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.

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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". See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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

No, it is not a new type of plan. Designated Roth contributions are a new type of contribution that can be accepted by new or existing 401(k) or 403(b) plans. This feature is permitted under a Code section added by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2006. See similar questions...

Yes, we want to help our nurses plan for the future, so we offer the best 401(k) program in the industry. k) Safe Harbor Plan Eligibility: First of the month following 90 days of employment; must be at least 21 years of age. Company Match: 100% of contributions up to the first 3% of compensation plus 50% of contributions up to the next 2% of compensation Contributions: Employee may contribute up to $13,000; Age 50 and over may contribute up to an additional $3,000. See similar questions...

the name implies, a 401(k) "look-alike" plan works much like a conventional 401(k) plan. Rather than offering a traditional 401(k) retirement plan, some corporations offer their employees, typically their executives, a "look-alike" plan. Most "look-alike" plans are funded by the employer with a variable universal life insurance policy that insures the life of the employee. See similar questions...

You request a “hardship withdrawal,” which is approved by Putnam Investments in accordance with the rules of the Plan for the amount needed. Please see page 12 of the Summary Plan Description (PDF, 215K) for more information about hardship withdrawals. See similar questions...