[Title 26 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - April 1, 2020 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          

                                Title 26

                            Internal Revenue
                       ________________________
  
                  Part 1 (Sec. Sec.  1.401 to 1.409)

                         Revised as of April 1, 2020

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of April 1, 2020
                    Published by the Office of the Federal Register 
                    National Archives and Records Administration as 
                    Special Edition of the Federal Register

[[Page ii]]

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[[Page iii]]




                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 26:
          Chapter I--Internal Revenue Service, Department of 
          the Treasury (Continued)                                   3
  Finding Aids:
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................     681
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......     701
      Table of OMB Control Numbers............................     711
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................     729

[[Page iv]]





                     ----------------------------

                     Cite this Code: CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 26 CFR 1.401-0 
                       refers to title 26, part 
                       1, section 401-0.

                     ----------------------------

[[Page v]]



                               EXPLANATION

    The Code of Federal Regulations is a codification of the general and 
permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided 
into 50 titles which represent broad areas subject to Federal 
regulation. Each title is divided into chapters which usually bear the 
name of the issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into 
parts covering specific regulatory areas.
    Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year 
and issued on a quarterly basis approximately as follows:

Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1

    The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each 
volume.

LEGAL STATUS

    The contents of the Federal Register are required to be judicially 
noticed (44 U.S.C. 1507). The Code of Federal Regulations is prima facie 
evidence of the text of the original documents (44 U.S.C. 1510).

HOW TO USE THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

    The Code of Federal Regulations is kept up to date by the individual 
issues of the Federal Register. These two publications must be used 
together to determine the latest version of any given rule.
    To determine whether a Code volume has been amended since its 
revision date (in this case, April 1, 2020), consult the ``List of CFR 
Sections Affected (LSA),'' which is issued monthly, and the ``Cumulative 
List of Parts Affected,'' which appears in the Reader Aids section of 
the daily Federal Register. These two lists will identify the Federal 
Register page number of the latest amendment of any given rule.

EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATES

    Each volume of the Code contains amendments published in the Federal 
Register since the last revision of that volume of the Code. Source 
citations for the regulations are referred to by volume number and page 
number of the Federal Register and date of publication. Publication 
dates and effective dates are usually not the same and care must be 
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instances where the effective date is beyond the cut-off date for the 
Code a note has been inserted to reflect the future effective date. In 
those instances where a regulation published in the Federal Register 
states a date certain for expiration, an appropriate note will be 
inserted following the text.

OMB CONTROL NUMBERS

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511) requires 
Federal agencies to display an OMB control number with their information 
collection request.

[[Page vi]]

Many agencies have begun publishing numerous OMB control numbers as 
amendments to existing regulations in the CFR. These OMB numbers are 
placed as close as possible to the applicable recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements.

PAST PROVISIONS OF THE CODE

    Provisions of the Code that are no longer in force and effect as of 
the revision date stated on the cover of each volume are not carried. 
Code users may find the text of provisions in effect on any given date 
in the past by using the appropriate List of CFR Sections Affected 
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the Code prior to the LSA listings at the end of the volume, consult 
previous annual editions of the LSA. For changes to the Code prior to 
2001, consult the List of CFR Sections Affected compilations, published 
for 1949-1963, 1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000.

``[RESERVED]'' TERMINOLOGY

    The term ``[Reserved]'' is used as a place holder within the Code of 
Federal Regulations. An agency may add regulatory information at a 
``[Reserved]'' location at any time. Occasionally ``[Reserved]'' is used 
editorially to indicate that a portion of the CFR was left vacant and 
not dropped in error.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

    What is incorporation by reference? Incorporation by reference was 
established by statute and allows Federal agencies to meet the 
requirement to publish regulations in the Federal Register by referring 
to materials already published elsewhere. For an incorporation to be 
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if it were published in full in the Federal Register (5 U.S.C. 552(a)). 
This material, like any other properly issued regulation, has the force 
of law.
    What is a proper incorporation by reference? The Director of the 
Federal Register will approve an incorporation by reference only when 
the requirements of 1 CFR part 51 are met. Some of the elements on which 
approval is based are:
    (a) The incorporation will substantially reduce the volume of 
material published in the Federal Register.
    (b) The matter incorporated is in fact available to the extent 
necessary to afford fairness and uniformity in the administrative 
process.
    (c) The incorporating document is drafted and submitted for 
publication in accordance with 1 CFR part 51.
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CFR INDEXES AND TABULAR GUIDES

    A subject index to the Code of Federal Regulations is contained in a 
separate volume, revised annually as of January 1, entitled CFR Index 
and Finding Aids. This volume contains the Parallel Table of Authorities 
and Rules. A list of CFR titles, chapters, subchapters, and parts and an 
alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are also included in 
this volume.
    An index to the text of ``Title 3--The President'' is carried within 
that volume.

[[Page vii]]

    The Federal Register Index is issued monthly in cumulative form. 
This index is based on a consolidation of the ``Contents'' entries in 
the daily Federal Register.
    A List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA) is published monthly, keyed to 
the revision dates of the 50 CFR titles.

REPUBLICATION OF MATERIAL

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in the Code of Federal Regulations.

INQUIRIES

    For a legal interpretation or explanation of any regulation in this 
volume, contact the issuing agency. The issuing agency's name appears at 
the top of odd-numbered pages.
    For inquiries concerning CFR reference assistance, call 202-741-6000 
or write to the Director, Office of the Federal Register, National 
Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 
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ELECTRONIC SERVICES

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Connect to NARA's website at www.archives.gov/federal-register.
    The e-CFR is a regularly updated, unofficial editorial compilation 
of CFR material and Federal Register amendments, produced by the Office 
of the Federal Register and the Government Publishing Office. It is 
available at www.ecfr.gov.

    Oliver A. Potts,
    Director,
    Office of the Federal Register
    April 1, 2020







[[Page ix]]



                               THIS TITLE

    Title 26--Internal Revenue is composed of twenty-two volumes. The 
contents of these volumes represent all current regulations issued by 
the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, as of April 1, 
2020. The first fifteen volumes comprise part 1 (Subchapter A--Income 
Tax) and are arranged by sections as follows: Sec. Sec.  1.0-1.60; 
Sec. Sec.  1.61-1.139; Sec. Sec.  1.140-1.169; Sec. Sec.  1.170-1.300; 
Sec. Sec.  1.301-1.400; Sec. Sec.  1.401-1.409; Sec. Sec.  1.410-1.440; 
Sec. Sec.  1.441-1.500; Sec. Sec.  1.501-1.640; Sec. Sec.  1.641-1.850; 
Sec. Sec.  1.851-1.907; Sec. Sec.  1.908-1.1000; Sec. Sec.  1.1001-
1.1400; Sec. Sec.  1.1401-1.1550; and Sec.  1.1551 to end of part 1. The 
sixteenth volume containing parts 2-29, includes the remainder of 
subchapter A and all of Subchapter B--Estate and Gift Taxes. The last 
six volumes contain parts 30-39 (Subchapter C--Employment Taxes and 
Collection of Income Tax at Source); parts 40-49; parts 50-299 
(Subchapter D--Miscellaneous Excise Taxes); parts 300-499 (Subchapter 
F--Procedure and Administration); parts 500-599 (Subchapter G--
Regulations under Tax Conventions); and part 600 to end (Subchapter H--
Internal Revenue Practice).

    The OMB control numbers for title 26 appear in Sec.  602.101 of this 
chapter. For the convenience of the user, Sec.  602.101 appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the volumes containing parts 1 to 599.

    For this volume, Michele Bugenhagen was Chief Editor. The Code of 
Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of John 
Hyrum Martinez, assisted by Stephen J. Frattini.

[[Page 1]]



                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE




         (This book contains part 1, Sec. Sec. 1.401 to 1.409)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter i--Internal Revenue Service, Department of the 
  Treasury (Continued)......................................           1

[[Page 3]]



    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

                  SUBCHAPTER A--INCOME TAX (CONTINUED)
Part                                                                Page
1               Income taxes (Continued)....................           5

Supplementary Publications: Internal Revenue Service Looseleaf 
  Regulations System.
  Additional supplementary publications are issued covering Alcohol and 
Tobacco Tax Regulations, and Regulations Under Tax Conventions.

[[Page 5]]



                   SUBCHAPTER A_INCOME TAX (CONTINUED)





PART 1_INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)--Table of Contents



                  Normal Taxes and Surtaxes (Continued)

                       DEFERRED COMPENSATION, ETC.

            Pension, Profit-Sharing, Stock Bonus Plans, etc.

Sec.
1.401-0 Scope and definitions.
1.401-1 Qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans.
1.401-2 Impossibility of diversion under the trust instrument.
1.401-3 Requirements as to coverage.
1.401-4-1.401-5 [Reserved]
1.401-6 Termination of a qualified plan.
1.401-7 Forfeitures under a qualified pension plan.
1.401-8 [Reserved]
1.401-9 Face-amount certificates--nontransferable annuity contracts.
1.401-10 Definitions relating to plans covering self-employed 
          individuals.
1.401-11-1.401-13 [Reserved]
1.401-14 Inclusion of medical benefits for retired employees in 
          qualified pension or annuity plans.
1.401(a)-1 Post-ERISA qualified plans and qualified trusts; in general.
1.401(a)-2 Impossibility of diversion under qualified plan or trust.
1.401(a)-4 Optional forms of benefit (before 1994).
1.401(a)-11 Qualified joint and survivor annuities.
1.401(a)-12 Mergers and consolidations of plans and transfers of plan 
          assets.
1.401(a)-13 Assignment or alienation of benefits.
1.401(a)-14 Commencement of benefits under qualified trusts.
1.401(a)-15 Requirement that plan benefits are not decreased on account 
          of certain Social Security increases.
1.401(a)-16 Limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified 
          plans.
1.401(a)-19 Nonforfeitability in case of certain withdrawals.
1.401(a)-20 Requirements of qualified joint and survivor annuity and 
          qualified preretirement survivor annuity.
1.401(a)-21 Rules relating to the use of an electronic medium to provide 
          applicable notices and to make participant elections.
1.401(a)-30 Limit on elective deferrals.
1.401(a)-50 Puerto Rican trusts; election to be treated as a domestic 
          trust.
1.401(a)(2)-1 Refund of mistaken employer contributions and withdrawal 
          liability payments to multiemployer plans.
1.401(a)(4)-0 Table of contents.
1.401(a)(4)-1 Nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4).
1.401(a)(4)-2 Nondiscrimination in amount of employer contributions 
          under a defined contribution plan.
1.401(a)(4)-3 Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided benefits 
          under a defined benefit plan.
1.401(a)(4)-4 Nondiscriminatory availability of benefits, rights, and 
          features.
1.401(a)(4)-5 Plan amendments and plan terminations.
1.401(a)(4)-6 Contributory defined benefit plans.
1.401(a)(4)-7 Imputation of permitted disparity.
1.401(a)(4)-8 Cross-testing.
1.401(a)(4)-9 Plan aggregation and restructuring.
1.401(a)(4)-10 Testing of former employees.
1.401(a)(4)-11 Additional rules.
1.401(a)(4)-12 Definitions.
1.401(a)(4)-13 Effective dates and fresh-start rules.
1.401(a)(5)-1 Special rules relating to nondiscrimination requirements.
1.401(a)(9)-0 Required minimum distributions; table of contents.
1.401(a)(9)-1 Minimum distribution requirement in general.
1.401(a)(9)-2 Distributions commencing during an employee's lifetime.
1.401(a)(9)-3 Death before required beginning date.
1.401(a)(9)-4 Determination of the designated beneficiary.
1.401(a)(9)-5 Required minimum distributions from defined contribution 
          plans.
1.401(a)(9)-6 Required minimum distributions for defined benefit plans 
          and annuity contracts.
1.401(a)(9)-7 Rollovers and transfers.
1.401(a)(9)-8 Special rules.
1.401(a)(9)-9 Life expectancy and distribution period tables.
1.401(a)(17)-1 Limitation on annual compensation.
1.401(a)(26)-0 Table of contents.
1.401(a)(26)-1 Minimum participation requirements.
1.401(a)(26)-2 Minimum participation rule.
1.401(a)(26)-3 Rules applicable to a defined benefit plan's prior 
          benefit structure.
1.401(a)(26)-4 Testing former employees.
1.401(a)(26)-5 Employees who benefit under a plan.
1.401(a)(26)-6 Excludable employees.
1.401(a)(26)-7 Testing methods.
1.401(a)(26)-8 Definitions.

[[Page 6]]

1.401(a)(26)-9 Effective dates and transition rules.
1.401(a)(31)-1 Requirement to offer direct rollover of eligible rollover 
          distributions; questions and answers.
1.401(a)(35)-1 Diversification requirements for certain defined 
          contribution plans.
1.401(b)-1 Certain retroactive changes in plan.
1.401(f)-1 Certain custodial accounts and annuity contracts.
1.401(k)-0 Table of contents.
1.401(k)-1 Certain cash or deferred arrangements.
1.401(k)-2 ADP test.
1.401(k)-3 Safe harbor requirements.
1.401(k)-4 SIMPLE 401(k) plan requirements.
1.401(k)-5 Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar events. 
          [Reserved]
1.401(k)-6 Definitions.
1.401(l)-0 Table of contents.
1.401(l)-1 Permitted disparity in employer-provided contributions or 
          benefits.
1.401(l)-2 Permitted disparity for defined contribution plans.
1.401(l)-3 Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.
1.401(l)-4 Special rules for railroad plans.
1.401(l)-5 Overall permitted disparity limits.
1.401(l)-6 Effective dates and transition rules.
1.401(m)-0 Table of contents.
1.401(m)-1 Employee contributions and matching contributions.
1.401(m)-2 ACP test.
1.401(m)-3 Safe harbor requirements.
1.401(m)-4 Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar events. 
          [Reserved]
1.401(m)-5 Definitions.
1.402(a)-1 Taxability of beneficiary under a trust which meets the 
          requirements of section 401(a).
1.402(a)(5)-1T Rollovers of partial distributions from qualified trusts 
          and annuities. (Temporary)
1.402(b)-1 Treatment of beneficiary of a trust not exempt under section 
          501(a).
1.402(c)-1 Taxability of beneficiary of certain foreign situs trusts.
1.402(c)-2 Eligible rollover distributions; questions and answers.
1.402(d)-1 Effect of section 402(d).
1.402(e)-1 [Reserved]
1.402(f)-1 Required explanation of eligible rollover distributions; 
          questions and answers.
1.402(g)-0 Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals, table of 
          contents.
1.402(g)-1 Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals.
1.402(g)-2 Increased limit for catch-up contributions.
1.402(g)(3)-1 Employer contributions to purchase a section 403(b) 
          contract under a salary reduction agreement.
1.402A-1 Designated Roth Accounts.
1.402A-2 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements with respect to 
          designated Roth accounts.
1.403(a)-1 Taxability of beneficiary under a qualified annuity plan.
1.403(a)-2 Capital gains treatment for certain distributions.
1.403(b)-0 Taxability under an annuity purchased by a section 501(c)(3) 
          organization or a public school.
1.403(b)-1 General overview of taxability under an annuity contract 
          purchased by a section 501(c)(3) organization or a public 
          school.
1.403(b)-2 Definitions.
1.403(b)-3 Exclusion for contributions to purchase section 403(b) 
          contracts.
1.403(b)-4 Contribution limitations.
1.403(b)-5 Nondiscrimination rules.
1.403(b)-6 Timing of distributions and benefits.
1.403(b)-7 Taxation of distributions and benefits.
1.403(b)-8 Funding.
1.403(b)-9 Special rules for church plans.
1.403(b)-10 Miscellaneous provisions.
1.403(b)-11 Applicable dates.
1.403(c)-1 Taxability of beneficiary under a nonqualified annuity.
1.404(a)-1 Contributions of an employer to an employees' trust or 
          annuity plan and compensation under a deferred payment plan; 
          general rule.
1.404(a)-1T Questions and answers relating to deductibility of deferred 
          compensation and deferred benefits for employees. (Temporary)
1.404(a)-2 Information to be furnished by employer claiming deductions; 
          taxable years ending before December 31, 1971.
1.404(a)-3 Contributions of an employer to or under an employees' 
          pension trust or annuity plan that meets the requirements of 
          section 401(a); application of section 404(a)(1).
1.404(a)-4-1.404(a)-7 [Reserved]
1.404(a)-8 Contributions of an employer under an employees' annuity plan 
          which meets the requirements of section 401(a); application of 
          section 404(a)(2).
1.404(a)-9 [Reserved]
1.404(a)-10 Profit-sharing plan of an affiliated group; application of 
          section 404(a)(3)(B).
1.404(a)-11 Trusts created or organized outside the United States; 
          application of section 404(a)(4).
1.404(a)-12 Contributions of an employer under a plan that does not meet 
          the requirements of section 401(a); application of section 
          404(a)(5).
1.404(a)-13 Contributions of an employer where deductions are allowable 
          under section 404(a) (1) or (2) and also under section 
          404(a)(3); application of section 404(a)(7).

[[Page 7]]

1.404(a)-14 Special rules in connection with the Employee Retirement 
          Income Security Act of 1974.
1.404(b)-1 Method of contribution, etc., having the effect of a plan; 
          effect of section 404(b).
1.404(b)-1T Method or arrangement of contributions, etc., deferring the 
          receipt of compensation or providing for deferred benefits. 
          (Temporary)
1.404(c)-1 Certain negotiated plans; effect of section 404(c).
1.404(d)-1T Questions and answers relating to deductibility of deferred 
          compensation and deferred benefits for independent 
          contractors. (Temporary)
1.404(e)-1 [Reserved]
1.404(e)-1A Contributions on behalf of a self-employed individual to or 
          under a qualified pension, annuity, or profit-sharing plan.
1.404(g)-1 Deduction of employer liability payments.
1.404(k)-1T Questions and answers relating to the deductibility of 
          certain dividend distributions. (Temporary)
1.404(k)-3 Disallowance of deduction for reacquisition payments.
1.406-1 Treatment of certain employees of foreign subsidiaries as 
          employees of the domestic corporation.
1.407-1 Treatment of certain employees of domestic subsidiaries engaged 
          in business outside the United States as employees of the 
          domestic parent corporation.
1.408-1 General rules.
1.408-2 Individual retirement accounts.
1.408-3 Individual retirement annuities.
1.408-4 Treatment of distributions from individual retirement 
          arrangements.
1.408-5 Annual reports by trustees or issuers.
1.408-6 Disclosure statements for individual retirement arrangements.
1.408-7 Reports on distributions from individual retirement plans.
1.408-8 Distribution requirements for individual retirement plans.
1.408-11 Net income calculation for returned or recharacterized IRA 
          contributions.
1.408(q)-1 Deemed IRAs in qualified employer plans.
1.408A-0 Roth IRAs; table of contents.
1.408A-1 Roth IRAs in general.
1.408A-2 Establishing Roth IRAs.
1.408A-3 Contributions to Roth IRAs.
1.408A-4 Converting amounts to Roth IRAs.
1.408A-5 Recharacterized contributions.
1.408A-6 Distributions.
1.408A-7 Reporting.
1.408A-8 Definitions.
1.408A-9 Effective date.
1.408A-10 Coordination between designated Roth accounts and Roth IRAs.
1.409-1 Retirement bonds.
1.409A-0 Table of contents.
1.409A-1 Definitions and covered plans.
1.409A-2 Deferral elections.
1.409A-3 Permissible payments
1.409A-4 Calculation of income inclusion [Reserved]
1.409A-5 Funding [Reserved]
1.409A-6 Application of section 409A and effective dates.
1.409(p)-1 Prohibited allocation of securities in an S corporation.
1.409(p)-1T Prohibited allocation of securities in an S corporation 
          (temporary)

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 401(m)(9) and 26 U.S.C. 7805.
    Section 1.401-12 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(d)(1).
    Section 1.401(a)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401
    Section 1.401(a)(2)-1 also issued under Multiemployer Pension Plan 
Amendments Act, Public Law 96-364, 410, (94 Stat. 1208, 1308)(1980).
    Section 1.401(a)(5)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(5).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-3 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-6 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-7 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-8 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(9).
    Section 1.401(a)(17)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(17).
    Sections 1.401(a)(26)-1 through (a)(26)-9 also issued under 26 
U.S.C. 401(a)(26).
    Section 1.401(a)(35)-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(35).
    Section 1.401(a)-21 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401 and section 104 
of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, Public 
Law 106-229 (114 Stat. 464).
    Section 1.401(b)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(b).
    Section 1.401(k)-3 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 401(m)(9).
    Section 1.401(l)-0 through 1.401(l)-6 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 
401(l).
    Section 1.402A-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 402A
    Section 1.403(b)-6 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 403(b)(10).
    Section 1.408-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408(a) and 26 U.S.C. 
408(q).
    Section 1.404(k)-3 is also issued under sections 26 U.S.C. 162(k) 
and 404(k)(5)(A).

[[Page 8]]

    Section 1.408-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408.
    Section 1.408-8 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408(a)(6) and (b)(3).
    Section 1.408-11 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408.
    Section 1.408(q)-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408(q).
    Section 1.408A-1 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-2 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-3 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-4 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-5 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-6 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-7 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-8 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.408A-9 also issued under 26 U.S.C. 408A.
    Section 1.409(p)-1 is also issued under 26 U.S.C. 409(p)(7).

                       DEFERRED COMPENSATION, ETC.

            Pension, Profit-Sharing, Stock Bonus Plans, etc.



Sec. 1.401-0  Scope and definitions.

    (a) In general. Sections 1.401 through 1.401-14 (inclusive) reflect 
the provisions of section 401 prior to amendment by the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The sections following Sec. 
1.401-14 and preceding Sec. 1.402(a)-1 (hereafter referred to in this 
section as the ``Post-ERISA Regulations'') reflect the provisions of 
section 401 after amendment by such Act.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of the Post-ERISA regulations--
    (1) Qualified plan. The term ``qualified plan'' means a plan which 
satisfies the requirements of section 401(a).
    (2) Qualified trust. The term ``qualified trust'' means a trust 
which satisfies the requirements of section 401(a).

(Sec. 411 Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 901; 26 U.S.C. 411))

[T.D. 7501, 42 FR 42320, Aug. 23, 1977]



Sec. 1.401-1  Qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans.

    (a) Introduction. (1) Sections 401 through 405 relate to pension, 
profit- sharing, stock bonus, and annuity plans, compensation paid under 
a deferred-payment plan, and bond purchase plans. Section 401(a) 
prescribes the requirements which must be met for qualification of a 
trust forming part of a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan.
    (2) A qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan is a 
definite written program and arrangement which is communicated to the 
employees and which is established and maintained by an employer--
    (i) In the case of a pension plan, to provide for the livelihood of 
the employees or their beneficiaries after the retirement of such 
employees through the payment of benefits determined without regard to 
profits (see paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section);
    (ii) In the case of a profit-sharing plan, to enable employees or 
their beneficiaries to participate in the profits of the employer's 
trade or business, or in the profits of an affiliated employer who is 
entitled to deduct his contributions to the plan under section 
404(a)(3)(B), pursuant to a definite formula for allocating the 
contributions and for distributing the funds accumulated under the plan 
(see paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section); and
    (iii) In the case of a stock bonus plan, to provide employees or 
their beneficiaries benefits similar to those of profit-sharing plans, 
except that such benefits are distributable in stock of the employer, 
and that the contributions by the employer are not necessarily dependent 
upon profits. If the employer's contributions are dependent upon 
profits, the plan may enable employees or their beneficiaries to 
participate not only in the profits of the employer, but also in the 
profits of an affiliated employer who is entitled to deduct his 
contributions to the plan under section 404(a)(3)(B) (see paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii) of this section).
    (3) In order for a trust forming part of a pension, profit-sharing, 
or stock bonus plan to constitute a qualified trust under section 
401(a), the following tests must be met:
    (i) It must be created or organized in the United States, as defined 
in section 7701(a)(9), and it must be maintained at all times as a 
domestic trust in the United States;

[[Page 9]]

    (ii) It must be part of a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus 
plan established by an employer for the exclusive benefit of his 
employees or their beneficiaries (see paragraph (b)(2) through (5) of 
this section);
    (iii) It must be formed or availed of for the purpose of 
distributing to the employees or their beneficiaries the corpus and 
income of the fund accumulated by the trust in accordance with the plan, 
and, in the case of a plan which covers (as defined in paragraph (a)(2) 
of Sec. 1.401-10) any self-employed individual, the time and method of 
such distribution must satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9) 
with respect to each employee covered by the plan;
    (iv) It must be impossible under the trust instrument at any time 
before the satisfaction of all liabilities with respect to employees and 
their beneficiaries under the trust, for any part of the corpus or 
income to be used for, or diverted to, purposes other than for the 
exclusive benefit of the employees or their beneficiaries (see Sec. 
1.401-2);
    (v) It must be part of a plan which benefits prescribed percentages 
of the employees, or which benefits such employees as qualify under a 
classification set up by the employer and found by the Commissioner not 
to be discriminatory in favor of certain specified classes of employees 
(see Sec. 1.401-3);
    (vi) It must be part of a plan under which contributions or benefits 
do not discriminate in favor of certain specified classes of employees 
(see Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-0 through 1.401(a)(4)-13);
    (vii) It must be part of a plan which provides the nonforfeitable 
rights described in section 401(a)(7) (see Sec. 1.401-6);
    (viii) If the trust forms part of a pension plan, the plan must 
provide that forfeitures must not be applied to increase the benefits 
any employee would receive under such plan (see Sec. 1.401-7);
    (ix) It must, if the plan benefits any self-employed individual who 
is an owner-employee, satisfy the additional requirements for 
qualification contained in section 401(a)(10) and (d).
    (4) For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1962, self-
employed individuals may be included in qualified plans. See generally 
Sec. 1.401-10.
    (b) General rules. (1)(i) A pension plan within the meaning of 
section 401(a) is a plan established and maintained by an employer 
primarily to provide systematically for the payment of definitely 
determinable benefits to his employees over a period of years, usually 
for life, after retirement. Retirement benefits generally are measured 
by, and based on, such factors as years of service and compensation 
received by the employees. The determination of the amount of retirement 
benefits and the contributions to provide such benefits are not 
dependent upon profits. Benefits are not definitely determinable if 
funds arising from forfeitures on termination of service, or other 
reason, may be used to provide increased benefits for the remaining 
participants (see Sec. 1.401-7, relating to the treatment of 
forfeitures under a qualified pension plan). A plan designed to provide 
benefits for employees or their beneficiaries to be paid upon retirement 
or over a period of years after retirement will, for the purposes of 
section 401(a), be considered a pension plan if the employer 
contributions under the plan can be determined actuarially on the basis 
of definitely determinable benefits, or, as in the case of money 
purchase pension plans, such contributions are fixed without being 
geared to profits. A pension plan may provide for the payment of a 
pension due to disability and may also provide for the payment of 
incidental death benefits through insurance or otherwise. However, a 
plan is not a pension plan if it provides for the payment of benefits 
not customarily included in a pension plan such as layoff benefits or 
benefits for sickness, accident, hospitalization, or medical expenses 
(except medical benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in 
paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-14).
    (ii) A profit-sharing plan is a plan established and maintained by 
an employer to provide for the participation in his profits by his 
employees or their beneficiaries. The plan must provide a definite 
predetermined formula for allocating the contributions made to the plan 
among the participants and for distributing the funds accumulated under 
the plan after a fixed number of years, the attainment of a stated age,

[[Page 10]]

or upon the prior occurrence of some event such as layoff, illness, 
disability, retirement, death, or severance of employment. A formula for 
allocating the contributions among the participants is definite if, for 
example, it provides for an allocation in proportion to the basic 
compensation of each participant. A plan (whether or not it contains a 
definite predetermined formula for determining the profits to be shared 
with the employees) does not qualify under section 401(a) if the 
contributions to the plan are made at such times or in such amounts that 
the plan in operation discriminates in favor of officers, shareholders, 
persons whose principal duties consist in supervising the work of other 
employees, or highly compensated employees. For the rules with respect 
to discrimination, see Sec. Sec. 1.401-3 and 1.401(a)(4)-0 through 
1.401(a)(4)-13. A profit-sharing plan within the meaning of section 401 
is primarily a plan of deferred compensation, but the amounts allocated 
to the account of a participant may be used to provide for him or his 
family incidental life or accident or health insurance. See Sec. Sec. 
1.72-15, 1.72-16, and 1.402(a)-1(e) for rules regarding the tax 
treatment of incidental life or accident or health insurance.
    (iii) A stock bonus plan is a plan established and maintained by an 
employer to provide benefits similar to those of a profit-sharing plan, 
except that the contributions by the employer are not necessarily 
dependent upon profits and the benefits are distributable in stock of 
the employer company. For the purpose of allocating and distributing the 
stock of the employer which is to be shared among his employees or their 
beneficiaries, such a plan is subject to the same requirements as a 
profit-sharing plan.
    (iv) As to inclusion of full-time life insurance salesmen within the 
class of persons considered to be employees, see section 7701(a)(20).
    (2) The term ``plan'' implies a permanent as distinguished from a 
temporary program. Thus, although the employer may reserve the right to 
change or terminate the plan, and to discontinue contributions 
thereunder, the abandonment of the plan for any reason other than 
business necessity within a few years after it has taken effect will be 
evidence that the plan from its inception was not a bona fide program 
for the exclusive benefit of employees in general. Especially will this 
be true if, for example, a pension plan is abandoned soon after pensions 
have been fully funded for persons in favor of whom discrimination is 
prohibited under section 401(a). The permanency of the plan will be 
indicated by all of the surrounding facts and circumstances, including 
the likelihood of the employer's ability to continue contributions as 
provided under the plan. In the case of a profit-sharing plan, other 
than a profit-sharing plan which covers employees and owner-employees 
(see section 401(d)(2)(B)), it is not necessary that the employer 
contribute every year or that he contribute the same amount or 
contribute in accordance with the same ratio every year. However, merely 
making a single or occasional contribution out of profits for employees 
does not establish a plan of profit-sharing. To be a profit-sharing 
plan, there must be recurring and substantial contributions out of 
profits for the employees. In the event a plan is abandoned, the 
employer should promptly notify the district director, stating the 
circumstances which led to the discontinuance of the plan.
    (3) If the plan is so designed as to amount to a subterfuge for the 
distribution of profits to shareholders, it will not qualify as a plan 
for the exclusive benefit of employees even though other employees who 
are not shareholders are also included under the plan. The plan must 
benefit the employees in general, although it need not provide benefits 
for all of the employees. Among the employees to be benefited may be 
persons who are officers and shareholders. However, a plan is not for 
the exclusive benefit of employees in general if, by any device 
whatever, it discriminates either in eligibility requirements, 
contributions, or benefits in favor of employees who are officers, 
shareholders, persons whose principal duties consist in supervising the 
work of other employees, or the highly compensated employees. See 
section 401(a) (3), (4), and (5). Similarly, a stock bonus or profit-
sharing plan is not a plan for the exclusive benefit of

[[Page 11]]

employees in general if the funds therein may be used to relieve the 
employer from contributing to a pension plan operating concurrently and 
covering the same employees. All of the surrounding and attendant 
circumstances and the details of the plan will be indicative of whether 
it is a bona fide stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan for the 
exclusive benefit of employees in general. The law is concerned not only 
with the form of a plan but also with its effects in operation. For 
example, section 401(a)(5) specifies certain provisions which of 
themselves are not discriminatory. However, this does not mean that a 
plan containing these provisions may not be discriminatory in actual 
operation.
    (4) A plan is for the exclusive benefit of employees or their 
beneficiaries even though it may cover former employees as well as 
present employees and employees who are temporarily on leave, as, for 
example, in the Armed Forces of the United States. A plan covering only 
former employees may qualify under section 401(a) if it complies with 
the provisions of section 401(a)(3)(B), with respect to coverage, and 
section 401(a)(4), with respect to contributions and benefits, as 
applied to all of the former employees. The term ``beneficiaries'' of an 
employee within the meaning of section 401 includes the estate of the 
employee, dependents of the employee, persons who are the natural 
objects of the employee's bounty, and any persons designated by the 
employee to share in the benefits of the plan after the death of the 
employee.
    (5)(i) No specific limitations are provided in section 401(a) with 
respect to investments which may be made by the trustees of a trust 
qualifying under section 401(a). Generally, the contributions may be 
used by the trustees to purchase any investments permitted by the trust 
agreement to the extent allowed by local law. However, such a trust will 
be subject to tax under section 511 with respect to any ``unrelated 
business taxable income'' (as defined in section 512) realized by it 
from its investments.
    (ii) Where the trust funds are invested in stock or securities of, 
or loaned to, the employer or other person described in section 503(b), 
full disclosure must be made of the reasons for such arrangement and the 
conditions under which such investments are made in order that a 
determination may be made whether the trust serves any purpose other 
than constituting part of a plan for the exclusive benefit of employees. 
The trustee shall report any of such investments on the return which 
under section 6033 it is required to file and shall with respect to any 
such investment furnish the information required by such return. See 
Sec. 1.6033-1.
    (c) Portions of years. A qualified status must be maintained 
throughout the entire taxable year of the trust in order for the trust 
to obtain any exemption for such year. But see section 401(a)(6) and 
Sec. 1.401-3.
    (d) Plan of several employers. A trust forming part of a plan of 
several employers for their employees will be qualified if all the 
requirements are otherwise satisfied.
    (e) Determination of exemptions and returns. (1) An employees' trust 
may request a determination letter as to its qualification under section 
401 and exemption under section 501. For the procedure for obtaining 
such a determination letter see paragraph (l) of Sec. 601.201 of this 
chapter (Statement of Procedural Rules).
    (2) A trust which qualifies under section 401(a) and which is exempt 
under section 501(a) must file a return in accordance with section 6033 
and the regulations thereunder. See Sec. Sec. 1.6033-1 and 1.6033-
2(a)(3). In case such a trust realizes any unrelated business taxable 
income, as defined in section 512, such trust is also required to file a 
return with respect to such income. See paragraph (e) of Sec. 1.6012-2 
and paragraph (a)(5) of Sec. 1.6012-3 for requirements with respect to 
such returns. For information required to be furnished periodically by 
an employer with respect to

[[Page 12]]

the qualification of a plan, see Sec. Sec. 1.404(a)-2, and 1.6033-
2(a)(2)(ii)(i).

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11670, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6675, 28 FR 
10118, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 6722, 29 FR 5071, Apr. 14, 1964; T.D. 7168, 
37 FR 5024, Mar. 9, 1972; T.D. 7428, 41 FR 34619, Aug. 16, 1976; T.D. 
9665, 79 FR 26842, May 12, 2014; T.D. 9849, 84 FR 9233, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.401-2  Impossibility of diversion under the trust instrument.

    (a) In general. (1) Under section 401(a)(2) a trust is not qualified 
unless under the trust instrument it is impossible (in the taxable year 
and at any time thereafter before the satisfaction of all liabilities to 
employees or their beneficiaries covered by the trust) for any part of 
the trust corpus or income to be used for, or diverted to, purposes 
other than for the exclusive benefit of such employees or their 
beneficiaries. This section does not apply to funds of the trust which 
are allocated to provide medical benefits described in section 401(h) as 
defined in paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-14. For the rules prohibiting 
diversion of such funds and the requirement of reversion to the employer 
after satisfaction of all liabilities under the medical benefits 
account, see paragraph (c) (4) and (5) of Sec. 1.401-14. For rules 
permitting reversion to the employer of amounts held in a section 415 
suspense acount, see Sec. 1.401(a)-2(b).
    (2) As used in section 401(a)(2), the phrase ``if under the trust 
instrument it is impossible'' means that the trust instrument must 
definitely and affirmatively make it impossible for the nonexempt 
diversion or use to occur, whether by operation or natural termination 
of the trust, by power of revocation or amendment, by the happening of a 
contingency, by collateral arrangement, or by any other means. Although 
it is not essential that the employer relinquish all power to modify or 
terminate the rights of certain employees covered by the trust, it must 
be impossible for the trust funds to be used or diverted for purposes 
other than for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their 
beneficiaries.
    (3) As used in section 401(a)(2), the phrase ``purposes other than 
for the exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries'' 
includes all objects or aims not solely designed for the proper 
satisfaction of all liabilities to employees or their beneficiaries 
covered by the trust.
    (b) Meaning of ``liabilities''. (1) The intent and purpose in 
section 401(a)(2) of the phrase ``prior to the satisfaction of all 
liabilities with respect to employees and their beneficiaries under the 
trust'' is to permit the employer to reserve the right to recover at the 
termination of the trust, and only at such termination, any balance 
remaining in the trust which is due to erroneous actuarial computations 
during the previous life of the trust. A balance due to an ``erroneous 
actuarial computation'' is the surplus arising because actual 
requirements differ from the expected requirements even though the 
latter were based upon previous actuarial valuations of liabilities or 
determinations of costs of providing pension benefits under the plan and 
were made by a person competent to make such determinations in 
accordance with reasonable assumptions as to mortality, interest, etc., 
and correct procedures relating to the method of funding. For example, a 
trust has accumulated assets of $1,000,000 at the time of liquidation, 
determined by acceptable actuarial procedures using reasonable 
assumptions as to interest, mortality, etc., as being necessary to 
provide the benefits in accordance with the provisions of the plan. Upon 
such liquidation it is found that $950,000 will satisfy all of the 
liabilities under the plan. The surplus of $50,000 arises, therefore, 
because of the difference between the amounts actuarially determined and 
the amounts actually required to satisfy the liabilities. This $50,000, 
therefore, is the amount which may be returned to the employer as the 
result of an erroneous actuarial computation. If, however, the surplus 
of $50,000 had been accumulated as a result of a change in the benefit 
provisions or in the eligibility requirements of the plan, the $50,000 
could not revert to the employer because such surplus would not be the 
result of an erroneous actuarial computation.
    (2) The term ``liabilities'' as used in section 401(a)(2) includes 
both fixed and contingent obligations to employees. For example, if 
1,000 employees are

[[Page 13]]

covered by a trust forming part of a pension plan, 300 of whom have 
satisfied all the requirements for a monthly pension, while the 
remaining 700 employees have not yet completed the required period of 
service, contingent obligations to such 700 employees have nevertheless 
arisen which constitute ``liabilities'' within the meaning of that term. 
It must be impossible for the employer (or other non employee) to 
recover any amounts other than such amounts as remain in the trust 
because of ``erroneous actuarial computations'' after the satisfaction 
of all fixed and contingent obligations. Furthermore, the trust 
instrument must contain a definite affirmative provision to this effect, 
irrespective of whether the obligations to employees have their source 
in the trust instrument itself, in the plan of which the trust forms a 
part, or in some collateral instrument or arrangement forming a part of 
such plan, and regardless of whether such obligations are, technically 
speaking, liabilities of the employer, of the trust, or of some other 
person forming a part of the plan or connected with it.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11672, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6722, 29 FR 
5072, Apr. 14, 1964; T.D. 7748, 46 FR 1695, Jan. 7, 1981]



Sec. 1.401-3  Requirements as to coverage.

    (a)(1) In order to insure that stock bonus, pension, and profit-
sharing plans are utilized for the welfare of employees in general, and 
to prevent the trust device from being used for the principal benefit of 
shareholders, officers, persons whose principal duties consist in 
supervising the work of other employees, or highly paid employees, or as 
a means of tax avoidance, a trust will not be qualified unless it is 
part of a plan which satisfies the coverage requirements of section 
401(a)(3). However, if the plan covers any individual who is an owner-
employee, as defined in section 401(c)(3), the requirements of section 
401(a)(3) and this section are not applicable to such plan, but the plan 
must satisfy the requirements of section 401(d).
    (2) The percentage requirements in section 401(a)(3)(A) refer to a 
percentage of all the active employees, including employees temporarily 
on leave, such as those in the Armed Forces of the United States, if 
such employees are eligible under the plan.
    (3) The application of section 401(a)(3)(A) may be illustrated by 
the following example:

    Example. A corporation adopts a plan at a time when it has 1,000 
employees. The plan provides that all full-time employees who have been 
employed for a period of two years and have reached the age of 30 shall 
be eligible to participate. The plan also requires participating 
employees to contribute 3 percent of their monthly pay. At the time the 
plan is made effective 100 of the 1,000 employees had not been employed 
for a period of two years. Fifty of the employees were seasonal 
employees whose customary employment did not exceed five months in any 
calendar year. Twenty-five of the employees were part-time employees 
whose customary employment did not exceed 20 hours in any one week. One 
hundred and fifty of the full-time employees who had been employed for 
two years or more had not yet reached age 30. The requirements of 
section 401(a)(3)(A) will be met if 540 employees are covered by the 
plan, as shown by the following computation:

(i) Total employees with respect to whom the percentage              825
 requirements are applicable (1,000 minus 175 (100 plus 50
 plus 25))...................................................
(ii) Employees not eligible to participate because of age            150
 requirements................................................
                                                              ----------
(iii) Total employees eligible to participate................        675
(iv) Percentage of employees in item (i) eligible to              81 + %
 participate.................................................
(v) Minimum number of participating employees to qualify the         540
 plan (80 percent of 675)....................................
 


If only 70 percent, or 578, of the 825 employees satisfied the age and 
service requirements, then 462 (80 percent of 578) participating 
employees would satisfy the percentage requirements.

    (b) If a plan fails to qualify under the percentage requirements of 
section 401(a)(3)(A), it may still qualify under section 401(a)(3)(B) 
provided always that (as required by section 401(a) (3) and (4)) the 
plan's eligibility conditions, benefits, and contributions do not 
discriminate in favor of employees who are officers, shareholders, 
persons whose principal duties consist in supervising the work of other 
employees, or the highly compensated employees.
    (c) Since, for the purpose of section 401, a profit-sharing plan is 
a plan which provides for distributing the funds accumulated under the 
plan after a fixed number of years, the attainment of a stated age, or 
upon the prior

[[Page 14]]

occurrence of some event such as illness, disability, retirement, death, 
layoff, or severance of employment, employees who receive the amounts 
allocated to their accounts before the expiration of such a period of 
time or the occurrence of such a contingency shall not be considered 
covered by a profit-sharing plan in determining whether the plan meets 
the coverage requirements of section 401(a)(3) (A) and (B). Thus, in 
case a plan permits employees to receive immediately the amounts 
allocated to their accounts, or to have such amounts paid to a profit- 
sharing plan for them, the employees who receive the shares immediately 
shall not, for the purpose of section 401, be considered covered by a 
profit-sharing plan.
    (d) Section 401(a)(5) sets out certain classifications that will not 
in themselves be considered discriminatory. However, those so designated 
are not intended to be exclusive. Thus, plans may qualify under section 
401(a)(3)(B) even though coverage thereunder is limited to employees who 
have either reached a designated age or have been employed for a 
designated number of years, or who are employed in certain designated 
departments or are in other classifications, provided the effect of 
covering only such employees does not discriminate in favor of officers, 
shareholders, employees whose principal duties consist in supervising 
the work of other employees, or highly compensated employees. For 
example, if there are 1,000 employees, and the plan is written for only 
salaried employees, and consequently only 500 employees are covered, 
that fact alone will not justify the conclusion that the plan does not 
meet the coverage requirements of section 401(a)(3)(B). Conversely, if a 
contributory plan is offered to all of the employees but the 
contributions required of the employee participants are so burdensome as 
to make the plan acceptable only to the highly paid employees, the 
classification will be considered discriminatory in favor of such highly 
paid employees.
    (e)(1) Section 401(a)(5) contains a provision to the effect that a 
classification shall not be considered discriminatory within the meaning 
of section 401(a)(3)(B) merely because all employees whose entire annual 
remuneration constitutes ``wages'' under section 3121(a)(1) (for 
purposes of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, chapter 21 of the 
Code) are excluded from the plan. A reference to section 3121(a)(1) for 
years after 1954 shall be deemed a reference to section 1426(a)(1) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 for years before 1955. This provision, 
in conjunction with section 401(a)(3)(B), is intended to permit the 
qualification of plans which supplement the old-age, survivors, and 
disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
ch. 7). Thus, a classification which excludes all employees whose entire 
remuneration constitutes ``wages'' under section 3121(a)(1), will not be 
considered discriminatory merely because of such exclusion. Similarly, a 
plan which includes all employees will not be considered discriminatory 
solely because the contributions or benefits based on that part of their 
remuneration which is excluded from wages under section 3121(a)(1) 
differ from the contributions or benefits based on that part of their 
remuneration which is not so excluded. However, in making his 
determination with respect to discrimination in classification under 
section 401(a)(3)(B), the Commissioner will consider whether the total 
benefits resulting to each employee under the plan and under the Social 
Security Act, or under the Social Security Act only, establish an 
integrated and correlated retirement system satisfying the tests of 
section 401(a). If, therefore, a classification of employees under a 
plan results in relatively or proportionately greater benefits for 
employees earning above any specified salary amount or rate than for 
those below any such salary amount or rate, it may be found to be 
discriminatory within the meaning of section 401(a)(3)(B). If, however, 
the relative or proportionate differences in benefits which result from 
such classification are approximately offset by the old-age, survivors, 
and disability insurance benefits which are provided by the Social 
Security Act and which are not attributable to employee contributions 
under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, the plan will be 
considered to be properly integrated with the Social Security Act

[[Page 15]]

and will, therefore, not be considered discriminatory.
    (2)(i) For purposes of determining whether a plan is properly 
integrated with the Social Security Act, the amount of old-age, 
survivors, and disability insurance benefits which may be considered as 
attributable to employer contributions under the Federal Insurance 
Contributions Act is computed on the basis of the following:
    (A) The rate at which the maximum monthly old-age insurance benefit 
is provided under the Social Security Act is considered to be the 
average of (1) the rate at which the maximum benefit currently payable 
under the Act (i.e., in 1971) is provided to an employee retiring at age 
65, and (2) the rate at which the maximum benefit ultimately payable 
under the Act (i.e., in 2010) is provided to an employee retiring at age 
65. The resulting figure is 43 percent of the average monthly wage on 
which such benefit is computed.
    (B) The total old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits 
with respect to an employee is considered to be 162 percent of the 
employee's old-age insurance benefits. The resulting figure is 70 
percent of the average monthly wage on which it is computed.
    (C) In view of the fact that social security benefits are funded 
through equal contributions by the employer and employee, 50 percent of 
such benefits is considered attributable to employer contributions. The 
resulting figure is 35 percent of the average monthly wage on which the 
benefit is computed.

Under these assumptions, the maximum old-age, survivors, and disability 
insurance benefits which may be attributed to employer contributions 
under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act is an amount equal to 35 
percent of the earnings on which they are computed. These computations 
take into account all amendments to the Society Security Act through the 
Social Security Amendments of 1971 (85 Stat. 6). It is recognized, 
however, that subsequent amendments to this Act may increase the 
percentages described in (A) or (B) of this subdivision (i), or both. If 
this occurs, the method used in this subparagraph for determining the 
integration formula may result in a figure under (C) of this subdivision 
(i) which is greater than 35 percent and a plan could be amended to 
adopt such greater figure in its benefit formula. In order to minimize 
future plan amendments of this nature, an employer may anticipate future 
changes in the Social Security Act by immediately utilizing such a 
higher figure, but not in excess of 37\1/2\ percent, in developing its 
benefit formula.
    (ii) Under the rules provided in this subparagraph, a classification 
of employees under a noncontributory pension or annuity plan which 
limits coverage to employees whose compensation exceeds the applicable 
integration level under the plan will not be considered discriminatory 
within the meaning of section 401(a)(3)(B), where:
    (A) The integration level applicable to an employee is his covered 
compensation, or is (1) in the case of an active employee, a stated 
dollar amount uniformly applicable to all active employees which is not 
greater than the covered compensation of any active employee, and (2) in 
the case of a retired employee an amount which is not greater than his 
covered compensation. (For rules relating to determination of an 
employee's covered compensation, see subdivision (iv) of this 
subparagraph.)
    (B) The rate at which normal annual retirement benefits are provided 
for any employee with respect to his average annual compensation in 
excess of the plan's integration level applicable to him does not exceed 
37\1/2\ percent.
    (C) Average annual compensation is defined to mean the average 
annual compensation over the highest 5 consecutive years.
    (D) There are no benefits payable in case of death before 
retirement.
    (E) The normal form of retirement benefits is a straight life 
annuity, and if there are optional forms, the benefit payments under 
each optional form are actuarially equivalent to benefit payments under 
the normal form.
    (F) In the case of any employee who reaches normal retirement age 
before completion of 15 years of service with the employer, the rate at 
which normal annual retirement benefits are provided for him with 
respect to his average annual compensation in excess of

[[Page 16]]

the plan's integration level applicable to him does not exceed 2\1/2\ 
percent for each year of service.
    (G) Normal retirement age is not lower than age 65.
    (H) Benefits payable in case of retirement or any other severance of 
employment before normal retirement age cannot exceed the actuarial 
equivalent of the maximum normal retirement benefits, which might be 
provided in accordance with (A) through (G) of this subdivision (ii), 
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the actual number of 
years of service of the employee at retirement or severance, and the 
denominator of which is the total number of years of service he would 
have had if he had remained in service until normal retirement age. A 
special disabled life mortality table shall not be used in determining 
the actuarial equivalent in the case of severance due to disability.
    (iii) (A) If a plan was properly integrated with old-age and 
survivors insurance benefits on July 5, 1968 (hereinafter referred to as 
an ``existing plan''), then, notwithstanding the fact that such plan 
does not satisfy the requirements of subdivision (ii) of this 
subparagraph, it will continue to be considered properly integrated with 
such benefits until January 1, 1972. Such plan will be considered 
properly integrated after December 31, 1971, so long as the benefits 
provided under the plan for each employee equal the sum of--
    (1) The benefits to which he would be entitled under a plan which, 
on July 5, 1968, would have been considered properly integrated with 
old-age and survivors insurance benefits, and under which benefits are 
provided at the same (or a lesser) rate with respect to the same portion 
of compensation with respect to which benefits are provided under the 
existing plan, multiplied by the percentage of his total service with 
the employer performed before a specified date not later than January 1, 
1972; and
    (2) The benefits to which he would be entitled under a plan 
satisfying the requirements of subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, 
multiplied by the percentage of his total service with the employer 
performed on and after such specified date.
    (B) A plan which, on July 5, 1968, was properly integrated with old-
age and survivors insurance benefits will not be considered not to be 
properly integrated with such benefits thereafter merely because such 
plan provides a minimum benefit for each employee (other than an 
employee who owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing more than 10 
percent of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of 
stock of the employer corporation) equal to the benefit to which he 
would be entitled under the plan as in effect on July 5, 1968, if he 
continued to earn annually until retirement the same amount of 
compensation as he earned in 1967.
    (C) If a plan was properly integrated with old-age and survivors 
insurance benefits on May 17, 1971, notwithstanding the fact that such 
plan does not satisfy the requirements of subdivision (ii) of this 
subparagraph, it will continue to be considered properly integrated with 
such benefits until January 1, 1972.
    (iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, an employee's covered 
compensation is the amount of compensation with respect to which old-age 
insurance benefits would be provided for him under the Social Security 
Act (as in effect at any uniformly applicable date occurring before the 
employee's separation from the service) if for each year until he 
attains age 65 his annual compensation is at least equal to the maximum 
amount of earnings subject to tax in each such year under the Federal 
Insurance Contributions Act. A plan may provide that an employee's 
covered compensation is the amount determined under the preceding 
sentence rounded to the nearest whole multiple of a stated dollar amount 
which does not exceed $600.
    (v) In the case of an integrated plan providing benefits different 
from those described in subdivision (ii) or (iii) (whichever is 
applicable) of this subparagraph, or providing benefits related to years 
of service, or providing benefits purchasable by stated employer 
contributions, or under the terms of which the employees contribute, or 
providing a combination of any of the foregoing variations, the plan 
will be considered to be properly

[[Page 17]]

integrated only if, as determined by the Commissioner, the benefits 
provided thereunder by employer contributions cannot exceed in value the 
benefits described in subdivision (ii) or (iii) (whichever is 
applicable) of this subparagraph. Similar principles will govern in 
determining whether a plan is properly integrated if participation 
therein is limited to employees earning in excess of amounts other than 
those specified in subdivision (iv) of this subparagraph, or if it bases 
benefits or contributions on compensation in excess of such amounts, or 
if it provides for an offset of benefits otherwise payable under the 
plan on account of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance 
benefits. Similar principles will govern in determining whether a 
profit-sharing or stock bonus plan is properly integrated with the 
Social Security Act.
    (3) A plan supplementing the Social Security Act and excluding all 
employees whose entire annual remuneration constitutes ``wages'' under 
section 3121(a)(1) will not, however, be deemed discriminatory merely 
because, for administrative convenience, it provides a reasonable 
minimum benefit not to exceed $20 a month.
    (4) Similar considerations, to the extent applicable in any case, 
will govern classifications under a plan supplementing the benefits 
provided by other Federal or State laws. See section 401(a)(5).
    (5) If a plan provides contributions or benefits for a self-employed 
individual, the rules relating to the integration of such a plan with 
the contributions or benefits under the Social Security Act are set 
forth in paragraph (c) of Sec. 1.401-11 and paragraph (h) of Sec. 
1.401-12 of the Treasury Regulations in effect on April 1, 2017.
    (6) This paragraph (e) does not apply to plan years beginning on or 
after January 1, 1989.
    (f) An employer may designate several trusts or a trust or trusts 
and an annuity plan or plans as constituting one plan which is intended 
to qualify under section 401(a)(3), in which case all of such trusts and 
plans taken as a whole may meet the requirements of such section. The 
fact that such combination of trusts and plans fails to qualify as one 
plan does not prevent such of the trusts and plans as qualify from 
meeting the requirements of section 401(a).
    (g) It is provided in section 401(a)(6) that a plan will satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a)(3), if on at least one day in each 
quarter of the taxable year of the plan it satisfies such requirements. 
This makes it possible for a new plan requiring contributions from 
employees to qualify if by the end of the quarter-year in which the plan 
is adopted it secures sufficient contributing participants to meet the 
requirements of section 401(a)(3). It also affords a period of time in 
which new participants may be secured to replace former participants, so 
as to meet the requirements of either subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 
401(a)(3).

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11672, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6675, 28 FR 
10119, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 6982, 33 FR 16499, Nov. 13, 1968; T.D. 7134, 
36 FR 13592, July 22, 1971; 36 FR 13990, July 29, 1971; T.D. 8359, 56 FR 
47614, Sept. 19, 1991; T.D. 9849, 84 FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. Sec. 1.401-4-1.401-5  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.401-6  Termination of a qualified plan.

    (a) General rules. (1) In order for a pension, profit-sharing, or 
stock bonus trust to satisfy the requirements of section 401, the plan 
of which such trust forms a part must expressly provide that, upon the 
termination of the plan or upon the complete discontinuance of 
contributions under the plan, the rights of each employee to benefits 
accrued to the date of such termination or discontinuance, to the extent 
then funded, or the rights of each employee to the amounts credited to 
his account at such time, are nonforfeitable. As to what constitutes 
nonforfeitable rights of an employee, see paragraph (a)(2) of Sec. 
1.402(b)-1.
    (2)(i) A qualified plan must also provide for the allocation of any 
previously unallocated funds to the employees covered by the plan upon 
the termination of the plan or the complete discontinuance of 
contributions under the plan. Such provision may be incorporated in the 
plan at its inception or by an amendment made prior to the termination 
of the plan or the discontinuance of contributions thereunder.

[[Page 18]]

    (ii) Any provision for the allocation of unallocated funds is 
acceptable if it specifies the method to be used and does not conflict 
with the provisions of section 401(a)(4) and the regulations thereunder. 
The allocation of unallocated funds may be in cash or in the form of 
other benefits provided under the plan. However, the allocation of the 
funds contributed by the employer among the employees need not 
necessarily benefit all the employees covered by the plan. For example, 
an allocation may be satisfactory if priority is given to benefits for 
employees over the age of 50 at the time of the termination of the plan, 
or those who then have at least 10 years of service, if there is no 
possibility of discrimination in favor of employees who are officers, 
shareholders, employees whose principal duties consist in supervising 
the work of other employees, or highly compensated employees.
    (iii) Subdivisions (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph do not require 
the allocation of amounts to the account of any employee if such amounts 
are not required to be used to satisfy the liabilities with respect to 
employees and their beneficiaries under the plan (see section 
401(a)(2)).
    (b) Termination defined. (1) Whether a plan is terminated is 
generally a question to be determined with regard to all the facts and 
circumstances in a particular case. For example, a plan is terminated 
when, in connection with the winding up of the employer's trade or 
business, the employer begins to discharge his employees. However, a 
plan is not terminated, for example, merely because an employer 
consolidates or replaces that plan with a comparable plan. Similarly, a 
plan is not terminated merely because the employer sells or otherwise 
disposes of his trade or business if the acquiring employer continues 
the plan as a separate and distinct plan of its own, or consolidates or 
replaces that plan with a comparable plan. See paragraph (d)(4) of Sec. 
1.381(c)(11)-1 for the definition of comparable plan. In addition, the 
Commissioner may determine that other plans are comparable for purposes 
of this section.
    (2) For purposes of this section, the term termination includes both 
a partial termination and a complete termination of a plan. Whether or 
not a partial termination of a qualified plan occurs when a group of 
employees who have been covered by the plan are subsequently excluded 
from such coverage either by reason of an amendment to the plan, or by 
reason of being discharged by the employer, will be determined on the 
basis of all the facts and circumstances. Similarly, whether or not a 
partial termination occurs when benefits or employer contributions are 
reduced, or the eligibility or vesting requirements under the plan are 
made less liberal, will be determined on the basis of all the facts and 
circumstances. However, if a partial termination of a qualified plan 
occurs, the provisions of section 401(a)(7) and this section apply only 
to the part of the plan that is terminated.
    (c) Complete discontinuance defined. (1) For purposes of this 
section, a complete discontinuance of contributions under the plan is 
contrasted with a suspension of contributions under the plan, which is 
merely a temporary cessation of contributions by the employer. A 
complete discontinuance of contributions may occur although some amounts 
are contributed by the employer under the plan if such amounts are not 
substantial enough to reflect the intent on the part of the employer to 
continue to maintain the plan. The determination of whether a complete 
discontinuance of contributions under the plan has occurred will be made 
with regard to all the facts and circumstances in the particular case, 
and without regard to the amount of any contributions made under the 
plan by employees.
    (2) In the case of a pension plan, a suspension of contributions 
will not constitute a discontinuance if--
    (i) The benefits to be paid or made available under the plan are not 
affected at any time by the suspension, and
    (ii) The unfunded past service cost at any time (which includes the 
unfunded prior normal cost and unfunded interest on any unfunded cost) 
does not exceed the unfunded past service cost as of the date of 
establishment of the plan, plus any additional past service

[[Page 19]]

or supplemental costs added by amendment.
    (3) In any case in which a suspension of a profit-sharing plan is 
considered a discontinuance, the discontinuance becomes effective not 
later than the last day of the taxable year of the employer following 
the last taxable year of such employer for which a substantial 
contribution was made under the profit-sharing plan.
    (d) Contributions or benefits which remain forfeitable. The 
provisions of this section do not apply to amounts which are reallocated 
to prevent the discrimination prohibited by section 401(a)(4).
    (e) Effective date. This section shall apply to taxable years of a 
qualified plan commencing after September 30, 1963. In the case of the 
termination or complete discontinuance (as defined in this section) of 
any qualified plan during any such taxable year, the rights accorded to 
each employee covered under the plan must conform to the requirements of 
this section. However, a plan which is qualified on September 30, 1963, 
will not be disqualified merely because it does not expressly include 
the provisions prescribed by this section.

[T.D. 6675, 28 FR 10120, Sept. 17, 1963, as amended by T.D. 9849, Mar. 
14, 2019]



Sec. 1.401-7  Forfeitures under a qualified pension plan.

    (a) General rules. In the case of a trust forming a part of a 
qualified pension plan, the plan must expressly provide that forfeitures 
arising from severance of employment, death, or for any other reason, 
must not be applied to increase the benefits any employee would 
otherwise receive under the plan at any time prior to the termination of 
the plan or the complete discontinuance of employer contributions 
thereunder. The amounts so forfeited must be used as soon as possible to 
reduce the employer's contributions under the plan. However, a qualified 
pension plan may anticipate the effect of forfeitures in determining the 
costs under the plan. Furthermore, a qualified plan will not be 
disqualified merely because a determination of the amount of forfeitures 
under the plan is made only once during each taxable year of the 
employer.
    (b) Examples. The rules of paragraph (a) of this section may be 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. The B Company Pension Trust forms a part of a pension 
plan which is funded by individual level annual premium annuity 
contracts. The plan requires ten years of service prior to obtaining a 
vested right to benefits under the plan. One of the company's employees 
resigns his position after two years of service. The insurance company 
paid to the trustees the cash surrender value of the contract--$750. The 
B Company must reduce its next contribution to the pension trust by this 
amount.
    Example 2. The C Corporation's trusteed pension plan has been in 
existence for 20 years. It is funded by individual contracts issued by 
an insurance company, and the premiums thereunder are paid annually. 
Under such plan, the annual premium accrued for the year 1966 is due and 
is paid on January 2, 1966, and on July 1 of the same year the plan is 
terminated due to the liquidation of the employer. Some forfeitures were 
incurred and collected by the trustee with respect to those participants 
whose employment terminated between January 2 and July 1. The plan 
provides that the amount of such forfeitures is to be applied to provide 
additional annuity benefits for the remaining employees covered by the 
plan. The pension plan of the C Corporation satisfies the provisions of 
section 401(a)(8). Although forfeitures are used to increase benefits in 
this case, this use of forfeitures is permissible since no further 
contributions will be made under the plan.

    (c) Effective date. This section applies to taxable years of a 
qualified plan commencing after September 30, 1963. However, a plan 
which is qualified on September 30, 1963, will not be disqualified 
merely because it does not expressly include the provisions prescribed 
by this section.

[T.D. 6675, 28 FR 10121, Sept. 17, 1963]



Sec. 1.401-8  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.401-9  Face-amount certificates--nontransferable annuity
contracts.

    (a) Face-amount certificates treated as annuity contracts. Section 
401(g) provides that a face-amount certificate (as defined in section 
2(a)(15) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. sec. 80a-2)) 
which is not transferable within the meaning of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section shall be treated as an annuity contract for purposes of sections 
401 through 404 for any taxable

[[Page 20]]

year of a plan subject to such sections beginning after December 31, 
1962. Accordingly, there may be established for any such taxable year a 
qualified plan under which such face-amount certificates are purchased 
for the participating employees without the creation of a trust or 
custodial account. However, for such a plan to qualify, the plan must 
satisfy all the requirements applicable to a qualified annuity plan (see 
section 403(a) and the regulations thereunder).
    (b) Nontransferability of face-amount certificates and annuity 
contracts. (1)(i) Section 401(g) provides that, in order for any face-
amount certificate, or any other contract issued after December 31, 
1962, to be subject to any provision under sections 401 through 404 
which is applicable to annuity contracts, as compared to other forms of 
investment, such certificate or contract must be nontransferable at any 
time when it is held by any person other than the trustee of a trust 
described in section 401(a) and exempt under section 501(a). Thus, for 
example, in order for a group or individual retirement income contract 
to be treated as an annuity contract, if such contract is not held by 
the trustee of an exempt employees' trust, it must satisfy the 
requirements of this section. Furthermore, a face-amount certificate or 
an annuity contract will be subject to the tax treatment under section 
403(b) only if it satisfies the requirements of section 401(g) and this 
section. Any certificate or contract in order to satisfy the provisions 
of this section must expressly contain the provisions that are necessary 
to make such certificate or contract not transferable within the meaning 
of this paragraph.
    (ii) In the case of any group contract purchased by an employer 
under a plan to which sections 401 through 404 apply, the restriction on 
transferability required by section 401(g) and this section applies to 
the interest of the employee participants under such group contract but 
not to the interest of the employer under such contract.
    (2) If a trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt from tax 
under section 501(a) distributes any annuity, endowment, retirement 
income, or life insurance contract, then the rules relating to the 
taxability of the distributee of any such contract are set forth in 
paragraph (a)(2) of Sec. 1.402(a)-1.
    (3) A face-amount certificate or an annuity contract is transferable 
if the owner can transfer any portion of his interest in the certificate 
or contract to any person other than the issuer thereof. Accordingly, 
such a certificate or contract is transferable if the owner can sell, 
assign, discount, or pledge as collateral for a loan or as security for 
the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose his interest 
in the certificate or contract to any person other than the issuer 
thereof. On the other hand, for purposes of section 401(g), a face-
amount certificate or annuity contract is not considered to be 
transferable merely because such certificate or contract, or the plan of 
which it is a part, contains a provision permitting the employee to 
designate a beneficiary to receive the proceeds of the certificate or 
contract in the event of his death, or contains a provision permitting 
the employee to elect to receive a joint and survivor annuity, or 
contains other similar provisions.
    (4) A material modification in the terms of an annuity contract 
constitutes the issuance of a new contract regardless of the manner in 
which it is made.
    (c) Examples. The rules of this section may be illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example 1. The P Employees' Annuity Plan is a nontrusteed plan which 
is funded by individual annuity contracts issued by the Y Insurance 
Company. Each annuity contract issued by such company after December 31, 
1962, provides, on its face, that it is ``not transferable''. The terms 
of each such contract further provide that, ``This contract may not be 
sold, assigned, discounted, or pledged as collateral for a loan or as 
security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose, 
to any person other than this company.'' The annuity contracts of the P 
Employees' Annuity Plan satisfy the requirements of section 401(g) and 
this section.
    Example 2. The R Company Pension Trust forms a part of a pension 
plan which is funded by individual level premium annuity contracts. Such 
contracts are purchased by the trustee of the R Company Pension Trust 
from the Y Insurance Company. The trustee of the R Company Pension Trust 
is the legal owner of each such contract at all times prior to the 
distribution of such contract to

[[Page 21]]

a qualifying annuitant. The trustee purchases such a contract on January 
3, 1963, in the name of an employee who qualifies on that date for 
coverage under the plan. At the time such contract is purchased, and 
while the contract is held by the trustee of the R Company Pension 
Trust, the contract does not contain any restrictions with respect to 
its transferability. The annuity contract purchased by the trustee of 
the R Company Pension Trust satisfies the requirements of section 401(g) 
and this section while it is held by the trustee.
    Example 3. A is the trustee of the X Corporation's Employees' 
Pension Trust. The trust forms a part of a pension plan which is funded 
by individual level premium annuity contracts. The trustee is the legal 
owner of such contracts, but the employees covered under the plan obtain 
beneficial interests in such contracts after ten years of service with 
the X Corporation. On January 15, 1980, A distributes to D an annuity 
contract issued to A in D's name on June 25, 1959, and distributes to E 
an annuity contract issued to A in E's name on September 30, 1963. The 
contract issued to D need not be nontransferable, but the contract 
issued to E must be nontransferable in order to satisfy the requirements 
of section 401(g) and this section.
    Example 4. The corpus of the Y Corporation's Employees' Pension Plan 
consists of individual insurance contracts in the names of the covered 
employees and an auxiliary fund which is used to convert such policies 
to annuity contracts at the time a beneficiary of such trust retires. F 
retires on June 15, 1963, and the trustee converts the individual 
insurance contract on F's life to a life annuity which is distributed to 
him. The life annuity issued on F's life must be nontransferable in 
order to satisfy the requirements of section 401(g) and this section.

[T.D. 6675, 28 FR 10122, Sept. 17, 1963]



Sec. 1.401-10  Definitions relating to plans covering self-employed
individuals.

    (a) In general. (1) Certain self-employed individuals may be covered 
by a qualified pension, annuity, or profit- sharing plan for taxable 
years beginning after December 31, 1962. This section contains 
definitions relating to plans covering self-employed individuals.
    (2) A self-employed individual is covered under a qualified plan 
during the period beginning with the date a contribution is first made 
by, or for, him under the qualified plan and ending when there are no 
longer funds under the plan which can be used to provide him or his 
beneficiaries with benefits.
    (b) Treatment of a self-employed individual as an employee. (1) For 
purposes of section 401, a self-employed individual who receives earned 
income from an employer during a taxable year of such employer beginning 
after December 31, 1962, shall be considered an employee of such 
employer for such taxable year. Moreover, such an individual will be 
considered an employee for a taxable year if he would otherwise be 
treated as an employee but for the fact that the employer did not have 
net profits for that taxable year. Accordingly, the employer may cover 
such an individual under a qualified plan during years of the plan 
beginning with or within a taxable year of the employer beginning after 
December 31, 1962.
    (2) If a self-employed individual is engaged in more than one trade 
or business, each such trade or business shall be considered a separate 
employer for purposes of applying the provisions of sections 401 through 
404 to such individual. Thus, if a qualified plan is established for one 
trade or business but not the others, the individual will be considered 
an employee only if he received earned income with respect to such trade 
or business and only the amount of such earned income derived from that 
trade or business shall be taken into account for purposes of the 
qualified plan.
    (3)(i) The term employee, for purposes of section 401, does not 
include a self-employed individual when the term ``common-law'' employee 
is used or when the context otherwise requires that the term 
``employee'' does not include a self-employed individual. The term 
``common- law'' employee also includes an individual who is treated as 
an employee for purposes of section 401 by reason of the provisions of 
section 7701(a)(20), relating to the treatment of certain full-time life 
insurance salesmen as employees. Furthermore, an individual who is a 
common-law employee is not a self-employed individual with respect to 
income attributable to such employment, even though such income 
constitutes net earnings from self-employment as defined in section 
1402(a). Thus, for example, a minister who is a common-law

[[Page 22]]

employee is not a self-employed individual with respect to income 
attributable to such employment, even though such income constitutes net 
earnings from self-employment as defined in section 1402(a).
    (ii) An individual may be treated as an employee within the meaning 
of section 401(c)(1) of one employer even though such individual is also 
a common-law employee of another employer. For example, an attorney who 
is a common-law employee of a corporation and who, in the evenings 
maintains an office in which he practices law as a self-employed 
individual is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) with 
respect to the law practice. This example would not be altered by the 
fact that the corporation maintained a qualified plan under which the 
attorney is benefited as a common-law employee.
    (4) For the purpose of determining whether an employee within the 
meaning of section 401(c)(1) satisfies the requirements for eligibility 
under a qualified plan established by an employer, such an employer may 
take into account past services rendered by such an employee both as a 
self-employed individual and as a common-law employee if past services 
rendered by other employees, including common-law employees, are 
similarly taken into account. However, an employer cannot take into 
account only past services rendered by employees within the meaning of 
section 401(c)(1) if past services rendered to such employer by 
individuals who are, or were, common-law employees are not taken into 
account. Past service as described in this subparagraph may be taken 
into account for the purpose of determining whether an individual who 
is, or was, an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) 
satisfies the requirements for eligibility even if such service was 
rendered prior to January 1, 1963. On the other hand, past service 
cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining the 
contributions which may be made on such an individual's behalf under a 
qualified plan.
    (c) Definition of earned income--(1) General rule. For purposes of 
section 401 and the regulations thereunder, ``earned income'' means, in 
general, net earnings from self-employment (as defined in section 
1402(a)) to the extent such net earnings constitute compensation for 
personal services actually rendered within the meaning of section 
911(b).
    (2) Net earnings from self-employment. (i) The computation of the 
net earnings from self-employment shall be made in accordance with the 
provisions of section 1402(a) and the regulations thereunder, with the 
modifications and exceptions described in subdivisions (ii) through (iv) 
of this subparagraph. Thus, an individual may have net earnings from 
self-employment, as defined in section 1402(a), even though such 
individual does not have self-employment income, as defined in section 
1402(b), and, therefore, is not subject to the tax on self-employment 
income imposed by section 1401.
    (ii) Items which are not included in gross income for purposes of 
chapter 1 of the Code and the deductions properly attributable to such 
items must be excluded from the computation of net earnings from self-
employment even though the provisions of section 1402(a) specifically 
require the inclusion of such items. For example, if an individual is a 
resident of Puerto Rico, so much of his net earnings from self-
employment as are excluded from gross income under section 933 must not 
be taken into account in computing his net earnings from self-employment 
which are earned income for purposes of section 401.
    (iii) In computing net earnings from self-employment for the purpose 
of determining earned income, a self-employed individual may disregard 
only deductions for contributions made on his own behalf under a 
qualified plan. However, such computation must take into account the 
deduction allowed by section 404 or 405 for contributions under a 
qualified plan on behalf of the common-law employees of the trade or 
business.
    (iv) For purposes of determining whether an individual has net 
earnings from self-employment and, thus, whether he is an employee 
within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), the exceptions in section 
1402(c) (4) and (5) shall

[[Page 23]]

not apply. Thus, certain ministers, certain members of religious orders, 
doctors of medicine, and Christian Science practitioners are treated for 
purposes of section 401 as being engaged in a trade or business from 
which net earnings from self-employment are derived. In addition, the 
exceptions in section 1402(c)(2) shall not apply in the case of any 
individual who is treated as an employee under section 3121(d)(3) (A), 
(C), or (D). Therefore, such individuals are treated, for purposes of 
section 401, as being engaged in a trade or business from which net 
earnings from self-employment may be derived.
    (3) Compensation for personal services actually rendered. (i) For 
purposes of section 401, the term ``earned income'' includes only that 
portion of an individual's net earnings from self-employment which 
constitutes earned income as defined in section 911(b) and the 
regulations thereunder. Thus, such term includes only professional fees 
and other amounts received as compensation for personal services 
actually rendered by the individual. There is excluded from ``earned 
income'' the amount of any item of income, and any deduction properly 
attributable to such item, if such amount is not received as 
compensation for personal services actually rendered. Therefore, an 
individual who renders no personal services has no ``earned income'' 
even though such an individual may have net earnings from self-
employment from a trade or business.
    (ii) If a self-employed individual is engaged in a trade or business 
in which capital is a material income-producing factor, then, under 
section 911(b), his earned income is only that portion of the net 
profits from the trade or business which constitutes a reasonable 
allowance as compensation for personal services actually rendered. 
However, such individual's earned income cannot exceed 30 percent of the 
net profits of such trade or business. The net profits of the trade or 
business is not necessarily the same as the net earnings from self-
employment derived from such trade or business.
    (4) Minimum earned income when both personal services and capital 
are material income-producing factors. (i) If a self-employed individual 
renders personal services on a full-time, or substantially full-time, 
basis to only one trade or business, and if with respect to such trade 
or business capital is a material income-producing factor, then the 
amount of such individual's earned income from the trade or business is 
considered to be not less than so much of his share in the net profits 
of such trade or business as does not exceed $2,500.
    (ii) If a self-employed individual renders substantial personal 
services to more than one trade or business, and if with respect to all 
such trades or businesses such self-employed individual actually renders 
personal services on a full-time, or substantially full-time, basis, 
then the earned income of the self-employed individual from trades or 
businesses for which he renders substantial personal services and in 
which both personal services and capital are material income-producing 
factors is considered to be not less than--
    (A) So much of such individual's share of the net profits from all 
trades or businesses in which he renders substantial personal services 
as does not exceed $2,500, reduced by.
    (B) Such individual's share of the net profits of any trade or 
business in which only personal services is a material income-producing 
factor.

However, in no event shall the share of the net profits of any trade or 
business in which capital is a material income-producing factor be 
reduced below the amount which would, without regard to the provisions 
of this subdivision, be treated as the earned income derived from such 
trade or business under section 911(b). In making the computation 
required by this subdivision, any trade or business with respect to 
which the individual renders substantial personal services shall be 
taken into account irrespective of whether a qualified plan has been 
established by such trade or business.
    (iii) If the provisions of subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph 
apply in determining the earned income of a self-employed individual, 
and such individual is engaged in two or more trades or businesses in 
which capital and personal services are material income-producing 
factors, then the total amount treated as the earned income shall be

[[Page 24]]

allocated to each such trade or business for which he performs 
substantial personal services in the same proportion as his share of net 
profits from each such trade or business bears to his share of the total 
net profits from all such trades or businesses. Thus, in such case, the 
amount of earned income attributable to any such trade or business is 
computed by multiplying the total earned income as determined under 
subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph by the individual's net profits 
from such trade or business and dividing that product by the 
individual's total net profits from all such trades or businesses.
    (iv) For purposes of this subparagraph, the determination of whether 
an individual renders personal services on a full-time, or substantially 
full-time, basis is to be made with regard to the aggregate of the 
trades and businesses with respect to which the employee renders 
substantial personal services as a common-law employee or as a self-
employed individual. However, for all other purposes in applying the 
rules of this subparagraph, a trade or business with respect to which an 
individual is a common-law employee shall be disregarded.
    (d) Definition of owner-employee. For purposes of section 401 and 
the regulations thereunder, the term ``owner-employee'' means a 
proprietor of a proprietorship, or, in the case of a partnership, a 
partner who owns either more than 10 percent of the capital interest, or 
more than 10 percent of the profits interest, of the partnership. Thus, 
an individual who owns only 2 percent of the profits interest but 11 
percent of the capital interest of a partnership is an owner-employee. A 
partner's interest in the profits and the capital of the partnership 
shall be determined by the partnership agreement. In the absence of any 
provision regarding the sharing of profits, the interest in profits of 
the partners will be determined in the same manner as their distributive 
shares of partnership taxable income. However, a guaranteed payment (as 
described in section 707(c)) is not considered a distributive share of 
partnership income for such purpose. See section 704(b), relating to the 
determination of the distributive share by the income or loss ratio, and 
the regulations thereunder. In the absence of a provision in the 
partnership agreement, a partner's capital interest in a partnership 
shall be determined on the basis of his interest in the assets of the 
partnership which would be distributable to such partner upon his 
withdrawal from the partnership, or upon liquidation of the partnership, 
whichever is the greater.
    (e) Definition of employer. (1) For purposes of section 401, a sole 
proprietor is considered to be his own employer, and the partnership is 
considered to be the employer of each of the partners. Thus, an 
individual partner is not an employer who may establish a qualified plan 
with respect to his services to the partnership.
    (2) Regardless of the provision of local law, a partnership is 
deemed, for purposes of section 401, to be continuing until such time as 
it is terminated within the meaning of section 708, relating to the 
continuation of a partnership.

[T.D. 6675, 28 FR 10123, Sept. 17, 1963, as amended by T.D. 9849, 84 FR 
9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.401-11-1.401.13  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.401-14  Inclusion of medical benefits for retired employees
in qualified pension or annuity plans.

    (a) Introduction. Under section 401(h) a qualified pension or 
annuity plan may make provision for the payment of sickness, accident, 
hospitalization, and medical expenses for retired employees, their 
spouses, and their dependents. The term ``medical benefits described in 
section 401(h)'' is used in this section to describe such payments.
    (b) In general--(1) Coverage. Under section 401(h), a qualified 
pension or annuity plan may provide for the payment of medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) only for retired employees, their spouses, 
or their dependents. To be ``retired'' for purposes of eligibility to 
receive medical benefits described in section 401(h), an employee must 
be eligible to receive retirement benefits provided under the pension 
plan, or else be retired by an employer

[[Page 25]]

providing such medical benefits by reason of permanent disability. For 
purposes of the preceding sentence, an employee is not considered to be 
eligible to receive retirement benefits provided under the plan if he is 
still employed by the employer and a separation from employment is a 
condition to receiving the retirement benefits.
    (2) Discrimination. A plan which provides medical benefits described 
in section 401(h) must not discriminate in favor of officers, 
shareholders, supervisory employees, or highly compensated employees 
with respect to coverage and with respect to the contributions or 
benefits under the plan. The determination of whether such a plan so 
discriminates is made with reference to the retirement portion of the 
plan as well as the portion providing the medical benefits described in 
section 401(h). Thus, for example, a plan will not be qualified under 
section 401 if it discriminates in favor of employees who are officers 
or shareholders with respect to either portion of the plan.
    (3) Funding medical benefits. Contributions to provide the medical 
benefits described in section 401(h) may be made either on a 
contributory or noncontributory basis, without regard to whether the 
contributions to fund the retirement benefits are made on a similar 
basis. Thus, for example, the contributions to fund the medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) may be provided for entirely out of employer 
contributions even though the retirement benefits under the plan are 
determined on the basis of both employer and employee contributions.
    (4) Definitions. For purposes of section 401(h) and this section:
    (i) The term dependent shall have the same meaning as that assigned 
to it by section 152, and
    (ii) The term medical expense means expenses for medical care as 
defined in section 213(e)(1).
    (c) Requirements. The requirements which must be met for a qualified 
pension or annuity plan to provide medical benefits described in section 
401(h) are set forth in subparagraphs (1) through (5) of this paragraph.
    (1) Benefits. (i) The plan must specify the medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) which will be available and must contain 
provisions for determining the amount which will be paid. Such benefits, 
when added to any life insurance protection provided for under the plan, 
must be subordinate to the retirement benefits provided by such plan. 
For purposes of this section, life insurance protection includes any 
benefit paid under the plan on behalf of an employee-participant as a 
result of the employee-participant's death to the extent such payment 
exceeds the amount of the reserve to provide the retirement benefits for 
the employee-participant existing at his death. The medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) are considered subordinate to the retirement 
benefits if at all times the aggregate of contributions (made after the 
date on which the plan first includes such medical benefits) to provide 
such medical benefits and any life insurance protection does not exceed 
25 percent of the aggregate contributions (made after such date) other 
than contributions to fund past service credits.
    (ii) The meaning of the term subordinate may be illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. The X Corporation amends its qualified pension plan to 
provide medical benefits described in section 401(h) effective for the 
taxable year 1964. The total contributions under the plan (excluding 
those for past service credits) for the taxable year 1964 are $125,000, 
allocated as follows: $100,000 for retirement benefits, $10,000 for life 
insurance protection, and $15,000 for medical benefits described in 
section 401(h). The medical benefits described in section 401(h) are 
considered subordinate to the retirement benefits since the portion of 
the contributions allocated to the medical benefits described in section 
401(h) ($15,000) and to life insurance protection after such medical 
benefits were included in the plan ($10,000), or $25,000, does not 
exceed 25 percent of $125,000. For the taxable year 1965, the X 
Corporation contributes $140,000 (exclusive of contributions for past 
service credits) allocated as follows: $100,000 for retirement benefits, 
$10,000 for life insurance protection, and $30,000 for medical benefits 
described in section 401(h). The medical benefits described in section 
401(h) are considered subordinate to the retirement benefits since the 
aggregate contributions allocated to the medical benefits described in 
section 401(h) ($45,000) and to life insurance protection after such 
medical benefits were included in the plan ($20,000) or $65,000 does

[[Page 26]]

not exceed 25 percent of $265,000, the aggregate of the contributions 
made in 1964 and 1965.

    (2) Separate accounts. Where medical benefits described in section 
401(h) are provided for under a qualified pension or annuity plan, a 
separate account must be maintained with respect to contributions to 
fund such benefits. The separation required by this section is for 
recordkeeping purposes only. Consequently, the funds in the medical 
benefits account need not be separately invested. They may be invested 
with funds set aside for retirement purposes without identification of 
which investment properties are allocable to each account. However, 
where the investment properties are not allocated to each account, the 
earnings on such properties must be allocated to each account in a 
reasonable manner.
    (3) Reasonable and ascertainable. Section 401(h) further requires 
that amounts contributed to fund medical benefits therein described must 
be reasonable and ascertainable. For the rules relating to the deduction 
of such contributions, see paragraph (f) of Sec. 1.404(a)-3. The 
employer must, at the time he makes a contribution, designate that 
portion of such contribution allocable to the funding of medical 
benefits.
    (4) Impossibility of diversion prior to satisfaction of all 
liabilities. Section 401(h) further requires that it must be impossible, 
at any time prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities under the plan 
to provide for the payment of medical benefits described in section 
401(h), for any part of the corpus or income of the medical benefits 
account to be (within the taxable year or thereafter) used for, or 
diverted to, any purpose other than the providing of such benefits. 
Consequently, a plan which, for example, under its terms, permits funds 
in the medical benefits account to be used for any retirement benefit 
provided under the plan does not satisfy the requirements of section 
401(h) and will not qualify under section 401(a). However, the payment 
of any necessary or appropriate expenses attributable to the 
administration of the medical benefits account does not affect the 
qualification of the plan.
    (5) Reversion upon satisfaction of all liabilities. The plan must 
provide that any amounts which are contributed to fund medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) and which remain in the medical benefits 
account upon the satisfaction of all liabilities arising out of the 
operation of the medical benefits portion of the plan are to be returned 
to the employer.
    (6) Forfeitures. The plan must expressly provide that in the event 
an individual's interest in the medical benefits account is forfeited 
prior to termination of the plan an amount equal to the amount of the 
forfeiture must be applied as soon as possible to reduce employer 
contributions to fund the medical benefits described in section 401(h).
    (d) Effective date. This section applies to taxable years of a 
qualified pension or annuity plan beginning after October 23, 1962.

[T.D. 6722, 29 FR 5072, Apr. 14, 1964]



Sec. 1.401(a)-1  Post-ERISA qualified plans and qualified trusts;
in general.

    (a) Introduction--(1) In general. This section and the following 
regulation sections under section 401 reflect the provisions of section 
401 after amendment by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974 (Pub. L. 93-406) (``ERISA'').
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Requirements for pension plans--(1) Definitely determinable 
benefits. (i) In order for a pension plan to be a qualified plan under 
section 401(a), the plan must be established and maintained by an 
employer primarily to provide systematically for the payment of 
definitely determinable benefits to its employees over a period of 
years, usually for life, after retirement or attainment of normal 
retirement age (subject to paragraph (b)(2) of this section). A plan 
does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b)(1)(i) merely because the 
plan provides, in accordance with section 401(a)(36), that a 
distribution may be made from the plan to an employee who has attained 
age 62 and who is not separated from employment at the time of such 
distribution.
    (ii) Section 1.401-1(b)(1)(i), a pre-ERISA regulation, provides 
rules applicable to this requirement, and that

[[Page 27]]

regulation is applicable except as otherwise provided.
    (iii) The use of the type of plan provision described in Sec. 
1.415(a)-1(d)(1) which automatically freezes or reduces the rate of 
benefit accrual or the annual addition to insure that the limitations of 
section 415 will not be exceeded, will not be considered to violate the 
requirements of this subparagraph provided that the operation of such 
provision precludes discretion by the employer.
    (2) Normal retirement age--(i) General rule. The normal retirement 
age under a plan must be an age that is not earlier than the earliest 
age that is reasonably representative of the typical retirement age for 
the industry in which the covered workforce is employed.
    (ii) Age 62 safe harbor. A normal retirement age under a plan that 
is age 62 or later is deemed to be not earlier than the earliest age 
that is reasonably representative of the typical retirement age for the 
industry in which the covered workforce is employed.
    (iii) Age 55 to age 62. In the case of a normal retirement age that 
is not earlier than age 55 and is earlier than age 62, whether the age 
is not earlier than the earliest age that is reasonably representative 
of the typical retirement age for the industry in which the covered 
workforce is employed is based on all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances.
    (iv) Under age 55. A normal retirement age that is lower than age 55 
is presumed to be earlier than the earliest age that is reasonably 
representative of the typical retirement age for the industry in which 
the covered workforce is employed, unless the Commissioner determines 
that under the facts and circumstances the normal retirement age is not 
earlier than the earliest age that is reasonably representative of the 
typical retirement age for the industry in which the covered workforce 
is employed.
    (v) Age 50 safe harbor for qualified public safety employees. A 
normal retirement age under a plan that is age 50 or later is deemed to 
be not earlier than the earliest age that is reasonably representative 
of the typical retirement age for the industry in which the covered 
workforce is employed if substantially all of the participants in the 
plan are qualified public safety employees (within the meaning of 
section 72(t)(10)(B)).
    (3) Benefit distribution prior to retirement. For purposes of 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, retirement does not include a mere 
reduction in the number of hours that an employee works. Accordingly, 
benefits may not be distributed prior to normal retirement age solely 
due to a reduction in the number of hours that an employee works.
    (4) Effective date. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 
(b)(4), paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section are effective May 22, 
2007. In the case of a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d)), 
paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section are effective for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2009. In the case of a plan maintained 
pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements that have been 
ratified and are in effect on May 22, 2007, paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of 
this section do not apply before the first plan year that begins after 
the last of such agreements terminate determined without regard to any 
extension thereof (or, if earlier, May 24, 2010. See Sec. 1.411(d)-4, 
A-12, for a special transition rule in the case of a plan amendment that 
increases a plan's normal retirement age pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section.

[T.D. 7748, 46 FR 1695, Jan. 7, 1981, as amended by T.D. 9319, 72 FR 
16894, Apr. 5, 2007; T.D. 9325, 72 FR 28606, May 22, 2007]



Sec. 1.401(a)-2  Impossibility of diversion under qualified plan
or trust.

    (a) General rule. Section 401(a)(2) requires that in order for a 
trust to be qualified, it must be impossible under the trust instrument 
(in the taxable year and at any time thereafter before the satisfaction 
of all liabilities to employees or their beneficiaries covered by the 
trust) for any part of the trust corpus or income to be used for, or 
diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of those 
employees or their beneficiaries. Section 1.401-2, a pre-ERISA 
regulation, provides rules

[[Page 28]]

under section 401(a)(2) and that regulation is applicable except as 
otherwise provided.
    (b) Section 415 suspense account. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of 
this section, a plan, or trust forming part of a plan, may provide for 
the reversion to the employer, upon termination of the plan, of amounts 
contributed to the plan that exceed the limitations imposed under 
section 415(c), to the extent set forth in rules prescribed by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).

[T.D. 7748, 46 FR 1696, Jan. 7, 1981, as amended by T.D. 9319, 72 FR 
16894, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 1.401(a)-4  Optional forms of benefit (before 1994).

