What administrative expenses may be charged to a plan?

[Guest Letocha]

Are the review of investment options by an outside consultant and the search for a new recordkeeper expenses that may be charged to a plan? Does the answer depend on the plan's provisions?

[david rigby]

Yes. You may also find some help here:

http://www.benefitslink.com/boards/index.p...=ST&f=20&t=7635

http://www.benefitslink.com/boards/index.p...=ST&f=20&t=7138

http://www.benefitslink.com/boards/index.p...=ST&f=20&t=3768

http://www.benefitslink.com/boards/index.p...=ST&f=20&t=3019

[Guest rmeigs]

The Kansas City Office of the DoL recently provided a list of items that, in their opinion, can be paid by the plan sponsor or allocated between the sponsor and the plan. You can find it at the following web address:

http://www.reish.com/practice_areas/EmpBen...s/ListofExp.cfm

USA Today recently ran a short article on the issue also:

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/2000120...05/2888191s.htm

[Guest Scaf]

Last week the national office of the DOL issued an advisory opinion (I think its 2001-01A), which basically reverses the "Kansas City" trend and allows such things as nondiscrimination testing, determination letter applications and amendments to comply with the law to be charged against plan assets. They also issued some additional guidance in the form of six case studies that are particularly informative.

Steve

[Guest Patrick Foley]

Where can the six case studies be obtained on the Web? My sources for the opinion letter itself don't include them.

[Everett Moreland]

http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba/

[Guest Patrick Foley]

Thanks, Everett!