5500sf

[Guest Peggy806]

Is everyone leaving line 11 blank or checking no when the plan isn't subject to the minimum funding requirements?

[Guest TomB]

We've been checking the "no" box.

[chc93]

We've been leaving it "blank".

[BeanCounterBlues]

The Form 5500 SF (see page 15, second column) instructions state:

"If this is a defined contribution pension plan, leave blank."

Unfortunately - my 5500 software provider is automatically checking the box "NO" w/ no way to leave it blank. Ugh!

[Guest Peggy806]

The Form 5500 SF (see page 15, second column) instructions state:

"If this is a defined contribution pension plan, leave blank."

Unfortunately - my 5500 software provider is automatically checking the box "NO" w/ no way to leave it blank. Ugh!

I was checking no because the instructions say on page 5 the yes or no questions cannot be left blank, unless specifically permitted. Another person is leaving this blank because it says to complete Part VI only if subject to minimum funding requirements. However, question 12 is part of Part VI and it has to be answered. We decided that we will wait and see what does or doesn't get kicked out of the submission. If anyone has submitted this one way successfully, please let us know.

[GMK]

I know of a case where a filing for a DC plan was kicked back, because lines 12 and 13b were left blank. The 13b part is strange, because 13a was checked "No." It may have gone through if line 12 had been checked, but who knows?

[Guest Peggy806]

I know of a case where a filing for a DC plan was kicked back, because lines 12 and 13b were left blank. The 13b part is strange, because 13a was checked "No." It may have gone through if line 12 had been checked, but who knows?

I am asking about line 11, not line 12. We are checking line 12 as no.

[GMK]

In the case to which I refer, line 11 was blank, and that was not cited as an error.

Personally, I'd check something in lines 11, 12, and 13a, and be done, rather than spending time trying to figure out if they can be left blank, but they're not asking me.

[chc93]

As I've posted above, for a PS/401k plan, we have left Line 11 "blank". Also, Line 12 was "No", Lines 12a, 12b 12c, 12d and 12e were all "blank", and Line 13a and 13b were "No". All of the electronic filings with EFAST2 were "Accepted"... no errors or rejections.

[BeanCounterBlues]

Ultimately I agree w/ Peggy806 (check "no" as opposed to leaving it blank) from an intuitive sense. Can anyone think of harm that could come from checking the box "no?" EG any kind of audit flag by doing so? That'd be my biggest concern to not trigger an audit based on a response on the 5500. Has anyone called the DOL about this seeming mis- match in the instructions?

[Tom Poje]

using ft william

you don't even get a chance to check question 11, the item is greyed and therefore it is left blank.

apparently the software read the plan characteristic codes and therefore knows it is not a DB

[Bird]

using ft william

you don't even get a chance to check question 11, the item is greyed and therefore it is left blank.

apparently the software read the plan characteristic codes and therefore knows it is not a DB

Ditto. And have filed plans successfully. The instructions are clear that if it is a DC plan you leave it blank.

[TPA Bob]

Any updates anyone can share. We are currently going to leave Part VI blank.

Thanks.

[Guest esaade]

Any updates anyone can share. We are currently going to leave Part VI blank.

Thanks.

We use RELIUS. Early on, we were not allowed to leave blank but software was upgraded. Currently we are leaving "blank" as per the instructions. No issues so far.

Btw, on the earlier Forms where we checked off NO no issues either.

[Guest JPIngold]

Been checking no all along and have had no rejections. I was going off of the "don't leave a yes/no" question blank .... and based on the question, "Is this a DB plan ....." , the answer for a DC plan is "no".