    Q-1: How does section 401(a)(4) apply to optional forms of benefits?
    A-1: (a) In general--(1) Scope. The nondiscrimination requirements 
of section 401(a)(4) apply to the amount of contributions or benefits, 
optional forms of benefit, and other benefits, rights and features 
(e.g., actuarial assumptions, methods of benefit calculation, loans, 
social security supplements, and disability benefits) under a plan. This 
section addresses the application of section 401(a)(4) only to optional 
forms of benefit under a plan. Generally, the determination of whether 
an optional form is nondiscriminatory under section 401(a)(4) is made by 
reference to the availability of such optional form, and not by 
reference to the utilization or actual receipt of such optional form. 
See Q&A-2 of this section. Even though an optional form of benefit under 
a plan may be nondiscriminatory under section 401(a)(4) and this Sec. 
1.401(a)-4 because the availability of such optional form does not 
impermissibly favor employees in the highly compensated group, such plan 
may fail to satisfy section 401(a)(4) with respect to the amount of 
contributions or benefits or with respect to other benefits, rights and 
features if, for example, the method of calculation or the amount or 
value of benefits payable under such optional form impermissibly favors 
the highly compensated group. See Sec. 1.411(d)-4, Q&A-1 for the 
definition of ``optional form of benefit.''
    (2) Nondiscrimination requirements. Each optional form of benefit 
provided under a plan is subject to the nondiscrimination requirement of 
section 401(a)(4) and thus the availability of each optional form of 
benefit must not discriminate in favor of the employees described in 
section 401(a)(4) in whose favor discrimination is prohibited (the 
``highly compensated group''). See paragraph (b) of this Q&A-1 for a 
description of the employees included in such group. This is true 
without regard to whether a particular optional form of benefit is the 
actuarial equivalent of any other optional form of benefit under the 
plan. Thus, for example, a plan may not condition, or otherwise limit, 
the availability of a single sum distribution of an employee's benefit 
in a manner that impermissibly favors the highly compensated group.
    (b) Highly compensated group. For plan years commencing prior to the 
applicable effective date for the amendment made to section 401(a)(4) by 
section 1114 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA '86), the highly 
compensated group consists of those employees who are officers, 
shareholders, or highly compensated. For plan years beginning on or 
after the applicable effective date of the amendments to section 
401(a)(4) made by TRA '86, the highly compensated group consists of 
those employees who are highly compensated within the meaning of section 
414(q). The amendment to section 401(a)(4) made by section 1114 of TRA 
'86 is generally effective for plan years commencing after December 31, 
1988. See section 1114(a) of TRA '86.
    Q-2: How is it determined whether an optional form of benefit 
satisfies the nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4)?
    A-2: (a) Nondiscrimination requirement--(1) In general. An optional 
form of benefit under a plan is nondiscriminatory under section 
401(a)(4) only if the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of 
this Q&A-2 are satisfied with respect to such optional form. The 
determination of whether an optional form of benefit satisfies these 
requirements is made by reference to the availability of the optional 
form, and

[[Page 29]]

not by reference to the utilization or actual receipt of such optional 
form. Thus, an optional form of benefit that satisfies the requirements 
of paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this Q&A-2 is nondiscriminatory under 
section 401(a)(2) even though the highly compensated group 
disproportionately utilizes such optional form. However, the composition 
of the group of employees who actually receive benefits in an optional 
form may be relevant in determining whether such optional form satisfies 
the requirement of paragraph (a)(3) of this Q&A-2 with respect to 
effective availability.
    (2) Current availability--(i) Plan years prior to TRA '86 effective 
date. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this Q&A-2, for 
plan years prior to the effective date of the amendments made to section 
401(b) by section 1112(a) of TRA '86, the requirement of this paragraph 
(a)(2) is satisfied only if the group of employees to whom the optional 
form is currently available satisfies either the seventy percent test of 
section 410(b)(1)(A) or the nondiscriminatory classification test of 
section 410(b)(1)(B).
    (ii) Plan years commencing on or after TRA '86 effective date. 
Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this Q&A-2, for plan 
years commencing on or after the effective date on which the amendments 
made to section 410(b) by section 1112(a) of TRA '86 first apply to a 
plan, the requirement of this paragraph (a)(2) is satisfied only if the 
group of employees to whom the optional form is currently available 
satisfies either the percentage test set forth in section 410(b)(1)(A), 
the ratio test set forth in section 410(b)(1)(B), or the 
nondiscriminatory classification test set forth in section 
410(b)(2)(A)(i). The employer need not satisfy the average benefit 
percentage test in section 410(b)(2)(A)(ii) in order for the optional 
form to be currently available to a nondiscriminatory group of 
employees.
    (iii) Special rule for certain governmental or church plans. Plans 
described in section 410(c) will be treated as satisfying the current 
availability test of this paragraph (a)(2) if the group of employees 
with respect to whom the optional form is currently available satisfies 
the requirements of section 401(a)(3) as in effect on September 1, 1974.
    (iv) Effective data for TRA '86 amendments to section 410(b). The 
amendments to section 410(b) made by section 1112(a) of TRA '86 are 
generally effective for plan years commencing after December 31, 1988. 
See section 1112(e)(1) of TRA '86.
    (v) Elimination of optional forms--(A) In general. Notwithstanding 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this Q&A-2, in the case of an 
optional form of benefit that has been eliminated under a plan with 
respect to specified employees for benefits accrued after the later of 
the eliminating amendment's adoption date or effective date, the 
determination of whether such optional form satisfies this paragraph 
(a)(2) with respect to such employees is to be made immediately prior to 
the elimination. Accordingly, if, as of the later of the adoption date 
or effective date of an amendment eliminating an optional form with 
respect to future benefit accruals, the current availability of such 
optional form immediately prior to such amendment satisfies this 
paragraph (a)(2), then the optional form will be treated as satisfying 
this paragraph (a)(2) for all subsequent years.
    (B) Example. A profit-sharing plan that provides for a single sum 
distribution available to all employees on termination of employment is 
amended January 1, 1990, to eliminate such single sum optional form of 
benefit with respect to benefits accrued after January 1, 1991. As of 
January 1, 1991, the single sum optional form of benefit is available to 
a group of employees that satisfies the percentage test of section 
410(b)(1)(A). As of January 1, 1995, all nonhighly compensated employees 
who were entitled to the single sum optional form of benefit have 
terminated from employment with the employer and taken a distribution of 
their benefits. The only remaining employees who have a right to take a 
portion of their benefits in the form of a single sum distribution on 
termination of employment are highly compensated employees. Because the 
availability of the single sum optional form of benefit satisfied the 
current availability test as of January 1, 1991, the availability of 
such optional form of benefit is deemed to

[[Page 30]]

continue to satisfy the current availability test of this paragraph 
(a)(2).
    (3) Effective availability--(i) In general. The requirement of this 
paragraph (a)(3) is satisfied only if, based on the facts and 
circumstances, the group of employees to whom the optional form is 
effectively available does not substantially favor the highly 
compensated group. This is the case even if the optional form is, or has 
been, currently available to a group of employees that satisfies the 
applicable requirements in paragraph (a)(2) (i) or (ii) of this Q&A-2.
    (ii) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this Q&A-2 
can be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. Employer X maintains a defined benefit plan that covers 
both of the 2 highly compensated employees of the employer and 8 of the 
twelve nonhighly compensated employees of the employer. Plan X provides 
for a normal retirement benefit payable as an annuity and based on a 
normal retirement age of 65, and an early retirement benefit payable 
upon termination in the form of an annuity to employees who terminate 
from service with the employer on or after age 55 with 30 or more years 
of service. Each of the 2 employees of employer X who are in the highly 
compensated group currently meet the age and service requirement, or 
will have 30 years of service by the time they reach age 55. All but 2 
of the 8 nonhighly compensated employees of employer X who are covered 
by the plan were hired on or after age 35 and thus, cannot qualify for 
the early retirement benefit provision. Even though the group of 
employees to whom the early retirement benefit is currently available 
does not impermissibly favor the highly compensated group by reason of 
disregarding age and service, these facts and circumstances indicate 
that the effective availability of the early retirement benefit in plan 
X substantially favors the highly compensated group.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1 except that the 
early retirement benefit is added by a plan amendment first adopted, 
announced and effective December 1, 1991, and is available only to 
employees who terminate from employment with the employer prior to 
December 15, 1991. Further assume that all employees were hired prior to 
attaining age 25, and that the group of employees who have, or will have 
attained age 55 with 30 years of service, by December 15, 1991, 
satisfies the ratio test of section 410(b)(1)(B). Finally, assume that 
the only employees who terminate from employment with the employer 
during the two week period in which the early retirement benefit is 
available are employees in the highly compensated group. These facts and 
circumstances indicate that the effective availability of the early 
retirement benefit substantially favors the highly compensated group. 
This is the case even though the limitation of the early retirement 
benefit to a specified period satisfies section 411(d)(6).
    Example 3. Employer Y amends plan Y on June 30, 1990, to provide for 
a single sum distribution for employees who terminate from employment 
with the employer after June 30, 1990, and prior to January 1, 1991. The 
availability of this single sum distribution is conditioned on the 
employee having a particular disability at the time of termination of 
employment. The only employee of the employer who meets this disability 
requirement at the time of the amendment and thereafter through December 
31, 1990, is a highly compensated employee. Generally, a disability 
condition with respect to the availability of a single sum distribution 
may be disregarded in determining whether the current availability of 
such optional form of benefit is discriminatory. However, these facts 
and circumstances indicate that the effective availability of the 
optional form of benefit substantially favors the highly compensated 
group.
    Example 4. Employer Z maintains a money purchase pension plan that 
covers all employees of the employer. The plan provides for distribution 
in the form of a joint and survivor annuity, a life annuity, or equal 
installments over 10 years. During the 1992 calendar year the employer 
winds up his business. In December of 1992, only two employees remain in 
the employment of the employer, both of whom are highly compensated. 
Employer Z then amends the plan to provide for a single sum distribution 
to employees who terminate from employment on or after the date of the 
amendment. Both highly compensated employees terminate from employment 
on December 31, 1992, taking a single sum distribution of their 
benefits. These facts and circumstances indicate that the effective 
availability of the single sum optional form of benefit substantially 
favors the highly compensated group.

    (b) Application of tests--(1) Current availability--(i) In general. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b), in determining 
whether an optional form of benefit that is subject to specified 
eligibility conditions is currently available to an employee for 
purposes of paragraph (a) of this Q&A-2, the determination of current 
availability generally is to be based on the current facts and 
circumstances with respect to the employee (e.g., the employee's

[[Page 31]]

current compensation or the employee's current net worth). Thus, for 
example, the fact that an employee may, in the future, satisfy an 
eligibility condition generally does not cause an optional form of 
benefit to be treated as currently available to such employee.
    (ii) Exceptions for age, service, employment termination and certain 
other conditions--(A) Age and service conditions. For purposes of 
applying paragraph (a)(2) of this Q&A-2, except as provided in paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii)(B) of this Q&A-2, an age condition, a service condition, or 
both are to be disregarded. For example, an employer that maintains a 
plan that provides for an early retirement benefit payable as an annuity 
for employees in division A, subject to a requirement that the employee 
has attained his or her 55th birthday and has at least twenty years of 
service with the employer, is to disregard the age and service 
conditions in determining the group of employees to whom the early 
retirement annuity benefit is currently available. Thus, the early 
retirement annuity benefit is treated as currently available to all 
employees of division A, without regard to their ages or years of 
service and without regard to whether they could potentially meet the 
age and service conditions prior to attaining the plan's normal 
retirement age.
    (B) Exception for certain age and service conditions. Age and 
service conditions that must be satisfied within a specified period of 
time may not be disregarded pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this 
Q&A-2. However, in determining the current availability of an optional 
form of benefit subject to such an age condition, service condition, or 
both, an employer may project the age and service of employees to the 
last date on which the optional form of benefit subject to the age 
condition or service condition (or both) is available under the plan. An 
employer's ability to protect age and service to the last date on which 
the optional form of benefit is available under the plan is not cut off 
by a plan termination occurring prior to that date. Thus, for example, 
assume that an employer maintaining a plan that permits employees 
terminating from employment on or after age 55 between June 1, 1991 to 
May 31, 1992, to elect a single sum distribution, decides to terminate 
the plan on December 31, 1991. In determining the group of employees to 
whom the single sum optional form of benefit is currently available, 
this employer may project employees' ages through May 31, 1992.
    (C) Certain other conditions disregarded. Conditions on the 
availability of optional forms of benefit requiring termination of 
employment, death, satisfaction of a specified health condition (or 
failure to meet such condition), disability, hardship, marital status, 
default on a plan loan secured by a participant's account balance, or 
execution of a covenant not to compete may be disregarded in determining 
the group of employees to whom an optional form of benefit is currently 
available.
    (2) Employees taken into account. For purposes of applying paragraph 
(a) of this Q&A-2, the tests are to be applied on the basis of the 
employer's nonexcludable employees (whether or not they are participants 
in the plan) in the same manner as such tests would be applied in 
determining whether the plan providing the optional form of benefit 
satisfies the tests under section 410(b).
    (3) Definition of ``plan''. For purposes of applying paragraph (a) 
of this Q&A-2, the term ``plan'' has the meaning that such term has for 
purposes of determining whether the amount of contributions or benefits 
and whether other benefits, rights, and features are nondiscriminatory 
under section 401(a)(4).
    (4) Restructuring optional forms of benefit--(i) In general. For 
purposes of applying paragraph (a) of this Q&A-2, the availability of 
two or more optional forms of benefit under a plan may be tested by 
restructuring such benefits into two or more restructured optional forms 
of benefit and testing the availability of such restructured optional 
forms of benefit. If two or more optional forms of benefit under a plan 
contain both common and distinct components, such optional forms of 
benefit may be restructured as a single optional form of benefit 
comprising the common component, and one or more optional forms of 
benefit comprising

[[Page 32]]

each distinct component. Components of optional forms of benefit may be 
treated as common only if they are identical with respect to all 
characteristics taken into account under Q&A-1(b) of Sec. 1.411(d)-4. 
The availability of each restructured optional form of benefit must 
satisfy the applicable nondiscrimination requirements of paragraph (a) 
of this Q&A-2.
    (ii) Example. A profit-sharing plan covering all the employees of an 
employer provides a single sum distribution option upon termination from 
employment for all employees earning less than $50,000 and a single sum 
distribution option upon termination from employment after the 
attainment of age 55 for all employees earning $50,000 or more. These 
distribution options are identical in all other respects. For purposes 
of applying section 401(a)(4), such optional forms of benefit may be 
restructured into two different optional forms of benefit: (A) a single 
sum distribution option upon termination from employment after the 
attainment of age 55 for all employees (i.e., the common component), and 
(B) a single sum distribution option upon termination from employment 
before the attainment of age 55 for all employees earning less than 
$50,000. The availability of each of these restructured optional forms 
of benefit must satisfy section 401(a)(4).
    (c) Commissioner may provide additional tests. The Commissioner may 
provide such additional factors, tests, and safe harbors as are 
necessary or appropriate for purposes of determining whether the 
availability of an optional form of benefit is discriminatory under 
section 401(a)(4). In addition, the Commissioner may provide that 
additional eligibility conditions not related directly or indirectly to 
compensation or wealth may be disregarded under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C) 
of this Q&A-2 in determining the current availability of an optional 
form of benefit. The Commissioner may provide such additional guidance 
only through the publication of revenue rulings, notices or other 
documents of general applicability.
    Q-3: May a plan condition the availability of an optional form of 
benefit on employer discretion?
    A-3: No. Even if the availability of an optional form of benefit 
that is conditioned on employer discretion satisfies the 
nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4), the plan providing 
the optional form of benefit will fail to satisfy certain other 
requirements of section 401(a), including, in applicable circumstances, 
the definitely determinable requirement of section 401(a) and the 
requirements of section 401(a)(25) and section 411(d)(6). See Sec. 
1.411(d)-4.
    Q-4: Will a plan provision violate section 401(a)(4) merely because 
it requires that an employee who terminates from service with the 
employer receive a single sum distribution in the event that the present 
value of the employee's benefit is not more than $3,500, as permitted by 
sections 411(a)(11) and 417(e)?
    A-4: No. A plan will not be treated as discriminatory under section 
401(a)(4) merely because the plan mandates a single sum distribution 
when the present value of an employee's benefit is not more than $3,500, 
as permitted by sections 411(a)(11) and 417(e). This is an exception to 
the general principles of this section. (No similar provision exists 
excepting such single sum distributions from the limits on employer 
discretion under section 411(d)(6). See Sec. 1.411(d)-4 Q&A-4.)
    Q-5: If the availability of an optional form of benefit 
discriminates, or may reasonably be expected to discriminate, in favor 
of the highly compensated group, what acceptable alternatives exist for 
amending the plan without violating section 411(d)(6)?
    A-5: (a) Transitional rules--(1) In general. The following rules 
apply for purposes of making necessary amendments to existing plans (as 
defined in Q&A-6 of this section) under which the availability of an 
optional form of benefit violates the nondiscrimination requirements of 
section 401(a)(4) or may reasonably be expected to violate such 
requirements. These transitional rules are provided under the authority 
of section 411(d)(6), which allows the elimination of certain optional 
forms of benefit if permitted by regulations, and section 7805(b).
    (2) Nondiscrimination--(i) In general. The determination of whether 
the

[[Page 33]]

availability of an optional form of benefit violates section 401(a)(4) 
is to be made in accordance with Q&A-2 of this section. In addition, the 
availability of a particular optional form of benefit may reasonably be 
expected to violate the nondiscrimination requirements of section 
401(a)(4) if, under the applicable facts and circumstances, there is a 
significant possibility that the current availability of such optional 
form of benefit will impermissibly favor the highly compensated group. 
This determination must be made on the basis of the seventy percent test 
of section 410(b)(1)(A) or the nondiscriminatory classification test of 
section 410(b)(1)(B) as such tests existed prior to the effective date 
of the amendments made to section 410(b) by section 1112(a) of TRA '86. 
Thus, a condition may not reasonably be expected to discriminate for 
purposes of these rules merely because it results in a significant 
possibility that discrimination will result because of the amendments 
made to section 410(b) by section 1112(a) of TRA '86. In addition, the 
availability of an optional form of benefit may not reasonably be 
expected to discriminate merely because of an age or service condition 
that may be disregarded in determining the current availability of such 
optional form of benefit under paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of Q&A-2 of this 
section. Similarly, the availability of an optional form of benefit may 
not reasonably be expected to discriminate merely because of an age or 
service condition that, after permitted projection, does not cause such 
optional form to fail to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph 
(a)(2).
    (ii) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this Q&A-5 
can be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. A plan provides that a single sum distribution option is 
available only to (A) employees earning $50,000 or more in the final 
year of employment, (B) employees who furnish evidence that they have a 
net worth above a certain specified amount, and (C) employees who 
present a letter from an accountant or attorney declaring that it is in 
the employee's best interest to receive a single sum distribution. 
Whether the availability of such optional form of benefit discriminates 
depends on whether it meets the requirements of Q&A-2 of this Sec. 
1.401(a)-4. However, each of the specified conditions limiting the 
availability of the optional form of benefit may reasonably be expected 
to discriminate in favor of the highly compensated group in operation 
because of the likelihood of a significant positive correlation between 
the ability to meet any of the specified conditions and membership in 
the highly compensated group.
    Example 2. A plan limits the availability of a single sum 
distribution option to employees employed in one particular division of 
the employer's company. All the employees of the company are 
participants in the plan. During the 1988 plan year, the division 
employs individuals who represent a nondiscriminatory classification of 
that company's employees (under section 410(b)(1)(B) prior to the 
effective date of the amendments made to section 410(b) by section 
1112(a) of TRA '86) and is unlikely to cease employing such a 
nondiscriminatory classification in the future. The availability of a 
single sum distribution under this plan does not result in 
discrimination during the 1988 plan year and may not reasonably be 
expected to do so.

    (b) Transitional alternatives. If the availability of an optional 
form of benefit under an existing plan is discriminatory under section 
401(a)(4), the plan must be amended either to eliminate the optional 
form of benefit or to make the availability of the optional form of 
benefit nondiscriminatory. For example, the availability of an optional 
form of benefit may be made nondiscriminatory by making such benefit 
available to sufficient additional employees who are not in the highly 
compensated group or by imposing nondiscriminatory objective criteria on 
its availability such that the group of employees to whom the benefit is 
available is nondiscriminatory. See Q&A-6 of Sec. 1.411(d)-4 for 
requirements with respect to such objective criteria. If, under an 
existing plan, the availability of an optional form of benefit may 
reasonably be expected to discriminate, the plan may be amended in the 
same manner permitted where the availability of an optional form of 
benefit is discriminatory. See paragraph (d) of this Q&A-5 for rules 
limiting the period during which the availability of optional forms of 
benefit may be eliminated or reduced under this paragraph.
    (c) Compliance and amendment date provisions--(1) Operational 
compliance requirement. On or before the applicable effective date for 
the plan (see Q&A-6 of this section), the plan sponsor must

[[Page 34]]

select one of the alternatives permitted under paragraph (b) of this 
Q&A-5 with respect to each affected optional form of benefit and the 
plan must be operated in accordance with this selection. This is an 
operational requirement and does not require a plan amendment prior to 
the period set forth in paragraph (c)(2) of this Q&A-5. There is no 
special reporting requirement under the Code or this section with 
respect to this selection.
    (2) Deferred amendment date. If paragraph (c)(1) of this Q&A-5 is 
satisfied, a plan amendment conforming the plan to the particular 
alternative selected under paragraph (b) of this Q&A-5 must be adopted 
within the time period permitted for amending plans in order to meet the 
requirements of section 410(b) as amended by TRA '86. Such conforming 
amendment must be consistent with the sponsor's selection as reflected 
by plan practice during the period from the effective date to the date 
the amendment is adopted. Thus, for example, if an existing calendar 
year noncollectively bargained defined benefit plan has a single sum 
distribution form subject to a discriminatory condition, that was 
available as of January 30, 1986 (subject to such condition), and such 
employer makes one or more single sum distributions available on or 
after the first day of the first plan year commencing on or after 
January 1, 1989, and before the plan amendment, then such employer may 
not adopt a plan amendment eliminating the single sum distribution form. 
Instead, such employer must adopt an amendment making the distribution 
form available to a nondiscriminatory group of employees while retaining 
the availability of such distribution form with respect to the group of 
employees to whom the benefit is already available. Similarly, any 
objective criteria that are adopted as part of such amendment must be 
consistent with the plan practice for the applicable period prior to the 
amendment. A conforming amendment under this paragraph (c)(2) must be 
made with respect to each optional form of benefit for which such 
amendment is required and must be retroactive to the applicable 
effective date.
    (d) Limitation on transitional alternatives. The transitional 
alternatives permitting the elimination or reduction of optional forms 
of benefit will not violate section 411(d)(6) during the period prior to 
the applicable effective date for the plan (see Q&A-6 of this section). 
After the applicable effective date, any amendment (other than one 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this Q&A-5) that eliminates or reduces 
an optional form of benefit or imposes new objective criteria 
restricting the availability of such optional form of benefit will fail 
to qualify for the exception to section 411(d)(6) provided in this Q&A-
5. This is the case without regard to whether the availability of the 
optional form of benefit is discriminatory or may reasonably be expected 
to be discriminatory.
    Q-6: For what period are the rules of this section effective?
    A-6: (a) General effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, the provisions of this section are effective 
January 30, 1986, and do not apply to plan years beginning on or after 
January 1, 1994. For rules applicable to plan years beginning on or 
after January 1, 1994, see Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-
13.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations. In the case of plans 
maintained by organizations exempt from income taxation under section 
501(a), including plans subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective 
plans), except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of 
this section are effective January 30, 1986, and do not apply to plan 
years beginning on or after January 1, 1996. For rules applicable to 
plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1996, see Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13.
    (b) New plans--(1) In general. Unless otherwise provided in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this Q&A-6, plans that are either adopted or made 
effective on or after January 30, 1986, are ``new plans''. With respect 
to such new plans, this section is effective January 30, 1986. This 
effective date is applicable to such plans whether or not they are 
collectively bargained.
    (2) Exception with respect to certain new plans. Plans that are new 
plans as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this Q&A-6, under which the 
availability of an

[[Page 35]]

optional form of benefit is discriminatory or may reasonably be expected 
to be discriminatory, and that receive a favorable determination letter 
that covered such plan provisions with respect to an application 
submitted prior to July 11, 1988, will be treated as existing plans with 
respect to such optional form of benefit for purposes of the 
transitional rules of this section. Thus, such plans are eligible for 
the compliance and amendment alternatives set forth in the transitional 
rule in Q&A-5 of this section.
    (c) Existing plans--(1) In general. Plans that are both adopted and 
in effect prior to January 30, 1986, are ``existing plans''. In 
addition, new plans described in paragraph (b)(2) of this Q&A-6 are 
treated as existing plans with respect to certain forms of benefit. 
Subject to the limitations in paragraph (d) of this Q&A-6, the effective 
dates set forth in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this Q&A-6 apply to 
these existing plans for purposes of this section.
    (2) Existing noncollectively bargained plans. With respect to 
existing noncollectively bargained plans, this section is effective for 
the first day of the first plan year commencing on or after January 1, 
1989.
    (3) Existing collectively bargained plans. With respect to existing 
collectively bargained plans, this section is effective for the later of 
the first day of the first plan year commencing on or after January 1, 
1989, or the first day of the first plan year that the requirements of 
section 410(b) as amended by TRA '86 apply to such plan.
    (d) Delayed effective dates not applicable to new optional forms of 
benefit or conditions--(1) In general. The delayed effective dates in 
paragraph (c) (2) and (3) of this Q&A-6 for existing plans are 
applicable with respect to an optional form of benefit only if both the 
optional form of benefit and any applicable condition either causing the 
availability of such optional form of benefit to be discriminatory or 
making it reasonable to expect that the availability of such optional 
form will be discriminatory were both adopted and in effect prior to 
January 30, 1986. If the preceding sentence is not satisfied with 
respect to an optional form of benefit, this section is effective with 
respect to such optional form of benefit as if the plan were a new plan.
    (2) Exception for certain amendments covered by a favorable 
determination letter. If a condition causing the availability of an 
optional form of benefit to be discriminatory, or to be reasonably 
expected to discriminate, was adopted or made effective on or after 
January 30, 1986, and a favorable determination letter that covered such 
plan provision is or was received with respect to an application 
submitted before July 11, 1988, the effective date of this section with 
respect to such provision is the applicable effective date determined 
under the rules with respect to existing plans, as though such provision 
had been adopted and in effect prior to January 30, 1986.
    (e) Transitional rule effective date. The transitional rule provided 
in Q&A-5 of this section is effective January 30, 1986.

[53 FR 26054, July 11, 1988, as amended by T.D. 8360, 56 FR 47536, Sept. 
19, 1991; T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46778, Sept. 3, 1993; T.D. 8212, 61 FR 14247, 
Apr. 1, 1996]



Sec. 1.401(a)-11  Qualified joint and survivor annuities.

    (a) General rule--(1) Required provisions. A trust, to which section 
411 (relating to minimum vesting standards) applies without regard to 
section 411(e)(2), which is a part of a plan providing for the payment 
of benefits in any form of a life annuity (as defined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section), shall not constitute a qualified trust under 
section 401(a)(11) and this section unless such plan provides that:
    (i) Unless the election provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
has been made, life annuity benefits will be paid in a form having the 
effect of a qualified joint and survivor annuity (as defined in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section) with respect to any participant who--
    (A) Begins to receive payments under such plan on or after the date 
the normal retirement age is attained, or
    (B) Dies (on or after the date the normal retirement age is 
attained) while in active service of the employer maintaining the plan, 
or

[[Page 36]]

    (C) In the case of a plan which provides for the payment of benefits 
before the normal retirement age, begins to receive payments under such 
plan on or after the date the qualified early retirement age (as defined 
in paragraph (b)(4) of this section) is attained, or
    (D) Separates from service on or after the date the normal 
retirement age (or the qualified early retirement age) is attained and 
after satisfaction of eligibility requirements for the payment of 
benefits under the plan (except for any plan requirement that there be 
filed a claim for benefits) and thereafter dies before beginning to 
receive life annuity benefits;
    (ii) Any participant may elect, as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, not to receive life annuity benefits in the form of a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity; and
    (iii) If the plan provides for the payment of benefits before the 
normal retirement age, any participant may elect, as provided in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, that life annuity benefits be payable 
as an early survivor annuity (as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section) upon his death in the event that he--
    (A) Attains the qualified early retirement age (as defined in 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section), and
    (B) Dies on or before the day normal retirement age is attained 
while employed by an employer maintaining the plan.
    (2) Certain cash-outs. A plan will not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a)(11) and this section merely because it 
provides that if the present value of the entire nonforfeitable benefit 
derived from employer contributions of a participant at the time of his 
separation from service does not exceed $1,750 (or such smaller amount 
as the plan may specify), such benefit will be paid to him in a lump 
sum.
    (3) Illustrations. The provisions of subparagraph (1) of this 
paragraph may be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. The X Corporation Defined Contribution Plan was 
established in 1960. As in effect on January 1, 1974, the plan provided 
that, upon the participant's retirement, the participant may elect to 
receive the balance of his account in the form of (1) a single-sum cash 
payment, (2) a single-sum distribution consisting of X Corporation 
stock, (3) five equal annual cash payments, (4) a life annuity, or (5) a 
combination of options (1) through (4). The plan also provided that, if 
a participant did not elect another form of distribution, the balance of 
his account would be distributed to him in the form of a single-sum cash 
payment upon his retirement. Assume that section 401(a)(11) and this 
section became applicable to the plan as of its plan year beginning 
January 1, 1976, with respect to persons who were active participants in 
the plan as of such date (see paragraph (f) of this section). If X 
Corporation Defined Contribution Plan continues to allow the life 
annuity payment option after December 31, 1975, it must be amended to 
provide that if a participant elects a life annuity option the life 
annuity benefit will be paid in a form having the effect of a qualified 
joint and survivor annuity, except to the extent that the participant 
elects another form of benefit payment. However, the plan can continue 
to provide that, if no election is made, the balance will be paid as a 
single-sum cash payment. If the trust is not so amended, it will fail to 
qualify under section 401(a).
    Example 2. The Corporation Retirement Plan provides that plan 
benefits are payable only in the form of a life annuity and also 
provides that a participant may retire before the normal retirement age 
of 65 and receive a benefit if he has completed 30 years of service. 
Under this plan, an employee who begins employment at the age of 18 will 
be eligible to receive retirement benefits at the age of 48 if he then 
has 30 years of service. This plan must allow a participant to elect in 
the time and manner prescribed in paragraph (c)(2) of this section an 
early survivor annuity (defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section) to 
be payable on the death of the participant if death occurs while the 
participant is in active service for the employer maintaining the plan 
and on or after the date the participant reaches the qualified early 
retirement age of 55 (the later of the date the participant reaches the 
earliest retirement age (age 48) or 10 years before normal retirement 
age (age 55)) but before the day after the day the participant reaches 
normal retirement age (age 65).
    Example 3. Assume the same facts as in Example 2. A, B, and C began 
employment with Y Corporation when they each attained age 18. A retires 
and begins to receive benefit payments at age 48 after completing 30 
years of service. The plan is not required to pay a qualified joint and 
survivor annuity to A and his spouse at any time. B does not elect an 
early survivor annuity at age 55, but retires at age 57 after completing 
39 years of service. Unless B makes an election under subparagraph 
(1)(ii) of this paragraph, the plan is required to pay a qualified joint 
and survivor annuity to B and his spouse. C makes no elections described 
in subparagraph (1) of

[[Page 37]]

this paragraph, and dies while in active service at age 66 after 
completing 48 years of service. The plan is required to pay a qualified 
survivor annuity to C's spouse.

    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--(1) Life annuity. (i) The 
term ``life annuity'' means an annuity that provides retirement payments 
and requires the survival of the participant or his spouse as one of the 
conditions for any payment or possible payment under the annuity. For 
example, annuities that make payments for 10 years or until death, 
whichever occurs first or whichever occurs last, are life annuities.
    (ii) However, the term ``life annuity'' does not include an annuity, 
or that portion of an annuity, that provides those benefits which, under 
section 411(a)(9), would not be taken into account in the determination 
of the normal retirement benefit or early retirement benefit. For 
example, ``social security supplements'' described in the fourth 
sentence of section 411(a)(9) are not considered to be life annuities 
for the purposes of this section, whether or not an early retirement 
benefit is provided under the plan.
    (2) Qualified joint and survivor annuity. The term ``qualified joint 
and survivor annuity'' means an annuity for the life of the participant 
with a survivor annuity for the life of his spouse which is neither (i) 
less than one-half of, nor (ii) greater than, the amount of the annuity 
payable during the joint lives of the participant and his spouse. For 
purposes of the preceding sentence, amounts described in Sec. 1.401(a)-
11(b)(1)(ii) may be disregarded. A qualified joint and survivor annuity 
must be at least the actuarial equivalent of the normal form of life 
annuity or, if greater, of any optional form of life annuity offered 
under the plan. Equivalence may be determined, on the basis of 
consistently applied reasonable actuarial factors, for each participant 
or for all participants or reasonable groupings of participants, if such 
determination does not result in discrimination in favor of employees 
who are officers, shareholders, or highly compensated. An annuity is not 
a qualified joint and survivor annuity if payments to the spouse of a 
deceased participant are terminated, or reduced, because of such 
spouse's remarriage.
    (3) Early survivor annuity. The term ``early survivor annuity'' 
means an annuity for the life of the participant's spouse the payments 
under which must not be less than the payments which would have been 
made to the spouse under the joint and survivor annuity if the 
participant had made the election described in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section immediately prior to his retirement and if his retirement had 
occurred on the day before his death and within the period during which 
an election can be made under such paragraph (c)(2). For example, if a 
participant would be entitled to a single life annuity of $100 per month 
or a reduced amount under a qualified joint and survivor annuity of $80 
per month, his spouse is entitled to a payment of at least $40 per 
month. However, the payments may be reduced to reflect the number of 
months of coverage under the survivor annuity pursuant to paragraph (e) 
of this section.
    (4) Qualified early retirement age. The term ``qualified early 
retirement age'' means the latest of--
    (i) The earliest date, under the plan, on which the participant 
could elect (without regard to any requirement that approval of early 
retirement be obtained) to receive retirement benefits (other than 
disability benefits).
    (ii) The first day of the 120th month beginning before the 
participant reaches normal retirement age, or
    (iii) The date on which the participant begins participation.
    (5) Normal retirement age. The term ``normal retirement age'' has 
the meaning set forth in section 411(a)(8).
    (6) Annuity starting date. The term ``annuity starting date'' means 
the first day of the first period with respect to which an amount is 
received as a life annuity, whether by reason of retirement or by reason 
of disability.
    (7) Day. The term ``day'' means a calendar day.
    (c) Elections--(1) Election not to take joint and survivor annuity 
form--(i) In general. (A) A plan shall not be treated as satisfying the 
requirements of this section unless it provides that each participant 
may elect, during the election period described in subdivision (ii)

[[Page 38]]

of this subparagraph, not to receive a qualified joint and survivor 
annuity. However, if a plan provides that a qualified joint and survivor 
annuity is the only form of benefit payable under the plan with respect 
to a married participant, no election need be provided.
    (B) The election shall be in writing and clearly indicate that the 
participant is electing to receive all or, if permitted by the plan, 
part of his benefits under the plan in a form other than that of a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity. A plan will not fail to meet the 
requirements of this section merely because the plan requires the 
participant to obtain the written approval of his spouse in order for 
the participant to make this election or if the plan provides that such 
approval is not required.
    (ii) Election period. (A) For purposes of the election described in 
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, the plan shall provide an election 
period which shall include a period of at least 90 days following the 
furnishing of all of the applicable information required by subparagraph 
(3)(i) of this paragraph and ending prior to commencement of benefits. 
In no event may the election period end earlier than the 90th day before 
the commencement of benefits. Thus, for example, the commencement of 
benefits may be delayed until the end of such election period because 
the amount of payments to be made to a participant cannot be ascertained 
before the end of such period; see Sec. 1.401(a)-14(d).

If a participant makes a request for additional information as provided 
in subparagraph (3)(iii) of this paragraph on or before the last day of 
the election period, the election period shall be extended to the extent 
necessary to include at least the 90 calendar days immediately following 
the day the requested additional information is personally delivered or 
mailed to the participant. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding 
sentence, a plan may provide in cases in which the participant has been 
furnished by mail or personal delivery all of the applicable information 
required by subparagraph (3)(i) of this paragraph, that a request for 
such additional information must be made on or before a date which is 
not less than 60 days from the date of such mailing or delivery; and if 
the plan does so provide, the election period shall be extended to the 
extent necessary to include at least the 60 calendar days following the 
day the requested additional information is personally delivered or 
mailed to the participant.
    (B) In the case of a participant in a plan to which this 
subparagraph applies who separated from service after section 401(a)(11) 
and this section became applicable to such plan with respect to such 
participant, and to whom an election required by this subparagraph has 
not been previously made available (and will not become available in 
normal course), the plan must provide an election to receive the balance 
of his benefits (properly adjusted, if applicable, for payments 
received, prior to the exercise of such election, in the form of a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity) in a form other than that of a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity. The provisions of paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii)(A) shall apply except that in no event shall the election 
period end before the 90th day after the date on which notice of the 
availability of such election and the applicable information required by 
subparagraph (3)(i) of this paragraph is given directly to the 
participant. If such notice and information is given by mail, it shall 
be treated as given on the date of mailing. If such participant has 
died, such election shall be made available to such participant's 
personal representative.
    (2) Election of early survivor annuity--(i) In general. (A) A plan 
described in subparagraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section shall not be 
treated as satisfying the requirements of this section unless it 
provides that each participant may elect, during the period described in 
subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, an early survivor annuity as 
described in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section. Breaks in service 
after the participant has attained the qualified early retirement age 
neither invalidate a previous election or revocation nor prevent an 
election from being made or revoked during the election period.

[[Page 39]]

    (B) The election shall be in writing and clearly indicate that the 
participant is electing the early survivor annuity form.
    (C) A plan is not required to provide an election under this 
subparagraph if--
    (1) The plan provides that an early survivor annuity is the only 
form of benefit payable under the plan with respect to a married 
participant who dies while employed by an employer maintaining the plan,
    (2) In the case of a defined contribution plan, the plan provides a 
survivor benefit at least equal in value to the vested portion of the 
participant's account balance, if the participant dies while in active 
service with an employer maintaining the plan, or
    (3) In the case of a defined benefit plan, the plan provides a 
survivor benefit at least equal in value to the present value of the 
vested portion of the participant's normal form of the accrued benefit 
payable at normal retirement age (determined immediately prior to 
death), if the participant dies while in active service with an employer 
maintaining the plan. Any present values must be determined in 
accordance with either the actuarial assumptions or factors specified in 
the plan, or a variable standard independent of employer discretion for 
converting optional benefits specified in the plan.
    (ii) Election period. (A) For purposes of the election described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section the plan shall provide an election 
period which, except as provided in the following sentence, shall begin 
not later than the later of either the 90th day before a participant 
attains the qualified early retirement age or the date on which his 
participation begins, and shall end on the date the participant 
terminates his employment. If such a plan contains a provision that any 
election made under this subparagraph does not become effective or 
ceases to be effective if the participant dies within a certain period 
beginning on the date of such election, the election period prescribed 
in this subdivision (ii) shall begin not later than the later of (1) a 
date which is 90 days plus such certain period before the participant 
attains the qualified early retirement age or (2) the date on which his 
participation begins. For example, if a plan provides that an election 
made under this subparagraph does not become effective if the 
participant dies less than 2 years after the date of such election, the 
period for making an election under this subparagraph must begin not 
later than the later of (1) 2 years and 90 days before the participant 
attains the qualified early retirement age, or (2) the date on which his 
participation begins. However, the election period for an individual who 
was an active participant on the date this section became effective with 
regard to the plan need not begin earlier than such effective date.
    (B) In the case of a participant in a plan to which this 
subparagraph applies who dies after section 401(a)(11) and this section 
became applicable to such plan with respect to such participant and to 
whom an election required by this subparagraph has not been previously 
made available, the plan must give the participant's surviving spouse 
or, if dead, such spouse's personal representative the option of 
electing an early survivor annuity. The plan may reduce the surviving 
spouse's annuity to take into account any benefits already received. The 
period for making such election shall not end before the 90th day after 
the date on which written notice of the availability of such election 
and applicable information required by subparagraph (3)(i) of this 
paragraph is given directly to such surviving spouse or personal 
representative. If such notice and information is given by mail, if 
shall be treated as given on the date of mailing.
    (3) Information to be provided by plan. For rules regarding the 
information required to be provided with respect to the election to 
waive a QJSA or a QPSA, see Sec. 1.417(a)(3)-1.
    (4) Election is revocable. A plan to which this section applies must 
provide that any election made under this paragraph may be revoked in 
writing during the specified election period, and that after such 
election has been revoked, another election under this paragraph may be 
made during the specified election period.
    (5) Election by surviving spouse. A plan will not fail to meet the 
requirements

[[Page 40]]

of section 401(a)(11) and this section merely because it provides that 
the spouse of a deceased participant may elect to have benefits paid in 
a form other than a survivor annuity. If the plan provides that such a 
spouse may make such an election, the plan administrator must furnish to 
this spouse, within a reasonable amount of time after a written request 
has been made by this spouse, a written explanation in non-technical 
language of the survivor annuity and any other form of payment which may 
be selected. This explanation must state the financial effect (in terms 
of dollars) of each form of payment. A plan need not respond to more 
than one such request.
    (d) Permissible additional plan provisions--(1) In general. A plan 
will not fail to meet the requirements of section 401(a)(11) and this 
section merely because it contains one or more of the provisions 
described in paragraphs (d)(2) through (5) of this section.
    (2) Claim for benefits. A plan may provide that as a condition 
precedent to the payment of benefits, a participant must express in 
writing to the plan administrator the form in which he prefers benefits 
to be paid and provide all the information reasonably necessary for the 
payment of such benefits. However, if a participant files a claim for 
benefits with the plan administrator and provides the plan administrator 
with all the information necessary for the payment of benefits but does 
not indicate a preference as to the form for the payment of benefits, 
benefits must be paid in the form of a qualified joint and survivor 
annuity if the participant has attained the qualified early retirement 
age unless such participant has made an effective election not to 
receive benefits in such form. For rules relating to provisions in a 
plan to the effect that a claim for benefits must be filed before the 
payment of benefits will commence, see Sec. 1.401(a)-14.
    (3) Marriage requirements. A plan may provide that a joint and 
survivor annuity will be paid only if--
    (i) The participant and his spouse have been married to each other 
throughout a period (not exceeding one year) ending on the annuity 
starting date.
    (ii) The spouse of the participant is not entitled to receive a 
survivor annuity (whether or not the election described in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section has been made) unless the participant and his 
spouse have been married to each other throughout a period (not 
exceeding one year) ending on the date of such participant's death.
    (iii) The same spouse must satisfy the requirements of subdivisions 
(i) and (ii) of this subparagraph.
    (iv) The participant must notify the plan administrator (as defined 
by section 414(g)) of his marital status within any reasonable time 
period specified in the plan.
    (4) Effect of participant's death on an election or revocation of an 
election under paragraph (c). A plan may provide that any election 
described in paragraph (c) of this section or any revocation of any such 
election does not become effective or ceases to be effective if the 
participant dies within a period, not in excess of 2 years, beginning on 
the date of such election or revocation. However, a plan containing a 
provision described in the preceding sentence shall not satisfy the 
requirements of this section unless it also provides that any such 
election or any revocation of any such election will be given effect in 
any case in which--
    (i) The participant dies from accidental causes,
    (ii) A failure to give effect to the election or revocation would 
deprive the participant's survivor of a survivor annuity, and
    (iii) Such election or revocation is made before such accident 
occurred.
    (5) Benefit option approval by third party. (i) A plan may provide 
that an optional form of benefit elected by a participant is subject to 
the approval of an administrative committee or similar third party. 
However, the administrative committee cannot deny a participant any of 
the benefits required by section 401(a)(11). For example, if a plan 
offers a life annuity option, the committee may deny the participant a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity only by denying the participant 
access to all life annuity options without knowledge of whether the 
participant wishes to receive a qualified joint and survivor annuity. 
Alternatively, if the

[[Page 41]]

committee knows which form of life annuity the participant has chosen 
before the committee makes its decision, the committee cannot withhold 
its consent for payment of a qualified joint and survivor annuity event 
though it denies all other life annuity options. This subparagraph (5) 
only applies before the effective date of the amendment made to section 
411(d)(6) by section 301 of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984. See 
section 411(d)(6) and the regulations thereunder for rules limiting 
employer discretion.
    (ii) The provisions of this subparagraph may be illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. In 1980 plan M provides that the automatic form of benefit 
is a single sum distribution. The plan also permits, subject to approval 
by the administrative committee, the election of several optional forms 
of life annuity. On the election form that is reviewed by the 
administrative committee the participant indicates whether any life 
annuity option is preferred, without indicating the particular life 
annuity chosen. Thus, the committee approves or disapproves the election 
without knowledge of whether a qualified joint and survivor annuity will 
be elected. The administrative committee approval provision in Plan M 
does not cause the plan to fail to satisfy this section. On the other 
hand, if the form indicates which form of life annuity is preferred, 
committee disapproval of any election of the qualified joint and 
survivor annuity would cause the plan to fail to satisfy this section.

    (e) Costs of providing qualified joint and survivor annuity form or 
early survivor annuity form. A plan may take into account in any 
equitable manner consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles 
applied on a consistent basis any increased costs resulting from 
providing qualified joint and survivor annuity and early survivor 
annuity benefits. A plan may give a participant the option of paying 
premiums only if it provides another option under which an out-of-pocket 
expense by the participant is not required.
    (f) Application and effective date. Section 401(a)(11) and this 
section shall apply to a plan only with respect to plan years beginning 
after December 31, 1975, and shall apply only if--
    (1) The participant's annuity starting date did not fall within a 
plan year beginning before January 1, 1976, and
    (2) The participant was an active participant in the plan on or 
after the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 
1975.
    For purposes of this paragraph, the term ``active participant'' 
means a participant for whom benefits are being accrued under the plan 
on his behalf (in the case of a defined benefit plan), the employer is 
obligated to contribute to or under the plan on his behalf (in the case 
of a defined contribution plan other than a profit-sharing plan), or the 
employer either is obligated to contribute to or under the plan on his 
behalf or would have been obligated to contribute to or under the plan 
on his behalf if any contribution were made to or under the plan (in the 
case of a profit-sharing plan).

If benefits under a plan are provided by the distribution to the 
participants of individual annuity contracts, the annuity starting date 
will be considered for purposes of this paragraph to fall within a plan 
year beginning before January 1, 1976, with respect to any such 
individual contract that was distributed to the participant during a 
plan year beginning before January 1, 1976, if no premiums are paid with 
respect to such contract during a plan year beginning after December 31, 
1975. In the case of individual annuity contracts that are distributed 
to participants before January 1, 1978, and which contain an option to 
provide a qualified joint and survivor annuity, the requirements of this 
section will be considered to have been satisfied if, not later than 
January 1, 1978, holders of individual annuity contracts who are 
participants described in the first sentence of this paragraph are given 
an opportunity to have such contracts amended, so as to provide for a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity in the absence of a contrary 
election, within a period of not less than one year from the date such 
opportunity was offered. In no event, however, shall the preceding 
sentence apply with respect to benefits attributable to premiums paid 
after December 31, 1977.
    (g) Effect of REA 1984--(1) In general. The Retirement Equity Act of 
1984 (REA 1984) significantly changed the qualified joint and survivor 
annuity rules generally effective for plan years

[[Page 42]]

beginning after December 31, 1984. The new survivor annuity rules are 
primarily in sections 401(a)(11) and 417 as revised by REA 1984 and 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)-20 and 417(e)-1.
    (2) Regulations after REA 1984. (i) REA and the regulations 
thereunder to the extent inconsistent with pre-REA 1984 section 
401(a)(11) and this section are controlling for years to which REA 1984 
applies. See e.g., paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, relating 
to required provisions and certain cash-outs, respectively and (e), 
relating to costs of providing annuities, for rules that are 
inconsistent with REA 1984 and, therefore, are not applicable to REA 
1984 years.
    (ii) To the extent that the pre-REA 1984 law either is the same as 
or consistent with REA 1984 and the new regulations hereunder, the rules 
in this section shall continue to apply for years to which REA 1984 
applies. (See, e.g., paragraph (c) (relating to how information is 
furnished participants and spouses) and paragraph (b) (defining a life 
annuity) for some of the rules that apply to REA 1984 years.) The rules 
in this section shall not apply for such years to the extent that they 
are inconsistent with REA 1984 and the regulations thereunder.
    (iii) The Commissioner may provide additional guidance as to the 
continuing effect of the various rules in this section for years to 
which REA 1984 applies.

(Secs. 401(a)(11), 7805 Internal Revenue Code of 1954, (88 Stat. 935, 
68A Stat. 917; (26 U.S.C. 401(a)(11), 7805)))

[T.D. 7458, 42 FR 1466, Jan. 7, 1977; 42 FR 6367, Feb. 2, 1977, as 
amended by T.D. 7510, 42 FR 53956, Oct. 4, 1977; T.D. 8219, 53 FR 31841, 
Aug. 22, 1988; 53 FR 48534, Dec. 1, 1988; T.D. 9099, 68 FR 70144, Dec. 
17, 2003]



Sec. 1.401(a)-12  Mergers and consolidations of plans and transfers
of plan assets.

    A trust will not be qualified under section 401 unless the plan of 
which the trust is a part provides that in the case of any merger or 
consolidation with, or transfer of assets or liabilities to, another 
plan after September 2, 1974, each participant in the plan would receive 
a minimum benefit if the plan terminated immediately after the merger, 
consolidation, or transfer. This benefit must be equal to or greater 
than the benefit the participant would have been entitled to receive 
immediately before the merger, consolidation, or transfer if the plan in 
which he was a participant had then terminated. This section applies to 
a multiemployer plan only to the extent determined by the Pension 
Benefit Guaranty Corporation. For additional rules concerning mergers or 
consolidations of plans and transfers of plan assets, see section 414(l) 
and Sec. 1.414(l)-1.

[T.D. 7638, 44 FR 48195, Aug. 17, 1979]



Sec. 1.401(a)-13  Assignment or alienation of benefits.

    (a) Scope of the regulations. This section applies only to plans to 
which section 411 applies without regard to section 411(e)(2). Thus, for 
example, it does not apply to a governmental plan, within the meaning of 
section 414(d); a church plan, within the meaning of section 414(e), for 
which there has not been made the election under section 410(a) to have 
the participation, vesting, funding, etc. requirements apply; or a plan 
which at no time after September 2, 1974, provided for employer 
contributions.
    (b) No assignment or alienation--(1) General rule. Under section 
401(a)(13), a trust will not be qualified unless the plan of which the 
trust is a part provides that benefits provided under the plan may not 
be anticipated, assigned (either at law or in equity), alienated or 
subject to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution or other legal or 
equitable process.
    (2) Federal tax levies and judgments. A plan provision satisfying 
the requirements of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph shall not 
preclude the following:
    (i) The enforcement of a Federal tax levy made pursuant to section 
6331.
    (ii) The collection by the United States on a judgment resulting 
from an unpaid tax assessment.
    (c) Definition of assignment and alienation--(1) In general. For 
purposes of this section, the terms ``assignment'' and ``alienation'' 
include--
    (i) Any arrangement providing for the payment to the employer of 
plan benefits which otherwise would be due the participant under the 
plan, and

[[Page 43]]

    (ii) Any direct or indirect arrangement (whether revocable or 
irrevocable) whereby a party acquires from a participant or beneficiary 
a right or interest enforceable against the plan in, or to, all or any 
part of a plan benefit payment which is, or may become, payable to the 
participant or beneficiary.
    (2) Specific arrangements not considered an assignment or 
alienation. The terms ``assignment'' and ``alienation'' do not include, 
and paragraph (e) of this section does not apply to, the following 
arrangements:
    (i) Any arrangement for the recovery of amounts described in section 
4045(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 88 Stat. 
1027 (relating to the recapture of certain payments),
    (ii) Any arrangement for the withholding of Federal, State or local 
tax from plan benefit payments,
    (iii) Any arrangement for the recovery by the plan of overpayments 
of benefits previously made to a participant,
    (iv) Any arrangement for the transfer of benefit rights from the 
plan to another plan, or
    (v) Any arrangement for the direct deposit of benefit payments to an 
account in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union, 
provided such arrangement is not part of an arrangement constituting an 
assignment or alienation. Thus, for example, such an arrangement could 
provide for the direct deposit of a participant's benefit payments to a 
bank account held by the participant and the participant's spouse as 
joint tenants.
    (d) Exceptions to general rule prohibiting assignments or 
alienations--(1) Certain voluntary and revocable assignments or 
alienations. Not withstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a plan 
may provide that once a participant or beneficiary begins receiving 
benefits under the plan, the participant or beneficiary may assign or 
alienate the right to future benefit payments provided that the 
provision is limited to assignments or alienations which--
    (i) Are voluntary and revocable;
    (ii) Do not in the aggregate exceed 10 percent of any benefit 
payment; and
    (iii) Are neither for the purpose, nor have the effect, of defraying 
plan administration costs.

For purposes of this subparagraph, an attachment, garnishment, levy, 
execution, or other legal or equitable process is not considered a 
voluntary assignment or alienation.
    (2) Benefits assigned or alienated as security for loans. (i) 
Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a plan may provide for 
loans from the plan to a participant or a beneficiary to be secured (by 
whatever means) by the participant's accrued nonforfeitable benefit 
provided that the following conditions are met.
    (ii) The plan provision providing for the loans must be limited to 
loans from the plan. A plan may not provide for the use of benefits 
accrued or to be accrued under the plan as security for a loan from a 
party other than the plan, regardless of whether these benefits are 
nonforfeitable within the meaning of section 411 and the regulations 
thereunder.
    (iii) The loan, if made to a participant or beneficiary who is a 
disqualified person (within the meaning of section 4975(e)(2)), must be 
exempt from the tax imposed by section 4975 (relating to the tax imposed 
on prohibited transactions) by reason of section 4975(d)(1). If the loan 
is made to a participant or beneficiary who is not a disqualified 
person, the loan must be one which would the exempt from the tax imposed 
by section 4975 by reason of section 4975(d)(1) if the loan were made to 
a disqualified person.
    (e) Special rule for certain arrangements--(1) In general. For 
purposes of this section and notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, an arrangement whereby a participant or beneficiary directs the 
plan to pay all, or any portion, of a plan benefit payment to a third 
party (which includes the participant's employer) will not constitute an 
``assignment or alienation'' if--
    (i) It is revocable at any time by the participant or beneficiary; 
and
    (ii) The third party files a written acknowledgement with the plan 
administrator pursuant to subparagraph (2) of this paragraph.

[[Page 44]]

    (2) Acknowledgement requirement for third party arrangements. In 
accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, the third party is 
required to file a written acknowledgement with the plan administrator. 
This acknowledgement must state that the third party has no enforceable 
right in, or to, any plan benefit payment or portion thereof (except to 
the extent of payments actually received pursuant to the terms of the 
arrangement). A blanket written acknowledgement for all participants and 
beneficiaries who are covered under the arrangement with the third party 
is sufficient. The written acknowledgement must be filed with the plan 
administrator no later than the later of--
    (i) August 18, 1978; or
    (ii) 90 days after the arrangement is entered into.
    (f) Effective date. Section 401(a)(13) is applicable as of January 
1, 1976, and the plan provision required by this section must be 
effective as of that date. However, regardless of when the provision is 
adopted, it will not affect--
    (1) Attachments, garnishments, levies, or other legal or equitable 
process permitted under the plan that are made before January 1, 1976;
    (2) Assignments permitted under the plan that are irrevocable on 
December 31, 1975, including assignments made before January 1, 1976, as 
security for loans to a participant or beneficiary from a party other 
than the plan; and
    (3) Renewals or extensions of loans described in subparagraph (2) of 
this paragraph, if--
    (i) The principal amount of the obligation outstanding on December 
31, 1975 (or, if less, the principal amount outstanding on the date of 
renewal or extension), is not increased;
    (ii) The loan, as renewed or extended, does not bear a rate of 
interest in excess of the rate prevailing for similar loans at the time 
of the renewal or extensions; and
    (iii) With respect to loans that are renewed or extended to bear a 
variable interest rate, the formula for determining the applicable rate 
is consistent with the formula for formulae prevailing for similar loans 
at the time of the renewal or extension. For purposes of subparagraphs 
(2) and (3) of this paragraph, a loan from a party other than the plan 
made after December 31, 1975, will be treated as a new loan. This is so 
even if the lender's security interest for the loan arises from an 
assignment of the participant's accrued nonforfeitable benefit made 
before that date.
    (g) Special rules for qualified domestic relations orders--(1) 
Definition. The term ``qualified domestic relations order'' (QDRO) has 
the meaning set forth in section 414(p). For purposes of the Internal 
Revenue Code, a QDRO also includes any domestic relations order 
described in section 303(d) of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984.
    (2) Plan amendments. A plan will not fail to satisfy the 
qualification requirements of section 401(a) or 403(a) merely because it 
does not include provisions with regard to a QDRO.
    (3) Waiver of distribution requirements. A plan shall not be treated 
as failing to satisfy the requirements of sections 401 (a) and (k) and 
409(d) solely because of a payment to an alternate payee pursuant to a 
QDRO. This is the case even if the plan provides for payments pursuant 
to a QDRO to an alternate payee prior to the time it may make payments 
to a participant. Thus, for example, a pension plan may pay an alternate 
payee even though the participant may not receive a distribution because 
he continues to be employed by the employer.
    (4) Coordination with section 417--(i) Former spouse. (A) In 
general. Under section 414(p)(5), a QDRO may provide that a former 
spouse shall be treated as the current spouse of a participant for all 
or some purposes under sections 401(a)(11) and 417.
    (B) Consent. (1) To the extent a former spouse is treated as the 
current spouse of the participant by reason of a QDRO, any current 
spouse shall not be treated as the current spouse. For example, assume H 
is divorced from W, but a QDRO provides that H shall be treated as W's 
current spouse with respect to all of W's benefits under a plan. H will 
be treated as the surviving spouse under the QPSA and QJSA unless W 
obtains H's consent to waive the QPSA or QJSA or both. The fact that W 
married S after W's divorce from H is disregarded. If, however, the QDRO

[[Page 45]]

had provided that H shall be treated as W's current spouse only with 
respect to benefits that accrued prior to the divorce, then H's consent 
would be needed by W to waive the QPSA or QJSA with respect to benefits 
accrued before the divorce. S's consent would be required with respect 
to the remainder of the benefits.
    (2) In the preceding examples, if the QDRO ordered that a portion of 
W's benefit (either through separate accounts or a percentage of the 
benefit) must be distributed to H rather than ordering that H be treated 
as W's spouse, the survivor annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) 
and 417 would not apply to the part of W's benefit awarded H. Instead, 
the terms of the QDRO would determine how H's portion of W's accrued 
benefit is paid. W is required to obtain S's consent if W elects to 
waive either the QJSA or QPSA with respect to the remaining portion of 
W's benefit.
    (C) Amount of the QPSA or QJSA. (1) Where, because of a QDRO, more 
than one individual is to be treated as the surviving spouse, a plan may 
provide that the total amount to be paid in the form of a QPSA or 
survivor portion of a QJSA may not exceed the amount that would be paid 
if there were only one surviving spouse. The QPSA or survivor portion of 
the QJSA, as the case may be, payable to each surviving spouse must be 
paid as an annuity based on the life of each such spouse.
    (2) Where the QDRO splits the participant's accrued benefit between 
the participant and a former spouse (either through separate accounts or 
percentage of the benefit), the surviving spouse of the participant is 
entitled to a QPSA or QJSA based on the participant's accrued benefit as 
of the date of death or the annuity starting date, less the separate 
account or percentage that is payable to the former spouse. The 
calculation is made as if the separate account or percentage had been 
distributed to the participant prior to the relevant date.
    (ii) Current spouse. Under section 414(p)(5), even if the applicable 
election periods (i.e., the first day of the year in which the 
participant attains age 35 and 90 days before the annuity starting date) 
have not begun, a QDRO may provide that a current spouse shall not be 
treated as the current spouse of the participant for all or some 
purposes under sections 401(a)(11) and 417. A QDRO may provide that the 
current spouse waives all future rights to a QPSA or QJSA.
    (iii) Effects on benefits. (A) A plan is not required to provide 
additional vesting or benefits because of a QDRO.
    (B) If an alternate payee is treated pursuant to a QDRO as having an 
interest in the plan benefit, including a separate account or percentage 
of the participant's account, then the QDRO cannot provide the alternate 
payee with a greater right to designate a beneficiary for the alternate 
payee's benefit amount than the participant's right. The QJSA or QPSA 
provisions of section 417 do not apply to the spouse of an alternate 
payee.
    (C) If the former spouse who is treated as a current spouse dies 
prior to the participant's annuity starting date, then any actual 
current spouse of the participant is treated as the current spouse, 
except as otherwise provided in a QDRO.
    (iv) Section 415 requirements. Even though a participant's benefits 
are awarded to an alternate payee pursuant to a QDRO, the benefits are 
benefits of the participant for purposes of applying the limitations of 
section 415 to the participant's benefits.

[T.D. 7534, 43 FR 6943, Feb. 17, 1978, as amended by T.D. 8219, 53 FR 
31850, Aug. 22, 1988; 53 FR 48534, Dec. 1, 1988]



Sec. 1.401(a)-14  Commencement of benefits under qualified trusts.

    (a) In general. Under section 401(a)(14), a trust to which section 
411 applies (without regard to section 411(e)(2) is not qualified under 
section 401 unless the plan of which such trust is a part provides that 
the payment of benefits under the plan to the participant will begin not 
later than the 60th day after the close of the plan year in which the 
latest of the following events occurs--
    (1) The attainment by the participant of age 65, or, if earlier, the 
normal retirement age specified under the plan,
    (2) The 10th anniversary of the date on which the participant 
commenced participation in the plan,

[[Page 46]]

    (3) The termination of the participant's service with the employer, 
or
    (4) The date specified in an election made pursuant to paragraph (b) 
of this section.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a plan may require that a 
participant file a claim for benefits before payment of benefits will 
commence.
    (b) Election of later date--(1) General rule. A plan may permit a 
participant to elect that the payment to him of any benefit under a plan 
will commence at a date later than the dates specified under paragraphs 
(a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.
    (2) Manner of election. A plan permitting an election under this 
paragraph shall require that such election must be made by submitting to 
the plan administrator a written statement, signed by the participant, 
which describes the benefit and the date on which the payment of such 
benefit shall commence.
    (3) Restriction. An election may not be made pursuant to a plan 
provision permitted by this paragraph if the exercise of such election 
will cause benefits payable under the plan with respect to the 
participant in the event of his death to be more than ``incidental'' 
within the meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of Sec. 1.401-1.
    (c) Special early retirement rule--(1) Separation prior to early 
retirement age. A trust forming part of a plan which provides for the 
payment of an early retirement benefit is not qualified under section 
401 unless, upon satisfaction of the age requirement for such early 
retirement benefit, a participant who--
    (i) Satisfied the service requirements for such early retirement 
benefit, but
    (ii) Separated from service (with any nonforfeitable right to an 
accrued benefit) before satisfying such age requirement,

is entitled to receive not less than the reduced normal retirement 
benefit described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. A plan may 
establish reasonable conditions for payments of early retirement 
benefits (including for example, a requirement that a claim for benefits 
be made) if the conditions are equally applicable to participants who 
separate from service when eligible for an early retirement benefit and 
participants who separate from service earlier.
    (2) Reduced normal retirement benefit. For purposes of this section, 
the reduced normal retirement benefit is the benefit to which the 
participant would have been entitled under the plan at normal retirement 
age, reduced in accordance with reasonable actuarial assumptions.
    (3) Separation prior to effective date of this section. The 
provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in the case of a plan 
participant who separates from service before attainment of early 
retirement age and prior to the effective date of this section set forth 
in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (4) Illustration. The provisions of this paragraph may be 
illustrated by the following example:

    Example. The X Corporation Defined Benefit Plan provides that a 
normal retirement benefit will be payable to a participant upon 
attainment of age 65. The plan also provides that an actuarially reduced 
retirement benefit will be payable, upon application, to any participant 
who has completed 10 years of service with the X Corporation and 
attained age 60. When he is 55 years of age and has completed 10 years 
of service with X Corporation, A, a participant in the plan, leaves the 
service of X Corporation and does not return. The plan will not be 
qualified under section 401 unless, upon attainment of age 60 and 
application for benefits, A is entitled to receive a reduced normal 
retirement benefit described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph.

    (d) Retroactive payment rule. If the amount of the payment required 
to commence on the date determined under this section cannot be 
ascertained by such date, or if it is not possible to make such payment 
on such date because the plan administrator has been unable to locate 
the participant after making reasonable efforts to do so, a payment 
retroactive to such date may be made no later than 60 days after the 
earliest date on which the amount of such payment can be ascertained 
under the plan or the date on which the participant is located 
(whichever is applicable).
    (e) Effective date. This section shall apply to a plan for those 
plan years to

[[Page 47]]

which section 411 of the Code applies without regard to section 
411(e)(2).

(Secs. 401(a)(14), 7805, Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 937, 
68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(14), 7805))

[T.D. 7436, 41 FR 42651, Sept. 28, 1976; 41 FR 44690, Oct. 12, 1976]



Sec. 1.401(a)-15  Requirement that plan benefits are not decreased 
on account of certain Social Security increases.

    (a) In general. Under section 401(a)(15), a trust which is part of a 
plan to which section 411 applies (without regard to section 411(e)(2)) 
is not qualified under section 401 unless, under the plan of which such 
trust is a part:
    (1) Benefit being received by participant or beneficiary. A benefit 
(including a death or disability benefit) being received under the plan 
by a participant or beneficiary (other than a participant to whom 
subparagraph (2)(ii) of this paragraph applies, or a beneficiary of such 
a participant) is not decreased by reason of any post-separation social 
security benefit increase effective after the later of--
    (i) September 2, 1974, or
    (ii) The date of first receipt of any retirement benefit, death 
benefit, or disability benefit under the plan by the participant or by a 
beneficiary of the participant (whichever receipt occurs first).
    (2) Benefit to which participant separated from service has 
nonforfeitable right. In the case of a benefit to which a participant 
has a nonforfeitable right under such plan--
    (i) If such participant is separated from service and does not 
subsequently return to service and resume participation in the plan, 
such benefit is not decreased by reason of any post-separation social 
security benefit increase effective after the later of September 2, 
1974, or separation from service, or
    (ii) If such participant is separated from service and subsequently 
returns to service and resumes participation in the plan, such benefit 
is not decreased by reason of any post-separation social security 
benefit increase effective after September 2, 1974, which occurs during 
separation from service and which would decrease such benefit to a level 
below the level of benefits to which he would have been entitled had he 
not returned to service after his separation.
    (b) Post-separation social security benefit increase. For purposes 
of this section, the term ``post-separation social security benefit 
increase'' means, with respect to a participant or a beneficiary of the 
participant, an increase in a benefit level or wage base under title II 
of the Social Security Act (whether such increase is a result of an 
amendment of such title II or is a result of the application of the 
provisions of such title II) occurring after the earlier of such 
participant's separation from service or commencement of benefits under 
the plan.
    (c) Illustrations. The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section may be illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. A plan to which section 401(a)(15) applies provides an 
annual benefit at the normal retirement age, 65, in the form of a stated 
benefit formula amount less a specified percentage of the primary 
insurance amount payable under title II of the Social Security Act. The 
plan provides no early retirement benefits. In the case of a participant 
who separates from service before age 65 with a nonforfeitable right to 
a benefit under the plan, the plan defines the primary insurance amount 
as the amount which the participant is entitled to receive under title 
II of the Social Security Act at age 65, multiplied by the ratio of the 
number of years of service with the employer to the number of years of 
service the participant would have had if he had worked for the employer 
until age 65. The plan does not satisfy the requirements of section 
401(a)(15), because social security increases that occur after a 
participant's separation from service will reduce the benefit the 
participant will receive under the plan.
    Example 2. A plan to which section 401(a)(15) applies provides an 
annual benefit at the normal retirement age, 65, in the form of a stated 
benefit formula amount less a specified percentage of the primary 
insurance amount payable under title II of the Social Security Act. The 
plan provides no early retirement benefits. In the case of a participant 
who separates from service before age 65 with a nonforfeitable right to 
a benefit under the plan, the plan defines the primary insurance amount 
as the amount which the participant is entitled to receive under title 
II of the Social Security Act at age 65 based upon the assumption that 
he will continue to receive until reaching age 65 compensation which 
would be treated as wages for purposes

[[Page 48]]

of the Social Security Act at the same rate as he received such 
compensation at the time he separated from service, but determined 
without regard to any post-separation social security benefit increase, 
multiplied by the ratio of the number of years of service with the 
employer to the number of years of service the participant would have 
had if he had worked for the employer until age 65. The plan satisfies 
the requirements of section 401(a)(15), because social security 
increases that occur after a participant's separation from service will 
not reduce the benefit the participant will receive under the plan.

    (d) Other Federal or State laws. To the extent applicable, the rules 
discussed in this section will govern classifications under a plan 
supplementing the benefits provided by other Federal or State laws, such 
as the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937. See section 206(b) of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-406, 88 
Stat. 864).
    (e) Effect on prior law. Nothing in this section shall be construed 
as amending or modifying the rules applicable to post-separation social 
security increases prior to September 2, 1974. See paragraph (e) of 
Sec. 1.401-3.
    (f) Effective date. Section 401(a)(15) and this section shall apply 
to a plan only with respect to plan years to which section 411 (relating 
to minimum vesting standards) is applicable to the plan without regard 
to section 411(e)(2).

[T.D. 7434, 41 FR 42650, Sept. 28, 1976]



Sec. 1.401(a)-16  Limitations on benefits and contributions under
qualified plans.

    A trust will not be a qualified trust and a plan will not be a 
qualified plan if the plan provides for benefits or contributions which 
exceed the limitations of section 415. Section 415 and the regulations 
thereunder provide rules concerning these limitations on benefits and 
contributions.

[T.D. 7748, 46 FR 1696, Jan. 7, 1981]



Sec. 1.401(a)-19  Nonforfeitability in case of certain withdrawals.

    (a) Application of section. Section 401(a)(19) and this section 
apply to a plan to which section 411(a) applies. (See section 411(e) and 
Sec. 1.411(a)-2 for applicability of section 411).
    (b) Prohibited forfeitures--(1) General rule. A plan to which this 
section applies is not a qualified plan (and a trust forming a part of 
such plan is not a qualified trust) if, under such plan, any part of a 
participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions is 
forfeitable solely because a benefit derived from the participant's 
contributions under the plan is voluntarily withdrawn by him after he 
has become a 50 percent vested participant.
    (2) 50 percent vested participant. For purposes of subparagraph (1) 
of this paragraph, a participant is a 50 percent vested participant when 
he has a nonforfeitable right (within the meaning of section 411 and the 
regulations thereunder) to at least 50 percent of his accrued benefit 
derived from employer contributions. Whether or not a participant is 50 
percent vested shall be determined by the ratio of the participant's 
total nonforfeitable employer-derived accrued benefit under the plan to 
his total employer-derived accrued benefit under the plan.
    (3) Certain forfeitures. Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not 
apply in the case of a forfeiture permitted by section 411(a)(3)(D)(iii) 
and Sec. 1.411(a)-7(d)(3) (relating to forfeitures of certain benefits 
accrued before September 2, 1974).
    (c) Supersession. Section 11.401(a)-(19) of the Temporary Income Tax 
Regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is 
superseded by this section.

(Sec. 411 Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 901; 26 U.S.C. 411))

[T.D. 7501, 42 FR 42320, Aug. 23, 1977]



Sec. 1.401(a)-20  Requirements of qualified joint and survivor annuity
and qualified preretirement survivor annuity.

    Q-1: What are the survivor annuity requirements added to the Code by 
the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REA 1984)?
    A-1: REA 1984 replaced section 401(a)(11) with a new section 
401(a)(11) and added section 417. Plans to which new section 401(a)(11) 
applies must comply with the requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 
in order to remain qualified under sections 401(a) or 403(a). In 
general, these plans must provide both a qualified joint and survivor

[[Page 49]]

annuity (QJSA) and a qualified preretirement survivor annuity (QPSA) to 
remain qualified. These survivor annuity requirements are applicable to 
any benefit payable under a plan, including a benefit payable to a 
participant under a contract purchased by the plan and paid by a third 
party.
    Q-2: Must annuity contracts purchased and distributed to a 
participant or spouse by a plan subject to the survivor annuity 
requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 satisfy the requirements of 
those sections?
    A-2: Yes. Rights and benefits under section 401(a)(11) or 417 may 
not be eliminated or reduced because the plan uses annuity contracts to 
provide benefits merely because (a) such a contract is held by a 
participant or spouse instead of a plan trustee, or (b) such contracts 
are distributed upon plan termination. Thus, the requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to payments under the annuity 
contracts, not to the distributions of the contracts.
    Q-3: What plans are subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
section 401(a)(11)?
    A-3: (a) Section 401(a)(11) applies to any defined benefit plan and 
to any defined contribution plan that is subject to the minimum funding 
standards of section 412. This section also applies to any participant 
under any other defined contribution plan unless all of the following 
conditions are satisfied--
    (1) The plan provides that the participant's nonforfeitable accrued 
benefit is payable in full, upon the participant's death, to the 
participant's surviving spouse (unless the participant elects, with 
spousal consent that satisfies the requirements of section 417(a)(2), 
that such benefit be provided instead to a designated beneficiary);
    (2) The participant does not elect the payment of benefits in the 
form of a life annuity; and
    (3) With respect to the participant, the plan is not a transferee or 
an offset plan. (See Q&A 5 of this section.)
    (b) A defined contribution plan not subject to the minimum funding 
standards of section 412 will not be treated as satisfying the 
requirement of paragraph (a)(1) unless both of the following conditions 
are satisfied--
    (1) The benefit is available to the surviving spouse within a 
reasonable time after the participant's death. For this purpose, 
availability within the 90-day period following the date of death is 
deemed to be reasonable and the reasonableness of longer periods shall 
be determined based on the particular facts and circumstances. A time 
period longer than 90 days, however, is deemed unreasonable if it is 
less favorable to the surviving spouse than any time period under the 
plan that is applicable to other distributions. Thus, for example, the 
availability of a benefit to the surviving spouse would be unreasonable 
if the distribution was required to be made by the close of the plan 
year including the participant's death while distributions to employees 
who separate from service were required to be made within 90 days of 
separation.
    (2) The benefit payable to the surviving spouse is adjusted for 
gains or losses occurring after the participant's death in accordance 
with plan rules governing the adjustment of account balances for other 
plan distributions. Thus, for example, the plan may not provide for 
distributions of an account balance to a surviving spouse determined as 
of the last day of the quarter in which the participant's death occurred 
with no adjustments of an account balance for gains or losses after 
death if the plan provides for such adjustments for a participant who 
separates from service within a quarter.
    (c) For purposes of determining the extent to which section 
401(a)(11) applies to benefits under an employee stock ownership plan 
(as defined in section 4975(e)(7)), the portion of a participant's 
accrued benefit that is subject to section 409(h) is to be treated as 
though such benefit were provided under a defined contribution plan not 
subject to section 412.
    (d) The requirements set forth in section 401(a)(11) apply to other 
employee benefit plans that are covered by applicable provisions under 
title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. For 
purposes of applying the regulations under sections 401(a)(11) and 417, 
plans subject to ERISA section 205 are treated as if they were described 
in section 401(a).

[[Page 50]]

For example, to the extent that section 205 covers section 403(b) 
contracts and custodial accounts they are treated as section 401(a) 
plans. Individual retirement plans (IRAs), including IRAs to which 
contributions are made under simplified employee pensions described in 
section 408(k) and IRAs that are treated as plans subject to title I, 
are not subject to these requirements.
    Q-4: What rules apply to a participant who elects a life annuity 
option under a defined contribution plan not subject to section 412?
    A-4: If a participant elects at any time (irrespective of the 
applicable election period defined in section 417(a)(6)) a life annuity 
option under a defined contribution plan not subject to section 412, the 
survivor annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 will always 
thereafter apply to all of the participant's benefits under such plan 
unless there is a separate accounting of the account balance subject to 
the election. A plan may allow a participant to elect an annuity option 
prior to the applicable election period described in section 417(a)(6). 
If a participant elects an annuity option, the plan must satisfy the 
applicable written explanation, consent, election, and withdrawal rules 
of section 417, including waiver of the QJSA within 90 days of the 
annuity starting date. If a participant selecting such an option dies, 
the surviving spouse must be able to receive the QPSA benefit described 
in section 417(c)(2) which is a life annuity, the actuarial equivalent 
of which is not less than 50 percent of the nonforfeitable account 
balance (adjusted for loans as described in Q&A 24(d) of this section). 
The remaining account balance may be paid to a designated nonspouse 
beneficiary.
    Q-5: How do sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to transferee plans 
which are defined contribution plans not subject to section 412?
    A-5: (a) Transferee plans. Although the survivor annuity 
requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 generally do not apply to 
defined contribution plans not subject to section 412, such plans are 
subject to the survivor annuity requirements to the extent that they are 
transferee plans with respect to any participant. A defined contribution 
plan is a transferee plan with respect to any participant if the plan is 
a direct or indirect transferee of such participant's benefits held on 
or after January 1, 1985, by:
    (1) A defined benefit plan,
    (2) A defined contribution plan subject to section 412 or
    (3) A defined contribution plan that is subject to the survivor 
annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 with respect to that 
participant.

If through a merger, spinoff, or other transaction having the effect of 
a transfer, benefits subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 are held under a plan that is not otherwise 
subject to such requirements, such benefits will be subject to the 
survivor annuity requirements even though they are held under such plan. 
Even if a plan satisfies the survivor annuity requirements, other rules 
apply to these transactions. See, e.g., section 411(d)(6) and the 
regulations thereunder. A transfer made before January 1, 1985, and any 
rollover contribution made at any time, are not transactions that 
subject the transferee plan to the survivor annuity requirements with 
respect to a participant. If a plan is a transferee plan with respect to 
a participant, the survivor annuity requirements do not apply with 
respect to other plan participants solely because of the transfer. Any 
plan that would not otherwise be subject to the survivor annuity 
requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 whose benefits are used to 
offset benefits in a plan subject to such requirements is subject to the 
survivor annuity requirements with respect to those participants whose 
benefits are offset. Thus, if a stock bonus or profit-sharing plan 
offsets benefits under a defined benefit plan, such a plan is subject to 
the survivor annuity requirements.
    (b) Benefits covered. The survivor annuity requirements apply to all 
accrued benefits held for a participant with respect to whom the plan is 
a transferee plan unless there is an acceptable separate accounting 
between the transferred benefits and all other benefits under the plan. 
A separate accounting is not acceptable unless gains, losses, 
withdrawals, contributions, forfeitures, and other credits or

[[Page 51]]

charges are allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis between the 
accrued benefits subject to the survivor annuity requirements and other 
benefits. If there is an acceptable separate accounting between 
transferred benefits and any other benefits under the plan, only the 
transferred benefits are subject to the survivor annuity requirements.
    Q-6: Is a frozen or terminated plan required to satisfy the survivor 
annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417?
    A-6: In general, benefits provided under a plan that is subject to 
the survivor annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 must be 
provided in accordance with those requirements even if the plan is 
frozen or terminated. However, any plan that has a termination date 
prior to September 17, 1985, and that distributed all remaining assets 
as soon as administratively feasible after the termination date, is not 
subject to the survivor annuity requirements. The date of termination is 
determined under section 411(d)(3) and Sec. 1.411(d)-2(c).
    Q-7: If the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is 
administering a plan, are benefits payable in the form of a QPSA or 
QJSA-
    A-7: Yes, the PBGC will pay benefits in such forms.
    Q-8: How do the survivor annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) 
and 417 apply to participants?
    A-8: (a) If a participant dies before the annuity starting date with 
vested benefits attributable to employer or employee contributions (or 
both), benefits must be paid to the surviving spouse in the form of a 
QPSA. If a participant survives until the annuity starting date with 
vested benefits attributable to employer or employee contributions (or 
both), benefits must be provided to the participant in the form of a 
QJSA.
    (b) A participant may waive the QPSA or the QJSA (or both) if the 
applicable notice, election, and spousal consent requirements of section 
417 are satisfied.
    (c) Benefits are not required to be paid in the form of a QPSA or 
QJSA if at the time of death or distribution the participant was vested 
only in employee contributions and such death occurred, or distribution 
commenced, before October 22, 1986.
    (d) Certain mandatory distributions. A distribution may occur 
without satisfying the spousal consent requirements of section 417 (a) 
and (e) if the present value of the nonforfeitable benefit does not 
exceed the cash-out limit in effect underSec. 1.411(a)-11(c)(3)(ii). 
See Sec. 1.417(e)-1.
    Q-9: May separate portions of a participant's accrued benefit be 
subject to QPSA and QJSA requirements at any particular point in time?
    A-9: (a) Dual QPSA and QJSA rights. One portion of a participant's 
benefit may be subject to the QPSA and another portion to the QJSA 
requirements at the same time. For example, in order for a money 
purchase pension plan to distribute any portion of a married 
participant's benefit to the participant, the plan must distribute such 
portion in the form of a QJSA (unless the plan satisfies the applicable 
consent requirements of section 417 (a) and (e) with respect to such 
portion of the participant's benefit). This rule applies even if the 
distribution is merely an in-service distribution attributable to 
voluntary employee contributions and regardless of whether the 
participant has attained the normal retirement age under the plan. The 
QJSA requirements apply to such a distribution because the annuity 
starting date has occurred with respect to this portion of the 
participant's benefit. In the event of a participant's death following 
the commencement of a distribution in the form of a QJSA, the remaining 
payments must be made to the surviving spouse under the QJSA. In 
addition, the plan must satisfy the QPSA requirements with respect to 
any portion of the participant's benefits for which the annuity starting 
date had not yet occurred.
    (b) Example. Assume that participant A has a $100,000 account 
balance in a money purchase pension plan. A makes an in-service 
withdrawal of $20,000 attributable to voluntary employee contributions. 
The QJSA requirements apply to A's withdrawal of the $20,000. 
Accordingly, unless the QJSA form is properly waived such amount must be 
distributed in the form of a QJSA. A's

[[Page 52]]

remaining account balance ($80,000) remains subject to the QPSA 
requirements because the annuity starting date has not occurred with 
respect to the $80,000. (If A survives until the annuity starting date, 
the $80,000 would be subject to the QJSA requirements.) If A died on the 
day following the annuity starting date for the withdrawal, A's spouse 
would be entitled to a QPSA with a value equal to at least $40,000 with 
respect to the $80,000 account balance, in addition to any survivor 
benefit without respect to the $20,000. If the $20,000 payment to A had 
been the first payment of an annuity purchased with the entire $100,000 
account balance rather than an in-service distribution, then the QJSA 
requirements would apply to the entire account balance at the time of 
the annuity starting date. In such event, the plan would have no 
obligation to provide A's spouse with a QPSA benefit upon A's death. Of 
course, A's spouse would receive the QJSA benefit (if the QJSA had not 
been waived) based on the full $100,000.
    Q-10: What is the relevance of the annuity starting date with 
respect to the survivor benefit requirements?
    A-10: (a) Relevance. The annuity starting date is relevant to 
whether benefits are payable as either a QJSA or QPSA, or other selected 
optional form of benefit. If a participant is alive on the annuity 
starting date, the benefits must be payable as a QJSA. If the 
participant is not alive on the annuity starting date, the surviving 
spouse must receive a QPSA. The annuity starting date is also used to 
determine when a spouse may consent to and a participant may waive a 
QJSA. A waiver is only effective if it is made 90 days before the 
annuity starting date. Thus, a deferred annuity cannot be selected and a 
QJSA waived until 90 days before payments commence under the deferred 
annuity. In some cases, the annuity starting date will have occurred 
with respect to a portion of the participant's accrued benefit and will 
not have occurred with respect to the remaining portion. (See Q&A-9.)
    (b) Annuity starting date--(1) General rule. For purposes of 
sections 401(a)(11), 411(a)(11) and 417, the annuity starting date is 
the first day of the first period for which an amount is paid as an 
annuity or any other form.
    (2) Annuity payments. The annuity starting date is the first date 
for which an amount is paid, not the actual date of payment. Thus, if 
participant A is to receive annuity payments as of the first day of the 
first month after retirement but does not receive any payments until 
three months later, the annuity starting date is the first day of the 
first month. For example, if an annuity is to commence on January 1, 
January 1 is the annuity starting date even though the payment for 
January is not actually made until a later date. In the case of a 
deferred annuity, the annuity starting date is the date for which the 
annuity payments are to commence, not the date that the deferred annuity 
is elected or the date the deferred annuity contract is distributed.
    (3) Administrative delay. A payment shall not be considered to occur 
after the annuity starting date merely because actual payment is 
reasonably delayed for calculation of the benefit amount if all payments 
are actually made.
    (4) Forfeitures on death. Prior to the annuity starting date, 
section 411(a)(3)(A) allows a plan to provide for a forfeiture of a 
participant's benefit, except in the case of a QPSA or a spousal benefit 
described in section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii)(I). Once the annuity starting 
date has occurred, even if actual payment has not yet been made, a plan 
must pay the benefit in the distribution form elected.
    (5) Surviving spouses, alternate payees, etc. The definition of 
``annuity starting date'' for surviving spouses, other beneficiaries and 
alternate payees under section 414(p) is the same as it is for 
participants.
    (c) Disability auxiliary benefit--(1) General rule. The annuity 
starting date for a disability benefit is the first day of the first 
period for which the benefit becomes payable unless the disability 
benefit is an auxiliary benefit. The payment of any auxiliary disability 
benefits is disregarded in determining the annuity starting date. A 
disability benefit is an auxiliary benefit if upon

[[Page 53]]

attainment of early or normal retirement age, a participant receives a 
benefit that satisfies the accrual and vesting rules of section 411 
without taking into account the disability benefit payments up to that 
date.

    Example. (i) Assume that participant A at age 45 is entitled to a 
vested accrued benefit of $100 per month commencing at age 65 in the 
form of a joint and survivor annuity under Plan X. If prior to age 65 A 
receives a disability benefit under Plan X and the payment of such 
benefit does not reduce the amount of A's retirement benefit of $100 per 
month commencing at age 65, any disability benefit payments made to A 
between ages 45 and 65 are auxiliary benefits. Thus, A's annuity 
starting date does not occur until A attains age 65. A's surviving 
spouse B would be entitled to receive a QPSA if A died before age 65. B 
would be entitled to receive the survivor portion of a QJSA (unless 
waived) if A died after age 65. The QPSA payable to B upon A's death 
prior to age 65 would be computed by reference to the QJSA that would 
have been payable to A and B had A survived to age 65.
    (ii) If in the above example A's benefit payable at age 65 is 
reduced to $99 per month because a disability benefit is provided to A 
prior to age 65, the disability benefit would not be an auxiliary 
benefit. The benefit of $99 per month payable to A at age 65 would not, 
without taking into account the disability benefit payments to A prior 
to age 65, satisfy the minimum vesting and accrual rules of section 411. 
Accordingly, the first day of the first period for which the disability 
payments are to be made to A would constitute A's annuity starting date, 
and any benefit paid to A would be required to be paid in the form of a 
QJSA (unless waived by A with the consent of B).

    (d) Other rules--(1) Suspension of benefits. If benefit payments are 
suspended after the annuity starting date pursuant to a suspension of 
benefits described in section 411(a)(3)(B) after an employee separates 
from service, the recommencement of benefit payments after the 
suspension is not treated as a new annuity starting date unless the plan 
provides otherwise. In such case, the plan administrator is not required 
to provide new notices nor to obtain new waivers for the recommenced 
distributions if the form of distribution is the same as the form that 
was appropriately selected prior to the suspension. If benefits are 
suspended for an employee who continues in service without a separation 
and who never receives payments, the commencement of payments after the 
period of suspension is treated as the annuity starting date unless the 
plan provides otherwise.
    (2) Additional accruals. In the case of an annuity starting date 
that occurs on or after normal retirement age, such date applies to any 
additional accruals after the annuity starting date, unless the plan 
provides otherwise. For example, if a participant who continues to 
accrue benefits elects to have benefits paid in an optional form at 
normal retirement age, the additional accruals must be paid in the 
optional form selected unless the plan provides otherwise. In the case 
of an annuity starting date that occurs prior to normal retirement age, 
such date does not apply to any additional accruals after such date.
    Q-11: Do the survivor annuity requirements apply to benefits derived 
from both employer and employee contributions?
    A-11: Yes. The survivor annuity benefit requirements apply to 
benefits derived from both employer and employee contributions. Benefits 
are not required to be paid in the form of a QPSA or a QJSA if the 
participant was vested only in employee contributions at the time of 
death or distribution and such death or distribution occurred before 
October 22, 1986. All benefits provided under a plan, including benefits 
attributable to rollover contributions, are subject to the survivor 
annuity requirements.
    Q-12: To what benefits do the survivor annuity requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply?
    A-12: (a) Defined benefit plans. Under a defined benefit plan, 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply only to benefits in which a 
participant was vested immediately prior to death. They do not apply to 
benefits to which a participant's beneficiary becomes entitled by reason 
of death or to the proceeds of a life insurance contract to the extent 
such proceeds exceed the present value of the participant's 
nonforfeitable benefits that existed immediately prior to death.
    (b) Defined contribution plans. Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to 
all nonforfeitable benefits which are payable

[[Page 54]]

under a defined contribution plan, whether nonforfeitable before or upon 
death, including the proceeds of insurance contracts.
    Q-13: Does the rule of section 411(a)(3)(A) which permits 
forfeitures on account of death apply to a QPSA or the spousal benefit 
described in section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii)?
    A-13: No. Section 411(a)(3)(A) permits forfeiture on account of 
death prior to the time all the events fixing payment occur. However, 
this provision does not operate to deprive a surviving spouse of a QPSA 
or the spousal benefit described in section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii). 
Therefore, sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to benefits that were 
nonforfeitable immediately prior to death (determined without regard to 
section 411(a)(3)(A)). Thus, in the case of the death of a married 
participant in a defined contribution plan not subject to section 412 
which provides that, upon a participant's death, the entire 
nonforfeitable accrued benefit is payable to the participant's spouse, 
the nonforfeitable benefit is determined without regard to the 
provisions of section 411(a)(3)(A).
    Q-14: Do sections 411(a)(11), 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to 
accumulated deductible employee contributions, as defined in section 
72(o)(5)(B) (Accumulated DECs)?
    A-14: (a) Employee consent, section 411. The requirements of section 
411(a)(11) apply to Accumulated DECs. Thus, Accumulated DECs may not be 
distributed without participant consent unless the applicable exemptions 
apply.
    (b) Survior requirements. Accumulated DECs are treated as though 
held under a separate defined contribution plan that is not subject to 
section 412. Thus, section 401(a)(11) applies to Accumulated DECs only 
as provided in section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii). All Accumulated DECs are 
treated in this manner, including Accumulated DECs that are the only 
benefit held under a plan and Accumulated DECs that are part of a 
defined benefit or a defined contribution plan.
    (c) Effective date. Sections 401(a)(11) and 411(a)(11) shall not 
apply to distributions of accumulated DECs until the first plan year 
beginning after December 31, 1988.
    Q-15: How do the survivor annuity requirements of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417 apply to a defined benefit plan that includes an 
accrued benefit based upon a contribution to a separate account or 
mandatory employee contributions?
    A-15: (a) 414(k) plans. In the case of a section 414(k) plan that 
includes both a defined benefit plan and a separate account, the rules 
of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply separately to the defined benefit 
portion and the separate account portion of the plan. The separate 
account portion is subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 and the special QPSA rules in section 
417(c)(2).
    (b) Employee contributions--(1) Voluntary. In the case of voluntary 
employee contributions to a defined benefit plan, the plan must maintain 
a separate account with respect to the voluntary employee contributions. 
This separate account is subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 and the special QPSA rules in section 
417(c)(2).
    (2) Mandatory. In the case of a defined benefit plan providing for 
mandatory employee contributions, the entire accrued benefit is subject 
to the survivor annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 as a 
defined benefit plan.
    (c) Accumulated DECs. See Q&A 14 of this section for the rule 
applicable to accumulated deductible employee contributions.
    Q-16: Can a plan provide a benefit form more valuable than the QJSA 
and if a plan offers more than one annuity option satisfying the 
requirements of a QJSA, is spousal consent required when the participant 
chooses among the various forms?
    A-16: In the case of an unmarried participant, the QJSA may be less 
valuable than other optional forms of benefit payable under the plan. In 
the case of a married participant, the QJSA must be at least as valuable 
as any other optional form of benefit payable under the plan at the same 
time. Thus, if a plan has two joint and survivor annuities that would 
satisfy the requirements for a QJSA, but one has a greater actuarial 
value than the other, the more valuable joint and survivor annuity is 
the QJSA. If there are two or

[[Page 55]]

more actuarially equivalent joint and survivor annuities that satisfy 
the requirements for a QJSA, the plan must designate which one is the 
QJSA and, therefore, the automatic form of benefit payment. A plan, 
however, may allow a participant to elect out of such a QJSA, without 
spousal consent, in favor of another actuarially equivalent joint and 
survivor annuity that satisfies the QJSA conditions. Such an election is 
not subject to the requirement that it be made within the 90-day period 
before the annuity starting date. For example, if a plan designates a 
joint and 100% survivor annuity as the QJSA and also offers an 
actuarially equivalent joint and 50% survivor annuity that would satisfy 
the requirements of a QJSA, the participant may elect the joint and 50% 
survivor annuity without spousal consent. The participant, however, does 
need spousal consent to elect a joint and survivor annuity that was not 
actuarially equivalent to the automatic QJSA. A plan does not fail to 
satisfy the requirements of this Q&A-16 merely because the amount 
payable under an optional form of benefit that is subject to the minimum 
present value requirement of section 417(e)(3) is calculated using the 
applicable interest rate (and, for periods when required, the applicable 
mortality table) under section 417(e)(3).
    Q-17: When must distributions to a participant under a QJSA 
commence?
    A-17: (a) QJSA benefits upon earliest retirement. A plan must permit 
a participant to receive a distribution in the form of a QJSA when the 
participant attains the earliest retirement age under the plan. Written 
consent of the participant is required. However, the consent of the 
participant's spouse is not required. Any payment not in the form of a 
QJSA is subject to spousal consent. For example, if the participant 
separates from service under a plan that allows for distributions on 
separation from service or if a plan allows for in-service 
distributions, the participant may receive a QJSA without spousal 
consent in such events. Payments in any other form, including a single 
sum, would require waiver of the QJSA by the participant's spouse.
    (b) Earliest retirement age. (1) This paragraph (b) defines the term 
``earliest retirement age'' for purposes of sections 401(a)(11), 
411(a)(11) and 417.
    (2) In the case of a plan that provides for voluntary distributions 
that commence upon the participant's separation from service, earliest 
retirement age is the earliest age at which a participant could separate 
from service and receive a distribution. Death of a participant is 
treated as a separation from service.
    (3) In the case of a plan that provides for in-service 
distributions, earliest retirement age is the earliest age at which such 
distributions may be made.
    (4) In the case of a plan not described in subparagraph (2) or (3) 
of this paragraph, the rule below applies. Earliest retirement age is 
the early retirement age determined under the plan, or if no early 
retirement age, the normal retirement age determined under the plan. If 
the participant dies or separates from service before such age, then 
only the participant's actual years of service at the time of the 
participant's separation from service or death are taken into account. 
Thus, in the case of a plan under which benefits are not payable until 
the attainment of age 65, or upon attainment of age 55 and completion of 
10 years of service, the earliest retirement age of a participant who 
died or separated from service with 8 years of service is when the 
participant would have attained age 65 (if the participant had 
survived). On the other hand, if a participant died or separated from 
service after 10 years of service, the earliest retirement age is when 
the participant would have attained age 55 (if the participant had 
survived).
    Q-18: What is a qualified preretirement survivor annuity (QPSA) in a 
defined benefit plan?
    A-18: A QPSA is an immediate annuity for the life of the surviving 
spouse of a participant. Each payment under a QPSA under a defined 
benefit plan is not to be less than the payment that would have been 
made to the survivor under the QJSA payable under the plan if (a) in the 
case of a participant who dies after attaining the earliest retirement 
age under the plan, the participant had retired with a QJSA on the

[[Page 56]]

day before the participant's death, and (b) in the case of a participant 
who dies on or before the participant's earliest retirement age under 
the plan, the participant had separated from service at the earlier of 
the actual time of separation or death, survived until the earliest 
retirement age, retired at that time with a QJSA, and died on the day 
thereafter. If the participant elects before the annuity starting date a 
form of joint and survivor annuity that satisfies the requirements for a 
QJSA and dies before the annuity starting date, the elected form is 
treated as the QJSA and the QPSA must be based on such form.
    Q-19: What rules apply in determining the amount and forfeitability 
of a QPSA?
    A-19: The QPSA is calculated as of the earliest retirement age if 
the participant dies before such time, or at death if the participant 
dies after the earliest retirement age. The plan must make reasonable 
actuarial adjustments to reflect a payment earlier or later than the 
earliest retirement age. A defined benefit plan may provide that the 
QPSA is forfeited if the spouse does not survive until the date 
prescribed under the plan for commencement of the QPSA (i.e., the 
earliest retirement age). Similarly, if the spouse survives past the 
participant's earliest retirement age (or other earlier QPSA 
distribution date under the plan) and elects after the death of the 
participant to defer the commencement of the QPSA to a later date, a 
defined benefit plan may provide for a forfeiture of the QPSA benefit if 
the spouse does not survive until the deferred commencement date. The 
account balance in a defined contribution plan may not be forfeited even 
though the spouse does not survive until the time the account balance is 
used to purchase the QPSA. See Q&A-17 of this section for the meaning of 
earliest retirement age.
    Q-20: What preretirement survivor annuity benefits must a defined 
contibution plan subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 provide?
    A-20: A defined contribution plan that is subject to the survivor 
annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 must provide a 
preretirement survivor annuity with a value which is not less than 50 
percent of the nonforfeitable account balance of the participant as of 
the date of the participant's death. If a contributory defined 
contribution plan has a forfeiture provision permitted by section 
411(a)(3)(A), not more than a proportional percent of the account 
balance attributable to contributions that may not be forfeited at death 
(for example, employee and section 401(k) contributions) may be used to 
satisfy the QPSA benefit. Thus, for example, if the QPSA benefit is to 
be provided from 50 percent of the account balance, not more than 50 
percent of the nonforfeitable contributions may be used for the QPSA.
    Q-21: May a defined benefit plan charge the participant for the cost 
of the QPSA benefit?
    A-21: Prior to the later of the time the plan allows the participant 
to waive the QPSA or provides notice of the ability to waive the QPSA, a 
defined benefit plan may not charge the participant for the cost of the 
QPSA by reducing the participant's plan benefits or by any other method. 
The preceding sentence does not apply to any charges prior to the first 
plan year beginning after December 31, 1988. Once the participant is 
given the opportunity to waive the QPSA or the notice of the QPSA is 
later, the plan may charge the participant for the cost of the QPSA. A 
charge for the QPSA that reasonably reflects the cost of providing the 
QPSA will not fail to satisfy section 411 even if it reduces the accrued 
benefit.
    Q-22: When must distributions to a surviving spouse under a QPSA 
commence?
    A-22: (a) In the case of a defined benefit plan, the plan must 
permit the surviving spouse to direct the commencement of payments under 
QPSA no later than the month in which the participant would have 
attained the earliest retirement age. However, a plan may permit the 
commencement of payments at an earlier date.
    (b) In the case of a defined contribution plan, the plan must permit 
the surviving spouse to direct the commencement of payments under the 
QPSA within a reasonable time after the participant's death.

