Plans eligible to receive safe harbor contributions.

[AJ North]

I understand that a safe harbor contribution can be made to plan other than the plan where the 401(k) salary deferral was made.  Is a money purchase plan considered an eligible plan to receive a safe harbor contribution?  I guess I am getting hung up on the pension aspect and minimum funding standard of a money purchase plan.  

[Lou S.]

See §1.401(k)-3(h)(4) as long as you meet that you are fine. Money Purchase plans aren't specifically excluded so I don't see why you can't use a Money Purchase Plan.

[ESOP Guy]

Not directly related to your question but I have some experience with this kind of stuff with ESOPs so I will share.

Be careful you keep track of the differences between the plans and the SH rules. 

For example in an ESOP you have to allow a person the ability to take a diversification at age 55 if they have been a participant for 10 years.   SH benefits can't be taken out as an in-service until 59.5.

Most MP plans don't allow in-service distributions.   I forget if SH have to be allowed to be taken out at 59.5 via in-service or that is just an option.  It has been a long time since I worked on MPPs.  I guess I am saying I would make sure there aren't any contradictions in the rules like that which need to be thought through.   Both MPPs and SH have very specific rules at times.