A 401(k) safe harbor plan is a 401(k) plan that automatically satisfies the nondiscrimination rules for elective deferrals and matching contributions. For a 401(k) plan to be considered a safe harbor plan, employers must satisfy certain contribution, vesting, and notice requirements.

A safe harbor plan design offers an employer many advantages. As long as the plan operates within guidelines, a safe harbor 401(k) plan is deemed to pass ADP/ACP nondiscrimination tests and is deemed to not be top heavy. This allows the highly compensated employees to defer greater dollar amounts in plans with lower participation level.

Safe harbor 401 (k) plans have specific employer contributions so the employer has less flexibility than available in a traditional 401(k) plan. All employer safe harbor contributions are always 100% vested. In-service withdrawal restrictions apply to safe harbor contributions. An annual safe harbor notice is required to be distributed by the employer to all eligible participants.

Safe harbor matching and safe harbor non-elective contributions are always 100% vested. Regular matching and discretionary profit sharing contributions can be subject to vesting schedule within a safe harbor plan.

Under a safe harbor 401(k) plan, an employer can provide either a safe harbor non-elective contribution of at least 3% of compensation or a safe harbor matching contribution. The safe harbor matching contribution can be a dollar-for-dollar match on elective deferrals up to 4% of compensation or a dollar-for-dollar match on elective deferrals up to 3% of compensation and a 50 cents-on-the-dollar match on elective deferrals between 3% and 5% of compensation.

A variation of the conventional 401(k) plan, the 401(k) Safe Harbor Plan allows plan sponsors to fundamentally "buy" their way out of the Actual Deferred Percentage (ADP) and Actual Contribution Percentage (ACP) tests. In certain cases, a "Safe Harbor" contribution also satisfies the minimum contribution requirement for plans that are or might be expected to become "top-heavy".

Both plan designs provide the employer protection from top heavy rules as long as the employer makes the employer contributions required under these plan designs. SIMPLE 401(k) plans are exempt from top heavy rules. Safe harbor 401(k) plans are deemed to not be top heavy if operated within certain parameters. If the employer makes employer contributions in addition to the safe harbor contribution, the plan may not be deemed to not be top heavy for that given plan year.

In addition to lowering your taxable income, 401 (k) plans offer convenience, flexibility, compounded savings, and the ability to self direct your investments.

Federal and state income taxes are exempt in a 401(k) plan. City or local taxes may also be exempt. Check with your local tax authorities to verify this information.

Deferrals cannot be withheld from compensation paid to employees after termination of employment unless the compensation is paid within 2 ? months after the termination of employment and the compensation represents: Payments that the employee would have received if there had been no termination of employment (e.g., payment for hours actually worked prior to termination of employment or payment of commissions); OR Payment for accrued sick or vacation pay.

Your 401(k) plan helps you start regular investing, and stick with it. Your contributions are automatically deducted from your salary before you receive your check. Since the money is deducted from your gross income, you will have a lower taxable income, which means you will pay less in annual taxes. The money you save will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. This means you pay no federal or state taxes on your contributions or investment earnings until you start withdrawing money from the plan.

Yes. Current tax law (EGGTRA tax reform legislation passed in 2001 and effective beginning January 1, 2002), permits an individual under Portability provisions to transfer funds from a 401(k) plan offered by a for-profit corporation to a 403(b) plan such as the plan offered by Northwestern University and vice versa. Individuals wishing to do so should contact their investment companies.

IRA can be rolled over into a qualified retirement plan, assuming the qualified retirement plan has language permitting such rollovers.