Receiving an employer match for your 401(k) is a great perk and encourages employees to participate in the 401(k) programs available. There are several different types and they can differ in timing, amount, restrictions and how they are calculated. Safe Harbor match Safe Harbor is a type of match in which employees are immediately 100% …
One type of distribution your 401(k) may allow for is a hardship distribution, and while the criteria can vary from plan to plan, most are generally similar. A hardship distribution is used to satisfy the immediate and heavy financial need of the participant, the participant’s spouse or the participant’s non-spouse, non-dependent beneficiary. Common examples of …
If you have contributed to a 401(k) at a former employer or think that you may have done so, you probably want to find your account. Maybe you switched jobs or moved and lost track of your funds. Not to worry. Your money is protected and should still be out there. Here are several steps …
The investing landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Rather than calling a stockbroker to place an order, most investors now login to their e-broker to place an order. Instead of investing in expensively managed funds, many investors now choose to invest in passively managed exchange-trade funds (ETFs). A broader range of securities is available …
To ensure employee benefit plans do not violate certain standards that the DOL and IRS believe are important, plans are subjected to annual compliance tests. These tests are designed to make sure the amounts employees are deferring is within certain maximum limits and that plans are not operating in a manner that discriminates against certain …
You’ve got your process figured out – 401(k) benefit packages are given to employees the date they’re hired, or maybe it’s when they become eligible to participate or perhaps you rely on your TPA to communicate to the employee how to enroll when eligible. You collect all the necessary enrollment forms and get participating employees’ …
If you are a participant in an Employer Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that your employer offers, then you probably have a few questions about your rights and benefits as a participant. Here are some of the most common ESOP FAQs. How do I learn more about the ESOP I am in? As a participant in …
Many 401(k) plans permit participants to borrow from the plan and it’s becoming a more and more common practice. The plan document must specify if loans are permitted. The majority of those loans are repaid according to the terms of the loan agreement. However, there are instances when a participant defaults – and then it’s …
401(k) plan forfeitures occur when a participant terminates employment (voluntarily or involuntarily) prior to satisfying the required service years to become fully vested in his/her account. Required service years will vary by plan, but can be found in your summary plan description. The portion of your account subject to forfeitures is the portion that is …
We’ve all been there: starting a new job. The amount of information and paperwork can be overwhelming. It’s no surprise that reading up on and enrolling in a 401(k) plan isn’t at the top of everyone’s priorities. What may be surprising is that about half of all households age 55 and older have no 401(k) …