Retirement Flashcards
Who is an eligible designated beneficiary for RMD purposes and what are their RMDs?
-
who
- spouse
- child of account owner <21 (age of majority)
- goes to 10 years after 21
- individual disabled or chronically ill
- anyone else <10 years younger than owner
- rule: RMDs are based on their own life expectancy
Who is a ineligible designated beneficiary for RMD purposes and what are their RMDs?
- Who: an individual person who is designated but not eligible
- rule: must distribute within 10 years
What is a non-designated beneficiary for RMD purposes and what is the RMD rule?
- what: estate, charity, some trusts
- If RMDs have begun: take distributions based on owner’s RMD
- If RMDs haven’t begun: must distribute within 5 years
calculate self-employed contribution max
- step 1: calculate self-employment tax
- net self-employment income
- x 92.35%
- = net earnings subject to self-employment tax
- x 12.4% up to $147K + 2.9%
- = self-employment tax
- step 2: calculate contribution
- net self-employment income
- ½ self-employment tax
- = adjusted net self-employment earnings
- x self-employed contribution rate (i.e. assume you deducted contribution of 25% = 20% because .25/1.25 = .2)
- = self-employment plan contribution (‘ER contribution)
Leveraged ESOPs
purpose, how it works, max cont., benefits
- purpose: exit strategy for business owner
-
how it works:
- ESOP purchases the stock (via bank loan),
- company & owner guarantee the loan
- company contributes to ESOP to pay off the loan
- EEs receive distributions of company stock at retirement/termination
- max cont: same 25% as all other qual. plans
- benefits: allows leverage, can deduct interest payments
life insurance in retirement plans
requirements, limits, 412 plans
- requirements
- cannot be used in IRA but can be in other qualified plans
- must be converted to cash or annuity at retirement
- cannot be the primary focus on plan
- 25%/50% tests (defined contribution) - premiums cannot exceed 25% (universal or term) or 50% (whole) of ‘ER cont.
- 100 to 1 ratio (defined benefit i.e. pension) - death benefit must be 100x monthly accrued retirement benefit provided
- 401(e)(3)/412(i) - exception; specific defined benefit pension plan entirely funded by life insurance; ‘ER deduction for cont. for premiums
lump sum distributions from qualified plans
- entire amount distributed within 1 tax year
- plan participant for 5+ years prior to distribution
- distributed at death, age 59 ½, separate from service, disability
10-year forward averaging distributions from qualified plans
only for people born before 1936
pre-1974 cap gain treatment for qualified plan distributions
must be born before 1936
does inherited NUA get step up in basis or LT holding period?
No step up but is LT regardless
Heir just takes over the ‘EEs position
NUA taxation and penalty
- at distribution, ‘ER basis taxed as ordinary
- NUA is locked in at LTCG
- remaining is ST or LT CG based on holding period
- 10% penalty on the ordinary income piece unless 59.5+ or 55+ and separated from service
NUA (net unrealized appreciation)
purpose, distribution options, calculating
- purpose: get favorable tax treatment from distribution of employer stock (ESOP, stock bonus)
- distribution: must be lump sum distribution
-
calculating NUA
- FMV at distribution
- ‘ER basis at distribution
- = NUA
qualified plan loan limits
- lesser of
- $50K or
- ½ vested account balance
- if balance <$20K, can loan $10K (assuming you have $10K+)
- reduced by highest outstanding loan balance LTM (even if paid off)
qualified plan loan repayment
- pay off max of 5 years (30 if used to buy principal residence)
- if terminated, due within 60 days
- amortized, equal payments
- at least quarterly
- plan sponsor may have additional rules
- failure to pay considers it a taxable distribution (so ordinary income + penalty if <59 ½)
exceptions to 10% penalty for qualified plan distributions prior to 59 ½
- death
- disability
- substantially = distributions (regulation 72(t))
- medical expenses >7.5% AGI
- federal tax levy
- DC only
- birth or legal adoption up to $5K
- qualified plans only
- separate from service 55+
- separate from service 50+ if public service
- QDRO
- IRA only (HHH)
- health insurance for unemployed
- higher education
- first home purchase up to $10K
72(t) distribution requirements
- substantially equal
- must be for longer of 59.5 or 5 years
- for life expectancy of participant
- after separation
RMDs
when they begin, exception if still employed, when they must be taken
- begin: by 4/1 following year attaining age 72
-
exception if still employed: delayed until 4/1 following year separated from service.
