A nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan is a powerful employee benefits tool. However, NQDC plans can create complications for plan administrators and participants. In this PLANADVISER article, Brian Tiemann and Lisa Loesel highlight several potential NQDC plan pitfalls and offer strategies to mitigate these hazards.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued new guidance clarifying key aspects of the broadened retirement plan eligibility rule for long-term, part-time employees under the SECURE 2.0 Act. However, with the new rule effective for 401(k) plans beginning January 1, 2024, the guidance leaves employers and plan sponsors very little time to make changes to how their human resources information system providers and recordkeepers currently track hours for this purpose. As a result, it is imperative that employers review their existing eligibility-tracking processes as soon as possible to determine if changes are needed.
A 401(k) plan has a qualified cash or deferred arrangement that is part of a profit sharing plan or stock bonus plan. Under the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k)(2), an employee may elect to make contributions to the plan, the covered employee’s contributions are not distributable before severance from employment, disability, death, attainment of age 59 ½, financial hardship, or termination of the plan, and under which the covered employee’s contributions are nonforfeitable.
This presentation will address the following objectives: