Rollover of foreign pension money

[cpc0506]

Hello. We have been approached by a client who has an employee who worked in Ireland and participated in and received a retirement benefit while employed there. The employee has returned to the US and wants to rollover his foreign retirement benefit to his current employer's plan. We have contacted Relius, our document provider, and were told that if the law allows for this kind of rollover, the document language covers the rollover.

Are there any ERISA attorneys out there who can tell if foreign pension funds are rollover eligible?

Thanks

[masteff]

Not sure if it's an ERISA atty so much as a tax expert as, my understanding, is it's mostly a function of the relevant tax treaty between the two countries. I have the impression country-to-country rollovers not commonly allowed but have no knowledge specific to Ireland.

[PensionPro]

Only if the foreign distribution qualifies as an eligible rollover distribution within the meaning of section 402©(4). The tax treaty does not override this requirement. So generally the answer is No. However, check out this discussion about qrops (may or may not be relevant since you asked specifically about Ireland) ...

http://benefitslink.com/boards/index.php?/topic/35698-qrops-anyone/