david rigby

Verification: If you are taking the deduction in 2018, are you amending the 2018 tax return?

I'm much more concerned that it might not be transparent to Corbel. <wink>

Please let me know if I can help you find a new TPA.

Still too vague. There is much you have omitted. You don't have to put personal information here. Most commenters are going to respond with something like, "You need your own attorney, and make sure that person is familiar with QDRO's."

Duplicate post. Responses are here: https://benefitslink.com/boards/index.php?/topic/64347-cost-to-start-a-vebamewa/

It depends on the precise wording/structure of the QDRO itself.

Good points. When investigating this EE, look out for an assumption the person was deceased (and therefore no benefit due). If such error was made, the PBGC will have no record (ie, money) for this person, and the sponsor might have to amend its PBGC filing to include the missing participant.

Really? One-seventh, one-sixth, one-fifth, one-fourth, etc.

Why a new EIN?

Yes, the sponsor will probably find that retirees lump sums are less costly than retiree annuity contracts. However, other factors might be relevant; for example, a 2019 lump sum based on August 2018 rates might be about 2.5% greater than if the lump sum is based on November 2018 rates (ie, without regard to possible annuity purchase). Therefore, the "savings" can vary from plan to plan, but more importantly will vary based on the plan definition and the actual retiree population. IMHO, the sponsor might want to think long and hard, and think again, before doing a LS offer to retirees. My experience with this is summarized as, "Retirees don't like change". Someone will probably have to explain it when EACH retiree calls on the phone, and again when the retiree's spouse calls on the phone. (Voice of experience.) Don't treat this lightly. Don't be surprised if the acceptance rate is low.

Subsection 415(e), which "co-ordinated" the maximum when the EE is covered by both DB and DC plans, was repealed several years ago. (Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997?)

To quote the guys from Car Talk, "my knowledge is half-vast".

IMHO, the auditor gets to answer both of your questions. Measurement of Plan Assets appears in ASC 715 at paragraphs 715-35-50 thru 715-35-61. Reading subparagraph -60 indicates that "gross contract value" might not be appropriate.

Don't overlook the possibility that some may have returned to their home country, which might make ANY search fruitless. Possibly, other (current or former) employees might have some information on this.

… but first, read the divorce order to see if it directs anyone in particular to take action.

DOL/EBSA booklet: https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/qualified-medical-child-support-orders.pdf Don't forget the administrator's responsibility to determine if the order is qualified.

Might be hasty to assume some sort of default, since some plans might allow multiple beneficiaries.

No Medicaid expert, but I thought eligibility is related to income ("modified adjusted gross income"). Are you (or the employee or the employee's guardian) sure that eligibility can be affected by assets in a qualified plan? Edit 01/13/2020: I learned that yes the eligibility can be affected by assets in a qualified plan.

Long-time users of these message boards know that terminology is often mixed up. In particular, the word "shares" jumps out. Since that is (almost) never a characteristic of a defined benefit plan, it's possible something else is being discussed. In addition, note the link above will reveal the Form 5500 only for qualified plans; it's possible the "plan" under discussion is non-qualified, perhaps even an executive plan.

Data as of 05/31/2019 (Friday) Moody's Daily Long-term Corporate Bond Yield Averages Utilities Industrial Corporate Aaa NA 3.51 3.51 Aa 3.68 3.59 3.64 A 3.83 3.89 3.86 Baa 4.33 4.68 4.51 Avg 3.95 3.92 3.94 Moody's Daily Treasury Yield Averages Short-Term (3-5 yrs) 1.91 Medium-Term (5-10 yrs) 2.06 Long-Term (10+ yrs) 2.48 Observation: (1) All rates are lower than prior month, some by more than 20 basis points. (2) Comparing the Avg rates to 12 months prior, current rates are about 30 points lower. Comparing the Avg rates to 6 months prior, current rates are about 70 points lower.

Please reconsider your attachments. Too much personal detail. Make it anonymous.

Some actuaries value QDROs; we do this because one party to a divorce or separation wants to know the value of a DB plan (or multiple plans) which is considered part of the "marital property". There is an entire Actuarial Standard of Practice devoted to this topic. (FYI, Actuarial Standards of Practice are issued by the Actuarial Standards Board.) The original question is answered as, "it depends", with attention to the framework presented in ASOP 34. It might be appropriate to use the 417 basis. However, an experienced actuary will inquire (probably to the attorney rather than to the divorcing party) about: Is the actuary acting as an agent of the attorney? Should actuarial parameters be selected by the actuary or the attorney? Should a unisex basis be used? Should the discount rate be based on a particular set of (perhaps, independent) criteria? Should ancillaries be included? Are there plan provisions (eg, death benefits) that might affect the choice of parameters? Etc. These questions are relevant whether or not the plan is covered by ERISA. The experienced actuary will ask many other questions also. (I have.) Of course, whatever form of communication is produced by the actuary might include alternatives and/or ranges (if requested by the attorney) and will document all the decisions made, including who made them.

Pardon my skepticism, I'm not convinced the original question is about cash balance plans. FYI, there are provisions in pension law that deal with mandatory Employee contributions that might be part of a traditional defined benefit plan. See Internal Revenue Code section 411(c). Is this (part of) the original question?

It might help to understand who "we" is.

Yes. Asking for comments on any of it.