5500SF, item 10e

[Guest Margaret25]

The 5500 instructions seem to limit the commission information reported to insurance companies only, but what about a non insurance product with an insurance company (such as Nationwide Trust product). For that matter, commissions are paid on non-insurance groups as well (such as American Funds). Shouldn't these commissions be recorded on this line as well?

[Bird]

I think if it is not reportable on Schedule A then it is not reportable on that line. It has something to do with the "...provides some or all of the benefits under the plan" language and the theoretically different nature of an insurance company providing guarantees. Of course we all know that when the money is held in separate accounts, there are no guarantees, and that's the norm rather than the exception, but...whatever, there's really no point in trying to understand why they ask the questions they do.

I don't think the NW trust product commissions are reportable there. But if there is a Schedule A then yes. Definitely not for straight mutual fund products.