[[Page 57]]

    Q-23: Must a defined benefit plan obtain the consent of a 
participant and the participant's spouse to commence payments in the 
form of a QJSA in order to avoid violating section 415 or 411(b)?
    A-23: No. A defined benefit plan may commence distributions in the 
form of a QJSA without the consent of the participant and spouse, even 
if consent would otherwise be required (see Sec. 1.417(e)-1(b)), to the 
extent necessary to avoid a violation of section 415 or 411(b). For 
example, assume a plan has a normal retirement age of 55. A is a married 
participant, age 55, and has accrued a $75,000 joint and 100 percent 
survivor annuity that satisfies section 415. If an actuarial increase 
would be required under section 411 because of deferred commencement and 
the increase would cause the benefit to exceed the applicable limit 
under section 415, the plan may commence payment of a QJSA at age 55 
without the participant's election or consent and without the spouse's 
concent.
    Q-24: What are the rules under sections 401(a)(11) and 417 
applicable to plan loans?
    A-24: (a) Consent rules. (1) A plan does not satisfy the survivor 
annuity requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 unless the plan 
provides that, at the time the participant's accrued benefit is used as 
security for a loan, spousal consent to such use is obtained. Consent is 
required even if the accrued benefit is not the primary security for the 
loan. No spousal consent is necessary if, at the time the loan is 
secured, no consent would be required for a distribution under section 
417(a)(2)(B). Spousal consent is not required if the plan or the 
participant is not subject to section 401(a)(11) at the time the accrued 
benefit is used as security, or if the total accrued benefit subject to 
the security is not in excess of the cash-out limit in effect under 
Sec. 1.411(a)-11(c)(3)(ii). The spousal consent must be obtained no 
earlier than the beginning of the 90-day period that ends on the date on 
which the loan is to be so secured. The consent is subject to the 
requirements of section 417(a)(2). Therefore, the consent must be in 
writing, must acknowledge the effect of the loan and must be witnessed 
by a plan representative or a notary public.
    (2) Participant consent is deemed obtained at the time the 
participant agrees to use his accrued benefit as security for a loan for 
purposes of satisfying the requirements for participant consent under 
sections 401(a)(11), 411(a)(11) and 417.
    (b) Change in status. If spousal consent is obtained or is not 
required under paragraph (a) of this Q&A 24 at the time the benefits are 
used as security, spousal consent is not required at the time of any 
setoff of the loan against the accrued benefit resulting from a default, 
even if the participant is married to a different spouse at the time of 
the setoff. Similarly, in the case of a participant who secured a loan 
while unmarried, no consent is required at the time of a setoff of the 
loan against the accrued benefit even if the participant is married at 
the time of the setoff.
    (c) Renegotiation. For purposes of obtaining any required spousal 
consent, any renegotiation, extension, renewal, or other revision of a 
loan shall be treated as a new loan made on the date of the 
renegotiation, extension, renewal, or other revision.
    (d) Effect on benefits. For purposes of determining the amount of a 
QPSA or QJSA, the accrued benefit of a participant shall be reduced by 
any security interest held by the plan by reason of a loan outstanding 
to the participant at the time of death or payment, if the security 
interest is treated as payment in satisfaction of the loan under the 
plan. A plan may offset any loan outstanding at the participant's death 
which is secured by the participant's account balance against the 
spousal benefit required to be paid under section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii).
    (e) Effective date. Loans made prior to August 19, 1985, are deemed 
to satisfy the consent requirements of paragraph (a) of this Q&A 24.
    Q-25: How do the survivor annuity requirements of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417 apply with respect to participants who are not 
married or to surviving spouses and participants who have a change in 
marital status?
    A-25: (a) Unmarried participant rule. Plans subject to the survivor 
annuity

[[Page 58]]

requirements of sections 401(a)(11) and 417 must satisfy those 
requirements applicable to QJSAs with respect to participants who are 
not married. A QJSA for a participant who is not married is an annuity 
for the life of the participant. Thus, an unmarried participant must be 
provided the written explanation described in section 417(a)(3)(A) and a 
single life annuity unless another form of benefit is elected by the 
participant. An unmarried participant is deemed to have waived the QPSA 
requirements. This deemed waiver is null and void if the participant 
later marries.
    (b) Marital status change--(1) Remarriage. If a participant is 
married on the date of death, payments to a surviving spouse under a 
QPSA or QJSA must continue even if the surviving spouse remarries.
    (2) One-year rule. (i) A plan is not required to treat a participant 
as married unless the participant and the participant's spouse have been 
married throughout the one-year period ending on the earlier of (A) the 
participant's annuity starting date or (B) the date of the participant's 
death. Nevertheless, for purposes of the preceding sentence, a 
participant and the participant's spouse must be treated as married 
throughout the one-year period ending on the participant's annuity 
starting date even though they are married to each other for less than 
one year before the annuity starting date if they remain married to each 
other for at least one year. See section 417(d)(2). If a plan adopts the 
one-year rule provided in section 417(d), the plan must treat the 
participant and spouse who are married on the annuity starting date as 
married and must provide benefits which are to commence on the annuity 
starting date in the form of a QJSA unless the participant (with spousal 
consent) elects another form of benefit. The plan is not required to 
provide the participant with a new or retroactive election or the spouse 
with a new consent when the one-year period is satisfied. If the 
participant and the spouse do not remain married for at least one year, 
the plan may treat the participant as having not been married on the 
annuity starting date. In such event, the plan may provide that the 
spouse loses any survivor benefit right; further, no retroactive 
correction of the amount paid the participant is required.
    (ii) Example. Plan X provides that participants who are married on 
the annuity starting date for less than one year are treated as 
unmarried participants. Plan X provides benefits in the form of a QJSA 
or an optional single sum distribution. Participant A was married 6 
months prior to the annuity starting date. Plan X must treat A as 
married and must commence payments to A in the form of a QJSA unless 
another form of benefit is elected by A with spousal consent. If a QJSA 
is paid and A is divorced from his spouse S, within the first year of 
the marriage, S will no longer have any survivor rights under the 
annuity (unless a QDRO provides otherwise). If A continues to be married 
to S, and A dies within the one-year period, Plan X may treat A as 
unmarried and forfeit the OJSA benefit payable to S.
    (3) Divorce. If a participant divorces his spouse prior to the 
annuity starting date, any elections made while the participant was 
married to his former spouse remain valid, unless otherwise provided in 
a QDRO, or unless the participant changes them or is remarried. If a 
participant dies after the annuity starting date, the spouse to whom the 
participant was married on the annuity starting date is entitled to the 
QJSA protection under the plan. The spouse is entitled to this 
protection (unless waived and consented to by such spouse) even if the 
participant and spouse are not married on the date of the participant's 
death, except as provided in a QDRO.
    Q-26: In the case of a defined contribution plan not subject to 
section 412, does the requirement that a participant's nonforfeitable 
accrued benefit be payable in full to a surviving spouse apply to a 
spouse who has been married to the participant for less than one year?
    A-26: A plan may provide that a spouse who has not been married to a 
participant throughout the one-year period ending on the earlier of (a) 
the participant's annuity starting date or (b) the date of the 
participant's death is not treated as a surviving spouse and

[[Page 59]]

is not required to receive the participant's account balance. The 
special exception described in section 417(d)(2) and Q&A 25 of this 
section does not apply.
    Q-27: Are there circumstances when spousal consent to a 
participant's election to waive the QJSA or the QPSA is not required?
    A-27: Yes. If it is established to the satisfaction of a plan 
representative that there is no spouse or that the spouse cannot be 
located, spousal consent to waive the QJSA or the QPSA is not required. 
If the spouse is legally incompetnent to give consent, the spouse's 
legal guardian, even if the guardian is the participant, may give 
consent. Also, if the participant is legally separated or the 
participant has been abandoned (within the meaning of local law) and the 
participant has a court order to such effect, spousal consent is not 
required unless a QDRO provides otherwise. Similar rules apply to a plan 
subject to the requirements of section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii)(I).
    Q-28: Does consent contained in an antenuptial agreement or similar 
contract entered into prior to marriage satisfy the consent requirements 
of sections 401(a)(11) and 417?
    A-28: No. An agreement entered into prior to marriage does not 
satisfy the applicable consent requirements, even if the agreement is 
executed within the applicable election period.
    Q-29: If a participant's spouse consents under section 417(a)(2)(A) 
to the participant's waiver of a survivor annuity form of benefit, is a 
subsequent spouse of the same participant bound by the consent?
    A-29: No. A consent under section 417(a)(2)(A) by one spouse is 
binding only with respect to the consenting spouse. See Q&A-24 of this 
section for an exception in the case of plan benefits securing plan 
loans.
    Q-30: Does the spousal consent requirement of section 417(a)(2)(A) 
require that a spouse's consent be revocable?
    A-30: No. A plan may preclude a spouse from revoking consent once it 
has been given. Alternatively, a plan may also permit a spouse to revoke 
a consent after it has been given, and thereby to render ineffective the 
participant's prior election not to receive a QPSA or QJSA. A 
participant must always be allowed to change his election during the 
applicable election period. Spousal consent is required in such cases to 
the extent provided in Q&A 31, except that spousal consent is never 
required for a QJSA or QPSA.
    Q-31: What rules govern a participant's waiver of a QPSA or QJSA 
under section 417(a)(2)?
    A-31: (a) Specific beneficiary. Both the participant's waivers of a 
QPSA and QJSA and the spouse's consents thereto must state the specific 
nonspouse beneficiary (including any class of beneficiaries or any 
contingent beneficiaries) who will receive the benefit. Thus, for 
example, if spouse B consents to participant A's election to waive a 
QPSA, and to have any benefits payable upon A's death before the annuity 
starting date paid to A's children, A may not subsequently change 
beneficiaries without the consent of B (except if the change is back to 
a QPSA). If the designated beneficiary is a trust, A's spouse need only 
consent to the designation of the trust and need not consent to the 
designation of trust beneficiaries or any changes of trust 
beneficiaries.
    (b) Optional form of benefit--(1) QJSA. Both the participant's 
waiver of a QJSA (and any required spouse's consent thereto) must 
specify the particular optional form of benefit. The participant who has 
waived a QJSA with the spouse's consent in favor of another form of 
benefit may not subsequently change the optional form of benefit without 
obtaining the spouse's consent (except back to a QJSA). Of course, the 
participant may change the form of benefit if the plan so provides after 
the spouse's death or a divorce (other than as provided in a QDRO). A 
participant's waiver of a QJSA (and any required spouse's consent 
thereto) made prior to the first plan year beginning after December 31, 
1986, is not required to specify the optional form of benefit.
    (2) QPSA. A participant's waiver of a QPSA and the spouse's consent 
thereto are not required to specify the optional form of any 
preretirement benefit. Thus, a participant who waives the

[[Page 60]]

QPSA with spousal consent may subsequently change the form of the 
preretirement benefit, but not the nonspouse beneficiary, without 
obtaining the spouse's consent.
    (3) Change in form. After the participant's death, a beneficiary may 
change the optional form of survivor benefit as permitted by the plan.
    (c) General consent. In lieu of satisfying paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this Q&A 31, a plan may permit a spouse to execute a general consent 
that satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c). A general consent 
permits the participant to waive a QPSA or QJSA, and change the 
designated beneficary or the optional form of benefit payment without 
any requirement of further consent by such spouse. No general consent is 
valid unless the general consent acknowledges that the spouse has the 
right to limit consent to a specific beneficiary and a specific optional 
form of benefit, where applicable, and that the spouse voluntarily 
elects to relinquish both of such rights. Notwithstanding the previous 
sentence, a spouse may execute a general consent that is limited to 
certain beneficiaries or forms of benefit payment. In such case, 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Q&A 31 shall apply to the extent that the 
limited general consent is not applicable and this paragraph (c) shall 
apply to the extent that the limited general consent is applicable. A 
general consent, including a limited general consent, is not effective 
unless it is made during the applicable election period. A general 
consent executed prior to October 22, 1986 does not have to satisfy the 
specificity requirements of this Q&A 31.
    Q-32: What rules govern a participant's waiver of the spousal 
benefit under section 401(a)(11)(B)?
    A-32: (a) Application. In the case of a defined contribution plan 
that is not subject to the survivor annuity requirements of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417, a participant may waive the spousal benefit of 
section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii) if the conditions of paragraph (b) are 
satisfied. In general, a spousal benefit is the nonforfeitable account 
balance on the participant's date of death.
    (b) Conditions. In general, the same conditions, other than the age 
35 requirement, that apply to the participant's waiver of a QPSA and the 
spouse's consent thereto apply to the participant's waiver of the 
spousal benefit and the spouse's consent thereto. See Q&A-31. Thus, the 
participant's waiver of the spousal benefit must state the specific 
nonspouse beneficiary who will receive such benefit. The waiver is not 
required to specify the optional form of benefit. The participant may 
change the optional form of benefit, but not the nonspouse beneficiary, 
without obtaining the spouse's consent.
    Q-33: When and in what manner, may a participant waive a spousal 
benefit or a QPSA?
    A-33: (a) Plans not subject to section 401(a)(11). A participant in 
a plan that is not subject to the survivor annuity requirements of 
section 401(a)(11) (because of subparagraph (B)(iii) thereof) may waive 
the spousal benefit at any time, provided that no such waiver shall be 
effective unless the spouse has consented to the waiver. The spouse may 
consent to a waiver of the spousal benefit at any time, even prior to 
the participant's attaining age 35. No spousal consent is required for a 
payment to the participant or the use of the accrued benefit as security 
for a plan loan to the participant.
    (b) Plans subject to section 401(a)(11). A participant in a plan 
subject to the survivor annuity requirements of section 401(a)(11) 
generally may waive the QPSA benefit (with spousal consent) only on or 
after the first day of the plan year in which the participant attains 
age 35. However, a plan may provide for an earlier waiver (with spousal 
consent), provided that a written explanation of the QPSA is given to 
the participant and such waiver becomes invalid upon the beginning of 
the plan year in which the participant's 35th birthday occurs. If there 
is no new waiver after such date, the participant's spouse must receive 
the QPSA benefit upon the participant's death.
    Q-34: Must the written explanations required by section 417(a)(3) be 
provided to nonvested participants?
    A-34: Such written explantions must be provided to nonvested 
participants who are employed by an employer maintaining the plan. Thus, 
they are

[[Page 61]]

not required to be provided to those nonvested participants who are no 
longer employed by such an employer.
    Q-35: When must a plan provide the written explanation, required by 
section 417(a)(3)(B), of the QPSA to a participant?
    A-35: (a) General rule. A plan must provide the written explanation 
of the QPSA to a participant within the applicable period. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b), the applicable period means, with respect to 
a participant, whichever of the following periods ends last:
    (1) The period beginning with the first day of the plan year in 
which the participant attains age 32 and ending with the close of the 
plan year preceding the plan year in which the participant attains age 
35.
    (2) A reasonable period ending after the individual becomes a 
participant.
    (3) A reasonable period ending after the QPSA is no longer fully 
subsidized.
    (4) A reasonable period ending after section 401(a)(11) first 
applies to the participant. Section 401(a)(11) would first apply when a 
benefit is transferred from a plan not subject to the survivor annuity 
requirements of section 401(a)(11) to a plan subject to such section or 
at the time of an election of an annuity under a defined contribution 
plan described in section 401(a)(11)(B)(iii).
    (b) Pre-35 separations. In the case of a participant who separates 
from service before attaining age 35, the applicable period means the 
period beginning one year before the separation from service and ending 
one year after such separation. If such a participant returns to 
service, the plan must also comply with pragraph (a).
    (c) Reasonable period. For purposes of applying paragraph (a), a 
reasonable period ending after the enumerated events described in 
paragraphs (a) (2), (3) and (4) is the end of the one-year period 
beginning with the date the applicable event occurs. The applicable 
period for such events begins one year prior to the occurrence of the 
enumerated events.
    (d) Transition rule. In the case of an individual who was a 
participant in the plan on August 23, 1984, and, as of that date had 
attained age 34, the plan will satisfy the requriement of section 
417(a)(3)(B) if it provided the explanation not later than December 31, 
1985.
    Q-36: How do plans satisfy the requirements of providing 
participants explanations of QPSAs and QJSAs?
    A-36. For rules regarding the explanation of QPSAs and QJSAs 
required under section 417(a)(3), see Sec. 1.417(a)(3)-1. However, the 
rules of Sec. 1.401(a)-20, Q&A-36, as it appeared in 26 CFR part 1 
revised April 1, 2003, apply to the explanation of a QJSA under section 
417(a)(3) for an annuity starting date prior to February 1, 2006.
    Q-37: What are the consequences of fully subsidizing the cost of 
either a QJSA or a QPSA in accordance with section 417(a)(5)?
    A-37: If a plan fully subsidizes a QJSA or QPSA in accordance with 
section 417(a)(5) and does not allow a participant to waive such QJSA or 
QPSA or to select a nonspouse beneficiary, the plan is not required to 
provide the written explanation required by section 417(a)(3). However, 
if the plan offers an election to waive the benefit or designate a 
beneficiary, it must satisfy the election, consent, and notice 
requirements of section 417(a) (1), (2), and (3), with respect to such 
subsidized QJSA or QPSA, in accordance with section 417(a)(5).
    Q-38: What is a fully subsidized benefit?
    A-38: (a) QJSA--(1) General rule. A fully subsidized QJSA is one 
under which no increase in cost to, or decrease in actual amounts 
received by, the participant may result from the participant's failure 
to elect another form of benefit.
    (2) Examples.

    Example 1. . If a plan provides a joint and survivor annuity and a 
single sum option, the plan does not fully subsidize the joint and 
survivor annuity, regardless of the actuarial value of the joint and 
survivor annuity because, in the event of the participant's early death, 
the participant would have received less under the annuity than he would 
have received under the single sum option.
    Example 2. . If a plan provides for a life annuity of $100 per month 
and a joint and 100% survivor benefit of $99 per month, the plan does 
not fully subsidize the joint and survivor benefit.


[[Page 62]]


    (b) QPSA. A QPSA is fully subsidized if the amount of the 
participant's benefit is not reduced because of the QPSA coverage and if 
no charge to the participant under the plan is made for the coverage. 
Thus, a QPSA is fully subsidized in a defined contribution plan.
    Q-39: When do the survivor annuity requirements of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417 apply to plans?
    A-39: Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 generally apply to plan years 
beginning after December 31, 1984. Sections 302 and 303 of REA 1984 
provide specific effective dates and transitional rules under which the 
QJSA or QPSA (or pre-REA 1984 section 401(a)(11)) requirements may be 
applicable to particular plans or with respect to benefits provided to 
(as amended by REA 1984) particular participants. In general, the 
section 401(a)(11) (as amended by REA 1984) survivor annuity 
requirements do not apply with respect to a participant who does not 
have at least one hour of service or one hour of paid leave under the 
plan after August 22, 1984.
    Q-40: Are there special effective dates for plans maintained 
pursuant to collective bargaining agreements?
    A-40: Yes. Section 302(b) of REA 1984 as amended by section 1898(g) 
of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 provides a special deferred effective date 
for such plans. Whether a plan is described in section 302(b) of REA 
1984 is determined under the principles applied under section 1017(c) of 
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. See H.R. Rep. No. 
1280, 93d Cong., 2d Sess. 266 (1974). In addition, a plan will not be 
treated as maintained under a collective bargaining agreement unless the 
employee representatives satisfy section 7701(a)(46) of the Internal 
Revenue Code after March 31, 1984. See Sec. 301.7701-17T for other 
requirements for a plan to be considered to be collectively bargained. 
Nothing in section 302(b) of REA 1984 denies a participant or spouse the 
rights set forth in sections 303(c)(2), 303(c)(3), 303(e)(1), and 
303(e)(2) of REA 1984.
    Q-41: What is one hour of service or paid leave under the plan for 
purposes of the transition rules in section 303 of REA 1984?
    A-41: One hour of service or paid leave under the plan is one hour 
of service or paid leave recognized or required to be recognized under 
the plan for any purpose, e.g., participation, vesting percentage, or 
benefit accrual purposes. For plans that do not compute hours of 
service, one hour of service or paid leave means any service or paid 
leave recognized or required to be recognized under the plan for any 
purpose.
    Q-42: Must a plan be amended to provide for the QPSA required by 
section 303(c)(2) of REA 1984, or for the survivor annuities required by 
section 303(e) of REA 1984?
    A-42: A plan will not fail to satisfy the qualification requirements 
of section 401(a) or 403(a) merely because it is not amended to provide 
the QPSA required by section 303(c)(2) or the survivor annuities 
required by section 303(e). The plan must, however, satisfy those 
requirements in operation.
    Q-43: Is a participant's election, or a spouse's consent to an 
election, with respect to a QPSA, made before August 23, 1984, valid?
    A-43: No.
    Q-44: Is spousal consent required for certain survivor annuity 
elections made by the participant after December 31, 1984, and before 
the first plan year to which new sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply?
    A-44: Yes. Section 303(c)(3) of REA 1984 provides that any election 
not to take a QJSA made after December 31, 1984, and before the date 
sections 401(a)(11) and 417 apply to the plan by a participant who has 1 
hour of service or leave under the plan after August 23, 1984, is not 
effective unless the spousal consent requirements of section 417 are met 
with respect to such election. Unless the participant's annuity starting 
date occurred before January 1, 1985, the spousal consent required by 
section 417 (a)(2) and (e) must be obtained even though the participant 
elected the benefit prior to January 1, 1985. The plan is not required 
to be amended to comply with section 303(c)(3) of REA 1984, but the plan 
must satisfy this requirement in operation.
    Q-45: Are there special rules for certain participants who separated 
from service prior to August 23, 1984?

[[Page 63]]

    A-45: Yes. Section 303(e) of REA 1984 provides special rules for 
certain participants who separated from service before August 23, 1984. 
Section 303(e)(1), which applies only to plans subject to section 
401(a)(11) of the Code (as in effect on August 22, 1984), provides that 
participants whose annuity starting date did not occur before August 24, 
1984, and who had one hour of service on or after September 2, 1974, but 
not in a plan year beginning after December 31, 1975, may elect to 
receive the benefits required to be provided under section 401(a)(11) of 
the Code (as in effect on August 22, 1984). Section 303(e)(2) provides 
that certain participants who had one hour of service in a plan year 
beginning on or after January 1, 1976, but not after August 22, 1984, 
may elect QPSA coverage under new sections 401(a)(11) and 417 in plans 
subject to these provisions. Section 303(e)(4)(A) requires plans or plan 
administrators to notify those participants of the provisions of section 
303(e).
    Q-46: When must a plan provide the notice required by section 
303(e)(4)(A) of REA 1984?
    A-46: The notice required by section 303(e)(4)(A) must be provided 
no later than the earlier of:
    (a) The date the first summary annual report provided after 
September 17, 1985, is distributed to participants; or
    (b) September 30, 1985.

A plan will not fail to satisfy the preceding sentence if the plan 
provides a fully subsidized QPSA with respect to any participant 
described in section 303(e) who dies on or after July 19, 1985, and 
before the notice is received. If the plan ceases to fully subsidize the 
QPSA, the cessation must not be effective until the notice is given. For 
this purpose, an annuity payable to a nonspouse beneficiary elected by 
the participant, in lieu of a spouse, shall satisfy the QPSA 
requirement, so long as the survivor benefit is fully subsidized. The 
notice required by this paragraph must be in writing and sent to the 
participant's last known address.
    Q-47: Is there another time when plans must provide notice of the 
right, described in section 303(e)(1) of REA '84, to elect a pre-REA 
1984 qualified joint and survivor annuity?
    A-47: Yes. Notice of this right must also be provided to a 
participant at the time the participant applies for benefit payments.

[53 FR 31842, Aug. 22, 1988; 53 FR 48534, Dec. 1, 1988, as amended by 
T.D. 8794, 63 FR 70338, Dec. 21, 1998; T.D. 8891, 65 FR 44682, July 19, 
2000; T.D. 9099, 68 FR 70144, Dec. 17, 2003; T.D. 9256, 71 FR 14802, 
Mar. 24, 2006]



Sec. 1.401(a)-21  Rules relating to the use of an electronic medium
to provide applicable notices and to make participant elections.

    (a) Introduction--(1) In general--(i) Permission to use an 
electronic medium. This section provides rules relating to the use of an 
electronic medium to provide applicable notices and to make participant 
elections as defined in paragraph (e)(1) and (6) of this section with 
respect to retirement plans, employee benefit arrangements, and 
individual retirement plans described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section. The rules in this section reflect the provisions of the 
Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, Public Law 
106-229 (114 Stat. 464 (2000) (E-SIGN)).
    (ii) Notices and elections required to be in writing or in written 
form--(A) In general. The rules of this section must be satisfied in 
order to use an electronic medium to provide an applicable notice or to 
make a participant election if the notice or election is required to be 
in writing or in written form under the Internal Revenue Code, 
Department of Treasury regulations, or other guidance issued by the 
Commissioner.
    (B) Rules relating to applicable notices. An applicable notice that 
is provided using an electronic medium is treated as being provided in 
writing or in written form if and only if the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(5) of this section are satisfied and either the consumer consent 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section or the requirements for 
exemption from the consumer consent requirements under paragraph (c) of 
this section are satisfied. For example, in order to provide a section 
402(f) notice electronically, a qualified plan must satisfy either the 
consumer consent requirements of

[[Page 64]]

paragraph (b) of this section or the requirements for exemption under 
paragraph (c) of this section. If a plan fails to satisfy either of 
these requirements, the plan must provide the section 402(f) notice 
using a written paper document in order to satisfy the requirements of 
section 402(f).
    (C) Rules relating to participant elections. A participant election 
that is made using an electronic medium is treated as being provided in 
writing or in written form if and only if the requirements of paragraphs 
(a)(5) and (d) of this section are satisfied.
    (iii) Safe harbor method for applicable notices and participant 
elections that are not required to be in writing or written form. For an 
applicable notice or a participant election that is not required to be 
in writing or in written form, the rules of this section provide a safe 
harbor method for using an electronic medium to provide the applicable 
notice or to make the participant election.
    (2) Application of rules--(i) Notices, elections, or consents under 
retirement plans. The rules of this section apply to any applicable 
notice or any participant election relating to the following retirement 
plans: A qualified retirement plan under section 401(a) or 403(a); a 
section 403(b) plan; a simplified employee pension (SEP) under section 
408(k); a simple retirement plan under section 408(p); or an eligible 
governmental plan under section 457(b).
    (ii) Notices, elections, or consents under other employee benefit 
arrangements. The rules of this section also apply to any applicable 
notice or any participant election relating to the following employee 
benefit arrangements: An accident and health plan or arrangement under 
sections 104(a)(3) and 105; a cafeteria plan under section 125; an 
educational assistance program under section 127; a qualified 
transportation fringe program under section 132; an Archer MSA under 
section 220; or a health savings account under section 223.
    (iii) Notices, elections, or consents under individual retirement 
plans. The rules of this section also apply to any applicable notice or 
any participant election relating to individual retirement plans, 
including a Roth IRA under section 408A; or a deemed IRA under a 
qualified employer plan described in section 408(q).
    (3) Limitation on application of rules--(i) In general. The rules of 
this section do not apply to any notice, election, consent, disclosure, 
or obligation required under the provisions of title I or IV of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), 
over which the Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty 
Corporation has interpretative and enforcement authority. For example, 
the rules in 29 CFR 2520.104b-1 of the Department of Labor Regulations 
apply with respect to an employee benefit plan providing disclosure 
documents, such as a summary plan description or a summary annual 
report. The rules in this section also do not apply to Internal Revenue 
Code section 411(a)(3)(B) (relating to suspension of benefits), Internal 
Revenue Code section 4980B(f)(6) (relating to an individual's COBRA 
rights), or any other Internal Revenue Code provision over which 
Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has 
similar interpretative authority.
    (ii) Recordkeeping and other requirements. The rules in this section 
only apply with respect to applicable notices and participant elections 
relating to an individual's rights under a retirement plan, an employee 
benefit arrangement, or an individual retirement plan. Thus, the rules 
in this section do not alter the otherwise applicable requirements under 
the Internal Revenue Code, such as the requirements relating to tax 
reporting, tax records, or substantiation of expenses. See section 6001 
for rules relating to the maintenance of records, statements, and 
special returns. See also section 101(e) of E-SIGN, which provides that 
if an electronic record of an applicable notice or a participant 
election is not maintained in a form that is capable of being retained 
and accurately reproduced for later reference, then the legal effect, 
validity, or enforceability of such electronic record may be denied.
    (4) General requirements related to applicable notices and 
participant elections. The rules of this section supplement the general 
requirements related to each applicable notice and participant

[[Page 65]]

election. Thus, in addition to satisfying the rules for timing and 
content, the rules in this section must be satisfied.
    (5) Requirements related to the design of an electronic system used 
to deliver applicable notices and to make participant elections--(i) The 
electronic system must take into account the content of a notice. With 
respect to the content of an applicable notice, the electronic system 
must be reasonably designed to provide the information in the notice to 
a recipient in a manner that is no less understandable to the recipient 
than a written paper document.
    (ii) Identification of the significance of information in the 
notice. The electronic system must be designed to alert the recipient, 
at the time an applicable notice is provided, to the significance of the 
information in the notice (including identification of the subject 
matter of the notice), and provide any instructions needed to access the 
notice, in a manner that is readily understandable.
    (b) Consumer consent requirements--(1) Requirements. With respect to 
an applicable notice, the consumer consent requirements of this 
paragraph (b) are satisfied if--
    (i) The requirements in paragraphs (b)(2) through (4) of this 
section are satisfied; and
    (ii) In accordance with section 101(c)(6) of E-SIGN, the applicable 
notice is not provided through the use of oral communication or a 
recording of an oral communication.
    (2) Consent--(i) In general. The recipient must affirmatively 
consent to the delivery of the applicable notice using an electronic 
medium. This consent must be either--
    (A) Made electronically in a manner that reasonably demonstrates 
that the recipient can access the applicable notice in the electronic 
medium in the form that will be used to provide the notice; or
    (B) Made using a written paper document (or using another form not 
described in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section), but only if the 
recipient confirms the consent electronically in a manner that 
reasonably demonstrates that the recipient can access the applicable 
notice in the electronic medium in the form that will be used to provide 
the notice.
    (ii) Withdrawal of consumer consent. The consent to receive 
electronic delivery requirement of this paragraph (b)(2) is not 
satisfied if the recipient withdraws his or her consent before the 
applicable notice is delivered.
    (3) Required disclosure statement. The recipient, prior to 
consenting under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, must be provided 
with a clear and conspicuous statement containing the disclosures 
described in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) through (v) of this section:
    (i) Right to receive paper document--(A) In general. The statement 
informs the recipient of any right to have the applicable notice be 
provided using a written paper document or other nonelectronic form.
    (B) Post-consent request for paper copy. The statement informs the 
recipient how, after having provided consent to receive the applicable 
notice electronically, the recipient may, upon request, obtain a paper 
copy of the applicable notice and whether any fee will be charged for 
such copy.
    (ii) Right to withdraw consumer consent. The statement informs the 
recipient of the right to withdraw consent to receive electronic 
delivery of an applicable notice on a prospective basis at any time and 
explains the procedures for withdrawing that consent and any conditions, 
consequences, or fees in the event of the withdrawal.
    (iii) Scope of the consumer consent. The statement informs the 
recipient whether the consent to receive electronic delivery of an 
applicable notice applies only to the particular transaction that gave 
rise to the applicable notice or to other identified transactions that 
may be provided or made available during the course of the parties' 
relationship. For example, the statement may provide that a recipient's 
consent to receive electronic delivery will apply to all future 
applicable notices of the recipient relating to the employee benefit 
arrangement until the recipient is no longer a participant in the 
employee benefit arrangement (or withdraws the consent).

[[Page 66]]

    (iv) Description of the contact procedures. The statement describes 
the procedures to update information needed to contact the recipient 
electronically.
    (v) Hardware or software requirements. The statement describes the 
hardware and software requirements needed to access and retain the 
applicable notice.
    (4) Post-consent change in hardware or software requirements. If, 
after a recipient provides consent to receive electronic delivery, there 
is a change in the hardware or software requirements needed to access or 
retain the applicable notice and such change creates a material risk 
that the recipient will not be able to access or retain the applicable 
notice in electronic format--
    (i) The recipient must receive a statement of--
    (A) The revised hardware or software requirements for access to and 
retention of the applicable notice; and
    (B) The right to withdraw consent to receive electronic delivery 
without the imposition of any fees for the withdrawal and without the 
imposition of any condition or consequence that was not previously 
disclosed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section; and
    (ii) The recipient must reaffirm consent to receive electronic 
delivery in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section.
    (c) Exemption from consumer consent requirements--(1) In general. 
This paragraph (c) is satisfied if the conditions in paragraphs (c)(2) 
and (3) of this section are satisfied. This paragraph (c) constitutes an 
exemption from the consumer consent requirements of section 101(c) of E-
SIGN pursuant to the authority granted in section 104(d)(1) of E-SIGN.
    (2) Effective ability to access. For purposes of this paragraph (c), 
the electronic medium used to provide an applicable notice must be a 
medium that the recipient has the effective ability to access.
    (3) Free paper copy of applicable notice. At the time the applicable 
notice is provided, the recipient must be advised that he or she may 
request and receive the applicable notice in writing on paper at no 
charge, and, upon request, that applicable notice must be provided to 
the recipient at no charge.
    (d) Special rules for participant elections--(1) In general. This 
paragraph (d) is satisfied if the conditions described in the following 
paragraphs (d)(2) through (6) are satisfied:
    (2) Effective ability to access. The electronic medium under an 
electronic system used to make a participant election must be a medium 
that the person who is eligible to make the election is effectively able 
to access. If the appropriate individual is not effectively able to 
access the electronic medium for making the participant election, the 
participant election will not be treated as made available to that 
individual. Thus, for example, the participant election will not be 
treated as made available to that individual for purposes of the rules 
under section 401(a)(4).
    (3) Authentication. The electronic system used in making participant 
elections is reasonably designed to preclude any person other than the 
appropriate individual from making the election. Whether this condition 
is satisfied is based on facts and circumstances, including whether the 
participant election has the potential for a conflict of interest 
between the individuals involved in the election. See Examples 3, 4, and 
5 of paragraph (f) of this section for illustrations of electronic 
systems that satisfy the authentication requirement of this paragraph 
(d)(3).
    (4) Opportunity to review. The electronic system used in making 
participant elections provides the person making the participant 
election with a reasonable opportunity to review, confirm, modify, or 
rescind the terms of the election before the election becomes effective.
    (5) Confirmation of action. The person making the participant 
election receives, within a reasonable time, a confirmation of the 
effect of the election under the terms of the plan or arrangement 
through either a written paper document or an electronic medium under a 
system that satisfies the requirements of either paragraph (b) or (c) of 
this section (as if the confirmation were an applicable notice).
    (6) Participant elections, including spousal consents, that are 
required to be witnessed by a plan representative or a

[[Page 67]]

notary public--(i) In general. In the case of a participant election 
which is required to be witnessed by a plan representative or a notary 
public (such as a spousal consent under section 417), the signature of 
the individual making the participant election is witnessed in the 
physical presence of a plan representative or a notary public.
    (ii) Electronic notarization permitted. If the requirements of 
paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section are satisfied, an electronic 
notarization acknowledging a signature (in accordance with section 
101(g) of E-SIGN and State law applicable to notary publics) will not be 
denied legal effect if the signature of the individual is witnessed in 
the physical presence of a notary public.
    (iii) Delegation to Commissioner. In guidance published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin, the Commissioner may provide that the use of 
procedures under an electronic system is deemed to satisfy the physical 
presence requirement under paragraph (d)(6)(i) of this section, but only 
if those procedures with respect to the electronic system provide the 
same safeguards for participant elections as are provided through the 
physical presence requirement. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this 
chapter.
    (e) Definitions. The definitions in this paragraph (e) apply for 
purposes of this section.
    (1) Applicable notice. The term applicable notice includes any 
notice, report, statement, or other document required to be provided to 
a recipient under a retirement plan, employee benefit arrangement, or 
individual retirement plan as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.
    (2) Electronic. The term electronic means technology having 
electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, 
voice-recording systems, or similar capabilities.
    (3) Electronic medium. The term electronic medium means an 
electronic method of communication (e.g., Web site, electronic mail, 
telephonic system, magnetic disk, and CD-ROM).
    (4) Electronic record. The term electronic record means an 
applicable notice or a participant election that is created, generated, 
sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic media.
    (5) Electronic system. The term electronic system means a system 
designed for creating, generating, sending, receiving, storing, 
retrieving, displaying, or processing information that makes use of any 
electronic medium.
    (6) Participant election. The term participant election includes any 
consent, election, request, agreement, or similar communication made by 
or from a participant, beneficiary, alternate payee, or an individual 
entitled to benefits under a retirement plan, employee benefit 
arrangement, or individual retirement plan as described in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section.
    (7) Recipient. The term recipient means a plan participant, 
beneficiary, employee, alternate payee, or any other person to whom an 
applicable notice is to be provided.
    (f) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
section. Examples 1, 2, 3, and 6 assume that the requirements of 
paragraph (a)(4) and (5) of this section are satisfied.

    Example 1. (i) Facts involving using the consumer consent 
requirements to deliver a section 402(f) notice via e-mail. Plan A, a 
qualified plan, permits participants to request benefit distributions 
from the plan on Plan A's Internet Web site. Under Plan A's system for 
such transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number, 
personal identification number (PIN), and his or her e-mail address to 
which the notice is to be sent. The participant's PIN and account number 
must match the information in Plan A's records in order for the 
transaction to proceed. Participant H requests a distribution from Plan 
A on Plan A's Web site, and, at the time of the request for 
distribution, a disclosure statement appears on the computer screen that 
explains that Participant H can consent to receive the section 402(f) 
notice electronically. The disclosure statement provides information 
relating to the consent, including how to receive a paper copy of the 
notice, how to withdraw consent, the hardware and software requirements, 
and the procedures for accessing the section 402(f) notice, which is in 
a file format from a specific spreadsheet program. After reviewing the 
disclosure statement, which satisfies the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section, Participant H consents to receive the section 
402(f) notice via e-mail by selecting the consent button at the end of 
the disclosure statement. As a part of the consent procedure, an e-mail 
is sent to Participant H's e-mail address in order to demonstrate that 
Participant H can access the spreadsheet program. In the e-mail, 
Participant H is prompted to

[[Page 68]]

answer a question from the spreadsheet program, which is in an 
attachment to the e-mail. Once Participant H correctly answers the 
question, the section 402(f) notice is then delivered to Participant H 
via e-mail.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 1, Plan A's delivery of the section 
402(f) notice to Participant H satisfies the requirements of paragraph 
(b) of this section.
    Example 2. (i) Facts--(A) Facts involving using the alternative 
method to deliver a section 411(a)(11) notice via e-mail. Plan B, a 
qualified plan, permits participants to request benefit distributions 
from the plan on Plan B's Internet Web site. Under Plan B's system for 
such transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number 
and personal identification number (PIN), and his or her e-mail address 
to which the notice is to be sent. The participant's PIN and account 
number must match the information in Plan B's records in order for the 
transaction to proceed. After Participant K, a single employee, requests 
a distribution from Plan B on Plan B's Internet Web site, the plan 
administrator provides Participant K with a section 411(a)(11) notice in 
an attachment to an e-mail. Plan B sends the e-mail with a request for a 
computer generated notification that the message was received and 
opened. The e-mail instructs Participant K to read the attachment for 
important information regarding the request for a distribution. In 
addition, the e-mail also states that Participant K may request the 
section 411(a)(11) notice on a written paper document and that, if 
Participant K requests the notice on a written paper document, it will 
be provided at no charge. Plan B receives notification indicating that 
the e-mail was received and opened by Participant K.
    (B) Facts involving making a participant's consent to a 
distribution. In order to consent to a distribution, Plan B requires a 
participant to enter the participant's account number and PIN in order 
to preclude any person other than the participant from making the 
election. After the authentication process, Participant K completes a 
distribution request form on the Web site. After completing the request 
form, the Web site provides a summary of the information entered on the 
form and gives Participant K an opportunity to review or modify the 
distribution request form before the transaction is completed. Within a 
reasonable period of time after Participant K consents to the 
distribution, the plan administrator, by e-mail, sends confirmation of 
the terms (including the form) of the distribution to Participant K and 
advises Participant K that, upon request, the confirmation may be 
provided to Participant K on a written paper document at no charge. Plan 
B retains an electronic copy of the consent to the distribution in a 
form that is capable of being retained and accurately reproduced for 
later reference by Participant K.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 2, Plan B's delivery of the section 
411(a)(11) notice and the electronic system used to make Participant K's 
consent to a distribution satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (a), 
(c), and (d) of this section.
    Example 3. (i) Facts involving the transmission of a spousal consent 
via electronic notarization. Plan C, a qualified money purchase pension 
plan, permits a married participant to request a plan loan through the 
Plan C's Internet Web site with the notarized consent of the spouse. 
Under Plan C's system for requesting a plan loan, a participant must 
enter his or her account number, personal identification number (PIN), 
and his or her e-mail address. The information entered by the 
participant must match the information in Plan C's records in order for 
the transaction to proceed. Participant M, a married participant, is 
effectively able to access the Web site available to apply for a plan 
loan. In order to apply for a loan, Plan C requires a participant to 
enter the participant's account number and PIN in order to preclude any 
person other than the participant from making the election. Participant 
M completes the loan application on Plan C's Web site. Within a 
reasonable period of time after submitting the plan loan application, 
the plan administrator, by e-mail, sends Participant M the loan 
application, including all attachments setting forth the terms of the 
loan agreement and all other required information. In the e-mail, Plan C 
also notifies Participant M that, upon request, the loan application may 
be provided to Participant M on a written paper document at no charge. 
Plan C then instructs Participant M that, in order for the loan 
application to proceed, Participant M must submit to the plan 
administrator a notarized spousal consent form. Participant M and M's 
spouse go to a notary public and the notary witnesses Participant M's 
spouse signing the spousal consent for the loan agreement on an 
electronic signature capture pad with adequate security. After 
witnessing M's spouse signing the spousal consent, the notary public 
sends an e-mail with an electronic acknowledgement that is attached to 
or logically associated with the signature of M's spouse to the plan 
administrator. The electronic acknowledgement is in accordance with 
section 101(g) of E-SIGN and the relevant State law applicable to notary 
publics. After the plan receives the e-mail, Plan C sends an e-mail to 
Participant M, giving M a reasonable period to review and confirm the 
completed loan application and to determine whether the loan application 
should be modified or rescinded. In addition, the e-mail to Participant 
M also provides that M may request the completed loan application on a 
written paper document and that, if M requests the written paper 
document, it will be provided at no charge. Plan C retains an electronic 
copy of

[[Page 69]]

the loan agreement, including the spousal consent, in a form that is 
capable of being retained and accurately reproduced for later reference 
by all parties.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 3, the transmission of the plan 
loan agreement satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (a), (c), and 
(d) of this section. By requiring that the spouse sign the spousal 
consent on an electronic signature capture pad in the physical presence 
of a notary public, the electronic system satisfies the requirement that 
the system be reasonably designed to preclude any person other than the 
appropriate individual from making the election. Thus, the electronic 
notarization of spousal consent satisfies the requirements of paragraphs 
(a) and (d) of this section.
    Example 4. (i) Facts--(A) Facts involving using the alternative 
method of compliance to deliver a section 411(a)(11) notice via an 
automated telephone system. A qualified profit-sharing plan (Plan D) 
permits participants to request distributions through an automated 
telephone system. Under Plan D's system for such transactions, a 
participant must enter his or her account number and personal 
identification number (PIN); this information must match the information 
in Plan D's records in order for the transaction to proceed. Plan D 
provides only the following distribution options: single-sum payment; 
and annual installments over 5, 10, or 20 years. Participant N, a single 
participant, requests a distribution from Plan D by following the 
applicable instructions on the automated telephone system. After 
Participant N has requested the distribution, the automated telephone 
system recites the section 411(a)(11) notice over the phone. The 
automated telephone system also advises Participant N that, upon 
request, the notice may be provided on a written paper document and 
that, if Participant N so requests, the notice will be provided on a 
written paper document at no charge.
    (B) Facts involving making a participant's consent to a distribution 
via an automated telephone system. In order to consent to a 
distribution, Plan D requires a participant to enter the participant's 
account number and PIN in order to preclude any person other than the 
participant from making the election. Participant N requests a 
distribution by entering information on the automated telephone system. 
After completing the request, the automated telephone system provides a 
oral summary of the information entered and gives Participant N an 
opportunity to review or modify the distribution request before the 
transaction is completed. Plan D's automated telephone system confirms 
the distribution request to Participant N and advises Participant N 
that, upon request, a confirmation may be provided on a written paper 
document at no charge. Plan D retains an electronic copy of the consent 
to the distribution in a form that is capable of being retained and 
accurately reproduced for later reference by Participant N.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 4, because Plan D has relatively 
few and simple distribution options, the provision of the section 
411(a)(11) notice through the automated telephone system is no less 
understandable to the participant than a written paper notice for 
purposes of paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section. In addition, the 
automated telephone procedures of Plan D satisfy the applicable 
requirements of paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of this section.
    Example 5. (i) Facts. Same facts as Example 4 of this paragraph (f), 
except that, pursuant to Plan D's system for processing such 
transactions, a participant who so requests is transferred to a customer 
service representative whose conversation with the participant is 
recorded. The customer service representative provides the section 
411(a)(11) notice from a prepared text and processes the participant's 
distribution in accordance with the predetermined instructions from the 
plan administrator.
    (ii) Conclusion. As in Example 4 of this paragraph (f), because Plan 
D has relatively few and simple distribution options, the provision of 
the section 411(a)(11) notice through the automated telephone system is 
no less understandable to the participant than a written paper notice 
for purposes of paragraph (a)(4) of this section. Further, in this 
Example 5, the customer service telephone procedures of Plan D satisfy 
the requirements of paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of this section.
    Example 6. (i) Facts. Plan E, a qualified plan, permits participants 
to request distributions by e-mail on the employer's e-mail system. 
Under this system, a participant must enter his or her account number, 
personal identification number (PIN), and e-mail address. This 
information must match that in Plan E's records in order for the 
transaction to proceed. If a participant requests a distribution by e-
mail, the plan administrator provides the participant with a section 
411(a)(11) notice by e-mail. The plan administrator also advises the 
participant by e-mail that he or she may request the section 411(a)(11) 
notice on a written paper document and that, if the participant requests 
the notice on a written paper document, it will be provided at no 
charge. Participant Q requests a distribution and receives the section 
411(a)(11) notice from the plan administrator by reply e-mail. However, 
before Participant Q elects a distribution, Q terminates employment. 
Following termination of employment, Participant Q no longer has access 
to the employer's e-mail system.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 6, Plan E does not satisfy the 
participant election requirements under paragraph (d) of this section 
because Participant Q is not effectively

[[Page 70]]

able to access the electronic medium used to make the participant 
election. Plan E must provide Participant Q with the opportunity to make 
the participant election through a written paper document or another 
system that Participant Q is effectively able to access, such as the 
automated telephone systems described in Example 4 and Example 5 of this 
paragraph (f).

    (g) Effective date. The rules provided in this section apply to 
applicable notices provided, and to participant elections made, on or 
after January 1, 2007. However, a retirement plan, an employee benefit 
arrangement, or an individual retirement plan that provides an 
applicable notice or makes a participant election that complies with the 
requirements set forth in these regulations on or after October 1, 2000, 
and before January 1, 2007, will not be treated as failing to provide an 
applicable notice or to make a participant election merely because the 
notice or election was not in writing or written form.

[T.D. 9294, 71 FR 61883, Oct. 20, 2006]



Sec. 1.401(a)-30  Limit on elective deferrals.

    (a) General Rule. A trust that is part of a plan under which 
elective deferrals may be made during a calendar year is not qualified 
under section 401(a) unless the plan provides that the elective 
deferrals on behalf of an individual under the plan and all other plans, 
contracts, or arrangements of the employer maintaining the plan may not 
exceed the applicable limit for the individual's taxable year beginning 
in the calendar year. A plan may incorporate the applicable limit by 
reference. In the case of a plan maintained by more than one employer to 
which section 413 (b) or (c) applies, section 401(a)(30) and this 
section are applied as if each employer maintained a separate plan. See 
Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e) for rules permitting the distribution of excess 
deferrals to prevent disqualification of a plan or trust for failure to 
comply in operation with section 401(a)(30).
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Applicable limit. The term ``applicable limit'' has the meaning 
provided in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(d).
    (2) Elective deferrals. The term ``elective deferrals'' has the 
meaning provided in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(b).
    (c) Effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in 
this paragraph (c), this section is effective for plan years beginning 
after December 31, 1987.
    (2) Transition rule. For plan years beginning in l988, a plan may 
rely on a reasonable interpretation of the law as in effect on December 
31, 1987.
    (3) Deferrals under collective bargaining agreements. In the case of 
a plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining 
agreements between employee representatives and one or more employers 
ratified before March 1, 1986, this section does not apply to 
contributions made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement for 
plan years beginning before the earlier of:
    (i) The later of January 1, 1988, or the date on which the last 
collective bargaining agreement terminates (determined without regard to 
any extension thereof after February 28, 1986), or
    (ii) January 1, 1989.

[T.D. 8357, 56 FR 40516, Aug. 15, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)-50  Puerto Rican trusts; election to be treated as
a domestic trust.

    (a) In general. Section 401(a) requires, among other things, that a 
trust forming part of a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan 
must be created or organized in the United States to be a qualified 
trust. Section 1022(i)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
of 1974 (ERISA) (88 Stat. 942) provides that trusts under certain 
pension, etc., plans created or organized in Puerto Rico whose 
administrators have made the election referred to in section 1022(i)(2) 
are to be treated as trusts created or organized in the United States 
for purposes of section 401(a). Thus, if a plan otherwise satisfies the 
qualification requirements of section 401(a), any trust forming part of 
the plan for which an election is made will be treated as a qualified 
trust under that section.
    (b) Manner and effect of election. A plan administrator may make an 
election under ERISA section 1022(i)(2) by filing a statement making the 
election, along with a copy of the plan, with the

[[Page 71]]

Director's Representative of the Internal Revenue Service in Puerto 
Rico. The statement making the election must indicate that it is being 
made under ERISA section 1022(i)(2). The statement may also be filed in 
conjunction with a written request for a determination letter. If the 
election is made with a written request for a determination letter, the 
election may be conditioned upon issuance of a favorable determination 
letter and will be irrevocable upon issuance of such letter. Otherwise, 
once made, an election is irrevocable. It is generally effective for 
plan years beginning after the date it has been made. However, an 
election made before March 3, 1983 may, at the option of the plan 
administrator at the time he or she makes the election, be considered to 
have been made on any date between September 2, 1974, and the actual 
date of the election. The election will then be effective for plan years 
beginning on or after the date chosen by the plan administrator.
    (c) Annuities, custodial accounts, etc. See section 401 (f) for 
rules relating to the treatment of certain annuities, custodial accounts 
or other contracts, as trusts for purposes of section 401(a).
    (d) Source of plan distributions to participants and beneficiaries 
residing outside the United States. Except as provided under section 
871(f) (relating to amounts received as an annuity by nonresident 
aliens), the amount of a distribution from an electing plan that is to 
be treated as income from sources within the United States is determined 
as described below. The portion of the distribution considered to be a 
return of employer contributions is to be treated as income from sources 
within the United States in an amount equal to the portion of the 
distribution considered to be a return of employer contributions 
multiplied by the following fraction:

Days of performance of labor or services within the United States for 
the employer.
________________________________________________________________________
Total days of performance of labor or services for the employer.


The days of performance of labor or services within the United States 
shall not include the time period for which the employee's compensation 
is deemed not to be income from sources within the United States under 
subtitle A of the Code. Thus, for example, if an employee's compensation 
was not deemed to be income from sources within the United States under 
section 861(a)(3), then the time the emloyee was present in the United 
States while such compensation was earned would not be included in 
determining the days of performance of labor or services within the 
United States in the numerator of the above fraction. In addition, days 
of performance of labor or services for the employer in both the 
numerator and denominator of the above fraction are limited to days of 
plan participation by the employee and any service used for determining 
an employee's accrued benefit under the plan. The remaining portion of 
the distribution, that is, any amount other than the portion of the 
distribution considered to be a return of employer contributions, is not 
to be treated as income from sources within the United States. For 
example, if a distribution consists of amounts representing employer 
contributions, employee contributions, and earnings on employer and 
employee contributions, no part of the portion of the distribution 
attributable to employee contributions, or earnings on employer and 
employee contributions, will be treated as income from sources within 
the United States.

[T.D. 7859, 47 FR 54297, Dec. 2, 1982]



Sec. 1.401(a)(2)-1  Refund of mistaken employer contributions and 
withdrawal liability payments to multiemployer plans.

    (a) Introduction--(1) In general. Section 401(a)(2) provides that a 
contribution or payment of withdrawal liability made to a multiemployer 
plan due to a mistake of fact or mistake of law can be returned to the 
employer under certain conditions. This section specifies the conditions 
under which an employer's contribution or payment may be returned.
    (2) Effective dates. This section applies to refunds made after July 
22, 2002.
    (b) Conditions for return of contribution--(1) In general. In the 
case of a contribution or a withdrawal liability payment to a 
multiemployer plan which

[[Page 72]]

was made because of a mistake of fact or a mistake of law, the plan will 
not violate section 401(a)(2) merely because the contribution or payment 
is returned within six months after the date on which the plan 
administrator determines that the contribution or payment was the result 
of a mistake of fact or law. The contribution or payment is considered 
as returned within the required period if the employer establishes a 
right to a refund of the amount mistakenly contributed or paid by filing 
a claim with the plan administrator within six months after the date on 
which the plan administrator determines that a mistake did occur. For 
purposes of this section, plan administrator is defined in section 
414(g) and the regulations thereunder.
    (2) Applicable conditions--(i) In general. The employer making the 
contribution or withdrawal liability payment to a multiemployer plan 
must demonstrate that an excessive contribution or overpayment has been 
made due to a mistake of fact or law. A mistake of fact or law relating 
to plan qualification under section 401 or to trust exemption under 
section 501 is not considered to be a mistake of fact or law which 
entitles an employer to a refund under this section. For purposes of 
this section, a multiemployer plan is defined in section 414(f) and the 
regulations thereunder.
    (ii) Amount to be returned--(A) General rule. The amount to be 
returned to the employer is the excess of the amount contributed or paid 
over the amount that would have been contributed or paid had no mistake 
been made. This amount is the excess contribution or overpayment. Except 
as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, interest or 
earnings attributable to an excess contribution shall not be returned to 
the employer, and any losses attributable to an excess contribution must 
reduce the amount returned to the employer. For purposes of the previous 
sentence, the application of plan-wide investment experience to the 
excess contribution would be an acceptable method of calculating losses. 
A refund of a mistaken contribution must in no event reduce a 
participant's account balance in a defined contribution plan to an 
amount less than that amount which would properly have been in that 
participant's account had no mistake occurred. Thus, to the extent that 
the refund of an excess contribution would reduce a participant's 
account balance in a defined contribution plan to an amount less than 
the amount which would properly be in the participant's account had no 
mistake occurred, the return of the excess contribution would be 
prohibited by this section.
    (B) Overpayment of withdrawal liability. In the case of an 
overpayment of withdrawal liability established by the plan sponsor 
under section 4219(c)(2) of ERISA, the plan will not fail to satisfy 
section 401(a)(2) if, in accordance with Pension Benefit Guaranty 
Corporation regulations regarding the overpayments of withdrawal 
liability (29 CFR 4219.31(d)), the overpayment, with interest, is 
returned to the employer.
    (c) Amount refunded includible in employer's income. In general, the 
amount of the excess contribution or overpayment must be included in 
gross income by the employer if the excess contribution or overpayment 
resulted in a tax benefit in a prior year. Any interest credited or paid 
on the refund of mistaken withdrawal liability payments must also be 
included in gross income by the employer.
    (d) Application of section 412. An amount returned under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section is charged to the funding standard account 
under section 412 in the year in which the amount is returned.

[T.D. 9005, 67 FR 47693, July 22, 2002]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-0  Table of contents.

    This section contains a listing of the major headings of Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13.

 Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 Nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4)

    (a) In general.
    (b) Requirements a plan must satisfy.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Nondiscriminatory amount of contributions or benefits.
    (3) Nondiscriminatory availability of benefits, rights, and 
features.
    (4) Nondiscriminatory effect of plan amendments and terminations.
    (c) Application of requirements.
    (1) In general.

[[Page 73]]

    (2) Interpretation.
    (3) Plan-year basis of testing.
    (4) Application of section 410(b) rules.
    (5) Collectively-bargained plans.
    (6) Former employees.
    (7) Employee-provided contributions and benefits.
    (8) Allocation of earnings.
    (9) Rollovers, transfers, and buybacks.
    (10) Vesting.
    (11) Crediting service.
    (12) Governmental plans.
    (13) Employee stock ownership plans.
    (14) Section 401(h) benefits.
    (15) Definitions.
    (16) Effective dates and fresh-start rules.
    (d) Additional guidance.

      Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2 Nondiscrimination in amount of employer 
             contributions under a defined contribution plan

    (a) Introduction.
    (1) Overview.
    (2) Alternative methods of satisfying nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement.
    (b) Safe harbors.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Safe harbor for plans with uniform allocation formula.
    (3) Safe harbor for plans with uniform points allocation formula.
    (4) Use of safe harbors not precluded by certain plan provisions.
    (c) General test for nondiscrimination in amount of contributions.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Determination of allocation rates.
    (3) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a rate group.
    (4) Examples.

  Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3 Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided 
                  benefits under a defined benefit plan

    (a) Introduction.
    (1) Overview.
    (2) Alternative methods of satisfying nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement.
    (b) Safe harbors.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Uniformity requirements.
    (3) Safe harbor for unit credit plans.
    (4) Safe harbor for plans using fractional accrual rule.
    (5) Safe harbor for insurance contract plans.
    (6) Use of safe harbors not precluded by certain plan provisions.
    (c) General test for nondiscrimination in amount of benefits.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a rate group.
    (3) Certain violations disregarded.
    (4) Examples.
    (d) Determination of accrual rates.
    (1) Definitions.
    (2) Rules of application.
    (3) Optional rules.
    (4) Examples.
    (e) Compensation rules.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Average annual compensation.
    (3) Examples.
    (f) Special rules.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Certain qualified disability benefits.
    (3) Accruals after normal retirement age.
    (4) Early retirement window benefits.
    (5) Unpredictable contingent event benefits.
    (6) Determination of benefits on other than plan-year basis.
    (7) Adjustments for certain plan distributions.
    (8) Adjustment for certain QPSA charges.
    (9) Disregard of certain offsets.
    (10) Special rule for multiemployer plans.

Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 Nondiscriminatory availability of benefits, rights, 
                              and features

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Current availability.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Determination of current availability.
    (3) Benefits, rights, and features that are eliminated 
prospectively.
    (c) Effective availability.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Examples.
    (d) Special rules.
    (1) Mergers and acquisitions.
    (2) Frozen participants.
    (3) Early retirement window benefits.
    (4) Permissive aggregation of certain benefits, rights, or features.
    (5) Certain spousal benefits.
    (6) Special ESOP rules.
    (7) Special testing rule for unpredictable contingent event 
benefits.
    (e) Definitions.
    (1) Optional form of benefit.
    (2) Ancillary benefit.
    (3) Other right or feature.

        Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5 Plan amendments and plan terminations

    (a) Introduction.
    (1) Overview.
    (2) Facts-and-circumstances determination.
    (3) Safe harbor for certain grants of benefits for past periods.
    (4) Examples.
    (b) Pre-termination restrictions.
    (1) Required provisions in defined benefit plans.
    (2) Restriction of benefits upon plan termination.
    (3) Restrictions on distributions.
    (4) Operational restrictions on certain money purchase pension 
plans.

[[Page 74]]

         Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6 Contributory defined benefit plans

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Determination of employer-provided benefit.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Composition-of-work-force method.
    (3) Minimum-benefit method.
    (4) Grandfather rules for plans in existence on May 14, 1990.
    (5) Government-plan method.
    (6) Cessation of employee contributions.
    (c) Rules applicable in determining whether employee-provided 
benefits are nondiscriminatory in amount.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Same rate of contributions.
    (3) Total-benefits method.
    (4) Grandfather rule for plans in existence on May 14, 1990.

          Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7 Imputation of permitted disparity

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Adjusting allocation rates.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Employees whose plan year compensation does not exceed taxable 
wage base.
    (3) Employees whose plan year compensation exceeds taxable wage 
base.
    (4) Definitions.
    (5) Example.
    (c) Adjusting accrual rates.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Employees whose average annual compensation does not exceed 
covered compensation.
    (3) Employees whose average annual compensation exceeds covered 
compensation.
    (4) Definitions.
    (5) Employees with negative unadjusted accrual rates.
    (6) Example.
    (d) Rules of general application.
    (1) Eligible plans.
    (2) Exceptions from consistency requirements.
    (3) Overall permitted disparity.

                    Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8 Cross-testing

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined 
contribution plan.
    (1) General rule and gateway.
    (2) Determination of equivalent accrual rates.
    (3) Safe-harbor testing method for target benefit plans.
    (c) Nondiscrimination in amount of contributions under a defined 
benefit plan.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Determination of equivalent allocation rates.
    (3) Safe harbor testing method for cash balance plans.
    (d) Safe-harbor testing method for defined benefit plans that are 
part of a floor-offset arrangement.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Application of safe-harbor testing method to qualified offset 
arrangements.

         Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9 Plan aggregation and restructuring

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Application of nondiscrimination requirements to DB/DC plans.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Special rules for demonstrating nondiscrimination in amount of 
contributions or benefits.
    (3) Optional rules for demonstrating nondiscrimination in 
availability of certain benefits, rights, and features.
    (c) Plan restructuring.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Identification of component plans.
    (3) Satisfaction of section 401(a)(4) by a component plan.
    (4) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a component plan.
    (5) Effect of restructuring under other sections.
    (6) Examples.

            Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-10 Testing of former employees

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of contributions or benefits.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Permitted disparity.
    (3) Examples.
    (c) Nondiscrimination in availability of benefits, rights, or 
features.

                  Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11 Additional rules

    (a) Introduction.
    (b) Rollovers, transfers, and buybacks.
    (1) Rollovers and elective transfers.
    (2) Other transfers. [Reserved]
    (3) Employee buybacks.
    (c) Vesting.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Deemed equivalence of statutory vesting schedules.
    (3) Safe harbor for vesting schedules.
    (4) Examples.
    (d) Service-crediting rules.
    (1) Overview.
    (2) Manner of crediting service.
    (3) Service-crediting period.
    (e) Family aggregation rules. [Reserved]
    (f) Governmental plans. [Reserved]
    (g) Corrective amendments.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Scope of corrective amendments.
    (3) Conditions for corrective amendments.
    (4) Corrective amendments must have substance.
    (5) Effect under other statutory requirements.

[[Page 75]]

    (6) Examples.

                    Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 Definitions

       Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 Effective dates and fresh-start rules

    (a) General effective dates.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations.
    (3) Compliance during transition period.
    (b) Effective date for governmental plans.
    (c) Fresh-start rules for defined benefit plans.
    (1) Introduction.
    (2) General rule.
    (3) Definition of frozen.
    (4) Fresh-start formulas.
    (5) Rules of application.
    (6) Examples.
    (d) Compensation adjustments to frozen accrued benefits.
    (1) Introduction.
    (2) In general.
    (3) Plan requirements.
    (4) Meaningful coverage as of fresh-start date.
    (5) Meaningful ongoing coverage.
    (6) Meaningful current benefit accruals.
    (7) Minimum benefit adjustment.
    (8) Adjusted accrued benefit.
    (9) Examples.
    (e) Determination of initial theoretical reserve for target benefit 
plans.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Example.
    (f) Special fresh-start rules for cash balance plans.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Alternative formula.
    (3) Limitations on formulas.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46778, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 8954, 66 FR 
34540, June 29, 2001]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1  Nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4).

    (a) In general. Section 401(a)(4) provides that a plan is a 
qualified plan only if the contributions or the benefits provided under 
the plan do not discriminate in favor of HCEs. Whether a plan satisfies 
this requirement depends on the form of the plan and on its effect in 
operation. In making this determination, intent is irrelevant. This 
section sets forth the exclusive rules for determining whether a plan 
satisfies section 401(a)(4). A plan that complies in form and operation 
with the rules in this section therefore satisfies section 401(a)(4).
    (b) Requirements a plan must satisfy--(1) In general. In order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(4), a plan must satisfy each of the requirements 
of this paragraph (b).
    (2) Nondiscriminatory amount of contributions or benefits--(i) 
General rule. Either the contributions or the benefits provided under 
the plan must be nondiscriminatory in amount. It need not be shown that 
both the contributions and the benefits provided are nondiscriminatory 
in amount, but only that either the contributions alone or the benefits 
alone are nondiscriminatory in amount.
    (ii) Defined contribution plans--(A) General rule. A defined 
contribution plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2) if the contributions 
allocated under the plan (including forfeitures) are nondiscriminatory 
in amount under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2. Alternatively, a defined 
contribution plan (other than an ESOP) satisfies this paragraph (b)(2) 
if the equivalent benefits provided under the plan are nondiscriminatory 
in amount under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b). Section 1.401(a)(4)-8(b) 
includes a safe-harbor testing method for contributions provided under a 
target benefit plan.
    (B) Section 401(k) plans and section 401(m) plans. A section 401(k) 
plan is deemed to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2) because Sec. 1.410(b)-9 
defines a section 401(k) plan as a plan consisting of elective 
contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (i.e., one 
that satisfies section 401(k)(3), the nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement applicable to qualified cash or deferred arrangements). A 
section 401(m) plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2) only if the plan 
satisfies Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b) and 1.401(m)-2. Contributions under a 
nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement, elective contributions 
described in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4)(iv) that fail to satisfy the 
allocation and compensation requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(i), 
matching contributions that fail to satisfy Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(4)(iii), 
and qualified nonelective contributions treated as elective or matching 
contributions for certain purposes under Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) and 
1.401(m)-2(a)(6), respectively, are not subject to the special rule in 
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B), because they are not treated as part of a 
section 401(k) plan or section 401(m) plan as those terms are defined in 
Sec. 1.410(b)-9. The contributions described

[[Page 76]]

in the preceding sentence must satisfy paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section.
    (iii) Defined benefit plans. A defined benefit plan satisfies this 
paragraph (b)(2) if the benefits provided under the plan are 
nondiscriminatory in amount under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3. Alternatively, a 
defined benefit plan satisfies this paragraph (b)(2) if the equivalent 
allocations provided under the plan are nondiscriminatory in amount 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c). Section 1.401(a)(4)-8(c) includes a safe-
harbor testing method for benefits provided under a cash balance plan. 
In addition, Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(d) provides a safe-harbor testing 
method for benefits provided under a defined benefit plan that is part 
of a floor-offset arrangement.
    (3) Nondiscriminatory availability of benefits, rights, and 
features. All benefits, rights, and features provided under the plan 
must be made available in the plan in a nondiscriminatory manner. Rules 
for determining whether this requirement is satisfied are set forth in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4.
    (4) Nondiscriminatory effect of plan amendments and terminations. 
The timing of plan amendments must not have the effect of discriminating 
significantly in favor of HCEs. Rules for determining whether this 
requirement is satisfied are set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5(a). 
Section 1.401(a)(4)-5(b) provides additional requirements regarding plan 
terminations.
    (c) Application of requirements--(1) In general. The requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section must be applied in accordance with the 
rules set forth in this paragraph (c).
    (2) Interpretation. The provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 
through 1.401(a)(4)-13 must be interpreted in a reasonable manner 
consistent with the purpose of preventing discrimination in favor of 
HCEs.
    (3) Plan-year basis of testing. The requirements of paragraph (b) of 
this section are generally applied on the basis of the plan year and on 
the basis of the terms of the plan in effect during the plan year. Thus, 
unless otherwise provided, the compensation, contributions, benefit 
accruals, and other items used to apply these requirements must be 
determined with respect to the plan year being tested. However, Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(g) provides rules allowing for corrective amendments made 
after the close of the plan year to be taken into account in satisfying 
certain requirements under paragraph (b) of this section.
    (4) Application of section 410(b) rules--(i) Relationship between 
sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b). To be a qualified plan, a plan must 
satisfy both sections 410(b) and 401(a)(4). Section 410(b) requires that 
a plan benefit a nondiscriminatory group of employees, and section 
401(a)(4) requires that the contributions or benefits provided to 
employees benefiting under the plan not discriminate in favor of HCEs. 
Consistent with this requirement, the definition of a plan subject to 
testing under section 401(a)(4) is the same as the definition of a plan 
subject to testing under section 410(b), i.e., the plan determined after 
applying the mandatory disaggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c) and 
the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d). In addition, 
whichever testing option is used for the plan year under Sec. 1.410(b)-
8(a) (e.g., quarterly testing) must also be used for purposes of 
determining whether the plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) for the plan 
year.
    (ii) Special rules for certain aggregated plans. Special rules are 
set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(b) for applying the nondiscriminatory 
amount and availability requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of 
this section to a plan that includes one or more defined benefit plans 
and one or more defined contribution plans that have been permissively 
aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d).
    (iii) Restructuring. In certain circumstances, a plan may be 
restructured on the basis of employee groups and treated as comprising 
two or more plans, each of which is treated as a separate plan that must 
independently satisfy sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b). Rules relating to 
restructuring plans for purposes of applying the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section are set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c).
    (iv) References to section 410(b). Except as otherwise specifically 
provided, references to satisfying section 410(b) in Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13 mean satisfying Sec. 1.410(b)-2 
(taking into account any special rules available in

[[Page 77]]

satisfying that section, other than the permissive aggregation rules of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d)). In the case of a plan described in section 
410(c)(1) that has not made the election described in section 410(d) and 
is not subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i), references in Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13 to satisfying section 410(b) mean 
satisfying section 410(c)(2).
    (5) Collectively-bargained plans. The requirements of paragraph (b) 
of this section are treated as satisfied by a collectively-bargained 
plan that automatically satisfies section 410(b) under Sec. 1.410(b)-
2(b)(7).
    (6) Former employees. In applying the nondiscriminatory amount and 
availability requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this 
section, former employees are tested separately from active employees, 
unless otherwise provided. Rules for applying paragraphs (b)(2) and 
(b)(3) of this section to former employees are set forth in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-10.
    (7) Employee-provided contributions and benefits. In applying the 
nondiscriminatory amount requirement of paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, employee-provided contributions and benefits are tested 
separately from employer-provided contributions and benefits, unless 
otherwise provided. Rules for determining the amount of employer-
provided benefits under a defined benefit plan that include employee 
contributions not allocated to separate accounts are set forth in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-6(b), and rules for applying paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section to employee contributions under such a plan are set forth in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(c). See paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section for 
rules applicable to employee contributions allocated to separate 
accounts.
    (8) Allocation of earnings. Notwithstanding any other provision in 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13, a defined contribution 
plan does not satisfy paragraph (b)(2) of this section if the manner in 
which income, expenses, gains, or losses are allocated to accounts under 
the plan discriminates in favor of HCEs or former HCEs.
    (9) Rollovers, transfers, and buybacks. In applying the requirements 
of paragraph (b) of this section, rollover (including direct rollover) 
contributions described in section 402(c), 402(e)(6), 403(a)(4), 
403(a)(5), or 408(d)(3), elective transfers described in Sec. 1.411(d)-
4, Q&A-3(b), transfers of assets and liabilities described in section 
414(l), and employee buybacks are treated in accordance with the rules 
set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(b).
    (10) Vesting. A plan does not satisfy the nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement of paragraph (b)(2) of this section unless it satisfies 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(c) with respect to the manner in which employees 
vest in their accrued benefits.
    (11) Crediting service. A plan does not satisfy paragraphs (b)(2) 
and (b)(3) of this section unless it satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d) 
with respect to the manner in which employees' service is credited under 
the plan. Service other than actual service with the employer may not be 
taken into account in determining whether the plan satisfies paragraphs 
(b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section except as provided in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(d).
    (12) Governmental plans. The rules of this section apply to a 
governmental plan within the meaning of section 414(d), except as 
provided in Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(f) and 1.401(a)(4)-13(b).
    (13) Employee stock ownership plans. [Reserved]
    (14) Section 401(h) benefits. In applying the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section, the portion of a plan providing benefits 
described in section 401(h) is tested separately from the portion of the 
same plan providing retirement benefits, and thus is not required to 
satisfy this section. Rules applicable to section 401(h) benefits are 
set forth in Sec. 1.401-14(b)(2).
    (15) Definitions. In applying the requirements of this section, the 
definitions in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 govern.
    (16) Effective dates and fresh-start rules. In applying the 
requirements of this section, the effective dates set forth in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13 govern. Section 1.401(a)(4)-13 also provides certain 
transition and fresh-start rules that apply for purposes of this 
section.
    (d) Additional guidance. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance, published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin, 
provide any

[[Page 78]]

additional guidance that may be necessary or appropriate in applying the 
nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4), including 
additional safe harbors and alternative methods and procedures for 
satisfying those requirements. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this 
chapter.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46780, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 9169, 69 FR 
78153, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2  Nondiscrimination in amount of employer 
contributions under a defined contribution plan.

    (a) Introduction--(1) Overview. This section provides rules for 
determining whether the employer contributions allocated under a defined 
contribution plan are nondiscriminatory in amount as required by Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(A). Certain defined contribution plans that 
provide uniform allocations are permitted to satisfy this requirement by 
meeting one of the safe harbors in paragraph (b) of this section. Plans 
that do not provide uniform allocations may satisfy this requirement by 
satisfying the general test in paragraph (c) of this section. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) for the exclusive tests applicable to section 
401(k) plans and section 401(m) plans.
    (2) Alternative methods of satisfying nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement. A defined contribution plan is permitted to satisfy 
paragraph (b)(2) or (c) of this section on a restructured basis pursuant 
to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c). Alternatively, a defined contribution plan 
(other than an ESOP) is permitted to satisfy the nondiscriminatory 
amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(A) on the basis of 
equivalent benefits pursuant to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b).
    (b) Safe harbors--(1) In general. The employer contributions 
allocated under a defined contribution plan are nondiscriminatory in 
amount for a plan year if the plan satisfies either of the safe harbors 
in paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. Paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section provides exceptions for certain plan provisions that do not 
cause a plan to fail to satisfy this paragraph (b).
    (2) Safe harbor for plans with uniform allocation formula--(i) 
General rule. A defined contribution plan satisfies the safe harbor in 
this paragraph (b)(2) for a plan year if the plan allocates all amounts 
taken into account under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section for the 
plan year under an allocation formula that allocates to each employee 
the same percentage of plan year compensation, the same dollar amount, 
or the same dollar amount for each uniform unit of service (not to 
exceed one week) performed by the employee during the plan year.
    (ii) Permitted disparity. If a plan satisfies section 401(l) in 
form, differences in employees' allocations under the plan attributable 
to uniform disparities permitted under Sec. 1.401(l)-2 (including 
differences in disparities that are deemed uniform under Sec. 1.401(l)-
2(c)(2)) do not cause the plan to fail to satisfy this paragraph (b)(2).
    (3) Safe harbor for plans with uniform points allocation formula--
(i) General rule. A defined contribution plan (other than an ESOP) 
satisfies the safe harbor in this paragraph (b)(3) for a plan year if it 
satisfies both of the following requirements:
    (A) The plan must allocate amounts under a uniform points allocation 
formula. A uniform points allocation formula defines each employee's 
allocation for the plan year as the product of the total of all amounts 
taken into account under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section and a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's points for the plan 
year and the denominator of which is the sum of the points of all 
employees in the plan for the plan year. For this purpose, an employee's 
points for a plan year equal the sum of the employee's points for age, 
service, and units of plan year compensation for the plan year. Under a 
uniform points allocation formula, each employee must receive the same 
number of points for each year of age, the same number of points for 
each year of service, and the same number of points for each unit of 
plan year compensation. (See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) regarding 
service that may be taken into account as years of service.) A uniform 
points allocation formula need not grant points for both age and 
service, but it must grant points for at least one of them. If the 
allocation formula grants points

[[Page 79]]

for years of service, the plan is permitted to limit the number of years 
of service taken into account to a single maximum number of years of 
service. A uniform points allocation formula need not grant points for 
units of plan year compensation, but if it does, the unit used must be a 
single dollar amount for all employees that does not exceed $200.
    (B) For the plan year, the average of the allocation rates for the 
HCEs in the plan must not exceed the average of the allocation rates for 
the NHCEs in the plan. For this purpose, allocation rates are determined 
in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section, without imputing 
permitted disparity and without grouping allocation rates under 
paragraphs (c)(2) (iv) and (v) of this section, respectively.
    (ii) Example. The following example illustrates the safe harbor in 
this paragraph (b)(3):

    Example. (a) Plan A has a single allocation formula that applies to 
all employees, under which each employee's allocation for the plan year 
equals the product of the total of all amounts taken into account for 
all employees for the plan year under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this 
section and a fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's points 
for the plan year and the denominator of which is the sum of the points 
of all employees for the plan year. Plan A grants each employee 10 
points for each year of service (including pre-participation service and 
imputed service credited under Plan A that satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
11(d)(3)) and one point for each $100 of plan year compensation. For the 
1994 plan year, the total allocations are $71,200, and the total points 
for all employees are 7,120. Each employee's allocation for the 1994 
plan year is set forth in the table below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Allocation
                   Employee                       Years of     Plan year      Points     Amount of       rate
                                                  service    compensation                allocation   (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H1............................................           20      $150,000        1,700      $17,000         11.3
H2............................................           10       150,000        1,600       16,000         10.7
H3............................................           30       100,000        1,300       13,000         13.0
H4............................................            3       100,000        1,030       10,300         10.3
N1............................................           10        40,000          500        5,000         12.5
N2............................................            5        35,000          400        4,000         11.4
N3............................................            3        30,000          330        3,300         11.0
N4............................................            1        25,000          260        2,600         10.4
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................................  ...........  ............        7,120       71,200  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Under these facts, for the 1994 plan year, Plan A allocates 
amounts under a uniform points allocation formula within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A) of this section.
    (c) For the 1994 plan year, the average allocation rate for the HCEs 
(H1 through H4) is 11.3 percent, and the average allocation rate for 
NHCEs (N1 through N4) is 11.3 percent. Because the average of the 
allocation rates for the HCEs does not exceed the average of the 
allocation rates for the NHCEs, Plan A satisfies paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B) 
of this section and, thus, the safe harbor in this paragraph (b)(3) for 
the 1994 plan year.

    (4) Use of safe harbors not precluded by certain plan provisions--
(i) In general. A plan does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b) 
merely because the plan contains one or more of the provisions described 
in this paragraph (b)(4). Unless otherwise provided, any such provision 
must apply uniformly to all employees.
    (ii) Entry dates. The plan provides one or more entry dates during 
the plan year as permitted by section 410(a)(4).
    (iii) Certain conditions on allocations. The plan provides that an 
employee's allocation for the plan year is conditioned on either the 
employee's employment on the last day of the plan year or the employee's 
completion of a minimum number of hours of service during the plan year 
(not to exceed 1,000), or both. Such a provision may include an 
exception from this condition for all employees whose employment 
terminates during the plan year or only for those employees whose 
employment terminates during the plan year on account of one or more of 
the following circumstances: retirement, disability, death, or military 
service.
    (iv) Certain limits on allocations. The plan limits allocations 
otherwise provided under the allocation formula to a

[[Page 80]]

maximum dollar amount or a maximum percentage of plan year compensation, 
limits the dollar amount of plan year compensation taken into account in 
determining the amount of allocations, or applies the restrictions of 
section 409(n) or the limits of section 415.
    (v) Lower allocations for HCEs. The allocations provided to one or 
more HCEs under the plan are less than the allocations that would 
otherwise be provided to those employees if the plan satisfied this 
paragraph (b) (without regard to this paragraph (b)(4)(v)).
    (vi) Multiple formulas--(A) General rule. The plan provides that an 
employee's allocation under the plan is the greater of the allocations 
determined under two or more formulas, or is the sum of the allocations 
determined under two or more formulas. This paragraph (b)(4)(vi) does 
not apply to a plan unless each of the formulas under the plan satisfies 
the requirements of paragraph (b)(4)(vi) (B) through (D) of this 
section.
    (B) Sole formulas. The formulas must be the only formulas under the 
plan.
    (C) Separate testing. Each of the formulas must separately satisfy 
this paragraph (b). A formula that is available solely to some or all 
NHCEs is deemed to satisfy this paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(C).
    (D) Availability--(1) General rule. All of the formulas must be 
available on the same terms to all employees.
    (2) Formulas for NHCEs. A formula does not fail to be available on 
the same terms to all employees merely because the formula is not 
available to any HCEs, but is available to some or all NHCEs on the same 
terms as all of the other formulas in the plan.
    (3) Top-heavy formulas. In the case of a plan that provides the 
greater of the allocations under two or more formulas, one of which is a 
top-heavy formula, the top-heavy formula does not fail to be available 
on the same terms to all employees merely because it is available solely 
to all non-key employees on the same terms as all the other formulas 
under the plan. Furthermore, the top-heavy formula does not fail to be 
available on the same terms as the other formulas under the plan merely 
because it is conditioned on the plan's being top-heavy within the 
meaning of section 416(g). Finally, the top-heavy formula does not fail 
to be available on the same terms as the other formulas under the plan 
merely because it is available to all employees described in Sec. 
1.416-1, Q&A M-10 (i.e., all non-key employees who have not separated 
from service as of the last day of the plan year). The preceding 
sentence does not apply, however, unless the plan would satisfy section 
410(b) if all employees who are benefiting under the plan solely as a 
result of receiving allocations under the top-heavy formula were treated 
as not currently benefiting under the plan. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(D)(3), a top-heavy formula is a formula that 
provides the minimum benefit described in section 416(c)(2) (taking into 
account, if applicable, the modification in section 
416(h)(2)(A)(ii)(II)).
    (E) Provisions may be applied more than once. The provisions of this 
paragraph (b)(4)(vi) may be applied more than once. For example, a plan 
satisfies this paragraph (b) if an employee's allocation under the plan 
is the greater of the allocations under two or more formulas, and one or 
more of those formulas is the sum of the allocations under two or more 
other formulas, provided that each of the formulas under the plan 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b)(4)(vi) (B) through (D) of 
this section.
    (F) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(4)(vi):

    Example 1. Under Plan A, each employee's allocation equals the sum 
of the allocations determined under two formulas. The first formula 
provides an allocation of five percent of plan year compensation. The 
second formula provides an allocation of $100. Plan A satisfies this 
paragraph (b)(4)(vi).
    Example 2. Under Plan B, each employee's allocation equals the 
greater of the allocations determined under two formulas. The first 
formula provides an allocation of seven percent of plan year 
compensation and is available to all employees who complete at least 
1,000 hours of service during the plan year and who have not separated 
from service as of the last day of the plan year. The second formula is 
a top-heavy formula that provides an allocation of three percent of plan 
year compensation and that is available to all employees described in 
Sec. 1.416-1, Q&A M-10. Plan B does not satisfy the general

[[Page 81]]

rule in paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(D)(1) of this section because the two 
formulas are not available on the same terms to all employees (i.e., an 
employee is required to complete 1,000 hours of service during the plan 
year to receive an allocation under the first formula, but not under the 
second formula). Nonetheless, because the second formula is a top-heavy 
formula, the special availability rules for top-heavy formulas in 
paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(D)(3) of this section apply. Thus, the second 
formula does not fail to be available on the same terms as the first 
formula merely because the second formula is available to all employees 
described in Sec. 1.416-1, Q&A M-10, as long as the plan would satisfy 
section 410(b) if all employees who are benefiting under the plan solely 
as a result of receiving allocations under the top-heavy formula were 
treated as not currently benefiting under the plan. This is true even if 
the plan conditions the availability of the second formula on the plan's 
being top-heavy for the plan year.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that the 
first formula is available to all employees who have not separated from 
service as of the last day of the plan year, regardless of whether they 
complete at least 1,000 hours of service during the plan year. Plan B 
still does not satisfy the general rule in paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(D)(1) of 
this section because the two formulas are not available on the same 
terms to all employees (i.e., the second formula is only available to 
all non-key employees). Nonetheless, because the second formula is a 
top-heavy formula, the special availability rules for top-heavy formulas 
in paragraph (b)(4)(vi)(D)(3) of this section apply. Thus, the second 
formula does not fail to be available on the same terms as the first 
formula merely because the second formula is available solely to all 
non-key employees.

    (c) General test for nondiscrimination in amount of contributions--
(1) General rule. The employer contributions allocated under a defined 
contribution plan are nondiscriminatory in amount for a plan year if 
each rate group under the plan satisfies section 410(b). For purposes of 
this paragraph (c), a rate group exists under a plan for each HCE and 
consists of the HCE and all other employees in the plan (both HCEs and 
NHCEs) who have an allocation rate greater than or equal to the HCE's 
allocation rate. Thus, an employee is in the rate group for each HCE who 
has an allocation rate less than or equal to the employee's allocation 
rate.
    (2) Determination of allocation rates--(i) General rule. The 
allocation rate for an employee for a plan year equals the sum of the 
allocations to the employee's account for the plan year, expressed 
either as a percentage of plan year compensation or as a dollar amount.
    (ii) Allocations taken into account. The amounts taken into account 
in determining allocation rates for a plan year include all employer 
contributions and forfeitures that are allocated or treated as allocated 
to the account of an employee under the plan for the plan year, other 
than amounts described in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section. For 
this purpose, employer contributions include annual additions described 
in Sec. 1.415(c)-1(b)(4) (regarding amounts arising from certain 
transactions between the plan and the employer). In the case of a 
defined contribution plan subject to section 412, an employer 
contribution is taken into account in the plan year for which it is 
required to be contributed and allocated to employees' accounts under 
the plan, even if all or part of the required contribution is not 
actually made.
    (iii) Allocations not taken into account. Allocations of income, 
expenses, gains, and losses attributable to the balance in an employee's 
account are not taken into account in determining allocation rates.
    (iv) Imputation of permitted disparity. The disparity permitted 
under section 401(l) may be imputed in accordance with the rules of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7.
    (v) Grouping of allocation rates--(A) General rule. An employer may 
treat all employees who have allocation rates within a specified range 
above and below a midpoint rate chosen by the employer as having an 
allocation rate equal to the midpoint rate within that range. Allocation 
rates within a given range may not be grouped under this paragraph 
(c)(2)(v) if the allocation rates of HCEs within the range generally are 
significantly higher than the allocation rates of NHCEs in the range. 
The specified ranges within which all employees are treated as having 
the same allocation rate may not overlap and may be no larger than 
provided in paragraph (c)(2)(v)(B) of this section. Allocation rates of 
employees that are not within any of these specified ranges are 
determined without regard to this paragraph (c)(2)(v).

[[Page 82]]

    (B) Size of specified ranges. The lowest and highest allocation 
rates in the range must be within five percent (not five percentage 
points) of the midpoint rate. If allocation rates are determined as a 
percentage of plan year compensation, the lowest and highest allocation 
rates need not be within five percent of the midpoint rate, if they are 
no more than one quarter of a percentage point above or below the 
midpoint rate.
    (vi) Consistency requirement. Allocation rates must be determined in 
a consistent manner for all employees for the plan year.
    (3) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a rate group--(i) General 
rule. For purposes of determining whether a rate group satisfies section 
410(b), the rate group is treated as if it were a separate plan that 
benefits only the employees included in the rate group for the plan 
year. Thus, for example, under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(4)(iv), the ratio 
percentage of the rate group is determined taking into account all 
nonexcludable employees regardless of whether they benefit under the 
plan. Paragraph (c)(3) (ii) and (iii) of this section provide additional 
special rules for determining whether a rate group satisfies section 
410(b).
    (ii) Application of nondiscriminatory classification test. A rate 
group satisfies the nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-4 (including the reasonable classification requirement of Sec. 
1.410(b)-4(b)) if and only if the ratio percentage of the rate group is 
greater than or equal to the lesser of--
    (A) The midpoint between the safe and the unsafe harbor percentages 
applicable to the plan; and
    (B) The ratio percentage of the plan.
    (iii) Application of average benefit percentage test. A rate group 
satisfies the average benefit percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5 if the 
plan of which it is a part satisfies Sec. 1.410(b)-5 (without regard to 
Sec. 1.410(b)-5(f)). In the case of a plan that relies on Sec. 
1.410(b)-5(f) to satisfy the average benefit percentage test, each rate 
group under the plan satisfies the average benefit percentage test (if 
applicable) only if the rate group separately satisfies Sec. 1.410(b)-
5(f).
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the general test in 
this paragraph (c):

    Example 1. Employer X maintains two defined contribution plans, Plan 
A and Plan B, that are aggregated and treated as a single plan for 
purposes of sections 410(b) and 401(a)(4) pursuant to Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(d). For the 1994 plan year, Employee M has plan year compensation of 
$10,000 and receives an allocation of $200 under Plan A and an 
allocation of $800 under Plan B. Employee M's allocation rate under the 
aggregated plan for the 1994 plan year is 10 percent (i.e., $1,000 
divided by $10,000).
    Example 2. The employees in Plan C have the following allocation 
rates (expressed as a percentage of plan year compensation): 2.75 
percent, 2.80 percent, 2.85 percent, 3.25 percent, 6.65 percent, 7.33 
percent, 7.34 percent, and 7.35 percent. Because the first four rates 
are within a range of no more than one quarter of a percentage point 
above and below 3.0 percent (a midpoint rate chosen by the employer), 
under paragraph (c)(2)(v) of this section the employer may treat the 
employees who have those rates as having an allocation rate of 3.0 
percent (provided that the allocation rates of HCEs within the range 
generally are not significantly higher than the allocation rates of 
NHCEs within the range). Because the last four rates are within a range 
of no more than five percent above and below 7.0 percent (a midpoint 
rate chosen by the employer), the employer may treat the employees who 
have those rates as having an allocation rate of 7.0 percent (provided 
that the allocation rates of HCEs within the range generally are not 
significantly higher than the allocation rates of NHCEs within the 
range).
    Example 3. (a) Employer Y has only six nonexcludable employees, all 
of whom benefit under Plan D. The HCEs are H1 and H2, and the NHCEs are 
N1 through N4. For the 1994 plan year, H1 and N1 through N4 have an 
allocation rate of 5.0 percent of plan year compensation. For the same 
plan year, H2 has an allocation rate of 7.5 percent of plan year 
compensation.
    (b) There are two rate groups under Plan D. Rate group 1 consists of 
H1 and all those employees who have an allocation rate greater than or 
equal to H1's allocation rate (5.0 percent). Thus, rate group 1 consists 
of H1, H2, and N1 through N4. Rate group 2 consists only of H2 because 
no other employee has an allocation rate greater than or equal to H2's 
allocation rate (7.5 percent).
    (c) The ratio percentage for rate group 2 is zero percent--i.e., 
zero percent (the percentage of all nonhighly compensated nonexcludable 
employees who are in the rate group) divided by 50 percent (the 
percentage of all highly compensated nonexcludable employees who are in 
the rate group). Therefore rate group 2 does not satisfy the ratio 
percentage test under Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2). Rate group 2 also does not 
satisfy the nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4 
(as

[[Page 83]]

modified by paragraph (c)(3) of this section). Rate group 2 therefore 
does not satisfy section 410(b) and, as a result, Plan D does not 
satisfy the general test in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. This is 
true regardless of whether rate group 1 satisfies Sec. 1.410(b)-
2(b)(2).
    Example 4. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that 
N4 has an allocation rate of 8.0 percent.
    (b) There are two rate groups in Plan D. Rate group 1 consists of H1 
and all those employees who have an allocation rate greater than or 
equal to H1's allocation rate (5.0 percent). Thus, rate group 1 consists 
of H1, H2 and N1 through N4. Rate group 2 consists of H2, and all those 
employees who have an allocation rate greater than or equal to H2's 
allocation rate (7.5 percent). Thus, rate group 2 consists of H2 and N4.
    (c) Rate group 1 satisfies the ratio percentage test under Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is 100 
percent--i.e., 100 percent (the percentage of all nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employees who are in the rate group) divided by 100 
percent (the percentage of all highly compensated nonexcludable 
employees who are in the rate group).
    (d) Rate group 2 does not satisfy the ratio percentage test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is 50 
percent--i.e., 25 percent (the percentage of all nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employees who are in the rate group) divided by 50 percent 
(the percentage of all highly compensated nonexcludable employees who 
are in the rate group).
    (e) However, rate group 2 does satisfy the nondiscriminatory 
classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4 because the ratio percentage of 
the rate group (50 percent) is greater than the safe harbor percentage 
applicable to the plan under Sec. 1.410(b)-4(c)(4) (45.5 percent).
    (f) Under paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section, rate group 2 
satisfies the average benefit percentage test, if Plan D satisfies the 
average benefit percentage test. (The requirement that Plan D satisfy 
the average benefit percentage test applies even though Plan D satisfies 
the ratio percentage test and would ordinarily not need to run the 
average benefit percentage test.) If Plan D satisfies the average 
benefit percentage test, then rate group 2 satisfies section 410(b) and 
thus, Plan D satisfies the general test in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, because each rate group under the plan satisfies section 
410(b).
    Example 5. (a) Plan E satisfies section 410(b) by satisfying the 
nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4 and the 
average benefit percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5 (without regard to 
Sec. 1.410(b)-5(f)). See Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(3). Plan E uses the facts-
and-circumstances requirements of Sec. 1.410(b)-4(c)(3) to satisfy the 
nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4. The safe and 
unsafe harbor percentages applicable to the plan under Sec. 1.410(b)-
4(c)(4) are 29 and 20 percent, respectively. Plan E has a ratio 
percentage of 22 percent.
    (b) Rate group 1 under Plan E has a ratio percentage of 23 percent. 
Under paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section, the rate group satisfies the 
nondiscriminatory classification requirement of Sec. 1.410(b)-4, 
because the ratio percentage of the rate group (23 percent) is greater 
than the lesser of--
    (1) The ratio percentage for the plan as a whole (22 percent); and
    (2) The midpoint between the safe and unsafe harbor percentages 
(24.5 percent).
    (c) Under paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section, the rate group 
satisfies section 410(b) because the plan satisfies the average benefit 
percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46781, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 9319, 72 FR 
16894, Apr. 5, 2007]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3  Nondiscrimination in amount of employer-provided
benefits under a defined benefit plan.

    (a) Introduction--(1) Overview. This section provides rules for 
determining whether the employer-provided benefits under a defined 
benefit plan are nondiscriminatory in amount as required by Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(iii). Certain defined benefit plans that provide 
uniform benefits are permitted to satisfy this requirement by meeting 
one of the safe harbors in paragraph (b) of this section. Plans that do 
not provide uniform benefits may satisfy this requirement by satisfying 
the general test in paragraph (c) of this section. Paragraph (d) of this 
section provides rules for determining the individual benefit accrual 
rates needed for the general test. Paragraph (e) of this section 
provides rules for determining compensation for purposes of applying the 
requirements of this section. Paragraph (f) of this section provides 
additional rules that apply generally for purposes of both the safe 
harbors in paragraph (b) of this section and the general test in 
paragraph (c) of this section. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6 for rules for 
determining the amount of employer-provided benefits under a 
contributory DB plan, and for determining whether the employee-provided 
benefits under such a plan are nondiscriminatory in amount.
    (2) Alternative methods of satisfying nondiscriminatory amount 
requirement. A

[[Page 84]]

defined benefit plan is permitted to satisfy paragraph (b) or (c) of 
this section on a restructured basis pursuant to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c). 
Alternatively, a defined benefit plan is permitted to satisfy the 
nondiscriminatory amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(iii) 
on the basis of equivalent allocations pursuant to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
8(c). In addition, a defined benefit plan that is part of a floor-offset 
arrangement is permitted to satisfy this section pursuant to Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(d).
    (b) Safe harbors--(1) In general. The employer-provided benefits 
under a defined benefit plan are nondiscriminatory in amount for a plan 
year if the plan satisfies each of the uniformity requirements of 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section and any one of the safe harbors in 
paragraphs (b)(3) (unit credit plans), (b)(4) (fractional accrual 
plans), and (b)(5) (insurance contract plans) of this section. Paragraph 
(b)(6) of this section provides exceptions for certain plan provisions 
that do not cause a plan to fail to satisfy this paragraph (b). 
Paragraph (f) of this section provides additional rules that apply in 
determining whether a plan satisfies this paragraph (b).
    (2) Uniformity requirements--(i) Uniform normal retirement benefit. 
The same benefit formula must apply to all employees. The benefit 
formula must provide all employees with an annual benefit payable in the 
same form commencing at the same uniform normal retirement age. The 
annual benefit must be the same percentage of average annual 
compensation or the same dollar amount for all employees who will have 
the same number of years of service at normal retirement age. (See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) regarding service that may be taken into account as 
years of service.) The annual benefit must equal the employee's accrued 
benefit at normal retirement age (within the meaning of section 
411(a)(7)(A)(i)) and must be the normal retirement benefit under the 
plan (within the meaning of section 411(a)(9)).
    (ii) Uniform post-normal retirement benefit. With respect to an 
employee with a given number of years of service at any age after normal 
retirement age, the annual benefit commencing at that employee's age 
must be the same percentage of average annual compensation or the same 
dollar amount that would be payable commencing at normal retirement age 
to an employee who had that same number of years of service at normal 
retirement age.
    (iii) Uniform subsidies. Each subsidized optional form of benefit 
available under the plan must be currently available (within the meaning 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(2)) to substantially all employees. Whether an 
optional form of benefit is considered subsidized for this purpose may 
be determined using any reasonable actuarial assumptions.
    (iv) No employee contributions. The plan must not be a contributory 
DB plan.
    (v) Period of accrual. Each employee's benefit must be accrued over 
the same years of service that are taken into account in applying the 
benefit formula under the plan to that employee. For this purpose, any 
year in which the employee benefits under the plan (within the meaning 
of Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a)) is included as a year of service in which a 
benefit accrues. Thus, for example, a plan does not satisfy the safe 
harbor in paragraph (b)(4) of this section unless the plan uses the same 
years of service to determine both the normal retirement benefit under 
the plan's benefit formula and the fraction by which an employee's 
fractional rule benefit is multiplied to derive the employee's accrued 
benefit as of any plan year.
    (vi) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(2):

    Example 1. Plan A provides a normal retirement benefit equal to two 
percent of average annual compensation times each year of service 
commencing at age 65 for all employees. Plan A provides that employees 
of Division S receive their benefit in the form of a straight life 
annuity and that employees of Division T receive their benefit in the 
form of a life annuity with an automatic cost-of-living increase. Plan A 
does not provide a uniform normal retirement benefit within the meaning 
of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section because the annual benefit is not 
payable in the same form to all employees.
    Example 2. Plan B provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 1.5 
percent of average annual compensation times each year of service at 
normal retirement age for all employees. The normal retirement age under 
the plan is the earlier of age 65 or the age at

[[Page 85]]

which the employee completes 10 years of service, but in no event 
earlier than age 62. Plan B does not provide a uniform normal retirement 
benefit within the meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section 
because the same uniform normal retirement age does not apply to all 
employees.
    Example 3. Plan C is an accumulation plan under which the benefit 
for each year of service equals one percent of plan year compensation 
payable in the same form to all employees commencing at the same uniform 
normal retirement age. Under paragraph (e)(2) of this section, an 
accumulation plan may substitute plan year compensation for average 
annual compensation. Plan C provides a uniform normal retirement benefit 
within the meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, because all 
employees with the same number of years of service at normal retirement 
age will receive an annual benefit that is treated as the same 
percentage of average annual compensation.
    Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that the 
benefit for each year of service equals one percent of plan year 
compensation increased by reference to the increase in the cost of 
living from the year of service to normal retirement age. Plan C does 
not provide a uniform normal retirement benefit, because the annual 
benefit defined by the benefit formula can vary for employees with the 
same number of years of service at normal retirement age, depending on 
the age at which those years of service were credited to the employee 
under the plan.
    Example 5. Plan D provides a normal retirement benefit of 50 percent 
of average annual compensation at normal retirement age (age 65) for 
employees with 30 years of service at normal retirement age. Plan D 
provides that, in the case of an employee with less than 30 years of 
service at normal retirement age, the normal retirement benefit is 
reduced on a pro rata basis for each year of service less than 30. 
However, if an employee with less than 30 years of service at normal 
retirement age continues to work past normal retirement age, Plan D 
provides that the additional years of service worked past normal 
retirement age are taken into account for purposes of the 30 years of 
service requirement. Thus, an employee who has 26 years of service at 
age 65 but who does not retire until age 69 with 30 years of service 
will receive a benefit of 50 percent of average annual compensation. 
Plan D provides uniform post-normal retirement benefits within the 
meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
    Example 6. (a) Plan E is amended on February 14, 1994, to provide an 
early retirement window benefit that consists of an unreduced early 
retirement benefit to employees who terminate employment after 
attainment of age 55 with 10 years of service and between June 1, 1994, 
and November 30, 1994. The early retirement window benefit is a single 
subsidized optional form of benefit. Paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section requires that the subsidized optional form of benefit be 
currently available (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(2)) to 
substantially all employees. Section 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(2)(ii)(A)(2) 
provides that age and service requirements are not disregarded in 
determining the current availability of an optional form of benefit if 
those requirements must be satisfied within a specified period of time. 
Thus, the early retirement window benefit is not currently available to 
an employee unless the employee will satisfy the eligibility 
requirements for the early retirement window benefit by the close of the 
early retirement window benefit period. Plan E will fail to satisfy 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section unless substantially all of the 
employees satisfy the eligibility requirements for the early retirement 
window benefit by November 30, 1994. However, see Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
9(c)(6), Example 2, for an example of how a plan with an early 
retirement window benefit may be restructured into two component plans, 
each of which satisfies the safe harbors of this paragraph (b).
    (b) A similar analysis would apply if, instead of an unreduced early 
retirement benefit, the early retirement window benefit consisted of a 
special schedule of early retirement factors, defined by starting with 
the plan's usual schedule and then treating each employee eligible for 
the early retirement window benefit as being five years older than the 
employee actually is, but not older than the employee's normal 
retirement age.
    Example 7. Plan F generally provides a normal retirement benefit of 
1.5 percent of an employee's average annual compensation multiplied by 
the employee's years of service with the employer. For employees 
transferred outside of the group of employees covered by the plan, the 
plan's benefit formula takes into account only years of service prior to 
the transfer, but determines average annual compensation taking into 
account section 414(s) compensation both before and after the transfer. 
Plan F does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this 
section with respect to transferred employees, because their benefits 
are accrued over years of service (i.e., after transfer) that are not 
taken into account in applying the plan's benefit formula to them. 
However, see Example 2 of paragraph (b)(6)(x)(B) of this section for an 
example of how a plan that continues to take transferred employees' 
section 414(s) compensation into account after their transfer may still 
satisfy this paragraph (b).

    (3) Safe harbor for unit credit plans--(i) General rule. A plan 
satisfies the safe

[[Page 86]]

harbor in this paragraph (b)(3) for a plan year if it satisfies both of 
the following requirements:
    (A) The plan must satisfy the 133\1/3\ percent accrual rule of 
section 411(b)(1)(B).
    (B) Each employee's accrued benefit under the plan as of any plan 
year must be determined by applying the plan's benefit formula to the 
employee's years of service and (if applicable) average annual 
compensation, both determined as of that plan year.
    (ii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(3):

    Example. Plan A provides that the accrued benefit of each employee 
as of any plan year equals the employee's average annual compensation 
times a percentage that depends on the employee's years of service 
determined as of that plan year. The percentage is 2 percent for each of 
the first 10 years of service, plus 1.5 percent for each of the next 10 
years of service, plus 2 percent for all additional years of service. 
Plan A satisfies this paragraph (b)(3).

    (4) Safe harbor for plans using fractional accrual rule--(i) General 
rule. A plan satisfies the safe harbor in this paragraph (b)(4) for a 
plan year if it satisfies each of the following requirements:
    (A) The plan must satisfy the fractional accrual rule of section 
411(b)(1)(C).
    (B) Each employee's accrued benefit under the plan as of any plan 
year before the employee reaches normal retirement age must be 
determined by multiplying the employee's fractional rule benefit (within 
the meaning of Sec. 1.411(b)-1(b)(3)(ii)(A)) by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the employee's years of service determined as of 
the plan year, and the denominator of which is the employee's projected 
years of service as of normal retirement age.
    (C) The plan must satisfy one of the following requirements:
    (1) Under the plan, it must be impossible for any employee to accrue 
in a plan year a portion of the normal retirement benefit described in 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section that is more than one-third larger 
than the portion of the same benefit accrued in that or any other plan 
year by any other employee, when each portion of the benefit is 
expressed as a percentage of each employee's average annual compensation 
or as a dollar amount. In making this determination, actual and 
potential employees in the plan with any amount of service at normal 
retirement must be taken into account (other than employees with more 
than 33 years of service at normal retirement age). In addition, in the 
case of a plan that satisfies section 401(l) in form, an employee is 
treated as accruing benefits at a rate equal to the excess benefit 
percentage in the case of a defined benefit excess plan or at a rate 
equal to the gross benefit percentage in the case of an offset plan.
    (2) The normal retirement benefit under the plan must be a flat 
benefit that requires a minimum of 25 years of service at normal 
retirement age for an employee to receive the unreduced flat benefit, 
determined without regard to section 415. For this purpose, a flat 
benefit is a benefit that is the same percentage of average annual 
compensation or the same dollar amount for all employees who have a 
minimum number of years of service at normal retirement age (e.g., 50 
percent of average annual compensation), with a pro rata reduction in 
the flat benefit for employees who have less than the minimum number of 
years of service at normal retirement age. An employee is permitted to 
accrue the maximum benefit permitted under section 415 over a period of 
less than 25 years, provided that the flat benefit under the plan, 
determined without regard to section 415, can accrue over no less than 
25 years.
    (3) The plan must satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(4)(i)(C)(2) of this section (other than the requirement that the 
minimum number of years of service for receiving the unreduced flat 
benefit is at least 25 years), and, for the plan year, the average of 
the normal accrual rates for all nonhighly compensated nonexcludable 
employees must be at least 70 percent of the average of the normal 
accrual rates for all highly compensated nonexcludable employees. The 
averages in the preceding sentence are determined taking into account 
all nonexcludable employees (regardless of whether they benefit under 
the plan). In addition, contributions and benefits under other

[[Page 87]]

plans of the employer are disregarded. For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(4)(i)(C)(3), normal accrual rates are determined under paragraph (d) 
of this section.
    (ii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(4). In each example, it is assumed that the plan has never 
permitted employee contributions.

    Example 1. Plan A provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 1.6 
percent of average annual compensation times each year of service up to 
25. Plan A further provides that an employee's accrued benefit as of any 
plan year equals the employee's fractional rule benefit multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's years of service as 
of the plan year, and the denominator of which is the employee's 
projected years of service as of normal retirement age. The greatest 
benefit that an employee could accrue in any plan year is 1.6 percent of 
average annual compensation (this is the case for an employee with 25 or 
fewer years of projected service at normal retirement age). Among 
potential employees with 33 or fewer years of projected service at 
normal retirement age, the lowest benefit that an employee could accrue 
in any plan year is 1.212 percent of average annual compensation (this 
is the case for an employee with 33 years of projected service at normal 
retirement age). Plan A satisfies paragraph (b)(4)(i)(C)(1) of this 
section because 1.6 percent is not more than one third larger than 1.212 
percent.
    Example 2. Plan B provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 1.0 
percent of average annual compensation up to the integration level, and 
1.6 percent of average annual compensation above the integration level, 
times each year of service up to 35. Plan B further provides that an 
employee's accrued benefit as of any plan year equals the employee's 
fractional rule benefit multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which 
is the employee's years of service as of the plan year and the 
denominator of which is the employee's projected years of service as of 
normal retirement age. For purposes of satisfying the one third larger 
rule in paragraph (b)(4)(i)(C)(1) of this section, because Plan B 
satisfies section 401(l) in form, all employees with less than 35 
projected years of service are assumed to accrue benefits at the rate of 
1.6 percent of average annual compensation (the excess benefit 
percentage under the plan). Plan B satisfies paragraph (b)(4)(i)(C) of 
this section because all employees with 33 or fewer years of projected 
service at normal retirement age accrue in each plan year a benefit of 
1.6 percent of average annual compensation.
    Example 3. Plan C provides a normal retirement benefit equal to four 
percent of average annual compensation times each year of service up to 
10 and one percent of average annual compensation times each year of 
service in excess of 10 and not in excess of 30. Plan C further provides 
that an employee's accrued benefit as of any plan year equals the 
employee's fractional rule benefit multiplied by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the employee's years of service as of the plan 
year, and the denominator of which is the employee's projected years of 
service as of normal retirement age. The greatest benefit that an 
employee could accrue in any plan year is four percent of average annual 
compensation (this is the case for an employee with 10 or fewer years of 
projected service at normal retirement age). Among employees with 33 or 
fewer years of projected service at normal retirement age, the lowest 
benefit that an employee could accrue in a plan year is 1.82 percent of 
average annual compensation (this is the case of an employee with 33 
years of projected service at normal retirement age). Plan C fails to 
satisfy this paragraph (b)(4) because four percent is more than one 
third larger than 1.82 percent. See also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c)(6), 
Example 3.
    Example 4. Plan D provides a normal retirement benefit of 100 
percent of average annual compensation, reduced by four percentage 
points for each year of service below 25 the employee has at normal 
retirement age. Plan D further provides that an employee's accrued 
benefit as of any plan year is equal to the employee's fractional rule 
benefit multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the 
employee's years of service as of the plan year, and the denominator of 
which is the employee's projected years of service at normal retirement 
age. In the case of an employee who has five years of service as of the 
current plan year, and who is projected to have 10 years of service at 
normal retirement age, the employee's fractional rule benefit would be 
40 percent of average annual compensation, and the employee's accrued 
benefit as of the current plan year would be 20 percent of average 
annual compensation (the fractional rule benefit multiplied by a 
fraction of five years over 10 years). Plan D satisfies this paragraph 
(b)(4).
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that the 
normal retirement benefit is 125 percent of average annual compensation, 
reduced by five percentage points for each year of service below 25 that 
the employee has at normal retirement age. Plan D satisfies this 
paragraph (b)(4), even though an employee may accrue the maximum benefit 
allowed under section 415 (i.e., 100 percent of the participant's 
average compensation for the high three years of service) in less than 
25 years.

[[Page 88]]

    Example 6. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
plan determines each employee's accrued benefit by multiplying the 
employee's projected normal retirement benefit (rather than the 
fractional rule benefit) by the fraction described in Example 1. In 
determining an employee's projected normal retirement benefit, the plan 
defines each employee's average annual compensation as the average 
annual compensation the employee would have at normal retirement age if 
the employee's annual section 414(s) compensation in future plan years 
equaled the employee's plan year compensation for the prior plan year. 
Under these facts, Plan A does not satisfy paragraph (b)(4)(i)(B) of 
this section because the employee's accrued benefit is determined on the 
basis of a projected normal retirement benefit that is not the same as 
the employee's fractional rule benefit determined in accordance with 
Sec. 1.411(b)-1(b)(3)(ii)(A).
    Example 7. Plan E provides a normal retirement benefit of 50 percent 
of average annual compensation, with a pro rata reduction for employees 
with less than 30 years of service at normal retirement age. Plan E 
further provides that an employee's accrued benefit as of any plan year 
is equal to the employee's fractional rule benefit multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's years of service as 
of the plan year, and the denominator of which is the employee's 
projected years of service at normal retirement age. For purposes of 
determining this fraction, the plan limits the years of service taken 
into account for an employee to the number of years the employee has 
participated in the plan. However, all years of service (including years 
of service before the employee commenced participation in the plan) are 
taken into account in determining an employee's normal retirement 
benefit under the plan's benefit formula. Plan E fails to satisfy this 
paragraph (b)(4) because the years of service over which benefits accrue 
differ from the years of service used in applying the benefit formula 
under the plan. See paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section.
    Example 8. (a) Plan F provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 
2.0 percent of average annual compensation, plus 0.65 percent of average 
annual compensation above covered compensation, for each year of service 
up to 25. Plan F further provides that an employee's accrued benefit as 
of any plan year equals the sum of--
    (1) The employee's fractional rule benefit (determined as if the 
normal retirement benefit under the plan equaled 2.0 percent of average 
annual compensation for each year of service up to 25) multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's years of service as 
of the plan year and the denominator of which is the employee's 
projected years of service as of normal retirement age; plus
    (2) 0.65 percent of the employee's average annual compensation above 
covered compensation multiplied by the employee's years of service (up 
to 25) as of the current plan year.
    (b) Although Plan F satisfies the fractional accrual rule of section 
411(b)(1)(C), the plan fails to satisfy this paragraph (b)(4) because 
the plan does not determine employees' accrued benefits in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(4)(i)(B) of this section.

    (5) Safe harbor for insurance contract plans. A plan satisfies the 
safe harbor in this paragraph (b)(5) if it satisfies each of the 
following requirements:
    (i) The plan must satisfy the accrual rule of section 411(b)(1)(F).
    (ii) The plan must be an insurance contract plan within the meaning 
of section 412(i).
    (iii) The benefit formula under the plan must be one that would 
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(4) of this section if the 
stated normal retirement benefit under the formula accrued ratably over 
each employee's period of plan participation through normal retirement 
age in accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(i)(B) of this section. Thus, the 
benefit formula may not recognize years of service before an employee 
commenced participation in the plan because, otherwise, the definition 
of years of service for determining the normal retirement benefit would 
differ from the definition of years of service for determining the 
accrued benefit under paragraph (b)(4)(i)(B) of this section. See 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii), Example 7, of this section. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, an insurance contract plan adopted and in effect on September 
19, 1991, may continue to recognize years of service prior to an 
employee's participation in the plan for an employee who is a 
participant in the plan on that date to the extent provided by the 
benefit formula in the plan on such date.
    (iv) The scheduled premium payments under an individual or group 
insurance contract used to fund an employee's normal retirement benefit 
must be level annual payments to normal retirement age. Thus, payments 
may not be scheduled to cease before normal retirement age.
    (v) The premium payments for an employee who continues benefiting 
after normal retirement age must be equal to the amount necessary to 
fund

[[Page 89]]

additional benefits that accrue under the plan's benefit formula for the 
plan year.
    (vi) Experience gains, dividends, forfeitures, and similar items 
must be used solely to reduce future premiums.
    (vii) All benefits must be funded through contracts of the same 
series. Among other requirements, contracts of the same series must have 
cash values based on the same terms (including interest and mortality 
assumptions) and the same conversion rights. A plan does not fail to 
satisfy this requirement, however, if any change in the contract series 
or insurer applies on the same terms to all employees. But see Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-5(a)(4), Example 12 (change in insurer considered a plan 
amendment subject to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5(a)).
    (viii) If permitted disparity is taken into account, the normal 
retirement benefit stated under the plan's benefit formula must satisfy 
Sec. 1.401(l)-3. For this purpose, the 0.75-percent factor in the 
maximum excess or offset allowance in Sec. 1.401(l)-3(b)(2)(i) or 
(b)(3)(i), respectively, adjusted in accordance with Sec. 1.401(l)-
3(d)(9) and (e), is reduced by multiplying the factor by 0.80.
    (6) Use of safe harbors not precluded by certain plan provisions--
(i) In general. A plan does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b) 
merely because the plan contains one or more of the provisions described 
in this paragraph (b)(6). Unless otherwise provided, any such provision 
must apply uniformly to all employees.
    (ii) Section 401(l) permitted disparity. The plan takes permitted 
disparity into account in a manner that satisfies section 401(l) in 
form. Thus, differences in employees' benefits under the plan 
attributable to uniform disparities permitted under Sec. 1.401(l)-3 
(including differences in disparities that are deemed uniform under 
Sec. 1.401(l)-3(c)(2)) do not cause a plan to fail to satisfy this 
paragraph (b).
    (iii) Different entry dates. The plan provides one or more entry 
dates during the plan year as permitted by section 410(a)(4).
    (iv) Certain conditions on accruals. The plan provides that an 
employee's accrual for the plan year is less than a full accrual 
(including a zero accrual) because of a plan provision permitted by the 
year-of-participation rules of section 411(b)(4).
    (v) Certain limits on accruals. The plan limits benefits otherwise 
provided under the benefit formula or accrual method to a maximum dollar 
amount or to a maximum percentage of average annual compensation (e.g., 
by limiting service taken into account in the benefit formula) or in 
accordance with section 401(a)(5)(D), applies the limits of section 415, 
or limits the dollar amount of compensation taken into account in 
determining benefits.
    (vi) Dollar accrual per uniform unit of service. The plan determines 
accruals based on the same dollar amount for each uniform unit of 
service (not to exceed one week) performed by each employee with the 
same number of years of service under the plan during the plan year. The 
preceding sentence applies solely for purposes of the unit credit safe 
harbor in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (vii) Prior benefits accrued under a different formula. The plan 
determines benefits for years of service after a fresh-start date for 
all employees under a benefit formula and accrual method that differ 
from the benefit formula and accrual method previously used to determine 
benefit accruals for employees in a fresh-start group for years of 
service before the fresh-start date. This paragraph (b)(6)(vii) applies 
solely to plans that satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) with respect to the 
fresh start.
    (viii) Employee contributions. The plan is a contributory DB plan 
that would satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section if 
the plan's benefit formula provided benefits at employees' employer-
provided benefit rates determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(b). This 
paragraph (b)(6)(viii) does not apply to a plan tested under paragraph 
(b)(4) or (b)(5) of this section unless the plan satisfies one of the 
methods in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6 (b)(4) through (b)(6). A minimum benefit 
added to the plan solely to satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(3) is not 
taken into account in determining whether this paragraph (b)(6)(viii) is 
satisfied.
    (ix) Certain subsidized optional forms. The plan provides a 
subsidized optional form of benefit that is available to fewer than 
substantially all employees

[[Page 90]]

because the optional form of benefit has been eliminated prospectively 
as provided in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(3).
    (x) Lower benefits for HCEs--(A) General rule. The benefits 
(including any subsidized optional form of benefit) provided to one or 
more HCEs under the plan are inherently less valuable to those HCEs 
(determined by applying the principles of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(d)(4)) 
than the benefits that would otherwise be provided to those HCEs if the 
plan satisfied this paragraph (b) (determined without regard to this 
paragraph (b)(6)(x)). These inherently less valuable benefits are deemed 
to satisfy this paragraph (b).
    (B) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(6)(x):

    Example 1. Plan A would satisfy this paragraph (b) (determined 
without regard to this paragraph (b)(6)(x)), except for the fact that it 
fails to satisfy the requirement of paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section (i.e., a subsidized optional form must be available to 
substantially all employees on similar terms). Each subsidized optional 
form in the plan is available to all the NHCEs on similar terms, but one 
of the subsidized optional forms of benefit is not available to any of 
the HCEs. Plan A satisfies this paragraph (b), because Plan A is a safe 
harbor plan with respect to the NHCEs and provides inherently less 
valuable benefits to the HCEs.
    Example 2. (a) Plan B would satisfy this paragraph (b) (determined 
without regard to this paragraph (b)(6)(x)), except for the fact that 
some employees are not being credited with years of service under the 
plan, but are continuing to accrue benefits as a result of compensation 
increases. These are employees who have been transferred from the 
employer that sponsors Plan B to another member of the controlled group 
whose employees are not covered by Plan B. For these employees, Plan B 
fails to satisfy the requirement of paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section 
(i.e., each employee's benefit must accrue over the same years of 
service used in applying the benefit formula).
    (b) Plan B is restructured into two component plans under the 
provisions of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c). One component plan (Component Plan 
B1) consists of all NHCEs who are not being credited with years of 
service under the plan's benefit formula but are continuing to accrue 
benefits as a result of compensation increases, and the other component 
plan (Component Plan B2) consists of the balance of the employees.
    (c) Component Plan B1 satisfies this section and section 410(b), 
because it benefits only NHCEs.
    (d) Component Plan B2 is treated as satisfying this paragraph (b), 
because Plan B would satisfy this paragraph (b) (determined without 
regard to this paragraph (b)(6)(x)) with respect to the employees in 
Component Plan B2 but for the fact that it provides inherently less 
valuable benefits to some HCEs in that component plan (i.e., the 
employees who are credited only with compensation increases rather than 
both years of service and compensation increases).
    (e) Under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c), if Component Plan B2 satisfies 
section 410(b), then Plan B satisfies this section.

    (xi) Multiple formulas--(A) General rule. The plan provides that an 
employee's benefit under the plan is the greater of the benefits 
determined under two or more formulas, or is the sum of the benefits 
determined under two or more formulas. This paragraph (b)(6)(xi) does 
not apply to a plan unless each of the formulas under the plan satisfies 
the requirements of paragraph (b)(6)(xi) (B) through (D) of this 
section.
    (B) Sole formulas. The formulas must be the only formulas under the 
plan.
    (C) Separate testing. Each of the formulas must separately satisfy 
the uniformity requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section and also 
separately satisfy one of the safe harbors in paragraphs (b)(3) through 
(b)(5) of this section. A formula that is available solely to some or 
all NHCEs is deemed to satisfy this paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(C).
    (D) Availability--(1) General rule. All of the formulas must be 
available on the same terms to all employees.
    (2) Formulas for NHCEs. A formula does not fail to be available on 
the same terms to all employees merely because the formula is not 
available to any HCEs, but is available to some or all NHCEs on the same 
terms as all of the other formulas in the plan.
    (3) Top-heavy formulas. Rules parallel to those in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(4)(vi)(D)(3) apply in the case of a plan that provides 
the greater of the benefits under two or more formulas, one of which is 
a top-heavy formula. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(D)(3), a 
top-heavy formula is a formula that provides a benefit equal to the 
minimum benefit described in section 416(c)(1) (taking into account, if 
applicable, the modification in section 416(h)(2)(A)(ii)(I)).

[[Page 91]]

    (E) Provisions may be applied more than once. The provisions of this 
paragraph (b)(6)(xi) may be applied more than once. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(4)(vi)(E) for an example of the application of these 
provisions more than once.
    (F) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(6)(xi):

    Example 1. Under Plan A, each employee's benefit equals the sum of 
the benefits determined under two formulas. The first formula provides 
one percent of average annual compensation per year of service. The 
second formula provides $10 per year of service. Plan A is eligible to 
apply the rules in this paragraph (b)(6)(xi).
    Example 2. Under Plan B, each employee's benefit equals the greater 
of the benefits determined under two formulas. The first formula 
provides $15 per year of service and is available to all employees who 
complete at least 500 hours of service during the plan year. The second 
formula provides 1.5 percent of average annual compensation per year of 
service and is available to all employees who complete at least 1,000 
hours of service during the plan year. Plan B does not satisfy this 
paragraph (b)(6)(xi) because the two formulas are not available on the 
same terms to all employees.
    Example 3. Under Plan C, each employee's benefit equals the greater 
of the benefits determined under two formulas. The first formula 
provides $15 per year of service and is available to all employees who 
complete at least 1,000 hours of service during the plan year. The 
second formula provides the minimum benefit described in section 
416(c)(1) and is available to all non-key employees who complete at 
least 1,000 hours of service during the plan year. Plan C does not 
satisfy the general rule in paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(D)(1) of this section 
because the two formulas are not available on the same terms to all 
employees (i.e., the second formula is only available to all non-key 
employees). Nonetheless, because the second formula is a top-heavy 
formula, the special availability rules for top-heavy formulas in 
paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(D)(3) of this section apply. Thus, the second 
formula does not fail to be available on the same terms as the first 
formula merely because the second formula is available solely to all 
non-key employees on the same terms. This is true even if the plan 
conditions the availability of the second formula on the plan's being 
top-heavy for the plan year.
    Example 4. Under Plan D, each employee's benefit equals the greater 
of the benefits determined under two formulas. The first formula is 
available to all employees and provides a benefit equal to 1.5 percent 
of average annual compensation per year of service. The second formula 
is only available to NHCEs and provides a benefit equal to two percent 
of average annual compensation per year of service, minus two percent of 
the primary insurance amount per year of service. The amount of the 
offset is not limited to the maximum permitted offset under Sec. 
1.401(l)-3(b). Under paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(D)(2) of this section, both 
formulas are treated as available to all employees on the same terms. 
Furthermore, even though the second formula does not satisfy any of the 
safe harbors in this paragraph (b), the formula is deemed to satisfy the 
separate testing requirement under paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(C) of this 
section, because the formula is available solely to some or all NHCEs.
    Example 5. Plan E is a unit credit plan that provides a benefit of 
one percent of average annual compensation per year of service to all 
employees. In 1994, the plan is amended to provide a benefit of two 
percent of average annual compensation per year of service after 1993, 
while continuing to provide a benefit of one percent of average annual 
compensation per year of service for all years of service before 1994. 
Thus, the plan's amended benefit formula provides a benefit equal to the 
sum of the benefits determined under two benefit formulas: one percent 
of average annual compensation per year of service, plus one percent of 
average annual compensation per year of service after 1993. Plan E 
satisfies this paragraph (b)(6)(xi).
    Example 6. The facts are the same as in Example 5, except that the 
plan amendment in 1994 decreases the benefit to 0.75 percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service after 1993, while retaining the 
one-percent formula for all years of service before 1994. Thus, the 
plan's amended benefit formula provides a benefit equal to the sum of 
the benefits determined under two benefit formulas: 0.75 percent of 
average annual compensation per year of service, plus 0.25 percent of 
average annual compensation per year of service before 1994. Under these 
facts, the second formula does not separately satisfy any of the safe 
harbors in this paragraph (b) because the years of service over which 
each employee's benefit accrues under the second formula (i.e., all 
years of service) are not the same years of service that are taken into 
account in applying the benefit formula under the plan to that employee 
(i.e., years of service before 1994). See paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this 
section. But see paragraph (b)(6)(vii) of this section and Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13, which provide rules under which Plan E, as amended, may 
be able to satisfy this paragraph (b).
    Example 7. Plan F provides a benefit to all employees of one percent 
of average annual compensation per year of service. Employee M was hired 
as the president of the employer in December 1994 and was not a HCE 
under section 414(q) during the 1994 calendar plan year. In 1994, Plan F 
is amended to provide a

[[Page 92]]

benefit that is the greater of the benefit determined under the pre-
existing formula in the plan and a new formula that is available solely 
to some NHCEs (including Employee M). The new formula does not satisfy 
the uniformity requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, because 
it provides a different benefit for some NHCEs than for other NHCEs. As 
a result of this change, Employee M receives a higher accrual in 1994 
than the NHCEs who are not eligible for the new formula. In 1995, when 
Employee M first becomes a HCE, the second formula no longer applies to 
Employee M. It would be inconsistent with the purpose of preventing 
discrimination in favor of HCEs for Plan F to use the special rule for a 
formula that is available solely to some or all NHCEs to satisfy the 
separate testing requirement of paragraph (b)(6)(xi)(C) of this section 
for the 1994 calendar plan year. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(2).

    (c) General test for nondiscrimination in amount of benefits--(1) 
General rule. The employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit 
plan are nondiscriminatory in amount for a plan year if each rate group 
under the plan satisfies section 410(b). For purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(1), a rate group exists under a plan for each HCE and consists of 
the HCE and all other employees (both HCEs and NHCEs) who have a normal 
accrual rate greater than or equal to the HCE's normal accrual rate, and 
who also have a most valuable accrual rate greater than or equal to the 
HCE's most valuable accrual rate. Thus, an employee is in the rate group 
for each HCE who has a normal accrual rate less than or equal to the 
employee's normal accrual rate, and who also has a most valuable accrual 
rate less than or equal to the employee's most valuable accrual rate.
    (2) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a rate group. For purposes of 
determining whether a rate group satisfies section 410(b), the same 
rules apply as in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(3). See paragraph (c)(4) of 
this section and Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(4), Example 3 through Example 5, 
for examples of this rule.
    (3) Certain violations disregarded. A plan is deemed to satisfy 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section if the plan would satisfy that 
paragraph by treating as not benefiting no more than five percent of the 
HCEs in the plan, and the Commissioner determines that, on the basis of 
all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the plan does not 
discriminate with respect to the amount of employer-provided benefits. 
For this purpose, five percent of the number of HCEs may be determined 
by rounding to the nearest whole number (e.g., 1.4 rounds to 1 and 1.5 
rounds to 2). Among the relevant factors that the Commissioner may 
consider in making this determination are--
    (i) The extent to which the plan has failed the test in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section;
    (ii) The extent to which the failure is for reasons other than the 
design of the plan;
    (iii) Whether the HCEs causing the failure are five-percent owners 
or are among the highest paid nonexcludable employees;
    (iv) Whether the failure is attributable to an event that is not 
expected to recur (e.g., a plant closing); and
    (v) The extent to which the failure is attributable to benefits 
accrued under a prior benefit structure or to benefits accrued when a 
participant was not a HCE.
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (c):

    Example 1. (a) Employer X has 1100 nonexcludable employees, N1 
through N1000, who are NHCEs, and H1 through H100, who are HCEs. 
Employer X maintains Plan A, a defined benefit plan that benefits all of 
these nonexcludable employees. The normal and most valuable accrual 
rates (determined as a percentage of average annual compensation) for 
the employees in Plan A for the 1994 plan year are listed in the 
following table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Most
                                                     Normal    valuable
                     Employee                       accrual     accrual
                                                      rate       rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N1 through N100..................................        1.0        1.4
N101 through N500................................        1.5        3.0
N501 through N750................................        2.0        2.65
N751 through N1000...............................        2.3        2.8
H1 through H50...................................        1.5        2.0
H51 through H100.................................        2.0        2.65
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) There are 100 rate groups in Plan A because there are 100 HCEs 
in Plan A.
    (c) Rate group 1 consists of H1 and all those employees who have a 
normal accrual rate greater than or equal to H1's normal accrual rate 
(1.5 percent) and who also have a most valuable accrual rate greater 
than or equal to H1's most valuable accrual rate (2.0 percent). Thus, 
rate group 1 consists of H1 through H100 and N101 through N1000.

[[Page 93]]

    (d) Rate group 1 satisfies the ratio percentage test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is 90 
percent, i.e., 90 percent (the percentage of all nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employees who are in the rate group) divided by 100 
percent (the percentage of all highly compensated nonexcludable 
employees who are in the rate group).
    (e) Because H1 through H50 have the same normal accrual rates and 
the same most valuable accrual rates, the rate group with respect to 
each of them is identical. Thus, because rate group 1 satisfies section 
410(b), rate groups 2 through 50 also satisfy section 410(b).
    (f) Rate group 51 consists of H51 and all those employees who have a 
normal accrual rate greater than or equal to H51's normal accrual rate 
(2.0 percent) and who also have a most valuable accrual rate greater 
than or equal to H51's most valuable accrual rate (2.65 percent). Thus, 
rate group 51 consists of H51 through H100 and N501 through N1000. (Even 
though N101 through N500 have a most valuable accrual rate (3.0 percent) 
greater than H51's most valuable accrual rate (2.65 percent), they are 
not included in this rate group because their normal accrual rate (1.5 
percent) is less than H51's normal accrual rate (2.0 percent).)
    (g) Rate group 51 satisfies the ratio percentage test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(b)(2) because the ratio percentage of the rate group is 100 
percent, i.e., 50 percent (the percentage of all nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employees who are in the rate group) divided by 50 percent 
(the percentage of all highly compensated nonexcludable employees who 
are in the rate group).
    (h) Because H51 through H100 have the same normal accrual rates and 
the same most valuable accrual rates, the rate group with respect to 
each of them is identical. Thus, because rate group 51 satisfies section 
410(b), rate groups 52 through 100 also satisfy section 410(b).
    (i) The employer-provided benefits under Plan A are 
nondiscriminatory in amount because each rate group under the plan 
satisfies section 410(b).
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that H96 
has a most valuable accrual rate of 3.5. Each of the rate groups is the 
same as in Example 1, except that rate group 96 consists solely of H96 
because no other employee has a most valuable accrual rate greater than 
3.5. Because the plan would satisfy the test in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section by treating H96 (who constitutes less than five percent of the 
HCEs in the plan) as not benefiting, the Commissioner may determine 
under paragraph (c)(3) of this section that, on the basis of all of the 
relevant facts and circumstances, the plan does not discriminate with 
respect to the amount of benefits.

    (d) Determination of accrual rates--(1) Definitions--(i) Normal 
accrual rate. The normal accrual rate for an employee for a plan year is 
the increase in the employee's accrued benefit (within the meaning of 
section 411(a)(7)(A)(i)) during the measurement period, divided by the 
employee's testing service during the measurement period, and expressed 
either as a dollar amount or as a percentage of the employee's average 
annual compensation.
    (ii) Most valuable accrual rate. The most valuable accrual rate for 
an employee for a plan year is the increase in the employee's most 
valuable optional form of payment of the accrued benefit during the 
measurement period, divided by the employee's testing service during the 
measurement period, and expressed either as a dollar amount or as a 
percentage of the employee's average annual compensation. The employee's 
most valuable optional form of payment of the accrued benefit is 
determined by calculating for the employee the normalized QJSA 
associated with the accrued benefit that is potentially payable in the 
current or any future plan year at any age under the plan and selecting 
the largest (per year of testing service). If the plan provides a QSUPP, 
the most valuable accrual rate also takes into account the QSUPP payable 
in conjunction with the QJSA at each age under the plan. Thus, the most 
valuable accrual rate reflects the value of all benefits accrued or 
treated as accrued under section 411(d)(6) that are payable in any form 
and at any time under the plan, including early retirement benefits, 
retirement-type subsidies, early retirement window benefits, and QSUPPs. 
In addition, the most valuable accrual rate must take into account any 
such benefits that are available during a plan year, even if the 
benefits cease to be available before the end of the current or any 
future plan year.
    (iii) Measurement period. The measurement period can be--
    (A) The current plan year;
    (B) The current plan year and all prior years; or
    (C) The current plan year and all prior and future years.
    (iv) Testing service--(A) General rule. Testing service means an 
employee's

[[Page 94]]

years of service as defined in the plan for purposes of applying the 
benefit formula under the plan, subject to the requirements of paragraph 
(d)(1)(iv)(B) of this section. Alternatively, testing service means 
service determined for all employees in a reasonable manner that 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (d)(1)(iv)(B) of this section. 
For example, the number of plan years that an employee has benefited 
under the plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a) is an 
acceptable definition of testing service because it determines service 
in a reasonable manner and satisfies paragraph (d)(1)(iv)(B) of this 
section. See also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) (additional limits on 
service that may be taken into account as testing service).
    (B) Requirements for testing service--(1) Employees not credited 
with years of service under the benefit formula. An employee must be 
credited with testing service for any year in which the employee 
benefits under the plan (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a)), 
unless that year is part of a period of service that may not be taken 
into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3). This rule applies even if 
the employee does not receive service credit under the benefit formula 
for that year (e.g., because of a service cap in the benefit formula or 
because of a transfer out of the group of employees covered by the 
plan).
    (2) Current year testing service. In the case of a measurement 
period that is the current plan year, testing service for the plan year 
equals one (1).
    (2) Rules of application--(i) Consistency requirement. Both normal 
and most valuable accrual rates must be determined in a consistent 
manner for all employees for the plan year. Thus, for example, the same 
measurement periods must be used, and the rules of this paragraph (d)(2) 
and any available options described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section 
must be applied consistently. If plan benefits are not expressed as 
straight life annuities beginning at employees' testing ages, they must 
be normalized.
    (ii) Determining plan benefits, service and compensation--(A) In 
general. Potential plan benefits, testing service, and average annual 
compensation must be determined in a reasonable manner, reflecting 
actual or projected service and compensation only through the end of the 
measurement period. The determination of potential plan benefits is not 
reasonable if it incorporates an assumption that, in future years, an 
employee's compensation will increase or the employee will terminate 
employment before the employee's testing age (other than the assumptions 
under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section that the employee's service 
will end in connection with the payment of each potential QJSA in future 
years).
    (B) Section 415 limits. For purposes of determining accrual rates 
under this paragraph (d), plan benefits are generally determined without 
regard to whether those benefits are permitted to be paid under section 
415. However, plan provisions implementing any of the limits of section 
415 may be taken into account in applying this paragraph (d) if the plan 
does not provide for benefit increases resulting from section 415(d)(1) 
adjustments for former employees who were employees in a plan year in 
which such plan provisions were taken into account in applying this 
paragraph (d). If the limits of section 415 are taken into account under 
this paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) as of the end of the measurement period, 
they must also be taken into account as of the beginning of the 
measurement period. If the limits of section 415 are not taken into 
account in testing the plan for the current plan year, but were taken 
into account in testing the plan for the preceding plan year, any 
resulting increase in the accrued benefits taken into account in testing 
the plan is treated as an increase in accrued benefits during the 
current plan year.
    (iii) Requirements for measurement period that includes future 
years--(A) Discriminatory pattern of accruals. A measurement period that 
includes future years (as described in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(C) of this 
section) may not be used if the pattern of accruals under the plan 
discriminates in favor of HCEs (i.e., if projected benefits for HCEs are 
relatively frontloaded when compared to the degree of front loading or 
backloading for NHCEs). This determination is made based on all of the 
relevant facts and circumstances.

[[Page 95]]

    (B) Future-period limitation. Future years beginning after an 
employee's attainment of the employee's testing age (or after the 
employee's assumed termination in the case of most valuable accrual 
rates) may not be included in the measurement period.
    (3) Optional rules--(i) Imputation of permitted disparity. The 
disparity permitted under section 401(l) may be imputed in accordance 
with the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7.
    (ii) Grouping of accrual rates--(A) General rule. An employer may 
treat all employees who have accrual rates within a specified range 
above and below a midpoint rate chosen by the employer as having an 
accrual rate equal to the midpoint rate within that range. Accrual rates 
within a given range may not be grouped under this paragraph (d)(3)(ii) 
if the accrual rates of HCEs within the range generally are 
significantly higher than the accrual rates of NHCEs in the range. The 
specified ranges within which all employees are treated as having the 
same accrual rate may not overlap and may be no larger than provided in 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(B) of this section. Accrual rates of employees that 
are not within any of these specified ranges are determined without 
regard to this paragraph (d)(3)(ii).
    (B) Size of specified ranges. In the case of normal accrual rates, 
the lowest and highest accrual rates in the range must be within five 
percent (not five percentage points) of the midpoint rate. In the case 
of most valuable accrual rates, the lowest and highest accrual rates in 
the range must be within 15 percent (not 15 percentage points) of the 
midpoint rate. If accrual rates are determined as a percentage of 
average annual compensation, the lowest and highest accrual rates need 
not be within five percent (or 15 percent) of the midpoint rate, if they 
are no more than one twentieth of a percentage point above or below the 
midpoint rate.
    (iii) Fresh-start alternative--(A) General rule. Notwithstanding the 
definition of measurement period provided in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of 
this section, a measurement period for a fresh-start group is permitted 
to be limited to the period beginning after the fresh-start date with 
respect to that group if the plan makes a fresh start that satisfies 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) (without regard to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(2)(i) 
and (ii)). If the measurement period is so limited or the measurement 
period is the plan year (whether or not so limited), any compensation 
adjustments during the measurement period to the frozen accrued benefit 
as of the fresh-start date that are permitted under the rules of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(d) may be disregarded in determining the increase in 
accrued benefits during the measurement period, but only if--
    (1) The plan makes a fresh start as of the fresh-start date that 
satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) (without regard to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c)(2)(ii)) in conjunction with a bona fide amendment to the benefit 
formula or accrual method under the plan; and
    (2) The amendment provides for adjustments to employees' frozen 
accrued benefits as of the fresh-start date in accordance with the rules 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d).
    (B) Application of consistency requirements. Limiting the 
application of the fresh-start alternative in this paragraph (d)(3)(iii) 
to a fresh-start group that consists of fewer than all employees does 
not violate the consistency requirement of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this 
section.
    (iv) Floor on most valuable accrual rate. In lieu of determining an 
employee's most valuable accrual rate in accordance with the definition 
in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, an employer may determine an 
employee's most valuable accrual rate for the current plan year as the 
employee's highest most valuable accrual rate determined for any prior 
plan year. This option may be used only if the employee's normal accrual 
rate has not changed significantly from the normal accrual rate for the 
relevant prior plan year and, there have been no plan amendments in the 
interim period since that prior plan year that affect the determination 
of most valuable accrual rates.
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d):

    Example 1. The employees in Plan A have the following normal accrual 
rates (expressed as percentage of average annual

[[Page 96]]

compensation): 0.8 percent, 0.83 percent, 0.9 percent, 1.9 percent, 2.0 
percent, and 2.1 percent. Because the first three rates are within a 
range of no more than one twentieth of a percentage point above or below 
0.85 percent (a midpoint rate chosen by the employer), the employer may 
treat the employees who have those rates as having an accrual rate of 
0.85 percent (provided that the accrual rates of HCEs within the range 
are not significantly higher than the accrual rates for NHCEs within the 
range). Because the last three rates are within a range of no more than 
five percent above or below 2.0 percent (a midpoint rate chosen by the 
employer), the employer may treat the employees who have those rates as 
having an accrual rate of 2.0 percent (provided that the accrual rates 
of HCEs within the range are not significantly higher than the accrual 
rates for NHCEs within the range).
    Example 2. Employer X maintains a plan under which headquarters 
employees accrue a benefit of 1.25 percent of average compensation for 
the first 10 years of service and 0.75 percent of average compensation 
for subsequent years of service, while all other employees accrue a 
benefit of one percent of compensation for all years of service. Assume 
that the group of headquarters employees does not satisfy section 
410(b). Under these facts, the pattern of accruals under the plan 
discriminates in favor of HCEs, and, therefore, under paragraph 
(d)(2)(iii)(A) of this section, the measurement period for determining 
accrual rates under the plan may not include future service.

    (e) Compensation rules--(1) In general. This paragraph (e) provides 
rules for determining average annual compensation. Safe harbor plans 
that satisfy paragraph (b) of this section must determine benefits 
either as a dollar amount unrelated to employees' compensation or as a 
percentage of each employee's average annual compensation. In contrast, 
plans that must satisfy the general test of paragraph (c) of this 
section are not required under this section to determine benefits under 
any particular definition of compensation or in any particular manner, 
but the accrual rates used in testing these plans must be expressed 
either as a dollar amount or determined as a percentage of each 
employee's average annual compensation.
    (2) Average annual compensation--(i) General rule. An employee's 
average annual compensation is the average of the employee's annual 
section 414(s) compensation determined over the averaging period in the 
employee's compensation history during which the average of the 
employee's annual section 414(s) compensation is the highest. For this 
purpose, an averaging period must consist of three or more consecutive 
12-month periods, but need not be longer than the employee's period of 
employment. An employee's compensation history may begin at any time, 
but must be continuous, be no shorter than the averaging period, and end 
in the current plan year.
    (ii) Certain permitted modifications to average annual 
compensation--(A) Use of plan year compensation. If the measurement 
period for determination of accrual rates is the current plan year, or 
the plan is an accumulation plan that satisfies paragraph (b) of this 
section, then plan year compensation may be substituted for average 
annual compensation.
    (B) Drop-out years. Any of the following types of 12-month periods 
in an employee's compensation history may be disregarded in determining 
the employee's average annual compensation (including for purposes of 
the requirement to average section 414(s) compensation over consecutive 
12-month periods), but only if the plan disregards the employee's 
compensation for those periods in determining benefits--
    (1) The 12-month period in which the employee terminates employment;
    (2) All 12-month periods in which the employee performs no services; 
or
    (3) All 12-month periods in which the employee performs services for 
less than a specified number of hours or specified period of time in the 
12-month period. The specified number of hours or specified period of 
time may be selected by the employer, but may not exceed three quarters 
of the time that an employee in the same job category working on a full-
time basis would perform services during that 12-month period.
    (C) Drop-out months within 12-month periods. If a plan determines an 
employee's average annual compensation using 12-month periods that do 
not end on a fixed date (e.g., average annual compensation as of a date 
is defined as the average of the employee's section 414(s) compensation 
for the 60 consecutive months within the compensation

[[Page 97]]

history in which the average is highest), then, for purposes of 
determining a 12-month period, any of the following type of months may 
be disregarded (including for purposes of the requirement to average 
section 414(s) compensation over consecutive 12-month periods), but only 
if the plan disregards the employee's compensation for those months in 
determining benefits--
    (1) The month in which the employee terminates employment;
    (2) All months in which the employee performs no services; or
    (3) All months in which the employee performs services for less than 
a specified number of hours or specified period of time in the month. 
The specified number of hours or specified period of time may be 
selected by the employer, but may not exceed three quarters of the time 
that an employee in the same job category working on a full-time basis 
would perform services during that month.
    (D) Employees working less than full-time. In the case of an 
employee who normally works less than full-time, the rules in paragraphs 
(e)(2)(ii)(B)(3) and (e)(2)(ii)(C)(3) of this section may be applied in 
relation to that employee's normal work schedule (instead of a full- 
time employee's work schedule) by prorating the specified number of 
hours or specified period of time, based on the employee's normal work 
schedule as a fraction of a full-time schedule.
    (E) Exception from consecutive-periods requirement for certain 
plans. The requirement that the periods taken into account under 
paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section be consecutive does not apply in the 
case of a plan that is not a section 401(l) plan, provided that it does 
not take permitted disparity into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. 
This paragraph (e)(2)(ii)(E) applies only if the plan does not take into 
account whether 12-month periods of compensation are consecutive in 
determining average compensation for purposes of calculating benefits.
    (iii) Consistency requirements. Average annual compensation must be 
determined in a consistent manner for all employees.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (e):

    Example 1. Plan A is a defined benefit plan. Plan A determines 
benefits on the basis of the average of each employee's annual 
compensation for the five consecutive plan years (or the employee's 
period of employment, if shorter) during the employee's compensation 
history in which the average of the employee's annual compensation is 
the highest. The compensation history used for this purpose is the last 
10 plan years, plus the current plan year. In determining compensation 
for each plan year in the compensation history, Plan A defines 
compensation using a single definition that satisfies section 414(s) as 
a safe harbor definition under Sec. 1.414(s)-1(c). Plan A determines 
benefits on the basis of average annual compensation.
    Example 2. Plan B is a defined benefit plan. Plan B determines 
benefits on the basis of the average of each employee's compensation for 
the five consecutive 12-month periods (or the employee's period of 
employment, if shorter) during the employee's compensation history in 
which the average of the employee's annual compensation is the highest. 
The compensation history used for this purpose is the 10 consecutive 12-
month periods ending on the employee's termination date. In determining 
the average, Plan B disregards all months in which the employee performs 
services for less than 100 hours (60 percent of a full-time work 
schedule of 173 hours). In the case of an employee whose normal work 
schedule is less than a full-time schedule, Plan B disregards all months 
in which that employee performs services for less than 60 percent of the 
employee's normal work schedule. Plan B defines compensation for each 
12-month period using a single definition that satisfies Sec. 1.414(s)-
1. Plan B determines benefits on the basis of average annual 
compensation.
    Example 3. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that, 
for plan years prior to 1996, the compensation for a plan year was 
determined under a rate of pay definition of compensation that satisfies 
section 414(s), while, for plan years after 1995, the compensation for a 
plan year is determined using a definition that satisfies section 414(s) 
as a safe harbor definition under Sec. 1.414(s)-1(c).
    (b) The underlying definition of compensation for each plan year in 
the employee's compensation history is section 414(s) compensation, 
because for each plan year the definition satisfies the requirements for 
section 414(s) compensation under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12. Therefore, Plan 
A determines benefits on the basis of average annual compensation, even 
though the underlying definition used to measure the amount of 
compensation for

[[Page 98]]

each plan year in an employee's compensation history is not the same for 
all plan years.
    Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that Plan 
A determines benefits on the basis of the average of the employee's 
annual section 414(s) compensation for the five consecutive 12-month 
periods ending on June 30 during the employee's compensation history in 
which the average is highest. An employee's compensation history begins 
when the employee commences participation in the plan and ends in the 
current plan year. In the case of an employee with less than five 
consecutive years of plan participation as of June 30, the compensation 
history is extended prior to the employee's commencement of 
participation to include the five consecutive 12-month periods ending on 
June 30 of the current plan year (or the employee's total period of 
employment, if shorter). Plan A determines benefits on the basis of 
average annual compensation.
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that Plan 
A determines benefits on the basis of the average of each employee's 
compensation for the employee's entire compensation history. Plan A 
determines benefits on the basis of average annual compensation.

    (f) Special rules--(1) In general. The special rules in this 
paragraph (f) apply for purposes of applying the provisions of this 
section to a defined benefit plan. Any special rule provided in this 
paragraph (f) that is optional must, if used, apply uniformly to all 
employees.
    (2) Certain qualified disability benefits. In general, qualified 
disability benefits (within the meaning of section 411(a)(9)) are not 
taken into account under this section. However, a qualified disability 
benefit that results from the crediting of compensation or service for a 
period of disability in the same manner as actual compensation or 
service is credited under a plan's benefit formula is permitted to be 
taken into account under this section as an accrued benefit upon the 
employee's return to service with the employer following the period of 
disability, provided that the qualified disability benefit is then 
treated in the same manner as an accrued benefit for all purposes under 
the plan.
    (3) Accruals after normal retirement age--(i) General rule. An 
employee's accruals for any plan year after the plan year in which the 
employee attains normal retirement age are taken into account for 
purposes of this section. However, any plan provision that provides for 
increases in an employee's accrued benefit solely because the employee 
has delayed commencing benefits beyond the normal retirement age 
applicable to the employee under the plan may be disregarded, but only 
if--
    (A) The same uniform normal retirement age applies to all employees; 
and
    (B) The percentage factor used to increase the employee's accrued 
benefit is no greater than the largest percentage factor that could be 
applied to increase actuarially the employee's accrued benefit using any 
standard mortality table and any standard interest rate.
    (ii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (f)(3). In each example, it is assumed that the plan satisfies 
the requirements of paragraph (f)(3)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.

    Example 1. Plan A provides a benefit of two percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service for all employees. In addition, 
Plan A provides an actuarial increase in an employee's accrued benefit 
of six percent for each year that an employee defers commencement of 
benefits beyond normal retirement age. For employees who continue in 
service beyond normal retirement age, the employee's two-percent accrual 
for the current plan year is offset by the six-percent actuarial 
increase, as permitted under section 411(b)(1)(H)(iii)(II). For purposes 
of this section, the actuarial increase (and hence the offset) may be 
disregarded, and thus all employees may be treated as if they were 
accruing at the rate of two percent of average annual compensation per 
year.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
employee's two- percent accrual for the current plan year is not offset 
by the six-percent actuarial increase. The employer may disregard the 
actuarial increase and thus may treat all employees as if they were 
accruing at the rate of two percent of average annual compensation per 
year.

    (4) Early retirement window benefits--(i) General rule. In applying 
the requirements of this section, all early retirement benefits, 
retirement-type subsidies, QSUPPs, and other optional forms of benefit 
under a plan, and changes in the plan's benefit formula, are taken into 
account regardless of whether they are permanent features of the plan or 
are offered only to employees whose employment terminates

[[Page 99]]

within a limited period of time. Additional rules and examples relevant 
to the testing of early retirement window benefits are found in Example 
6 of paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section; paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A)(2), 
Example 2 of paragraph (c)(2), paragraph (d)(3), and Example 3 of 
paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4; paragraph (c)(4)(i) and 
Example 2 of paragraph (c)(6) of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9; and the definition 
of benefit formula in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (ii) Special rules--(A) Year in which early retirement window 
benefit taken into account. Notwithstanding paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this 
section, an early retirement window benefit is disregarded for purposes 
of determining whether a plan satisfies this section with respect to an 
employee for all plan years other than the first plan year in which the 
benefit is currently available (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(b)(2)) to the employee. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(4)(ii)(A), 
in determining which plan years the benefit is currently available, an 
early retirement window benefit that consists of a temporary change in 
the plan's benefit formula is treated as an optional form of benefit.
    (B) Treatment of early retirement window benefit that consists of 
temporary change in benefit formula. An early retirement window benefit 
is disregarded for purposes of determining an employee's normal accrual 
rate, even if the early retirement window benefit consists of a 
temporary change in a plan's benefit formula. However, if an early 
retirement window benefit consists of a temporary change in a plan's 
benefit formula, the plan does not satisfy paragraph (b) of this section 
during the period for which the change is effective unless the plan 
satisfies paragraph (b) of this section both reflecting the temporary 
change in the benefit formula and disregarding that change.
    (C) Effect of early retirement window benefit on most valuable 
accrual rate. In determining an employee's most valuable optional form 
of payment of the accrued benefit (which is used in determining the 
employee's most valuable accrual rate under paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) and 
(f)(4)(i) of this section), an early retirement window benefit that is 
currently available to the employee (within the meaning of paragraph 
(f)(4)(ii)(A) of this section) and that is not disregarded for a plan 
year under paragraph (f)(4)(ii)(A) of this section is taken into account 
in that plan year with respect to the employee's accrued benefit as of 
the earliest of the employee's date of termination, the close of the 
early retirement window, or the last day of that plan year.
    (D) Effect of early retirement window benefit on average benefit 
percentage test. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2) of this section, a 
rate group under a plan that provides an early retirement window benefit 
is deemed to satisfy the average benefit percentage test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-5 if--
    (1) All rate groups under the plan would satisfy the ratio 
percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) if the early retirement window 
benefit were disregarded; and
    (2) The group of employees to whom the early retirement window 
benefit is currently available (within the meaning of paragraph 
(f)(4)(ii)(A) of this section) satisfies section 410(b) without regard 
to the average benefit percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5.
    (iii) Early retirement window benefit defined. For purposes of this 
paragraph (f)(4), an early retirement window benefit is an early 
retirement benefit, retirement-type subsidy, QSUPP, or other optional 
form of benefit under a plan that is available, or a change in the 
plan's benefit formula that is applicable, only to employees who 
terminate employment within a limited period specified by the plan (not 
to exceed one year) under circumstances specified by the plan. A benefit 
does not fail to be described in the preceding sentence merely because 
the plan contains provisions under which certain employees may receive 
the benefit even though, for bona fide business reasons, they terminate 
employment within a reasonable period after the end of the limited 
period. An amendment to an early retirement window benefit that merely 
extends the periods in the preceding sentences is not treated as a 
separate early retirement window benefit, provided that the periods, as 
extended, satisfy the preceding sentences. However, any other amendment 
to an early retirement window benefit

[[Page 100]]

creates a separate early retirement window benefit.
    (iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (f)(4):

    Example 1. (a) Plan A provides a benefit of one percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service and satisfies the requirements 
of paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Thus, the plan provides the same 
benefit to all employees with the same years of service under the Plan. 
Plan A is amended to treat all employees with ten or more years of 
service who terminate employment after attainment of age 55 and between 
March 1, 1999, and January 31, 2000, as if they had an additional five 
years of service under the benefit formula. However, in order to ensure 
the orderly implementation of the early retirement window, the plan 
amendment provides that designated employees in the human resources 
department who would otherwise be eligible for the early retirement 
window benefit are eligible to be treated as having the additional five 
years of service only if they terminate between January 1, 2000, and 
April 30, 2000.
    (b) The additional benefits provided under this amendment are tested 
as benefits provided to employees rather than former employees. The 
effect of this amendment is temporarily to change the benefit formula 
for employees who are eligible for the early retirement window benefit 
because the amendment changes (albeit temporarily) the amount of the 
benefit payable to those employees at normal retirement age. See the 
definition of benefit formula in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12. Assume that the 
additional years of service credited to employees eligible for the 
window benefit do not represent past service (within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(B)) or pre-participation or imputed 
service (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(ii)(A) or (B), 
respectively) and thus may not be taken into account as years of 
service. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(A) (regarding years of 
service that may not be taken into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1(b)(2)). Thus, the window-eligible employees are entitled to a larger 
benefit (as a percentage of average annual compensation) than other 
employees with the same number of years of service, and the plan does 
not satisfy the uniform normal retirement benefit requirement of 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.
    (c) Plan A is restructured under the provisions of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-9(c) into two component plans: Component Plan A1, consisting 
of all employees who are not eligible for the early retirement window 
benefit and all of their accruals and benefits, rights, and features 
under the plan, and Component Plan A2, consisting of all employees who 
are eligible for the early retirement window benefit (including the 
designated employees in the human resource department) and all of their 
accruals and benefits, rights, and features under the plan.
    (d) Component Plan A1 still satisfies paragraph (b) of this section, 
because there has been no change for the employees in that component 
plan. Similarly, Component Plan A2 satisfies paragraph (b) of this 
section disregarding the change in the benefit formula.
    (e) Because the early retirement window benefit consists of a 
temporary change in the benefit formula, paragraph (f)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section requires that the plan satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) 
of this section reflecting the change in order to remain a safe harbor 
plan. After reflecting the change, Component Plan A2 still provides the 
same benefit (albeit higher than under the regular benefit formula) to 
all employees with the same years of service that may be taken into 
account in testing the plan, and thus the benefit formula (as 
temporarily amended) satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) (i) 
and (ii) of this section.
    (f) Since Component Plan A2 also satisfies all of the other 
requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section and the safe harbor of 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section reflecting the change in the benefit 
formula, Component Plan A2 satisfies this paragraph (b) both reflecting 
and disregarding the change in the benefit formula. Thus, Component Plan 
A2 satisfies paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that Plan 
A's benefit formula used the maximum amount of permitted disparity under 
section 401(l) prior to the amendment. The analysis is the same as in 
paragraphs (a) through the first sentence of paragraph (e) of Example 1. 
In order to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, a plan that uses permitted disparity must satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(l) after reflecting the change in the 
benefit formula. Because, as stated in Example 1, the additional five 
years of service may not be taken into account for purposes of 
satisfying paragraph (b) of this section, the disparity that results 
from crediting that service exceeds the maximum permitted disparity 
under section 401(l). Thus, Component Plan A2 does not satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that Plan 
A is tested under the general test in paragraph (c) of this section. The 
early retirement window benefit is disregarded for purposes of 
determining the normal accrual rates, but is taken into account in 1999 
for purposes of determining the most valuable accrual rates, of 
employees who were eligible for the early retirement window benefit 
(regardless of whether they elected to receive it). As stated in Example 
1, the additional five years of service do not represent past service, 
pre-participation

[[Page 101]]

service, or imputed service, and thus under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
11(d)(3)(i)(A) may not be taken into account as testing service.

    (5) Unpredictable contingent event benefits--(i) General rule. In 
general, an unpredictable contingent event benefit (within the meaning 
of section 412(l)(7)(B)(ii)) is not taken into account under this 
section until the occurrence of the contingent event. Thus, the special 
rule in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(d)(7) (treating the contingent event as 
having occurred) does not apply for purposes of this section. In the 
case of an unpredictable contingent event that is expected to result in 
the termination from employment of certain employees within a period of 
time consistent with the rules for defining an early retirement window 
benefit in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section, the unpredictable 
contingent event benefit available to those employees is permitted to be 
treated as an early retirement window benefit, thus permitting the rules 
of paragraph (f)(4) of this section to be applied to it.
    (ii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (f)(5):

    Example. (a) Employer X operates various manufacturing plants and 
maintains Plan A, a defined benefit plan that covers all of its 
nonexcludable employees. Plan A provides an early retirement benefit 
under which employees who retire after age 55 but before normal 
retirement age and who have at least 10 years of service receive a 
benefit equal to their normal retirement benefit reduced by four percent 
per year for each year prior to normal retirement age. Plan A also 
provides a plant-closing benefit under which employees who satisfy the 
conditions for receiving the early retirement benefit and who work at a 
plant where operations have ceased and whose employment has been 
terminated will receive an unreduced normal retirement benefit. The 
plant-closing benefit is an unpredictable contingent event benefit.
    (b) During the 1997 plan year, Employer X had no plant closings. 
Therefore, the plant-closing benefit is not taken into account for the 
1997 plan year in determining accrual rates or in applying the safe 
harbors in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (c) During the 1998 plan year, Employer X begins to close one plant. 
Employees M through Z, who are employees at the plant that is closing, 
are expected to terminate employment with Employer X during the plan 
year and will satisfy the conditions for the plant-closing benefit. 
Therefore, in testing Plan A under this section for the 1998 plan year, 
the availability of the plant-closing benefit to Employees M through Z 
must be taken into account in determining their accrual rates or in 
determining whether the plan satisfies one of the safe harbors under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (d) Because the employees eligible for the unpredictable contingent 
event benefit are expected to terminate employment with Employer X 
during a period consistent with the rules for defining an early 
retirement window benefit, in testing Plan A under this section for the 
1998 plan year, the special rules in paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of this 
section may be applied. Thus, for example, normal accrual rates may be 
determined without reference to the unpredictable contingent event 
benefit.
    (e) Despite the closing of the plant, Employee Q remains an employee 
into the 1999 plan year. Under paragraph (f)(4)(ii)(A) of this section, 
the availability of the plant-closing benefit to Employee Q may be 
disregarded in the 1999 plan year.

    (6) Determination of benefits on other than plan-year basis. For 
purposes of this section, accruals are generally determined based on the 
plan year. Nevertheless, an employer may determine accruals on the basis 
of any period ending within the plan year as long as the period is at 
least 12 months in duration. For example, accruals for all employees may 
be determined based on accrual computation periods ending within the 
plan year.
    (7) Adjustments for certain plan distributions. For purposes of this 
section, an employee's accrued benefit includes the actuarial equivalent 
of prior distributions of accrued benefits from the plan to the employee 
if the years of service taken into account in determining the accrued 
benefits that were distributed continue to be taken into account under 
the plan for purposes of determining the employee's current accrued 
benefit. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(7), actuarial equivalence 
must be determined in a uniform manner for all employees using 
reasonable actuarial assumptions. A standard interest rate and a 
standard mortality table are among the assumptions considered reasonable 
for this purpose. Thus, for example, if an employee has commenced 
receipt of benefits in accordance with the minimum distribution 
requirements of section 401(a)(9), and the plan reduces the employee's 
accrued benefit to take into account the

[[Page 102]]

amount of the distributions, the employee's accrued benefit for purposes 
of this section is restored to the value it would have had if the 
distributions had not occurred.
    (8) Adjustment for certain QPSA charges. For purposes of this 
section, an employee's accrued benefit includes the cost of a qualified 
preretirement survivor annuity (QPSA) that reduces the employee's 
accrued benefit otherwise determined under the plan, as permitted under 
Sec. 1.401(a)-20, Q&A-21. Thus, an employee's accrued benefit for 
purposes of this section is determined as if the cost of the QPSA had 
not been charged against the accrued benefit. This paragraph (f)(8) 
applies only if the QPSA charges apply uniformly to all employees.
    (9) Disregard of certain offsets--(i) General rule. For purposes of 
this section, an employee's accrued benefit under a plan includes that 
portion of the benefit that is offset under an offset provision 
described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(D). The rule in the preceding 
sentence applies only to the extent that the benefit by which the 
benefit under the plan being tested is offset is attributable to periods 
for which the plan being tested credits pre-participation service 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(ii)(A)) that satisfies 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(iii) or past service (within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(B)), and only if--
    (A) The benefit under the plan being tested is offset by either--
    (1) Benefits under a qualified defined benefit plan or defined 
contribution plan (whether or not terminated); or
    (2) Benefits under a foreign plan that are reasonably expected to be 
paid; and,
    (B) If any portion of the benefit that is offset is nonforfeitable 
(within the meaning of section 411), that portion is offset by a benefit 
(or portion of a benefit) that is also nonforfeitable (or vested, in the 
case of a foreign plan).
    (ii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (f)(9):

    Example 1. (a) Employer X maintains two qualified defined benefit 
plans, Plan A and Plan B. Plan B provides that, whenever an employee 
transfers to Plan B from Plan A, the service that was credited under 
Plan A is credited in determining benefits under Plan B. The Plan A 
service credited under Plan B is pre-participation service that 
satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(iii). Plan B offsets the benefits 
determined under Plan B by the employee's vested benefits under Plan A. 
Plan A does not credit additional benefit service or accrual service 
after employees transfer to Plan B.
    (b) The Plan B provision providing for an offset of benefits under 
Plan A satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(D). This is because the 
provision applies to similarly-situated employees and the benefits under 
Plan A that are offset against the Plan B benefits are attributable to 
pre-participation service taken into account under Plan B.
    (c) This paragraph (f)(9) applies in determining the benefits that 
are taken into account under this section for employees in Plan B who 
are transferred from Plan A. This is because the offset provision is 
described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(D), the benefits under the 
other plan by which the benefits under the plan being tested are offset 
are attributable solely to pre-participation service that satisfies 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(iii), and the benefits are offset solely by 
vested benefits under another qualified plan. Thus, for example, the 
accrual rates of employees in Plan B are determined as if there were no 
offset, i.e., by adding back the benefits that are offset to the net 
benefits under Plan B.
    (d) The result would be the same even if Plan A continued to 
recognize compensation paid after the transfer in the determination of 
benefits under Plan A. However, if Plan A continued to credit benefit or 
accrual service after the transfer, then, to the extent that Plan B's 
offset of benefits under Plan A increased as a result, the additional 
benefits offset under Plan B would not be added back in determining the 
benefits under Plan B that are taken into account under this section.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that Plan 
A is not a plan described in paragraph (f)(9)(i)(A) of this section. 
None of the benefits under Plan B that are offset by benefits under Plan 
A may be added back in determining the benefits under Plan B that are 
taken into account under this section. Thus, benefits under Plan B are 
tested on a net basis.

    (10) Special rule for multiemployer plans. For purposes of this 
section, if a multiemployer plan increases benefits for service prior to 
a specific date subject to a plan provision requiring employees to 
complete a specified amount of service (not to exceed five years) after 
that date, then benefits are permitted to be determined disregarding the 
service condition, provided that the condition is applicable to all 
employees

[[Page 103]]

in the multiemployer plan (including collectively bargained employees).

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46785, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4  Nondiscriminatory availability of benefits, 
rights, and features.

    (a) Introduction. This section provides rules for determining 
whether the benefits, rights, and features provided under a plan (i.e., 
all optional forms of benefit, ancillary benefits, and other rights and 
features available to any employee under the plan) are made available in 
a nondiscriminatory manner. Benefits, rights, and features provided 
under a plan are made available to employees in a nondiscriminatory 
manner only if each benefit, right, or feature satisfies the current 
availability requirement of paragraph (b) of this section and the 
effective availability requirement of paragraph (c) of this section. 
Paragraph (d) of this section provides special rules for applying these 
requirements. Paragraph (e) of this section defines optional form of 
benefit, ancillary benefit, and other right or feature.
    (b) Current availability--(1) General rule. The current availability 
requirement of this paragraph (b) is satisfied if the group of employees 
to whom a benefit, right, or feature is currently available during the 
plan year satisfies section 410(b) (without regard to the average 
benefit percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5). In determining whether the 
group of employees satisfies section 410(b), an employee is treated as 
benefiting only if the benefit, right, or feature is currently available 
to the employee.
    (2) Determination of current availability--(i) General rule. Whether 
a benefit, right, or feature that is subject to specified eligibility 
conditions is currently available to an employee generally is determined 
based on the current facts and circumstances with respect to the 
employee (e.g., current compensation, accrued benefit, position, or net 
worth).
    (ii) Certain conditions disregarded--(A) Certain age and service 
conditions--(1) General rule. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2)(i) of 
this section, any specified age or service condition with respect to an 
optional form of benefit or a social security supplement is disregarded 
in determining whether the optional form of benefit or the social 
security supplement is currently available to an employee. Thus, for 
example, an optional form of benefit that is available to all employees 
who terminate employment on or after age 55 with at least 10 years of 
service is treated as currently available to an employee, without regard 
to the employee's current age or years of service, and without regard to 
whether the employee could potentially meet the age and service 
conditions prior to attaining the plan's normal retirement age.
    (2) Time-limited age or service conditions not disregarded. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A)(1) of this section, an age or 
service condition is not disregarded in determining the current 
availability of an optional form of benefit or social security 
supplement if the condition must be satisfied within a limited period of 
time. However, in determining the current availability of an optional 
form of benefit or a social security supplement subject to such an age 
or service condition, the age and service of employees may be projected 
to the last date by which the age condition or service condition must be 
satisfied in order to be eligible for the optional form of benefit or 
social security supplement under the plan. Thus, for example, an 
optional form of benefit that is available only to employees who 
terminate employment between July 1, 1995, and December 31, 1995, after 
attainment of age 55 with at least 10 years of service is treated as 
currently available to an employee only if the employee could satisfy 
those age and service conditions by December 31, 1995.
    (B) Certain other conditions. Specified conditions on the 
availability of a benefit, right, or feature requiring a specified 
percentage of the employee's accrued benefit to be nonforfeitable, 
termination of employment, death, satisfaction of a specified health 
condition (or failure to meet such condition), disability, hardship, 
family status, default on a plan loan secured by a participant's account 
balance, execution of a covenant not to compete, application for 
benefits or similar ministerial or mechanical acts, election of a 
benefit

[[Page 104]]

form, execution of a waiver of rights under the Age Discrimination in 
Employment Act or other federal or state law, or absence from service, 
are disregarded in determining the employees to whom the benefit, right, 
or feature is currently available. In addition, if a multiemployer plan 
includes a reasonable condition that limits eligibility for an ancillary 
benefit, or other right or feature, to those employees who have recent 
service under the plan (e.g., a condition on a death benefit that 
requires an employee to have a minimum number of hours credited during 
the last two years) and the condition applies to all employees in the 
multiemployer plan (including the collectively bargained employees) to 
whom the ancillary benefit, or other right or feature, is otherwise 
currently available, then the condition is disregarded in determining 
the employees to whom the ancillary benefit, or other right or feature, 
is currently available.
    (C) Certain conditions relating to mandatory cash-outs. In the case 
of a plan that provides for mandatory cash-outs of all terminated 
employees who have a vested accrued benefit with an actuarial present 
value less than or equal to a specified dollar amount (not to exceed the 
cash-out limit in effect under Sec. 1.411(a)-11(c)(3)(ii)) as permitted 
by sections 411(a)(11) and 417(e), the implicit condition on any 
benefit, right, or feature (other than the mandatory cash-out) that 
requires the employee to have a vested accrued benefit with an actuarial 
present value in excess of the specified dollar amount is disregarded in 
determining the employees to whom the benefit, right, or feature is 
currently available.
    (D) Other dollar limits. A condition that the amount of an 
employee's vested accrued benefit or the actuarial present value of that 
benefit be less than or equal to a specified dollar amount is 
disregarded in determining the employees to whom the benefit, right, or 
feature is currently available.
    (E) Certain conditions on plan loans. In the case of an employee's 
right to a loan from the plan, the condition that an employee must have 
an account balance sufficient to be eligible to receive a minimum loan 
amount specified in the plan (not to exceed $1,000) is disregarded in 
determining the employees to whom the right is currently available.
    (3) Benefits, rights, and features that are eliminated 
prospectively--(i) Special testing rule. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, a benefit, right, or feature that is eliminated 
with respect to benefits accrued after the later of the eliminating 
amendment's adoption or effective date (the elimination date), but is 
retained with respect to benefits accrued as of the elimination date, 
and that satisfies this paragraph (b) as of the elimination date, is 
treated as satisfying this paragraph (b) for all subsequent periods. 
This rule does not apply if the terms of the benefit, right, or feature 
(including the employees to whom it is available) are changed after the 
elimination date.
    (ii) Elimination of a benefit, right, or feature--(A) General rule. 
For purposes of this paragraph (b)(3), a benefit, right, or feature 
provided to an employee is eliminated with respect to benefits accrued 
after the elimination date if the amount or value of the benefit, right, 
or feature depends solely on the amount of the employee's accrued 
benefit (within the meaning of section 411(a)(7)) as of the elimination 
date, including subsequent income, expenses, gains, and losses with 
respect to that benefit in the case of a defined contribution plan.
    (B) Special rule for benefits, rights, and features that are not 
section 411(d)(6)-protected benefits. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii)(A) of this section, in the case of a benefit, right, or 
feature under a defined contribution plan that is not a section 
411(d)(6)-protected benefit (within the meaning of Sec. 1.411(d)-4, 
Q&A-1), e.g., the availability of plan loans, for purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) each employee's accrued benefit as of the 
elimination date may be treated, on a uniform basis, as consisting 
exclusively of the dollar amount of the employee's account balance as of 
the elimination date.
    (C) Special rule for benefits, rights, and features that depend on 
adjusted accrued benefits. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(3), a 
benefit, right, or feature provided to an employee under a plan that has 
made a fresh start does not fail to be eliminated as of an elimination 
date

[[Page 105]]

that is the fresh-start date merely because it depends solely on the 
amount of the employee's adjusted accrued benefit (within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)).
    (c) Effective availability--(1) General rule. Based on all of the 
relevant facts and circumstances, the group of employees to whom a 
benefit, right, or feature is effectively available must not 
substantially favor HCEs.
    (2) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (c):

    Example 1. Employer X maintains Plan A, a defined benefit plan that 
covers both of its highly compensated nonexcludable employees and nine 
of its 12 nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employees. Plan A provides 
for a normal retirement benefit payable as an annuity and based on a 
normal retirement age of 65, and an early retirement benefit payable 
upon termination in the form of an annuity to employees who terminate 
from service with the employer on or after age 55 with 30 or more years 
of service. Both HCEs of Employer X currently meet the age and service 
requirement, or will have 30 years of service by the time they reach age 
55. All but two of the nine NHCEs of Employer X who are covered by Plan 
A were hired on or after age 35 and, thus, cannot qualify for the early 
retirement benefit. Even though the group of employees to whom the early 
retirement benefit is currently available satisfies the ratio percentage 
test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) when age and service are disregarded 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, absent other facts, 
the group of employees to whom the early retirement benefit is 
effectively available substantially favors HCEs.
    Example 2. Employer Y maintains Plan B, a defined benefit plan that 
provides for a normal retirement benefit payable as an annuity and based 
on a normal retirement age of 65. By a plan amendment first adopted and 
effective December 1, 1998, Employer Y amends Plan B to provide an early 
retirement benefit that is available only to employees who terminate 
employment by December 15, 1998, and who are at least age 55 with 30 or 
more years of service. Assume that all employees were hired prior to 
attaining age 25 and that the group of employees who have, or will have, 
attained age 55 with 30 years of service by December 15, 1998, satisfies 
the ratio percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2). Assume, further, 
that the employer takes no steps to inform all eligible employees of the 
early retirement option on a timely basis and that the only employees 
who terminate from employment with the employer during the two-week 
period in which the early retirement benefit is available are HCEs. 
Under these facts, the group of employees to whom this early retirement 
window benefit is effectively available substantially favors HCEs.
    Example 3. Employer Z amends Plan C on June 30, 1999, to provide for 
a single sum optional form of benefit for employees who terminate from 
employment with Employer Z after June 30, 1999, and before January 1, 
2000. The availability of this single sum optional form of benefit is 
conditioned on the employee's having a particular disability at the time 
of termination of employment. The only employee of the employer who 
meets this disability requirement at the time of the amendment and 
thereafter through December 31, 1999, is a HCE. Under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, the disability condition is disregarded 
in determining the current availability of the single sum optional form 
of benefit. Nevertheless, under these facts, the group of employees to 
whom the single sum optional form of benefit is effectively available 
substantially favors HCEs.

    (d) Special rules--(1) Mergers and acquisitions--(i) Special testing 
rule. A benefit, right, or feature available under a plan solely to an 
acquired group of employees is treated as satisfying paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this section during the period that each of the following 
requirements is satisfied:
    (A) The benefit, right, or feature must satisfy paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this section (determined without regard to the special rule in 
section 410(b)(6)(C)) on the date that is selected by the employer as 
the latest date by which an employee must be hired or transferred into 
the acquired trade or business for an employee to be included in the 
acquired group of employees. This determination is made with reference 
to the plan of the current employer and its nonexcludable employees.
    (B) The benefit, right, or feature must be available under the plan 
of the current employer after the transaction on the same terms as it 
was available under the plan of the prior employer before the 
transaction. This requirement is not violated merely because of a change 
made to the benefit, right, or feature that is permitted by section 
411(d)(6), provided that--
    (1) The change is a replacement of the benefit, right, or feature 
with another benefit, right, or feature that is available to the same 
employees as the original benefit, right, or feature, and

[[Page 106]]

the original benefit, right, or feature is of inherently equal or 
greater value (within the meaning of paragraph (d)(4)(i)(A) of this 
section) than the benefit, right, or feature that replaces it; or
    (2) The change is made before January 12, 1993.
    (ii) Scope of special testing rule. This paragraph (d)(1) applies 
only to benefits, rights, and features with respect to benefits accruing 
under the plan of the current employer, and not to benefits, rights, and 
features with respect to benefits accrued under the plan of the prior 
employer (unless, pursuant to the transaction, the plan of the prior 
employer becomes the plan of the current employer, or the assets and 
liabilities with respect to the acquired group of employees under the 
plan of the prior employer are transferred to the plan of the current 
employer in a plan merger, consolidation, or other transfer described in 
section 414(l)).
    (iii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (d)(1):

    Example. Employer X maintains Plan A, a defined benefit plan with a 
single sum optional form of benefit for all employees. Employer Y 
acquires Employer X and merges Plan A into Plan B, a defined benefit 
plan maintained by Employer Y that does not otherwise provide a single 
sum optional form of benefit. Employer Y continues to provide the single 
sum optional form of benefit under Plan B on the same terms as it was 
offered under Plan A to all employees who were acquired in the 
transaction with Employer X (and to no other employees). The optional 
form of benefit satisfies paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section 
immediately following the transaction (determined without taking into 
account section 410(b)(6)(C)) when tested with reference to Plan B and 
Employer Y's nonexcludable employees. Under these facts, Plan B is 
treated as satisfying this section with respect to the single sum 
optional form of benefit for the plan year of the transaction and all 
subsequent plan years.

    (2) Frozen participants. A plan must satisfy the nondiscriminatory 
availability requirement of this section not only with respect to 
benefits, rights, and features provided to employees who are currently 
benefiting under the plan, but also separately with respect to benefits, 
rights, and features provided to nonexcludable employees with accrued 
benefits who are not currently benefiting under the plan (frozen 
participants). Thus, each benefit, right, and feature available to any 
frozen participant under the plan is separately subject to the 
requirements of this section. A plan satisfies paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section with respect to a benefit, right, or feature available to 
any frozen participant under the plan only if one or more of the 
following requirements is satisfied:
    (i) The benefit, right, or feature must be one that would satisfy 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section if it were not available to any 
employee currently benefiting under the plan.
    (ii) The benefit, right, or feature must be one that would satisfy 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section if all frozen participants were 
treated as employees currently benefiting under the plan.
    (iii) No change in the availability of the benefit, right, or 
feature may have been made that is first effective in the current plan 
year with respect to a frozen participant.
    (iv) Any change in the availability of the benefit, right, or 
feature that is first effective in the current plan year with respect to 
a frozen participant must be made in a nondiscriminatory manner. Thus, 
any expansion in the availability of the benefit, right, or feature to 
any highly compensated frozen participant must be applied on a 
consistent basis to all nonhighly compensated frozen participants. 
Similarly, any contraction in the availability of the benefit, right, or 
feature that affects any nonhighly compensated frozen participant must 
be applied on a consistent basis to all highly compensated frozen 
participants.
    (3) Early retirement window benefits. If a benefit, right, or 
feature meets the definition of an early retirement window benefit in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(4)(iii) (or would meet that definition if the 
definition applied to all benefits, rights, and features), the benefit, 
right, or feature is disregarded for purposes of applying this section 
with respect to an employee for all plan years other than the first plan 
year in which the benefit is currently available to the employee.
    (4) Permissive aggregation of certain benefits, rights, or 
features--(i) General

[[Page 107]]

rule. An optional form of benefit, ancillary benefit, or other right or 
feature may be aggregated with another optional form of benefit, 
ancillary benefit, or other right or feature, respectively, and the two 
may be treated as a single optional form of benefit, ancillary benefit, 
or other right or feature, if both of the following requirements are 
satisfied:
    (A) One of the two optional forms of benefit, ancillary benefit, or 
other rights or features must in all cases be of inherently equal or 
greater value than the other. For this purpose, one benefit, right, or 
feature is of inherently equal or greater value than another benefit, 
right, or feature only if, at any time and under any conditions, it is 
impossible for any employee to receive a smaller amount or a less 
valuable right under the first benefit, right, or feature than under the 
second benefit, right, or feature.
    (B) The optional form of benefit, ancillary benefit, or other right 
or feature of inherently equal or greater value must separately satisfy 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section (without regard to this paragraph 
(d)(4)).
    (ii) Aggregation may be applied more than once. The aggregation rule 
in this paragraph (d)(4) may be applied more than once. Thus, for 
example, an optional form of benefit may be aggregated with another 
optional form of benefit that itself constitutes two separate optional 
forms of benefit that are aggregated and treated as a single optional 
form of benefit under this paragraph (d)(4).
    (iii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d)(4):

    Example 1. Plan A is a defined benefit plan that provides a single 
sum optional form of benefit to all employees. The single sum optional 
form of benefit is available on the same terms to all employees, except 
that, for employees in Division S, a five-percent discount factor is 
applied and, for employees of Division T, a seven-percent discount 
factor is applied. Under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the single 
sum optional form of benefit constitutes two separate optional forms of 
benefit. Assume that the single sum optional form of benefit available 
to employees of Division S separately satisfies paragraphs (b) and (c) 
of this section without taking into account this paragraph (d)(4). 
Because a lower discount factor is applied in determining the single sum 
optional form of benefit available to employees of Division S than is 
applied in determining the single sum optional form of benefit available 
to employees of Division T, the first single sum optional form of 
benefit is of inherently greater value than the second single sum 
optional form of benefit. Under these facts, these two single sum 
optional forms of benefit may be aggregated and treated as a single 
optional form of benefit for purposes of this section.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that, in 
order to receive the single sum optional form of benefit, employees of 
Division S (but not employees of Division T) must have completed at 
least 20 years of service. The single sum optional form of benefit 
available to employees of Division S is not of inherently equal or 
greater value than the single sum optional form of benefit available to 
employees of Division T, because an employee of Division S who 
terminates employment with less than 20 years of service would receive a 
smaller single sum amount (i.e., zero) than a similarly-situated 
employee of Division T who terminates employment with less than 20 years 
of service. Under these facts, the two single sum optional forms of 
benefit may not be aggregated and treated as a single optional form of 
benefit for purposes of this section.

    (5) Certain spousal benefits. In the case of a plan that includes 
two or more plans that have been permissively aggregated under Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(d), the aggregated plan satisfies this section with respect 
to the availability of any nonsubsidized qualified joint and survivor 
annuities, qualified preretirement survivor annuities, or spousal death 
benefits described in section 401(a)(11), if each plan that is part of 
the aggregated plan satisfies section 401(a)(11). Whether a benefit is 
considered subsidized for this purpose may be determined using any 
reasonable actuarial assumptions. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(5), 
a qualified joint and survivor annuity, qualified preretirement survivor 
annuity, or spousal death benefit is deemed to be nonsubsidized if it is 
provided under a defined contribution plan.
    (6) Special ESOP rules. An ESOP does not fail to satisfy paragraphs 
(b) and (c) of this section merely because it makes an investment 
diversification right or feature or a distribution option available 
solely to all qualified participants (within the meaning of

[[Page 108]]

section 401(a)(28)(B)(iii)), or merely because the restrictions of 
section 409(n) apply to certain individuals.
    (7) Special testing rule for unpredictable contingent event 
benefits. A benefit, right, or feature that is contingent on the 
occurrence of an unpredictable contingent event (within the meaning of 
section 412(l)(7)(B)(ii)) is tested under this section as if the event 
had occurred. Thus, the current availability of a benefit that becomes 
an optional form of benefit upon the occurrence of an unpredictable 
contingent event is tested by deeming the event to have occurred and by 
disregarding age and service conditions on the eligibility for that 
benefit to the extent permitted for optional forms of benefit under 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (e) Definitions--(1) Optional form of benefit--(i) General rule. The 
term optional form of benefit means a distribution alternative 
(including the normal form of benefit) that is available under a plan 
with respect to benefits described in section 411(d)(6)(A) or a 
distribution alternative that is an early retirement benefit or 
retirement-type subsidy described in section 411(d)(6)(B)(i), including 
a QSUPP. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, 
different optional forms of benefit exist if a distribution alternative 
is not payable on substantially the same terms as another distribution 
alternative. The relevant terms include all terms affecting the value of 
the optional form, such as the method of benefit calculation and the 
actuarial assumptions used to determine the amount distributed. Thus, 
for example, different optional forms of benefit may result from 
differences in terms relating to the payment schedule, timing, 
commencement, medium of distribution (e.g., in cash or in kind), 
election rights, differences in eligibility requirements, or the portion 
of the benefit to which the distribution alternative applies.
    (ii) Exceptions--(A) Differences in benefit formula or accrual 
method. A distribution alternative available under a defined benefit 
plan does not fail to be a single optional form of benefit merely 
because the benefit formulas, accrual methods, or other factors 
(including service-computation methods and definitions of compensation) 
underlying, or the manner in which employees vest in, the accrued 
benefit that is paid in the form of the distribution alternative are 
different for different employees to whom the distribution alternative 
is available. Notwithstanding the foregoing, differences in the normal 
retirement ages of employees or in the form in which the accrued benefit 
of employees is payable at normal retirement age under a plan are taken 
into account in determining whether a distribution alternative 
constitutes one or more optional forms of benefit.
    (B) Differences in allocation formula. A distribution alternative 
available under a defined contribution plan does not fail to be a single 
optional form of benefit merely because the allocation formula or other 
factors (including service-computation methods, definitions of 
compensation, and the manner in which amounts described in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(iii) are allocated) underlying, or the manner in 
which employees vest in, the accrued benefit that is paid in the form of 
the distribution alternative are different for different employees to 
whom the distribution alternative is available.
    (C) Distributions subject to section 417(e). A distribution 
alternative available under a defined benefit plan does not fail to be a 
single optional form of benefit merely because, in determining the 
amount of a distribution, the plan applies a lower interest rate to 
determine the distribution for employees with a vested accrued benefit 
having an actuarial present value not in excess of $25,000, as required 
by section 417(e)(3) and Sec. 1.417(e)-1.
    (D) Differences attributable to uniform normal retirement age. A 
distribution alternative available under a defined benefit plan does not 
fail to be a single optional form of benefit, to the extent that the 
differences are attributable to differences in normal retirement dates 
among employees, provided that the differences do not prevent the 
employees from having the same uniform normal retirement age under the 
definition of uniform normal retirement age in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (iii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (e)(1):


[[Page 109]]


    Example 1. Plan A is a defined benefit plan that benefits all 
employees of Divisions S and T. The plan offers a qualified joint and 
50-percent survivor annuity at normal retirement age, calculated by 
multiplying an employee's single life annuity payment by a factor. For 
an employee of Division S whose benefit commences at age 65, the plan 
provides a factor of 0.90, but for a similarly-situated employee of 
Division T the plan provides a factor of 0.85. The qualified joint and 
survivor annuity is not available to employees of Divisions S and T on 
substantially the same terms, and thus it constitutes two separate 
optional forms of benefit.
    Example 2. Plan B is a defined benefit plan that benefits all 
employees of Divisions U and V. The plan offers a single sum 
distribution alternative available on the same terms and determined 
using the same actuarial assumptions, to all employees. However, 
different benefit formulas apply to employees of each division. Under 
the exception provided in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, the 
single sum optional form of benefit available to employees of Division U 
is not a separate optional form of benefit from the single sum optional 
form of benefit available to employees of Division V.
    Example 3. Defined benefit Plan C provides an early retirement 
benefit based on a schedule of early retirement factors that is a single 
optional form of benefit. Plan C is amended to provide an early 
retirement window benefit that consists of a temporary change in the 
plan's benefit formula (e.g., the addition of five years of service to 
an employee's actual service under the benefit formula) applicable in 
determining the benefits for certain employees who terminate employment 
within a limited period of time. Under the exception provided in 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, the early retirement optional 
form of benefit available to window-eligible employees is not a separate 
optional form of benefit from the early retirement optional form of 
benefit available to the other employees.

