My apologies for the delay - I was out for two days.
Mr. Luke, the forfeitures are fair and square - BG5150 they are using 100% of the forfeiture account to offset contributions. The document allows forfeitures to be used to offset contribution or pay fees if there are no account restorations required.
If the account had a loss, clearly the employer would not benefit from the use of plan assets. My thinking is along Ms. Kimberly's line - that earnings should be allocated to participants and not benefit the employer by reducing the current contribution. I realize that the employer loses the benefit of a high deduction by using the earnings to offset contributions, but I understood that the employer can use funds previously contributed - period. Am I on target?
Thank you all for your help!