403(b)

Subscribe to 403(b) via RSS

The real key to making the FAB work for the employer in keeping auditing costs down is in the sensible application of the FAB’s 3rd condition. I would suggest that applying it consists of two parts. First, use a reasonable effort to determine and find contracts that were related to the plan at some time in the past and, secondly, making a reasonable effort to determine whether or not the rights under those contracts are “legally enforceable” by the individual.
Continue Reading Using the Third Condition of DOL’s FAB 2009-2 to Manage 403(b) Audit Expense

The DOL is about to take the next step, and is considering issue a 403(b) “Frequently Asked Questions” as they have done twice for the Schedule C. The FAQ is to address critical year end 403(b) issues related to reporting and Title 1 status.

While applauding the DOL in its continuing efforts, there is a danger related to one particular issue it may be addressing: the question of how few vendors can be offered by a 403(b) plan (which otherwise qualifies under the safe harbor) without triggering Title 1 coverage.
Continue Reading DOL Considering 403(b) FAQ

There are still a number of critical tax issues related to the 2007 403(b) regulations that need to be resolved.  For example, the IRS needs to clean up the horrible mess created by the ambiguities of Revenue Procedure 2007-71, and it needs to come to terms with the fact that mutual fund custodial accounts should…

The Swagger

I had the privilege to speak on a 403(b) panel at the recent DOL/ASPPA "DOL Speaks" seminar,   with Lisa Alexander and Susan Reese of the DOL.  Our own panel went very well, with Susan and Lisa both speaking directly to and recognizing the transition problems related to this new 403(b) world. As Lisa…

 BNA reported on August 20th the concerns of the AICPA’s  403(b) Plan Audit Task Force about practitioners "misunderstanding" of the impact of the recently issued DOL FAB 2009-2, where the DOL took steps to alleviate some of the more draconian impacts of the new Form 5500 reporting rules for certain 403(b) plans.

Task force members are reported…

 The DOL’s release of FAB 2009-2 may well more significant than I took at first glance. Soon after blogging on the release of the FAB and how it sets us up to develop a more permanent solution, Ellie Lowder and my colleagues Evan and Monica let me know of a different view: they believe that…

So what are we finding as we get down to this nitty gritty of things? Most striking is the unique ways in which ERISA’s fiduciary rules will need to be used in their application to ERISA 403(b) plans. It is not that the rules were never there in the past, it is just that the new rules have forced the industry and employers to more closely define their relationships and the duties for which vendors and employers will each be responsible. This process of defining roles have caused us all to look more closely at how the rules apply, in ways we have never done in the past….Let me give you an example…What are the ERISA implications of a fund substitution under individual annuities for the 403(b) plan fiduciary?
Continue Reading 403(b) Fiduciary Challenges Demand Applying ERISA in Unique Way

Our blog of May 26 on "Distributed Custodial Accounts" generated a number of comments, which require a bit of a "follow-on."  Ellie Lowder, one of the grand dames  of the 403(b) world, agreed with my assessment.  She mentioned  that she had discussions with the IRS on this point. Staff  just couldn’t see how distributions of…