Retirement Flashcards
What are the pension plans and which of them are defined contribution?
Defined benefit
Cash balance
Money purchase
Target benefit
DC: money purchase, target benefit
Are in-service withdrawals permitted with pension plans?
No, except for participants older than 59.5
Are in-service withdrawals permitted with profit sharing plans?
Yes, after two years if permitted by plan documents
What percent of plan assets can be invested in employer securities in a pension plan and what percent in a profit sharing plan?
10%, 100%
Is a QJSA required in a profit sharing plan?
No, only a pension plan
When is a pension plan not required to be covered by PBGC?
If a professional firm with less than 25 employees
What is the annual contribution limit by employers for defined contribution plans?
25% of total employee covered compensation
What are the advantages to an employer for a plan being qualified?
Employer contributions are currently tax deductible, and are not subject to payroll taxes
What are the advantages to an employee for a plan being qualified?
-Availability of pretax contributions for employees
-tax deferral of earnings on contributions
-ERISA protection
-lump sum distribution options (10yr, NUA, pre74 cap gain treatment)
How many of coverage tests must a retirement plan satisfy in order to be considered qualified?
1, except defined benefit plans must also meet the 50/40 test
What are the coverage tests?
General safe harbor, ratio percentage, average benefits, and 50/40 if defined benefit plan
What is the formula for the general safe harbor test?
% of NHC covered >= 70%
What is the formula for the ratio percentage test?
% of NHC covered / % of HC covered >= 70%
What is the average benefits test?
Must satisfy both tests
- AB % or NHC / AB % of HC >= 70%
- Non-discriminatory test
What is the formula for the 50/40 test?
The defined benefit plan must benefit the lesser of 50 eligible employees or 40% of eligible employees on each day of the plan year
50 people / 40 % = people come first!
What is a highly compensated employee?
> 5% owner
Or
$150k in comp
at any time during year or prior year
Do family shares count towards the >5% ownership in regards to HC?
Yes
What vesting schedule is required for deferred eligibility (the ability to sign up for the plan has a waiting period)?
Immediate vesting after 2 years of service
Is deferred eligibility allowed for 401k plans?
No
What vesting schedules are available for defined contribution plans?
2 to 6 year graduated
3 year cliff
What vesting schedules are there for defined benefit plans?
3 to 7 year graduated
5 year cliff
What vesting schedules are there for top-heavy defined benefit plans?
2 to 6 year graduated
3 year cliff
What are the vesting schedules?
2 to 6 year graduated: 0, 20, 40, 60…
3 to 7 year graduated: 0, 0, 20, 40…
3 year cliff: 0, 0, 100
5 year cliff: 0, 0, 0, 0, 100
What vesting schedule does a cash balance plan use?
3 year cliff, and is not impacted by being top heavy
How does a part time employee become eligible for a plan?
Must have worked 500+ hours for 3 consecutive years
What is a key employee?
> 5% owner
Or
1% owner with comp in excess of $150k
Or
An officer with comp in excess of $215k
(Must be owner or officer)
When is a plan considered top-heavy?
If >60% of the benefits or contributions are going to key employees
How is funding handled when a plan is considered top-heavy?
DB: at least 2% x years of service x comp factor
DC: 3% to eligible employees
Does the $66k max contribution for an individual include catch-up provisions?
No
How must a qualified plan handle life insurance in order to maintain it’s qualified status?
25% test or 100:1 ratio test
What is the 25% test for life insurance in a qualified plan?
The premiums paid for term cannot exceed 25% of the employer’s contributions, 50% for whole
What is the 100:1 test for life insurance in a qualified plan?
Death benefit limited to 100 times the monthly accrued retirement benefit
Do defined benefit plans favor younger or older employees? What about defined contribution?
Older, younger
Which SS integration methods are available for DB plans? What about DC plans?
DB can use offset or excess, DC can only use excess
What formulas are used for defined benefit pension plans?
Flat amount, flat percentage, unit credit
For permitted disparity (SS integration in DC plans), how much higher is the excess rate than the base rate?
5.7%
Which entities are allowed to establish a 401k plan?
Corporations
Partnerships
LLCs
Proprietorships
Tax-exempt entities
What qualified distribution exists for Roth IRAs that doesn’t exist for Roth 401ks?
First time home purchase
Between Roth IRA and Roth 401k, which has RMDs?
Roth 401k