Notice requirement - changing 401k match

[max2000]

We have a non-safe harbor 401k. Employer match is discretionary. We want to change the match formula this year. My questions are:

1) Are we required to notify the employees?

2) Is there a deadline for notifying employees? For example, the notice must be sent 30 days before beginning of the year, 1/1/2015.

3) Can we change the formula now effective the beginning of the year, 1/1/2015?

Thanks for your help.

[BG5150]

The match is discretionary, so the ER can almost do whatever they want whenever. However, the match must be applied per the formula.

I would also avoid having a match for the first half, two-thirds of the year and stop when the owner/HCEs have maxed out and cannot defer any more.

No notice to EEs is needed. However, it may be good ER/EE relations to let them know.

[max2000]

Thank you for your response. We will have an employee meeting to announce the change.