    (2) Ancillary benefit. The term ancillary benefit means social 
security supplements (other than QSUPPs), disability benefits not in 
excess of a qualified disability benefit described in section 411(a)(9), 
ancillary life insurance and health insurance benefits, death benefits 
under a defined contribution plan, preretirement death benefits under a 
defined benefit plan, shut-down benefits not protected under section 
411(d)(6), and other similar benefits. Different ancillary benefits 
exist if an ancillary benefit is not available on substantially the same 
terms as another ancillary benefit. Principles similar to those in 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section apply in making this determination.
    (3) Other right or feature--(i) General rule. The term other right 
or feature generally means any right or feature applicable to employees 
under the plan. Different rights or features exist if a right or feature 
is not available on substantially the same terms as another right or 
feature.
    (ii) Exceptions to definition of other right or feature. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section, a right or feature 
is not considered an other right or feature if it--
    (A) Is an optional form of benefit or an ancillary benefit under the 
plan;
    (B) Is one of the terms that are taken into account in determining 
whether separate optional forms of benefit or ancillary benefits exist, 
or that would be taken into account but for paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this 
section (e.g., benefit formulas or the manner in which benefits vest); 
or
    (C) Cannot reasonably be expected to be of meaningful value to an 
employee (e.g., administrative details).
    (iii) Examples. Other rights and features include, but are not 
limited to--
    (A) Plan loan provisions (other than those relating to a 
distribution of an employee's accrued benefit upon default under a 
loan);
    (B) The right to direct investments;
    (C) The right to a particular form of investment, including, for 
example, a particular class or type of employer securities (taking into 
account, in determining whether different forms of investment exist, any 
differences in conversion, dividend, voting, liquidation preference, or 
other rights conferred under the security);
    (D) The right to make each rate of elective contributions described 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-6 (determining the rate based on the plan's definition 
of the compensation out of which the elective contributions are made 
(regardless of whether that definition satisfies section 414(s)), but 
also treating different rates as existing if they are based on 
definitions of compensation or other requirements or formulas that are 
not substantially the same);

[[Page 110]]

    (E) The right to make after-tax employee contributions to a defined 
benefit plan that are not allocated to separate accounts;
    (F) The right to make each rate of after-tax employee contributions 
described in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(3) (determining the rate based on the 
plan's definition of the compensation out of which the after-tax 
employee contributions are made (regardless of whether that definition 
satisfies section 414(s)), but also treating different rates as existing 
if they are based on definitions of compensation or other requirements 
or formulas that are not substantially the same);
    (G) The right to each rate of allocation of matching contributions 
described in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(2) (determining the rate using the 
amount of matching, elective, and after-tax employee contributions 
determined after any corrections under Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(1)(i), 
1.401(m)-2(b)(1)(i), but also treating different rates as existing if 
they are based on definitions of compensation or other requirements or 
formulas that are not substantially the same);
    (H) The right to purchase additional retirement or ancillary 
benefits under the plan; and
    (I) The right to make rollover contributions and transfers to and 
from the plan.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46796, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 8794, 63 FR 
70338, Dec. 21, 1998; T.D. 8891, 65 FR 44682, July 19, 2000; T.D. 9169, 
69 FR 78153, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5  Plan amendments and plan terminations.

    (a) Introduction--(1) Overview. This paragraph (a) provides rules 
for determining whether the timing of a plan amendment or series of 
amendments has the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of 
HCEs or former HCEs. For purposes of this section, a plan amendment 
includes, for example, the establishment or termination of the plan, and 
any change in the benefits, rights, or features, benefit formulas, or 
allocation formulas under the plan. Paragraph (b) of this section sets 
forth additional requirements that must be satisfied in the case of a 
plan termination.
    (2) Facts-and-circumstances determination. Whether the timing of a 
plan amendment or series of plan amendments has the effect of 
discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs is 
determined at the time the plan amendment first becomes effective for 
purposes of section 401(a), based on all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances. These include, for example, the relative numbers of 
current and former HCEs and NHCEs affected by the plan amendment, the 
relative length of service of current and former HCEs and NHCEs, the 
length of time the plan or plan provision being amended has been in 
effect, and the turnover of employees prior to the plan amendment. In 
addition, the relevant facts and circumstances include the relative 
accrued benefits of current and former HCEs and NHCEs before and after 
the plan amendment and any additional benefits provided to current and 
former HCEs and NHCEs under other plans (including plans of other 
employers, if relevant). In the case of a plan amendment that provides 
additional benefits based on an employee's service prior to the 
amendment, the relevant facts and circumstances also include the 
benefits that employees and former employees who do not benefit under 
the amendment would have received had the plan, as amended, been in 
effect throughout the period on which the additional benefits are based.
    (3) Safe harbor for certain grants of benefits for past periods. The 
timing of a plan amendment that credits (or increases benefits 
attributable to) years of service for a period in the past is deemed not 
to have the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or 
former HCEs if the period for which the service credit (or benefit 
increase) is granted does not exceed the five years immediately 
preceding the year in which the amendment first becomes effective, the 
service credit (or benefit increase) is granted on a reasonably uniform 
basis to all employees, benefits attributable to the period are 
determined by applying the current plan formula, and the service 
credited is service (including pre-participation or imputed service) 
with the employer or a previous employer that may be

[[Page 111]]

taken into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) (without regard to 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(i)(B)). However, this safe harbor is not 
available if the plan amendment granting the service credit (or 
increasing benefits) is part of a pattern of amendments that has the 
effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs.
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (a):

    Example 1. Plan A is a defined benefit plan that covered both HCEs 
and NHCEs for most of its existence. The employer decides to wind up its 
business. In the process of ceasing operations, but at a time when the 
plan covers only HCEs, Plan A is amended to increase benefits and 
thereafter is terminated. The timing of this plan amendment has the 
effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs.
    Example 2. Plan B is a defined benefit plan that provides a social 
security supplement that is not a QSUPP. After substantially all of the 
HCEs of the employer have benefited from the supplement, but before a 
substantial number of NHCEs have become eligible for the supplement, 
Plan B is amended to reduce significantly the amount of the supplement. 
The timing of this plan amendment has the effect of discriminating 
significantly in favor of HCEs.
    Example 3. Plan C is a defined benefit plan that contains an 
ancillary life insurance benefit available to all employees. The plan is 
amended to eliminate this benefit at a time when life insurance payments 
have been made only to beneficiaries of HCEs. Because all employees 
received the benefit of life insurance coverage before Plan C was 
amended, the timing of this plan amendment does not have the effect of 
discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs.
    Example 4. Plan D provides for a benefit of one percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service. Ten years after Plan D is 
adopted, it is amended to provide a benefit of two percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service, including years of service 
prior to the amendment. The amendment is effective only for employees 
currently employed at the time of the amendment. The ratio of HCEs to 
former HCEs is significantly higher than the ratio of NHCEs to former 
NHCEs. In the absence of any additional factors, the timing of this plan 
amendment has the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of 
HCEs.
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that, in 
addition, the years of prior service are equivalent between HCEs and 
NHCEs who are current employees, and the group of current employees with 
prior service would satisfy the nondiscriminatory classification test of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-4 in the current and all prior plan years for which past 
service credit is granted. The timing of this plan amendment does not 
have the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or 
former HCEs.
    Example 6. Employer V maintains Plan E, an accumulation plan. In 
1994, Employer V amends Plan E to provide that the compensation used to 
determine an employee's benefit for all preceding plan years shall not 
be less than the employee's average annual compensation as of the close 
of the 1994 plan year. The years of service and percentage increases in 
compensation for HCEs are reasonably comparable to those of NHCEs. In 
addition, the ratio of HCEs to former HCEs is reasonably comparable to 
the ratio of NHCEs to former NHCEs. The timing of this plan amendment 
does not have the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of 
HCEs or former HCEs.
    Example 7. Employer W currently has six nonexcludable employees, two 
of whom, H1 and H2, are HCEs, and the remaining four of whom, N1 through 
N4, are NHCEs. The ratio of HCEs to former HCEs is significantly higher 
than the ratio of NHCEs to former NHCEs. Employer W establishes Plan F, 
a defined benefit plan providing a benefit of one percent of average 
annual compensation per year of service, including years of service 
prior to the establishment of the plan. H1 and H2 each have 15 years of 
prior service, N1 has nine years of past service, N2 has five years, N3 
has three years, and N4 has one year. The timing of this plan 
establishment has the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of 
HCEs.
    Example 8. Assume the same facts as in Example 7, except that N1 
through N4 were hired in the current year, and Employer W never employed 
any NHCEs prior to the current year. Thus, no NHCEs would have received 
additional benefits had Plan F been in existence during the preceding 15 
years. The timing of this plan establishment does not have the effect of 
discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs.
    Example 9. The facts are the same as in Example 7, except that Plan 
F limits the grant of past service credit to five years, and the grant 
of past service otherwise satisfies the safe harbor in paragraph (a)(3) 
of this section. The timing of this plan establishment is deemed not to 
have the effect of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or 
former HCEs.
    Example 10. The facts are the same as in Example 9, except that, 
five years after the establishment of Plan F, Employer W amends the plan 
to provide a benefit equal to two percent of average annual compensation 
per year of service, taking into account all years of service since the 
establishment of the plan. The ratio of HCEs to former HCEs who 
terminated employment during the five-

[[Page 112]]

year period since the establishment of the plan is significantly higher 
than the ratio of NHCEs to former NHCEs who terminated employment during 
the five-year period since the establishment of the plan. Although the 
amendment described in this example might separately satisfy the safe 
harbor in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the safe harbor is not 
available with respect to the amendment because, under these facts, the 
amendment is part of a pattern of amendments that has the effect of 
discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs.
    Example 11. Employer Y maintains Plan G, a defined benefit plan, 
covering all its employees. In 1995, Employer Y acquires Division S from 
Employer Z. Some of the employees of Division S had been covered under a 
defined benefit plan maintained by Employer Z. Soon after the 
acquisition, Employer Y amends Plan G to cover all employees of Division 
S and to credit those who were in Division S's defined benefit plan with 
years of service for years of employment with Employer Z. Because the 
timing of the plan amendment was determined by the timing of the 
transaction, the timing of this plan amendment does not have the effect 
of discriminating significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs. See 
also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) for other rules regarding the crediting 
of pre-participation service.
    Example 12. Plan H is an insurance contract plan within the meaning 
of section 412(i). For all plan years before 1999, Plan H purchases 
insurance contracts from Insurance Company J. In 1999, Plan H shifts 
future purchases of insurance contracts to Insurance Company K. The 
shift in insurance companies is a plan amendment subject to this 
paragraph (a).

    (b) Pre-termination restrictions--(1) Required provisions in defined 
benefit plans. A defined benefit plan has the effect of discriminating 
significantly in favor of HCEs or former HCEs unless it incorporates 
provisions restricting benefits and distributions as described in 
paragraph (b)(2) and (3) of this section at the time the plan is 
established or, if later, as of the first plan year to which Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13 apply to the plan under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(a) or (b). This paragraph (b) does not apply if the 
Commissioner determines that such provisions are not necessary to 
prevent the prohibited discrimination that may occur in the event of an 
early termination of the plan. The restrictions in this paragraph (b) 
apply to a plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b) (i.e., a 
section 414(l) plan). Any plan containing a provision described in this 
paragraph (b) satisfies section 411(d)(2) and does not fail to satisfy 
section 411(a) or (d)(3) merely because of the provision.
    (2) Restriction of benefits upon plan termination. A plan must 
provide that, in the event of plan termination, the benefit of any HCE 
(and any former HCE) is limited to a benefit that is nondiscriminatory 
under section 401(a)(4).
    (3) Restrictions on distributions--(i) General rule. A plan must 
provide that, in any year, the payment of benefits to or on behalf of a 
restricted employee shall not exceed an amount equal to the payments 
that would be made to or on behalf of the restricted employee in that 
year under--
    (A) A straight life annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the 
accrued benefit and other benefits to which the restricted employee is 
entitled under the plan (other than a social security supplement); and
    (B) A social security supplement, if any, that the restricted 
employee is entitled to receive.
    (ii) Restricted employee defined. For purposes of this paragraph 
(b), the term restricted employee generally means any HCE or former HCE. 
However, an HCE or former HCE need not be treated as a restricted 
employee in the current year if the HCE or former HCE is not one of the 
25 (or a larger number chosen by the employer) nonexcludable employees 
and former employees of the employer with the largest amount of 
compensation in the current or any prior year. Plan provisions defining 
or altering this group can be amended at any time without violating 
section 411(d)(6).
    (iii) Benefit defined. For purposes of this paragraph (b), the term 
benefit includes, among other benefits, loans in excess of the amounts 
set forth in section 72(p)(2)(A), any periodic income, any withdrawal 
values payable to a living employee or former employee, and any death 
benefits not provided for by insurance on the employee's or former 
employee's life.
    (iv) Nonapplicability in certain cases. The restrictions in this 
paragraph (b)(3) do not apply, however, if any one of the following 
requirements is satisfied:

[[Page 113]]

    (A) After taking into account payment to or on behalf of the 
restricted employee of all benefits payable to or on behalf of that 
restricted employee under the plan, the value of plan assets must equal 
or exceed 110 percent of the value of current liabilities, as defined in 
section 412(l)(7).
    (B) The value of the benefits payable to or on behalf of the 
restricted employee must be less than one percent of the value of 
current liabilities before distribution.
    (C) The value of the benefits payable to or on behalf of the 
restricted employee must not exceed the amount described in section 
411(a)(11)(A) (restrictions on certain mandatory distributions).
    (v) Determination of current liabilities. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b), any reasonable and consistent method may be used for 
determining the value of current liabilities and the value of plan 
assets.
    (4) Operational restrictions on certain money purchase pension 
plans. A money purchase pension plan that has an accumulated funding 
deficiency, within the meaning of section 412(a), or an unamortized 
funding waiver, within the meaning of section 412(d), must comply in 
operation with the restrictions on benefits and distributions as 
described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section. Such a plan 
does not fail to satisfy section 411(d)(6) merely because of 
restrictions imposed by the requirements of this paragraph (b)(4).

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46800, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6  Contributory defined benefit plans.

    (a) Introduction. This section provides rules necessary for 
determining whether a contributory DB plan satisfies the 
nondiscriminatory amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2). 
Paragraph (b) of this section provides rules for determining the amount 
of benefits derived from employer contributions (employer-provided 
benefits) under a contributory DB plan for purposes of determining 
whether the plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) with respect to 
such amounts. Paragraph (c) of this section provides the exclusive rules 
for determining whether a contributory DB plan satisfies Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) with respect to the amount of benefits derived from 
employee contributions not allocated to separate accounts (employee-
provided benefits). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) for the 
exclusive tests applicable to employee contributions allocated to 
separate accounts under a section 401(m) plan.
    (b) Determination of employer-provided benefit--(1) General rule. An 
employee's employer-provided benefit under a contributory DB plan for 
purposes of section 401(a)(4) equals the difference between the 
employee's total benefit and the employee's employee-provided benefit 
under the plan. The rules of section 411(c) generally must be used to 
determine the employee's employer-provided benefit for this purpose. 
However, paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section provide 
alternative methods for determining the employee's employer-provided 
benefit.
    (2) Composition-of-workforce method--(i) General rule. A 
contributory DB plan that satisfies paragraph (b)(2)(ii) (A) and (B) of 
this section may determine employees' employer-provided benefit rates 
under the rules of paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Eligibility requirements--(A) Uniform rate of employee 
contributions. A contributory DB plan satisfies this paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) if all employees make employee contributions at the same 
rate, expressed as a percentage of plan year compensation (the employee 
contribution rate). A plan does not fail to satisfy this paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) merely because it eliminates employee contributions for 
all employees with plan year compensation below a specified contribution 
breakpoint that is either a stated dollar amount or a stated percentage 
of covered compensation (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(7)); 
or merely because all employees make employee contributions at the same 
rate (expressed as a percentage of plan year compensation) with respect 
to plan year compensation up to the contribution breakpoint (base 
employee contribution rate) and at a higher rate (expressed as a 
percentage of plan year compensation) that is the same for all employees 
with respect to plan year compensation above the contribution

[[Page 114]]

breakpoint (excess employee contribution rate). A plan described in 
paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section that satisfies paragraph (c)(4)(iii) 
of this section is deemed to satisfy this paragraph.
    (B) Demographic requirements--(1) In general. A contributory DB plan 
satisfies this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) if it satisfies either of the 
demographic tests in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) (2) or (3) of this section.
    (2) Minimum percentage test. This test is satisfied only if more 
than 40 percent of the NHCEs in the plan have attained ages at least 
equal to the plan's target age, and more than 20 percent of the NHCEs in 
the plan have attained ages at least equal to the average attained age 
of the HCEs in the plan. For this purpose, a plan's target age is the 
lower of age 50 or the average attained age of the HCEs in the plan 
minus X years, where X equals 20 minus the product of five times the 
employee contribution rate under the plan. In no case, however, may X 
years be fewer than zero (0) years. Thus, for example, if the average 
attained age of the HCEs in the plan is 53 and the employee contribution 
rate is two percent of plan year compensation, the plan's target age is 
43 years (i.e., 53-(20-(5 x 2))).
    (3) Ratio test. This test is satisfied only if the percentage of all 
nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employees, who are in the plan and 
who have attained ages at least equal to the average attained age of the 
HCEs in the plan, is at least 70 percent of the percentage of all highly 
compensated nonexcludable employees, who are in the plan and who have 
attained ages at least equal to the average attained age of the HCEs in 
the plan. Attained ages must be determined as of the beginning of the 
plan year. In lieu of determining the actual distribution of the 
attained ages of the HCEs, an employer may assume that 50 percent of all 
HCEs have attained ages at least equal to the average attained age of 
the HCEs.
    (iii) Determination of employer-provided benefit--(A) Safe harbor 
plans other than section 401(l) plans. For purposes of applying the 
exception to the safe harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6)(viii) with 
respect to employer-provided benefits under a plan other than a section 
401(l) plan, the employee's entire accrued benefit is treated as 
employer-provided.
    (B) Section 401(l) plans--(1) General rule. For purposes of applying 
the exception to the safe harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6)(viii) with 
respect to employer-provided benefits under a section 401(l) plan, an 
employee's base benefit percentage and excess benefit percentage are 
reduced, or an employee's gross benefit percentage is reduced, by 
subtracting the product of the employee contribution rate and the factor 
determined under paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section from the 
respective percentages for the plan year. For this purpose, the employee 
contribution rate is the highest rate of employee contributions 
applicable to any potential level of plan year compensation for that 
plan year under the plan.
    (2) Excess plans with varying contribution rates. In the case of a 
defined benefit excess plan described in the second sentence of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, solely for purposes of reducing 
an employee's base benefit percentage as required under paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, it may be assumed that the employee's 
employee contribution rate equals the weighted average of the base 
employee contribution rate and the excess employee contribution rate. In 
determining this weighted average, the weight of the base employee 
contribution rate is equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the 
lesser of the integration level and the contribution breakpoint and the 
denominator of which is the integration level. The weight of the excess 
employee contribution rate is equal to the difference between one and 
the weight of the base employee contribution rate.
    (3) Offset plans with varying contribution rates. In the case of an 
offset plan described in the second sentence of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) 
of this section, an equivalent adjustment to the alternative method in 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(2) of this section may be made to the offset 
percentage.
    (C) Employer-provided benefits under the general test. For purposes 
of applying the general test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c) with respect to 
employer-provided benefits, an employee's normal and most

[[Page 115]]

valuable accrual rates otherwise determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d) 
(without applying any of the options under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3) 
other than the fresh-start alternative of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(d)(3)(iii)) are each reduced by subtracting the product of the 
employee's contributions (expressed as a percentage of plan year 
compensation) and the factor determined under paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of 
this section from the respective accrual rates. A plan may then apply 
the optional rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3) (i) and (ii) to this 
resulting accrual rate.
    (D) Additional limitation. A plan may not use the composition-of-
workforce method provided in this paragraph (b)(2) to determine an 
employee's base benefit percentage, excess benefit percentage, gross 
benefit percentage, offset percentage, or accrual rates unless employee 
contributions have been made at the same rate (or rates) throughout the 
period after the fresh-start date or throughout the measurement period 
used to determine accrual rates.
    (iv) Determination of plan factor. The factor for a plan is 
determined under the following table based on the average entry age of 
the employees in the plan and on whether the plan determines benefits 
based on average compensation. For this purpose, average entry age 
equals the average attained age of all employees in the plan, minus the 
average years of participation of all employees in the plan. A plan is 
treated as determining benefits based on average compensation if it 
determines benefits based on compensation averaged over a specified 
period not exceeding five consecutive years (or the employee's entire 
period of employment with the employer, if shorter).

                            Table of Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Factors
                                              --------------------------
                                                  Average
              Average entry age                compensation     Other
                                                  benefit      formulas
                                                  formula
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 30.................................           0.5         0.75
30 to 40.....................................           0.4         0.6
Over 40......................................           0.2         0.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (v) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (b)(2):

    Example 1. Plan A is a contributory DB plan that is a defined 
benefit excess plan providing a benefit equal to 2.0 percent of 
employees' average annual compensation at or below covered compensation, 
plus 2.5 percent of average annual compensation above covered 
compensation, times years of service up to 35. Under the plan, average 
annual compensation is determined using a five-consecutive-year period 
for purposes of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(e)(2). The plan requires employee 
contributions at a rate of four percent of plan year compensation for 
all employees. Assume that the plan satisfies the demographic 
requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section. Under these 
facts, the plan satisfies the eligibility requirements of paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section. Assume, further, that the average attained 
age for all employees in the plan is 55, and that the average years of 
participation of all employees in the plan is 10. The average entry age 
for the plan is therefore 45, and, accordingly, the appropriate factor 
under the table is 0.2. Thus, in applying the safe harbor requirements 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) to this plan for the plan year (including the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(l)-3), the employee's base benefit 
percentage and excess benefit percentage are each reduced by 0.8 percent 
(4 percent x 0.2) and equal 1.2 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
employee contribution rate is two percent of plan year compensation up 
to the covered compensation level, and four percent for plan year 
compensation at or above that contribution breakpoint. The employer 
elects to apply the alternative method in paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(2) of 
this section to determine the reduction in the base benefit percentage. 
Because the contribution breakpoint is equal to the integration level, 
the weight of the employee contribution rate below the contribution 
breakpoint is 100 percent, and the weight of the employee contribution 
rate above the contribution breakpoint is zero. Thus, the weighted 
average of employee contribution rates is two percent. Under the 
alternative method in paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B)(2) of this section, the 
reduction in the employee's base benefit percentage is 0.4. In applying 
the safe harbor requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) to this plan 
(including the requirements of Sec. 1.401(l)-3), the employee's base 
benefit percentage is 1.6 percent, and the employee's excess benefit 
percentage is 1.7.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
employee contribution rate is two percent of plan year compensation up 
to 50 percent of the covered compensation level, and four percent for 
plan year compensation at or above that contribution breakpoint. Because 
the contribution breakpoint is equal to 50 percent of

[[Page 116]]

the integration level, the weight of the employee contribution rate 
below the contribution breakpoint is 50 percent, and the weight of the 
employee contribution rate above the contribution breakpoint is 50 
percent. Thus, the weighted average of employee contribution rates is 
three percent. Under the alternative method in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii)(B)(2) of this section, the reduction in the employee's base 
benefit percentage is 0.6. In applying the safe harbor requirements of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) to this plan (including the requirements of Sec. 
1.401(l)-3), the employee's base benefit percentage is 1.4 percent, and 
the employee's excess benefit percentage is 1.7.
    Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
plan is tested using the general test in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c). Assume 
Employee M benefits under Plan A and has a normal accrual rate for the 
plan year (calculated with respect to Employee M's total accrued 
benefit) of 2.2 percent of average annual compensation. In applying the 
general test in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c) with respect to employer-provided 
benefits, this rate is reduced by 0.8 to yield a normal accrual rate of 
1.4 percent. This rate may then be adjusted using either of the optional 
rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3)(i) or (ii).

    (3) Minimum-benefit method--(i) Application of uniform factors. A 
contributory DB plan that satisfies the uniform rate requirement of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section and the minimum benefit 
requirement of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section may apply the 
adjustments provided in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section as if the 
average entry age of employees in the plan were within the range of 30 
to 40, without regard to the actual demographics of the employees in the 
plan.
    (ii) Minimum benefit requirement. This requirement is satisfied if 
the plan provides that, in plan years beginning on or after the 
effective date of these regulations, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(a) and (b), each employee will accrue a benefit that equals or 
exceeds the sum of--
    (A) The accrued benefit derived from employee contributions made for 
plan years beginning on or after the effective date of these 
regulations, determined in accordance with section 411(c); and
    (B) Fifty percent of the total benefit accrued in plan years 
beginning on or after the effective date of these regulations, as 
determined under the plan benefit formula without regard to that portion 
of the formula designed to satisfy the minimum benefit requirement of 
this paragraph (b)(3)(ii).
    (iii) Example. The following example illustrates the minimum-benefit 
method of this paragraph (b)(3):

    Example. Plan A is contributory DB plan. For the plan year beginning 
in 1994, Employee M participates in Plan A and accrues a benefit under 
the terms of the plan (without regard to the minimum benefit requirement 
of paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section) of $3,000. The portion of 
Employee M's benefit accrual for the plan year beginning in 1994 derived 
from employee contributions is $2,000, determined by applying the rules 
of section 411(c) to such contributions. The requirement of paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section is not satisfied for the plan year beginning 
in 1994 unless the plan provides that Employee M's benefit accrual for 
the plan year beginning in 1994 is equal to $3,500 ($2,000 + (50 percent 
x $3,000)).

    (4) Grandfather rule for plans in existence on May 14, 1990. A 
contributory DB plan that satisfies paragraph (c)(4) of this section may 
determine an employee's employer-provided benefit by subtracting from 
the employee's total benefit the employee-provided benefits determined 
using any reasonable method set forth in the plan, provided that it is 
the same method used in determining whether the plan satisfies paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii)(D) of this section.
    (5) Government-plan method. A contributory DB plan that is 
established and maintained for its employees by the government of any 
state or political subdivision or by any agency or instrumentality 
thereof may treat an employee's total benefit as entirely employer-
provided.
    (6) Cessation of employee contributions. If a contributory DB plan 
provides that no employee contributions may be made to the plan after 
the last day of the first plan year beginning on or after the effective 
date of these regulations, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) and 
(b), the plan may treat an employee's total benefit as entirely 
employer-provided.
    (c) Rules applicable in determining whether employee-provided 
benefits are nondiscriminatory in amount--(1) In general. A contributory 
DB plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) with respect to the amount 
of employee-provided benefits for a plan year only if the plan satisfies 
the requirements of paragraph (c)(2),

[[Page 117]]

(c)(3), or (c)(4) of this section for the plan year. This requirement 
applies regardless of the method used to determine the amount of 
employer-provided benefits under paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2) Same rate of contributions. This requirement is satisfied for a 
plan year if the employee contribution rate (within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section) is the same for all employees 
for the plan year.
    (3) Total-benefits method. This requirement is satisfied for a plan 
year if--
    (i) The total benefits (i.e., the sum of employer-provided and 
employee-provided benefits) under the plan would satisfy Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3 if all benefits were treated as employer-provided 
benefits; and
    (ii) The plan's contribution requirements satisfy paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
    (4) Grandfather rules for plans in existence on May 14, 1990--(i) In 
general. This requirement is satisfied for a plan year if the plan 
contained provisions as of May 14, 1990, that meet the requirements of 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii) or (c)(4)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Graded contribution rates. The plan's provisions meet the 
requirements of this paragraph (c)(4)(ii) if all the following 
requirements are met:
    (A) The provisions require employee contributions at a greater rate 
(expressed as a percentage of compensation) at higher levels of 
compensation than at lower levels of compensation.
    (B) The required rate of employee contributions is not increased 
after May 14, 1990, although the level of compensation at which employee 
contributions are required may be increased or decreased.
    (C) All employees are permitted to make employee contributions under 
the plan at a uniform rate with respect to all compensation, beginning 
no later than the last day of the first plan year to which these 
regulations apply, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) and (b).
    (D) The benefits provided on account of employee contributions at 
lower levels of compensation are comparable to those provided on account 
of employee contributions at higher levels of compensation.
    (iii) Prior year compensation. The plan's provisions meet the 
requirements of this paragraph (c)(4)(iii) if they are part of a plan 
maintained by more than one employer that requires employee 
contributions and the rate of required employee contributions, expressed 
as a percentage of compensation for the last calendar year ending before 
the beginning of the plan year, is the same for all employees.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46802, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7  Imputation of permitted disparity.

    (a) Introduction. In determining whether a plan satisfies section 
401(a)(4) with respect to the amount of contributions or benefits, 
section 401(a)(5)(C) allows the disparities permitted under section 
401(l) to be taken into account. For purposes of satisfying the safe 
harbors of Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(2) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(b), 
permitted disparity may be taken into account only by satisfying section 
401(l) in form in accordance with Sec. 1.401(l)-2 or 1.401(l)-3, 
respectively. For purposes of the general tests of Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(c) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(c), permitted disparity may be taken 
into account only in accordance with the rules of this section. In 
general, this section allows permitted disparity to be arithmetically 
imputed with respect to employer-provided contributions or benefits by 
determining an adjusted allocation or accrual rate that appropriately 
accounts for the permitted disparity with respect to each employee. 
Paragraph (b) of this section provides rules for imputing permitted 
disparity with respect to employer-provided contributions by adjusting 
each employee's unadjusted allocation rate. Paragraph (c) of this 
section provides rules for imputing permitted disparity with respect to 
employer-provided benefits by adjusting each employee's unadjusted 
accrual rate. Paragraph (d) of this section provides rules of general 
application.
    (b) Adjusting allocation rates--(1) In general. The rules in this 
paragraph (b) produce an adjusted allocation rate for each employee by 
determining the excess contribution percentage under the hypothetical 
formula that would yield the allocation actually received by the 
employee, if the plan took into account

[[Page 118]]

the full disparity permitted under section 401(l)(2) and used the 
taxable wage base as the integration level. This adjusted allocation 
rate is used to determine whether the amount of contributions under the 
plan satisfies the general test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c) and to apply 
the average benefit percentage test on the basis of contributions under 
Sec. 1.410(b)-5(d). Paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section apply 
to employees whose plan year compensation does not exceed and does 
exceed, respectively, the taxable wage base, and paragraph (b)(4) of 
this section provides definitions.
    (2) Employees whose plan year compensation does not exceed taxable 
wage base. If an employee's plan year compensation does not exceed the 
taxable wage base, the employee's adjusted allocation rate is the lesser 
of the A rate and the B rate determined under the formulas below, where 
the permitted disparity rate and the unadjusted allocation rate are 
determined under paragraph (b)(4) (ii) and (iv) of this section, 
respectively.

A Rate = 2 x unadjusted allocation rate
B Rate = unadjusted allocation rate + permitted disparity rate

    (3) Employees whose plan year compensation exceeds taxable wage 
base. If an employee's plan year compensation exceeds the taxable wage 
base, the employee's adjusted allocation rate is the lesser of the C 
rate and the D rate determined under the formulas below, where 
allocations and the permitted disparity rate are determined under 
paragraph (b)(4) (i) and (ii) of this section, respectively.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC05OC91.012

    (4) Definitions. In applying this paragraph (b), the following 
definitions govern--
    (i) Allocations. Allocations means the amount determined by 
multiplying the employee's plan year compensation by the employee's 
unadjusted allocation rate.
    (ii) Permitted disparity rate--(A) General rule. Permitted disparity 
rate means the rate in effect as of the beginning of the plan year under 
section 401(l)(2)(A)(ii) (e.g., 5.7 percent for plan years beginning in 
1990).
    (B) Cumulative permitted disparity limit. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(4)(ii)(A) of this section, the permitted disparity rate is zero for 
an employee who has benefited under a defined benefit plan taken into 
account under Sec. 1.401(l)-5(a)(3) for a plan year that begins on or 
after one year from the first day of the first plan year to which these 
regulations apply, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) and (b), if 
imputing permitted disparity would result in a cumulative disparity 
fraction for the employee, as defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-5(c)(2), that 
exceeds 35. See Sec. 1.401(l)-5(c)(1) for special rules for determining 
whether an employee has benefited under a defined benefit plan for this 
purpose.
    (iii) Taxable wage base. Taxable wage base means the taxable wage 
base, as defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(32), in effect as of the 
beginning of the plan year.
    (iv) Unadjusted allocation rate. Unadjusted allocation rate means 
the employee's allocation rate determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
2(c)(2)(i) for the plan year (expressed as a percentage of plan year 
compensation), without imputing permitted disparity under this section.
    (5) Example. The following example illustrates the rules in this 
paragraph (b):

    Example. (a) Employees M and N participate in a defined contribution 
plan maintained by Employer X. Employee M has plan

[[Page 119]]

year compensation of $30,000 in the 1990 plan year and has an unadjusted 
allocation rate of five percent. Employee N has plan year compensation 
of $100,000 in the 1990 plan year and has an unadjusted allocation rate 
of eight percent. The taxable wage base in 1990 is $51,300.
    (b) Because Employee M's plan year compensation does not exceed the 
taxable wage base, Employee M's A rate is 10 percent (2 x 5 percent), 
and Employee M's B rate is 10.7 percent (5 percent + 5.7 percent). Thus, 
Employee M's adjusted allocation rate is 10 percent, the lesser of the A 
rate and the B rate.
    (c) Employee N's allocations are $8,000 (8 percent x $100,000). 
Because Employee N's plan year compensation exceeds the taxable wage 
base, Employee N's C rate is 10.76 percent ($8,000 divided by ($100,000-
(\1/2\ x $51,300))), and Employee N's D rate is 10.92 percent (($8,000 + 
(5.7 percent x $51,300)) divided by $100,000). Thus, Employee N's 
adjusted allocation rate is 10.76 percent, the lesser of the C rate and 
the D rate.

    (c) Adjusting accrual rates--(1) In general. The rules in this 
paragraph (c) produce an adjusted accrual rate for each employee by 
determining the excess benefit percentage under the hypothetical plan 
formula that would yield the employer-provided accrual actually received 
by the employee, if the plan took into account the full permitted 
disparity under section 401(l)(3)(A) in each of the first 35 years of an 
employee's testing service under the plan and used the employee's 
covered compensation as the integration level. This adjusted accrual 
rate is used to determine whether the amount of employer-provided 
benefits under the plan satisfies the alternative safe harbor for flat 
benefit plans under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(C)(3) or the general 
test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c), and to apply the average benefit 
percentage test on the basis of benefits under Sec. 1.410(b)-5. 
Paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section apply to employees whose 
average annual compensation does not exceed and does exceed, 
respectively, covered compensation, and paragraph (c)(4) of this section 
provides definitions. Paragraph (c)(5) of this section provides a 
special rule for employees with negative unadjusted accrual rates.
    (2) Employees whose average annual compensation does not exceed 
covered compensation. If an employee's average annual compensation does 
not exceed the employee's covered compensation, the employee's adjusted 
accrual rate is the lesser of the A rate and the B rate determined under 
the formulas below, where the permitted disparity factor and the 
unadjusted accrual rate are determined under paragraph (c)(4)(iii) and 
(v) of this section, respectively.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC05OC91.013

    (3) Employees whose average annual compensation exceeds covered 
compensation. If an employee's average annual compensation exceeds the 
employee's covered compensation, the employee's adjusted accrual rate is 
the lesser of the C rate and D rate determined under the formulas below, 
where the employer-provided accrual and the permitted disparity factor 
are determined under paragraph (c)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section, 
respectively.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC05OC91.014


[[Page 120]]


    (4) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the following 
definitions apply.
    (i) Covered compensation. Covered compensation means covered 
compensation as defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(7). Notwithstanding Sec. 
1.401(l)-1(c)(7)(iii), an employee's covered compensation must be 
automatically adjusted each plan year for purposes of applying this 
paragraph (c).
    (ii) Employer-provided accrual. Employer-provided accrual means the 
amount determined by multiplying the employee's average annual 
compensation by the employee's unadjusted accrual rate.
    (iii) Permitted disparity factor--(A) General rule. Permitted 
disparity factor for an employee means the sum of the employee's annual 
permitted disparity factors determined under paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B) of 
this section for each of the years in the measurement period used for 
determining the employee's accrual rate in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(1), 
divided by the employee's testing service during that measurement 
period.
    (B) Annual permitted disparity factor--(1) Definition. An employee's 
annual permitted disparity factor is generally 0.75 percent adjusted, 
pursuant to Sec. 1.401(l)-3(e), using as the age at which benefits 
commence the lesser of age 65 or the employee's testing age. No 
adjustments are made in the annual permitted disparity factor unless an 
employee's testing age is different from the employee's social security 
retirement age. An annual permitted disparity factor that is less than 
the annual permitted disparity factor described in the first sentence of 
this paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B)(1) may be used if it is a uniform 
percentage of that factor (e.g., 50 percent of the annual permitted 
disparity factor) or a fixed percentage (e.g., 0.65 percent) for all 
employees.
    (2) Annual permitted disparity factor after 35 years. For purposes 
of determining the sum described in paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(A) of this 
section, the annual permitted disparity factor for each of the 
employee's first 35 years of testing service is the amount described in 
paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B)(1) of this section, and the annual permitted 
disparity factor in any subsequent year equals zero. This rule applies 
regardless of whether the end of the measurement period extends beyond 
an employee's first 35 years of testing service. Thus, for example, if 
the measurement period is the current plan year and the employee 
completed 35 years of testing service prior to the beginning of the 
current plan year, under this paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B)(2) the annual 
permitted disparity factor in the current plan year (and hence the sum 
of the annual permitted disparity factors for each year in the 
measurement period) is zero.
    (3) Cumulative permitted disparity limit. The 35 years used in 
paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B)(2) of this section must be reduced by the 
employee's cumulative disparity fraction, as defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-
5(c)(2), but determined solely with respect to the employee's total 
years of service under all plans taken into account under Sec. 
1.401(l)-5(a)(3) during the measurement period, other than the plan 
being tested.
    (iv) Social security retirement age. Social security retirement age 
means social security retirement age as defined in section 415(b)(8).
    (v) Unadjusted accrual rate. Unadjusted accrual rate means the 
normal or most valuable accrual rate, whichever is being determined for 
the employee under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d), expressed as a percentage of 
average annual compensation, without imputing permitted disparity under 
this section.
    (5) Employees with negative unadjusted accrual rates. 
Notwithstanding the formulas in paragraph (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this 
section, if an employee's unadjusted accrual rate is less than zero, the 
employee's adjusted accrual rate is deemed to be the employee's 
unadjusted accrual rate.
    (6) Example. The following example illustrates the rules in this 
paragraph (c):

    Example. (a) Employees M and N participate in a defined benefit plan 
that uses a normal retirement age of 65. The plan is being tested for 
the plan year under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c), using unadjusted accrual 
rates determined using a plan year measurement period under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(1)(iii)(A). Employee M has an unadjusted normal accrual 
rate of 1.48 percent, average annual compensation of $21,000, and an 
employer-provided accrual of $311 (1.48 percent x

[[Page 121]]

$21,000). Employee N has an unadjusted normal accrual rate of 1.7 
percent, average annual compensation of $106,000, and an employer-
provided accrual of $1,802 (1.7 percent x $106,000). The covered 
compensation of both Employees M and N is $25,000, and social security 
retirement age for both employees is 65. Neither employee has testing 
service of more than 35 years and neither has ever participated in 
another plan.
    (b) Because Employee M's average annual compensation does not exceed 
covered compensation, Employee M's A rate is 2.96 percent (2.0 x 1.48 
percent), and Employee M's B rate is 2.23 percent (1.48 percent + 0.75 
percent). Thus, Employee M's adjusted accrual rate is 2.23 percent, the 
lesser of the A rate and the B rate.
    (c) Because Employee N's average annual compensation exceeds covered 
compensation, Employee N's C rate is 1.93 percent ($1,802/($106,000-(0.5 
x $25,000))), and Employee N's D rate is 1.88 percent (($1,802 + (0.75 
percent x $25,000))/$106,000). Thus, Employee N's adjusted accrual rate 
is 1.88 percent, the lesser of the C rate and the D rate.

    (d) Rules of general application--(1) Eligible plans. The rules in 
this section may be used only for those plans to which the permitted 
disparity rules of section 401(l) are available. See Sec. 1.401(l)-
1(a)(3).
    (2) Exceptions from consistency requirements. A plan does not fail 
to satisfy the consistency requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(vi) 
or Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(2)(i) merely because the plan does not impute 
disparity for some employees to the extent required to comply with 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section, or because the plan does not impute 
disparity for any employees (including self-employed individuals within 
the meaning of section 401(c)(1)) who are not covered by any of the 
taxes under section 3111(a), section 3221, or section 1401.
    (3) Overall permitted disparity. The annual overall permitted 
disparity limits of Sec. 1.401(l)-5(b) apply to the employer-provided 
contributions and benefits for an employee under all plans taken into 
account under Sec. 1.401(l)-5(a)(3). Thus, if an employee who benefits 
under the plan for the current plan year also benefits under a section 
401(l) plan for the plan year ending with or within the current plan 
year, permitted disparity may not be imputed for that employee for the 
plan year. See Sec. 1.401(l)-5(b)(9), Example 4. Similarly, if an 
employee who benefits under the plan for the current plan year also 
benefits under another plan of the employer for the plan year ending 
with or within the current plan year, disparity may be imputed for that 
employee under only one of the plans.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46804, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8  Cross-testing.

    (a) Introduction. This section provides rules for testing defined 
benefit plans on the basis of equivalent employer-provided contributions 
and defined contribution plans on the basis of equivalent employer-
provided benefits under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2). Paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(c)(1) of this section provide general tests for nondiscrimination based 
on individual equivalent accrual or allocation rates determined under 
paragraphs (b)(2) and (c)(2) of this section, respectively. Paragraphs 
(b)(3), (c)(3), and (d) of this section provide additional safe-harbor 
testing methods for target benefit plans, cash balance plans, and 
defined benefit plans that are part of floor-offset arrangements, 
respectively, that generally may be satisfied on a design basis.
    (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of benefits provided under a defined 
contribution plan--(1) General rule and gateway--(i) General rule. 
Equivalent benefits under a defined contribution plan (other than an 
ESOP) are nondiscriminatory in amount for a plan year if--
    (A) The plan would satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(1) for the plan 
year if an equivalent accrual rate, as determined under paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section, were substituted for each employee's allocation rate in 
the determination of rate groups; and
    (B) For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the plan 
satisfies one of the following conditions--
    (1) The plan has broadly available allocation rates (within the 
meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section) for the plan year;
    (2) The plan has age-based allocation rates that are based on either 
a gradual age or service schedule (within the meaning of paragraph 
(b)(1)(iv) of this section) or a uniform target benefit allocation 
(within the meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this section) for the plan 
year; or

[[Page 122]]

    (3) The plan satisfies the minimum allocation gateway of paragraph 
(b)(1)(vi) of this section for the plan year.
    (ii) Allocations after testing age. A plan does not fail to satisfy 
paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this section merely because allocations are 
made at the same rate for employees who are older than their testing age 
(determined without regard to the current-age rule in paragraph (4) of 
the definition of testing age in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12) as they are made 
for employees who are at that age.
    (iii) Broadly available allocation rates--(A) In general. A plan has 
broadly available allocation rates for the plan year if each allocation 
rate under the plan is currently available during the plan year (within 
the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(2)), to a group of employees that 
satisfies section 410(b) (without regard to the average benefit 
percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5). For this purpose, if two 
allocation rates could be permissively aggregated under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4(d)(4), assuming the allocation rates were treated as 
benefits, rights or features, they may be aggregated and treated as a 
single allocation rate. In addition, the disregard of age and service 
conditions described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)(2)(ii)(A) does not apply 
for purposes of this paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A).
    (B) Certain transition allocations. In determining whether a plan 
has broadly available allocation rates for the plan year within the 
meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(A) of this section, an employee's 
allocation may be disregarded to the extent that the allocation is a 
transition allocation for the plan year. In order for an allocation to 
be a transition allocation, the allocation must comply with the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(C) of this section and must be 
either--
    (1) A defined benefit replacement allocation within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(D) of this section; or
    (2) A pre-existing replacement allocation or pre-existing merger and 
acquisition allocation, within the meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(E) 
of this section.
    (C) Plan provisions relating to transition allocations--(1) In 
general. Plan provisions providing for transition allocations for the 
plan year must specify both the group of employees who are eligible for 
the transition allocations and the amount of the transition allocations.
    (2) Limited plan amendments. Allocations are not transition 
allocations within the meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(B) of this 
section for the plan year if the plan provisions relating to the 
allocations are amended after the date those plan provisions are both 
adopted and effective. The preceding sentence in this paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(C)(2) does not apply to a plan amendment that reduces 
transition allocations to HCEs, makes de minimis changes in the 
calculation of the transition allocations (such as a change in the 
definition of compensation to include section 132(f) elective 
reductions), or adds or removes a provision permitted under paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(C)(3) of this section.
    (3) Certain permitted plan provisions. An allocation does not fail 
to be a transition allocation within the meaning of paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(B) of this section merely because the plan provides that 
each employee who is eligible for a transition allocation receives the 
greater of such allocation and the allocation for which the employee 
would otherwise be eligible under the plan. In a plan that contains such 
a provision, for purposes of determining whether the plan has broadly 
available allocation rates within the meaning of paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii)(A) of this section, the allocation for which an employee 
would otherwise be eligible is considered currently available to the 
employee, even if the employee's transition allocation is greater.
    (D) Defined benefit replacement allocation. An allocation is a 
defined benefit replacement allocation for the plan year if it is 
provided in accordance with guidance prescribed by the Commissioner 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter) and satisfies the following 
conditions--

[[Page 123]]

    (1) The allocations are provided to a group of employees who 
formerly benefitted under an established nondiscriminatory defined 
benefit plan of the employer or of a prior employer that provided age-
based equivalent allocation rates;
    (2) The allocations for each employee in the group were reasonably 
calculated, in a consistent manner, to replace the retirement benefits 
that the employee would have been provided under the defined benefit 
plan if the employee had continued to benefit under the defined benefit 
plan;
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(C) of this section, 
no employee who receives the allocation receives any other allocations 
under the plan for the plan year; and
    (4) The composition of the group of employees who receive the 
allocations is nondiscriminatory.
    (E) Pre-existing transition allocations--(1) Pre-existing 
replacement allocations. An allocation is a pre-existing replacement 
allocation for the plan year if the allocation satisfies the following 
conditions--
    (i) The allocations are provided pursuant to a plan provision 
adopted before June 29, 2001;
    (ii) The allocations are provided to employees who formerly 
benefitted under a defined benefit plan of the employer; and
    (iii) The allocations for each employee in the group are reasonably 
calculated, in a consistent manner, to replace some or all of the 
retirement benefits that the employee would have received under the 
defined benefit plan and any other plan or arrangement of the employer 
if the employee had continued to benefit under such defined benefit plan 
and such other plan or arrangement.
    (2) Pre-existing merger and acquisition allocations. An allocation 
is a pre-existing merger and acquisition allocation for the plan year if 
the allocation satisfies the following conditions--
    (i) The allocations are provided solely to employees of a trade or 
business that has been acquired by the employer in a stock or asset 
acquisition, merger, or other similar transaction occurring prior to 
August 28, 2001, involving a change in the employer of the employees of 
the trade or business;
    (ii) The allocations are provided only to employees who were 
employed by the acquired trade or business before a specified date that 
is no later than two years after the transaction (or January 1, 2002, if 
earlier);
    (iii) The allocations are provided pursuant a plan provision adopted 
no later than the specified date; and
    (iv) The allocations for each employee in the group are reasonably 
calculated, in a consistent manner, to replace some or all of the 
retirement benefits that the employee would have received under any plan 
of the employer if the new employer had continued to provide the 
retirement benefits that the prior employer was providing for employees 
of the trade or business.
    (F) Successor employers. An employer that accepts a transfer of 
assets (within the meaning of section 414(l)) from the plan of a prior 
employer may continue to treat any transition allocations provided under 
that plan as transition allocations under paragraph (b)(1)(iii)(B) of 
this section, provided that the successor employer continues to satisfy 
the applicable requirements set forth in paragraphs (b)(1)(iii)(C) 
through (E) of this section for the plan year.
    (iv) Gradual age or service schedule--(A) In general. A plan has a 
gradual age or service schedule for the plan year if the allocation 
formula for all employees under the plan provides for a single schedule 
of allocation rates under which--
    (1) The schedule defines a series of bands based solely on age, 
years of service, or the number of points representing the sum of age 
and years of service (age and service points), under which the same 
allocation rate applies to all employees whose age, years of service, or 
age and service points are within each band; and
    (2) The allocation rates under the schedule increase smoothly at 
regular intervals, within the meaning of paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(B) and 
(C) of this section.
    (B) Smoothly increasing schedule of allocation rates. A schedule of 
allocation rates increases smoothly if the allocation rate for each band 
within the

[[Page 124]]

schedule is greater than the allocation rate for the immediately 
preceding band (i.e., the band with the next lower number of years of 
age, years of service, or age and service points) but by no more than 5 
percentage points. However, a schedule of allocation rates will not be 
treated as increasing smoothly if the ratio of the allocation rate for 
any band to the rate for the immediately preceding band is more than 2.0 
or if it exceeds the ratio of allocation rates between the two 
immediately preceding bands.
    (C) Regular intervals. A schedule of allocation rates has regular 
intervals of age, years of service or age and service points, if each 
band, other than the band associated with the highest age, years of 
service, or age and service points, is the same length. For this 
purpose, if the schedule is based on age, the first band is deemed to be 
of the same length as the other bands if it ends at or before age 25. If 
the first age band ends after age 25, then, in determining whether the 
length of the first band is the same as the length of other bands, the 
starting age for the first age band is permitted to be treated as age 25 
or any age earlier than 25. For a schedule of allocation rates based on 
age and service points, the rules of the preceding two sentences are 
applied by substituting 25 age and service points for age 25. For a 
schedule of allocation rates based on service, the starting service for 
the first service band is permitted to be treated as one year of service 
or any lesser amount of service.
    (D) Minimum allocation rates permitted. A schedule of allocation 
rates under a plan does not fail to increase smoothly at regular 
intervals, within the meaning of paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(B) and (C) of 
this section, merely because a minimum uniform allocation rate is 
provided for all employees or the minimum benefit described in section 
416(c)(2) is provided for all non-key employees (either because the plan 
is top heavy or without regard to whether the plan is top heavy) if the 
schedule satisfies one of the following conditions--
    (1) The allocation rates under the plan that are greater than the 
minimum allocation rate can be included in a hypothetical schedule of 
allocation rates that increases smoothly at regular intervals, within 
the meaning of paragraphs (b)(1)(iv)(B) and (C) of this section, where 
the hypothetical schedule has a lowest allocation rate no lower than 1% 
of plan year compensation; or
    (2) For a plan using a schedule of allocation rates based on age, 
for each age band in the schedule that provides an allocation rate 
greater than the minimum allocation rate, there could be an employee in 
that age band with an equivalent accrual rate that is less than or equal 
to the equivalent accrual rate that would apply to an employee whose age 
is the highest age for which the allocation rate equals the minimum 
allocation rate.
    (v) Uniform target benefit allocations. A plan has allocation rates 
that are based on a uniform target benefit allocation for the plan year 
if the plan fails to satisfy the requirements for the safe harbor 
testing method in paragraph (b)(3) of this section merely because the 
determination of the allocations under the plan differs from the 
allocations determined under that safe harbor testing method for any of 
the following reasons--
    (A) The interest rate used for determining the actuarial present 
value of the stated plan benefit and the theoretical reserve is lower 
than a standard interest rate;
    (B) The stated benefit is calculated assuming compensation increases 
at a specified rate; or
    (C) The plan computes the current year contribution using the actual 
account balance instead of the theoretical reserve.
    (vi) Minimum allocation gateway--(A) General rule. A plan satisfies 
the minimum allocation gateway of this paragraph (b)(1)(vi) if each NHCE 
has an allocation rate that is at least one third of the allocation rate 
of the HCE with the highest allocation rate.
    (B) Deemed satisfaction. A plan is deemed to satisfy the minimum 
allocation gateway of this paragraph (b)(1)(vi) if each NHCE receives an 
allocation of at least 5% of the NHCE's compensation within the meaning 
of section 415(c)(3), measured over a period of time permitted under the 
definition of plan year compensation.

[[Page 125]]

    (vii) Determination of allocation rate. For purposes of paragraph 
(b)(1)(i)(B) of this section, allocations and allocation rates are 
determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2), but without taking into 
account the imputation of permitted disparity under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. 
However, in determining whether the plan has broadly available 
allocation rates as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, 
differences in allocation rates attributable solely to the use of 
permitted disparity described in Sec. 1.401(l)-2 are disregarded.
    (viii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(1):

    Example 1. (i) Plan M, a defined contribution plan without a minimum 
service requirement, provides an allocation formula under which 
allocations are provided to all employees according to the following 
schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Ratio of
                                                              allocation
                                                               rate for
                                                 Allocation    band to
          Completed years of service              rate (in    allocation
                                                  percent)     rate for
                                                             immediately
                                                              preceding
                                                                 band
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-5...........................................          3.0        (\1\)
6-10..........................................          4.5         1.50
11-15.........................................          6.5         1.44
16-20.........................................          8.5         1.31
21-25.........................................         10.0         1.18
26 or more....................................         11.5        1.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.

    (ii) Plan M provides that allocation rates for all employees are 
determined using a single schedule based solely on service, as described 
in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(1) of this section. Therefore, if the 
allocation rates under the schedule increase smoothly at regular 
intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, 
then the plan has a gradual age or service schedule described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
    (iii) The schedule of allocation rates under Plan M does not 
increase by more than 5 percentage points between adjacent bands and the 
ratio of the allocation rate for any band to the allocation rate for the 
immediately preceding band is never more than 2.0 and does not increase. 
Therefore, the allocation rates increase smoothly as described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(B) of this section. In addition, the bands (other 
than the highest band) are all 5 years long, so the increases occur at 
regular intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(C) of this 
section. Thus, the allocation rates under the plan's schedule increase 
smoothly at regular intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) 
of this section. Accordingly, the plan has a gradual age or service 
schedule described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
    (iv) Under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, Plan M satisfies the 
nondiscrimination in amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on 
the basis of benefits if it satisfies paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this 
section, regardless of whether it satisfies the minimum allocation 
gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
the 4.5% allocation rate applies for all employees with 10 years of 
service or less.
    (ii) Plan M provides that allocation rates for all employees are 
determined using a single schedule based solely on service, as described 
in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(1) of this section. Therefore, if the 
allocation rates under the schedule increase smoothly at regular 
intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, 
then the plan has a gradual age or service schedule described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section.
    (iii) The bands (other than the highest band) in the schedule are 
not all the same length, since the first band is 10 years long while 
other bands are 5 years long. Thus, the schedule does not have regular 
intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(C) of this section. 
However, under paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D) of this section, the schedule of 
allocation rates does not fail to increase smoothly at regular intervals 
merely because the minimum allocation rate of 4.5% results in a first 
band that is longer than the other bands, if either of the conditions of 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D)(1) or (2) of this section is satisfied.
    (iv) In this case, the schedule of allocation rates satisfies the 
condition in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D)(1) of this section because the 
allocation rates under the plan that are greater than the 4.5% minimum 
allocation rate can be included in the following hypothetical schedule 
of allocation rates that increases smoothly at regular intervals and has 
a lowest allocation rate of at least 1% of plan year compensation:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Ratio of
                                                              allocation
                                                               rate for
                                                 Allocation    band to
          Completed years of service              rate (in    allocation
                                                  percent)     rate for
                                                             immediately
                                                              preceding
                                                                 band
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-5...........................................          2.5        (\1\)
6-10..........................................          4.5         1.80
11-15.........................................          6.5         1.44
16-20.........................................          8.5         1.31
21-25.........................................         10.0         1.18
26 or more....................................         11.5        1.15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.

    (v) Accordingly, the plan has a gradual age or service schedule 
described in paragraph

[[Page 126]]

(b)(1)(iv) of this section. Under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, 
Plan M satisfies the nondiscrimination in amount requirement of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on the basis of benefits if it satisfies paragraph 
(b)(1)(i)(A) of this section, regardless of whether it satisfies the 
minimum allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section.
    Example 3. (i) Plan N, a defined contribution plan, provides an 
allocation formula under which allocations are provided to all employees 
according to the following schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Ratio of
                                                              allocation
                                                               rate for
                                                 Allocation    band to
                      Age                         rate (in    allocation
                                                  percent)     rate for
                                                             immediately
                                                              preceding
                                                                 band
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 25......................................          3.0        (\1\)
25-34.........................................          6.0         2.00
35-44.........................................          9.0         1.50
45-54.........................................         12.0         1.33
55-64.........................................         16.0         1.33
65 or older...................................         21.0        1.31
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.

    (ii) Plan N provides that allocation rates for all employees are 
determined using a single schedule based solely on age, as described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(1) of this section. Therefore, if the allocation 
rates under the schedule increase smoothly at regular intervals as 
described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, then the plan 
has a gradual age or service schedule described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) 
of this section.
    (iii) The schedule of allocation rates under Plan N does not 
increase by more than 5 percentage points between adjacent bands and the 
ratio of the allocation rate for any band to the allocation rate for the 
immediately preceding band is never more than 2.0 and does not increase. 
Therefore, the allocation rates increase smoothly as described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(B) of this section. In addition, the bands (other 
than the highest band and the first band, which is deemed to be the same 
length as the other bands because it ends prior to age 25) are all 5 
years long, so the increases occur at regular intervals as described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(C) of this section. Thus, the allocation rates 
under the plan's schedule increase smoothly at regular intervals as 
described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) of this section. Accordingly, 
the plan has a gradual age or service schedule described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(iv) of this section.
    (iv) Under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, Plan N satisfies the 
nondiscrimination in amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on 
the basis of benefits if it satisfies paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this 
section, regardless of whether it satisfies the minimum allocation 
gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section.
    Example 4. (i) Plan O, a defined contribution plan, provides an 
allocation formula under which allocations are provided to all employees 
according to the following schedule:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Ratio of
                                                              allocation
                                                               rate for
                                                 Allocation    band to
                      Age                         rate (in    allocation
                                                  percent)     rate for
                                                             immediately
                                                              preceding
                                                                 band
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 40......................................            3        (\1\)
40-44.........................................            6         2.00
45-49.........................................            9         1.50
50-54.........................................           12         1.33
55-59.........................................           16         1.33
60-64.........................................           20         1.25
65 or older...................................           25        1.25
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.

    (ii) Plan O provides that allocation rates for all employees are 
determined using a single schedule based solely on age, as described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(1) of this section. Therefore, if the allocation 
rates under the schedule increase smoothly at regular intervals as 
described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(A)(2) of this section, then the plan 
has a gradual age or service schedule described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) 
of this section.
    (iii) The bands (other than the highest band) in the schedule are 
not all the same length, since the first band is treated as 15 years 
long while other bands are 5 years long. Thus, the schedule does not 
have regular intervals as described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(C) of this 
section. However, under paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D) of this section, the 
schedule of allocation rates does not fail to increase smoothly at 
regular intervals merely because the minimum allocation rate of 3% 
results in a first band that is longer than the other bands, if either 
of the conditions of paragraph (b)(1)(iv)(D)(1) or (2) of this section 
is satisfied.
    (iv) In this case, in order to define a hypothetical schedule that 
could include the allocation rates in the actual schedule of allocation 
rates, each of the bands below age 40 would have to be 5 years long (or 
be treated as 5 years long). Accordingly, the hypothetical schedule 
would have to provide for a band for employees under age 30, a band for 
employees in the range 30-34 and a band for employees age 35-39.
    (v) The ratio of the allocation rate for the age 40-44 band to the 
next lower band is 2.0. Accordingly, in order for the applicable 
allocations rates under this hypothetical schedule to increase smoothly, 
the ratio of the allocation rate for each band in the hypothetical 
schedule below age 40 to the allocation rate for the immediately 
preceding band would have to be 2.0. Thus, the allocation

[[Page 127]]

rate for the hypothetical band applicable for employees under age 30 
would be .75%, the allocation rate for the hypothetical band for 
employees in the range 30-34 would be 1.5% and the allocation rate for 
employees in the range 35-39 would be 3%.
    (vi) Because the lowest allocation rate under any possible 
hypothetical schedule is less than 1% of plan year compensation, Plan O 
will be treated as satisfying the requirements of paragraphs 
(b)(1)(iv)(B) and (C) of this section only if the schedule of allocation 
rates satisfies the steepness condition described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(iv)(D)(2) of this section. In this case, the steepness condition 
is not satisfied because the equivalent accrual rate for an employee age 
39 is 2.81%, but there is no hypothetical employee in the band for ages 
40-44 with an equal or lower equivalent accrual rate (since the lowest 
equivalent accrual rate for hypothetical employees within this band is 
3.74% at age 44).
    (vii) Since the schedule of allocation rates under the plan does not 
increase smoothly at regular intervals, Plan O's schedule of allocation 
rates is not a gradual age or service schedule. Further, Plan O does not 
provide uniform target benefit allocations. Therefore, under paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, Plan O cannot satisfy the nondiscrimination 
in amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) for the plan year on 
the basis of benefits unless either Plan O provides for broadly 
available allocation rates for the plan year as described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(iii) of this section (i.e., the allocation rate at each age is 
provided to a group of employees that satisfies section 410(b) without 
regard to the average benefit percentage test), or Plan O satisfies the 
minimum allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section for 
the plan year.
    Example 5. (i) Plan P is a profit-sharing plan maintained by 
Employer A that covers all of Employer A's employees, consisting of two 
HCEs, X and Y, and 7 NHCEs. Employee X's compensation is $170,000 and 
Employee Y's compensation is $150,000. The allocation for Employees X 
and Y is $30,000 each, resulting in an allocation rate of 17.65% for 
Employee X and 20% for Employee Y. Under Plan P, each NHCE receives an 
allocation of 5% of compensation within the meaning of section 
415(c)(3), measured over a period of time permitted under the definition 
of plan year compensation.
    (ii) Because the allocation rate for X is not currently available to 
any NHCE, Plan P does not have broadly available allocation rates within 
the meaning of paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section. Furthermore, Plan 
P does not provide for age based-allocation rates within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(1)(iv) or (v) of this section. Thus, under paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, Plan P can satisfy the nondiscrimination in 
amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) for the plan year on the 
basis of benefits only if Plan P satisfies the minimum allocation 
gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section for the plan year.
    (iii) The highest allocation rate for any HCE under Plan P is 20%. 
Accordingly, Plan P would satisfy the minimum allocation gateway of 
paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section if all NHCEs have an allocation 
rate of at least 6.67%, or if all NHCEs receive an allocation of at 
least 5% of compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3) 
(measured over a period of time permitted under the definition of plan 
year compensation).
    (iv) Under Plan P, each NHCE receives an allocation of 5% of 
compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3) (measured over a 
period of time permitted under the definition of plan year 
compensation). Accordingly, Plan P satisfies the minimum allocation 
gateway of paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section.
    (v) Under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, Plan P satisfies the 
nondiscrimination in amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on 
the basis of benefits if it satisfies paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this 
section.

    (2) Determination of equivalent accrual rates--(i) Basic definition. 
An employee's equivalent accrual rate for a plan year is the annual 
benefit that is the result of normalizing the increase in the employee's 
account balance during the measurement period, divided by the number of 
years in which the employee benefited under the plan during the 
measurement period, and expressed either as a dollar amount or as a 
percentage of the employee's average annual compensation. A measurement 
period that includes future years may not be used for this purpose.
    (ii) Rules of application--(A) Determination of account balance. The 
increase in the account balance during the measurement period taken into 
account under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section does not include 
income, expenses, gains, or losses allocated during the measurement 
period that are attributable to the account balance as of the beginning 
of the measurement period, but does include any additional amounts that 
would have been included in the increase in the account balance but for 
the fact that they were previously distributed (including a reasonable 
adjustment for interest). In the case of a measurement period that is 
the current plan year, an employer may also elect to disregard the 
income, expenses, gains, and losses allocated

[[Page 128]]

during the current plan year that are attributable to the increase in 
account balance since the beginning of the year, and thus, determine the 
increase in account balance during the plan year taking into account 
only the allocations described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(ii). In 
addition, an employer may disregard distributions made to a NHCE as well 
as distributions made to any employee in plan years beginning before a 
selected date no later than January 1, 1986.
    (B) Normalization. The account balances determined under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section are normalized by treating them as single-
sum benefits that are immediately and unconditionally payable to the 
employee. A standard interest rate, and a straight life annuity factor 
that is based on the same or a different standard interest rate and on a 
standard mortality table, must be used in normalizing these benefits. In 
addition, no mortality may be assumed prior to the employee's testing 
age.
    (iii) Options. Any of the optional rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(d)(3) (e.g., imputation of permitted disparity) may be applied in 
determining an employee's equivalent accrual rate by substituting the 
employee's equivalent accrual rate (determined without regard to the 
option) for the employee's normal accrual rate (i.e., not most valuable 
accrual rate) in that section where appropriate. For this purpose, 
however, the last sentence of the fresh-start alternative in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3)(iii)(A) (dealing with compensation adjustments to 
the frozen accrued benefit) is not applicable. No other options are 
available in determining an employee's equivalent accrual rate except 
those (e.g., selection of alternative measurement periods) specifically 
provided in this paragraph (b)(2). Thus, for example, none of the 
optional special rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f) (e.g., determination of 
benefits on other than a plan year basis under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(f)(6)) is available.
    (iv) Consistency rule. Equivalent accrual rates must be determined 
in a consistent manner for all employees for the plan year. Thus, for 
example, the same measurement periods and standard interest rates must 
be used, and any available options must be applied consistently if at 
all.
    (3) Safe-harbor testing method for target benefit plans--(i) General 
rule. A target benefit plan is a money purchase pension plan under which 
contributions to an employee's account are determined by reference to 
the amounts necessary to fund the employee's stated benefit under the 
plan. Whether a target benefit plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) with 
respect to an equivalent amount of benefits is generally determined 
under paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section. A target benefit 
plan is deemed to satisfy section 401(a)(4) with respect to an 
equivalent amount of benefits, however, if each of the following 
requirements is satisfied:
    (A) Stated benefit formula. Each employee's stated benefit must be 
determined as the straight life annuity commencing at the employee's 
normal retirement age under a formula that would satisfy the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(C) (1) or (2), and that 
would satisfy each of the uniformity requirements in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(2) (taking into account the relevant exceptions provided in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6)), if the plan were a defined benefit plan with the 
same benefit formula. In determining whether these requirements are 
satisfied, the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f) do not apply, and, in 
addition, except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of this section, 
an employee's stated benefit at normal retirement age under the stated 
benefit formula is deemed to accrue ratably over the period ending with 
the plan year in which the employee is projected to reach normal 
retirement age and beginning with the latest of: the first plan year in 
which the employee benefited under the plan, the first plan year taken 
into account in the stated benefit formula, and any plan year 
immediately following a plan year in which the plan did not satisfy this 
paragraph (b)(3). Thus, except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(vii) of 
this section, under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(v) an employee's stated 
benefit may not take into account service in years prior to the first 
plan year that the employee benefited under the plan, and an employee's 
stated benefit may not take into account service in plan years prior

[[Page 129]]

to the current plan year unless the plan satisfied this paragraph (b)(3) 
in all of those prior plan years.
    (B) Employer and employee contributions. Employer contributions with 
respect to each employee must be based exclusively on the employee's 
stated benefit using the method provided in paragraph (b)(3)(iv) of this 
section, and forfeitures and any other amounts under the plan taken into 
account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(ii) (other than employer 
contributions) are used exclusively to reduce employer contributions. 
Employee contributions (if any) may not be used to fund the stated 
benefit.
    (C) Permitted disparity. If permitted disparity is taken into 
account, the stated benefit formula must satisfy Sec. 1.401(l)-3. For 
this purpose, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess or offset 
allowance in Sec. 1.401(l)-3(b)(2)(i) or (b)(3)(i), respectively, as 
adjusted in accordance with Sec. 1.401(l)-3(d)(9) (and, if the 
employee's normal retirement age is not the employee's social security 
retirement age, Sec. 1.401(l)-3(e)), is further reduced by multiplying 
the factor by 0.80.
    (ii) Changes in stated benefit formula. A plan does not fail to 
satisfy paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section merely because the plan 
determines each employee's stated benefit in the current plan year under 
a stated benefit formula that differs from the stated benefit formula 
used to determine the employee's stated benefit in prior plan years.
    (iii) Stated benefits after normal retirement age. A target benefit 
plan may limit increases in the stated benefit after normal retirement 
age consistent with the requirements applicable to defined benefit plans 
under section 411(b)(1)(H) (without regard to section 
411(b)(1)(H)(iii)), provided that the limitation applies on the same 
terms to all employees. Thus, post-normal retirement benefits required 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(ii) must be provided under the stated 
benefit formula, subject to any uniformly applicable service cap under 
the formula.
    (iv) Method for determining required employer contributions--(A) 
General rule. An employer's required contribution to the account of an 
employee for a plan year is determined based on the employee's stated 
benefit and the amount of the employee's theoretical reserve as of the 
date the employer's required contribution is determined for the plan 
year (the determination date). Paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B) of this section 
provides rules for determining an employee's theoretical reserve. 
Paragraph (b)(3)(iv) (C) and (D) of this section provides rules for 
determining an employer's required contributions.
    (B) Theoretical reserve--(1) Initial theoretical reserve. An 
employee's theoretical reserve as of the determination date for the 
first plan year in which the employee benefits under the plan, the first 
plan year taken into account under the stated benefit formula (if that 
is the current plan year), or the first plan year immediately following 
any plan year in which the plan did not satisfy this paragraph (b)(3), 
is zero.
    (2) Theoretical reserve in subsequent plan years. An employee's 
theoretical reserve as of the determination date for a plan year (other 
than a plan year described in paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this 
section) is the employee's theoretical reserve as of the determination 
date for the prior plan year, plus the employer's required contribution 
for the prior plan year (as limited by section 415, but without regard 
to the additional contributions described in paragraph (b)(3)(v) of this 
section) both increased by interest from the determination date for the 
prior plan year through the determination date for the current plan 
year, but not beyond the determination date for the plan year that 
includes the employee's normal retirement date. (Thus, an employee's 
theoretical reserve as of the determination date for a plan year does 
not include the amount of the employer's required contribution for the 
plan year.) The interest rate for determining employer contributions 
that was in effect on the determination date in the prior plan year must 
be applied to determine the required interest adjustment for this 
period. For plan years beginning after the effective date applicable to 
the plan under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(a) or (b), a standard interest rate 
must be used, and may not be changed except on the determination date 
for a plan year.

[[Page 130]]

    (C) Required contributions for employees under normal retirement 
age. The required employer contributions with respect to an employee 
whose attained age is less than the employee's normal retirement age 
must be determined for each plan year as follows:
    (1) Determine the employee's fractional rule benefit (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.411(b)-1(b)(3)(ii)(A)) under the plan's stated 
benefit formula as if the plan were a defined benefit plan with the same 
benefit formula.
    (2) Determine the actuarial present value of the fractional rule 
benefit determined in paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(1) of this section as of 
the determination date for the current plan year, using a standard 
interest rate and a standard mortality table that are set forth in the 
plan and that are the same for all employees, and assuming no mortality 
before the employee's normal retirement age.
    (3) Determine the excess, if any, of the amount determined in 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section over the employee's 
theoretical reserve for the current plan year determined under paragraph 
(b)(3)(iv)(B) of this section.
    (4) Determine the required employer contribution for the current 
plan year by amortizing on a level annual basis, using the same interest 
rate used for paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section, the result in 
paragraph (b)(3)(iv)(C)(3) of this section over the period beginning 
with the determination date for the current plan year and ending with 
the determination date for the plan year in which the employee is 
projected to reach normal retirement age.
    (D) Required contributions for employees over normal retirement age. 
The required employer contributions with respect to an employee whose 
attained age equals or exceeds the employee's normal retirement age is 
the excess, if any, of the actuarial present value, as of the 
determination date for the current plan year, of the employee's stated 
benefit for the current plan year (determined using an immediate 
straight life annuity factor based on a standard interest rate and a 
standard mortality table, for an employee whose attained age equals the 
employee's normal retirement age) over the employee's theoretical 
reserve as of the determination date.
    (v) Effect of section 415 and 416 requirements. A target benefit 
plan does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b)(3) merely because 
required contributions under the plan are limited by section 415 in a 
plan year. Similarly, a target benefit plan does not fail to satisfy 
this paragraph (b)(3) merely because additional contributions are made 
consistent with the requirements of section 416(c)(2) (regardless of 
whether the plan is top-heavy).
    (vi) Certain conditions on allocations. A target benefit plan does 
not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b)(3) merely because required 
contributions under the plan are subject to the conditions on 
allocations permitted under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(4)(iii).
    (vii) Special rules for target benefit plans qualified under prior 
law--(A) Service taken into account prior to satisfaction of this 
paragraph. For purposes of determining whether the stated benefit 
formula satisfies paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A) of this section (e.g., whether 
the period over which an employee's stated benefit is deemed to accrue 
is the same as the period taken into account under the stated benefit 
formula as required by paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A) of this section), a target 
benefit plan that was adopted and in effect on September 19, 1991, is 
deemed to have satisfied this paragraph (b)(3), and an employee is 
treated as benefiting under the plan, in any year prior to the effective 
date applicable to the plan under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) or (b) that 
was taken into account in the stated benefit formula under the plan on 
September 19, 1991, if the plan satisfied the applicable 
nondiscrimination requirements for target benefit plans for that prior 
year.
    (B) Initial theoretical reserve. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(3)(iv)(B)(1) of this section, a target benefit plan under which the 
stated benefit formula takes into account service for an employee for 
plan years prior to the first plan year in which the plan satisfied this 
paragraph (b)(3), as permitted under paragraph (b)(3)(vii)(A) of this 
section, must determine an initial theoretical reserve for the employee 
as of the determination date for the last plan year beginning before 
such plan

[[Page 131]]

year under the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(e).
    (C) Satisfaction of prior law. In determining whether a plan 
satisfied the applicable nondiscrimination requirements for target 
benefit plans for any period prior to the effective date applicable to 
the plan under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) or (b), no amendments after 
September 19, 1991, other than amendments necessary to satisfy section 
401(l), are taken into account.
    (viii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b)(3):

    Example 1. (a) Employer X maintains a target benefit plan with a 
calendar plan year that bases contributions on a stated benefit equal to 
40 percent of each employee's average annual compensation, reduced pro 
rata for years of participation less than 25, payable annually as a 
straight life annuity commencing at normal retirement age. The UP-84 
mortality table and an interest rate of 7.5 percent are used to 
calculate the contributions necessary to fund the stated benefit. 
Required contributions are determined on the last day of each plan year. 
The normal retirement age under the plan is 65. Employee M is 39 years 
old in 1994, has participated in the plan for six years, and has average 
annual compensation equal to $60,000 for the 1994 plan year. Assume that 
Employee M's theoretical reserve as of the last day of the 1993 plan 
year is $13,909, determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(e), and that 
required employer contributions for 1993 were determined using an 
interest rate of six percent.
    (b) Under these facts, Employer X's 1994 required contribution to 
fund Employee M's stated benefit is $1,318, calculated as follows:
    (1) Employee M's fractional rule benefit is $24,000 (40 percent of 
Employee M's average annual compensation of $60,000).
    (2) The actuarial present value of Employee M's fractional rule 
benefit as of the last day of the 1994 plan year is $30,960 (Employee 
M's fractional rule benefit of $24,000 multiplied by 1.290, the 
actuarial present value factor for an annual straight life annuity 
commencing at age 65 applicable to a 39-year-old employee, determined 
using the stated interest rate of 7.5 percent and the UP-84 mortality 
table, and assuming no mortality before normal retirement age).
    (3) The actuarial present value of Employee M's fractional rule 
benefit ($30,960) is reduced by Employee M's theoretical reserve as of 
the last day of the 1994 plan year. The theoretical reserve on that day 
is $14,744--the $13,909 theoretical reserve as of the last day of the 
1993 plan year, increased by interest for one year at the rate of six 
percent. Because the required contribution for the 1993 plan year is 
taken into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(e)(2) in determining the 
theoretical reserve as of the last day of the 1993 plan year, it is not 
added to the theoretical reserve again in this paragraph (b)(3) of this 
Example 1. The resulting difference is $16,216 ($30,960-$14,744).
    (4) The $16,216 excess of the actuarial present value of Employee 
M's fractional rule benefit over Employee M's theoretical reserve is 
multiplied by 0.0813, the amortization factor applicable to a 39-year-
old employee determined using the stated interest rate of 7.5 percent. 
The product of $1,318 is the amount of the required employer 
contribution for Employee M for the 1994 plan year.
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
as of January 1, 1995, the plan's stated benefit formula is amended to 
provide for a stated benefit equal to 45 percent of average annual 
compensation, reduced pro rata for years of participation less than 25, 
payable annually as a straight life annuity commencing at normal 
retirement age. For the 1995 plan year, Employee M's average annual 
compensation continues to be $60,000. The mortality table used for the 
calculation of the employer's required contributions remains the same as 
in the prior plan year, but the plan's stated interest rate is changed 
to 8.0 percent effective as of December 31, 1995.
    (b) Under these facts, Employer X's required contribution for 
Employee M is $1,290, calculated as follows:
    (1) Employee M's fractional rule benefit is $27,000 (45 percent of 
$60,000).
    (2) The actuarial present value of Employee M's fractional rule 
benefit as of the last day of the 1995 plan year is $32,319 ($27,000 
multiplied by 1.197, the actuarial present value factor for an annuity 
commencing at age 65 applicable to a 40-year-old employee, determined 
using the stated interest rate of 8.0 percent and the UP-84 mortality 
table, and assuming no mortality before normal retirement age).
    (3) The actuarial present value of Employee M's fractional rule 
benefit ($32,319) is reduced by Employee M's theoretical reserve as of 
the last day of the 1995 plan year. The theoretical reserve as of that 
day is $17,267--the $14,744 theoretical reserve as of the last day of 
the 1994 plan year plus the $1,318 required contribution for the 1994 
plan year, both increased by interest for one year at the rate of 7.5 
percent. The resulting difference is $15,052 ($32,319-$17,267).
    (4) The result in paragraph (b)(3) of this Example 2 is multiplied 
by 0.0857, the amortization factor applicable to a 40-year-old employee 
determined using the stated interest rate of 8.0 percent. The product, 
$1,290, is the amount of the required employer contribution for Employee 
M for the 1995 plan year.


[[Page 132]]


    (c) Nondiscrimination in amount of contributions under a defined 
benefit plan--(1) General rule. Equivalent allocations under a defined 
benefit plan are nondiscriminatory in amount for a plan year if the plan 
would satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(1) (taking into account Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(3)) for the plan year if an equivalent normal and most 
valuable allocation rate, as determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, were substituted for each employee's normal and most valuable 
accrual rate, respectively, in the determination of rate groups.
    (2) Determination of equivalent allocation rates--(i) Basic 
definitions. An employee's equivalent normal and most valuable 
allocation rates for a plan year are, respectively, the actuarial 
present value of the increase over the plan year in the benefit that 
would be taken into account in determining the employee's normal and 
most valuable accrual rates for the plan year, expressed either as a 
dollar amount or as a percentage of the employee's plan year 
compensation. In the case of a contributory DB plan, the rules in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(1), (b)(5), or (b)(6) must be used to determine the 
amount of each employee's employer-provided benefit that would be taken 
into account for this purpose.
    (ii) Rules for determining actuarial present value. The actuarial 
present value of the increase in an employee's benefit must be 
determined using a standard interest rate and a standard mortality 
table, and no mortality may be assumed prior to the employee's testing 
age.
    (iii) Options. The optional rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(iv) 
(imputation of permitted disparity) and (v) (grouping of rates) may be 
applied to determine an employee's equivalent normal and most valuable 
allocation rates by substituting those rates (determined without regard 
to the option) for the employee's allocation rate in that section where 
appropriate. In addition, the limitations under section 415 may be taken 
into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(2)(ii)(B), and qualified 
disability benefits may be taken into account as accrued benefits under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(2), in determining the increase in an employee's 
accrued benefit during a plan year for purposes of paragraph (c)(2)(i) 
of this section, if those rules would otherwise be available. No other 
options are available in determining an employee's equivalent normal and 
most valuable allocations rate except those (e.g., selection of 
alternative standard interest rates) specifically provided in this 
paragraph (c)(2). Thus, while all of the mandatory rules in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(d) and (f) for determining the amount of benefits used to 
determine an employee's normal and most valuable accrual rates (e.g., 
the treatment of early retirement window benefits in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(f)(4)) are applicable in determining an employee's equivalent normal 
and most valuable allocation rates, none of the optional rules under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3 is available (except the options relating to the 
section 415 limits and qualified disability benefits noted above).
    (iv) Consistency rule. Equivalent allocation rates must be 
determined in a consistent manner for all employees for the plan year. 
Thus, for example, the same standard interest rates must be used, and 
any available options must be applied consistently if at all.
    (3) Safe harbor testing method for cash balance plans--(i) General 
rule. A cash balance plan is a defined benefit plan that defines 
benefits for each employee by reference to the employee's hypothetical 
account. An employee's hypothetical account is determined by reference 
to hypothetical allocations and interest adjustments that are analogous 
to actual allocations of contributions and earnings to an employee's 
account under a defined contribution plan. Because a cash balance plan 
is a defined benefit plan, whether it satisfies section 401(a)(4) with 
respect to the equivalent amount of contributions is generally 
determined under paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section. However, 
a cash balance plan that satisfies each of the requirements in 
paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) through (xi) of this section is deemed to satisfy 
section 401(a)(4) with respect to an equivalent amount of contributions.
    (ii) Plan requirements in general. The plan must be an accumulation 
plan. The benefit formula under the plan must provide for hypothetical 
allocations for each employee in the plan

[[Page 133]]

that satisfy paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section, and interest 
adjustments to these hypothetical allocations that satisfy paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv) of this section. The benefit formula under the plan must 
provide that these hypothetical allocations and interest adjustments are 
accumulated as a hypothetical account for each employee, determined in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(3)(v) of this section. The plan must 
provide that an employee's accrued benefit under the plan as of any date 
is an annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the employee's 
projected hypothetical account as of normal retirement age, determined 
in accordance with paragraph (c)(3)(vi) of this section. In addition, 
the plan must satisfy paragraphs (c)(3)(vii) through (xi) of this 
section (to the extent applicable) regarding optional forms of benefit, 
past service credits, post-normal retirement age benefits, certain 
uniformity requirements, and changes in the plan's benefit formula, 
respectively.
    (iii) Hypothetical allocations--(A) In general. The hypothetical 
allocations provided under the plan's benefit formula must satisfy 
either paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) or (C) of this section. Paragraph 
(c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section provides a design-based safe harbor that 
does not require the annual comparison of hypothetical allocations under 
the plan. Paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(C) of this section requires the annual 
comparison of hypothetical allocations.
    (B) Uniform hypothetical allocation formula. To satisfy this 
paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B), the plan's benefit formula must provide for 
hypothetical allocations for all employees in the plan for all plan 
years of amounts that would satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(3) for each 
such plan year if the hypothetical allocations were the only allocations 
under a defined contribution plan for the employees for those plan 
years. Thus, the plan's benefit formula must provide for hypothetical 
allocations for all employees in the plan for all plan years that are 
the same percentage of plan year compensation or the same dollar amount. 
In determining whether the hypothetical allocations satisfy Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(3), the only provisions of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(5) 
that apply are Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(5)(ii) (section 401(l) permitted 
disparity, (iii) (entry dates), (vi) (certain limits on allocations), 
and (vii) (dollar allocation per uniform unit of service). Thus, for 
example, the plan's benefit formula may take permitted disparity into 
account in a manner allowed under Sec. 1.401(l)-2 for defined 
contribution plans.
    (C) Modified general test. To satisfy this paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(C), 
the plan's benefit formula must provide for hypothetical allocations for 
all employees in the plan for the plan year that would satisfy the 
general test in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c) for the plan year, if the 
hypothetical allocations were the only allocations for the employees 
taken into account under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(ii) under a defined 
contribution plan for the plan year. In determining whether the 
hypothetical allocations satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c), the provisions 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(iii) through (v) apply. Thus, for example, 
permitted disparity may be imputed under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(iv) 
in accordance with the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7(b) applicable to 
defined contribution plans.
    (iv) Interest adjustments to hypothetical allocations--(A) General 
rule. The plan benefit formula must provide that the dollar amount of 
the hypothetical allocation for each employee for a plan year is 
automatically adjusted using an interest rate that satisfies paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv)(B) of this section, compounded no less frequently than 
annually, for the period that begins with a date in the plan year and 
that ends at normal retirement age. This requirement is not satisfied if 
any portion of the interest adjustments to a hypothetical allocation are 
contingent on the employee's satisfaction of any requirement. Thus, for 
example, the interest adjustments to a hypothetical allocation must be 
provided through normal retirement age, even though the employee 
terminates employment or commences benefits before that age.
    (B) Requirements with respect to interest rates. The interest rate 
must be a single interest rate specified in the plan that is the same 
for all employees in the plan for all plan years. The interest rate must 
be either a standard interest rate or a variable interest rate. If the 
interest rate is a variable

[[Page 134]]

interest rate, it must satisfy paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(C) of this section.
    (C) Variable interest rates--(1) General rule. The plan must specify 
the variable interest rate, the method for determining the current value 
of the variable interest rate, and the period (not to exceed 1 year) for 
which the current value of the variable interest rate applies. 
Permissible variable interest rates are listed in paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv)(C)(2) of this section. Permissible methods for determining 
the current value of the variable interest rate are provided in 
paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(C)(3) of this section.
    (2) Permissible variable interest rates. The variable interest rate 
specified in the plan must be one of the following--
    (i) The rate on 3-month Treasury Bills,
    (ii) The rate on 6-month Treasury Bills,
    (iii) The rate on 1-year Treasury Bills,
    (iv) The yield on 1-year Treasury Constant Maturities,
    (v) The yield on 2-year Treasury Constant Maturities,
    (vi) The yield on 5-year Treasury Constant Maturities,
    (vii) The yield on 10-year Treasury Constant Maturities,
    (viii) The yield on 30-year Treasury Constant Maturities, or
    (ix) The single interest rate such that, as of a single age 
specified in the plan, the actuarial present value of a deferred 
straight life annuity of an amount commencing at the normal retirement 
age under the plan, calculated using that interest rate and a standard 
mortality table but assuming no mortality before normal retirement age, 
is equal to the actuarial present value, as of the single age specified 
in the plan, of the same annuity calculated using the section 417(e) 
rates applicable to distributions in excess of $25,000 (determined under 
Sec. 1.417(e)-1(d)), and the same mortality assumptions.
    (3) Current value of variable interest rate. The current value of 
the variable interest rate that applies for a period must be either the 
value of the variable interest rate determined as of a specified date in 
the period or the immediately preceding period, or the average of the 
values of the variable interest rate as of two or more specified dates 
during the current period or the immediately preceding period. The value 
as of a date of the rate on a Treasury Bill is the average auction rate 
for the week or month in which the date falls, as reported in the 
Federal Reserve Bulletin. The value as of a date of the yield on a 
Treasury Constant Maturity is the average yield for the week, month, or 
year in which the date falls, as reported in the Federal Reserve 
Bulletin. (The Federal Reserve Bulletin is published by the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is available from 
Publication Services, Mail Stop 138, Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System, Washington DC 20551.) The plan may limit the current 
value of the variable interest rate to a maximum (not less than the 
highest standard interest rate), or a minimum (not more than the lowest 
standard interest rate), or both.
    (v) Hypothetical account--(A) Current value of hypothetical account. 
As of any date, the current value of an employee's hypothetical account 
must equal the sum of all hypothetical allocations and the respective 
interest adjustments to each such hypothetical allocation provided 
through that date for the employee under the plan's benefit formula 
(without regard to any interest adjustments provided under the plan's 
benefit formula for periods after that date).
    (B) Value of hypothetical account as of normal retirement age. Under 
paragraph (c)(3)(vi) of this section, the value of an employee's 
hypothetical account must be determined as of normal retirement age in 
order to determine the employee's accrued benefit as of any date at or 
before normal retirement age. As of any date at or before normal 
retirement age, the value of an employee's hypothetical account as of 
normal retirement age must equal the sum of each hypothetical allocation 
provided through that date for the employee under the plan's benefit 
formula, plus the interest adjustments provided through normal 
retirement age on each of those hypothetical allocations for the 
employee under the plan's benefit

[[Page 135]]

formula (without regard to any hypothetical allocations that might be 
provided after that date under the plan's benefit formula). If the 
interest rate specified in the plan is a variable interest rate, the 
plan must specify that the determination in the preceding sentence is 
made by assuming that the current value of the variable interest rate 
for all future periods is either the current value of the variable 
interest rate for the current period or the average of the current 
values of the variable interest rate for the current period and one or 
more periods immediately preceding the current period (not to exceed 5 
years in the aggregate).
    (vi) Determination of accrued benefit--(A) Definition of accrued 
benefit. The plan must provide that at any date at or before normal 
retirement age the accrued benefit (within the meaning of section 
411(a)(7)(A)(i)) of each employee in the plan is an annuity commencing 
at normal retirement age that is the actuarial equivalent of the 
employee's hypothetical account as of normal retirement age (as 
determined under paragraph (c)(3)(v)(B) of this section). The separate 
benefit that each employee accrues for a plan year is an annuity that is 
the actuarial equivalent of the employee's hypothetical allocation for 
that plan year, including the automatic adjustments for interest through 
normal retirement age required under paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this 
section.
    (B) Normal form of benefit. The annuity specified in paragraph 
(c)(3)(vi)(A) of this section must provide an annual benefit payable in 
the same form at the same uniform normal retirement age for all 
employees in the plan. The annual benefit must be the normal retirement 
benefit under the plan (within the meaning of section 411(a)(9)) under 
the plan.
    (C) Determination of actuarial equivalence. For purposes of this 
paragraph (c)(3)(vi) and paragraph (c)(3)(ix) of this section, actuarial 
equivalence must be determined using a standard mortality table and 
either a standard interest rate or the interest rate specified in the 
plan for making interest adjustments to hypothetical allocations. If the 
interest rate used is the interest rate specified in the plan, and that 
rate is a variable interest rate, the assumed value of the variable 
interest rate for all future periods must be the same value that would 
be assumed for purposes of paragraph (c)(3)(v)(B) of this section. The 
same actuarial assumptions must be used for all employees in the plan.
    (D) Effect of section 415 and 416 requirements. A plan does not fail 
to satisfy this paragraph (c)(3)(vi) merely because the accrued benefits 
under the plan are limited by section 415, or merely because the accrued 
benefits under the plan are the greater of the accrued benefits 
otherwise determined under the plan and the minimum benefit described in 
section 416(c)(1) (regardless of whether the plan is top-heavy).
    (vii) Optional forms of benefit--(A) In general. The plan must 
satisfy the uniform subsidies requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(2)(iv) with respect to all subsidized optional forms of benefit.
    (B) Limitation on subsidies. Unless hypothetical allocations are 
determined under a uniform hypothetical allocation formula that 
satisfies paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, the actuarial 
present value of any QJSA provided under the plan must not be greater 
than the single sum distribution to the employee that would satisfy 
paragraph (c)(3)(vii)(C) of this section assuming that it was 
distributed to the employee on the date of commencement of the QJSA.
    (C) Distributions subject to section 417(e). Except as otherwise 
required under section 415(b), if the plan provides for a distribution 
alternative that is subject to the interest rate restrictions under 
section 417(e), the actuarial present value of the benefit paid to an 
employee under the distribution alternative must equal the 
nonforfeitable percentage (determined under the plan's vesting schedule) 
of the greater of the following two amounts--
    (1) The current value of the employee's hypothetical account as of 
the date the distribution commences, calculated in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(3)(v)(A) of this section.
    (2) The actuarial present value (calculated in accordance with Sec. 
1.417(e)-1(d)) of the employee's accrued benefit.

[[Page 136]]

    (D) Determination of actuarial present value. For purposes of this 
paragraph (c)(3)(vii), actuarial present value must be determined using 
a reasonable interest rate and mortality table. A standard interest rate 
and a standard mortality table are considered reasonable for this 
purpose.
    (viii) Past service credit. The benefit formula under the plan may 
not provide for hypothetical allocations in the curent plan year that 
are attributable to years of service before the current plan year, 
unless each of the following requirements is satisfied--
    (A) The years of past service credit are granted on a uniform basis 
to all current employees in the plan.
    (B) Hypothetical allocations for the current plan year are 
determined under a uniform hypothetical allocation formula that 
satisfies paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section.
    (C) The hypothetical allocations attributable to the years of past 
service would have satisfied the uniform hypothetical allocation formula 
requirement of paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, and the 
interest adjustments to those hypothetical allocations would have 
satisfied paragraph (c)(3)(iv)(A) of this section, if the plan provision 
granting past service had been in effect for the entire period for which 
years of past service are granted to any employee. In order to satisfy 
this requirement, the hypothetical allocation attributable to a year of 
past service must be adjusted for interest in accordance with paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv) of this section for the period (including the retroactive 
period) beginning with the year of past service to which the 
hypothetical allocation is attributable and ending at normal retirement 
age. If the interest rate specified in the plan is a variable interest 
rate, the interest adjustments for the period prior to the current plan 
year either must be based on the current value of the variable interest 
rate for the period in which the grant of past service first becomes 
effective or must be reconstructed based on the then current value of 
the variable interest rate that would have applied during each prior 
period.
    (ix) Employees beyond normal retirement age. In the case of an 
employee who commences receipt of benefits after normal retirement age, 
the plan must provide that interest adjustments continue to be made to 
an employee's hypothetical account until the employee's benefit 
commencement date. In the case of an employee described in the previous 
sentence, the employee's accrued benefit is defined as an annuity that 
is the actuarial equivalent of the employee's hypothetical account 
determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(3)(v)(A) of this section as 
of the date of benefit commencement.
    (x) Additional uniformity requirements. In addition to any 
uniformity requirements provided elsewhere in this paragraph (c)(3), the 
plan must satisfy the uniformity requirements in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(2)(v) (uniform vesting and service requirements) and (vi) (no 
employee contributions). A plan does not fail to satisfy the uniformity 
requirements of this paragraph (c)(3)(x) or any other uniformity 
requirement provided in this paragraph (c)(3) merely because the plan 
contains one or more of the provisions described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(8)(iv) (prior vesting schedules), (v) (certain conditions on 
accruals), or (xi) (multiple definitions of service).
    (xi) Changes in benefit formula, allocation formula, or interest 
rates. A plan does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (c)(3) merely 
because the plan is amended to change the benefit formula, hypothetical 
allocation formula, or the interest rate used to adjust hypothetical 
allocations for plan years after a fresh-start date, provided that the 
accrued benefits for plan years beginning after the fresh-start date are 
determined in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c), as modified by 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(f).
    (d) Safe-harbor testing method for defined benefit plans that are 
part of a floor-offset arrangement--(1) General rule. A defined benefit 
plan that is part of a floor-offset arrangement is deemed to satisfy the 
nondiscriminatory amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) if all 
of the following requirements are satisfied:
    (i) Under the floor-offset arrangement, the accrued benefit (as 
defined in section 411(a)(7)(A)(i)) that would otherwise be provided to 
an employee under the defined benefit plan must be

[[Page 137]]

reduced solely by the actuarial equivalent of all or part of the 
employee's account balance attributable to employer contributions under 
a defined contribution plan maintained by the same employer (plus the 
actuarial equivalent of all or part of any prior distributions from that 
portion of the account balance). If any portion of the benefit that is 
being offset is nonforfeitable, that portion may be offset only by a 
benefit (or portion of a benefit) that is also nonforfeitable. In 
determining the actuarial equivalent of amounts provided under the 
defined contribution plan, an interest rate no higher than the highest 
standard interest rate must be used, and no mortality may be assumed in 
determining the actuarial equivalent of any prior distributions from the 
defined contribution plan or for periods prior to the benefit 
commencement date under the defined benefit plan.
    (ii) The defined benefit plan may not be a contributory DB plan 
(unless it satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(6)), and benefits under the 
defined benefit plan may not be reduced by any portion of the employee's 
account balance under the defined contribution plan (or prior 
distributions from that account) that are attributable to employee 
contributions.
    (iii) The defined benefit plan and the defined contribution plan 
must benefit the same employees.
    (iv) The offset under the defined benefit plan must be applied to 
all employees on the same terms.
    (v) All employees must have available to them under the defined 
contribution plan the same investment options and the same options with 
respect to the timing of preretirement distributions.
    (vi) The defined benefit plan must satisfy the uniformity 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2) and the unit credit safe 
harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(3) without taking into account the 
offset described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section (i.e., on a 
gross-benefit basis), and the defined contribution plan must satisfy any 
of the tests in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b) or (c). Alternatively, the 
defined benefit plan must satisfy any of the tests in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b) or (c) without taking into account the offset described in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, and the defined contribution plan 
must satisfy the uniform allocation safe harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
2(b)(2).
    (vii) The defined contribution plan may not be a section 401(k) plan 
or a section 401(m) plan.
    (2) Application of safe-harbor testing method to qualified offset 
arrangements. A defined benefit plan that is part of a qualified offset 
arrangement as defined in section 1116(f)(5) of the Tax Reform Act of 
1986, Public Law No. 99-514, is deemed to satisfy the requirements of 
paragraph (d)(1)(vi) and (vii) of this section, if the only defined 
contribution plans included in the qualified offset arrangement are 
section 401(k) plans, section 401(m) plans, or both, and the defined 
benefit plan would satisfy the requirements of paragraph (d)(1)(vi) of 
this section assuming the elective contributions for each employee under 
the defined contribution plan were the same (either as a dollar amount 
or as a percentage of compensation) for all plan years since the 
establishment of the plan.

[T.D. 8360, 56 FR 47580, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 4720, Feb. 7, 1992; 57 FR 
10952, 10953, Mar. 31, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46807, Sept. 
3, 1993; T.D. 8954, 66 FR 34540, June 29, 2001]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9  Plan aggregation and restructuring.

    (a) Introduction. Two or more plans that are permissively aggregated 
and treated as a single plan under Sec. Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) must also be 
treated as a single plan for purposes of section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-12 (definition of plan). An aggregated plan is generally 
tested under the same rules applicable to single plans. Paragraph (b) of 
this section, however, provides special rules for determining whether a 
plan that consists of one or more defined contribution plans and one or 
more defined benefit plans (a DB/DC plan) satisfies section 401(a)(4) 
with respect to the amount of employer-provided benefits and the 
availability of benefits, rights, and features. Paragraph (c) of this 
section provides rules allowing a plan to be treated as consisting of 
separate component plans and allowing the component plans to be tested 
separately under section 401(a)(4).

[[Page 138]]

    (b) Application of nondiscrimination requirements to DB/DC plans--
(1) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, whether a DB/DC plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) is determined 
using the same rules applicable to a single plan. In addition, paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section provides an optional rule for demonstrating 
nondiscrimination in availability of benefits, rights, and features 
provided under a DB/DC plan.
    (2) Special rules for demonstrating nondiscrimination in amount of 
contributions or benefits--(i) Application of general tests. A DB/DC 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) with respect to the amount of 
contributions or benefits for a plan year if it would satisfy Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(1) (without regard to the special rule in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(3)) for the plan year if an employee's aggregate normal 
and most valuable allocation rates, as determined under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, or an employee's aggregate normal and 
most valuable accrual rates, as determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) 
of this section, were substituted for each employee's normal and most 
valuable accrual rates, respectively, in the determination of rate 
groups.
    (ii) Determination of aggregate rates--(A) Aggregate allocation 
rates. An employee's aggregate normal and most valuable allocation rates 
are determined by treating all defined contribution plans that are part 
of the DB/DC plan as a single plan, and all defined benefit plans that 
are part of the DB/DC plan as a separate single plan; and determining an 
allocation rate and equivalent normal and most valuable allocation rates 
for the employee under each plan under Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2) 
and 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(2), respectively. The employee's aggregate normal 
allocation rate is the sum of the employee's allocation rate and 
equivalent normal allocation rate determined in this manner, and the 
employee's aggregate most valuable allocation rate is the sum of the 
employee's allocation rate and equivalent most valuable allocation rate 
determined in this manner.
    (B) Aggregate accrual rates. An employee's aggregate normal and most 
valuable accrual rates are determined by treating all defined 
contribution plans that are part of the DB/DC plan as a single plan, and 
all defined benefit plans that are part of the DB/DC plan as a separate 
single plan; and determining an equivalent accrual rate and normal and 
most valuable accrual rates for the employee under each plan under 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(2) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(d), respectively. The 
employee's aggregate normal accrual rate is the sum of the employee's 
equivalent accrual rate and the normal accrual rate determined in this 
manner, and the employee's aggregate most valuable accrual rate is the 
sum of the employee's equivalent accrual rate and most valuable accrual 
rate determined in this manner.
    (iii) Options applied on an aggregate basis. The optional rules in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(iv) (imputation of permitted disparity) and 
(v) (grouping of rates) may not be used to determine an employee's 
allocation or equivalent allocation rate, but may be applied to 
determine an employee's aggregate normal and most valuable allocation 
rates by substituting those rates (determined without regard to the 
option) for the employee's allocation rate in that section where 
appropriate. The optional rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3) (e.g., 
imputation of permitted disparity) may not be used to determine an 
employee's accrual or equivalent accrual rate, but may be applied to 
determine an employee's aggregate normal and most valuable accrual rate 
by substituting those rates (determined without regard to the option) 
for the employee's normal and most valuable accrual rates, respectively, 
in that section where appropriate.
    (iv) Consistency rule--(A) General rule. Aggregate normal and most 
valuable allocation rates and aggregate normal and most valuable accrual 
rates must be determined in a consistent manner for all employees for 
the plan year. Thus, for example, the same measurement periods and 
interest rates must be used, and any available options must be applied 
consistently, if at all, for the entire DB/DC plan. Consequently, 
options that are not permitted to be used under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8 in 
cross-testing a defined contribution plan or a defined benefit plan 
(such as

[[Page 139]]

measurement periods that include future periods, non-standard interest 
rates, the option to disregard compensation adjustments described in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d), or the option to disregard plan provisions 
providing for actuarial increases after normal retirement age under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(3)) may not be used in testing a DB/DC plan on 
either a benefits or contributions basis, because their use would 
inevitably result in inconsistent determinations under the defined 
contribution and defined benefit portions of the plan.
    (B) Exception for section 415 alternative. A DB/DC plan does not 
fail to satisfy the consistency rule in paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(A) of this 
section merely because the limitations under section 415 are not taken 
into account, or may not be taken into account, under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(d)(2)(ii)(B) in determining employees' accrual or equivalent 
allocation rates under the defined benefit portion of the plan, even 
though those limitations are applied in determining employees' 
allocation and equivalent accrual rates under the defined contribution 
portion of the plan.
    (v) Eligibility for testing on a benefits basis--(A) General rule. 
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, unless, for the 
plan year, a DB/DC plan is primarily defined benefit in character 
(within the meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(B) of this section) or 
consists of broadly available separate plans (within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(2)(v)(C) of this section), the DB/DC plan must satisfy the 
minimum aggregate allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this 
section for the plan year in order to be permitted to demonstrate 
satisfaction of the nondiscrimination in amount requirement of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on the basis of benefits.
    (B) Primarily defined benefit in character. A DB/DC plan is 
primarily defined benefit in character if, for more than 50% of the 
NHCEs benefitting under the plan, the normal accrual rate for the NHCE 
attributable to benefits provided under defined benefit plans that are 
part of the DB/DC plan exceeds the equivalent accrual rate for the NHCE 
attributable to contributions under defined contribution plans that are 
part of the DB/DC plan.
    (C) Broadly available separate plans. A DB/DC plan consists of 
broadly available separate plans if the defined contribution plan and 
the defined benefit plan that are part of the DB/DC plan each would 
satisfy the requirements of section 410(b) and the nondiscrimination in 
amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) if each plan were tested 
separately and assuming that the average benefit percentage test of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-5 were satisfied. For this purpose, all defined 
contribution plans that are part of the DB/DC plan are treated as a 
single defined contribution plan and all defined benefit plans that are 
part of the DB/DC plan are treated as a single defined benefit plan. In 
addition, if permitted disparity is used for an employee for purposes of 
satisfying the separate testing requirement of this paragraph 
(b)(2)(v)(C) for plans of one type, it may not be used in satisfying the 
separate testing requirement for plans of the other type for the 
employee.
    (D) Minimum aggregate allocation gateway--(1) General rule. A DB/DC 
plan satisfies the minimum aggregate allocation gateway if each NHCE has 
an aggregate normal allocation rate that is at least one third of the 
aggregate normal allocation rate of the HCE with the highest such rate 
(HCE rate), or, if less, 5% of the NHCE's compensation, provided that 
the HCE rate does not exceed 25% of compensation. If the HCE rate 
exceeds 25% of compensation, then the aggregate normal allocation rate 
for each NHCE must be at least 5% increased by one percentage point for 
each 5-percentage-point increment (or portion thereof) by which the HCE 
rate exceeds 25% (e.g., the NHCE minimum is 6% for an HCE rate that 
exceeds 25% but not 30%, and 7% for an HCE rate that exceeds 30% but not 
35%).
    (2) Deemed satisfaction. A plan is deemed to satisfy the minimum 
aggregate allocation gateway of this paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) if the 
aggregate normal allocation rate for each NHCE is at least 7\1/2\% of 
the NHCE's compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3), 
measured over a period of time permitted under the definition of plan 
year compensation.
    (3) Averaging of equivalent allocation rates for NHCEs. For purposes 
of this

[[Page 140]]

paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D), a plan is permitted to treat each NHCE who 
benefits under the defined benefit plan as having an equivalent normal 
allocation rate equal to the average of the equivalent normal allocation 
rates under the defined benefit plan for all NHCEs benefitting under 
that plan.
    (E) Determination of rates. For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(2)(v), the normal accrual rate and the equivalent normal allocation 
rate attributable to defined benefit plans, the equivalent accrual rate 
attributable to defined contribution plans, and the aggregate normal 
allocation rate are determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section, but without taking into account the imputation of permitted 
disparity under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7, except as otherwise permitted under 
paragraph (b)(2)(v)(C) of this section.
    (F) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (b)(2)(v):

    Example 1. (i) Employer A maintains Plan M, a defined benefit plan, 
and Plan N, a defined contribution plan. All HCEs of Employer A are 
covered by Plan M (at a 1% accrual rate), but are not covered by Plan N. 
All NHCEs of Employer A are covered by Plan N (at a 3% allocation rate), 
but are not covered by Plan M. Because Plan M does not satisfy section 
410(b) standing alone, Plans M and N are aggregated for purposes of 
satisfying sections 410(b) and 401(a)(4).
    (ii) Because none of the NHCEs participate in the defined benefit 
plan, the aggregated DB/DC plan is not primarily defined benefit in 
character within the meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(B) of this section 
nor does it consist of broadly available separate plans within the 
meaning of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(C) of this section. Accordingly, the 
aggregated Plan M and Plan N must satisfy the minimum aggregate 
allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section in order be 
permitted to demonstrate satisfaction of the nondiscrimination in amount 
requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on the basis of benefits.
    Example 2. (i) Employer B maintains Plan O, a defined benefit plan, 
and Plan P, a defined contribution plan. All of the six employees of 
Employer B are covered under both Plan O and Plan P. Under Plan O, all 
employees have a uniform normal accrual rate of 1% of compensation. 
Under Plan P, Employees A and B, who are HCEs, receive an allocation 
rate of 15%, and participants C, D, E and F, who are NHCEs, receive an 
allocation rate of 3%. Employer B aggregates Plans O and P for purposes 
of satisfying sections 410(b) and 401(a)(4). The equivalent normal 
allocation and normal accrual rates under Plans O and P are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Equivalent   Equivalent
                                                  normal       normal
                                                allocation     accural
                                                rates for     rates for
                                                  the 1%     the 15%/3%
                   Employee                      accural     allocation
                                                under plan  under plan P
                                                O (defined    (defined
                                                 benefit    contribution
                                                plan) (in     plan) (in
                                                 percent)     percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCE A (age 55)...............................         3.93          3.82
HCE B (age 50)...............................         2.61          5.74
C (age 60)...................................         5.91           .51
D (age 45)...................................         1.74          1.73
E (age 35)...................................          .77          3.90
F (age 25)...................................          .34          8.82
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Although all of the NHCEs benefit under Plan O (the defined 
benefit plan), the aggregated DB/DC plan is not primarily defined 
benefit in character because the normal accrual rate attributable to 
defined benefit plans (which is 1% for each of the NHCEs) is greater 
than the equivalent accrual rate under defined contribution plans only 
for Employee C. In addition, because the 15% allocation rate is 
available only to HCEs, the defined contribution plan cannot satisfy the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2 and does not have broadly available 
allocation rates within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(iii). 
Further, the defined contribution plan does not satisfy the minimum 
allocation gateway of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(vi) (3% is less than \1/
3\ of the 15% HCE rate). Therefore, the defined contribution plan within 
the DB/DC plan cannot separately satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) and 
does not constitute a broadly available separate plan within the meaning 
of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(C) of this section. Accordingly, the aggregated 
plans are permitted to demonstrate satisfaction of the nondiscrimination 
in amounts requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) on the basis of 
benefits only if the aggregated plans satisfy the minimum aggregate 
allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section.
    (iii) Employee A has an aggregate normal allocation rate of 18.93% 
under the aggregated plans (3.93% from Plan O plus 15% from Plan P), 
which is the highest aggregate normal allocation rate for any HCE under 
the plans. Employee F has an aggregate normal allocation rate of 3.34% 
under the aggregated plans (.34% from Plan O plus 3% from Plan P) which 
is less than the 5% aggregate normal allocation rate that Employee F 
would be required to have to satisfy the minimum aggregate allocation 
gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section.
    (iv) However, for purposes of satisfying the minimum aggregate 
allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section, Employer B 
is permitted to treat each NHCE

[[Page 141]]

who benefits under Plan O (the defined benefit plan) as having an 
equivalent allocation rate equal to the average of the equivalent 
allocation rates under Plan O for all NHCEs benefitting under that plan. 
The average of the equivalent allocation rates for all of the NHCEs 
under Plan O is 2.19% (the sum of 5.91%, 1.74%, .77%, and .34%, divided 
by 4). Accordingly, Employer B is permitted to treat all of the NHCEs as 
having an equivalent allocation rate attributable to Plan O equal to 
2.19%. Thus, all of the NHCEs can be treated as having an aggregate 
normal allocation rate of 5.19% for this purpose (3% from the defined 
contribution plan and 2.19% from the defined benefit plan) and the 
aggregated DB/DC plan satisfies the minimum aggregate allocation gateway 
of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section.

    (3) Optional rules for demonstrating nondiscrimination in 
availability of certain benefits, rights, and features--(i) Current 
availability. A DB/DC plan is deemed to satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(b)(1) with respect to the current availability of a benefit, right, or 
feature other than a single sum benefit, loan, ancillary benefit, or 
benefit commencement date (including the availability of in-service 
withdrawals), that is provided under only one type of plan (defined 
benefit or defined contribution) included in the DB/DC plan, if the 
benefit, right, or feature is currently available to all NHCEs in all 
plans of the same type as the plan under which it is provided.
    (ii) Effective availability. The fact that it may be difficult or 
impossible to provide a benefit, right, or feature described in 
paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section under a plan of a different type 
than the plan or plans under which it is provided is one of the factors 
taken into account in determining whether the plan satisfies the 
effective availability requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(c)(1).
    (c) Plan restructuring--(1) General rule. A plan may be treated, in 
accordance with this paragraph (c), as consisting of two or more 
component plans for purposes of determining whether the plan satisfies 
section 401(a)(4). If each of the component plans of a plan satisfies 
all of the requirements of sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b) as if it were a 
separate plan, then the plan is treated as satisfying section 401(a)(4).
    (2) Identification of component plans. A plan may be restructured 
into component plans, each consisting of all the allocations, accruals, 
and other benefits, rights, and features provided to a selected group of 
employees. The employer may select the group of employees used for this 
purpose in any manner, and the composition of the groups may be changed 
from plan year to plan year. Every employee must be included in one and 
only one component plan under the same plan for a plan year.
    (3) Satisfaction of section 401(a)(4) by a component plan--(i) 
General rule. The rules applicable in determining whether a component 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) are the same as those applicable to a 
plan. Thus, for this purpose, any reference to a plan in section 
401(a)(4) and the regulations thereunder (other than this paragraph (c)) 
is interpreted as a reference to a component plan. As is true for a 
plan, whether a component plan satisfies the uniformity and other 
requirements applicable to safe harbor plans under Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-2(b) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) is determined on a design basis. 
Thus, for example, plan provisions are not disregarded merely because 
they do not currently apply to employees in the component plan if they 
will apply to those employees as a result of the mere passage of time.
    (ii) Restructuring not available for certain testing purposes. The 
safe harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(3) for plans with uniform points 
allocation formulas is not available in testing (and thus cannot be 
satisfied by) contributions under a component plan. Similarly, component 
plans cannot be used for purposes of determining whether a plan provides 
broadly available allocation rates (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
8(b)(1)(iii)), determining whether a plan has a gradual age or service 
schedule (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(iv)), determining 
whether a plan has allocation rates that are based on a uniform target 
benefit allocation (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(v)), or 
determining whether a plan is primarily defined benefit in character or 
consists of broadly available separate plans (as defined in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(v)(B) and (C) of this section). In addition, the minimum 
allocation gateway of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(1)(vi) and the minimum

[[Page 142]]

aggregate allocation gateway of paragraph (b)(2)(v)(D) of this section 
cannot be satisfied on the basis of component plans. See Sec. Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(b)(3)(iii) and 1.401(m)-1(b)(3)(ii) for rules regarding the 
inapplicability of restructuring to section 401(k) plans and section 
401(m) plans.
    (4) Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a component plan--(i) General 
rule. The rules applicable in determining whether a component plan 
satisfies section 410(b) are generally the same as those applicable to a 
plan. However, a component plan is deemed to satisfy the average benefit 
percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5 if the plan of which it is a part 
satisfies Sec. 1.410(b)-5 (without regard to Sec. 1.410(b)-5(f)). In 
the case of a component plan that is part of a plan that relies on Sec. 
1.410(b)-5(f) to satisfy the average benefit percentage test, the 
component plan is deemed to satisfy the average benefit percentage test 
only if the component plan separately satisfies Sec. 1.410(b)-5(f). In 
addition, all component plans of a plan are deemed to satisfy the 
average benefit percentage test if the plan makes an early retirement 
window benefit (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(4)(iii)) 
currently available (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(f)(4)(ii)(A)) to a group of employees that satisfies section 410(b) 
(without regard to the average benefit percentage test), and if it would 
not be necessary for the plan or any rate group or component plan of the 
plan to satisfy that test in order for the plan to satisfy sections 
401(a)(4) and 410(b) in the absence of the early retirement window 
benefit.
    (ii) Relationship to satisfaction of section 410(b) by the plan. 
Satisfaction of section 410(b) by a component plan is relevant solely 
for purposes of determining whether the plan of which it is a part 
satisfies section 401(a)(4), and not for purposes of determining whether 
the plan satisfies section 410(b) itself. The plan must still 
independently satisfy section 410(b) in order to be a qualified plan. 
Similarly, satisfaction of section 410(b) by a plan is relevant solely 
for purposes of determining whether the plan, and not the component 
plan, satisfies section 410(b). Thus, for example, a component plan that 
does not satisfy the ratio percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2) 
must still satisfy the average benefit test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(3), 
even though the plan of which it is a part satisfies the ratio 
percentage test.
    (5) Effect of restructuring under other sections. The restructuring 
rules provided in this paragraph (c) apply solely for purposes of 
sections 401(a)(4) and 401(l), and those portions of sections 410(b), 
414(s), and any other provisions that are specifically applicable in 
determining whether the requirements of section 401(a)(4) are satisfied. 
Thus, for example, a component plan is not treated as a separate plan 
under section 401(a)(26).
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (c):

    Example 1. Employer X maintains a defined benefit plan. The plan 
provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 1.0 percent of average 
annual compensation times years of service to employees at Plant S, and 
1.5 percent of average annual compensation times years of service to 
employees at Plant T. Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the plan 
may be treated as consisting of two component defined benefit plans, one 
providing retirement benefits equal to 1.0 percent of average annual 
compensation times years of service to the employees at Plant S, and 
another providing benefits equal to 1.5 percent of average annual 
compensation times years of service to employees at Plant T. If each 
component plan satisfies sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b) as if it were a 
separate plan under the rules of this paragraph (c), then the entire 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(4).
    Example 2. (a) Employer Y maintains Plan A, a defined benefit plan, 
for its Employees M, N, O, P, Q, and R. Plan A provides benefits under a 
uniform formula that satisfies the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3 
(b)(2) and (b)(3) before it is amended on February 14, 1994. The 
amendment provides an early retirement window benefit that is a 
subsidized optional form of benefit under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(iii) 
and that is available on the same terms to all employees who satisfy the 
eligibility requirements for the window. The early retirement window 
benefit is available only to employees who retire between June 1, 1994, 
and November 30, 1994.
    (b) Assume that Employees M, N, and O will be eligible to receive 
the window benefit by the end of the window period and Employees P, Q, 
and R will not. Because substantially all employees will not satisfy the 
eligibility requirements for the early retirement window benefit by the 
close of the early retirement window benefit period, Plan

[[Page 143]]

A fails to satisfy the uniform subsidies requirement of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(iii). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(vi), Example 6.
    (c) Under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, Employees M, N, O, P, Q, 
and R may be grouped into two component plans, one consisting of 
Employees M, N, and O, and all their accruals and other benefits, 
rights, and features under the plan (including the early retirement 
window benefit), and another consisting of Employees P, Q, and R, and 
all their accruals and other benefits, rights, and features under the 
plan. Each of the component plans identified in this manner satisfies 
the uniform subsidies requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(iii), and 
thus satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b). The entire plan satisfies section 
401(a)(4) under the rules of this paragraph (c), if each of these 
component plans also satisfies section 410(b) as if it were a separate 
plan (including, if applicable, the reasonable classification 
requirement of Sec. 1.410(b)-4(b), and taking into account the special 
rule of paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section that forgives the average 
benefit percentage test in certain situations in which the average 
benefit percentage test would be required solely as a result of the 
early retirement window benefit).
    Example 3. (a) Employer Z maintains Plan B, a defined benefit plan 
with a benefit formula that provides two percent of average annual 
compensation for each year of service up to 20 to each employee. Assume 
that Plan B would satisfy the fractional accrual rule safe harbor in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4), except that some employees accrue a portion 
of their normal retirement benefit in the current plan year that is more 
than one-third larger than the portion of the same benefit accrued by 
other employees for the current plan year, and the plan therefore fails 
to satisfy the one-third-larger requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(4)(i)(C)(1).
    (b) Employer Z restructures Plan B into two plans, one covering 
employees with 30 years or less of service at normal retirement age, and 
the other covering all other employees. Each component plan would 
separately satisfy the one-third-larger requirement of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(C)(1) if the only employees taken into account 
were those employees included in the component plan in the current plan 
year. Under paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section and Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(4)(i)(C)(1), however, the component plans do not satisfy the one-
third-larger requirement because the safe harbor determination is made 
taking into account the effect of the plan benefit formula on any 
potential employee in the component plan (other than employees with more 
than 33 years of service at normal retirement age), and not just those 
employees included in the component plan in the current plan year.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46810, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 8954, 66 FR 
34544, June 29, 2001]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-10  Testing of former employees.

    (a) Introduction. This section provides rules for determining 
whether a plan satisfies the nondiscriminatory amount and 
nondiscriminatory availability requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) 
and (3), respectively, with respect to former employees. Generally, this 
section is relevant only in the case of benefits provided through an 
amendment to the plan effective in the current plan year. See the 
definitions of employee and former employee in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (b) Nondiscrimination in amount of contributions or benefits--(1) 
General rule. A plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) with respect to 
the amount of contributions or benefits provided to former employees if, 
under all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the amount of 
contributions or benefits provided to former employees does not 
discriminate significantly in favor of former HCEs. For this purpose, 
contributions or benefits provided to former employees includes all 
contributions or benefits provided to former employees or, at the 
employer's option, only those contributions or benefits arising out of 
the amendment providing the contributions or benefits. A plan under 
which no former employee currently benefits (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-3(b)) is deemed to satisfy this paragraph (b).
    (2) Permitted disparity. Section 401(l) and Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7 
generally apply to benefits provided to former employees in the same 
manner as those provisions apply to employees. Thus, for example, for 
purposes of determining a former employee's cumulative permitted 
disparity limit, the sum of the former employee's total annual disparity 
fractions (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(l)-5) as an employee 
continues to be taken into account. However, the permitted disparity 
rate applicable to a former employee is determined under Sec. 1.401(l)-
3(e) as of the age the former employee commenced receipt of benefits, 
not as

[[Page 144]]

of the date the employee receives the accrual for the current plan year.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b):

    Example 1. Employer X maintains a section 401(l) plan, Plan A, that 
uses maximum permitted disparity. Plan A is amended to increase the 
benefits of all former employees in pay status. The percentage increase 
for each former employee is reasonably comparable to the adjustment in 
social security benefits under section 215(i)(2)(A) of the Social 
Security Act since the former employee commenced receipt of benefits. 
Plan A does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (b) merely because of the 
amendment.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
amendment provides an across-the-board 20 percent increase in benefits 
for all former employees in pay status. The cost of living has increased 
at an average rate of three percent in the two years preceding the 
amendment, and some HCEs have retired and become former HCEs during that 
period. Because this amendment increases the disparity in the plan 
formula beyond the maximum permitted disparity adjusted for any 
reasonable approximation of the increase in the cost of living since the 
HCEs retired, Plan A discriminates significantly in favor of former 
HCEs, and thus does not satisfy this paragraph (b).
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that Plan 
A is only amended to increase the benefits of former employees in pay 
status who terminated employment with Employer X after attaining early 
retirement age. The determination of whether the amendment causes Plan A 
to fail to satisfy this paragraph (b) must take into account the 
relative numbers of former HCEs and former NHCEs who have terminated 
employment with Employer X after attaining early retirement age.

    (c) Nondiscrimination in availability of benefits, rights, or 
features. A plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) with respect to the 
availability of benefits, rights, and features provided to former 
employees if any change in the availability of any benefit, right, or 
feature to any former employee is applied in a manner that, under all of 
the relevant facts and circumstances, does not discriminate 
significantly in favor of former HCEs. For purposes of demonstrating 
that a plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) with respect to the availability 
of loans provided to former employees, an employer may treat former 
employees who are parties in interest within the meaning of section 
3(14) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 as 
employees.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46812, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11  Additional rules.

    (a) Introduction. This section provides additional rules for 
determining whether a plan satisfies section 401(a)(4). Paragraph (b) of 
this section provides rules for the treatment of the portion of an 
employee's accrued benefit or account balance that is attributable to 
rollovers, transfers between plans, and employee buybacks. Paragraph (c) 
of this section provides rules regarding vesting. Paragraph (d) of this 
section provides rules regarding service crediting. Paragraph (e) of 
this section, regarding family aggregation, and paragraph (f) of this 
section, regarding governmental plans, are reserved. Paragraph (g) of 
this section provides rules regarding the extent to which corrective 
amendments may be made for purposes of section 401(a).
    (b) Rollovers, transfers, and buybacks--(1) Rollovers and elective 
transfers. The portion of an employee's accrued benefit or account 
balance under a plan that is attributable to rollover (including direct 
rollover) contributions to the plan that are described in section 
402(c), 402(e)(6), 403(a)(4), 403(a)(5), or 408(d)(3), or elective 
transfers to the plan that are described in Sec. 1.411(d)-4, Q&A-3(b), 
is not taken into account in determining whether the plan satisfies the 
nondiscriminatory amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2).
    (2) Other transfers. [Reserved]
    (3) Employee buybacks--(i) Rehired employee buyback of previous 
service. An employee's repayment to a plan of a prior distribution from 
the plan (including reasonable interest from the time of the 
distribution) that results in the restoration of the employee's accrued 
benefit under the plan (or the service associated with that accrued 
benefit) that would otherwise be disregarded in determining the 
employee's accrued benefit in accordance with section 411 on account of 
the distribution is not treated as an employee contribution for purposes 
of Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13.
    (ii) Make-up of missed employee contributions. If a contributory DB 
plan gives all employees who did not make

[[Page 145]]

employee contributions for a prior period the right to make the missed 
contributions at a later date (including reasonable interest from the 
time of the missed contributions) and, once the contributions have been 
made, determines benefits under the plan by treating the employee 
contributions (excluding the interest) as if they were actually made 
during that prior period, then those contributions must satisfy Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-6(c) as if they were employee contributions actually made 
during that prior period. Thus, for example, Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(c)(2) 
is not satisfied for the current plan year if the employee contribution 
rate (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(2)(ii)(A) but 
determined without regard to the interest) for the employees making up 
missed contributions is different than the employee contribution rate 
applicable to other employees during the prior period. The rule in this 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) may be extended to employees who did not make 
employee contributions for a period of service that is or would 
otherwise have been credited under the plan and that preceded their 
participation in the plan.
    (c) Vesting--(1) General rule. A plan satisfies this paragraph (c) 
if the manner in which employees vest in their accrued benefits under 
the plan does not discriminate in favor of HCEs. Whether the manner in 
which employees vest in their accrued benefits under a plan 
discriminates in favor of HCEs is determined under this paragraph (c) 
based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances, taking into 
account any relevant provisions of sections 401(a)(5)(E), 411(a)(10), 
411(d)(1), 411(d)(2), 411(d)(3), 411(e), and 420(c)(2), and taking into 
account any plan provisions that affect the nonforfeitability of 
employees' accrued benefits (e.g., plan provisions regarding suspension 
of benefits permitted under section 411(a)(3)(B)), other than the method 
of crediting years of service for purposes of applying the vesting 
schedule provided in the plan.
    (2) Deemed equivalence of statutory vesting schedules. For purposes 
of this paragraph (c), the manner in which employees vest in their 
accrued benefits under the vesting schedules in section 411(a)(2) (A) 
and (B) are treated as equivalent to one another, and the manner in 
which employees vest in their accrued benefits under the vesting 
schedules in section 416(b)(1) (A) and (B) are treated as equivalent to 
one another.
    (3) Safe harbor for vesting schedules. The manner in which employees 
vest in their accrued benefits under a plan is deemed not to 
discriminate in favor of HCEs if each combination of plan provisions 
that affect the nonforfeitability of any employee's accrued benefit 
would satisfy the nondiscriminatory availability requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4 if that combination were an other right or feature.
    (4) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (c):

    Example 1. Plan A provides the six-year graded vesting schedule 
described in section 416(b)(1)(B). In 1996, Plan A is amended to provide 
the five-year vesting schedule described in section 411(a)(2)(A). To 
comply with section 411(a)(10)(B), the plan amendment also provides that 
all employees with at least three years of service may elect to retain 
the prior vesting schedule. The manner in which employees vest in their 
accrued benefits under Plan A does not discriminate in favor of HCEs 
merely because the prior vesting schedule continues to apply to the 
accrued benefits of electing employees, even if, at the time of the 
election or in future years, the prior vesting schedule applies only to 
a group of employees that does not satisfy section 410(b).
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that, for 
administrative convenience in complying with section 411(a)(10)(B), the 
plan amendment automatically provides all employees employed on the date 
of the amendment with the higher of the nonforfeitable percentages 
determined under either schedule. The manner in which employees vest in 
their accrued benefits under Plan A does not discriminate in favor of 
HCEs merely because, for administrative convenience in complying with 
section 411(a)(10), the amendment exceeds the requirements of section 
411(a)(10). The result would be the same if the plan amendment 
automatically provided the higher of the nonforfeitable percentages only 
to those employees with at least three years of service.
    Example 3. (a) Employer Y maintains Plan B covering all of its 
employees. On January 1, 1996, Employer Y sells Division M to Employer 
Z, and all of the employees in Division M become employees of Employer 
Z. Employer Y obtains a determination letter that the resulting 
cessation of participation by these employees in Plan B constitutes a

[[Page 146]]

partial termination. Therefore, in order to satisfy section 411(d)(3), 
Plan B fully vests the accrued benefit of each of the employees of 
Division M whose participation in Plan B ceased as a result of the sale 
on January 1, 1996.
    (b) The manner in which employees vest in their accrued benefits 
under Plan B does not discriminate in favor of HCEs merely because, in 
order to satisfy section 411(d)(3), the accrued benefits of all 
employees affected by the partial termination become fully vested. This 
is true even if the affected group of employees does not satisfy section 
410(b).
    Example 4. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that 
Employer Y does not obtain a determination letter that the sale of 
Division M to Employer Z will cause a partial termination. Instead, 
based on its reasonable belief that the sale will cause a partial 
termination, and in order to ensure that Plan B will satisfy section 
411(d)(3), Employer Y amends Plan B to vest fully the accrued benefit on 
January 1, 1996 of each of the employees it reasonably believes to be an 
affected employee.
    (b) The manner in which employees vest in their accrued benefits 
under Plan B does not discriminate in favor of HCEs merely because, 
based on Employer Y's reasonable belief that the sale will cause a 
partial termination, Plan B is amended to vest fully the accrued 
benefits of each of the employees it reasonably believes to be an 
affected employee.

    (d) Service-crediting rules--(1) Overview--(i) In general. A defined 
benefit plan or a defined contribution plan does not satisfy this 
paragraph (d) with respect to the manner in which service is credited 
under the plan unless the plan satisfies paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section. Paragraph (d)(3) of this section provides rules for determining 
whether service other than actual service with the employer may be taken 
into account in determining whether a defined benefit plan or a defined 
contribution plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) or (b)(3). 
(However, for purposes of cross-testing a defined contribution plan, 
only years in which the employee benefited under the plan may be taken 
into account in determining equivalent accrual rates. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(2)(i).) The rules of this paragraph (d) apply 
separately to service credited under a plan for each different purpose 
under the plan, including, but not limited to: application of the 
benefit formula (benefit service), application of the accrual method 
(accrual service), application of the vesting schedule (vesting 
service), entitlement to benefits, rights, and features (entitlement 
service), application of the requirements for eligibility to participate 
in the plan (eligibility service).
    (ii) Special rule for pre-effective date service. A plan is deemed 
to satisfy this paragraph (d) with respect to service credited for 
periods prior to the effective date applicable to the plan under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) or (b) under a plan provision adopted and in effect 
as of February 11, 1993 (and any such service may be taken into account 
for purposes of satisfying Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) or (b)(3)), if the 
plan satisfied the applicable nondiscrimination requirements with 
respect to the service that were in effect for all relevant periods 
prior to the applicable effective date.
    (2) Manner of crediting service--(i) General rule. A plan satisfies 
this paragraph (d)(2) if, on the basis of all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances, the manner in which employees' service is credited for 
all purposes under the plan does not discriminate in favor of HCEs.
    (ii) Equivalent service-crediting methods. For purposes of this 
paragraph (d)(2), a service-crediting method used for a specified 
purpose that is based on hours of service, as provided in 29 CFR 
2530.200b-2, and a service-crediting method used for the same purpose 
that is based on one of the equivalencies set forth in 29 CFR 2530.200b-
3, are treated as equivalent if the service-crediting methods are 
otherwise the same.
    (iii) Safe harbor for service-crediting. The manner in which service 
is credited under a plan for a specified purpose is deemed to satisfy 
this paragraph (d)(2) if each combination of service-crediting 
provisions applied for that purpose would satisfy the nondiscriminatory 
availability requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 if that combination 
were an other right or feature.
    (iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d)(2):

    Example 1. (a) Plan A covers both salaried employees and hourly 
employees. All of the HCEs in Plan A are salaried employees. For 
administrative convenience, salaried employees in Plan A (none of whom 
are part-time) have their years of service calculated in accordance with 
the elapsed time provisions in Sec. 1.410(a)-7. Hourly employees in

[[Page 147]]

Plan A (most of whom are scheduled to work 2,000 hours in a year) have 
their hours of service calculated in accordance with 29 CFR 2530.200b-2 
and are credited with a year of service for each plan year in which they 
complete 1,000 hours of service.
    (b) Plan A does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (d)(2) merely 
because different service-crediting provisions are applied to salaried 
and hourly employees for administrative convenience. The service-
crediting provisions for hourly employees in Plan A are reasonably 
comparable to the service-crediting provisions for salaried employees. 
This is because the amount of service credited to hourly employees who 
complete fewer than 1,000 hours of service before termination of 
employment (i.e., quit, retirement, discharge, or death) during the plan 
year (and are treated less favorably than the salaried employees with 
the same period of employment during the plan year) is balanced by the 
amount of service credited to hourly employees who complete more than 
1,000 hours of service before termination of employment during the plan 
year (who are treated more favorably than the salaried employees with 
the same period of employment during the plan year).
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except Plan A 
requires hourly employees to complete 2,000 hours of service in order to 
be credited with a full year of service, with a pro rata reduction for 
hourly employees who complete fewer than 2,000 hours of service.
    (b) Plan A does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (d)(2) merely 
because different service-crediting provisions are applied to salaried 
and hourly employees for administrative convenience. The service-
crediting provisions for hourly employees in Plan A are reasonably 
comparable to the service-crediting provisions for salaried employees. 
This is because the amount of service credited to hourly employees whose 
employment terminates (i.e., quit, retire, are discharged, or die) 
during the plan year is reasonably comparable to the amount of service 
credited to salaried employees whose employment is terminated during the 
plan year with the same period of employment during the plan year.

    (3) Service-crediting period--(i) Limitation on service taken into 
account--(A) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this 
paragraph (d)(3), service for periods in which an employee does not 
perform services as an employee of the employer or in which the employee 
did not participate in the plan may not be taken into account in 
determining whether the plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) and 
(b)(3). In addition, in determining whether a plan satisfies Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) and (b)(3), no more than one year of service may be 
taken into account with respect to any 12-consecutive-month period (with 
adjustments for shorter periods, if appropriate) unless the additional 
service is required to be credited under section 410 or 411, whichever 
is applicable.
    (B) Past service. Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of this 
section, service for periods in which an employee performed services as 
an employee of the employer and did not participate in a plan, but in 
which the employee would have participated in the plan but for the fact 
that the plan (or the plan amendment extending coverage to the employee) 
was not in existence during that period, may be taken into account in 
determining whether the plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) and 
(b)(3). This is because service for such periods generally would have 
been credited for the employee but for the timing of the plan 
establishment or amendment, and the timing of the plan establishment or 
amendment must satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5(a).
    (C) Pre-participation and imputed service. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(d)(3)(i)(A) of this section, to the extent that a plan treats pre-
participation service and imputed service as actual service with the 
employer, such service may be taken into account in determining whether 
the plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) and (b)(3) if the service 
satisfies each of the requirements in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this 
section taking into account, in the case of imputed service, the 
additional rules in paragraph (d)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (D) Additional limitations on service-crediting in the case of 
certain offsets. Notwithstanding paragraphs (d)(3)(i) (B) and (C) of 
this section, if a plan credits benefit service or accrual service under 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) (B) or (C) of this section for a period before an 
employee becomes a participant in the plan, but offsets the benefits 
determined under the plan by benefits under another plan (whether or not 
qualified or terminated) that are attributable to the same period for 
which that service is credited, then that service may not be taken into 
account for purposes of

[[Page 148]]

determining whether the first plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) 
or (b)(3) unless the offset provision applies on the same basis to all 
similarly-situated employees (within the meaning of paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii)(A) of this section).
    (ii) Definitions--(A) Pre-participation service. For purposes of 
this section, pre-participation service includes all years of service 
credited under a plan for years of service with the employer or a prior 
employer for periods before the employee commenced or recommenced 
participation in the plan (other than past service described in 
paragraph (d)(3)(i)(B) of this section).
    (B) Imputed service. For purposes of this section, imputed service 
includes any service credited for periods after an employee has 
commenced participation in a plan while the employee is not performing 
services as an employee for the employer (including a period in which 
the employee performs services for another employer, e.g., a joint 
venture), or while the employee has a reduced work schedule and would 
not otherwise be credited with service at the level being credited under 
the general terms of the plan.
    (iii) Requirements for pre-participation and imputed service--(A) 
Provision applied to all similarly-situated employees--(1) General rule. 
A plan provision crediting pre-participation service or imputed service 
to any HCE must apply on the same terms to all similarly-situated NHCEs. 
Whether two employees are similarly situated for this purpose must be 
determined based on reasonable business criteria, generally taking into 
account only the circumstances resulting in the employees being covered 
under the plan or being granted imputed service and on the situation of 
the employees (e.g., the plan in which the employees benefit or the 
employer by which they are employed) during the period for which the 
pre-participation service or imputed service is credited. For example, 
employees who enter a plan as a result of a particular merger and who 
participated in the same plan of a prior employer are generally 
similarly situated. As another example, employees who are transferred to 
different joint ventures or different spun-off divisions are generally 
not similarly situated.
    (2) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A):

    Example 1. Employer X maintains defined benefit Plans A and B and 
defined contribution Plan C. Plan A covers all employees who work at the 
headquarters of Employer X. Plan B covers some employees in Division M 
of Employer X, and Plan C covers the other employees of Division M. 
Plans B and C have not been aggregated for purposes of satisfying 
section 401(a)(4) or 410(b) for the period for which service is being 
credited. Plan A provides that, whenever an employee covered by Plan B 
transfers from Division M to the headquarters, the employee's service 
credited under Plan B is credited under Plan A, and the employee's 
benefit under Plan A is offset by the employee's benefit under Plan B. 
However, Plan A provides for no similar recognition of service or offset 
for employees covered by Plan C who transfer from Division M to the 
headquarters. Plan A does not fail to satisfy this paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii)(A) merely because it credits service for employees 
transferring from Plan B but not from Plan C, because it is reasonable 
to treat employees participating in different plans that have not been 
aggregated as not being similarly situated.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Employer X acquires two trades or businesses from different employers. 
Employees of the acquired trades or businesses become employees of 
Division M and become covered by Plan B. In addition, Plan B is amended 
to credit service with one of the trades or businesses but not the 
other. Plan B does not fail to satisfy this paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(A) 
merely because it credits service for one acquired trade or business but 
not another, because it is reasonable to treat employees of one acquired 
trade or business as not similarly situated to employees of another 
acquired trade or business.

    (B) Legitimate business reason--(1) General rule. There must be a 
legitimate business reason, based on all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances, for a plan to credit imputed service or for a plan to 
credit pre-participation service for a period of service with another 
employer.
    (2) Relevant facts and circumstances when crediting service with 
another employer. The following are examples of relevant facts and 
circumstances for determining whether a legitimate business reason 
exists for a plan to credit pre-participation or imputed service for a 
period of service with another employer as service with the employer: 
whether one employer has a significant

[[Page 149]]

ownership, control, or similar interest in, or relationship with, the 
other employer (though not enough to cause the two employers to be 
treated as a single employer under section 414); whether the two 
employers share interrelated business operations; whether the employers 
maintain the same multiple-employer plan; whether the employers share 
similar attributes, such as operation in the same industry or the same 
geographic area; and whether the employees are an acquired group of 
employees or the employees became employed by the other employer in a 
transaction between the two employers that was a stock or asset 
acquisition, merger, or other similar transaction involving a change in 
the employer of the employees of a trade or business. Other factors may 
also be relevant for this purpose, such as the plan's treatment of 
service with other employers with which the employer has a similar 
relationship and the type of service being credited (e.g., vesting 
service as compared to benefit service or accrual service). A legitimate 
business reason is deemed to exist for a plan to credit military service 
as service with the employer.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(B):

    Example 1. Twenty unrelated employers jointly sponsor a multiple-
employer plan that covers all employees of the employers. From time to 
time, employees transfer employment among the employers. There is a 
legitimate business reason for a disaggregated portion of the plan that 
benefits the employees of one of the employers to treat service with any 
of the other employers as service with the employer.
    Example 2. Employer X owns 20 percent of the outstanding stock of 
Employer Y. From time to time, employees transfer from Employer X to 
Employer Y at the request of Employer X. Employer X maintains defined 
benefit Plan A. Plan A provides that years of service include an 
employee's years of service with Employer Y. There is a legitimate 
business reason for Plan A to credit service with Employer Y because 
Employer X, through its 20-percent ownership interest, benefits from the 
service that the transferred employees provide to Employer Y.
    Example 3. Employer Z manufactures widgets and belongs to the 
National Widget Manufacturers' Association. From time to time, Employer 
Z hires employees from other widget manufacturers. Employer Z maintains 
a defined benefit plan, Plan B, which credits pre-participation service 
for periods of service with all other members of the Association located 
in the western half of the United States as service with Employer Z. 
There is a legitimate business reason for Plan B to treat service with 
other members of the Association as service with Employer Z.

    (C) No significant discrimination--(1) General rule. Based on all of 
the relevant facts and circumstances, a plan provision crediting pre-
participation or imputed service must not by design or in operation 
discriminate significantly in favor of HCEs.
    (2) Relevant facts and circumstances. The following are examples of 
relevant facts and circumstances for determining whether a plan 
provision crediting pre-participation service or imputed service 
discriminates significantly in favor of HCEs: whether the service credit 
does not duplicate benefits but merely makes an employee whole (i.e., 
prevents the employee from being disadvantaged with respect to benefits 
by a change in job or employer or provides the employee with benefits 
comparable to those of other employees); the degree of business ties 
between the current employer and the prior employer, such as the degree 
of ownership interest or other affiliation; the degree of excess 
coverage under section 410(b) of NHCEs for the plan crediting the 
service, taking into account employees who are credited with pre-
participation service; whether the other employer maintains a qualified 
plan for its employees; the existence of reciprocal service credit under 
other plans of the employer or the prior employer; the circumstances 
underlying the employee's transfer into the group of employees covered 
by the plan; the type of service being credited; and the relative number 
of employees other than five-percent owners or the most highly-paid HCEs 
of the employer (determined without regard to the one officer rule of 
section 414(q)(5)(B)) who are being credited with pre-participation 
service or imputed service. The relative number referred to in the last 
factor is determined taking into account all employees who have been 
over time, or are reasonably expected to be in the future, credited with 
such service.

[[Page 150]]

    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C). It is assumed that facts not described in an 
example do not, in the aggregate, suggest that the relevant plan 
provision either does or does not discriminate significantly in favor of 
HCEs.

    Example 1. (a) Employer U maintains defined benefit Plans A and B. 
Plan A covers all employees who work at the headquarters of Employer U. 
Plan B covers all employees of Division M of Employer U. Plan A provides 
that, whenever an employee transfers from Division M to the 
headquarters, the employee's service credited under Plan B is credited 
under Plan A, and the employee's benefit under Plan A is offset by the 
employee's benefit under Plan B. Employees, including a meaningful 
number of NHCEs, are periodically transferred from Division M to the 
headquarters of Employer U for bona fide business reasons.
    (b) The Plan A provision crediting service under Plan B does not 
discriminate significantly in favor of HCEs. The provision is designed 
only to prevent employees from being disadvantaged by being transferred 
from Division M to the headquarters, and a meaningful number of NHCEs 
can be expected to benefit from it.
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
the only employees transferred from Division M to the headquarters of 
Employer U are HCEs (but not the most highly-paid HCEs of Employer U).
    (b) Employer U determines that Plan A would have satisfied sections 
401(a)(4) and 410(b) for the period for which the transferred employees 
are being credited with pre-participation service had the employees 
participated in Plan A during that period. This determination is based 
on test results under sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b) for the current 
year, taking into account significant demographic changes over this 
period.
    (c) The Plan A provision crediting service under Plan B does not 
significantly discriminate in favor of HCEs in the current year. This 
conclusion is based on the fact that the circumstances underlying the 
transfers indicate that they were made for bona fide business reasons, 
that Plan A would have satisfied sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b) had the 
transferred employees participated in Plan A during the period for which 
the pre-participation service is credited, and that the transferred 
employees are not the most highly-paid HCEs of Employer U.
    Example 3. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
the only employee who is transferred from Division M to the headquarters 
of Employer U is Employee P, who is among the most highly-paid HCEs of 
Employer U. Plan A provides an unreduced early retirement benefit at age 
55 for employees with 20 years of service, but Plan B's early retirement 
benefits are not subsidized. Employee P is transferred to the 
headquarters with 20 years of service credited under Plan B and shortly 
before attainment of age 55. Employee P is expected to retire upon 
reaching age 55.
    (b) The Plan A provision crediting service under Plan B 
discriminates significantly in favor of HCEs in the year of the 
transfer. This is because the circumstances underlying this transfer 
(i.e., its occurrence shortly before Employee P's expected retirement 
and the fact that the transfer significantly increased Employee P's 
early retirement benefits) indicate that Employee P was transferred to 
the headquarters primarily to obtain the higher pension benefits 
provided under Plan A.
    (c) Because of this conclusion, the pre-participation service 
credited to Employee P cannot be taken into account in determining 
whether Plan A satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 (b)(2) and (b)(3). Thus, if 
Plan A credits the service, it cannot be a safe harbor plan because the 
benefit formula will take into account service that may not be taken 
into account under this paragraph (d)(3). In addition, Employee P's 
accrual rates under the general test in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c) are 
likely to be higher than those of other employees because, while the 
pre-participation service may be used to determine Employee P's benefits 
under Plan A, the service must be disregarded in determining Employee 
P's testing service. Also, if Employee P's pre-participation service is 
used in determining Employee P's entitlement to a benefit, right, or 
feature under Plan A, the fact that the service must be disregarded in 
determining Employee P's entitlement service for purposes of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4 may cause the benefit, right, or feature to be treated as 
a separate benefit, right, or feature that is currently available only 
to Employee P.
    Example 4. (a) Employer V manufactures widgets and belongs to the 
National Widget Manufacturers' Association. Each member of the 
Association maintains a defined benefit plan that credits pre-
participation service for periods of service with other members and 
offsets benefits under the plan by benefits under the plans of the other 
members. Employer V maintains defined benefit Plan C. Employer V 
periodically hires employees from other widget manufacturers who are not 
among its most highly-paid HCEs. In 1997, however, the only employee 
hired by Employer V from another member of the Association is Employee 
Q, who is among Employer V's most highly-paid HCEs. Employee Q receives 
pre-participation service credit in accordance with the terms of Plan C. 
Some of the plans maintained by other members of the Association 
credited pre-participation service to NHCEs for the same period for

[[Page 151]]

which the pre-participation service is credited to Employee Q.
    (b) The provision of Plan C crediting pre-participation service with 
other members of the Association does not discriminate significantly in 
1997, despite the fact that the only employee who received pre-
participation service credit under the provision in that year was among 
the most highly-paid HCEs of Employer V. This conclusion is based on the 
relative number of employees other than Employer V's most highly-paid 
HCEs who have been credited in the past, or are reasonably expected to 
be credited in the future, with pre-participation service for periods of 
service with other members of the Association, and the fact that other 
employees who are NHCEs are being credited with pre-participation 
service under a reciprocal agreement.
    Example 5. Employer W owns 79 percent of the outstanding stock of 
Employer X. From time to time, employees transfer from Employer W to 
Employer X at the request of Employer W. The only employees who have 
ever been transferred are HCEs. Employer W maintains a defined benefit 
plan, Plan D, which credits employees transferred to Employer X with 
imputed benefit and accrual service while employed by Employer X. 
Employer X maintains no qualified plan. Plan D would fail either section 
401(a)(4) or section 410(b) in the current plan year if the individuals 
employed by Employer X were treated as employed by Employer W. In 
addition, Plan D would fail either section 401(a)(4) or section 410(b) 
in the current plan year if the portion of Plan D covering the 
transferred employees were treated as maintained by Employer X. The Plan 
D provision crediting imputed benefit and accrual service to employees 
transferred to Employer X significantly discriminates in favor of HCEs 
in the current plan year.
    Example 6. The facts are the same as in Example 5, except that Plan 
D credits the individuals who transfer to Employer X only with imputed 
vesting and entitlement service. The Plan D provision crediting imputed 
vesting and entitlement service to individuals transferred to Employer X 
does not significantly discriminate in favor of HCEs in the current plan 
year, because there is less potential for discrimination when the only 
types of service being imputed are vesting and entitlement service.

    (iv) Additional rules for imputed service--(A) Legitimate business 
reasons for crediting imputed service--(1) General rule. A legitimate 
business reason does not exist for a plan to impute service after an 
individual has permanently ceased to perform services as an employee 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9) for the employer maintaining 
the plan, i.e., is not expected to resume performing services as an 
employee for the employer. The preceding sentence does not apply in the 
case of an individual who is not performing services for the employer 
because of disability or is performing services for another employer 
under an arrangement (such as a transfer of the employee to another 
employer) that provides some ongoing business benefit to the original 
employer. The first sentence in this paragraph (d)(3)(iv)(A)(1) also 
does not apply in the case of vesting and entitlement service if the 
employee is performing services for another employer that is being 
treated under the plan as actual service with the original employer.
    (2) Certain presumptions applicable. Whether an individual has 
permanently ceased to perform services as an employee for an employer is 
determined taking into account all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances. There is a rebuttable presumption for a period of up to 
two years that an individual who has ceased to perform services as an 
employee for an employer is nonetheless expected to resume performing 
services as an employee for the employer, if the employer continues to 
treat the individual as an employee for significant purposes unrelated 
to the plan. After two years, there is a rebuttable presumption that an 
individual who has ceased to perform services as an employee for the 
employer is not expected to resume performing services as an employee 
for the employer. The fact that an individual is absent to perform jury 
duty or military service automatically rebuts the latter presumption. 
Other evidence, such as the employer's layoff policy, the terms of an 
employment contract, or specific leave to pursue a degree requiring more 
than two years of study, may also rebut this presumption.
    (3) Imputed service for part-time employees. Rules similar to the 
rules in paragraph (d)(3)(iv)(A) (1) and (2) of this section apply in 
the case of an employee whose work hours are temporarily reduced and who 
therefore would normally be credited with service at a reduced rate, but 
who continues to be credited with service at the same rate

[[Page 152]]

as before the reduction (e.g., an employee who continues to be credited 
with service as if the employee were a full-time employee during a 
temporary change from a full-time to a part-time work schedule).
    (B) Additional factors for determining whether a provision crediting 
imputed service discriminates significantly. In addition to the factors 
described in paragraph (d)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this section, relevant facts 
and circumstances for determining whether a plan provision crediting 
imputed service during a leave of absence or a period of reduced 
services discriminates significantly include any employer policies or 
practices that restrict the ability of employees to take leaves of 
absence or work temporarily on a part-time basis, respectively.
    (v) Satisfaction of other service-crediting rules. A plan does not 
fail to satisfy this paragraph (d)(3) merely because it credits service 
to the extent necessary to satisfy the service-crediting rules in 
section 410(a), 411(a), 413, or 414(a), Sec. 1.410(a)-7 (elapsed-time 
method of service-crediting) or 29 CFR 2530.200b-2 (regarding hours of 
service to be credited), whichever is applicable, or 29 CFR Sec. 
2530.204-2(d) (regarding double proration of service and compensation).
    (e) Family aggregation rules. [Reserved]
    (f) Governmental plans. [Reserved]
    (g) Corrective amendments--(1) In general. A corrective amendment 
that satisfies the rules of this paragraph (g) is taken into account for 
purposes of satisfying certain section 401(a) requirements for a plan 
year, by treating the corrective amendment as if it were adopted and 
effective as of the first day of the plan year. These rules apply in 
addition to the rules of section 401(b). Paragraph (g)(2) of this 
section describes the scope of the corrective amendments that are 
permitted to be made. Paragraph (g)(3) of this section specifies the 
conditions under which a corrective amendment may be made. Paragraph 
(g)(4) of this section provides a rule prohibiting a corrective 
amendment from being taken into account to the extent that it does not 
have substance. Paragraph (g)(5) of this section discusses the effect of 
the corrective amendments permitted under this paragraph (g) under 
provisions other than section 401(a).
    (2) Scope of corrective amendments. For purposes of satisfying the 
minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b), the nondiscriminatory 
amount requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2), or the 
nondiscriminatory plan amendment requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1(b)(4), a corrective amendment may retroactively increase accruals or 
allocations for employees who benefited under the plan during the plan 
year being corrected, or may grant accruals or allocations to 
individuals who did not benefit under the plan during the plan year 
being corrected. In addition, for purposes of satisfying the 
nondiscriminatory current availability requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(b) for benefits, rights, or features, a corrective amendment may make 
a benefit, right, or feature available to employees to whom it was 
previously not available. A corrective amendment may not, however, 
correct for a failure to incorporate the pre-termination restrictions of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-5(b).
    (3) Conditions for corrective amendments--(i) In general. A 
corrective amendment is not taken into account prior to its adoption 
under this paragraph (g) unless it satisfies each of the requirements of 
paragraph (g)(3) (ii) through (vii) of this section, whichever are 
applicable. Thus, for example, if any of the applicable requirements are 
not satisfied, any additional accruals arising from an amendment adopted 
after the end of a plan year are not given retroactive effect and, thus, 
are tested in the plan year in which the amendment is adopted.
    (ii) Benefits not reduced. Except as permitted under paragraph 
(g)(3)(vi)(C)(2) of this section, the corrective amendment may not 
result in a reduction of an employee's benefits (including any benefit, 
right, or feature), determined based on the terms of the plan in effect 
immediately before the amendment.
    (iii) Amendment effective for all purposes. For purposes of 
determining an employee's rights and benefits under the plan, the 
corrective amendment must generally be effective as if the amendment had 
been made on the first

[[Page 153]]

day of the plan year being corrected. Thus, if the corrective amendment 
is made after the close of the plan year being corrected, an employee's 
allocations or accruals, along with the associated benefits, rights, and 
features, must be increased to the level at which they would have been 
had the amendment been in effect for the entire preceding plan year. 
Accordingly, such increases are taken into account for testing purposes 
as if the increases had actually occurred in the prior plan year. 
However, to the extent that an amendment makes a benefit, right, or 
feature available to a group of employees, the amendment does not fail 
to satisfy this paragraph (g)(3)(iii) merely because it is not effective 
prior to the date of adoption and, therefore, the benefit, right, or 
feature is not made currently available to those employees before that 
date.
    (iv) Time when amendment must be adopted and put into effect--(A) 
General rule. Any corrective amendment intended to apply to the 
preceding plan year must be adopted and implemented on or before the 
15th day of the 10th month after the close of the plan year in order to 
be taken into account for the preceding plan year.
    (B) Determination letter requested by employer or plan 
administrator. If, on or before the end of the period set forth in 
paragraph (g)(3)(iv)(A) of this section, the employer or plan 
administrator files a request pursuant to Sec. 601.201(o) of this 
chapter (Statement of Procedural Rules) for a determination letter on 
the amendment, the initial or continuing qualification of the plan, or 
the trust that is part of the plan, the period set forth in paragraph 
(g)(3)(iv)(A) of this section is extended in the same manner as provided 
for an extension of the remedial amendment period under Sec. 1.401(b)-
1(d)(3).
    (v) Corrective amendment for coverage or amounts testing--(A) 
Retroactive benefits must be provided to nondiscriminatory group. Except 
as provided in paragraph (g)(3)(v)(B) of this section, if the corrective 
amendment is adopted after the close of the plan year, the additional 
allocations or accruals for the preceding year resulting from the 
corrective amendment must separately satisfy section 401(a)(4) for the 
preceding plan year and must benefit a group of employees that 
separately satisfies section 410(b) (determined by applying the same 
rules as are applied in determining whether a component plan separately 
satisfies section 410(b) under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c)(4)). Thus, for 
example, in applying the rules of this paragraph (g)(3)(v), an employer 
may not aggregate the additional accruals or allocations for the 
preceding plan year resulting from the corrective amendment with the 
other accruals or allocations already provided under the terms of the 
plan as in effect during the preceding plan year without regard to the 
corrective amendment.
    (B) Corrective amendment to conform to safe harbor. The requirements 
of paragraph (g)(3)(v)(A) of this section need not be met if the 
corrective amendment is for purposes of conforming the plan to one of 
the safe harbors in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b) or Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) 
(including for purposes of applying the requirements of those safe 
harbors under the optional testing methods in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8 (b)(3) 
or (c)(3)), or ensuring that the plan continues to meet one of those 
safe harbors.
    (vi) Conditions for corrective amendment of the availability of 
benefits, rights, and features. A corrective amendment may not be taken 
into account under this paragraph (g) for purposes of satisfying Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4(b) for a given plan year unless--
    (A) The corrective amendment is not part of a pattern of amendments 
being used to correct repeated failures with respect to a particular 
benefit, right, or feature;
    (B) The relevant provisions of the plan immediately after the 
corrective amendment with respect to the benefit, right, or feature 
(including a corrective amendment eliminating the benefit, right, or 
feature) remain in effect until the end of the first plan year beginning 
after the date of the amendment; and
    (C) The corrective amendment either--
    (1) Expands the group of employees to whom the benefit, right, or 
feature is currently available so that for each plan year in which the 
corrective amendment is taken into account in determining whether the 
plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b), the group of employees

[[Page 154]]

to whom the benefit, right, or feature is currently available, after 
taking into account the amendment, satisfies the nondiscriminatory 
classification requirement of Sec. 1.410(b)-4 (and thus the current 
availability requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b)) with a ratio 
percentage greater than or equal to the lesser of--
    (i) The safe harbor percentage applicable to the plan; and
    (ii) The ratio percentage of the plan; or
    (2) Eliminates the benefit, right, or feature (to the extent 
permitted under section 411(d)(6)) on or before the last day of the plan 
year for which the corrective amendment is taken into account.
    (vii) Special rules for section 401(k) plans and section 401(m) 
plans--(A) Minimum coverage requirements. In the case of a section 
401(k) plan, a corrective amendment may only be taken into account for 
purposes of satisfying Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a)(2)(i) under this paragraph 
(g) for a given plan year to the extent that the corrective amendment 
grants qualified nonelective contributions within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(k)-6 (QNECs) to nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employees who 
were not eligible employees within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(k)-6 for 
the given plan year, and the amount of the QNECs granted to each 
nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employee equals the product of the 
nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employee's plan year compensation 
and the actual deferral percentage (within the meaning of section 
401(k)(3)(B)) for the given plan year for the group of NHCEs who are 
eligible employees. Similarly, in the case of a section 401(m) plan, a 
corrective amendment may only be taken into account for purposes of 
satisfying Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a)(2)(i) under this paragraph (g) for a 
given plan year to the extent that the corrective amendment grants 
qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs) to nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employees who were not eligible employees within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.401(m)-5 for the given plan year, and the amount of 
the QNECs granted to each nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employee 
equals the product of the nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employee's 
plan year compensation and the actual contribution percentage (within 
the meaning of section 401(m)(3)) for the given plan year for the group 
of NHCEs who are eligible employees.
    (B) Correction of rate of match. In the case of a section 401(m) 
plan, allocations for a given plan year granted under a corrective 
amendment to NHCEs who made contributions for the plan year eligible for 
a matching contribution may be treated as matching contributions. These 
allocations treated as matching contributions may be taken into account 
for purposes of satisfying the current availability requirement of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4(b) with respect to the right to a rate of match, but may 
not be taken into account for satisfying other amounts testing.
    (4) Corrective amendments must have substance. A corrective 
amendment is not taken into account in determining whether a plan 
satisfies section 401(a)(4) or 410(b) to the extent the amendment 
affects nonvested employees whose employment with the employer 
terminated on or before the close of the preceding year, and who 
therefore would not have received any economic benefit from the 
amendment if it had been made in the prior year. Similarly, in 
determining whether the requirements of paragraph (g)(3)(vi)(C)(1) of 
this section are satisfied, a corrective amendment making a benefit, 
right, or feature available to employees is not taken into account to 
the extent the benefit, right, or feature is not currently available to 
any of those employees immediately after the amendment. However, a plan 
will not fail to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (g)(3)(vi)(C)(1) 
of this section by operation of the provisions in this paragraph (g)(4) 
if the benefit, right, or feature is made available to all employees in 
the plan as of the date of the amendment.
    (5) Effect under other statutory requirements. A corrective 
amendment under this paragraph (g) is treated as if it were adopted and 
effective as of the first day of the plan year only for the specific 
purposes described in this paragraph (g). Thus, for example, the 
corrective amendment is taken into account not only for purposes of 
sections

[[Page 155]]

401(a)(4) and 410(b), but also for purposes of determining whether the 
plan satisfies sections 401(l). By contrast, the amendment is not given 
retroactive effect for purposes of section 404 (deductions for employer 
contributions) or section 412 (minimum funding standards), unless 
otherwise provided for in rules applicable to those sections.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (g):

    Example 1. Employer U maintains a calendar year defined benefit plan 
that in 1994 is tested using the safe harbor for flat benefit plans in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4). In 1996, Employer U is concerned that the 
plan will not satisfy the demographic requirement in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(4)(i)(C)(3) for the 1995 plan year because the average of the 
normal accrual rates for all NHCEs is less than 70 percent of the 
average of the normal accrual rates for all HCEs. Provided the 
corrective amendment would otherwise satisfy this paragraph (g), 
Employer U may make a corrective amendment to the plan to increase the 
number of NHCEs so that the amended plan satisfies the safe harbor for 
the 1995 plan year. The corrective amendment need not satisfy paragraph 
(g)(3)(v)(A) of this section because Employer U is retroactively 
amending the plan to conform to a safe harbor in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b). 
See paragraph (g)(3)(v)(B) of this section.
    Example 2. (a) Employer V maintains a calendar year defined 
contribution plan covering all the employees in Division M and Division 
N. Under the plan, only employees in Division M have the right to direct 
the investments in their account. For plan years prior to 1996, the plan 
met the current availability requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) 
because the employees in Division M were a group of employees that 
satisfied the nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4. 
Because of attrition in the employee population in Division M in 1996, 
the group of employees to whom the right to direct investments is 
available during that plan year no longer meets the nondiscriminatory 
classification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4. Thus, the right to direct 
investments under the plan does not meet the current availability 
requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) during the 1996 plan year.
    (b) Employer V may amend the plan in 1997 (but on or before October 
15) to make the right to direct investments available from the date of 
the corrective amendment to a larger group of employees and the 
corrective amendment may be taken into account for purposes of 
satisfying the current availability requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(b) for 1996 if the amendment satisfies this paragraph (g). Thus, for 
example, the group of employees to whom the right to direct investments 
is currently available, after taking into account the corrective 
amendment, must satisfy the nondiscriminatory classification test of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-4 for 1996 using a safe harbor percentage (or if lower, 
the ratio percentage of the plan for 1996). In addition, the corrective 
amendment making the right to direct investments available to a larger 
group of employees must remain in effect through the end of the 1998 
plan year.
    (c) In order for Employer V to take the corrective amendment into 
account for purposes of satisfying the current availability requirement 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) for the portion of the 1997 plan year before 
the amendment, the group of employees to whom the right to direct 
investments is currently available, taking into account the amendment, 
must satisfy the nondiscriminatory classification test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-4 for 1997 using a safe harbor percentage (or if lower, the 
ratio percentage of the plan for 1997).
    (d) Alternatively, if Employer V adopts the corrective amendment 
before the end of the 1996 plan year, the corrective amendment need only 
remain in force through the end of the 1997 plan year, or the corrective 
amendment may eliminate the right to direct investments (provided that 
the elimination remains in effect through the end of the 1997 plan 
year).
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2. In 1997, Employer 
V makes a corrective amendment to extend the plan to employees of 
Division O as well as Divisions M and N. Assume that the corrective 
amendment satisfies paragraph (g)(3)(v)(A) of this section, and thus, 
may be taken into account for purposes of satisfying the 
nondiscriminatory amounts requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) or 
the minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b). However, the 
employees in Division O will not be taken into account in determining 
whether the right to direct investments meets the current availability 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) unless the corrective amendment 
meets the requirements of paragraph (g)(3)(vi) of this section. Thus, 
for example, the group of employees to whom the right to direct 
investments is made available as a result of the expansion of coverage, 
after taking into account the corrective amendment, must satisfy the 
nondiscriminatory clarification test of Sec. 1.410(b)-4 for 1996 using 
a safe harbor percentage (or if lower, the ratio percentage of the plan 
for 1996). In addition, the amendment making the right to direct 
investments available to a larger group of employees must remain in 
effect though the end of the 1998 plan year.
    Example 4. Employer W maintains a defined benefit plan that covers 
all employees and that offsets an employee's benefit by the employee's 
projected primary insurance amount. The plan is not eligible to use the

[[Page 156]]

safe harbors under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) because the plan does not 
satisfy section 401(l). Under the plan, the accrual rates for all HCEs 
(determined under the general test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c)) for 1998 
are less than 1.5 percent of average annual compensation, and the 
accrual rates for all NHCEs (determined under the general test of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(c)) for 1998 are two percent of average annual 
compensation. If Employer W adopts a corrective amendment adopted in 
1999 that retroactively increases HCEs' benefits under the plan so that 
their accrual rates equal those of the NHCEs, the corrective amendment 
may not be taken into account in testing the 1998 plan year (i.e., the 
accruals that result from the corrective amendment are treated as 1999 
accruals), because the accruals for the 1998 plan year resulting from 
the corrective amendment would not separately satisfy sections 410(b) 
and 401(a)(4). This is the case even if, after taking the amendment into 
account, the plan would satisfy sections 410(b) and 401(a)(4) for the 
1998 plan year.
    Example 5. Employer X maintains two plans--Plan A and Plan B. Plan A 
satisfies the ratio percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(2), but Plan 
B does not. Thus, in order to satisfy section 410(b), Plan B must 
satisfy the average benefits test of Sec. 1.410(b)-2(b)(3). The average 
benefit percentage of Plan B is 60 percent. Employer X may take into 
account a corrective amendment that increases the accruals under either 
Plan A or Plan B so that the average benefit percentage meets the 70 
percent requirement of the average benefits test, if the amendment 
satisfies paragraph (g)(3)(v) of this section.
    Example 6. Employer Y maintains Plan C, which does not satisfy 
section 401(a)(4) in a plan year. Under the terms of paragraph (g)(2) of 
this section, Employer Y amends Plan C to increase the benefits of 
certain employees retroactively. In designing the amendment, Employer Y 
identifies those employees who have terminated without vested benefits 
during the period after the end of the prior plan year and before the 
adoption date of the amendment, and the amendment provides increases in 
benefits primarily to those employees. It would be inconsistent with the 
purpose of preventing discrimination in favor of HCEs for Plan C to 
treat the amendment as retroactively effective under this paragraph (g). 
See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(2).
    Example 7. Employer Z maintains both a section 401(k) plan and a 
section 401(m) plan that provides matching contributions at a rate of 50 
percent with respect to elective contributions under the section 401(k) 
plan. In plan year 1995, the section 401(k) plan fails to satisfy the 
actual deferral percentage test of section 401(k)(3). In order to 
satisfy section 401(k)(3), Employer Z makes corrective distributions to 
HCEs H1 through H10 of their excess contributions as provided under 
Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b). The matching contributions that H1 through H10 had 
received on account of their excess contributions are not forfeited, 
however. Thus, the effective rate of matching contributions provided to 
H1 through H10 is increased as a result of the corrective distributions. 
See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(3)(iii)(G). Since no NHCE in the section 
401(m) plan is provided with an equivalent rate of matching 
contributions, the rate of matching contributions provided to H1 through 
H10 does not satisfy the nondiscriminatory availability requirement of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 in plan year 1995. Employer Z makes a corrective 
amendment by October 15, 1996, that grants allocations to NHCEs who made 
contributions for the 1995 plan year eligible for a matching 
contribution. Employer Z may treat the allocations granted under the 
corrective amendment to those NHCEs as matching contributions for the 
1995 plan year and, as a result, take them into account in determining 
whether the availability of the rate of matching contributions provided 
to H1 through H10 satisfies the current availability requirement of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(b) for the 1995 plan year.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46813, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 9169, 69 FR 
78153, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise provided, the definitions in this section govern in 
applying the provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-
13.
    Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means a defined benefit plan 
under which the benefit of every employee for each plan year is 
separately determined, using plan year compensation (if benefits are 
determined as a percentage of compensation rather as than a dollar 
amount) separately calculated for the plan year, and each employee's 
total accrued benefit as of the end of a plan year is the sum of the 
separately determined benefit for that plan year and the total accrued 
benefit as of the end of the preceding plan year.
    Acquired group of employees. Acquired group of employees means 
employees of a prior employer who become employed by the employer in a 
transaction between the employer and the prior employer that is a stock 
or asset acquisition, merger, or other similar transaction involving a 
change in the employer of the employees of a trade or business, plus 
employees hired by or transferred into the acquired trade or business on 
or before a date selected by

[[Page 157]]

the employer that is within the transition period defined in section 
410(b)(6)(C)(ii). In addition, in the case of a transaction prior to the 
effective date of these regulations, the date by which employees must be 
hired by or transferred into the acquired trade or business in order to 
be included in the acquired group of employees may be any date prior to 
February 11, 1993, without regard to whether it is later than the end of 
the transition period defined in section 410(b)(6)(C)(ii).
    Actuarial equivalent. An amount or benefit is the actuarial 
equivalent of, or is actuarially equivalent to, another amount or 
benefit at a given time if the actuarial present value of the two 
amounts or benefits (calculated using the same actuarial assumptions) at 
that time is the same.
    Actuarial present value. Actuarial present value means the value as 
of a specified date of an amount or series of amounts due thereafter, 
where each amount is--
    (1) Multiplied by the probability that the condition or conditions 
on which payment of the amount is contingent will be satisfied; and
    (2) Discounted according to an assumed rate of interest to reflect 
the time value of money.
    Ancillary benefit. Ancillary benefit is defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(2).
    Average annual compensation. Average annual compensation is defined 
in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(e)(2).
    Base benefit percentage. Base benefit percentage is defined in Sec. 
1.401(l)-1(c)(3).
    Benefit formula. Benefit formula means the formula a defined benefit 
plan applies to determine the accrued benefit (within the meaning of 
section 411(a)(7)(A)(i)) in the form of an annual benefit commencing at 
normal retirement age of an employee who continues in service until 
normal retirement age. Thus, for example, the benefit formula does not 
include the accrual method the plan applies (in conjunction with the 
benefit formula) to determine the accrued benefit of an employee who 
terminates employment before normal retirement age. For purposes of this 
definition, a change in plan provisions that applies only to certain 
employees who terminate within a limited period of time (e.g., an early 
retirement window benefit) is treated as a change in the plan's benefit 
formula for the employees to whom the change is potentially applicable 
during the period that the change is potentially applicable to them. The 
preceding sentence applies only to the extent that the change in plan 
provisions would result in a change in the benefit formula if it were 
permanent and applied without regard to when the employees' employment 
was terminated.
    Benefit, right, or feature. Benefit, right, or feature means an 
optional form of benefit, an ancillary benefit, or an other right or 
feature within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(e).
    Contributory DB plan. Contributory DB plan means a defined benefit 
plan that includes employee contributions not allocated to separate 
accounts.
    Defined benefit excess plan. Defined benefit excess plan is defined 
in Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(16)(i).
    Defined benefit plan. Defined benefit plan is defined in Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Defined contribution plan. Defined contribution plan is defined in 
Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Determination date. Determination date is defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3)(iv)(A).
    Employee. With respect to a plan for a given plan year, employee 
means an employee (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9) who benefits 
as an employee under the plan for the plan year (within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-3).
    Employer. Employer is defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    ESOP. ESOP is defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Excess benefit percentage. Excess benefit percentage is defined in 
Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(14).
    Former employee. With respect to a plan for a given plan year, 
former employee means a former employee (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9).
    Former HCE. Former HCE means a highly compensated former employee as 
defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Former NHCE. Former NHCE means a former employee who is not a former 
HCE.
    Fresh-start date. Fresh-start date is defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c)(5)(iii).
    Fresh-start group. Fresh-start group is defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(5)(ii).

[[Page 158]]

    Gross benefit percentage. Gross benefit percentage is defined in 
Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(18).
    HCE. HCE means a highly compensated employee as defined in Sec. 
1.410(b)-9 who benefits under the plan for the plan year (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-3).
    Integration level. Integration level is defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-
1(c)(20).
    Measurement period. Measurement period is defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(1)(iii).
    Multiemployer plan. Multiemployer plan is defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-
9.
    NHCE. NHCE means an employee who is not an HCE.
    Nonexcludable employee. Nonexcludable employee means an employee 
within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9, other than an excludable 
employee with respect to the plan as determined under Sec. 1.410(b)-6. 
A nonexcludable employee may be either a highly or nonhighly compensated 
nonexcludable employee, depending on the nonexcludable employee's status 
under section 414(q).
    Normalize. With respect to a benefit payable to an employee in a 
particular form, normalize means to convert the benefit to an 
actuarially equivalent straight life annuity commencing at the 
employee's testing age. The actuarial assumptions used in normalizing a 
benefit must be reasonable and must be applied on a gender-neutral 
basis. A standard interest rate and a standard mortality table are among 
the assumptions considered reasonable for this purpose.
    Offset plan. Offset plan is defined in Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(24).
    Optional form of benefit. Optional form of benefit is defined in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(1).
    Other right or feature. Other right or feature is defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(3).
    Plan. Plan means a plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7 (a) 
and (b), after application of the mandatory disaggregation rules of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c) and the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(d).
    Plan year. Plan year is defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Plan year compensation--(1) In general. Plan year compensation means 
section 414(s) compensation for the plan year determined by measuring 
section 414(s) compensation during one of the periods described in 
paragraphs (2) through (4) of this definition. Whichever period is 
selected must be applied uniformly to determine the plan year 
compensation of every employee.
    (2) Plan year. This period consists of the plan year.
    (3) Twelve-month period ending in the plan year. This period 
consists of a specified 12-month period ending with or within the plan 
year, such as the calendar year or the period for determining benefit 
accruals described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(6).
    (4) Period of plan participation during the plan year. This period 
consists of the portion of the plan year during which the employee is a 
participant in the plan. This period may be used to determine plan year 
compensation for the plan year in which participation begins, the plan 
year in which participation ends, or both. This period may be used to 
determine plan year compensation when substituted for average annual 
compensation in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(e)(2)(ii)(A) only if the plan year 
is also the period for determining benefit accruals under the plan 
rather than another period as permitted under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(f)(6). 
Further, selection of this period must be made on a reasonably 
consistent basis from plan year to plan year in a manner that does not 
discriminate in favor of HCEs.
    (5) Special rule for new employees. Notwithstanding the uniformity 
requirement of paragraph (1) of this definition, if employees' plan year 
compensation for a plan year is determined based on a 12-month period 
ending within the plan year under paragraph (3) of this definition, then 
the plan year compensation of any employees whose date of hire was less 
than 12 months before the end of that 12-month period must be determined 
uniformly based either on the plan year or on the employees' periods of 
participation during the plan year, as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
(4), respectively, of this definition.
    QJSA. QJSA means a qualified joint and survivor annuity as defined 
in section 417(b).
    QSUPP--(1) In general. QSUPP or qualified social security supplement 
means a social security supplement that meets each of the requirements 
in

[[Page 159]]

paragraphs (2) through (6) of this definition.
    (2) Accrual--(i) General rule. The amount of the social security 
supplement payable at any age for which the employee is eligible for the 
social security supplement must be equal to the lesser of--
    (A) The employee's old-age insurance benefit, unreduced on account 
of age, under title II of the Social Security Act; and
    (B) The accrued social security supplement, determined under one of 
the methods in paragraph (2) (ii) through (iv) of this definition.
    (ii) Section 401(l) plans. In the case of a section 401(l) plan that 
is a defined benefit excess plan, each employee's accrued social 
security supplement equals the employee's average annual compensation up 
to the integration level, multiplied by the disparity provided by the 
plan for the employee's years of service used in determining the 
employee's accrued benefit under the plan. In the case of a section 
401(l) plan that is an offset plan, each employee's accrued social 
security supplement equals the dollar amount of the offset accrued for 
the employee under the plan.
    (iii) PIA offset plan. In the case of a PIA offset plan, each 
employee's accrued social security supplement equals the dollar amount 
of the offset accrued for the employee under the plan. For this purpose, 
a PIA offset plan is a plan that reduces an employee's benefit by an 
offset based on a stated percentage of the employee's primary insurance 
amount under the Social Security Act.
    (iv) Other plans. In the case of any other plan, each employee's 
social security supplement accrues ratably over the period beginning 
with the later of the employee's commencement of participation in the 
plan or the effective date of the social security supplement and ending 
with the earliest age at which the social security supplement is payable 
to the employee. The effective date of the social security supplement is 
the later of the effective date of the amendment adding the social 
security supplement or the effective date of the amendment modifying an 
existing social security supplement to comply with the requirements of 
this definition. If, by the end of the first plan year to which these 
regulations apply, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) and (b), an 
amendment is made to a social security supplement in existence on 
September 19, 1991, the employer may treat the accrued portion of the 
social security supplement, as determined under the plan without regard 
to amendments made after September 19, 1991, as included in the 
employee's accrued social security supplement, provided that the 
remainder of the social security supplement is accrued under the 
otherwise-applicable method.
    (3) Vesting. The plan must provide that an employee's right to the 
accrued social security supplement becomes nonforfeitable within the 
meaning of section 411 as if it were an early retirement benefit.
    (4) Eligibility. The plan must impose the same eligibility 
conditions on receipt of the social security supplement as on receipt of 
the early retirement benefit in conjunction with which the social 
security supplement is payable. Furthermore, if the service required for 
an employee to become eligible for the social security supplement 
exceeds 15 years, then the ratio percentage of the group of employees 
who actually satisfy the eligibility conditions on receipt of the QSUPP 
in the current plan year must equal or exceed the unsafe harbor 
percentage applicable to the plan under Sec. 1.410(b)-4(c)(4)(ii).
    (5) QJSA. At each age, the most valuable QSUPP commencing at that 
age must be payable in conjunction with the QJSA commencing at that age. 
In addition, the plan must provide that, in the case of a social 
security supplement payable in conjunction with a QJSA, the social 
security supplement will be paid after the employee's death on the same 
terms as the QJSA, but in no event for a period longer than the period 
for which the social security supplement would have been paid to the 
employee had the employee not died. For example, if the QJSA is in the 
form of a joint annuity with a 50-percent survivor's benefit, the social 
security supplement must provide a 50-percent survivor's benefit. When 
section 417(c) requires the determination of a QJSA for purposes of 
determining a

[[Page 160]]

qualified pre-retirement survivor's annuity as defined in section 417(c) 
(QPSA), the social security supplement payable in conjunction with that 
QJSA must be paid in conjunction with the QPSA.
    (6) Protection. The plan must specifically provide that the social 
security supplement is treated as an early retirement benefit that is 
protected under section 411(d)(6) (other than for purposes of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417). Thus, the accrued social security supplement must 
continue to be payable notwithstanding subsequent amendment of the plan 
(including the plan's termination), and an employee may meet the 
eligibility requirements for the social security supplement after plan 
termination.
    Qualified plan. Qualified plan means a plan that satisfies section 
401(a). For this purpose, a qualified plan includes an annuity plan 
described in section 403(a).
    Rate group. Rate group is defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(1) or is 
defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c)(1).
    Ratio percentage. Ratio percentage is defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Section 401(a)(17) employee. Section 401(a)(17) employee is defined 
in Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1(e)(2)(ii).
    Section 401(k) plan. Section 401(k) plan is defined in Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Section 401(l) plan. Section 401(l) plan is defined in Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Section 401(m) plan. Section 401(m) plan is defined in Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Section 414(s) compensation--(1) General rule. When used with 
reference to compensation for a plan year, 12-month period, or other 
specified period, section 414(s) compensation means compensation 
measured using an underlying definition that satisfies section 414(s) 
for the applicable plan year. Whether an underlying definition of 
compensation satisfies section 414(s) is determined on a year-by-year 
basis, based on the provisions of section 414(s) in effect for the 
applicable plan year and, if relevant, the employer's HCEs and NHCEs for 
that plan year. See Sec. 1.414(s)-1(i) for transition rules for plan 
years beginning before the effective date applicable to the plan under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 (a) or (b). For a plan year or 12-month period 
beginning before January 1, 1988, any underlying definition of 
compensation may be used to measure the amount of employees' 
compensation for purposes of this definition, provided that the 
definition was nondiscriminatory based on the facts and circumstances in 
existence for that plan year or for the plan year in which that 12-month 
period ends.
    (2) Determination period for section 414(s) nondiscrimination 
requirement--(i) General rule. If an underlying definition of 
compensation must satisfy the nondiscrimination requirement in Sec. 
1.414(s)-1(d)(3) in order to satisfy section 414(s) for a plan year, any 
one of the following determination periods may be used to satisfy the 
nondiscrimination requirement--
    (A) The plan year;
    (B) The calendar year ending in the plan year; or
    (C) The 12-month period ending in the plan year that is used to 
determine the underlying definition of compensation.
    (ii) Exception for partial plan year compensation. Notwithstanding 
the general rule in paragraph (2)(i) of this definition, if the period 
for measuring the underlying compensation is the portion of the plan 
year during which each employee is a participant in the plan (as 
provided in paragraph (4) of the definition of plan year compensation in 
this section), that period must be used as the determination period.
    (3) Plans using permitted disparity. In the case of a section 401(l) 
plan or a plan that imputes permitted disparity in accordance with Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-7, an underlying definition of compensation is not section 
414(s) compensation if the definition results in significant under- 
inclusion of compensation for employees.
    (4) Double proration of service and compensation. If a defined 
benefit plan prorates benefit accruals as permitted under section 
411(b)(4)(B) by crediting less than full years of participation, then 
compensation for a plan year, 12-month period, or other specified period 
that is used to determine the amount of an employee's benefits under the 
plan will not fail to be section 414(s) compensation, merely because the 
amount of compensation for that period is adjusted to reflect the 
equivalent of full-time compensation to the

[[Page 161]]

extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of 29 CFR 2530.204-2(d) 
(regarding double proration of service and compensation). This 
adjustment is disregarded in determining whether the underlying 
definition of compensation used satisfies the requirements of section 
414(s). Thus, for example, if the underlying definition of compensation 
is an alternative definition that must satisfy the nondiscrimination 
requirement of Sec. 1.414(s)-1(d)(3), in determining whether that 
requirement is satisfied with regard to the underlying definition, the 
compensation included for any employee is determined without any 
adjustment to reflect the equivalent of full-time compensation required 
by 29 CFR 2530.204-2(d).
    Social security supplement. Social security supplement is defined in 
Sec. 1.411(a)-7(c)(4)(ii).
    Standard interest rate. Standard interest rate means an interest 
rate that is neither less than 7.5 percent nor greater than 8.5 percent, 
compounded annually. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, notices, 
and other guidance of general applicability, change the definition of 
standard interest rate.
    Standard mortality table. Standard mortality table means one of the 
following tables: the UP-1984 Mortality Table (Unisex); the 1983 Group 
Annuity Mortality Table (1983 GAM) (Female); the 1983 Group Annuity 
Mortality Table (1983 GAM) (Male); the 1983 Individual Annuity Mortality 
Table (1983 IAM) (Female); the 1983 Individual Annuity Mortality Table 
(1983 IAM) (Male); the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Table (1971 GAM) 
(Female); the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Table (1971 GAM) (Male); the 
1971 Individual Annuity Mortality Table (1971 IAM) (Female); or the 1971 
Individual Annuity Mortality Table (1971 IAM) (Male). These standard 
mortality tables are available from the Society of Actuaries, 475 N. 
Martingale Road, Suite 800, Schaumberg, Illinois 60173. The Commissioner 
may, in revenue rulings, notices, and other guidance of general 
applicability, change the definition of standard mortality table. See 
Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this Chapter. The applicable mortality 
table under section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(I) is also a standard mortality 
table.
    Straight life annuity. Straight life annuity means an annuity 
payable in equal installments for the life of the employee that 
terminates upon the employee's death.
    Testing age. With respect to an employee, testing age means the age 
determined for the employee under the following rules:
    (1) If the plan provides the same uniform normal retirement age for 
all employees, the employee's testing age is the employee's normal 
retirement age under the plan.
    (2) If a plan provides different uniform normal retirement ages for 
different employees or different groups of employees, the employee's 
testing age is the employee's latest normal retirement age under any 
uniform normal retirement age under the plan, regardless of whether that 
particular uniform normal retirement age actually applies to the 
employee under the plan.
    (3) If the plan does not provide a uniform normal retirement age, 
the employee's testing age is 65.
    (4) If an employee is beyond the testing age otherwise determined 
for the employee under paragraphs (1) through (3) of this definition, 
the employee's testing age is the employee's current age. The rule in 
the preceding sentence does not apply in the case of a defined benefit 
plan that fails to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(f)(3)(i) (permitting certain increases in benefits that commence after 
normal retirement age to be disregarded).
    Testing service. Testing service is defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(d)(1)(iv).
    Uniform normal retirement age--(1) General rule. Uniform normal 
retirement age means a single normal retirement age under the plan that 
does not exceed the maximum age in paragraph (2) of this definition and 
that is the same for all of the employees in a given group. A group of 
employees does not fail to have a uniform normal retirement age merely 
because the plan contains provisions described in paragraphs (3) and (4) 
of this definition.
    (2) Maximum age. The maximum age is generally 65. However, if all 
employees have the same social security retirement age (within the 
meaning of section 415(b)(8)), the maximum age is

[[Page 162]]

the employees' social security retirement age. Thus, for example, a 
component plan has a uniform normal retirement age of 67 if it defines 
normal retirement age as social security retirement age and all 
employees in the component plan have a social security retirement age of 
67.
    (3) Stated anniversary date--(i) General rule. A group of employees 
does not fail to have a uniform normal retirement age merely because the 
plan provides that the normal retirement age of all employees in the 
group is the later of a stated age (not exceeding the maximum age in 
paragraph (2) of this definition) or a stated anniversary no later than 
the fifth anniversary of the time each employee commenced participation 
in the plan. For employees who commenced participation in the plan 
before the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1988, the 
stated anniversary date may be later than the anniversary described in 
the preceding sentence if it is no later than the earlier of the tenth 
anniversary of the date the employee commenced participation in the plan 
(or such earlier anniversary selected by the employer, if less than 10) 
or the fifth anniversary of the first day of the first plan year 
beginning on or after January 1, 1988.
    (ii) Use of service other than anniversary of commencement of 
participation. In lieu of using a stated anniversary date as permitted 
under paragraph (3)(i) of this definition, a plan may use a stated 
number of years of service measured on another basis, provided that the 
determination is made on a basis that satisfies section 411(a)(8) and 
that the stated number of years of service does not exceed the number of 
anniversaries permitted under paragraph (3)(i) of this definition. For 
example, a uniform normal retirement age could be based on the earlier 
of the fifth anniversary of the commencement of participation and the 
completion of five years of vesting service.
    (4) Conversion of normal retirement age to normal retirement date. A 
group of employees does not fail to have a uniform normal retirement age 
merely because a defined benefit plan provides for the commencement of 
normal retirement benefits on different retirement dates for different 
employees if each employee's normal retirement date is determined on a 
reasonable basis with reference to an otherwise uniform normal 
retirement age and the difference between the normal retirement date and 
the uniform normal retirement age cannot exceed six months for any 
employee. Thus, for example, benefits under a plan do not fail to 
commence at a uniform normal retirement age of age 62 for purposes of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(2)(i), merely because the plan's normal 
retirement date is defined as the last day of the plan year nearest 
attainment of age 62.
    Year of service. Year of service means a year of service as defined 
in the plan for a specific purpose, including the method of crediting 
service for that purpose under the plan.

[T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46820, Sept. 3, 1993, as amended by T.D. 8954, 66 FR 
34545, June 29, 2001]



Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13  Effective dates and fresh-start rules.

