Employer match stated in the Plan

[Guest Nini]

In a 401(k) plan, if the enmployer match is stated in the collective bargaining agreement and in the summary plan description, does the amount also have to be stated in the plan document if the union contract is referenced in the plan?

Please provide any appropriate guidance.

Thank you for your assistance.

[Jim Chad]

I dealt with a situation like this 15 years ago. At first the union rep wanted it in the 401(k) document, too. But since the match would have to increase for 3 years, and the document would have to be amended each year, I pushed to have the Plan Doc flexible enough to accept what other contracts required the Employer to do. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly all of the attornies agreed to this. I never saw a problem with it.