5500 required for Vision Plan?

[John A]

Is a 5500 required for an entirely voluntary, group-sponsored vision plan? It that is not enough information to make a determination, what further info. do I need to determine if a 5500 is or is not required?

[papogi]

A 5500 is not required for a welfare benefit plan if you have fewer than 100 participants and the plan is unfunded (no employee contributions, and benefits paid from general assets, not a separately maintained fund) and/or fully insured (insurance policies, paid for by general assets and/or employee contributions). There are a few other filing exemptions that are not often used, but do exist. Check out "Who Must File" at:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5500.pdf

[mroberts]

Also, if it's a vision discount plan, then a 5500 would not be required. If it is actually insurance, then follow papogi's advice.