    (a) General effective dates--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-
13 apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1994.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations. In the case of plans 
maintained by organizations exempt from income taxation under section 
501(a), including plans subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective 
plans), Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13 apply to plan 
years beginning on or after January 1, 1996.
    (3) Compliance during transition period. For plan years beginning 
before the effective date of these regulations, as set forth in 
paragraph (a)(1) and (2) of this section, and on or after the first day 
of the first plan year to which the amendments made to section 410(b) by 
section 1112(a) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA '86) apply, a plan 
must be operated in accordance with a reasonable, good faith 
interpretation of section 401(a)(4), taking into account pre-existing 
guidance and the amendments made by TRA '86 to related provisions of the 
Code (including, for example, sections 401(l), 401(a)(17), and 410(b)). 
Whether a plan is operated in accordance with a reasonable, good faith 
interpretation of section 401(a)(4) will

[[Page 163]]

generally be determined on the basis of all the relevant facts and 
circumstances, including the extent to which an employer has resolved 
unclear issues in its favor. A plan will be deemed to be operated in 
accordance with a reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 
401(a)(4) if it is operated in accordance with the terms of Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13.
    (b) Effective date for governmental plans. In the case of 
governmental plans described in section 414(d), including plans subject 
to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective plans), Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1 through 1.401(a)(4)-13 apply to plan years beginning on or after the 
later of January 1, 1996, or 90 days after the opening of the first 
legislative session beginning on or after January 1, 1996, of the 
governing body with authority to amend the plan, if that body does not 
meet continuously. Such plans are deemed to satisfy section 401(a)(4) 
for plan years before that effective date. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b), the governing body with authority to amend the plan is 
the legislature, board, commission, council, or other governing body 
with authority to amend the plan.
    (c) Fresh-start rules for defined benefit plans--(1) Introduction. 
This paragraph (c) provides rules that must be satisfied in order to use 
the fresh-start testing options for defined benefit plans in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6)(vii) and (d)(3)(iii), relating to the safe harbors 
and the general test, respectively. Those fresh-start options are 
designed to allow a plan to be tested without regard to benefits accrued 
before a selected fresh-start date. To the extent provided in paragraph 
(d) of this section, those options also may be used to disregard certain 
increases in benefits attributable to compensation increases after a 
fresh-start date. Although this paragraph (c) generally requires a plan 
to be amended to freeze employees' accrued benefits as of a fresh-start 
date and to provide any additional accrued benefits after the fresh-
start date solely in accordance with certain specified formulas, certain 
of these requirements do not apply to a plan that is tested under the 
general test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(6)(vii) and (d)(3)(iii).
    (2) General rule. A defined benefit plan satisfies this paragraph 
(c) if--
    (i) Accrued benefits of employees in the fresh-start group are 
frozen as of the fresh-start date in accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section;
    (ii) Accrued benefits after the fresh-start date for employees in 
the fresh-start group are determined under one of the fresh-start 
formulas in paragraph (c)(4) of this section; and
    (iii) Paragraph (c)(5) of this section is satisfied.
    (3) Definition of frozen--(i) General rule. An employee's accrued 
benefit under a plan is frozen as of the fresh-start date if it is 
determined as if the employee terminated employment with the employer as 
of the fresh-start date (or the date the employee actually terminated 
employment with the employer, if earlier), and without regard to any 
amendment to the plan adopted after that date, other than amendments 
recognized as effective as of or before that date under section 401(b) 
or Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g). The assumption that an employee has 
terminated employment applies solely for purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(3). Thus, for example, the fresh start has no effect on the service 
taken into account for purposes of determining vesting and eligibility 
for benefits, rights, and features under the plan.
    (ii) Permitted compensation adjustments. An employee's accrued 
benefit under a plan that satisfies paragraph (d) of this section does 
not fail to be frozen as of the fresh-start date merely because the plan 
makes the adjustments described in paragraph (d)(7) and (8) of this 
section with regard to the fresh-start date. In addition, if the frozen 
accrued benefit of an employee under the plan includes top-heavy minimum 
benefits, an employee's accrued benefit under a plan does not fail to be 
frozen as of the fresh-start date merely because the plan increases the 
frozen accrued benefit of each employee in the fresh-start group solely 
to the extent necessary to comply with the average compensation 
requirement of section 416(c)(1)(D)(i).
    (iii) Permitted changes in optional forms. An employee's accrued 
benefit under a plan does not fail to be frozen

[[Page 164]]

as of the fresh-start date merely because the plan provides a new 
optional form of benefit with respect to the frozen accrued benefit, 
if--
    (A) The optional form is provided with respect to each employee's 
entire accrued benefit (i.e., accrued both before and after the fresh-
start date);
    (B) The plan provided meaningful coverage as of the fresh-start 
date, as described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section; and
    (C) The plan provides meaningful current benefit accruals as 
described in paragraph (d)(6) of this section.
    (iv) Floor-offset plans. In the case of a plan that was a floor-
offset plan described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(d) prior to the fresh-start 
date, an employee's accrued benefit as of the fresh-start date does not 
fail to be frozen merely because the actuarial equivalent of the account 
balance in the defined contribution plan that is offset against the 
defined benefit plan varies as a result of investment return that is 
different from the assumed interest rate used to determine the actuarial 
equivalent of the account balance.
    (4) Fresh-start formulas--(i) Formula without wear-away. An 
employee's accrued benefit under the plan is equal to the sum of--
    (A) The employee's frozen accrued benefit; and
    (B) The employee's accrued benefit determined under the formula 
applicable to benefit accruals in the current plan year (current 
formula) as applied to the employee's years of service after the fresh-
start date.
    (ii) Formula with wear-away. An employee's accrued benefit under the 
plan is equal to the greater of--
    (A) The employee's frozen accrued benefit; or
    (B) The employee's accrued benefit determined under the current 
formula as applied to the employee's total years of service (before and 
after the fresh-start date) taken into account under the current 
formula.
    (iii) Formula with extended wear-away. An employee's accrued benefit 
under the plan is equal to the greater of--
    (A) The amount determined under paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section; 
or
    (B) The amount determined under paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this 
section.
    (5) Rules of application--(i) Consistency requirement. This 
paragraph (c)(5) is not satisfied unless the fresh-start rules in this 
paragraph (c) (and paragraph (d) of this section, if applicable) are 
applied consistently to all employees in the fresh-start group. Thus, 
for example, the same fresh-start date and fresh-start formula (within 
the meaning of paragraph (c)(4) of this section) must apply to all 
employees in the fresh-start group. Similarly, if a plan makes a fresh 
start for all employees with accrued benefits on the fresh-start date 
and, for a later plan year, is aggregated for purposes of section 
401(a)(4) with another plan that did not make the same fresh start, the 
aggregated plan must make a new fresh start in order to use the fresh-
start rules for that later plan year or any subsequent plan year.
    (ii) Definition of fresh-start group. Generally, the fresh-start 
group with respect to a fresh start consists of all employees who have 
accrued benefits as of the fresh-start date and have at least one hour 
of service with the employer after that date. However, a fresh-start 
group with respect to a fresh start may consist exclusively of all 
employees who have accrued benefits as of the fresh-start date, have at 
least one hour of service with the employer after that date, and are--
    (A) Section 401(a)(17) employees;
    (B) Members of an acquired group of employees (provided the fresh-
start date is the date determined under paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(B) of this 
section); or
    (C) Employees with a frozen accrued benefit that is attributable to 
assets and liabilities transferred to the plan as of a fresh-start date 
in connection with the transfer (provided the fresh-start date is the 
date determined under paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(C) of this section) and for 
whom the current formula is different from the formula used to determine 
the frozen accrued benefit.
    (iii) Definition of fresh-start date. Generally, the fresh-start 
date is the last day of a plan year. However, a plan may use a fresh-
start date other than the last day of the plan year if--
    (A) The plan satisfied the safe harbor rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b) for the period from the beginning of the plan year through the 
fresh-start date;

[[Page 165]]

    (B) The fresh-start group is an acquired group of employees, and the 
fresh-start date is the latest date of hire or transfer into an acquired 
trade or business selected by the employer for any employees to be 
included in the acquired group of employees; or
    (C) The fresh-start group is the group of employees with a frozen 
accrued benefit that is attributable to assets and liabilities 
transferred to the plan and the fresh-start date is the date as of which 
the employees begin accruing benefits under the plan.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (c):

    Example 1. (a) Employer X maintains a defined benefit plan with a 
calendar plan year. The plan formula provides an employee with a normal 
retirement benefit at age 65 of one percent of average annual 
compensation up to covered compensation multiplied by the employee's 
years of service for Employer X, plus 1.5 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of covered compensation, multiplied by the 
employee's years of service for Employer X up to 40.
    (b) For plan years beginning after 1994, Employer X amends the plan 
formula to provide a normal retirement benefit of 0.75 percent of 
average annual compensation up to covered compensation multiplied by the 
employee's total years of service for Employer X up to 35, plus 1.4 
percent of average annual compensation in excess of covered compensation 
multiplied by the employee's years of service for Employer X up to 35. 
For plan years after 1994, each employee's accrued benefit is determined 
under the fresh-start formula in paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of this section 
(formula with extended wear-away), using December 31, 1994, as the 
fresh-start date.
    (c) As of December 31, 1994, Employee M has 10 years of service for 
Employer X, has average annual compensation of $38,000, and has covered 
compensation of $30,000. Employee M's accrued benefit as of December 31, 
1994, is therefore $4,200 ((1 percent x $30,000 x 10 years) + (1.5 
percent x $8,000 x 10 years)). As of December 31, 1995, Employee M has 
11 years of service for Employer X, has average annual compensation of 
$40,000 (determined by taking into account compensation before and after 
the fresh-start date), and has covered compensation of $32,000. Employee 
M's accrued benefit as of December 31, 1995, is $4,552, the greater of--
    (1) $4,552, the sum of Employee M's accrued benefit frozen as of 
December 31, 1994, ($4,200) and the amended formula applied to Employee 
M's years of service after 1994 ((0.75 percent x $32,000 x 1 year) + 
(1.4 percent x $8,000 x 1 year), or $352); or
    (2) $3,872, the amended formula applied to Employee M's total years 
of service ((0.75 percent x $32,000 x 11 years) + (1.4 percent x $8,000 
x 11 years)).
    Example 2. (a) Employer Y maintains a defined benefit plan, Plan A, 
that has a calendar plan year. For the 1995 plan year, Plan A satisfies 
the requirements for a safe harbor plan in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b). 
Employer Y selects a date in 1995 for all the employees, freezes the 
employees' accrued benefits as of that date under the rules of paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, and, in accordance with the rules of this 
paragraph (c), amends Plan A to determine benefits for all employees 
after that date using the formula with wear-away described in paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii) of this section. The new benefit formula would satisfy the 
requirements for a safe harbor plan in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) if all 
accrued benefits were determined under it.
    (b) Because Plan A satisfied the requirements for a safe harbor plan 
for the period from the beginning of the plan year through the selected 
date, paragraph (c)(5)(iii)(A) of this section permits the selected date 
to be a fresh-start date, even if it is not the last day of the plan 
year. Thus, Plan A satisfies the requirements in this paragraph (c) for 
a fresh start as of the fresh-start date.
    (c) Under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6)(vii), a plan does not fail to 
satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b), merely because of 
benefits accrued under a different formula prior to a fresh-start date. 
Thus, Plan A still satisfies the safe harbor requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b) after the amendment to the benefit formula. Because 
Plan A satisfied the requirements for a safe harbor plan for the period 
from the beginning of the plan year, taking the amendment into account, 
Employer Y may select any date within the plan year (which may be the 
same date as the first fresh-start date) and apply the fresh-start rules 
in this paragraph (c) a second time as of that date.

    (d) Compensation adjustments to frozen accrued benefits--(1) 
Introduction. In addition to the fresh-start rules in paragraph (c) of 
this section, this paragraph (d) sets forth requirements that must be 
satisfied in order for a plan to disregard increases in benefits accrued 
as of a fresh-start date that are attributable to increases in 
employees' compensation after the fresh-start date.
    (2) In general. In the case of a defined benefit plan that is tested 
under the safe harbors in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b) or Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
8(c)(3), an employee's adjusted accrued benefit (determined under the 
rules in paragraph (d)(8) of

[[Page 166]]

this section) may be substituted for the employee's frozen accrued 
benefit in applying the formulas in paragraph (c)(4) of this section (or 
paragraph (f)(2) of this section, if applicable) if paragraphs (d)(3) 
through (d)(7) of this section are satisfied. Thus, for example, in 
determining whether such a plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b), any 
compensation adjustments to the employee's frozen accrued benefit 
described in paragraph (d)(8) of this section are disregarded. 
Similarly, in the case of a defined benefit plan tested under the 
general test in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c), the compensation adjustments 
described in paragraph (d)(8) of this section may be disregarded under 
the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(d)(3)(iii) if paragraphs (d)(3) through 
(d)(7) of this section are satisfied. Of course, any increases in 
accrued benefits exceeding these adjustments must be taken into account 
under the general test, and a plan providing such excess increases 
generally will fail to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b). Where paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(7) of this section 
are satisfied with respect to a plan as of the fresh-start date, but one 
or more of those paragraphs fail to be satisfied for a later plan year, 
further compensation adjustments described in paragraph (d)(8) of this 
section may not be disregarded in testing the plan under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3.
    (3) Plan requirements--(i) Pre-fresh-start date. As of the fresh-
start date, the plan must have contained a benefit formula under which 
benefits of each employee in the fresh-start group that are accrued as 
of the fresh-start date and are attributable to service before the 
fresh-start date would be affected by the employee's compensation after 
the fresh-start date. A plan satisfies this requirement, for example, if 
it based benefits on an employee's highest average pay over a fixed 
period of years or on an employee's average pay over the employee's 
entire career with the employer. A plan does not satisfy this paragraph 
(d)(3)(i) if the Commissioner determines, based on all of the relevant 
facts and circumstances, that the plan provision described in the first 
sentence of this paragraph (d)(3) was added primarily in order to 
provide additional benefits to HCEs that are disregarded under the 
special testing rules described in this paragraph (d).
    (ii) Post-fresh-start date. The plan by its terms must provide that 
the accrued benefits of each employee in the fresh-start group after the 
fresh-start date be at least equal to the employee's adjusted accrued 
benefit (i.e., the frozen accrued benefit as of the fresh-start date, 
adjusted as provided under paragraph (d)(7) of this section, plus the 
compensation adjustments described in paragraph (d)(8) of this section).
    (4) Meaningful coverage as of fresh-start date. The plan must have 
provided meaningful coverage as of the fresh-start date. A plan provided 
meaningful coverage as of the fresh-start date if the group of employees 
with accrued benefits under the plan as of the fresh-start date 
satisfied the minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b) as in 
effect on that date (determined without regard to section 410(b)(6)(C)). 
In order to satisfy the requirement in the preceding sentence, an 
employer may amend the plan to grant past service credit under the 
formula in effect as of the fresh-start date to NHCEs, if the amount of 
past service granted them is reasonably comparable, on average, to the 
amount of past service HCEs have under the plan. Any benefit increase 
that results from the grant of past service credit to a NHCE under this 
paragraph (d)(4) is included in the employee's frozen accrued benefit.
    (5) Meaningful ongoing coverage--(i) General rule. The fresh-start 
group must have satisfied the minimum coverage requirements of section 
410(b) for all plan years from the first plan year beginning after the 
fresh-start date through the current plan year. Thus, if a fresh-start 
group fails to satisfy the minimum coverage requirements of section 
410(b) for any plan year, this paragraph (d)(5) is not satisfied for 
that plan year or any subsequent plan year; however, such a failure is 
not taken into account in determining whether this paragraph (d)(5) is 
satisfied for any previous plan year.
    (ii) Alternative rules. Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(5)(i) of this 
section, a fresh-start group is deemed to satisfy this paragraph (d)(5) 
for all plan years following the fresh-start date if any

[[Page 167]]

one of the following requirements is satisfied:
    (A) Section 410(b) coverage for first five years. The fresh-start 
group must have satisfied the minimum coverage requirements of section 
410(b) for the first five plan years beginning after the fresh-start 
date.
    (B) Ratio percentage coverage as of fresh-start date. The fresh-
start group must have satisfied the ratio percentage test of Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(b)(2) as of the fresh-start date.
    (C) Fresh start for acquired group of employees. The fresh-start 
group must consist of an acquired group of employees that satisfied the 
minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b) (determined without 
regard to section 410(b)(6)(C)) as of the fresh-start date.
    (D) Fresh start before applicable effective date. The fresh-start 
date with respect to the fresh-start group must have been on or before 
the effective date applicable to the plan under paragraph (a) or (b) of 
this section.
    (6) Meaningful current benefit accruals. The benefit formula and 
accrual method under the plan that applies to the fresh-start group in 
the aggregate must provide benefit accruals in the current plan year 
(other than increases in benefits accrued as of the fresh-start date) at 
a rate that is meaningful in comparison to the rate at which benefits 
accrued for the fresh-start group in plan years beginning before the 
fresh-start date. Whether this requirement is satisfied with respect to 
a fresh-start group that does not include all employees in the plan with 
an hour of service after the fresh-start date may be determined taking 
into account the rate at which benefits are provided to other employees 
in the plan.
    (7) Minimum benefit adjustment--(i) In general. In the case of a 
section 401(l) plan or a plan that imputes disparity under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-7, the plan must make the minimum benefit adjustment 
described in paragraph (d)(7)(ii) or (iii) of this section.
    (ii) Excess or offset plans. In the case of a plan that is a defined 
benefit excess plan as of the fresh-start date, each employee's frozen 
accrued benefit is adjusted so that the base benefit percentage is not 
less than 50 percent of the excess benefit percentage. In the case of a 
plan that is a PIA offset plan (as defined in paragraph (2)(iii) of the 
definition of QSUPP in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12) as of the fresh-start date, 
each employee's offset as applied to determine the frozen accrued 
benefit is adjusted so that it does not exceed 50 percent of the benefit 
determined without applying the offset.
    (iii) Other plans. In the case of a plan that is not described in 
paragraph (d)(7)(ii) of this section, each employee's frozen accrued 
benefit is adjusted in a manner that is economically equivalent to the 
adjustment required under that paragraph, taking into account the plan's 
benefit formula, accrual rate, and relevant employee factors, such as 
period of service.
    (8) Adjusted accrued benefit--(i) General rule. The term adjusted 
accrued benefit means an employee's frozen accrued benefit that is 
adjusted as provided in paragraph (d)(7) of this section and then 
multiplied by a fraction (not less than one), the numerator of which is 
the employee's compensation for the current plan year and the 
denominator of which is the employee's compensation as of the fresh-
start date determined under the same definition. For purposes of this 
adjustment, the compensation definition must be either the same 
compensation definition and formula used to determine the frozen accrued 
benefit or average annual compensation (determined without regard to 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(e)(2)(ii)(A) (use of plan year compensation)).
    (ii) Alternative formula for pre-effective-date fresh starts. In the 
case of a fresh-start date before the effective date that applies to the 
plan under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the adjusted accrued 
benefit may be determined by multiplying the frozen accrued benefit by a 
fraction (not less than one) determined under this paragraph (d)(8)(ii). 
The numerator of the fraction is the employee's average annual 
compensation for the current plan year. The denominator of the fraction 
is the employee's reconstructed average annual compensation as of the 
fresh-start date. An employee's reconstructed average annual 
compensation is determined by--
    (A) Selecting a single plan year beginning after the fresh-start 
date but

[[Page 168]]

beginning not later than the last day of the first plan year to which 
these regulations apply under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section;
    (B) Determining the employee's average annual compensation for the 
selected plan year under the same method used to determine the 
employee's average annual compensation for the current plan year under 
this paragraph (d)(8)(ii); and
    (C) Multiplying the employee's average annual compensation for the 
selected plan year by a fraction, the numerator of which is the 
employee's compensation as of the fresh-start date determined under the 
same compensation definition and formula used to determine the 
employee's frozen accrued benefit and the denominator of which is the 
employee's compensation for the selected plan year determined under the 
compensation definition and formula used to determine the employee's 
frozen accrued benefit.
    (iii) Effect of section 401(a)(17). In determining the numerators 
and the denominators of the fractions described in this paragraph 
(d)(8), the annual compensation limit under section 401(a)(17) generally 
applies. See, however, Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1(e)(4) for special rules 
applicable to section 401(a)(17) employees.
    (iv) Option to make less than the full permitted adjustment. A plan 
may limit the increase in an employee's frozen accrued benefit for the 
current and all future years to a percentage (not more than 100 percent) 
of the increase otherwise provided under this paragraph (d)(8). 
Furthermore, the plan may, at any time, terminate all future adjustments 
permitted under this paragraph (d).
    (v) Alternative determination of adjusted accrued benefit. In lieu 
of applying the fractions in paragraph (d)(8)(i) or (ii) of this 
section, a plan may determine an employee's adjusted accrued benefit by 
substituting the employee's compensation for the current plan year 
(determined under the same compensation formula and underlying 
definition of compensation used to determine the employee's frozen 
accrued benefit) in the benefit formula used to determine the frozen 
accrued benefit. For this purpose, insignificant changes in the 
underlying definition of compensation to reflect current compensation 
practices will not be treated as a change in the definition of 
compensation. A plan may apply the alternative in this paragraph 
(d)(8)(v), only if it is reasonable to expect as of the fresh-start date 
that, over time, the use of this method instead of the general rule of 
paragraph (d)(8)(i) will not discriminate significantly in favor of 
HCEs.
    (9) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of this 
paragraph (d).

    Example 1. (a) Employer X maintains a defined benefit plan that is 
an excess plan with a calendar plan year. For plan years before 1989, 
the plan is integrated with benefits provided under the Social Security 
Act, providing each employee with a normal retirement benefit equal to 
one percent of the employee's average annual compensation in excess of 
the employee's covered compensation, multiplied by the employee's years 
of service for Employer X. The benefit formula thus provides no benefit 
with respect to average annual compensation up to covered compensation.
    (b) As of December 31, 1988, Employee M has 10 years of service for 
Employer X and has covered compensation of $25,000 and average annual 
compensation of $20,000. Employee M's average annual compensation has 
never exceeded $20,000. Therefore, as of December 31, 1988, Employee M's 
accrued benefit under the plan is zero.
    (c) Effective with the 1989 plan year, the plan is amended to 
provide each employee with a normal retirement benefit of 0.6 percent of 
average annual compensation up to covered compensation plus 1.2 percent 
of average annual compensation in excess of covered compensation, 
multiplied by the employee's years of service up to 35. The plan also 
provides that, for plan years after 1988, each employee's accrued 
benefit is determined under the formula in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this 
section (formula without wear-away) and, in applying the fresh-start 
formula, each employee's frozen accrued benefit under paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) of this section will be adjusted under this paragraph (d), 
using the same compensation definition and formula used to determine the 
frozen accrued benefit under paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section.
    (d) The plan uses the permitted disparity of section 401(l) and thus 
must also make the minimum benefit adjustment under paragraph (d)(7) of 
this section. Because the excess benefit percentage under the plan for 
years before 1989 was one percent, the plan must provide a base benefit 
percentage for those years of at least 0.5 percent. After the

[[Page 169]]

minimum benefit adjustment, Employee M's accrued benefit as of December 
31, 1988, is $1,000 (0.5 percent x $20,000 x 10 years).
    (e) As of December 31, 1992, Employee M has 14 years of service and 
has covered compensation of $30,000 and average annual compensation of 
$35,000. Employee M's adjusted accrued benefit as of December 31, 1992, 
is $1,750 ($1,000 x $35,000/$20,000), and Employee M's accrued benefit 
as of December 31, 1992, is $2,710 (the sum of $1,750 plus $960 ((0.6 
percent x $30,000 x 4 years) plus (1.2 percent x $5,000 x 4 years))).
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
in determining adjusted accrued benefits, the plan specifies the 
alternative method of paragraph (d)(8)(v) of this section. This method 
may be used because it is reasonable to expect as of the fresh-start 
date that, over time, the use of this method instead of the general rule 
of paragraph (d)(8)(i) will not discriminate significantly in favor of 
HCEs.
    (b) As of December 31, 1992, Employee M's adjusted accrued benefit 
is $2,000 (10 years of service prior to the fresh-start date x (0.5 
percent of $30,000 + 1.0 percent of the excess of $35,000 over 
$30,000)).
    (c) Alternatively, Employer X may choose to use the method of 
paragraph (d)(8)(v) of this section but freezes the covered compensation 
level at the dollar level in place as of the fresh-start date. In such 
case, Employee M's adjusted accrued benefit as of December 31, 1992, 
would have been $2,250 (10 years of service prior to the fresh-start 
date x (0.5 percent of $25,000 + 1.0 percent of the excess of $35,000 
over $25,000)). This method may be used because it is reasonable to 
expect as of the fresh-start date that, over time, the use of this 
method instead of the general rule of paragraph (d)(8)(i) will not 
discriminate significantly in favor of HCEs.
    Example 3. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
for plan years before 1989, the plan provided a minimum benefit to 
certain employees equal to $120 per year of service. Employee M is 
entitled to the minimum benefit, and thus, Employee M's frozen accrued 
benefit as of December 31, 1988 was $1,200 (the greater of 10 years of 
service x $120 and $1,000, Employee M's benefit under the underlying 
formula, after the minimum benefit adjustment of paragraph (d)(7) of 
this section).
    (b) Employer X's plan specifies instead the alternative method of 
adjusting accrued benefits described in paragraph (d)(8)(v) of this 
section. (The fact that a minimum benefit applying to certain employees 
is not adjusted under the alternative method of paragraph (d)(8)(v) of 
this section, but would be adjusted under the general rule of paragraph 
(d)(8)(i) of this section does not change the conclusion in Example 2, 
that the plan may apply the alternative method).

    (e) Determination of initial theoretical reserve for target benefit 
plans--(1) General rule. In the case of a target benefit plan the stated 
benefit formula under which takes into account service for years in 
which the plan did not satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3), as permitted 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3)(vii), the theoretical reserve as of the 
determination date for the last plan year beginning before the first day 
of the first plan year in which the plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
8(b)(3) of an employee who was a participant in the plan on that 
determination date, is determined as follows:
    (i) Determine the actuarial present value, as of that determination 
date, of the stated benefit that the employee is projected to have at 
the employee's normal retirement age, using the actuarial assumptions, 
the provisions of the plan, and the employee's compensation as of that 
determination date. For an employee whose attained age equals or exceeds 
the employee's normal retirement age, determine the actuarial present 
value of the employee's stated benefit at the employee's current age, 
but using an immediate straight life annuity factor for an employee 
whose attained age equals the employee's normal retirement age.
    (ii) Calculate the actuarial present value of future required 
employer contributions (without regard to limitations under section 415 
or additional contributions described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3)(v)) 
as of that determination date (i.e., the actuarial present value of the 
level contributions due for each plan year through the end of the plan 
year in which the employee attains normal retirement age). This 
calculation is made assuming that the required contribution in each 
future year will be equal to the required contribution for the plan year 
that includes that determination date, and applying the interest rate 
that was used in determining that required contribution.
    (iii) Determine the excess, if any, of the amount determined in 
paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section over the amount determined in 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. This excess is the employee's 
theoretical reserve on that determination date.

[[Page 170]]

    (2) Example. The following example illustrates the determination of 
an employee's theoretical reserve.

    Example. (a) A target benefit plan was adopted and in effect before 
September 19, 1991, and satisfied the requirements of Rev. Rul. 76-464, 
1976-2 C.B. 115, with respect to all years credited under the stated 
benefit formula through 1993. The plan provides a stated benefit equal 
to 40 percent of compensation, payable annually as a straight life 
annuity beginning at normal retirement age. Normal retirement age under 
the plan is 65. The stated interest rate under the plan is six percent. 
The determination date for required contributions under the plan is the 
last day of the plan year. Employee M is 38 years old on the 
determination date for the 1993 plan year, has participated in the plan 
for five years, and has compensation equal to $60,000 in 1993. The 
amount of employer contribution to Employee M's account for 1993 was 
$2,468.
    (b) Under these facts, Employee M's theoretical reserve is equal to 
$13,909, calculated as follows:
    (1) The actuarial present value of Employee M's stated benefit is 
calculated using the actuarial assumptions, provisions of the plan and 
Employee M's compensation as of the determination date for the 1993 plan 
year. This amount is equal to $46,512, Employee M's stated benefit of 
$24,000 ($60,000 multiplied by 40 percent), multiplied by 1.938, the 
actuarial present value factor applicable to a participant who is 38 
years old using a stated interest rate of six percent.
    (2) The actuarial present value of future employer contributions is 
calculated assuming that the required contribution in each future year 
will be equal to the required contribution for the 1993 plan year and 
assuming the same interest rate as was used in determining that 
contribution. This amount is equal to $32,603, which is equal to the 
amount of the level annual employer contribution ($2,468) multiplied by 
a factor of 13.2105 (the temporary annuity factor for a period of 27 
years, assuming the six percent interest rate that was used to determine 
the required employer contribution).
    (3) Employee M's theoretical reserve is $13,909, the excess of the 
amount determined in paragraph (b)(1) of this Example over the amount 
determined in paragraph (b)(2) of this Example.

    (f) Special fresh-start rules for cash balance plans--(1) In 
general. In order to satisfy the optional testing method of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3) after a fresh-start date, a cash balance plan must 
apply the rules of paragraph (c) of this section as modified under this 
paragraph (f). Paragraph (f)(2) of this section provides an alternative 
formula that may be used in addition to the formulas in paragraphs 
(c)(2) through (c)(4) of this section. Paragraph (f)(3) of this section 
sets forth certain limitations on use of the formulas in paragraph (c) 
or (f)(2) of this section.
    (2) Alternative formula--(i) In general. An employee's accrued 
benefit under the plan is equal to the greater of--
    (A) The employee's frozen accrued benefit, or
    (B) The employee's accrued benefit determined under the plan's 
benefit formula applicable to benefit accruals in the current plan year 
as applied to years of service after the fresh-start date, modified in 
accordance with paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Addition of opening hypothetical account. As of the first day 
after the fresh-start date, the plan must credit each employee's 
hypothetical account with an amount equal to the employee's opening 
hypothetical account (determined under paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this 
section), adjusted for interest for the period that begins on the first 
day after the fresh-start date and that ends at normal retirement age. 
The interest adjustment in the preceding sentence must be made using the 
same interest rate applied to the hypothetical allocation for the first 
plan year beginning after the fresh-start date.
    (iii) Determination of opening hypothetical account--(A) General 
rule. An employee's opening hypothetical account equals the actuarial 
present value of the employee's frozen accrued benefit as of the fresh-
start date. For this purpose, if the plan provides for a single sum 
distribution as of the fresh-start date, the actuarial present value of 
the employee's frozen accrued benefit as of the fresh-start date equals 
the amount of a single sum distribution payable under the plan on that 
date, assuming that the employee terminated employment on the fresh-
start date, the employee's accrued benefit was 100-percent vested, and 
the employee satisfied all eligibility requirements under the plan for 
the single sum distribution. If the plan does not offer a single sum 
distribution as of the fresh-start date, the actuarial present value of 
the employee's frozen accrued benefit as of the fresh-start date must

[[Page 171]]

be determined using a standard mortality table and the applicable 
section 417(e) rates, as defined in Sec. 1.417(e)-1(d).
    (B) Alternative opening hypothetical account. Alternatively, the 
employee's opening hypothetical account is the greater of the opening 
hypothetical account determined under paragraph (f)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section and the employee's hypothetical account as of the fresh-start 
date determined in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(v)(A) 
calculated under the plan's benefit formula applicable to benefit 
accruals in the current plan year as applied to the employee's total 
years of service through the fresh-start date in a manner that satisfies 
the past service credit rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(viii).
    (3) Limitations on formulas--(i) Past service restriction. If the 
plan does not satisfy the uniform hypothetical allocation formula 
requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(iii)(B) as of the fresh-start 
date, under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(viii) the plan may not provide for 
past service credits, and thus may not use the formula in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section (formula with wear-away), the formula in 
paragraph (c)(4) of this section (formula with extended wear-away), or 
the alternative determination of the opening hypothetical account in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iii)(B) of this section.
    (ii) Change in interest rate. If the interest rate used to adjust 
employees' hypothetical allocations under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(iv) 
for the plan year is different from the interest rate used for this 
purpose in the immediately preceding plan year, the plan must use the 
formula in paragraph (c)(2) of this section (formula without wear-away).
    (iii) Meaningful benefit requirement. A plan is permitted to use the 
formula provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section only if the plan 
satisfies paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(5) of this section (regarding 
coverage as of fresh-start date, current benefit accruals, and minimum 
benefit adjustment, respectively).

[T.D. 8360, 56 FR 47598, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 4721, Feb. 7, 1992; 57 FR 
10953, Mar. 31, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8485, 58 FR 46823, Sept. 3, 
1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(5)-1  Special rules relating to nondiscrimination 
requirements.

    (a) In general. Section 401(a)(5) sets out certain provisions that 
will not of themselves be discriminatory within the meaning of section 
410(b)(2)(A)(i) or section 401(a)(4). The exceptions specified in 
section 401(a)(5) are not an exclusive enumeration, but are merely a 
recital of provisions frequently encountered that will not of themselves 
constitute prohibited discrimination in contributions or benefits. See 
section 401(a)(4) and the regulations thereunder for the basic 
nondiscrimination rules. See Sec. 1.410(b)-4 for the rule of section 
410(b)(2)(A)(i) (relating to the nondiscriminatory classification test 
that is part of the minimum coverage requirements) referred to in 
section 401(a)(5)(A). See paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section for 
special rules used in applying the section 401(a)(4) nondiscrimination 
requirements under the remaining provisions of section 401(a)(5).
    (b) Salaried or clerical employees. A plan does not fail to satisfy 
the nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4) merely because 
contributions or benefits provided under the plan are limited to 
salaried or clerical employees.
    (c) Uniform relationship to compensation. A plan does not fail to 
satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(a)(4) merely 
because the contributions or benefits of, or on behalf of, the employees 
under the plan bear a uniform relationship to the compensation (within 
the meaning of section 414(s)) of those employees.
    (d) Certain disparity permitted. Under section 401(a)(5)(C), a plan 
does not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees (as 
defined in section 414(q)), within the meaning of section 401(a)(4), in 
the amount of employer-provided contributions or benefits solely 
because--
    (1) In the case of a defined contribution plan, employer 
contributions allocated to the accounts of employees favor highly 
compensated employees in a manner permitted by section 401(l) (relating 
to permitted disparity in plan contributions and benefits), and
    (2) In the case of a defined benefit plan, employer-provided 
benefits favor

[[Page 172]]

highly compensated employees in a manner permitted by section 401(l) 
(relating to permitted disparity in plan contributions and benefits).

See Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-6 for rules under which a 
plan may satisfy section 401(l) for purposes of the safe harbors of 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(3) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(b).
    (e) Defined benefit plans integrated with social security--(1) In 
general. Under section 401(a)(5)(D), a defined benefit plan does not 
discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees (as defined in 
section 414(q)) with respect to the amount of employer-provided 
contributions or benefits solely because the plan provides that, with 
respect to each employee, the employer-provided accrued retirement 
benefit under the plan is limited to the excess (if any) of--
    (i) The employee's final pay from the employer, over
    (ii) The employer-provided retirement benefit created under the 
Social Security Act and attributable to service by the employee for the 
employer.
    (2) Final pay. For purposes of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, 
an employee's final pay from the employer as of a plan year is the 
employee's compensation (as defined in section 414(q)(7)) for the year 
(ending with or within the 5-plan-year period ending with the plan year 
in which the employee terminates from employment with the employer) in 
which the employee receives the highest compensation from the employer. 
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, final pay for each employee 
under the plan may be determined with reference to the 5-plan-year 
period ending with the plan year before the plan year in which the 
employee terminates from employment with the employer. In determining an 
employee's final pay, the plan may specify any 12-month period (ending 
with or within the applicable 5-plan-year period) as a year provided the 
specified 12-month period is uniformly and consistently applied with 
respect to all employees. In determining an employee's final pay, 
compensation for any year in excess of the applicable limit under 
section 401(a)(17) for the year may not be taken into account.
    (3) Rules for determining amount of employer-provided social 
security retirement benefit. For purposes of paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of 
this section, the following rules apply.
    (i) The employer-provided retirement benefit on which any reduction 
or offset in the employee's accrued retirement benefit is based is 
limited solely to the employer-provided primary insurance amount payable 
under section 215 of the Social Security Act attributable to service by 
the employee for the employer.
    (ii) The employer-provided primary insurance amount attributable to 
service by the employee for the employer is determined by multiplying 
the employer-provided portion of the employee's projected primary 
insurance amount by a fraction (not exceeding 1), the numerator of which 
is the employee's number of complete years of covered service for the 
employer under the Social Security Act, and the denominator of which is 
35.
    (4) Projected primary insurance amount. (i) As of a plan year, an 
employee's projected primary insurance amount is the primary insurance 
amount, determined as of the close of the plan year (the ``determination 
date''), payable to the employee upon attainment of the employee's 
social security retirement age (as determined under section 415(b)(8)), 
assuming the employee's annual compensation from the employer that is 
treated as wages for purposes of the Social Security Act remains the 
same from the plan year until the employee's attainment of social 
security retirement age. With respect to service by the employee for the 
employer before the determination date, the actual compensation paid to 
the employee by the employer during all periods of service of the 
employee for the employer covered by the Social Security Act must be 
used in determining an employee's projected primary insurance amount. 
With respect to years before the employee's commencement of service for 
the employer, in determining the employee's projected primary insurance 
amount, it may be assumed that the employee received compensation in an 
amount computed by using a six-percent salary

[[Page 173]]

scale projected backwards from the determination date to the employee's 
21st birthday. However, if the employee provides the employer with 
satisfactory evidence of the employee's actual past compensation for the 
prior years treated as wages under the Social Security Act at the time 
the compensation was earned and the actual past compensation results in 
a smaller projected primary insurance amount, the plan must use the 
actual past compensation. The plan administrator must give clear written 
notice to each employee of the employee's right to supply actual 
compensation history and of the financial consequences of failing to 
supply the history. The notice must be given each time the summary plan 
description is provided to the employee and must also be given upon the 
employee's separation from service. The notice must also state that the 
employee can obtain the actual compensation history from the Social 
Security Administration. In determining the employee's projected primary 
insurance amount, the employer may not take into account any 
compensation from any other employer while the employee is employed by 
the employer.
    (ii) As of a plan year, the employer-provided portion of the 
employee's projected primary insurance amount under the Social Security 
Act is 50 percent of the employee's projected primary insurance amount 
(as determined under paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section).
    (5) Employer-provided accrued retirement benefit. For purposes of 
this section, the employee's employer-provided accrued retirement 
benefit as of a plan year is the employee's accrued retirement benefit 
under the plan (determined on an actual basis and not on a projected 
basis) attributable to employer contributions under the plan. With 
respect to plans that provide for employee contributions, see section 
411(c) for rules relating to the allocation of accrued benefits between 
employer contributions and employee contributions.
    (6) Additional rules. (i) As of a plan year, paragraph (e)(1) of 
this section does not apply to the extent that its application would 
result in a decrease in an employee's accrued benefit. See sections 
411(b)(1)(G) and 411(d)(6).
    (ii) Section 401(a)(5)(D) and this paragraph (e) do not apply to a 
plan maintained by an employer, determined for purposes of the Federal 
Insurance Contributions Act or the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, as 
applicable, that does not pay any wages within the meaning of section 
3121(a) or compensation within the meaning of section 3231(e). For this 
purpose, a plan maintained for a self-employed individual within the 
meaning of section 401(c)(1), who is also subject to the tax under 
section 1401, is deemed to be a plan maintained by an employer that pays 
wages within the meaning of section 3121(a).
    (iii) If a plan provides for the payment of an employee's accrued 
retirement benefit (whether or not subsidized) commencing before an 
employee's social security retirement age, the projected employer-
provided primary insurance amount attributable to service by the 
employee for the employer (as determined under paragraphs (e)(3) and 
(e)(4) of this section) that may be applied as an offset to limit the 
employee's accrued retirement benefit must be reduced in accordance with 
Sec. 1.401(l)-3(e)(1). The reduction is made by multiplying the 
employee's projected employer-provided primary insurance amount by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the appropriate factor under Sec. 
1.401(l)-3(e)(1), and the denominator of which is 0.75 percent.
    (iv) The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, notices or other 
documents of general applicability, prescribe additional rules that may 
be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, 
including rules relating to the determination of an employee's projected 
primary insurance amount attributable to the employee's service for 
former employers and rules applying section 401(a)(5)(D) with respect to 
an employer that pays wages within the meaning of section 3121(a) or 
compensation within the meaning of section 3231(e) for some years and 
not for other years.
    (7) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (e).

    Example 1. Employer Z maintains a noncontributory defined benefit 
plan that uses the calendar year as its plan year. The plan

[[Page 174]]

provides a normal retirement benefit, commencing at age 65, equal to 
$500 a year, multiplied by the employee's years of service for Z, 
limited to the excess of the amount of the employee's final pay from Z 
(as determined in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section) over 
the employee's employer-provided primary insurance amount attributable 
to the employee's service for Z. If an employee's social security 
retirement age is greater than 65, the plan provides for reduction of 
the employee's employer-provided primary insurance amount in accordance 
with paragraph (e)(6)(iii) of this section. The plan provides no 
limitation on the number of years of service taken into account in 
determining benefits under the plan. Employee A retires on July 6, 1995, 
at A's social security retirement age of 65 with 35 years of service for 
Z. The plan uses the plan year as the 12-month period for determining an 
employee's year of final highest pay from the employer. A's compensation 
for A's final 5 plan years is as follows:

1995 plan year................................................   $10,500
1994 plan year................................................   $20,000
1993 plan year................................................   $18,000
1992 plan year................................................   $17,000
1991 plan year................................................   $16,500
 

    A's annual primary insurance amount under social security, 
determined as of A's social security retirement age, is $9,000, of which 
$4,500 is the employer-provided portion attributable to A's service for 
Z ($9,000 x 50 percent x 35/35). Under the plan's benefit formula 
(disregarding the final pay limitation), A would be entitled to receive 
a normal retirement benefit of $17,500 ($500 x 35 years). However, under 
the plan, A's otherwise determined normal retirement benefit of $17,500 
is limited to the excess of the amount of A's final pay from Z over A's 
employer-provided primary insurance amount under social security 
attributable to A's service for Z. Accordingly, A's normal retirement 
benefit is determined to be $15,500 ($20,000 (A's final pay from Z) less 
$4,500 (A's employer-provided primary insurance amount attributable to 
A's service for Z)) rather than $17,500. The final pay limitation in Z's 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(5)(D) and this paragraph (e). Accordingly, 
the plan maintained by Z does not discriminate in favor of highly 
compensated employees within the meaning of section 401(a)(4) merely 
because of the final pay limitation contained in the plan.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that A has 
32 years of service for Z when A retires at A's social security 
retirement age. Under the plan's benefit formula (disregarding the final 
pay limitation), A would be entitled to receive an annual normal 
retirement benefit of $16,000 ($500 x 32 years). However, the plan 
provides that A's normal retirement benefit of $16,000 will be limited 
to $15,500 ($20,000 (the amount of A's final pay from Z) less $4,500 
(\1/2\ of A's primary insurance amount under the Social Security Act)). 
The final pay limitation does not satisfy this paragraph (e). The 
portion of A's employer-provided primary insurance amount under the 
Social Security Act attributable to A's service for Z is 32/35 x $4,500, 
or $4,114. Therefore, to satisfy this paragraph (e), the final pay 
provision in Z's plan may not limit A's otherwise determined normal 
retirement benefit of $16,000 to less than $15,886 ($20,000 (the amount 
of X's final pay) minus $4,114 (the portion of A's employer-provided 
primary insurance amount attributable to A's service for Z)).
    Example 3. (a) Employer X maintains a noncontributory defined 
benefit plan that uses the calendar year as its plan year. The formula 
for determining benefits under the plan provides a normal retirement 
benefit at age 65 equal to 90 percent of an employee's final average 
compensation, with the benefit reduced by \1/30\th for each year of the 
employee's service less than 30 and limited to the employee's final pay 
(as determined in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section) less 
the employee's employer-provided primary insurance amount under social 
security attributable to the employee's service for X. The plan 
determines an employee's employer-provided projected primary insurance 
amount under social security attributable to the employee's service for 
X in accordance with paragraph (e)(3) of this section and applies the 
reductions applicable under paragraph (e)(6)(iii) of this section if 
benefits commence before social security retirement age. The plan 
determines an employee's accrued benefit under the fractional accrual 
method of section 411(b)(1)(C).
    (b) Employee A commences participation in the plan on January 1, 
1990, when A is 35 years of age. A's social security retirement age is 
67. As of the close of the 2014 plan year, A's final average 
compensation from X is $15,000; A's final pay from X is $15,400, and A's 
projected employer-provided annual primary insurance amount under social 
security attributable to A's service for X is $4,000 (after the 
reduction applicable under paragraph (e)(6)(iii) of this section). Under 
the plan formula, A's accrued benefit as of the close of the 2014 plan 
year is $11,250 (90 percent x $15,000 x 25/30). As of the close of the 
2014 plan year, the plan's final pay limitation does not affect A's 
benefit because A's benefit under the plan as of the close of the plan 
year and before application of the final pay limitation ($11,250) does 
not exceed A's final pay of $15,400 from X, determined as of the close 
of the plan year, less A's employer-provided projected primary insurance 
amount under social security attributable to A's service for X ($4,000).
    (c) Assume that, as of the close of the 2015 plan year, A's final 
average compensation from X is $14,500 and A's final pay from X is 
$15,400. Assume also that as of the close of

[[Page 175]]

the 2015 plan year, A's employer-provided primary insurance amount 
attributable to A's service for X is $4,200 (after the reduction 
applicable under paragraph (e)(6)(iii) of this section). Accordingly, 
A's benefit as of the close of the 2015 plan year and before application 
of the final pay limitation is $11,310 (90 percent x $14,500 x 26/30). 
Under the plan's final pay limitation, A's benefit of $11,310 would be 
limited to $11,200, the amount of A's final pay from X ($15,400), less 
A's employer-provided projected primary insurance amount under social 
security attributable to A's service for X ($4,200). However, the plan's 
final pay limitation may not be applied to limit A's accrued benefit for 
the 2015 plan year to an amount below $11,250, which was A's accrued 
benefit under the plan at the close of the prior plan year. The 
foregoing is further illustrated in the following table for the plan 
years presented above and for additional years of service performed by A 
for X.

                                                      Table
                                               [In dollar amounts]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                1                       2            3            4             5            6            7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Employer-                 Benefit to
                                                                            provided                  which A is
                                                  Benefit                   projected    Benefit if    entitled
                                                 under plan                  primary     final pay   (smaller of
                                      Final       formula                   insurance    reduction   Column 6 or
        Years of service             average    (Column 2 x   Final pay   amount under   is applied   Column 3,
                                  compensation  0.9 x years                  social       in full      but not
                                                of service/                 security    (Column 4 -   less than
                                                    30)                   attributable   Column 5)     Column 7
                                                                           to service                 for prior
                                                                          for employer                  year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25..............................       $15,000      $11,250      $15,400        $4,000      $11,400      $11,250
26..............................        14,500       11,310       15,400         4,200       11,200       11,250
27..............................        15,500       12,555       15,800         4,400       11,400       11,400
28..............................        15,500       13,020       16,000         4,500       11,500       11,500
29..............................        15,000       13,050       16,000         4,800       11,200       11,500
30..............................        14,500       13,050       16,000         5,000       11,000       11,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Certain benefits not taken into account. In determining whether 
a plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) and this section, other benefits 
created under state or federal law (e.g., worker's compensation benefits 
or black lung benefits) may not be taken into account.
    (g) More than one plan treated as single plan. [Reserved]
    (h) Effective date--(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraph 
(h)(2) of this section, this section is effective for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 1994.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations. In the case of plans 
maintained by organizations exempt from income taxation under section 
501(a), including plans subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective 
plans), this section is effective for plan years beginning on or after 
January 1, 1996.
    (3) Compliance during transition period. For plan years beginning 
before the effective date of these regulations, as set forth in 
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this section, and on or after the first 
day of the first plan year to which the amendments made to section 
401(a)(5) by section 1111(b) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA '86) 
apply, a plan must be operated in accordance with a reasonable, good 
faith interpretation of section 401(a)(5), taking into account pre-
existing guidance and the amendments made by TRA '86 to related 
provisions of the Code. Whether a plan is operated in accordance with a 
reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 401(a)(5) will 
generally be determined based on all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances, including the extent to which an employer has resolved 
unclear issues in its favor. A plan will be deemed to be operated in 
accordance with a reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 
401(a)(5) if it is operated in accordance with the terms of this 
section.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47614, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10817, 10818, 10951, Mar. 
31, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46830, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-0  Required minimum distributions; table of contents.

    This table of contents lists the regulations relating to required 
minimum

[[Page 176]]

distributions under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code as 
follows:

Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-0 Required minimum distributions; table of contents.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-1 Minimum distribution requirement in general.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 Distributions commencing during an employee's 
          lifetime.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 Death before required beginning date.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 Determination of the designated beneficiary.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 Required minimum distributions from defined 
          contribution plans.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 Required minimum distributions for defined benefit 
          plans and annuity contracts.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-7 Rollovers and transfers.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8 Special rules.
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9 Life expectancy and distribution period tables.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-1  Minimum distribution requirement in general.

    Q-1. What plans are subject to the minimum distribution requirement 
under section 401(a)(9), this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 
through 1.401(a)(9)-9?
    A-1. Under section 401(a)(9), all stock bonus, pension, and profit-
sharing plans qualified under section 401(a) and annuity contracts 
described in section 403(a) are subject to required minimum distribution 
rules. See this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 through 
1.401(a)(9)-9 for the distribution rules applicable to these plans. 
Under section 403(b)(10), annuity contracts or custodial accounts 
described in section 403(b) are subject to required minimum distribution 
rules. See Sec. 1.403(b)-6e for the distribution rules applicable to 
these annuity contracts or custodial accounts. Under section 408(a)(6) 
and 408(b)(3), individual retirement plans (including, for some 
purposes, Roth IRAs under section 408A) are subject to required minimum 
distribution rules. See Sec. 1.408-8 for the distribution rules 
applicable to individual retirement plans and see Sec. 1.408A-6 for the 
distribution rules applicable to Roth IRAs under section 408A. Under 
section 457(d)(2), certain deferred compensation plans for employees of 
tax exempt organizations or state and local government employees are 
subject to required minimum distribution rules.
    Q-2. Which employee account balances and benefits held under 
qualified trusts and plans are subject to the distribution rules of 
section 401(a)(9), this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 through 
1.401(a)(9)-9?
    A-2. (a) In general. The distribution rules of section 401(a)(9) 
apply to all account balances and benefits in existence on or after 
January 1, 1985. This section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 through 
1.401(a)(9)-9 apply for purposes of determining required minimum 
distributions for calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2003.
    (b) Beneficiaries. (1) The distribution rules of this section and 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 through 1.401(a)(9)-9 apply to account balances 
and benefits held for the benefit of a beneficiary for calendar years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2003, even if the employee died prior 
to January 1, 2003. Thus, in the case of an employee who died prior to 
January 1, 2003, the designated beneficiary must be redetermined in 
accordance with the provisions of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 and the applicable 
distribution period (determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 or 
1.401(a)(9)-6, whichever is applicable) must be reconstructed for 
purposes of determining the amount required to be distributed for 
calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2003.
    (2) A designated beneficiary that is receiving payments under the 5-
year rule of section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii), either by affirmative election or 
default provisions, may, if the plan so provides, switch to using the 
life expectancy rule of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) provided any amounts 
that would have been required to be distributed under the life 
expectancy rule of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) for all distribution 
calendar years before 2004 are distributed by the earlier of December 
31, 2003 or the end of the 5-year period determined under A-2 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-3.
    (c) Trust documentation. If a trust fails to meet the rule of A-5 of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 (permitting the beneficiaries of the trust, and not 
the trust itself, to be treated as the employee's designated 
beneficiaries) solely because the trust documentation was not provided 
to the plan administrator by October 31 of the calendar year following

[[Page 177]]

the calendar year in which the employee died, and such documentation is 
provided to the plan administrator by October 31, 2003, the 
beneficiaries of the trust will be treated as designated beneficiaries 
of the employee under the plan for purposes of determining the 
distribution period under section 401(a)(9).
    (d) Special rule for governmental plans. Notwithstanding anything to 
the contrary in this A-2, a governmental plan (within the meaning of 
section 414(d)), or an eligible governmental plan described in Sec. 
1.457-2(f), is treated as having complied with section 401(a)(9) for all 
years to which section 401(a)(9) applies to the plan if the plan 
complies with a reasonable and good faith interpretation of section 
401(a)(9).
    Q-3. What specific provisions must a plan contain in order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9)?
    A-3. (a) Required provisions. In order to satisfy section 401(a)(9), 
the plan must include the provisions described in this paragraph 
reflecting section 401(a)(9). First, the plan must generally set forth 
the statutory rules of section 401(a)(9), including the incidental death 
benefit requirement in section 401(a)(9)(G). Second, the plan must 
provide that distributions will be made in accordance with this section 
and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 through 1.401(a)(9)-9. The plan document 
must also provide that the provisions reflecting section 401(a)(9) 
override any distribution options in the plan inconsistent with section 
401(a)(9). The plan also must include any other provisions reflecting 
section 401(a)(9) that are prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (b) Optional provisions. The plan may also include written 
provisions regarding any optional provisions governing plan 
distributions that do not conflict with section 401(a)(9) and the 
regulations thereunder.
    (c) Absence of optional provisions. Plan distributions commencing 
after an employee's death will be required to be made under the default 
provision set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 for distributions unless the 
plan document contains optional provisions that override such default 
provisions. Thus, if distributions have not commenced to the employee at 
the time of the employee's death, distributions after the death of an 
employee are to be made automatically in accordance with the default 
provisions in A-4(a) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 unless the plan either 
specifies in accordance with A-4(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 the method 
under which distributions will be made or provides for elections by the 
employee (or beneficiary) in accordance with A-4(c) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-3 and such elections are made by the employee or 
beneficiary.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004; T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41159, July 26, 2007; T.D. 9459, 
74 FR 45994, Sept. 8, 2009]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2  Distributions commencing during an employee's 
lifetime.

    Q-1. In the case of distributions commencing during an employee's 
lifetime, how must the employee's entire interest be distributed in 
order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(A)?
    A-1. (a) In order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(A), the entire 
interest of each employee must be distributed to such employee not later 
than the required beginning date, or must be distributed, beginning not 
later than the required beginning date, over the life of the employee or 
joint lives of the employee and a designated beneficiary or over a 
period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the employee or the 
joint life and last survivor expectancy of the employee and the 
designated beneficiary.
    (b) Section 401(a)(9)(G) provides that lifetime distributions must 
satisfy the incidental death benefit requirements.
    (c) The amount required to be distributed for each calendar year in 
order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(A) and (G) generally depends on 
whether a distribution is in the form of distributions under a defined 
contribution plan or annuity payments under a defined benefit plan or 
under an annuity contract. For the method of determining the required 
minimum distribution in accordance with section 401(a)(9)(A) and (G) 
from an individual account under a defined contribution plan, see

[[Page 178]]

Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5. For the method of determining the required minimum 
distribution in accordance with section 401(a)(9)(A) and (G) in the case 
of annuity payments from a defined benefit plan or an annuity contract, 
see Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6.
    Q-2. For purposes of section 401(a)(9)(C), what does the term 
required beginning date mean?
    A-2. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this A-2 with 
respect to a 5-percent owner, as defined in paragraph (c) of this A-2, 
the term required beginning date means April 1 of the calendar year 
following the later of the calendar year in which the employee attains 
age 70\1/2\ or the calendar year in which the employee retires from 
employment with the employer maintaining the plan.
    (b) In the case of an employee who is a 5-percent owner, the term 
required beginning date means April 1 of the calendar year following the 
calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\ .
    (c) For purposes of section 401(a)(9), a 5-percent owner is an 
employee who is a 5-percent owner (as defined in section 416) with 
respect to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the 
employee attains age 70\1/2\.
    (d) Paragraph (b) of this A-2 does not apply in the case of a 
governmental plan (within the meaning of section 414(d)) or a church 
plan. For purposes of this paragraph, the term church plan means a plan 
maintained by a church for church employees, and the term church means 
any church (as defined in section 3121(w)(3)(A)) or qualified church-
controlled organization (as defined in section 3121(w)(3)(B)).
    (e) A plan is permitted to provide that the required beginning date 
for purposes of section 401(a)(9) for all employees is April 1 of the 
calendar year following the calendar year in which an employee attains 
age 70\1/2\ regardless of whether the employee is a 5-percent owner.
    Q-3. When does an employee attain age 70\1/2\?
    A-3. An employee attains age 70\1/2\ as of the date six calendar 
months after the 70th anniversary of the employee's birth. For example, 
if an employee's date of birth was June 30, 1933, the 70th anniversary 
of such employee's birth is June 30, 2003. Such employee attains age 
70\1/2\ on December 30, 2003. Consequently, if the employee is a 5-
percent owner or retired, such employee's required beginning date is 
April 1, 2004. However, if the employee's date of birth was July 1, 
1933, the 70th anniversary of such employee's birth would be July 1, 
2003. Such employee would then attain age 70\1/2\ on January 1, 2004 and 
such employee's required beginning date would be April 1, 2005.
    Q-4. Must distributions made before the employee's required 
beginning date satisfy section 401(a)(9)?
    A-4. Lifetime distributions made before the employee's required 
beginning date for calendar years before the employee's first 
distribution calendar year, as defined in A-1(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, 
need not be made in accordance with section 401(a)(9). However, if 
distributions commence before the employee's required beginning date 
under a particular distribution option, such as in the form of an 
annuity, the distribution option fails to satisfy section 401(a)(9) at 
the time distributions commence if, under terms of the particular 
distribution option, distributions to be made for the employee's first 
distribution calendar year or any subsequent distribution calendar year 
will fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9).
    Q-5. If distributions have begun to an employee during the 
employee's lifetime (in accordance with section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii)), how 
must distributions be made after an employee's death?
    A-5. Section 401(a)(9)(B)(i) provides that if the distribution of 
the employee's interest has begun in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii) and the employee dies before his entire interest has 
been distributed to him, the remaining portion of such interest must be 
distributed at least as rapidly as under the distribution method being 
used under section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) as of the date of his death. The 
amount required to be distributed for each distribution calendar year 
following the calendar year of death generally depends on whether a 
distribution is in the form of distributions from an individual account 
under a defined contribution plan or annuity payments under a defined 
benefit plan. For the

[[Page 179]]

method of determining the required minimum distribution in accordance 
with section 401(a)(9)(B)(i) from an individual account, see Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5. In the case of annuity payments from a defined benefit 
plan or an annuity contract, see Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6.
    Q-6. For purposes of section 401(a)(9)(B), when are distributions 
considered to have begun to the employee in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii)?
    A-6. (a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in A-10 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6, distributions are not treated as having begun to the 
employee in accordance with section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) until the 
employee's required beginning date, without regard to whether payments 
have been made before that date. Thus, section 401(a)(9)(B)(i) only 
applies if an employee dies on or after the employee's required 
beginning date. For example, if employee A retires in 2003, the calendar 
year A attains age 65\1/2\, and begins receiving installment 
distributions from a profit-sharing plan over a period not exceeding the 
joint life and last survivor expectancy of A and A's spouse, benefits 
are not treated as having begun in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii) until April 1, 2009 (the April 1 following the calendar 
year in which A attains age 70\1/2\). Consequently, if A dies before 
April 1, 2009 (A's required beginning date), distributions after A's 
death must be made in accordance with section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or (iii) 
and (iv) and Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, and not section 401(a)(9)(B)(i). This 
is the case without regard to whether the plan has distributed the 
minimum distribution for the first distribution calendar year (as 
defined in A-1(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5) before A's death.
    (b) If a plan provides, in accordance with A-2(e) of this section, 
that the required beginning date for purposes of section 401(a)(9) for 
all employees is April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar 
year in which an employee attains age 70\1/2\, an employee who dies on 
or after the required beginning date determined under the plan terms is 
treated as dying after the employee's distributions have begun for 
purposes of this A-6 even though the employee dies before the April 1 
following the calendar year in which the employee retires.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3  Death before required beginning date.

    Q-1. If an employee dies before the employee's required beginning 
date, how must the employee's entire interest be distributed in order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9)?
    A-1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in A-10 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
6, if an employee dies before the employee's required beginning date 
(and, thus, before distributions are treated as having begun in 
accordance with section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii)), distribution of the 
employee's entire interest must be made in accordance with one of the 
methods described in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or (iii) and (iv). One 
method (the 5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii)) requires that the 
entire interest of the employee be distributed within 5 years of the 
employee's death regardless of who or what entity receives the 
distribution. Another method (the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv)) requires that any portion of an employee's 
interest payable to (or for the benefit of) a designated beneficiary be 
distributed, commencing within one year of the employee's death, over 
the life of such beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the 
life expectancy of such beneficiary). Section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv) provides 
special rules where the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse 
of the employee, including a special commencement date for distributions 
under section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) to the surviving spouse.
    (b) See A-4 of this section for the rules for determining which of 
the methods described in paragraph (a) of this A-1 applies. See A-3 of 
this section to determine when distributions under the exception to the 
5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv) must commence. See A-2 
of this section to determine when the 5-year period in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) ends. For distributions using the life expectancy rule 
in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), see Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 in order 
to determine the designated beneficiary under section

[[Page 180]]

401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), see Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for the rules for 
determining the required minimum distribution under a defined 
contribution plan, and see Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 for required minimum 
distributions under defined benefit plans.
    Q-2. By when must the employee's entire interest be distributed in 
order to satisfy the 5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii)?
    A-2. In order to satisfy the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii), the employee's entire interest must be distributed by 
the end of the calendar year which contains the fifth anniversary of the 
date of the employee's death. For example, if an employee dies on 
January 1, 2003, the entire interest must be distributed by the end of 
2008, in order to satisfy the 5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii).
    Q-3. When are distributions required to commence in order to satisfy 
the life expectancy rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv)?
    A-3. (a) Nonspouse beneficiary. In order to satisfy the life 
expectancy rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii), if the designated 
beneficiary is not the employee's surviving spouse, distributions must 
commence on or before the end of the calendar year immediately following 
the calendar year in which the employee died. This rule also applies to 
the distribution of the entire remaining benefit if another individual 
is a designated beneficiary in addition to the employee's surviving 
spouse. See A-2 and A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8, however, if the 
employee's benefit is divided into separate accounts.
    (b) Spousal beneficiary. In order to satisfy the rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), if the sole designated beneficiary is the 
employee's surviving spouse, distributions must commence on or before 
the later of--
    (1) The end of the calendar year immediately following the calendar 
year in which the employee died; and
    (2) The end of the calendar year in which the employee would have 
attained age 70\1/2\.
    Q-4. How is it determined whether the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv) applies to a distribution?
    A-4. (a) No plan provision. If a plan does not adopt an optional 
provision described in paragraph (b) or (c) of this A-4 specifying the 
method of distribution after the death of an employee, distribution must 
be made as follows:
    (1) If the employee has a designated beneficiary, as determined 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4, distributions are to be made in accordance 
with the life expectancy rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv).
    (2) If the employee has no designated beneficiary, distributions are 
to be made in accordance with the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii).
    (b) Optional plan provisions. A plan may adopt a provision 
specifying either that the 5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) will 
apply to certain distributions after the death of an employee even if 
the employee has a designated beneficiary or that distribution in every 
case will be made in accordance with the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii). Further, a plan need not have the same method of 
distribution for the benefits of all employees in order to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9).
    (c) Elections. A plan may adopt a provision that permits employees 
(or beneficiaries) to elect on an individual basis whether the 5-year 
rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv) applies to distributions after the death of 
an employee who has a designated beneficiary. Such an election must be 
made no later than the earlier of the end of the calendar year in which 
distribution would be required to commence in order to satisfy the 
requirements for the life expectancy rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) 
and (iv) (see A-3 of this section for the determination of such calendar 
year) or the end of the calendar year which contains the fifth 
anniversary of the date of death of the employee. As of the last date 
the election may be made, the election must be irrevocable with respect 
to the beneficiary (and all subsequent beneficiaries) and must apply to 
all subsequent calendar years. If a plan provides for the election, the 
plan may also specify the method of distribution that applies if neither 
the employee nor the beneficiary makes the election. If neither the 
employee nor the beneficiary

[[Page 181]]

elects a method and the plan does not specify which method applies, 
distribution must be made in accordance with paragraph (a) of this A-4.
    Q-5. If the employee's surviving spouse is the employee's sole 
designated beneficiary and such spouse dies after the employee, but 
before distributions have begun to the surviving spouse under section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), how is the employee's interest to be 
distributed?
    A-5. Pursuant to section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv)(II), if the surviving 
spouse is the employee's sole designated beneficiary and dies after the 
employee, but before distributions to such spouse have begun under 
section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) and the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) are to be applied as if the surviving spouse were the 
employee. In applying this rule, the date of death of the surviving 
spouse shall be substituted for the date of death of the employee. 
However, in such case, the rules in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv) are not 
available to the surviving spouse of the deceased employee's surviving 
spouse.
    Q-6. For purposes of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv)(II), when are 
distributions considered to have begun to the surviving spouse?
    A-6. Distributions are considered to have begun to the surviving 
spouse of an employee, for purposes of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv)(II), on 
the date, determined in accordance with A-3 of this section, on which 
distributions are required to commence to the surviving spouse, even 
though payments have actually been made before that date. See A-11 of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 for a special rule for annuities.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4  Determination of the designated beneficiary.

    Q-1. Who is a designated beneficiary under section 401(a)(9)(E)?
    A-1. A designated beneficiary is an individual who is designated as 
a beneficiary under the plan. An individual may be designated as a 
beneficiary under the plan either by the terms of the plan or, if the 
plan so provides, by an affirmative election by the employee (or the 
employee's surviving spouse) specifying the beneficiary. A beneficiary 
designated as such under the plan is an individual who is entitled to a 
portion of an employee's benefit, contingent on the employee's death or 
another specified event. For example, if a distribution is in the form 
of a joint and survivor annuity over the life of the employee and 
another individual, the plan does not satisfy section 401(a)(9) unless 
such other individual is a designated beneficiary under the plan. A 
designated beneficiary need not be specified by name in the plan or by 
the employee to the plan in order to be a designated beneficiary so long 
as the individual who is to be the beneficiary is identifiable under the 
plan. The members of a class of beneficiaries capable of expansion or 
contraction will be treated as being identifiable if it is possible, to 
identify the class member with the shortest life expectancy. The fact 
that an employee's interest under the plan passes to a certain 
individual under a will or otherwise under applicable state law does not 
make that individual a designated beneficiary unless the individual is 
designated as a beneficiary under the plan. See A-6 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-8 for rules which apply to qualified domestic relation 
orders.
    Q-2. Must an employee (or the employee's spouse) make an affirmative 
election specifying a beneficiary for a person to be a designated 
beneficiary under section 40l(a)(9)(E)?
    A-2. No, a designated beneficiary is an individual who is designated 
as a beneficiary under the plan whether or not the designation under the 
plan was made by the employee. The choice of beneficiary is subject to 
the requirements of sections 401(a)(11), 414(p), and 417.
    Q-3. May a person other than an individual be considered to be a 
designated beneficiary for purposes of section 401(a)(9)?
    A-3. No, only individuals may be designated beneficiaries for 
purposes of section 401(a)(9). A person that is not an individual, such 
as the employee's

[[Page 182]]

estate, may not be a designated beneficiary. If a person other than an 
individual is designated as a beneficiary of an employee's benefit, the 
employee will be treated as having no designated beneficiary for 
purposes of section 401(a)(9), even if there are also individuals 
designated as beneficiaries. However, see A-5 of this section for 
special rules that apply to trusts and A-2 and A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
8 for rules that apply to separate accounts.
    Q-4. When is the designated beneficiary determined?
    A-4. (a) General rule. In order to be a designated beneficiary, an 
individual must be a beneficiary as of the date of death. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b) and Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, the employee's 
designated beneficiary will be determined based on the beneficiaries 
designated as of the date of death who remain beneficiaries as of 
September 30 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the 
employee's death. Consequently, except as provided in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
6, any person who was a beneficiary as of the date of the employee's 
death, but is not a beneficiary as of that September 30 (e.g., because 
the person receives the entire benefit to which the person is entitled 
before that September 30), is not taken into account in determining the 
employee's designated beneficiary for purposes of determining the 
distribution period for required minimum distributions after the 
employee's death. Accordingly, if a person disclaims entitlement to the 
employee's benefit, pursuant to a disclaimer that satisfies section 2518 
by that September 30 thereby allowing other beneficiaries to receive the 
benefit in lieu of that person, the disclaiming person is not taken into 
account in determining the employee's designated beneficiary.
    (b) Surviving spouse. As provided in A-5 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, if 
the employee's spouse is the sole designated beneficiary as of September 
30 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the employee's 
death, and the surviving spouse dies after the employee and before the 
date on which distributions have begun to the surviving spouse under 
section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the rule in section 
40l(a)(9)(B)(iv)(II) will apply. Thus, for example, the relevant 
designated beneficiary for determining the distribution period after the 
death of the surviving spouse is the designated beneficiary of the 
surviving spouse. Similarly, such designated beneficiary will be 
determined based on the beneficiaries designated as of the date of the 
surviving spouse's death and who remain beneficiaries as of September 30 
of the calendar year following the calendar year of the surviving 
spouse's death. Further, if, as of that September 30, there is no 
designated beneficiary under the plan with respect to that surviving 
spouse, distribution must be made in accordance with the 5-year rule in 
section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) and A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3.
    (c) Deceased beneficiary. For purposes of this A-4, an individual 
who is a beneficiary as of the date of the employee's death and dies 
prior to September 30 of the calendar year following the calendar year 
of the employee's death without disclaiming continues to be treated as a 
beneficiary as of the September 30 of the calendar year following the 
calendar year of the employee's death in determining the employee's 
designated beneficiary for purposes of determining the distribution 
period for required minimum distributions after the employee's death, 
without regard to the identity of the successor beneficiary who is 
entitled to distributions as the beneficiary of the deceased 
beneficiary. The same rule applies in the case of distributions to which 
A-5 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 applies so that, if an individual is 
designated as a beneficiary of an employee's surviving spouse as of the 
spouse's date of death and dies prior to September 30 of the year 
following the year of the surviving spouse's death, that individual will 
continue to be treated as a designated beneficiary.
    Q-5. If a trust is named as a beneficiary of an employee, will the 
beneficiaries of the trust with respect to the trust's interest in the 
employee's benefit be treated as having been designated as beneficiaries 
of the employee under the plan for purposes of determining the 
distribution period under section 401(a)(9)?

[[Page 183]]

    A-5. (a) If the requirements of paragraph (b) of this A-5 are met 
with respect to a trust that is named as the beneficiary of an employee 
under the plan, the beneficiaries of the trust (and not the trust 
itself) will be treated as having been designated as beneficiaries of 
the employee under the plan for purposes of determining the distribution 
period under section 401(a)(9).
    (b) The requirements of this paragraph (b) are met if, during any 
period during which required minimum distributions are being determined 
by treating the beneficiaries of the trust as designated beneficiaries 
of the employee, the following requirements are met--
    (1) The trust is a valid trust under state law, or would be but for 
the fact that there is no corpus.
    (2) The trust is irrevocable or will, by its terms, become 
irrevocable upon the death of the employee.
    (3) The beneficiaries of the trust who are beneficiaries with 
respect to the trust's interest in the employee's benefit are 
identifiable within the meaning of A-1 of this section from the trust 
instrument.
    (4) The documentation described in A-6 of this section has been 
provided to the plan administrator.
    (c) In the case of payments to a trust having more than one 
beneficiary, see A-7 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for the rules for 
determining the designated beneficiary whose life expectancy will be 
used to determine the distribution period and A-3 of this section for 
the rules that apply if a person other than an individual is designated 
as a beneficiary of an employee's benefit. However, the separate account 
rules under A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8 are not available to 
beneficiaries of a trust with respect to the trust's interest in the 
employee's benefit.
    (d) If the beneficiary of the trust named as beneficiary of the 
employee's interest is another trust, the beneficiaries of the other 
trust will be treated as being designated as beneficiaries of the first 
trust, and thus, having been designated by the employee under the plan 
for purposes of determining the distribution period under section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii), provided that the requirements of paragraph (b) of 
this A-5 are satisfied with respect to such other trust in addition to 
the trust named as beneficiary.
    Q-6. If a trust is named as a beneficiary of an employee, what 
documentation must be provided to the plan administrator?
    A-6. (a) Required minimum distributions before death. If an employee 
designates a trust as the beneficiary of his or her entire benefit and 
the employee's spouse is the sole beneficiary of the trust, in order to 
satisfy the documentation requirements of this A-6 so that the spouse 
can be treated as the sole designated beneficiary of the employee's 
benefits (if the other requirements of paragraph (b) of A-5 of this 
section are satisfied), the employee must either--
    (1) Provide to the plan administrator a copy of the trust instrument 
and agree that if the trust instrument is amended at any time in the 
future, the employee will, within a reasonable time, provide to the plan 
administrator a copy of each such amendment; or
    (2) Provide to the plan administrator a list of all of the 
beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remaindermen 
beneficiaries with a description of the conditions on their entitlement 
sufficient to establish that the spouse is the sole beneficiary) for 
purposes of section 401(a)(9); certify that, to the best of the 
employee's knowledge, this list is correct and complete and that the 
requirements of paragraph (b)(1), (2), and (3) of A-5 of this section 
are satisfied; agree that, if the trust instrument is amended at any 
time in the future, the employee will, within a reasonable time, provide 
to the plan administrator corrected certifications to the extent that 
the amendment changes any information previously certified; and agree to 
provide a copy of the trust instrument to the plan administrator upon 
demand.
    (b) Required minimum distributions after death. In order to satisfy 
the documentation requirement of this A-6 for required minimum 
distributions after the death of the employee (or spouse in a case to 
which A-5 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 applies), by October 31 of the calendar 
year immediately following the calendar year in which the employee died, 
the trustee of the trust must either--

[[Page 184]]

    (1) Provide the plan administrator with a final list of all 
beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remaindermen 
beneficiaries with a description of the conditions on their entitlement) 
as of September 30 of the calendar year following the calendar year of 
the employee's death; certify that, to the best of the trustee's 
knowledge, this list is correct and complete and that the requirements 
of paragraph (b)(1), (2), and (3) of A-5 of this section are satisfied; 
and agree to provide a copy of the trust instrument to the plan 
administrator upon demand; or
    (2) Provide the plan administrator with a copy of the actual trust 
document for the trust that is named as a beneficiary of the employee 
under the plan as of the employee's date of death.
    (c) Relief for discrepancy between trust instrument and employee 
certifications or earlier trust instruments. (1) If required minimum 
distributions are determined based on the information provided to the 
plan administrator in certifications or trust instruments described in 
paragraph (a) or (b) of this A-6, a plan will not fail to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9) merely because the actual terms of the trust 
instrument are inconsistent with the information in those certifications 
or trust instruments previously provided to the plan administrator, but 
only if the plan administrator reasonably relied on the information 
provided and the required minimum distributions for calendar years after 
the calendar year in which the discrepancy is discovered are determined 
based on the actual terms of the trust instrument.
    (2) For purposes of determining the amount of the excise tax under 
section 4974, the required minimum distribution is determined for any 
year based on the actual terms of the trust in effect during the year.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5  Required minimum distributions from defined 
contribution plans.

    Q-1. If an employee's benefit is in the form of an individual 
account under a defined contribution plan, what is the amount required 
to be distributed for each calendar year?
    A-1. (a) General rule. If an employee's accrued benefit is in the 
form of an individual account under a defined contribution plan, the 
minimum amount required to be distributed for each distribution calendar 
year, as defined in paragraph (b) of this A-1, is equal to the quotient 
obtained by dividing the account (determined under A-3 of this section) 
by the applicable distribution period (determined under A-4 or A-5 of 
this section, whichever is applicable). However, the required minimum 
distribution amount will never exceed the entire account balance on the 
date of the distribution. See A-8 of this section for rules that apply 
if a portion of the employee's account is not vested. Further, the 
minimum distribution required to be distributed on or before an 
employee's required beginning date is always determined under section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii) and this A-1 and not section 401(a)(9)(A)(i).
    (b) Distribution calendar year. A calendar year for which a minimum 
distribution is required is a distribution calendar year. If an 
employee's required beginning date is April 1 of the calendar year 
following the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\, 
the employee's first distribution calendar year is the year the employee 
attains age 70\1/2\. If an employee's required beginning date is April 1 
of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee 
retires, the employee's first distribution calendar year is the calendar 
year in which the employee retires. In the case of distributions to be 
made in accordance with the life expectancy rule in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 
and in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the first distribution 
calendar year is the calendar year containing the date described in A-
3(a) or A-3(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, whichever is applicable.
    (c) Time for distributions. The distribution required to be made on 
or before the employee's required beginning date shall be treated as the 
distribution required for the employee's first distribution calendar 
year (as defined in paragraph (b) of this A-1). The required minimum 
distribution for other distribution calendar years, including the

[[Page 185]]

required minimum distribution for the distribution calendar year in 
which the employee's required beginning date occurs, must be made on or 
before the end of that distribution calendar year.
    (d) Minimum distribution incidental benefit requirement. If 
distributions of an employee's account balance under a defined 
contribution plan are made in accordance with this section, the minimum 
distribution incidental benefit requirement of section 401(a)(9)(G) is 
satisfied. Further, with respect to the retirement benefits provided by 
that account balance, to the extent the incidental benefit requirement 
of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(i) requires a distribution, that requirement is 
deemed to be satisfied if distributions satisfy the minimum distribution 
incidental benefit requirement of section 401(a)(9)(G) and this section.
    (e) Annuity contracts. Instead of satisfying this A-1, the minimum 
distribution requirement may be satisfied by the purchase of an annuity 
contract from an insurance company in accordance with A-4 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6 with the employee's entire individual account. If such an 
annuity is purchased after distributions are required to commence (the 
required beginning date, in the case of distributions commencing before 
death, or the date determined under A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, in the 
case of distributions commencing after death), payments under the 
annuity contract purchased will satisfy section 401(a)(9) for 
distribution calendar years after the calendar year of the purchase if 
payments under the annuity contract are made in accordance with Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6T. In such a case, payments under the annuity contract will 
be treated as distributions from the individual account for purposes of 
determining if the individual account satisfies section 401(a)(9) for 
the calendar year of the purchase. An employee may also purchase an 
annuity contract with a portion of the employee's account under the 
rules of A-2(a)(3) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8.
    Q-2. If an employee's benefit is in the form of an individual 
account and, in any calendar year, the amount distributed exceeds the 
minimum required, will credit be given in subsequent calendar years for 
such excess distribution?
    A-2. If, for any distribution calendar year, the amount distributed 
exceeds the minimum required, no credit will be given in subsequent 
calendar years for such excess distribution.
    Q-3. What is the amount of the account of an employee used for 
determining the employee's required minimum distribution in the case of 
an individual account?
    A-3. (a) In the case of an individual account, the benefit used in 
determining the required minimum distribution for a distribution 
calendar year is the account balance as of the last valuation date in 
the calendar year immediately preceding that distribution calendar year 
(valuation calendar year) adjusted in accordance with paragraphs (b), 
(c), and (d) of this A-3.
    (b) The account balance is increased by the amount of any 
contributions or forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of 
dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date. For this 
purpose, contributions that are allocated to the account balance as of 
dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date, but that 
are not actually made during the valuation calendar year, are permitted 
to be excluded.
    (c) The account balance is decreased by distributions made in the 
valuation calendar year after the valuation date.
    (d) The account balance does not include the value of any qualifying 
longevity annuity contract (QLAC), defined in A-17 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
6, that is held under the plan. This paragraph (d) applies only to 
contracts purchased on or after July 2, 2014.
    (e) If an amount is distributed from a plan and rolled over to 
another plan (receiving plan), A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-7 provides 
additional rules for determining the benefit and required minimum 
distribution under the receiving plan. If an amount is transferred from 
one plan (transferor plan) to another plan (transferee plan) in a 
transfer to which section 414(l) applies, A-3 and A-4 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-7 provide additional rules for determining the amount of the 
required minimum distribution and the benefit under both the transferor 
and transferee plans.

[[Page 186]]

    Q-4. For required minimum distributions during an employee's 
lifetime, what is the applicable distribution period?
    A-4. (a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
A-4, the applicable distribution period for required minimum 
distributions for distribution calendar years up to and including the 
distribution calendar year that includes the employee's date of death is 
determined using the Uniform Lifetime Table in A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
9 for the employee's age as of the employee's birthday in the relevant 
distribution calendar year. If an employee dies on or after the required 
beginning date, the distribution period applicable for calculating the 
amount that must be distributed during the distribution calendar year 
that includes the employee's death is determined as if the employee had 
lived throughout that year. Thus, a minimum required distribution, 
determined as if the employee had lived throughout that year, is 
required for the year of the employee's death and that amount must be 
distributed to a beneficiary to the extent it has not already been 
distributed to the employee.
    (b) Spouse is sole beneficiary--(1) General rule. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this A-4, if the sole 
designated beneficiary of an employee is the employee's surviving 
spouse, for required minimum distributions during the employee's 
lifetime, the applicable distribution period is the longer of the 
distribution period determined in accordance with paragraph (a) of this 
A-4 or the joint life expectancy of the employee and spouse using the 
employee's and spouse's attained ages as of the employee's and the 
spouse's birthdays in the distribution calendar year. The spouse is sole 
designated beneficiary for purposes of determining the applicable 
distribution period for a distribution calendar year during the 
employee's lifetime only if the spouse is the sole beneficiary of the 
employee's entire interest at all times during the distribution calendar 
year.
    (2) Change in marital status. If the employee and the employee's 
spouse are married on January 1 of a distribution calendar year, but do 
not remain married throughout that year (i.e., the employee or the 
employee's spouse die or they become divorced during that year), the 
employee will not fail to have a spouse as the employee's sole 
beneficiary for that year merely because they are not married throughout 
that year. If an employee's spouse predeceases the employee, the spouse 
will not fail to be the employee's sole beneficiary for the distribution 
calendar year that includes the date of the spouse's death solely 
because, for the period remaining in that year after the spouse's death, 
someone other than the spouse is named as beneficiary. However, the 
change in beneficiary due to the death or divorce of the spouse will be 
effective for purposes of determining the applicable distribution period 
under section 401(a)(9) in the distribution calendar year following the 
distribution calendar year that includes the date of the spouse's death 
or divorce.
    Q-5. For required minimum distributions after an employee's death, 
what is the applicable distribution period?
    A-5. (a) Death on or after the employee's required beginning date. 
If an employee dies after distribution has begun as determined under A-6 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 (generally on or after the employee's required 
beginning date), in order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(B)(i), the 
applicable distribution period for distribution calendar years after the 
distribution calendar year containing the employee's date of death is 
either--
    (1) If the employee has a designated beneficiary as of the date 
determined under A-4 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4, the longer of--
    (i) The remaining life expectancy of the employee's designated 
beneficiary determined in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of 
this A-5; and
    (ii) The remaining life expectancy of the employee determined in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(3) of this A-5; or
    (2) If the employee does not have a designated beneficiary as of the 
date determined under A-4 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4, the remaining life 
expectancy of the employee determined in accordance with paragraph 
(c)(3) of this A-5.

[[Page 187]]

    (b) Death before an employee's required beginning date. If an 
employee dies before distribution has begun, as determined under A-5 of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 (generally before the employee's required beginning 
date), in order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) or (iv) and the 
life expectancy rule described in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, the 
applicable distribution period for distribution calendar years after the 
distribution calendar year containing the employee's date of death is 
determined in accordance with paragraph (c) of this A-5. See A-4 of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 to determine when the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) applies (e.g., there is no designated beneficiary or 
the 5-year rule is elected or specified by plan provision).
    (c) Life expectancy--(1) Nonspouse designated beneficiary. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (c)(2), the applicable distribution 
period measured by the beneficiary's remaining life expectancy is 
determined using the beneficiary's age as of the beneficiary's birthday 
in the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the 
employee's death. In subsequent calendar years, the applicable 
distribution period is reduced by one for each calendar year that has 
elapsed after the calendar year immediately following the calendar year 
of the employee's death.
    (2) Spouse designated beneficiary. If the surviving spouse of the 
employee is the employee's sole beneficiary, the applicable distribution 
period is measured by the surviving spouse's life expectancy using the 
surviving spouse's birthday for each distribution calendar year after 
the calendar year of the employee's death up through the calendar year 
of the spouse's death. For calendar years after the calendar year of the 
spouse's death, the applicable distribution period is the life 
expectancy of the spouse using the age of the spouse as of the spouse's 
birthday in the calendar year of the spouse's death, reduced by one for 
each calendar year that has elapsed after the calendar year of the 
spouse's death.
    (3) No designated beneficiary. If the employee does not have a 
designated beneficiary, the applicable distribution period measured by 
the employee's remaining life expectancy is the life expectancy of the 
employee using the age of the employee as of the employee's birthday in 
the calendar year of the employee's death. In subsequent calendar years 
the applicable distribution period is reduced by one for each calendar 
year that has elapsed after the calendar year of the employee's death.
    Q-6. What life expectancies must be used for purposes of determining 
required minimum distributions under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-6. Life expectancies for purposes of determining required minimum 
distributions under section 401(a)(9) must be computed using the Single 
Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9 and the Joint and Last Survivor 
Table in A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9.
    Q-7. If an employee has more than one designated beneficiary, which 
designated beneficiary's life expectancy will be used to determine the 
applicable distribution period?
    A-7. (a) General rule--(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 
(c) of this A-7, if more than one individual is designated as a 
beneficiary with respect to an employee as of the applicable date for 
determining the designated beneficiary under A-4 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4, 
the designated beneficiary with the shortest life expectancy will be the 
designated beneficiary for purposes of determining the applicable 
distribution period.
    (2) See A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 for rules that apply if a person 
other than an individual is designated as a beneficiary and see A-2 and 
A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8 for special rules that apply if an employee's 
benefit under a plan is divided into separate accounts and the 
beneficiaries with respect to a separate account differ from the 
beneficiaries of another separate account.
    (b) Contingent beneficiary. Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this A-7, if a beneficiary's entitlement to an employee's benefit 
after the employee's death is a contingent right, such contingent 
beneficiary is nevertheless considered to be a beneficiary for purposes 
of determining whether a person other than an individual is designated 
as a beneficiary (resulting in the employee being treated as having no 
designated beneficiary under the rules of A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4) 
and which designated

[[Page 188]]

beneficiary has the shortest life expectancy under paragraph (a) of this 
A-7.
    (c) Successor beneficiary--(1) A person will not be considered a 
beneficiary for purposes of determining who is the beneficiary with the 
shortest life expectancy under paragraph (a) of this A-7, or whether a 
person who is not an individual is a beneficiary, merely because the 
person could become the successor to the interest of one of the 
employee's beneficiaries after that beneficiary's death. However, the 
preceding sentence does not apply to a person who has any right 
(including a contingent right) to an employee's benefit beyond being a 
mere potential successor to the interest of one of the employee's 
beneficiaries upon that beneficiary's death. Thus, for example, if the 
first beneficiary has a right to all income with respect to an 
employee's individual account during that beneficiary's life and a 
second beneficiary has a right to the principal but only after the death 
of the first income beneficiary (any portion of the principal 
distributed during the life of the first income beneficiary to be held 
in trust until that first beneficiary's death), both beneficiaries must 
be taken into account in determining the beneficiary with the shortest 
life expectancy and whether only individuals are beneficiaries.
    (2) If the individual beneficiary whose life expectancy is being 
used to calculate the distribution period dies after September 30 of the 
calendar year following the calendar year of the employee's death, such 
beneficiary's remaining life expectancy will be used to determine the 
distribution period without regard to the life expectancy of the 
subsequent beneficiary.
    (3) This paragraph (c) is illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Employer M maintains a defined contribution plan, 
Plan X. Employee A, an employee of M, died in 2005 at the age of 55, 
survived by spouse, B, who was 50 years old. Prior to A's death, M had 
established an account balance for A in Plan X. A's account balance is 
invested only in productive assets. A named a testamentary trust (Trust 
P) established under A's will as the beneficiary of all amounts payable 
from A's account in Plan X after A's death. A copy of the Trust P and a 
list of the trust beneficiaries were provided to the plan administrator 
of Plan X by October 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year 
of A's death. As of the date of A's death, the Trust P was irrevocable 
and was a valid trust under the laws of the state of A's domicile. A's 
account balance in Plan X was includible in A's gross estate under Sec. 
2039.
    (ii) Under the terms of Trust P, all trust income is payable 
annually to B, and no one has the power to appoint Trust P principal to 
any person other than B. A's children, who are all younger than B, are 
the sole remainder beneficiaries of the Trust P. No other person has a 
beneficial interest in Trust P. Under the terms of the Trust P, B has 
the power, exercisable annually, to compel the trustee to withdraw from 
A's account balance in Plan X an amount equal to the income earned on 
the assets held in A's account in Plan X during the calendar year and to 
distribute that amount through Trust P to B. Plan X contains no 
prohibition on withdrawal from A's account of amounts in excess of the 
annual required minimum distributions under section 401(a)(9). In 
accordance with the terms of Plan X, the trustee of Trust P elects, in 
order to satisfy section 401(a)(9), to receive annual required minimum 
distributions using the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) for distributions over a distribution period equal to 
B's life expectancy. If B exercises the withdrawal power, the trustee 
must withdraw from A's account under Plan X the greater of the amount of 
income earned in the account during the calendar year or the required 
minimum distribution. However, under the terms of Trust P, and 
applicable state law, only the portion of the Plan X distribution 
received by the trustee equal to the income earned by A's account in 
Plan X is required to be distributed to B (along with any other trust 
income.)
    (iii) Because some amounts distributed from A's account in Plan X to 
Trust P may be accumulated in Trust P during B's lifetime for the 
benefit of A's children, as remaindermen beneficiaries of Trust P, even 
though access to those amounts are delayed until after B's death, A's 
children are beneficiaries of A's account in Plan X in addition to B and 
B is not the sole designated beneficiary of A's account. Thus the 
designated beneficiary used to determine the distribution period from 
A's account in Plan X is the beneficiary with the shortest life 
expectancy. B's life expectancy is the shortest of all the potential 
beneficiaries of the testamentary trust's interest in A's account in 
Plan X (including remainder beneficiaries). Thus, the distribution 
period for purposes of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) is B's life expectancy. 
Because B is not the sole designated beneficiary of the testamentary 
trust's interest in A's account in Plan X, the special rule in

[[Page 189]]

401(a)(9)(B)(iv) is not available and the annual required minimum 
distributions from the account to Trust M must begin no later than the 
end of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of A's 
death.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as Example 1 except that the 
testamentary trust instrument provides that all amounts distributed from 
A's account in Plan X to the trustee while B is alive will be paid 
directly to B upon receipt by the trustee of Trust P.
    (ii) In this case, B is the sole designated beneficiary of A's 
account in Plan X for purposes of determining the designated beneficiary 
under section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv). No amounts distributed from 
A's account in Plan X to Trust P are accumulated in Trust P during B's 
lifetime for the benefit of any other beneficiary. Therefore, the 
residuary beneficiaries of Trust P are mere potential successors to B's 
interest in Plan X. Because B is the sole beneficiary of the 
testamentary trust's interest in A's account in Plan X, the annual 
required minimum distributions from A's account to Trust P must begin no 
later than the end of the calendar year in which A would have attained 
age 70\1/2\, rather than the calendar year immediately following the 
calendar year of A's death.

    Q-8. If a portion of an employee's individual account is not vested 
as of the employee's required beginning date, how is the determination 
of the required minimum distribution affected?
    A-8. If the employee's benefit is in the form of an individual 
account, the benefit used to determine the required minimum distribution 
for any distribution calendar year will be determined in accordance with 
A-1 of this section without regard to whether or not all of the 
employee's benefit is vested. If any portion of the employee's benefit 
is not vested, distributions will be treated as being paid from the 
vested portion of the benefit first. If, as of the end of a distribution 
calendar year (or as of the employee's required beginning date, in the 
case of the employee's first distribution calendar year), the total 
amount of the employee's vested benefit is less than the required 
minimum distribution for the calendar year, only the vested portion, if 
any, of the employee's benefit is required to be distributed by the end 
of the calendar year (or, if applicable, by the employee's required 
beginning date). However, the required minimum distribution for the 
subsequent distribution calendar year must be increased by the sum of 
amounts not distributed in prior calendar years because the employee's 
vested benefit was less than the required minimum distribution.
    Q-9. Which amounts distributed from an individual account are taken 
into account in determining whether section 401(a)(9) is satisfied and 
which amounts are not taken into account in determining whether section 
401(a)(9) is satisfied?
    A-9. (a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b), all 
amounts distributed from an individual account are distributions that 
are taken into account in determining whether section 401(a)(9) is 
satisfied, regardless of whether the amount is includible in income. 
Thus, for example, amounts that are excluded from income as recovery of 
investment in the contract under section 72 are taken into account for 
purposes of determining whether section 401(a)(9) is satisfied for a 
distribution calendar year. Similarly, amounts excluded from income as 
net unrealized appreciation on employer securities also are amounts 
distributed for purposes of determining if section 401(a)(9) is 
satisfied.
    (b) Exceptions. The following amounts are not taken into account in 
determining whether the required minimum amount has been distributed for 
a calendar year:
    (1) Elective deferrals (as defined in section 402(g)(3)) and 
employee contributions that, pursuant to rules prescribed by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), 
are returned to the employee (together with the income allocable 
thereto) in order to comply with the section 415 limitations.
    (2) Corrective distributions of excess deferrals as described in 
Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(3), together with the income allocable to these 
distributions.
    (3) Corrective distributions of excess contributions under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement under section 401(k)(8) and 
excess aggregate contributions under section 401(m)(6), together with 
the income allocable to these distributions.
    (4) Loans that are treated as deemed distributions pursuant to 
section 72(p).

