QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

Documents

Plan Document

Type of plan - if ESOP, target benefit, cash balance, cross tested or age weighted plan, special compliance rules will apply

GUST amendment?

Determination letter/filing?

Trust Agreement

Updated for current trustees and funding arrangement?

Summary Plan Description

Readable?

Current?

Suitable disclaimers?

Summary of Material Modifications required for plan changes?

Forms

Enrollment

Joint and survivor - applicable?

!Preretirement notice and election notice

!Waiver and spousal consent

Distribution

!Lump sum consent by participant

QDRO Procedure

Loan Procedure (if applicable)

Participant benefit statements

Operations

Plan status -- terminated or "frozen"?

Identify any control group/affiliated service group members

Identify all qualified retirement plans

Collectively bargained (union) plan?

Proper admission of eligible employees?

Contributions

!Permitted disparity (integration)?

!$150,000 (indexed) compensation limit

!415 limits

!Allocation per plan formula

!Substantial, recurring contributions to profit sharing plans?

Coverage/participation

!401(a)(26) (defined benefit only)

!410(b)

!Separate line of business?

Top-heavy

!Identify key employees

!Apply 60% test including distributions to key employees for past 5 years

!Minimum benefits

!Minimum vesting

Section 401(k) anti-discrimination testing (if applicable)

Section 401(m) anti-discrimination testing (if applicable)

Compensation discrimination testing (if applicable)

Suspension of benefits for reemployed participants (if applicable)

 

PBGC Annual Filing and Actuarial Reports (defined benefit only)

Participant Loans (if applicable)

Repayment history

Documentation of loans

  Interest rate

  Term

  Amortization

  Quarterly payments

  Assignment of 2 of account

Trustee Matters

Investment practices/procedures

Documented trustee meetings?

Written allocation of duties to investment advisors?