- not allowed if owner of 5%+
- not for SEPs or SIMPLE IRAs
- all other RMDs must occur by 12/31 and are based on last year’s balance and age as of 12/31
RMDs for beneficiaries
- most use Single Life Table
- if spouse is >10 younger, uses Joint and Survivor Table
- if participant dies prior to full distribution:
- spouse only: treat as own
- eligible designated beneficiary: take over own life expectancy beginning year after participant’s death
- designated beneficiary: 10 years
- no designated beneficiary or beneficiary is estate, charity, some trusts: 5 years
defined benefit plan types
- pension plans
- defined benefit pension plans
- cash balance pension plans
defined contribution plan types
- pension plans
- money purchase pension plans
- target benefit pension plans
- profit sharing plans
- stock bonus, ESOP, 401k, Thrift, New Comparability, Age-Based profit sharing
what are the rules around the qualified plan distribution without a penalty for a first time home purchase?
Lifetime max of $10K but it can be for you, child, grandchild, etc.
“First time” is based on the person not owning a home within the last 2 years
pension vs profit sharing plan
in-service withdrawals, mandatory funding, investment in ‘ER securities, mandatory QJSA
- in-service withdrawals: only for profit sharing plans after 2 years
- mandatory funding: only for pension plans
- investment in ‘ER securities: 10% for pension; no limit for profit sharing
- mandatory QJSA & QPSA: only for pension plans
defined benefit vs defined contribution plans
contribution limits, forfeiture use, separate accounts, credit for prior years of service
- contribution limits: DB must fund unfunded current liability; DC up to 25% covered comp
- forfeiture use: DB reduce plan costs; DC reduces plan costs OR allocates
- separate accounts: not for DB but yes for DC
- credit for prior years of service (e.g. when plan is created): only for DB
defined benefit plan limits
- “Maximum includible compensation” on tax sheet ($305K)
- DB benefit amount
- typically based on average of last 3 consecuritve years, but plan can specify
- up to the max on tax sheet ($245K)
defined contribution plan limits
what is it and what does it include
- “Maximum includible compensation” on tax sheet ($305K)
- “defined contribution limit” on tax sheet ($61K) + $6500 catch up
- shared if multiple DC plans (i.e., max per person, not per plan)
- limit includes:
- ‘ER contributions
- ‘EE deferrals ($20,500 + $6500 catch up)
- forfeitures allocated
who can be excluded from qualified plans
- anyone ineligible (doesn’t meet age or years of service requirement)
- ‘EEs under collective bargaining agreement
- nonresident alien ‘EE that doesn’t work in US
- any other group of people as long as it’s not discriminatory on it’s base (e.g., can’t only cover women, or only people with brown hair)
Safe Harbor Test vs Ratio % Test vs Average Benefits Test vs 50/40 Test
- Must pass one of the below; To pass, must cover > or = 70% of:
- Safe Harbor: NHC
- Ratio % Test: % NHC Covered / % HC Covered
- Average Benefits Test: AB% NHC / AB% HC
-
50/40 Test (additional DB only)
- must cover lesser of 50 ‘EEs or 40% of ’EEs
ADP vs ACP Tests
- ADP
- limits ‘EE elective deferrals based on % deferral of NHC
- If NHC 0-2%: HC can do 2x ADP for NHC
- If NHC 2-8%: HC can do 2% + ADP for NHC
- if NHC >8%: HC can do 1.25x ADP for NHC
- If HC don’t meet the test, can either return excess deferrals or make contribution on NHC behalf
- limits ‘EE elective deferrals based on % deferral of NHC
- ACP
- Same scale and same corrective procedures as ADP, but looks at after-tax contributions (i.e., Thrift) and ‘ER match
- Neither required if Safe Harbor Plan
Safe Harbor Plan
requirements, vesting, and what it means
- ‘ER must provide either:
- 3% non-elective contribution
- AMC match OR 100% up to 4%
- 100% vested immediately
- If Safe Harbor, do not have to pass ADP or ACP
is payroll tax owed on contributions?
Not for employer contributions
Yes for employee contributions
who can utilize pre-1975 capital gain treatment and 10-year forwarding?
those born prior to 1936
who is eligible for qualified plan, what are entrance dates
- 21+
- 1 year service+ (1000 hrs)
- ONLY option for profit sharing
- exception: 2 years service if 100% vested
- exception: 3 years service if 500 hrs (started 2020)
- entrance date: 2 per year, 6 months apart
who can be excluded from qualified plans?
