No control group.. 415 limit

Bob owns his own RIA 100% pushing investments. He also owns a 50% stake in an insurance business.  No control group.

The insurance business has 4 EEs.  If they setup a 3% SH 401(k) plan I don't have to worry about Bob exceeding the 415 limit if he maxes out the RIA business.  Correct  

Of course I need to watch the 402(g) limit.

I assume you also mean there is no Affiliated Services Group? If neither CG nor ASG, then I agree.

Based on the response from the client, there is no control group issue.   ASG.... there could be but I need to better understand how to determine if one exists.  My head is ready to explode reading about and just scratching the surface of FSO, A-org, B-org and what it all means.  Is there a grid or something somewhere that I can use to input all the players to help determine my answer?

The flow charts on pages 45-46 are a great place to start: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/epchd704.pdf

Unless it's an obvious ASG, we refer all those situations to ERISA counsel.

Is this obvious?  RIA sends clients to his insurance business and visa versa?   Or is that fine.  It's all about providing a "service"...  Like a doctors office and a medical billing company.  One can't exist without the other.  

Thanks Zeller, I guess I didn't go as deep as page 45.  I'll take a look