401K REFUNDS: NOT AS GOOD AS THEY SOUND
With tax season in full bloom, many hear the word refund and begin running down their imagery wish list of ways to spend this extra money. However, when it comes to 401(k)
Corrective distributions are a headache for plan sponsors and employees alike. Essentially, these refunds mean that your plan has failed
HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES
Your workforce is made up of two distinct employee demographics: highly compensated employees (HCEs) and non-highly compensated employees (NHCEs), also known as “rank-in-file”. An HCE is one who owns 5% or more of the company, a direct family member of an owner, or earns more than $125,000 per year and NHCEs make up the remaining portion of your workforce.
These two groups share a common goal of reaching retirement, and although HCEs may be able and willing to contribute more, your plan should be designed with both parties in mind. The IRS requires that both highly compensated plan participants and rank-and-file plan participants contribute to their 401(k) plans at similar rates.
UNDERSTANDING TESTING REQUIREMENTS
If the idea of calculating and comparing percentages send you down a path of traumatic flashbacks of math class, don’t worry. Our goal is to simplify and educate not overwhelm, if you have more questions, we are happy to have that conversation.
ADP TESTING
ADP stands for actual deferral percentage; this test compares the average of salary deferral percentages for HCEs with the average of salary deferral percentages for NHCEs. The ADP test applies to pre-tax and Roth elective deferrals. The purpose of this test is to ensure that all employees are benefitting from the plan. To pass ADP testing, the average contributions of HCEs must not exceed NHCE contribution by a factor of 1.25 or 2 percentage points as illustrated in the chart below:
ACP TESTING
ACP stands for actual contribution percentage test; it is similar to the ADP test, only it tests employer matching contributions. So, ACP only applies to companies that offer a company match. It compares the average of the percentage of matching contributions and after-tax employee contributions for HCEs versus NHCEs.
TOP-HEAVY TEST
WHAT IF TESTING FAILS?
401(k) test failures are no fun for anyone, it requires swift action for employers and
CAN TESTING BE AVOIDED?
A Safe Harbor Plan eliminates the need for non-discriminatory testing. They automatically pass ADP/ACP testing when certain contribution and participant notice requirements are met. To
Basic matching – The company matches 100% of all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 3% of their compensation, plus a 50% match of the next 2% of their compensation.
Enhanced matching – The company matches at least 100% of all employee 401(k) contributions, up to 4% of their compensation (not to exceed 6% of compensation).
A non-elective contribution of not less than 3% of compensation is made by the employer to all eligible employees, regardless of whether they defer under the 401(k) arrangement. The 3% contribution must be set by the plan document and may provide that this contribution
QACA safe
on the first 1% of compensation deferred and a 50% match on deferrals between 1% and 6%;
A two-year cliff vesting schedule may be applied to QACA safe
- Unless the participant elects otherwise, the deferral rate starts at no less than 3% and increases at least 1% annually to no less than 6% (with a maximum of 10%).
While a Safe Harbor plan allows owners and highly compensated employees to maximize deferrals, they do require specified employer contributions, and all contributions are immediately vested. Another factor to consider is