- ineligible employees (<21, <1 yr service)
- union ‘EEs
- nonresident who don’t work in US
- part-time <3 yrs
- any entire group as long as it’s not discriminatory in nature (e.g., sales associates)
what makes someone highly compensated vs key employee
- Both
- >5% owner this year or last
- Highly compensated
- >$135K for prior year
- OR can elect to consider the top 20% earners highly comp.
- Key
- >1% but >$150K
- Officer with >$200K
what is highly comp used for vs key employee
- highly compensated
- coverage testing
- ADP/ACP testing
- key
- funding:
- DC 3%
- unless key gets <3%
- tip: C is 3rd letter
- DB 2%
- tip: B is 2nd letter
- DC 3%
- vesting: 2-6 or 3 year cliff
- funding:
defined contribution plan vesting
- noncontributory (i.e. ‘ER contributions)
- 2-6 graduated
- 3 year cliff
- contributory (i.e., deferral)
- 100% vested
defined benefit plan vesting
3-7 graduated or 5-year cliff
what makes a plan considered top heavy?
>60% of account balances belong to key ‘EEs
what is annual contribution limit for DB or DC?
- DB: none unless plan is underfunded
- DC: 25% of covered comp (max of $305K)
what are benefit/contribution limit for DB or DC?
- DB: lesser of
- $245K (Defined Benefit Limit on sheet)
- average 3 highest consecuttive years salary
- DC: max covered comp $305K (Max Includible Comp on sheet)
DC annual contribution limit and what does it include
- annual contribution: 100% ‘EEs comp up to $61K per ’ER NOT per person
- includes ‘ER and ’EE contributions and forfeitures
DC annual deferral limit
$20,500 per person (unless ‘ER is contributing $40,500+ because 61,000-20,500)
+$6500 catch up
who can use catch up deferral?
age 50+
when is an actuary required?
- Annually for defined benefit and cash balance
- At inception for target benefit
Excess vs Offset method of SS integration and what plans is each used for
Excess provides more benefits to those above SS wage base
Offset reduces benefits of those with earnings below SS wage base
does inherited NUA get step up in basis?
No
restricted stock options
what it’s used for, taxation, holding period
- typically for higher levels for retention
- restriction is around when it vests
- taxation: not taxable at grant but is taxable when it vests (i.e., substantial risk of forfeiture is eliminated)
- holding period: begins when it vests
Election 83(b) for restricted stock options
what is it, what is the catch
- ‘EE can choose to be taxed at the date of grant instead of when it vests
- starts the holding period at grant
- the catch: if you don’t stay long enough for it to vest, you don’t get that tax back; not favorable if stock declines in value
how are ISOs taxed if you don’t meet holding requirements?
i.e. disqualifying disposition
- taxed as ordinary at exercise and CG at sale depending on holding period (i.e., treated like NQSO)
- taxation doesn’t actually happen until sale since we don’t know if it’ll be held long enough to be qualified
ISOs taxation
- taxed when stock is sold, NOT when it’s granted or exercised
- LTCG if you hold for 2 years after grant and 1 year after exercise (can happen concurrently)
ISO impact on AMT
Positive AMT adjustment at exercise
Negative AMT adjustment at sale
Tip: Both ISO and AMT have 3 letters
is a 403(b) a qualified plan?
No, it is only a tax-advantaged plan
advantages of qualified plans
‘ER contributions are deductible
‘ER contributions aren’t subject to payroll taxes
‘EE contributions pre-tax and grow tax-deferred
ERISA protection
Lump sum distribution options
can qualified plans be gifted to charity without being taxed?
Only after age 70 ½
what is the 50/40 test
DB plan must cover 50 ‘EEs or 40% of all eligible ’EEs
tip: people (50) come first
how many ‘EEs can be treated as officers for top heavy plan purposes?
50
If >50, ranked by compensation
when is a DB plan considered top heavy?
When PV of accrued benefits for key ‘EEs is >60% of total
when is a DC plan considered top heavy?
when account balances of key ‘EEs is >60% of total
what is the vesting schedule for a top heavy plan?
2-6 graduated or 3-year cliff
what is the minimum non-key ‘EE funding for top heavy plans?
3%+ unless key ‘EE funding is <3% in which case non-key must get equal funding
when does a parent-subsidiary relationship exist?
- 1+ corporations are connected through stock ownership with a common parent corp AND
- 80% of the stock in each corp is owed by 1+ corps in the group AND
- parent company owns 80%+ of at least one other corp
when does brother-sister relationship exist?
- 2+ corps in which <6 common owners own a controlling interest of each and have effective control
- controlling interest is 80%+ stock ownership
- effective control is >50% of stock
what is a combined group?
- 3+ corps where each is a member of either parent-subsidiary or brother-sister group AND
- 1+ corp is common parent of parent-subsidiary and is also member of brother-sister group
- Control groups dictate whether the ‘EE can get up to $61K max at both companies (NOT controlled group) or just $61K combined (controlled group)
can pension plans offer in-service withdrawals?
only over 59 ½ (PPA 2006 rule)
how much can pensions invest in ‘ER securities?
10% of FMV plan assets
If ‘ER securities are publicly traded, must allow 3+ investment options to diversify
When do DB plans use an actuary?
annually
when do Target Benefit plans use an actuary?
only at inception
when do Money Purchase plans use an actuary?
never; not needed because annual contribution is predefined in plan documents
what is the max PBGC benefit?
$6204.55
what does PBGC not insure?
- DC plans
- profit sharing plans
- DB pension plans for professional service groups with <26 participants
can DBs or DCs give credit for prior years of service?
DB only
what kind of plans can use SS integration? can they use excess or offset method?
all qualified pension plans allow permitted disparity
DCs can only use excess (applies higher % to comp. over SS wage base)
DBs can use excess or offset (provides lower benefit amount to those under SS wage base) method
which pensions benefit younger?
Cash Balance and Money Purchase
tip: cash money
what is the unit credit formula for funding DB plans?
utilizes years of service x salary
‘ER can choose what to look at for salary (e.g., average of last 3 years, highest average 3 years, etc.)
cash balance pension plan
what is it, does it benefit younger or older, vesting
- DB plan with hypothetical cash balance using pay credit (may be integrated with SS) and interest credit (guaranteed return)
- benefits younger because younger have more years of contributions and earnings which is a guaranteed rate
- 3-year cliff
money purchase pension plan
what is it, limits, benefit younger or older, vesting, use
- DC plan where ‘ER promises to make specific contribution
- ‘ER can only deduct up to 25% of ’ERs total covered comp paid and limited to $61K
- benefits younger because increased number of contributions and compounding periods
- 2-6 years or 3-year cliff
- basically useless after EGTRRA 2001 increasesd profit sharing plan limit to 25% (previously was only 15%)
target benefit pension plans
what is it, use of actuary, how is it funded
- determines contribution to an individual participant based on benefit that will be paid at retirement
- actuary required at inception
- doesn’t necessarily fund to attain the target, but funds annually based on that actuarial assumption and participant chooses investments
what is the deadline for establishing and making contributions to profit sharing plans?
federal tax due date + extensions
what is an age-based profit sharing plan and when is it used?
uses both age and compensation as basis for allocating
chosen when owner/key ‘EE is older than most other ’EEs
what is a new comparability plan?
contributions based on ‘EE class (e.g., officer vs rank and file)
must comply with cross-testing rules which dictate testing on expected benefits to b received at retirement
more expensive to administer
what is the vesting schedule for profit sharing plans?
standard is 2-6 or 3-year cliff unless plan requires 2-year waiting period in which case contributions vest at 100%
when can profit sharing plans permit in-service withdrawals?
after 2 years of service
what type of entities can establish a 401(k) plan?
corporations
partnerships
LLCs
proprietorships
tax-exempt entities
how many years of service can a 401(k) plan require?
no more than 1 year
what does the $20,500 (+$6,500 catch up) annual deferral apply to?
401(k)s, SARSEPs, 403(b)s, 457(b)s
what is a thrift plan?
allows after-tax ‘EE contributions (like Roth)
what is a nonelective contribution?
contribution that ‘ER makes whether or not the participant elects to defer
what is the ADP/ACP schedule?
if NHC contributions ___, HC can contribution ___
- 0-2% = 2x
- 2-8% = +2%
- >8% = 1.25x
what is a corrective distribution, when must it be made, and what happens if the deadline is missed?
When plan fails ADP, return excess deferrals back to HC
within 2 ½ months of plan year end
if not, 10% excise tax on excess
what is recharacterization, when must it be done, and what happens if the deadline is missed?
another solution to fix ADP test where you recharacterize HC contributions to after-tax
within 2 ½ months of pan year end
if not, 10% excise tax
when must a safe harbor election be made for 401(k) plans, what is the contribution, and when does it vest?
30+ days before end of plan year
non-elective contribution of 4%+ for all eligible ‘EEs OR the match AMC does
must vest immediately
what is the qualified automatic enrollment feature and how much can/must it be for ‘EE contributions?
another method of safe harboring
cannot exceed 15% but must be at least:
- 3% year 1
- 4% year 2
- 5% year 3
- 6% year 4 and thereafter