TRADITIONAL 401K
Who can establish this Plan?
Any employer with one or more employees
When
must the Plan be established?
By the end of the fiscal year-end (12/31 for calendar year)
Are
employee contributions mandatory?
No.
Employees can elect how much to defer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement.
Are employer contributions mandatory?
No.
The employer can make discretionary contributions or matching contributions as
elected in the Plan.
What
are the employer contribution limits?
25% of participating compensation with the allocations limited to 100% of
compensation or $46,000 per participant in 2008.
What
are the employee contribution limits?
$15,500 in 2007 and $15,500 in 2008. Participants over the age of 50 are
eligible to make additional “catch-up” contributions (see FAQ).
What
is the funding responsibility?
Either employee salary reduction contributions or employer contributions, or
both.
When
must contributions be made?
Employee contributions must be deposited as soon as administratively feasible,
generally within 5 days after the payroll date (see Deferral Timing Notice).
Employer contributions must be deposited by tax-filing date plus extensions.
What
are the eligibility requirements?
The maximum allowable eligibility requirements that can be imposed are 21 years
of age and 1,000 hours of service in preceding years. The employer has the
option of reducing these requirements.
What
are the vesting requirements?
Employee salary deferrals are 100% vested. Employer contributions may vest over
time, typically a graded schedule with full vesting after 6 years.
Is the
Plan subject to non-discrimination testing?
Yes, an annual ADP test is required. Failure could result in refunds to Highly
Compensated Employees (HCE) or an employer contribution to Non-Highly
Compensated Employees (NHCE). If a match is provided, an annual ACP test will
be required as well.
Is the
Plan subject to top heavy minimums?
Yes. If 60% or more of the plan assets are allocated to Key employees, up to a
3% employer contribution is required.
When
is an employee eligible to withdraw from the Plan?
Generally, salary deferrals cannot be withdrawn until separation of service,
death, disability, or retirement. A plan may allow for hardship distributions.