415 HCE Limit

Question 1

What is the base 415 limit (including the minimum and when it applies + default exam condition)?

Answer 1

It is the lesser of the dollar limit and the high 3 year consecutive pay.

This cannot be less than 10,000 if employee was never covered under employer’s DC plan. Under default exam condition, the floor applies (employer never had another plan)

Question 2

The 415 limit is reduced based on service. What is the service reduction and what service is used to reduce:
Dollar Limit
Comp Limit
$10,000 Min

Answer 2

The reduction is service / 10 * Limit

1. Dollar - PTP service (i.e. since plan has been formed)
2. Comp - Since Hire Date
3. $10,000 Min - Since Hire Date

(Note: minimum of 1/10 is tested elsewhere)

Question 3

When calculating a projected benefit, do you use future service to calculate the 415 limit reduction based on service?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

T/F When reducing the 415 limit based on service, the service used must follow the same service used under the plan.

Answer 4

TRUE

Question 5

What compensation (including limits if applicable) is used to calculate the 415 comp limit?

Answer 5

High 3 year average of total compensation (including pre-tax deferals) over all years at the company. Compensation is limited by 401(a)(17)

Question 6

What plans are are exempt the 415 COMPENSATION limit?

Answer 6

Government Plans
Multiemployer Plans
Church Plans if ptp was never an HCE

Question 7

What is the 415 DC Limit?

Answer 7

Limits the sum of employer, employee contributions and forfeitures to the lesser of 100% of comp, and a dollar limit ($57K for 2020)

Question 8

T/F the 415 DC limit excludes rollover contributions and SEP contributions?

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

When can you exclude pre-retirement mortality from the age adjustment of the 415 limit?

Answer 9

1. If there is no forfeiture on death OR

2. the plan does not charge for a QPSA

Question 10

When adjusting the 415 limit for age, what factors do you use?

Answer 10

Lesser of

1. mandated (applicable mort, 5% interest)
2. If plan defines SLA at 65/62 and annuity start date, then plan factors as well

Question 11

How do you calculate the 415 age adjustment factor using plan factors.

Answer 11

Calculate A using SLA at age to adjust to.
Calculate B using SLA at age 65/62.

A ignores accruals after 65 and 415 limits
Adjustment factor is A/B
Trying to back into actuarial increase/decreases in the plan

Question 12

If a plan only offers continued accruals after 65, what is the increase in the 415 limit for a ptp at age 70?

Answer 12

$0

You take the lesser of the mandated factors and the plan factors. The plan factor in this case will be 0.

Question 13

If a plan does not define an SLA at age 62, how do you adjust the 415 limit for ptp below 62?

Answer 13

Use mandated mortality and 5% interest only

Question 14

What parts of the 415 limit need to be adjusted for FOP?

Dollar limit, comp limit, and minimum.

Answer 14

The comp and dollar limit

Question 15

T/F No adjustment is needed for FOP if the benefit is paid as a QJSA.

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

If the normal form is not subject to 417(e), then how is the form of payment adjusted under 415.

Answer 16

The great of 1,2 must be less than 415 limit:

1. SLA under plan basis
2. SLA under applicable mort and 5% interest

Question 17

If the normal form is subject to 417(e), then how is the form of payment adjusted under 415.

Answer 17

The greater of 1,2,3 must be less than 415 limit:

1. SLA under plan basis
2. SLA under 5.5% and 417(e) applicable mort

If plan has more than 100 employees that earn more than $5000:
3. SLA under applicable interest and mort, divided by 1.05

Question 18

How do you reduce a benefit to satisfy the 415 limit?

Answer 18

Multiply the optional form by the (415 Limit/Plan benefit) on the SLA

Question 19

When does the new 415 limit come out?

Answer 19

7/1

Question 20

T/F A benefit can increase each year as the 415 limit rises each year.

Answer 20

True if that’s how plan doc is laid out.

Question 21

T/F You can have specific language in in the plan doc to increase the comp limit in 415 by COLAs

Answer 21

TRUE

Question 22

If you increase a ptp’s benefit each year by the 415 limit, can you build in 415 increases into the PV for funding?

Answer 22

No

Question 23

If a ptp has 0 YOS, then is the dollar limit 0?

Answer 23

No - it is a minimum of 1/10 * dollar limit

Question 24

How is 415 Comp calculated if there is less than 3 years?

Answer 24

Average is calculated with actual number of years in denominator

Question 25

How is 415 hi 3 calculated upon rehire after break in service?

Answer 25

Calculated by ignoring the break years and treating years before and after break as consecutive. Can use average before and adjust up by COLA if higher.