removing installments if one is in progress

Taking over a plan that I see offers installment payments.  In an effort to simplify, I recommend that they remove that option... and then find that one of the owners started taking an installment series in 2017.

So... does that mean I can't actually remove the provision from the plan?

You can remove it prospectively as long as it isn't discriminatory to do so.

Thanks, Mike.  What do you feel is the appropriate way to judge that in this case?

a) All current participants maintain the right to take installments, and future participants do not.

b) All current balances keep the right to be distributed in installments, and all future contributions do not.

c) Leave the owner "grandfathered" and no one can take one in the future.

Thanks!

That is up to ERISA counsel.