprise), but be sure you ask your actuary what he/she thinks the basis is. If you want to consider other vendors, that is only one of the many questions you will ask.

See IRC 430(h)(2)(E) from PPA section 112.

The actuary may be correct about about waiting until January 2010 for the proper interest rate. It depends on the plan year, and the plan's definition of stability period and lookback month. Recommended that the election forms be sent more than 30 days before actual distrubion, espcecially since the J&S eleciton period is now 30-180 days. However, it is possible to send forms with an estimate of the benefit, with proper caveats. Discuss the alternatives, including the administrative issues associated your schedule, with your actuary.

Does the plan define spouse? Still an active employee at date of death?

Most rates can be found here: http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=123231,00.html Could you be more specific? What is the context? (In general, "GATT rates" are no longer applicable, so we need more information to help you.)

A contribution cannot be made for a plan year prior to the beginning of that plan year. But, if the IRS has changed its position on this, I hope someone will tell us.