[[Page 190]]

    (5) Dividends described in section 404(k) that are paid on employer 
securities. (Amounts paid to the plan that, pursuant to section 
404(k)(2)(A)(iii)(II), are included in the account balance and 
subsequently distributed from the account lose their character as 
dividends.)
    (6) The costs of life insurance coverage (P.S. 58 costs).
    (7) Similar items designated by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. 
See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004; T.D. 9319, 72 FR 16894, Apr. 5, 2007;T.D. 9673, 79 
FR 37639, July 2, 2014]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6  Required minimum distributions for defined benefit
plans and annuity contracts.

    Q-1. How must distributions under a defined benefit plan be paid in 
order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)?
    A-1. (a) General rules. In order to satisfy section 401(a)(9), 
except as otherwise provided in this section, distributions of the 
employee's entire interest under a defined benefit plan must be paid in 
the form of periodic annuity payments for the employee's life (or the 
joint lives of the employee and beneficiary) or over a period certain 
that does not exceed the maximum length of the period certain determined 
in accordance with A-3 of this section. The interval between payments 
for the annuity must be uniform over the entire distribution period and 
must not exceed one year. Once payments have commenced over a period, 
the period may only be changed in accordance with A-13 of this section. 
Life (or joint and survivor) annuity payments must satisfy the minimum 
distribution incidental benefit requirements of A-2 of this section. 
Except as otherwise provided in this section (such as permitted 
increases described in A-14 of this section), all payments (whether paid 
over an employee's life, joint lives, or a period certain) also must be 
nonincreasing.
    (b) Life annuity with period certain. The annuity may be a life 
annuity (or joint and survivor annuity) with a period certain if the 
life (or lives, if applicable) and period certain each meet the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this A-1. For purposes of this section, 
if distributions are permitted to be made over the lives of the employee 
and the designated beneficiary, references to a life annuity include a 
joint and survivor annuity.
    (c) Annuity commencement. (1) Annuity payments must commence on or 
before the employee's required beginning date (within the meaning of A-2 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2). The first payment, which must be made on or 
before the employee's required beginning date, must be the payment which 
is required for one payment interval. The second payment need not be 
made until the end of the next payment interval even if that payment 
interval ends in the next calendar year. Similarly, in the case of 
distributions commencing after death in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the first payment, which must be made on or 
before the date determined under A-3(a) or (b) (whichever is applicable) 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, must be the payment which is required for one 
payment interval. Payment intervals are the periods for which payments 
are received, e.g., bimonthly, monthly, semi-annually, or annually. All 
benefit accruals as of the last day of the first distribution calendar 
year must be included in the calculation of the amount of annuity 
payments for payment intervals ending on or after the employee's 
required beginning date.
    (2) This paragraph (c) is illustrated by the following example:

    Example. A defined benefit plan (Plan X) provides monthly annuity 
payments of $500 for the life of unmarried participants with a 10-year 
period certain. An unmarried, retired participant (A) in Plan X attains 
age 70\1/2\ in 2005. In order to meet the requirements of this 
paragraph, the first monthly payment of $500 must be made on behalf of A 
on or before April 1, 2006, and the payments must continue to be made in 
monthly payments of $500 thereafter for the life and 10-year period 
certain.

    (d) Single sum distributions. In the case of a single sum 
distribution of an employee's entire accrued benefit during a 
distribution calendar year, the amount that is the required minimum 
distribution for the distribution calendar year (and thus not eligible 
for rollover

[[Page 191]]

under section 402(c)) is determined using either the rule in paragraph 
(d)(1) or the rule in paragraph (d)(2) of this A-1.
    (1) The portion of the single sum distribution that is a required 
minimum distribution is determined by treating the single sum 
distribution as a distribution from an individual account plan and 
treating the amount of the single sum distribution as the employee's 
account balance as of the end of the relevant valuation calendar year. 
If the single sum distribution is being made in the calendar year 
containing the required beginning date and the required minimum 
distribution for the employee's first distribution calendar year has not 
been distributed, the portion of the single sum distribution that 
represents the required minimum distribution for the employee's first 
and second distribution calendar years is not eligible for rollover.
    (2) The portion of the single sum distribution that is a required 
minimum distribution is permitted to be determined by expressing the 
employee's benefit as an annuity that would satisfy this section with an 
annuity starting date as of the first day of the distribution calendar 
year for which the required minimum distribution is being determined, 
and treating one year of annuity payments as the required minimum 
distribution for that year, and not eligible for rollover. If the single 
sum distribution is being made in the calendar year containing the 
required beginning date and the required minimum distribution for the 
employee's first distribution calendar year has not been made, the 
benefit must be expressed as an annuity with an annuity starting date as 
of the first day of the first distribution calendar year and the 
payments for the first two distribution calendar years would be treated 
as required minimum distributions, and not eligible for rollover.
    (e) Death benefits. The rule in paragraph (a) of this A-1, 
prohibiting increasing payments under an annuity applies to payments 
made upon the death of an employee. However, for purposes of this 
section, an ancillary death benefit described in this paragraph (e) may 
be disregarded in applying that rule. Such an ancillary death benefit is 
excluded in determining an employee's entire interest and the rules 
prohibiting increasing payments do not apply to such an ancillary death 
benefit. A death benefit with respect to an employee's benefit is an 
ancillary death benefit for purposes of this A-1 if--
    (1) It is not paid as part of the employee's accrued benefit or 
under any optional form of the employee's benefit; and
    (2) The death benefit, together with any other potential payments 
with respect to the employee's benefit that may be provided to a 
survivor, satisfy the incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 1.401-
1(b)(1)(i).
    (f) Additional guidance. Additional guidance regarding how 
distributions under a defined benefit plan must be paid in order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9) may be issued by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    Q-2. How must distributions in the form of a life (or joint and 
survivor) annuity be made in order to satisfy the minimum distribution 
incidental benefit (MDIB) requirement of section 401(a)(9)(G) and the 
distribution component of the incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 
1.401-1(b)(1)(i)?
    A-2. (a) Life annuity for employee. If the employee's benefit is 
paid in the form of a life annuity for the life of the employee 
satisfying section 401(a)(9) without regard to the MDIB requirement, the 
MDIB requirement of section 401(a)(9)(G) will be satisfied.
    (b) Joint and survivor annuity, spouse beneficiary. If the 
employee's sole beneficiary, as of the annuity starting date for annuity 
payments, is the employee's spouse and the distributions satisfy section 
401(a)(9) without regard to the MDIB requirement, the distributions to 
the employee will be deemed to satisfy the MDIB requirement of section 
401(a)(9)(G). For example, if an employee's benefit is being distributed 
in the form of a joint and survivor annuity for the lives of the 
employee and the employee's spouse and the spouse is the sole 
beneficiary of the employee, the amount of the periodic payment payable 
to the spouse would not violate

[[Page 192]]

the MDIB requirement if it was 100 percent of the annuity payment 
payable to the employee, regardless of the difference in the ages 
between the employee and the employee's spouse.
    (c) Joint and survivor annuity, nonspouse beneficiary--(1) 
Explanation of rule. If distributions commence under a distribution 
option that is in the form of a joint and survivor annuity for the joint 
lives of the employee and a beneficiary other than the employee's 
spouse, the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirement will not 
be satisfied as of the date distributions commence unless under the 
distribution option, the annuity payments to be made on and after the 
employee's required beginning date will satisfy the conditions of this 
paragraph (c). The periodic annuity payment payable to the survivor must 
not at any time on and after the employee's required beginning date 
exceed the applicable percentage of the annuity payment payable to the 
employee using the table in paragraph (c)(2) of this A-2. The applicable 
percentage is based on the adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference. 
The adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference is determined by first 
calculating the excess of the age of the employee over the age of the 
beneficiary based on their ages on their birthdays in a calendar year. 
Then, if the employee is younger than age 70, the age difference 
determined in the previous sentence is reduced by the number of years 
that the employee is younger than age 70 on the employee's birthday in 
the calendar year that contains the annuity starting date. In the case 
of an annuity that provides for increasing payments, the requirement of 
this paragraph (c) will not be violated merely because benefit payments 
to the beneficiary increase, provided the increase is determined in the 
same manner for the employee and the beneficiary.
    (2) Table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Applicable
       Adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference          percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years or less..........................................           100
11........................................................            96
12........................................................            93
13........................................................            90
14........................................................            87
15........................................................            84
16........................................................            82
17........................................................            79
18........................................................            77
19........................................................            75
20........................................................            73
21........................................................            72
22........................................................            70
23........................................................            68
24........................................................            67
25........................................................            66
26........................................................            64
27........................................................            63
28........................................................            62
29........................................................            61
30........................................................            60
31........................................................            59
32........................................................            59
33........................................................            58
34........................................................            57
35........................................................            56
36........................................................            56
37........................................................            55
38........................................................            55
39........................................................            54
40........................................................            54
41........................................................            53
42........................................................            53
43........................................................            53
44 and greater............................................            52
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Example. This paragraph (c) is illustrated by the following 
example:

    Example. Distributions commence on January 1, 2003 to an employee 
(Z), born March 1, 1937, after retirement at age 65. Z's daughter (Y), 
born February 5, 1967, is Z's beneficiary. The distributions are in the 
form of a joint and survivor annuity for the lives of Z and Y with 
payments of $500 a month to Z and upon Z's death of $500 a month to Y, 
i.e., the projected monthly payment to Y is 100 percent of the monthly 
amount payable to Z. Accordingly, under A-10 of this section, compliance 
with the rules of this section is determined as of the annuity starting 
date. The adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference is calculated by 
taking the excess of the employee's age over the beneficiary's age and 
subtracting the number of years the employee is younger than age 70. In 
this case, Z is 30 years older than Y and is commencing benefit 4 years 
before attaining age 70 so the adjusted employee-beneficiary age 
difference is 26 years. Under the table in the paragraph (c)(2) of this 
A-2, the applicable percentage for a 26-year adjusted employee/
beneficiary age difference is 64 percent. As of January 1, 2003 (the 
annuity starting date) the plan does not satisfy the MDIB requirement 
because, as of such date, the distribution option provides that, as of 
Z's required beginning date, the monthly payment to Y upon Z's death 
will exceed 66 percent of Z's monthly payment.

    (d) Period certain and annuity features. If a distribution form 
includes a period certain, the amount of the annuity

[[Page 193]]

payments payable to the beneficiary need not be reduced during the 
period certain, but in the case of a joint and survivor annuity with a 
period certain, the amount of the annuity payments payable to the 
beneficiary must satisfy paragraph (c) of this A-2 after the expiration 
of the period certain.
    (e) Deemed satisfaction of incidental benefit rule. Except in the 
case of distributions with respect to an employee's benefit that include 
an ancillary death benefit described in paragraph A-1(e) of this 
section, to the extent the incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 
1.401-1(b)(1)(i) requires a distribution, that requirement is deemed to 
be satisfied if distributions satisfy the minimum distribution 
incidental benefit requirement of this A-2. If the employee's benefits 
include an ancillary death benefit described in paragraph A-1(e) of this 
section, the benefits (including the ancillary death benefit) must be 
distributed in accordance with the incidental benefit requirement 
described in Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(i) and the benefits (excluding the 
ancillary death benefit) must also satisfy the minimum distribution 
incidental benefit requirement of this A-2.
    Q-3. How long is a period certain under a defined benefit plan 
permitted to extend?
    A-3. (a) Distributions commencing during the employee's life. The 
period certain for any annuity distributions commencing during the life 
of the employee with an annuity starting date on or after the employee's 
required beginning date generally is not permitted to exceed the 
applicable distribution period for the employee (determined in 
accordance with the Uniform Lifetime Table in A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
9) for the calendar year that contains the annuity starting date. See A-
10 of this section for the rule for annuity payments with an annuity 
starting date before the required beginning date. However, if the 
employee's sole beneficiary is the employee's spouse, the period certain 
is permitted to be as long as the joint life and last survivor 
expectancy of the employee and the employee's spouse, if longer than the 
applicable distribution period for the employee, provided the period 
certain is not provided in conjunction with a life annuity under A-1(b) 
of this section.
    (b) Distributions commencing after the employee's death. (1) If 
annuity distributions commence after the death of the employee under the 
life expectancy rule (under section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) or (iv)), the 
period certain for any distributions commencing after death cannot 
exceed the applicable distribution period determined under A-5(b) of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for the distribution calendar year that contains the 
annuity starting date.
    (2) If the annuity starting date is in a calendar year before the 
first distribution calendar year, the period certain may not exceed the 
life expectancy of the designated beneficiary using the beneficiary's 
age in the year that contains the annuity starting date.
    Q-4. Will a plan fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely because 
distributions are made from an annuity contract which is purchased from 
an insurance company?
    A-4. A plan will not fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely 
because distributions are made from an annuity contract which is 
purchased with the employee's benefit by the plan from an insurance 
company, as long as the payments satisfy the requirements of this 
section. If the annuity contract is purchased after the required 
beginning date, the first payment interval must begin on or before the 
purchase date and the payment required for one payment interval must be 
made no later than the end of such payment interval. If the payments 
actually made under the annuity contract do not meet the requirements of 
section 401(a)(9), the plan fails to satisfy section 401(a)(9). See also 
A-14 of this section permitting certain increases under annuity 
contracts.
    Q-5. In the case of annuity distributions under a defined benefit 
plan, how must additional benefits that accrue after the employee's 
first distribution calendar year be distributed in order to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9)?
    A-5. (a) In the case of annuity distributions under a defined 
benefit plan, if any additional benefits accrue in a calendar year after 
the employee's first distribution calendar year, distribution

[[Page 194]]

of the amount that accrues in the calendar year must commence in 
accordance with A-1 of this section beginning with the first payment 
interval ending in the calendar year immediately following the calendar 
year in which such amount accrues.
    (b) A plan will not fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely because 
there is an administrative delay in the commencement of the distribution 
of the additional benefits accrued in a calendar year, provided that the 
actual payment of such amount commences as soon as practicable. However, 
payment must commence no later than the end of the first calendar year 
following the calendar year in which the additional benefit accrues, and 
the total amount paid during such first calendar year must be no less 
than the total amount that was required to be paid during that year 
under A-5(a) of this section.
    Q-6. If a portion of an employee's benefit is not vested as of 
December 31 of a distribution calendar year, how is the determination of 
the required minimum distribution affected?
    A-6. In the case of annuity distributions from a defined benefit 
plan, if any portion of the employee's benefit is not vested as of 
December 31 of a distribution calendar year, the portion that is not 
vested as of such date will be treated as not having accrued for 
purposes of determining the required minimum distribution for that 
distribution calendar year. When an additional portion of the employee's 
benefit becomes vested, such portion will be treated as an additional 
accrual. See A-5 of this section for the rules for distributing benefits 
which accrue under a defined benefit plan after the employee's first 
distribution calendar year.
    Q-7. If an employee (other than a 5-percent owner) retires after the 
calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\, for what period 
must the employee's accrued benefit under a defined benefit plan be 
actuarially increased?
    A-7. (a) Actuarial increase starting date. If an employee (other 
than a 5-percent owner) retires after the calendar year in which the 
employee attains age 70\1/2\, in order to satisfy section 
401(a)(9)(C)(iii), the employee's accrued benefit under a defined 
benefit plan must be actuarially increased to take into account any 
period after age 70\1/2\ in which the employee was not receiving any 
benefits under the plan. The actuarial increase required to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9)(C)(iii) must be provided for the period starting on 
the April 1 following the calendar year in which the employee attains 
age 70\1/2\, or January 1, 1997, if later.
    (b) Actuarial increase ending date. The period for which the 
actuarial increase must be provided ends on the date on which benefits 
commence after retirement in an amount sufficient to satisfy section 
401(a)(9).
    (c) Nonapplication to plan providing same required beginning date 
for all employees. If, as permitted under A-2(e) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2, 
a plan provides that the required beginning date for purposes of section 
401(a)(9) for all employees is April 1 of the calendar year following 
the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\ (regardless 
of whether the employee is a 5-percent owner) and the plan makes 
distributions in an amount sufficient to satisfy section 401(a)(9) using 
that required beginning date, no actuarial increase is required under 
section 401(a)(9)(C)(iii).
    (d) Nonapplication to governmental and church plans. The actuarial 
increase required under this A-7 does not apply to a governmental plan 
(within the meaning of section 414(d)) or a church plan. For purposes of 
this paragraph, the term church plan means a plan maintained by a church 
for church employees, and the term church means any church (as defined 
in section 3121(w)(3)(A)) or qualified church-controlled organization 
(as defined in section 3121(w)(3)(B)).
    Q-8. What amount of actuarial increase is required under section 
401(a)(9)(C)(iii)?
    A-8. In order to satisfy section 401(a)(9)(C)(iii), the retirement 
benefits payable with respect to an employee as of the end of the period 
for actuarial increases (described in A-7 of this section) must be no 
less than: the actuarial equivalent of the employee's retirement 
benefits that would have been payable as of the date the actuarial 
increase must commence under paragraph (a) of A-7 of this section if 
benefits had commenced on that date; plus

[[Page 195]]

the actuarial equivalent of any additional benefits accrued after that 
date; reduced by the actuarial equivalent of any distributions made with 
respect to the employee's retirement benefits after that date. Actuarial 
equivalence is determined using the plan's assumptions for determining 
actuarial equivalence for purposes of satisfying section 411.
    Q-9. How does the actuarial increase required under section 
401(a)(9)(C)(iii) relate to the actuarial increase required under 
section 411?
    A-9. In order for any of an employee's accrued benefit to be 
nonforfeitable as required under section 411, a defined benefit plan 
must make an actuarial adjustment to an accrued benefit, the payment of 
which is deferred past normal retirement age. The only exception to this 
rule is that generally no actuarial adjustment is required to reflect 
the period during which a benefit is suspended as permitted under 
section 203(a)(3)(B) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974 (ERISA) (88 Stat. 829). The actuarial increase required under 
section 401(a)(9)(C)(iii) for the period described in A-7 of this 
section is generally the same as, and not in addition to, the actuarial 
increase required for the same period under section 411 to reflect any 
delay in the payment of retirement benefits after normal retirement age. 
However, unlike the actuarial increase required under section 411, the 
actuarial increase required under section 401(a)(9)(C)(iii) must be 
provided even during any period during which an employee's benefit has 
been suspended in accordance with ERISA section 203(a)(3)(B).
    Q-10. What rule applies if distributions commence to an employee on 
a date before the employee's required beginning date over a period 
permitted under section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) and the distribution form is an 
annuity under which distributions are made in accordance with the 
provisions of A-1 of this section?
    A-10. (a) General rule. If distributions commence to an employee on 
a date before the employee's required beginning date over a period 
permitted under section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) and the distribution form is an 
annuity under which distributions are made in accordance with the 
provisions of A-1 of this section, the annuity starting date will be 
treated as the required beginning date for purposes of applying the 
rules of this section and Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2. Thus, for example, the 
designated beneficiary distributions will be determined as of the 
annuity starting date. Similarly, if the employee dies after the annuity 
starting date but before the required beginning date determined under A-
2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2, after the employee's death, the remaining 
portion of the employee's interest must continue to be distributed in 
accordance with this section over the remaining period over which 
distributions commenced. The rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 and section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or (iii) and (iv) do not apply.
    (b) Period certain. If, as of the employee's birthday in the year 
that contains the annuity starting date, the age of the employee is 
under 70, the following rule applies in applying the rule in paragraph 
(a) of A-3 of this section. The applicable distribution period for the 
employee is the distribution period for age 70, determined in accordance 
with the Uniform Lifetime Table in A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9, plus the 
excess of 70 over the age of the employee as of the employee's birthday 
in the year that contains the annuity starting date.
    (c) Adjustment to employee/beneficiary age difference. See A-2(c)(1) 
of this section for the determination of the adjusted employee/
beneficiary age difference in the case of an employee whose age on the 
annuity starting date is less than 70.
    Q-11. What rule applies if distributions commence to the surviving 
spouse of an employee over a period permitted under section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii)(II) before the date on which distributions are 
required to commence and the distribution form is an annuity under which 
distributions are made as of the date distributions commence in 
accordance with the provisions of A-1 of this section.
    A-11. If distributions commence to the surviving spouse of an 
employee over a period permitted under section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii)(II) 
before the date on which distributions are required to commence and the 
distribution form is

[[Page 196]]

an annuity under which distributions are made as of the date 
distributions commence in accordance with the provisions of A-1 of this 
section, distributions will be considered to have begun on the actual 
commencement date for purposes of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv)(II). 
Consequently, in such case, A-5 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 and section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) and (iii) will not apply upon the death of the 
surviving spouse as though the surviving spouse were the employee. 
Instead, the annuity distributions must continue to be made, in 
accordance with the provisions of A-1 of this section, over the 
remaining period over which distributions commenced.
    Q-12. In the case of an annuity contract under an individual account 
plan that has not yet been annuitized, how is section 401(a)(9) 
satisfied with respect to the employee's or beneficiary's entire 
interest under the annuity contract for the period prior to the date 
annuity payments so commence?
    A-12. (a) General rule. Prior to the date that an annuity contract 
under an individual account plan is annuitized, the interest of an 
employee or beneficiary under that contract is treated as an individual 
account for purposes of section 401(a)(9). Thus, the required minimum 
distribution for any year with respect to that interest is determined 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 rather than this section. See A-1(e) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5 for rules relating to the satisfaction of section 
401(a)(9) in the year that annuity payments commence, A-3(d) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5 for rules relating to qualifying longevity annuity 
contracts (QLACs), defined in A-17 of this section, and A-2(a)(3) of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8 for rules relating to the purchase of an annuity 
contract with a portion of an employee's account balance.
    (b) Entire interest. For purposes of applying the rules in Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5, the entire interest under the annuity contract as of 
December 31 of the relevant valuation calendar year is treated as the 
account balance for the valuation calendar year described in A-3 of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5. The entire interest under an annuity contract is 
the dollar amount credited to the employee or beneficiary under the 
contract plus the actuarial present value of any additional benefits 
(such as survivor benefits in excess of the dollar amount credited to 
the employee or beneficiary) that will be provided under the contract. 
However, paragraph (c) of this A-12 describes certain additional 
benefits that may be disregarded in determining the employee's entire 
interest under the annuity contract. The actuarial present value of any 
additional benefits described under this A-12 is to be determined using 
reasonable actuarial assumptions, including reasonable assumptions as to 
future distributions, and without regard to an individual's health.
    (c) Exclusions. (1) The actuarial present value of any additional 
benefits provided under an annuity contract described in paragraph (b) 
of this A-12 may be disregarded if the sum of the dollar amount credited 
to the employee or beneficiary under the contract and the actuarial 
present value of the additional benefits is no more than 120 percent of 
the dollar amount credited to the employee or beneficiary under the 
contract and the contract provides only for the following additional 
benefits:
    (i) Additional benefits that, in the case of a distribution, are 
reduced by an amount sufficient to ensure that the ratio of such sum to 
the dollar amount credited does not increase as a result of the 
distribution, and
    (ii) An additional benefit that is the right to receive a final 
payment upon death that does not exceed the excess of the premiums paid 
less the amount of prior distributions.
    (2) If the only additional benefit provided under the contract is 
the additional benefit described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this A-12, 
the additional benefit may be disregarded regardless of its value in 
relation to the dollar amount credited to the employee or beneficiary 
under the contract.
    (3) The Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of 
this chapter) may provide additional guidance on additional benefits 
that may be disregarded.
    (d) Examples. The following examples, which use a 5 percent interest 
rate and the Mortality Table provided in Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-2 C.B. 
632), illustrate

[[Page 197]]

the application of the rules in this A-12:

    Example 1. (i) G is the owner of a variable annuity contract 
(Contract S) under an individual account plan which has not been 
annuitized. Contract S provides a death benefit until the end of the 
calendar year in which the owner attains the age of 84 equal to the 
greater of the current Contract S notional account value (dollar amount 
credited to G under the contract) and the largest notional account value 
at any previous policy anniversary reduced proportionally for subsequent 
partial distributions (High Water Mark). Contract S provides a death 
benefit in calendar years after the calendar year in which the owner 
attains age 84 equal to the current notional account value. Contract S 
provides that assets within the contract may be invested in a Fixed 
Account at a guaranteed rate of 2 percent. Contract S provides no other 
additional benefits.
    (ii) At the end of 2008, when G has an attained age of 78 and 9 
months the notional account value of Contract S (after the distribution 
for 2008 of 4.93% of the notional account value as of December 31, 2007) 
is $550,000, and the High Water Mark, before adjustment for any 
withdrawals from Contract S in 2008 is $1,000,000. Thus, Contract S will 
provide additional benefits (i.e. the death benefits in excess of the 
notional account value) through 2014, the year S turns 84. The actuarial 
present value of these additional benefits at the end of 2008 is 
determined to be $84,300 (15 percent of the notional account value). In 
making this determination, the following assumptions are made: on the 
average, deaths occur mid-year; the investment return on his notional 
account value is 2 percent per annum; and minimum required distributions 
(determined without regard to additional benefits under the Contract S) 
are made at the end of each year. The following table summarizes the 
actuarial methodology used in determining the actuarial present value of 
the additional benefit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    End-of-year                                     End-of-year
                                   Death benefit     notional         Average      Withdrawal at     notional
              Year                  during year   account before     notional       end of year    account after
                                                    withdrawal        account                       withdrawal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008............................      $1,000,000  ..............  ..............  ..............        $550,000
2009............................     \1\ 950,739    \2\ $561,000    \3\ $555,500     \4\ $28,205         532,795
2010............................         901,983         543,451         538,123          28,492         514,959
2011............................         853,749         525,258         520,109          28,769         496,490
2012............................         806,053         506,419         501,454          29,034         477,385
2013............................         758,916         486,933         482,159          29,287         457,645
2014............................         712,356         466,798         462,222          29,525        437,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ $1,000,000 death benefit reduced 4.93 percent for withdrawal during 2008.
\2\ Notional account value at end of prior year (after distribution) increased by 2 percent return for year.
\3\ Average of $550,000 notional account value at end of prior year (after distribution) and $561,000 notional
  account value at end of current year (before distribution).
\4\ December 31, 2008 notional account (before distribution) divided by uniform lifetime table age 79 factor of
  19.5.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Discounted
                                                   Survivorship      Interest     Mortality rate    additional
                      Year                          to start of     discount to     during year      benefits
                                                       year         end of 2008                     within year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008............................................
2009............................................         1.00000          .97590      \5\ .04426          17,070
2010............................................          .95574      \6\ .92943          .04946      \7\ 15,987
2011............................................      \8\ .90847          .88517          .05519          14,807
2012............................................          .85833          .84302          .06146          13,546
2013............................................          .80558          .80288          .06788          12,150
2014............................................          .75090          .76464          .07477          10,739
                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                  ..............  ..............  ..............        $84,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ One-quarter age 78 rate plus three-quarters age 79 rate.
\6\ Five percent discounted 18 months (1.05 + (-1.5)).
\7\ Blended age 79/age 80 mortality rate (.04946) multiplied by the $363,860 excess of death benefit over the
  average notional account value (901,983 less 538,123) multiplied by .95574 probability of survivorship to the
  start of 2010 multiplied by 18 month interest discount of .92943.
\8\ Survivorship to start of preceding year (.95574) multiplied by probability of survivorship during prior year
  (1-.04946).

    (iii) Because Contract S provides that, in the case of a 
distribution, the value of the additional death benefit (which is the 
only additional benefit available under the contract) is reduced by an 
amount that is at least proportional to the reduction in the notional 
account value and, at age 78 and 9 months, the sum of the notional 
account value (dollar amount credited to the employee under the 
contract) and the actuarial

[[Page 198]]

present value of the additional death benefit is no more than 120 
percent of the notional account value, the exclusion under paragraph 
(c)(2) of this A-12 is applicable for 2009. Therefore, for purposes of 
applying the rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, the entire interest under 
Contract S may be determined as the notional account value (i.e. without 
regard to the additional death benefit).
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in (Example 1 except that 
the notional account value is $450,000 at the end of 2008. In this 
instance, the actuarial present value of the death benefit in excess of 
the notional account value in 2008 is determined to be $108,669 (24 
percent of the notional account value). The following table summarizes 
the actuarial methodology used in determining the actuarial present 
value of the additional benefit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    End-of-year                                     End-of-year
                                   Death benefit     notional         Average      Withdrawal at     notional
              Year                  during year   account before     notional       end of year    account after
                                                    withdrawal        account                       withdrawal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008............................      $1,000,000  ..............  ..............  ..............        $450,000
2009............................         950,739        $459,000        $454,500         $23,077         435,923
2010............................         901,983         444,642         440,282          23,311         421,330
2011............................         853,749         429,757         425,543          23,538         406,219
2012............................         806,053         414,343         410,281          23,755         390,588
2013............................         758,916         398,399         394,494          23,962         374,437
2014............................         712,356         381,926         378,181          24,157         357,768
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Discounted
                                                   Survivorship      Interest     Mortality rate    additional
                      Year                          to start of     discount to     during year      benefits
                                                       year         end of 2008                     within year
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008............................................
2009............................................         1.00000          .97590          .04426         $21,432
2010............................................          .95574          .92943          .04946          20,286
2011............................................          .90847          .88517          .05519          19,004
2012............................................          .85833          .84302          .06146          17,601
2013............................................          .80558          .80288          .06788          15,999
2014............................................          .75090          .76464          .07477          14,347
                                                                                                 ---------------
                                                  ..............  ..............  ..............        $108,669
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Because the sum of the notional account balance and the 
actuarial present value of the additional death benefit is more than 120 
percent of the notional account value, the exclusion under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this A-12 does not apply for 2009. Therefore, for purposes of 
applying the rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, the entire interest under 
Contract S must include the actuarial present value of the additional 
death benefit.

    Q-13: When can an annuity payment period be changed?
    A-13. (a) In general. An annuity payment period may be changed in 
accordance with the provisions set forth in paragraph (b) of this A-13 
or in association with an annuity payment increase described in A-14 of 
this section.
    (b) Reannuitization. If, in a stream of annuity payments that 
otherwise satisfies section 401(a)(9), the annuity payment period is 
changed and the annuity payments are modified in association with that 
change, this modification will not cause the distributions to fail to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9) provided the conditions set forth in paragraph 
(c) of this A-13 are satisfied, and either--
    (1) The modification occurs at the time that the employee retires or 
in connection with a plan termination;
    (2) The annuity payments prior to modification are annuity payments 
paid over a period certain without life contingencies; or
    (3) The annuity payments after modification are paid under a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity over the joint lives of the 
employee and a designated beneficiary, the employee's spouse is the sole 
designated beneficiary, and the modification occurs in connection with 
the employee becoming married to such spouse.
    (c) Conditions. In order to modify a stream of annuity payments in 
accordance with paragraph (b) of this A-13,

[[Page 199]]

the following conditions must be satisfied--
    (1) The future payments under the modified stream satisfy section 
401(a)(9) and this section (determined by treating the date of the 
change as a new annuity starting date and the actuarial present value of 
the remaining payments prior to modification as the entire interest of 
the participant);
    (2) For purposes of sections 415 and 417, the modification is 
treated as a new annuity starting date;
    (3) After taking into account the modification, the annuity stream 
satisfies section 415 (determined at the original annuity starting date, 
using the interest rates and mortality tables applicable to such date); 
and
    (4) The end point of the period certain, if any, for any modified 
payment period is not later than the end point available under section 
401(a)(9) to the employee at the original annuity starting date.
    (d) Examples. For the following examples in this A-13, assume that 
the Applicable Interest Rate throughout the period from 2005 through 
2008 is 5 percent and throughout 2009 is 4 percent, the Applicable 
Mortality Table throughout the period from 2005 to 2009 is the table 
provided in Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-C.B. 632) and the section 415 limit 
in 2005 at age 70 for a straight life annuity is $255,344:

    Example 1. (i) A participant (D), who has 10 years of participation 
in a frozen defined benefit plan (Plan W), attains age 70\1/2\ in 2005. 
D is not retired and elects to receive distributions from Plan W in the 
form of a straight life (i.e. level payment) annuity with annual 
payments of $240,000 per year beginning in 2005 at a date when D has an 
attained age of 70. Plan W offers non-retired employees in pay status 
the opportunity to modify their annuity payments due to an associated 
change in the payment period at retirement. Plan W treats the date of 
the change in payment period as a new annuity starting date for the 
purposes of sections 415 and 417. Thus, for example, the plan provides a 
new qualified and joint survivor annuity election and obtains spousal 
consent.
    (ii) Plan W determines modifications of annuity payment amounts at 
retirement such that the present value of future new annuity payment 
amounts (taking into account the new associated payment period) is 
actuarially equivalent to the present value of future pre-modification 
annuity payments (taking into account the pre-modification annuity 
payment period). Actuarial equivalency for this purpose is determined 
using the Applicable Interest Rate and the Applicable Mortality Table as 
of the date of modification.
    (iii) D retires in 2009 at the age of 74 and, after receiving four 
annual payments of $240,000, elects to receive his remaining 
distributions from Plan W in the form of an immediate final lump sum 
payment (calculated at 4 percent interest) of $2,399,809.
    (iv) Because payment of retirement benefits in the form of an 
immediate final lump sum payment satisfies (in terms of form) section 
401(a)(9), the condition under paragraph (c)(1) of this A-13 is met.
    (v) Because Plan W treats a modification of an annuity payment 
stream at retirement as a new annuity starting date for purposes of 
sections 415 and 417, the condition under paragraph (c)(2) of this A-13 
is met.
    (vi) After taking into account the modification, the annuity stream 
determined as of the original annuity starting date consists of annual 
payments beginning at age 70 of $240,000, $240,000, $240,000, $240,000, 
and $2,399,809. This benefit stream is actuarially equivalent to a 
straight life annuity at age 70 of $250,182, an amount less than the 
section 415 limit determined at the original annuity starting date, 
using the interest and mortality rates applicable to such date. Thus, 
the condition under paragraph (c)(3) of this A-13 is met.
    (vii) Thus, because a stream of annuity payments in the form of a 
straight life annuity satisfies section 401(a)(9), and because each of 
the conditions under paragraph (c) of this A-13 are satisfied, the 
modification of annuity payments to D described in this example meets 
the requirements of this A-13.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that the 
straight life annuity payments are paid at a rate of $250,000 per year 
and after D retires the lump sum payment at age 75 is $2,499,801. Thus, 
after taking into account the modification, the annuity stream 
determined as of the original annuity starting date consists of annual 
payments beginning at age 70 of $250,000, $250,000, $250,000, $250,000, 
and $2,499,801. This benefit stream is actuarially equivalent to a 
straight life annuity at age 70 of $260,606, an amount greater than the 
section 415 limit determined at the original annuity starting date, 
using the interest and mortality rates applicable to such date. Thus, 
the lump sum payment to D fails to satisfy the condition under paragraph 
(c)(3) of this A-13. Therefore, the lump sum payment to D fails to meet 
the requirements of this A-13 and thus fails to satisfy the requirements 
of section 401(a)(9).
    Example 3. (i) A participant (E), who has 10 years of participation 
in a frozen defined benefit plan (Plan X), attains age 70\1/2\ and 
retires in 2005 at a date when his attained age is 70. E was born in 
1935. E elects to receive

[[Page 200]]

annual distributions from Plan X in the form of a 27 year period certain 
annuity (i.e., a 27 year annuity payment period without a life 
contingency) paid at a rate of $37,000 per year beginning in 2005 with 
future payments increasing at a rate of 4 percent per year (i.e., the 
2006 payment will be $38,480, the 2007 payment will be $40,019 and so 
on). Plan X offers participants in pay status whose annuity payments are 
in the form of a term-certain annuity the opportunity to modify their 
payment period at any time and treats such modifications as a new 
annuity starting date for the purposes of sections 415 and 417. Thus, 
for example, the plan provides a new qualified and joint survivor 
annuity election and obtains spousal consent.
    (ii) Plan X determines modifications of annuity payment amounts such 
that the present value of future new annuity payment amounts (taking 
into account the new associated payment period) is actuarially 
equivalent to the present value of future pre-modification annuity 
payments (taking into account the pre-modification annuity payment 
period). Actuarial equivalency for this purpose is determined using 5 
percent and the Applicable Mortality Table as of the date of 
modification.
    (iii) In 2008, E, after receiving annual payments of $37,000, 
$38,480, and $40,019, elects to receive his remaining distributions from 
Plan W in the form of a straight life annuity paid with annual payments 
of $92,133 per year.
    (iv) Because payment of retirement benefits in the form of a 
straight life annuity satisfies (in terms of form) section 401(a)(9), 
the condition under paragraph (c)(1) of this A-13 is met.
    (v) Because Plan X treats a modification of an annuity payment 
stream at retirement as a new annuity starting date for purposes of 
sections 415 and 417, the condition under paragraph (c)(2) of this A-13 
is met.
    (vi) After taking into account the modification, the annuity stream 
determined as of the original annuity starting date consists of annual 
payments beginning at age 70 of $37,000, $38,480, $40,019, and a 
straight life annuity beginning at age 73 of $92,133. This benefit 
stream is equivalent to a straight life annuity at age 70 of $82,539, an 
amount less than the section 415 limit determined at the original 
annuity starting date, using the interest and mortality rates applicable 
to such date. Thus, the condition under paragraph (c)(3) of this A-13 is 
met.
    (vii) Thus, because a stream of annuity payments in the form of a 
straight life annuity satisfies section 401(a)(9), and because each of 
the conditions under paragraph (c) of this A-13 are satisfied, the 
modification of annuity payments to E described in this example meets 
the requirements of this A-13.

    Q-14. Are annuity payments permitted to increase?
    A-14. (a) General rules. Except as otherwise provided in this 
section, all annuity payments (whether paid over an employee's life, 
joint lives, or a period certain) must be nonincreasing or increase only 
in accordance with one or more of the following--
    (1) With an annual percentage increase that does not exceed the 
percentage increase in an eligible cost-of-living index as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this A-14 for a 12-month period ending in the year 
during which the increase occurs or the prior year;
    (2) With a percentage increase that occurs at specified times (e.g., 
at specified ages) and does not exceed the cumulative total of annual 
percentage increases in an eligible cost-of-living index as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this A-14 since the annuity starting date, or if later, 
the date of the most recent percentage increase. However, in cases 
providing such a cumulative increase, an actuarial increase may not be 
provided to reflect the fact that increases were not provided in the 
interim years;
    (3) To the extent of the reduction in the amount of the employee's 
payments to provide for a survivor benefit, but only if there is no 
longer a survivor benefit because the beneficiary whose life was being 
used to determine the period described in section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) over 
which payments were being made dies or is no longer the employee's 
beneficiary pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order within the 
meaning of section 414(p);
    (4) To pay increased benefits that result from a plan amendment;
    (5) To allow a beneficiary to convert the survivor portion of a 
joint and survivor annuity into a single sum distribution upon the 
employee's death; or
    (6) To the extent increases are permitted in accordance with 
paragraph (c) or (d) of this A-14.
    (b) (1) For purposes of this A-14, an eligible cost-of-living index 
means an index described in paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) of this 
A-14.
    (2) A consumer price index that is based on prices of all items (or 
all items excluding food and energy) and

[[Page 201]]

issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including an index for a 
specific population (such as urban consumers or urban wage earners and 
clerical workers) and an index for a geographic area or areas (such as a 
given metropolitan area or state).
    (3) A percentage adjustment based on a cost-of-living index 
described in paragraph (b)(2) of this A-14, or a fixed percentage if 
less. In any year when the cost-of-living index is lower than the fixed 
percentage, the fixed percentage may be treated as an increase in an 
eligible cost-of-living index, provided it does not exceed the sum of:
    (i) The cost-of-living index for that year, and
    (ii) The accumulated excess of the annual cost-of-living index from 
each prior year over the fixed annual percentage used in that year 
(reduced by any amount previously utilized under this paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii)).
    (4) A percentage adjustment based on the increase in compensation 
for the position held by the employee at the time of retirement, and 
provided under either the terms of a governmental plan within the 
meaning of section 414(d) or under the terms of a nongovernmental plan 
as in effect on April 17, 2002.
    (c) Additional permitted increases for annuity payments under 
annuity contracts purchased from insurance companies. In the case of 
annuity payments paid from an annuity contract purchased from an 
insurance company, if the total future expected payments (determined in 
accordance with paragraph (e)(3) of this A-14) exceed the total value 
being annuitized (within the meaning of paragraph (e)(1) of this A-14) , 
the payments under the annuity will not fail to satisfy the 
nonincreasing payment requirement in A-1(a) of this section merely 
because the payments are increased in accordance with one or more of the 
following--
    (1) By a constant percentage, applied not less frequently than 
annually;
    (2) To provide a final payment upon the death of the employee that 
does not exceed the excess of the total value being annuitized (within 
the meaning of paragraph (e)(1) of this A-14) over the total of payments 
before the death of the employee;
    (3) As a result of dividend payments or other payments that result 
from actuarial gains (within the meaning of paragraph (e)(2) of this A-
14), but only if actuarial gain is measured no less frequently than 
annually and the resulting dividend payments or other payments are 
either paid no later than the year following the year for which the 
actuarial experience is measured or paid in the same form as the payment 
of the annuity over the remaining period of the annuity (beginning no 
later than the year following the year for which the actuarial 
experience is measured); and
    (4) An acceleration of payments under the annuity (within the 
meaning of paragraph (e)(4) of this A-14).
    (d) Additional permitted increases for annuity payments from a 
qualified trust. In the case of annuity payments paid under a defined 
benefit plan qualified under section 401(a) (other than annuity payments 
under an annuity contract purchased from an insurance company that 
satisfy paragraph (c) of this section), the payments under the annuity 
will not fail to satisfy the nonincreasing payment requirement in A-1(a) 
of this section merely because the payments are increased in accordance 
with one of the following--
    (1) By a constant percentage, applied not less frequently than 
annually, at a rate that is less than 5 percent per year;
    (2) To provide a final payment upon the death of the employee that 
does not exceed the excess of the actuarial present value of the 
employee's accrued benefit (within the meaning of section 411(a)(7)) 
calculated as the annuity starting date using the applicable interest 
rate and the applicable mortality table under section 417(e) (or, if 
greater, the total amount of employee contributions) over the total of 
payments before the death of the employee; or
    (3) As a result of dividend payments or other payments that result 
from actuarial gains (within the meaning of paragraph (e)(2) of this A-
14), but only if--
    (i) Actuarial gain is measured no less frequently than annually;
    (ii) The resulting dividend payments or other payments are either 
paid no

[[Page 202]]

later than the year following the year for which the actuarial 
experience is measured or paid in the same form as the payment of the 
annuity over the remaining period of the annuity (beginning no later 
than the year following the year for which the actuarial experience is 
measured);
    (iii) The actuarial gain taken into account is limited to actuarial 
gain from investment experience;
    (iv) The assumed interest used to calculate such actuarial gains is 
not less than 3 percent; and
    (v) The payments are not increasing by a constant percentage as 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this A-14.
    (e) Definitions. For purposes of this A-14, the following 
definitions apply--
    (1) Total value being annuitized means--
    (i) In the case of annuity payments under a section 403(a) annuity 
plan or under a deferred annuity purchased by a section 401(a) trust, 
the value of the employee's entire interest (within the meaning of A-12 
of this section) being annuitized (valued as of the date annuity 
payments commence);
    (ii) In the case of annuity payments under an immediate annuity 
contract purchased by a trust for a defined benefit plan qualified under 
section 401(a), the amount of the premium used to purchase the contract; 
and
    (iii) In the case of a defined contribution plan, the value of the 
employee's account balance used to purchase an immediate annuity under 
the contract.
    (2) Actuarial gain means the difference between an amount determined 
using the actuarial assumptions (i.e., investment return, mortality, 
expense, and other similar assumptions) used to calculate the initial 
payments before adjustment for any increases and the amount determined 
under the actual experience with respect to those factors. Actuarial 
gain also includes differences between the amount determined using 
actuarial assumptions when an annuity was purchased or commenced and 
such amount determined using actuarial assumptions used in calculating 
payments at the time the actuarial gain is determined.
    (3) Total future expected payments means the total future payments 
expected to be made under the annuity contract as of the date of the 
determination, calculated using the Single Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-9 (or, if applicable, the Joint and Last Survivor Table in 
A-3 of in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9) for annuitants who are still alive, 
without regard to any increases in annuity payments after the date of 
determination, and taking into account any remaining period certain.
    (4) Acceleration of payments means a shortening of the payment 
period with respect to an annuity or a full or partial commutation of 
the future annuity payments. An increase in the payment amount will be 
treated as an acceleration of payments in the annuity only if the total 
future expected payments under the annuity (including the amount of any 
payment made as a result of the acceleration) is decreased as a result 
of the change in payment period.
    (f) Examples. Paragraph (c) of this A-14 is illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example 1. Variable annuity. A retired participant (Z1) in defined 
contribution plan X attains age 70 on March 5, 2005, and thus, attains 
age 70\1/2\ in 2005. Z1 elects to purchase annuity Contract Y1 from 
Insurance Company W in 2005. Contract Y1 is a single life annuity 
contract with a 10-year period certain. Contract Y1 provides for an 
initial annual payment calculated with an assumed interest rate (AIR) of 
3 percent. Subsequent payments are determined by multiplying the prior 
year's payment by a fraction the numerator of which is 1 plus the actual 
return on the separate account assets underlying Contract Y1 since the 
preceding payment and the denominator of which is 1 plus the AIR during 
that period. The value of Z1's account balance in Plan X at the time of 
purchase is $105,000, and the purchase price of Contract Y1 is $105,000. 
Contract Y1 provides Z1 with an initial payment of $7,200 at the time of 
purchase in 2005. The total future expected payments to Z1 under 
Contract Y1 are $122,400, calculated as the initial payment of $7,200 
multiplied by the age 70 life expectancy of 17 provided in the Single 
Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9. Because the total future 
expected payments on the purchase date exceed the total value used to 
purchase Contract Y1 and payments may only increase as a result of 
actuarial gain, with such increases, beginning no later than the next 
year, paid in the same form as the payment of the annuity over the 
remaining period of the annuity, distributions received by Z1 from 
Contract Y1 meet the requirements under paragraph (c)(3) of this A-14.

[[Page 203]]

    Example 2. Participating annuity. A retired participant (Z2) in 
defined contribution plan X attains age 70 on May 1, 2005, and thus, 
attains age 70\1/2\ in 2005. Z2 elects to purchase annuity Contract Y2 
from Insurance Company W in 2005. Contract Y2 is a participating single 
life annuity contract with a 10-year period certain. Contract Y2 
provides for level annual payments with dividends paid in a lump sum in 
the year after the year for which the actuarial experience is measured 
or paid out levelly beginning in the year after the year for which the 
actuarial gain is measured over the remaining lifetime and period 
certain, i.e., the period certain ends at the same time as the original 
period certain. Dividends are determined annually by the Board of 
Directors of Company W based upon a comparison of actual actuarial 
experience to expected actuarial experience in the past year. The value 
of Z2's account balance in Plan X at the time of purchase is $265,000, 
and the purchase price of Contract Y2 is $265,000. Contract Y2 provides 
Z2 with an initial payment of $16,000 in 2005. The total future expected 
payments to Z2 under Contract Y2 are calculated as the annual initial 
payment of $16,000 multiplied by the age 70 life expectancy of 17 
provided in the Single Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9 for a 
total of $272,000. Because the total future expected payments on the 
purchase date exceeds the total value used to purchase Contract Y2 and 
payments may only increase as a result of actuarial gain, with such 
increases, beginning no later than the next year, paid in the same form 
as the payment of the annuity over the remaining period of the annuity, 
distributions received by Z2 from Contract Y2 meet the requirements 
under paragraph (c)(3) of this A-14.
    Example 3. Participating annuity with dividend accumulation. The 
facts are the same as in Example 2 except that the annuity provides a 
dividend accumulation option under which Z2 may defer receipt of the 
dividends to a time selected by Z2. Because the dividend accumulation 
option permits dividends to be paid later than the end of the year 
following the year for which the actuarial experience is measured or as 
a stream of payments that only increase as a result of actuarial gain, 
with such increases beginning no later than the next year, paid in the 
same form as the payment of the annuity over the remaining period of the 
annuity in Example 2, the dividend accumulation option does not meet the 
requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this A-14. Neither does the dividend 
accumulation option fit within any of the other increases described in 
paragraph (c) of this A-14. Accordingly, the dividend accumulation 
option causes the contract, and consequently any distributions from the 
contract, to fail to meet the requirements of this A-14 and thus fail to 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9).
    Example 4. Participating annuity with dividends used to purchase 
additional death benefits. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except 
that the annuity provides an option under which actuarial gain under the 
contract is used to provide additional death benefit protection for Z2. 
Because this option permits payments as a result of actuarial gain to be 
paid later than the end of the year following the year for which the 
actuarial experience is measured or as a stream of payments that only 
increase as a result of actuarial gain, with such increases beginning no 
later than the next year, paid in the same form as the payment of the 
annuity over the remaining period of the annuity in Example 2, the 
option does not meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this A-14. 
Neither does the option fit within any of the other increases described 
in paragraph (c) of this A-14. Accordingly, the addition of the option 
causes the contract, and consequently any distributions from the 
contract, to fail to meet the requirements of this A-14 and thus fail to 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9).
    Example 5. Annuity with a fixed percentage increase. A retired 
participant (Z3) in defined contribution plan X attains age 70\1/2\ in 
2005. Z3 elects to purchase annuity contract Y3 from Insurance Company 
W. Contract Y3 is a single life annuity contract with a 20-year period 
certain (which does not exceed the maximum period certain permitted 
under A-3(a) of this section) with fixed annual payments increasing 3 
percent each year. The value of Z3's account balance in Plan X at the 
time of purchase is $110,000, and the purchase price of Contract Y3 is 
$110,000. Contract Y3 provides Z3 with an initial payment of $6,000 at 
the time of purchase in 2005. The total future expected payments to Z3 
under Contract Y3 are $120,000, calculated as the initial annual payment 
of $6,000 multiplied by the period certain of 20 years. Because the 
total future expected payments on the purchase date exceed the total 
value used to purchase Contract Y3 and payments only increase as a 
constant percentage applied not less frequently than annually, 
distributions received by Z3 from Contract Y3 meet the requirements 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this A-14.
    Example 6. Annuity with excessive increases. The facts are the same 
as in Example 5 except that the initial payment is $5,400 and the annual 
rate of increase is 4 percent. In this example, the total future 
expected payments are $108,000, calculated as the initial payment of 
$5,400 multiplied by the period certain of 20 years. Because the total 
future expected payments are less than the total value of $110,000 used 
to purchase Contract Y3, distributions received by Z3 do not meet the 
requirements under paragraph (c) of this A-14 and thus fail to meet the 
requirements of section 401(a)(9).

[[Page 204]]

    Example 7. Annuity with full commutation feature. (i) A retired 
participant (Z4) in defined contribution Plan X attains age 78 in 2005. 
Z4 elects to purchase Contract Y4 from Insurance Company W. Contract Y4 
provides for a single life annuity with a 10 year period certain (which 
does not exceed the maximum period certain permitted under A-3(a) of 
this section) with annual payments. Contract Y4 provides that Z4 may 
cancel Contract Y4 at any time before Z4 attains age 84, and receive, on 
his next payment due date, a final payment in an amount determined by 
multiplying the initial payment amount by a factor obtained from Table M 
of Contract Y4 using the Y4's age as of Y4's birthday in the calendar 
year of the final payment. The value of Z4's account balance in Plan X 
at the time of purchase is $450,000, and the purchase price of Contract 
Y4 is $450,000. Contract Y4 provides Z4 with an initial payment in 2005 
of $40,000. The factors in Table M are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Age at final payment                        Factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
79.........................................................         10.5
80.........................................................         10.0
81.........................................................          9.5
82.........................................................          9.0
83.........................................................          8.5
84.........................................................          8.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The total future expected payments to Z4 under ContractY4 are 
$456,000, calculated as the initial payment of 40,000 multiplied by the 
age 78 life expectancy of 11.4 provided in the Single Life Table in A-1 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9. Because the total future expected payments on 
the purchase date exceed the total value being annuitized (i.e., the 
$450,000 used to purchase Contract Y4), the permitted increases set 
forth in paragraph (c) of this A-14 are available. Furthermore, because 
the factors in Table M are less than the life expectancy of each of the 
ages in the Single Life Table provided in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9, 
the final payment is always less than the total future expected 
payments. Thus, the final payment is an acceleration of payments within 
the meaning of paragraph (c)(4) of this A-14.
    (iii) As an illustration of the above, if Participant Z4 were to 
elect to cancel Contract Y4 on the day before he was to attain age 84, 
his contractual final payment would be $320,000. This amount is 
determined as $40,000 (the annual payment amount due under Contract Y4) 
multiplied by 8.0 (the factor in Table M for the next payment due date, 
age 84). The total future expected payments under Contract Y4 at age 84 
before the final payment is $324,000, calculated as the initial payment 
amount multiplied by 8.1, the age 84 life expectancy provided in the 
Single Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9. Because $320,000 (the 
total future expected payments under the annuity contract, including the 
amount of the final payment) is less than $324,000 (the total future 
expected payments under the annuity contract, determined before the 
election), the final payment is an acceleration of payments within the 
meaning of paragraph (c)(4) of this A-14.
    Example 8. Annuity with partial commutation feature. (i) The facts 
are the same as in Example 7 except that the annuity provides Z4 may 
request, at any time before Z4 attains age 84, an ad hoc payment on his 
next payment due date with future payments reduced by an amount equal to 
the ad hoc payment divided by the factor obtained from Table M (from 
Example 7) corresponding to Z4's age at the time of the ad hoc payment. 
Because, at each age, the factors in Table M are less than the 
corresponding life expectancies in the Single Life Table in A-1 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-9, total future expected payments under Contract Y4 will 
decrease after an ad hoc payment. Thus, ad hoc distributions received by 
Z4 from Contract Y4 will satisfy the requirements under paragraph (c)(4) 
of this A-4.
    (ii) As an illustration of paragraph (i) of this Example 8, if Z4 
were to request, on the day before he was to attain age 84, an ad hoc 
payment of $100,000 on his next payment due date, his recalculated 
annual payment amount would be reduced to $27,500. This amount is 
determined as $40,000 (the amount of Z4's next annual payment) reduced 
by $12,500 (his $100,000 ad hoc payment divided by the Table M factor at 
age 84 of 8.0). Thus, Z4's total future expected payments after the ad 
hoc payment (and including the ad hoc payment) are equal to $322,750 
($100,000 plus $27,500 multiplied by the Single Life Table value of 
8.1). Note that this $322,750 amount is less than the amount of Z4's 
total future expected payments before the ad hoc payment ($324,000, 
determined as $40,000 multiplied by 8.1), and the requirements under 
paragraph (c)(4) of this A-4 are satisfied.
    Example 9. Annuity with excessive increases. (i) A retired 
participant (Z5) in defined contribution plan X attains age 70\1/2\ in 
2005. Z5 elects to purchase annuity Contract Y5 from Insurance Company W 
in 2005 with a premium of $1,000,000. Contract Y5 is a single life 
annuity contract with a 20-year period certain. Contract Y5 provides for 
an initial payment of $200,000, a second payment one year from the time 
of purchase of $40,000, and 18 succeeding annual payments each 
increasing at a constant percentage rate of 4.5 percent from the 
preceding payment.
    (ii) Contract Y5 fails to meet the requirements of section 401(a)(9) 
because the total future expected payments without regard to any 
increases in the annuity payment, calculated as $200,000 in year one and 
$40,000 in each of years two through twenty, is only $960,000 (i.e., an 
amount that does not exceed the total value used to purchase the 
annuity).


[[Page 205]]


    Q-15: Are there special rules applicable to payments made under a 
defined benefit plan or annuity contract to a surviving child?
    A-15: Yes, pursuant to section 401(a)(9)(F), payments under a 
defined benefit plan or annuity contract that are made to an employee's 
child until such child reaches the age of majority (or dies, if earlier) 
may be treated, for purposes of section 401(a)(9), as if such payments 
were made to the surviving spouse to the extent they become payable to 
the surviving spouse upon cessation of the payments to the child. For 
purposes of the preceding sentence, a child may be treated as having not 
reached the age of majority if the child has not completed a specified 
course of education and is under the age of 26. In addition, a child who 
is disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7) when the child 
reaches the age of majority may be treated as having not reached the age 
of majority so long as the child continues to be disabled. Thus, when 
payments described in this paragraph A-15 become payable to the 
surviving spouse because the child attains the age of majority, recovers 
from a disabling illness, dies, or completes a specified course of 
education, there is not an increase in benefits under A-1 of this 
section. Likewise, the age of child receiving such payments is not taken 
into consideration for purposes of the minimum incidental benefit 
requirement of A-2 of this section.
    Q-16: What are the rules for determining required minimum 
distributions for defined benefit plans and annuity contracts for 
calendar years 2003, 2004, and 2005?
    A-16: A distribution from a defined benefit plan or annuity contract 
for calendar years 2003, 2004, and 2005 will not fail to satisfy section 
401(a)(9) merely because the payments do not satisfy A-1 through A-15 of 
this section, provided the payments satisfy section 401(a)(9) based on a 
reasonable and good faith interpretation of the provisions of section 
401(a)(9).
    Q-17. What is a qualifying longevity annuity contract?
    A-17. (a) Definition of qualifying longevity annuity contract. A 
qualifying longevity annuity contract (QLAC) is an annuity contract that 
is purchased from an insurance company for an employee and that, in 
accordance with the rules of application of paragraph (d) of this A-17, 
satisfies each of the following requirements--
    (1) Premiums for the contract satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(b) of this A-17;
    (2) The contract provides that distributions under the contract must 
commence not later than a specified annuity starting date that is no 
later than the first day of the month next following the 85th 
anniversary of the employee's birth;
    (3) The contract provides that, after distributions under the 
contract commence, those distributions must satisfy the requirements of 
this section (other than the requirement in A-1(c) of this section that 
annuity payments commence on or before the required beginning date);
    (4) The contract does not make available any commutation benefit, 
cash surrender right, or other similar feature;
    (5) No benefits are provided under the contract after the death of 
the employee other than the benefits described in paragraph (c) of this 
A-17;
    (6) When the contract is issued, the contract (or a rider or 
endorsement with respect to that contract) states that the contract is 
intended to be a QLAC; and
    (7) The contract is not a variable contract under section 817, an 
indexed contract, or a similar contract, except to the extent provided 
by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin and made available by the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, DC 20402 and on the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.
    (b) Limitations on premiums--(1) In general. The premiums paid with 
respect to the contract on a date satisfy the requirements of this 
paragraph (b) if they do not exceed the lesser of the dollar limitation 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this A-17 or the percentage limitation in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this A-17.
    (2) Dollar limitation. The dollar limitation is an amount equal to 
the excess of--

[[Page 206]]

    (i) $125,000 (as adjusted under paragraph (d)(2) of this A-17), over
    (ii) The sum of--
    (A) The premiums paid before that date with respect to the contract, 
and
    (B) The premiums paid on or before that date with respect to any 
other contract that is intended to be a QLAC and that is purchased for 
the employee under the plan, or any other plan, annuity, or account 
described in section 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), or 408 or eligible 
governmental plan under section 457(b).
    (3) Percentage limitation. The percentage limitation is an amount 
equal to the excess of--
    (i) 25 percent of the employee's account balance under the plan 
(including the value of any QLAC held under the plan for the employee) 
as of that date, determined in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of 
this A-17, over
    (ii) The sum of--
    (A) The premiums paid before that date with respect to the contract, 
and
    (B) The premiums paid on or before that date with respect to any 
other contract that is intended to be a QLAC and that is held or was 
purchased for the employee under the plan.
    (c) Payments after death of the employee--(1) Surviving spouse is 
sole beneficiary--(i) Death on or after annuity starting date. If the 
employee dies on or after the annuity starting date for the contract and 
the employee's surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary under the 
contract then, except as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this A-17, the 
only benefit permitted to be paid after the employee's death is a life 
annuity payable to the surviving spouse where the periodic annuity 
payment is not in excess of 100 percent of the periodic annuity payment 
that is payable to the employee.
    (ii) Death before annuity starting date--(A) Amount of annuity. If 
the employee dies before the annuity starting date and the employee's 
surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary under the contract then, except 
as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this A-17, the only benefit permitted 
to be paid after the employee's death is a life annuity payable to the 
surviving spouse where the periodic annuity payment is not in excess of 
100 percent of the periodic annuity payment that would have been payable 
to the employee as of the date that benefits to the surviving spouse 
commence. However, the annuity is permitted to exceed 100 percent of the 
periodic annuity payment that would have been payable to the employee to 
the extent necessary to satisfy the requirement to provide a qualified 
preretirement survivor annuity (as defined under section 417(c)(2) or 
ERISA section 205(e)(2)) pursuant to section 401(a)(11)(A)(ii) or ERISA 
section 205(a)(2).
    (B) Commencement date for annuity. Any life annuity payable to the 
surviving spouse under paragraph (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this A-17 must 
commence no later than the date on which the annuity payable to the 
employee would have commenced under the contract if the employee had not 
died.
    (2) Surviving spouse is not sole beneficiary--(i) Death on or after 
annuity starting date. If the employee dies on or after the annuity 
starting date for the contract and the employee's surviving spouse is 
not the sole beneficiary under the contract then, except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(4) of this A-17, the only benefit permitted to be paid 
after the employee's death is a life annuity payable to the designated 
beneficiary where the periodic annuity payment is not in excess of the 
applicable percentage (determined under paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this A-
17) of the periodic annuity payment that is payable to the employee.
    (ii) Death before annuity starting date--(A) Amount of annuity. If 
the employee dies before the annuity starting date and the employee's 
surviving spouse is not the sole beneficiary under the contract then, 
except as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this A-17, the only benefit 
permitted to be paid after the employee's death is a life annuity 
payable to the designated beneficiary where the periodic annuity payment 
is not in excess of the applicable percentage (determined under 
paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this A-17) of the periodic annuity payment that 
would have been payable to the employee as of the date that benefits to 
the designated beneficiary commence under this paragraph (c)(2)(ii).
    (B) Commencement date for annuity. In any case in which the employee 
dies

[[Page 207]]

before the annuity starting date, any life annuity payable to a 
designated beneficiary under this paragraph (c)(2)(ii) must commence by 
the last day of the calendar year immediately following the calendar 
year of the employee's death.
    (iii) Applicable percentage--(A) Contracts without pre-annuity 
starting date death benefits. If, as described in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) 
of this A-17, the contract does not provide for a pre-annuity starting 
date non-spousal death benefit, the applicable percentage is the 
percentage described in the table in A-2(c) of this section.
    (B) Contracts with set beneficiary designation. If the contract 
provides for a set non-spousal beneficiary designation as described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(v) (and is not a contract described in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iv)) of this A-17, the applicable percentage is the percentage 
described in the table set forth in paragraph (c)(2)(iii)(D) of this A-
17. A contract is still considered to provide for a set beneficiary 
designation even if the surviving spouse becomes the sole beneficiary 
before the annuity starting date. In such a case, the requirements of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this A-17 apply and not the requirements of this 
paragraph (c)(2).
    (C) Contracts providing for return of premium. If the contract 
provides for a return of premium as described in paragraph (c)(4) of 
this A-17, the applicable percentage is 0.
    (D) Applicable percentage table. The applicable percentage is based 
on the adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference, determined in the 
same manner as in A-2(c) of this section.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Applicable
        Adjusted employee/beneficiary age difference          percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 years or less............................................          100
3..........................................................           88
4..........................................................           78
5..........................................................           70
6..........................................................           63
7..........................................................           57
8..........................................................           52
9..........................................................           48
10.........................................................           44
11.........................................................           41
12.........................................................           38
13.........................................................           36
14.........................................................           34
15.........................................................           32
16.........................................................           30
17.........................................................           28
18.........................................................           27
19.........................................................           26
20.........................................................           25
21.........................................................           24
22.........................................................           23
23.........................................................           22
24.........................................................           21
25 and greater.............................................           20
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iv) No pre-annuity starting date non-spousal death benefit. A 
contract is described in this paragraph (c)(2)(iv) if the contract 
provides that no benefit is permitted to be paid to a beneficiary other 
than the employee's surviving spouse after the employee's death--
    (A) In any case in which the employee dies before the annuity 
starting date under the contract; and
    (B) In any case in which the employee selects an annuity starting 
date that is earlier than the specified annuity starting date under the 
contract and the employee dies less than 90 days after making that 
election.
    (v) Contracts permitting set non-spousal beneficiary designation. A 
contract is described in this paragraph (c)(2)(v) if the contract 
provides that if the beneficiary under the contract is not the 
employee's surviving spouse, benefits are payable to the beneficiary 
only if the beneficiary was irrevocably designated on or before the 
later of the date of purchase or the employee's required beginning date.
    (3) Calculation of early annuity payments. For purposes of 
paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2)(ii) of this A-17, to the extent the 
contract does not provide an option for the employee to select an 
annuity starting date that is earlier than the date on which the annuity 
payable to the employee would have commenced under the contract if the 
employee had not died, the contract must provide a way to determine the 
periodic annuity payment that would have been payable if the employee 
were to have an option to accelerate the payments and the payments had 
commenced to the employee immediately prior to the date that benefit 
payments to the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary commence.
    (4) Return of premiums--(i) In general. In lieu of a life annuity 
payable to a designated beneficiary under paragraph

[[Page 208]]

(c)(1) or (2) of this A-17, a QLAC is permitted to provide for a benefit 
to be paid to a beneficiary after the death of the employee in an amount 
equal to the excess of--
    (A) The premium payments made with respect to the QLAC over
    (B) The payments already made under the QLAC.
    (ii) Payments after death of surviving spouse. If a QLAC is 
providing a life annuity to a surviving spouse (or will provide a life 
annuity to a surviving spouse) under paragraph (c)(1) of this A-17, it 
is also permitted to provide for a benefit paid to a beneficiary after 
the death of both the employee and the spouse in an amount equal to the 
excess of--
    (A) The premium payments made with respect to the QLAC over
    (B) The payments already made under the QLAC.
    (iii) Other rules--(A) Timing of return of premium payment following 
death of employee. A return of premium payment under this paragraph 
(c)(4) must be paid no later than the end of the calendar year following 
the calendar year in which the employee dies. If the employee's death is 
after the required beginning date, the return of premium payment is 
treated as a required minimum distribution for the year in which it is 
paid and is not eligible for rollover.
    (B) Timing of return of premium payment following death of surviving 
spouse receiving life annuity. If the return of premium payment is paid 
after the death of a surviving spouse who is receiving a life annuity 
(or after the death of a surviving spouse who has not yet commenced 
receiving a life annuity after the death of the employee), the return of 
premium payment under this paragraph (c)(4) must be made no later than 
the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the 
surviving spouse dies. If the surviving spouse's death is after the 
required beginning date for the surviving spouse, then the return of 
premium payment is treated as a required minimum distribution for the 
year in which it is paid and is not eligible for rollover.
    (5) Multiple beneficiaries. If an employee has more than one 
designated beneficiary under a QLAC, the rules in A-2(a) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-8 apply for purposes of paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
A-17.
    (d) Rules of application--(1) Rules relating to premiums--(i) 
Reliance on representations. For purposes of the limitation on premiums 
described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this A-17, unless the plan 
administrator has actual knowledge to the contrary, the plan 
administrator may rely on an employee's representation (made in writing 
or such other form as may be prescribed by the Commissioner) of the 
amount of the premiums described in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(B) and 
(b)(3)(ii)(B) of this A-17, but only with respect to premiums that are 
not paid under a plan, annuity, or contract that is maintained by the 
employer or an entity that is treated as a single employer with the 
employer under section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o).
    (ii) Consequences of excess premiums--(A) General Rule. If an 
annuity contract fails to be a QLAC solely because a premium for the 
contract exceeds the limits under paragraph (b) of this A-17, then the 
contract is not a QLAC beginning on the date that premium payment is 
made unless the excess premium is returned to the non-QLAC portion of 
the employee's account in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of 
this A-17. If the contract fails to be a QLAC, then the value of the 
contract may not be disregarded under A-3(d) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 as 
of the date on which the contract ceases to be a QLAC.
    (B) Correction in year following year of excess. If the excess 
premium is returned (either in cash or in the form of a contract that is 
not intended to be a QLAC) to the non-QLAC portion of the employee's 
account by the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in 
which the excess premium was originally paid, then the contract will not 
be treated as exceeding the limits under paragraph (b) of this A-17 at 
any time, and the value of the contract will not be included in the 
employee's account balance under A-3(d) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5. If the 
excess premium (including the fair market value of an annuity contract 
that is not intended to be a QLAC, if applicable) is returned to the 
non-QLAC portion of the employee's account after the last valuation date 
for the calendar year in

[[Page 209]]

which the excess premium was originally paid, then the employee's 
account balance for that calendar year must be increased to reflect that 
excess premium in the same manner as an employee's account balance is 
increased under A-2 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-7 to reflect a rollover 
received after the last valuation date.
    (C) Return of excess premium not a commutation benefit. If the 
excess premium is returned to the non-QLAC portion of the employee's 
account as described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(B) of this A-17, it will 
not be treated as a violation of the requirement in paragraph (a)(4) of 
this A-17 that the contract not provide a commutation benefit.
    (iii) Application of 25-percent limit. For purposes of the 25-
percent limit under paragraph (b)(3) of this A-17, an employee's account 
balance on the date on which premiums for a contract are paid is the 
account balance as of the last valuation date preceding the date of the 
premium payment, adjusted as follows. The account balance is increased 
for contributions allocated to the account during the period that begins 
after the valuation date and ends before the date the premium is paid 
and decreased for distributions made from the account during that 
period.
    (2) Dollar and age limitations subject to adjustments--(i) Dollar 
limitation. In the case of calendar years beginning on or after January 
1, 2015, the $125,000 amount under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this A-17 will 
be adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as the limits are 
adjusted under section 415(d), except that the base period shall be the 
calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2013, and any increase under this 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) that is not a multiple of $10,000 will be rounded to 
the next lowest multiple of $10,000.
    (ii) Age limitation. The maximum age set forth in paragraph (a)(2) 
of this A-17 may be adjusted to reflect changes in mortality, with any 
such adjusted age to be prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin and made available by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 and on the IRS Web site 
at http://www.irs.gov.
    (iii) Prospective application of adjustments. If a contract fails to 
be a QLAC because it does not satisfy the dollar limitation in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this A-17 or the age limitation in paragraph (a)(2) of this A-
17, any subsequent adjustment that is made pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) or paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this A-17 will not cause the 
contract to become a QLAC.
    (3) Determination of whether contract is intended to be a QLAC--(i) 
Structural deficiency. If a contract fails to be a QLAC at any time for 
a reason other than an excess premium described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) 
of this A-17, then as of the date of purchase the contract will not be 
treated as a QLAC (for purposes of A-3(d) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5) or as 
a contract that is intended to be a QLAC (for purposes of paragraph (b) 
of this A-17) as of the date of purchase.
    (ii) Roth IRAs. A contract that is purchased under a Roth IRA is not 
treated as a contract that is intended to be a QLAC for purposes of 
applying the dollar and percentage limitation rules in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(ii)(B) and (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this A-17. See A-14(d) of Sec. 
1.408A-6. If a QLAC is purchased or held under a plan, annuity, account, 
or traditional IRA, and that contract is later rolled over or converted 
to a Roth IRA, the contract is not treated as a contract that is 
intended to be a QLAC after the date of the rollover or conversion. 
Thus, premiums paid with respect to the contract will not be taken into 
account under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) or paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this 
A-17 after the date of the rollover or conversion.
    (4) Certain contracts not treated as similar contracts--(i) 
Participating annuity contract. An annuity contract is not treated as a 
contract described in paragraph (a)(7) of this A-17 merely because it 
provides for the payment of dividends described in A-14(c)(3) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6.
    (ii) Contracts with cost-of-living adjustments. An annuity contract 
is not treated as a contract described in paragraph (a)(7) of this A-17 
merely because it provides for a cost-of-living adjustment as described 
in A-14(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6.
    (5) Group annuity contract certificates. The requirement under 
paragraph (a)(6) of this A-17 that the contract state

[[Page 210]]

that it is intended to be a QLAC when issued is satisfied if a 
certificate is issued under a group annuity contract and the 
certificate, when issued, states that the employee's interest under the 
group annuity contract is intended to be a QLAC.
    (e) Effective/applicability date--(1) General applicability date. 
This A-17 and Sec. 1.403(b)-6(e)(9) apply to contracts purchased on or 
after July 2, 2014 If on or after July 2, 2014 an existing contract is 
exchanged for a contract that satisfies the requirements of this A-17, 
the new contract will be treated as purchased on the date of the 
exchange and the fair market value of the contract that is exchanged for 
a QLAC will be treated as a premium paid with respect to the QLAC.
    (2) Delayed applicability date for requirement that contract state 
that it is intended to be QLAC. An annuity contract purchased before 
January 1, 2016, will not fail to be a QLAC merely because the contract 
does not satisfy the requirement of paragraph (a)(6) of this A-17, 
provided that--
    (i) When the contract (or a certificate under a group annuity 
contract) is issued, the employee is notified that the annuity contract 
is intended to be a QLAC; and
    (ii) The contract is amended (or a rider, endorsement or amendment 
to the certificate is issued) no later than December 31, 2016, to state 
that the annuity contract is intended to be a QLAC.

[T.D. 9130, 69 FR 33293, June 15, 2004; 69 FR 68077, Nov. 23, 2004; T.D. 
9459, 74 FR 45994, Sept. 8, 2009; T.D. 9673, 79 FR 37639, July 2, 2014; 
79 FR 45683, Aug. 6, 2014]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-7  Rollovers and transfers.

    Q-1. If an amount is distributed by one plan (distributing plan) and 
is rolled over to another plan, is the required minimum distribution 
under the distributing plan affected by the rollover?
    A-1. No, if an amount is distributed by one plan and is rolled over 
to another plan, the amount distributed is still treated as a 
distribution by the distributing plan for purposes of section 401(a)(9), 
notwithstanding the rollover. See A-1 of Sec. 1.402(c)-2 for the 
definition of a rollover and A-7 of Sec. 1.402(c)-2 for rules for 
determining the portion of any distribution that is not eligible for 
rollover because it is a required minimum distribution.
    Q-2. If an amount is distributed by one plan (distributing plan) and 
is rolled over to another plan (receiving plan), how are the benefit and 
the required minimum distribution under the receiving plan affected?
    A-2. If an amount is distributed by one plan (distributing plan) and 
is rolled over to another plan (receiving plan), the benefit of the 
employee under the receiving plan is increased by the amount rolled over 
for purposes of determining the required minimum distribution for the 
calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the 
amount rolled over is distributed. If the amount rolled over is received 
after the last valuation date in the calendar year under the receiving 
plan, the benefit of the employee as of such valuation date, adjusted in 
accordance with A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, will be increased by the 
rollover amount valued as of the date of receipt. In addition, if the 
amount rolled over is received in a different calendar year from the 
calendar year in which it is distributed, the amount rolled over is 
deemed to have been received by the receiving plan in the calendar year 
in which it was distributed.
    Q-3. In the case of a transfer of an amount of an employee's benefit 
from one plan (transferor plan) to another plan (transferee plan), are 
there any special rules for satisfying section 401(a)(9) or determining 
the employee's benefit under the transferor plan?
    A-3. (a) In the case of a transfer of an amount of an employee's 
benefit from one plan (transferor plan) to another (transferee plan), 
the transfer is not treated as a distribution by the transferor plan for 
purposes of section 401(a)(9). Instead, the benefit of the employee 
under the transferor plan is decreased by the amount transferred. 
However, if any portion of an employee's benefit is transferred in a 
distribution calendar year with respect to that employee, in order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9), the transferor plan must determine the amount 
of the required minimum distribution with respect to that employee for 
the calendar year of

[[Page 211]]

the transfer using the employee's benefit under the transferor plan 
before the transfer. Additionally, if any portion of an employee's 
benefit is transferred in the employee's second distribution calendar 
year but on or before the employee's required beginning date, in order 
to satisfy section 401(a)(9), the transferor plan must determine the 
amount of the minimum distribution requirement for the employee's first 
distribution calendar year based on the employee's benefit under the 
transferor plan before the transfer. The transferor plan may satisfy the 
minimum distribution requirement for the calendar year of the transfer 
(and the prior year if applicable) by segregating the amount which must 
be distributed from the employee's benefit and not transferring that 
amount. Such amount may be retained by the transferor plan and must be 
distributed on or before the date required under section 401(a)(9).
    (b) For purposes of determining any required minimum distribution 
for the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which 
the transfer occurs, in the case of a transfer after the last valuation 
date for the calendar year of the transfer under the transferor plan, 
the benefit of the employee as of such valuation date, adjusted in 
accordance with A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, will be decreased by the 
amount transferred, valued as of the date of the transfer.
    Q-4. If an amount of an employee's benefit is transferred from one 
plan (transferor plan) to another plan (transferee plan), how are the 
benefit and the required minimum distribution under the transferee plan 
affected?
    A-4. In the case of a transfer from one plan (transferor plan) to 
another (transferee plan), the benefit of the employee under the 
transferee plan is increased by the amount transferred in the same 
manner as if it were a plan receiving a rollover contribution under A-2 
of this section.
    Q-5. How is a spinoff, merger or consolidation (as defined in Sec. 
1.414(l)-1) treated for purposes of determining an employee's benefit 
and required minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-5. For purposes of determining an employee's benefit and required 
minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9), a spinoff, a merger, or a 
consolidation (as defined in Sec. 1.414(l)-1) will be treated as a 
transfer of the benefits of the employees involved. Consequently, the 
benefit and required minimum distribution of each employee involved 
under the transferor and transferee plans will be determined in 
accordance with A-3 and A-4 of this section.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-8  Special rules.

    Q-1. What distribution rules apply if an employee is a participant 
in more than one plan?
    A-1. If an employee is a participant in more than one plan, the 
plans in which the employee participates are not permitted to be 
aggregated for purposes of testing whether the distribution requirements 
of section 401(a)(9) are met. The distribution of the benefit of the 
employee under each plan must separately meet the requirements of 
section 401(a)(9). For this purpose, a plan described in section 414(k) 
is treated as two separate plans, a defined contribution plan to the 
extent benefits are based on an individual account and a defined benefit 
plan with respect to the remaining benefits.
    Q-2. If an employee's benefit under a defined contribution plan is 
divided into separate accounts (or under a defined benefit plan is 
divided into segregated shares), do the distribution rules in section 
401(a)(9) and these regulations apply separately to each separate 
account?
    A-2. (a) Defined contribution plan. (1) Except as otherwise provided 
in this A-2, if an employee's benefit under a defined contribution plan 
is divided into separate accounts under the plan, the separate accounts 
will be aggregated for purposes of satisfying the rules in section 
401(a)(9). Thus, except as otherwise provided in this A-2, all separate 
accounts, including a separate account for employee contributions under 
section 72(d)(2), will be aggregated for purposes of section 401(a)(9).
    (2) If the employee's benefit in a defined contribution plan is 
divided into separate accounts and the beneficiaries

[[Page 212]]

with respect to one separate account differ from the beneficiaries with 
respect to the other separate accounts of the employee under the plan, 
for years subsequent to the calendar year containing the date as of 
which the separate accounts were established, or date of death if later, 
such separate account under the plan is not aggregated with the other 
separate accounts under the plan in order to determine whether the 
distributions from such separate account under the plan satisfy section 
401(a)(9). Instead, the rules in section 401(a)(9) separately apply to 
such separate account under the plan. However, the applicable 
distribution period for each such separate account is determined 
disregarding the other beneficiaries of the employee's benefit only if 
the separate account is established on a date no later than the last day 
of the year following the calendar year of the employee's death. For 
example, if, in the case of a distribution described in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the only beneficiary of a separate account 
under the plan established on a date no later than the end of the year 
following the calendar year of the employee's death is the employee's 
surviving spouse, and beneficiaries other than the surviving spouse are 
designated with respect to the other separate accounts with respect to 
the employee, distribution of the spouse's separate account under the 
plan need not commence until the date determined under the first 
sentence in A-3(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, even if distribution of the 
other separate accounts under the plan must commence at an earlier date. 
Similarly, in the case of a distribution after the death of an employee 
to which section 401(a)(9)(B)(i) does not apply, distribution from a 
separate account of an employee established on a date no later than the 
end of the year following the year of the employee's death may be made 
over a beneficiary's life expectancy in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv) even though distributions from other separate 
accounts under the plan with different beneficiaries are being made in 
accordance with the 5-year rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii).
    (3) A portion of an employee's account balance under a defined 
contribution plan is permitted to be used to purchase an annuity 
contract while another portion stays in the account. In that case, the 
remaining account under the plan must be distributed in accordance with 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 in order to satisfy section 401(a)(9) and the 
annuity payments under the annuity contract must satisfy Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6 in order to satisfy section 401(a)(9).
    (b) Defined benefit plan. The rules of paragraph (a)(2) and (3) of 
this A-2 also apply to benefits under a defined benefit plan where the 
benefits under the plan are separated into separate identifiable 
components which are separately distributed.
    Q-3. What are separate accounts for purposes of section 401(a)(9)?
    A-3. For purposes of section 401(a)(9), separate accounts in an 
employee's account are separate portions of an employee's benefit 
reflecting the separate interests of the employee's beneficiaries under 
the plan as of the date of the employee's death for which separate 
accounting is maintained. The separate accounting must allocate all 
post-death investment gains and losses, contributions, and forfeitures, 
for the period prior to the establishment of the separate accounts on a 
pro rata basis in a reasonable and consistent manner among the separate 
accounts. However, once the separate accounts are actually established, 
the separate accounting can provide for separate investments for each 
separate account under which gains and losses from the investment of the 
account are only allocated to that account, or investment gain or losses 
can continue to be allocated among the separate accounts on a pro rata 
basis. A separate accounting must allocate any post-death distribution 
to the separate account of the beneficiary receiving that distribution.
    Q-4. If a distribution is required to be made to an employee by 
section 401(a)(9)(A) or is required to be made to a surviving spouse 
under section 401(a)(9)(B), must the distribution be made even if the 
employee, or spouse where applicable, fails to consent to a distribution 
while a benefit is immediately distributable?
    A-4. Yes, section 411(a)(11) and section 417(e) (see Sec. Sec. 
1.411(a)(11)-1(c)(2) and 1.417(e)-1(c)) require employee and

[[Page 213]]

spousal consent to certain distributions of plan benefits while such 
benefits are immediately distributable. If an employee's normal 
retirement age is later than the employee's required beginning date and, 
therefore, benefits are still immediately distributable, the plan must, 
nevertheless, distribute plan benefits to the employee (or where 
applicable, to the spouse) in a manner that satisfies the requirements 
of section 401(a)(9). Section 401(a)(9) must be satisfied even though 
the employee (or spouse, where applicable) fails to consent to the 
distribution. In such a case, the plan may distribute in the form of a 
qualified joint and survivor annuity (QJSA) or in the form of a 
qualified preretirement survivor annuity (QPSA), as applicable, and the 
consent requirements of sections 411(a)(11) and 417(e) are deemed to be 
satisfied if the plan has made reasonable efforts to obtain consent from 
the employee (or spouse if applicable) and if the distribution otherwise 
meets the requirements of section 417. If, because of section 
401(a)(11)(B), the plan is not required to distribute in the form of a 
QJSA to an employee or a QPSA to a surviving spouse, the plan may 
distribute the required minimum distribution amount to satisfy section 
401(a)(9) and the consent requirements of sections 411(a)(11) and 417(e) 
are deemed to be satisfied if the plan has made reasonable efforts to 
obtain consent from the employee (or spouse if applicable) and if the 
distribution otherwise meets the requirements of section 417.
    Q-5. Who is an employee's spouse or surviving spouse for purposes of 
section 401(a)(9)?
    A-5. Except as otherwise provided in A-6(a) of this section (in the 
case of distributions of a portion of an employee's benefit payable to a 
former spouse of an employee pursuant to a qualified domestic relations 
order), for purposes of section 401(a)(9), an individual is a spouse or 
surviving spouse of an employee if such individual is treated as the 
employee's spouse under applicable state law. In the case of 
distributions after the death of an employee, for purposes of 
determining whether, under the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv), the provisions of section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv) 
apply, the spouse of the employee is determined as of the date of death 
of the employee.
    Q-6. In order to satisfy section 401(a)(9), are there any special 
rules which apply to the distribution of all or a portion of an 
employee's benefit payable to an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified 
domestic relations order as defined in section 414(p) (QDRO)?
    A-6. (a) A former spouse to whom all or a portion of the employee's 
benefit is payable pursuant to a QDRO will be treated as a spouse 
(including a surviving spouse) of the employee for purposes of section 
401(a)(9), including the minimum distribution incidental benefit 
requirement, regardless of whether the QDRO specifically provides that 
the former spouse is treated as the spouse for purposes of sections 
401(a)(11) and 417.
    (b)(1) If a QDRO provides that an employee's benefit is to be 
divided and a portion is to be allocated to an alternate payee, such 
portion will be treated as a separate account (or segregated share) 
which separately must satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9) and 
may not be aggregated with other separate accounts (or segregated 
shares) of the employee for purposes of satisfying section 401(a)(9). 
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this A-6, 
distribution of such separate account allocated to an alternate payee 
pursuant to a QDRO must be made in accordance with section 401(a)(9). 
For example, in general, distribution of such account will satisfy 
section 401(a)(9)(A) if required minimum distributions from such account 
during the employee's lifetime begin not later than the employee's 
required beginning date and the required minimum distribution is 
determined in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for each distribution 
calendar year (using an applicable distribution period determined under 
A-4 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for the employee in the distribution calendar 
year either using the Uniform Lifetime Table in A-2 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-9 or using the joint life expectancy of the employee and a 
spousal alternate payee in the distribution calendar year if the spousal 
alternate payee is more than 10 years younger than the employee). The 
determination of whether distribution from such account after the death 
of

[[Page 214]]

the employee to the alternate payee will be made in accordance with 
section 401(a)(9)(B)(i) or section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or (iii) and (iv) 
will depend on whether distributions have begun as determined under A-6 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2 (which provides, in general, that distributions 
are not treated as having begun until the employee's required beginning 
date even though payments may actually have begun before that date). For 
example, if the alternate payee dies before the employee and 
distribution of the separate account allocated to the alternate payee 
pursuant to the QDRO is to be made to the alternate payee's beneficiary, 
such beneficiary may be treated as a designated beneficiary for purposes 
of determining the minimum distribution required from such account after 
the death of the employee if the beneficiary of the alternate payee is 
an individual and if such beneficiary is a beneficiary under the plan or 
specified to or in the plan. Specification in or pursuant to the QDRO is 
treated as specification to the plan.
    (2) Distribution of the separate account allocated to an alternate 
payee pursuant to a QDRO will satisfy the requirements of section 
401(a)(9)(A)(ii) if such account is to be distributed, beginning not 
later than the employee's required beginning date, over the life of the 
alternate payee (or over a period not extending beyond the life 
expectancy of the alternate payee). Also, if the plan permits the 
employee to elect whether distribution upon the death of the employee 
will be made in accordance with the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(ii) or the life expectancy rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) and (iv) pursuant to A-4(c) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3, 
such election is to be made only by the alternate payee for purposes of 
distributing the separate account allocated to the alternate payee 
pursuant to the QDRO. If the alternate payee dies after distribution of 
the separate account allocated to the alternate payee pursuant to a QDRO 
has begun (determined under A-6 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2) but before the 
employee dies, distribution of the remaining portion of that portion of 
the benefit allocated to the alternate payee must be made in accordance 
with the rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 or 1.401(a)(9)-6 for distributions 
during the life of the employee. Only after the death of the employee is 
the amount of the required minimum distribution determined in accordance 
with the rules of section 401(a)(9)(B).
    (c) If a QDRO does not provide that an employee's benefit is to be 
divided but provides that a portion of an employee's benefit (otherwise 
payable to the employee) is to be paid to an alternate payee, such 
portion will not be treated as a separate account (or segregated share) 
of the employee. Instead, such portion will be aggregated with any 
amount distributed to the employee and will be treated as having been 
distributed to the employee for purposes of determining whether section 
401(a)(9) has been satisfied with respect to that employee.
    Q-7. Will a plan fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely because it 
fails to distribute an amount otherwise required to be distributed by 
section 401(a)(9) during the period in which the issue of whether a 
domestic relations order is a QDRO is being determined?
    A-7. A plan will not fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely 
because it fails to distribute an amount otherwise required to be 
distributed by section 401(a)(9) during the period in which the issue of 
whether a domestic relations order is a QDRO is being determined 
pursuant to section 414(p)(7), provided that the period does not extend 
beyond the 18-month period described in section 414(p)(7)(E). To the 
extent that a distribution otherwise required under section 401(a)(9) is 
not made during this period, any segregated amounts, as defined in 
section 414(p)(7)(A), will be treated as though the amounts are not 
vested during the period and any distributions with respect to such 
amounts must be made under the relevant rules for nonvested benefits 
described in either A-8 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 or A-6 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-6, as applicable.
    Q-8. Will a plan fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) where an 
individual's distribution from the plan is less than the amount 
otherwise required to satisfy section 401(a)(9) because distributions

[[Page 215]]

were being paid under an annuity contract issued by a life insurance 
company in state insurer delinquency proceedings and have been reduced 
or suspended by reasons of such state proceedings?
    A-8. A plan will not fail to satisfy section 401(a)(9) merely 
because an individual's distribution from the plan is less than the 
amount otherwise required to satisfy section 401(a)(9) because 
distributions were being paid under an annuity contract issued by a life 
insurance company in state insurer delinquency proceedings and have been 
reduced or suspended by reasons of such state proceedings. To the extent 
that a distribution otherwise required under section 401(a)(9) is not 
made during the state insurer delinquency proceedings, this amount and 
any additional amount accrued during this period will be treated as 
though such amounts are not vested during the period and any 
distributions with respect to such amounts must be made under the 
relevant rules for nonvested benefits described in either A-8 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5 or A-6 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, as applicable.
    Q-9. Will a plan fail to qualify as a pension plan within the 
meaning of section 401(a) solely because the plan permits distributions 
to commence to an employee on or after April 1 of the calendar year 
following the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\ 
even though the employee has not retired or attained the normal 
retirement age under the plan as of the date on which such distributions 
commence?
    A-9. No, a plan will not fail to qualify as a pension plan within 
the meaning of section 401(a) solely because the plan permits 
distributions to commence to an employee on or after April 1 of the 
calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee attains 
age 70\1/2\ even though the employee has not retired or attained the 
normal retirement age under the plan as of the date on which such 
distributions commence. This rule applies without regard to whether the 
employee is a 5-percent owner with respect to the plan year ending in 
the calendar year in which distributions commence.
    Q-10. Is the distribution of an annuity contract a distribution for 
purposes of section 401(a)(9)?
    A-10. No, the distribution of an annuity contract is not a 
distribution for purposes of section 401(a)(9).
    Q-11. Will a payment by a plan after the death of an employee fail 
to be treated as a distribution for purposes of section 401(a)(9) solely 
because it is made to an estate or a trust?
    A-11. A payment by a plan after the death of an employee will not 
fail to be treated as a distribution for purposes of section 401(a)(9) 
solely because it is made to an estate or a trust. As a result, the 
estate or trust which receives a payment from a plan after the death of 
an employee need not distribute the amount of such payment to the 
beneficiaries of the estate or trust in accordance with section 
401(a)(9)(B). Pursuant to A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4, an estate may not 
be a designated beneficiary. Thus, pursuant to A-4 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-
3, distribution to the estate must satisfy the 5-year rule in section 
401(a)(9)(B)(iii) if the distribution to the employee had not begun (as 
defined in A-6 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-2) as of the employee's date of 
death. However, see A-5 and A-6 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 for provisions 
under which beneficiaries of a trust with respect to the trust's 
interest in an employee's benefit are treated as having been designated 
as beneficiaries of the employee under the plan.
    Q-12. Will a plan fail to satisfy section 411(d)(6) if the plan is 
amended to eliminate the availability of an optional form of benefit to 
the extent that the optional form does not satisfy section 401(a)(9)?
    A-12. No, pursuant to section 411(d)(6)(B), a plan will not fail to 
satisfy section 411(d)(6) merely because the plan is amended to 
eliminate the availability of an optional form of benefit to the extent 
that the optional form does not satisfy section 401(a)(9). (See also A-3 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-1, which requires a plan to provide that, 
notwithstanding any other plan provision, it will not distribute 
benefits under any option that does not satisfy section 401(a)(9).)

[[Page 216]]

    Q-13. Is a plan disqualified merely because it pays benefits under a 
designation made before January 1, 1984, in accordance with section 
242(b)(2) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA)?
    A-13. No, even though the distribution requirements added by TEFRA 
were retroactively repealed by the Tax Reform Act of 1984 (TRA of 1984), 
the transitional election rule in section 242(b) of TEFRA was preserved. 
Satisfaction of the spousal consent requirements of section 417(a) and 
(e) (added by the Retirement Equity Act of 1984) will not be considered 
a revocation of the pre-1984 designation. However, sections 401(a)(11) 
and 417 must be satisfied with respect to any distribution subject to 
those sections. The election provided in section 242(b) of TEFRA is 
hereafter referred to as a section 242(b)(2) election.
    Q-14. If an amount is transferred from one plan (transferor plan) to 
another plan (transferee plan), may the transferee plan distribute the 
amount transferred in accordance with a section 242(b)(2) election made 
under either the transferor plan or under the transferee plan?
    A-14. (a) If an amount is transferred from one plan (transferor 
plan) to another plan (transferee plan), the amount transferred may be 
distributed in accordance with a section 242(b)(2) election made under 
the transferor plan if the employee did not elect to have the amount 
transferred and if the amount transferred is separately accounted for by 
the transferee plan. However, only the benefit attributable to the 
amount transferred, plus earnings thereon, may be distributed in 
accordance with the section 242(b)(2) election made under the transferor 
plan. If the employee elected to have the amount transferred, the 
transfer will be treated as a distribution and rollover of the amount 
transferred for purposes of this section.
    (b) In the case in which an amount is transferred from one plan to 
another plan, the amount transferred may not be distributed in 
accordance with a section 242(b)(2) election made under the transferee 
plan. If a section 242(b)(2) election was made under the transferee 
plan, the amount transferred must be separately accounted for. If the 
amount transferred is not separately accounted for under the transferee 
plan, the section 242(b)(2) election under the transferee plan is 
revoked and section 401(a)(9) will apply to subsequent distributions by 
the transferee plan.
    (c) A merger, spinoff, or consolidation, as defined in Sec. 
1.414(l)-1(b), will be treated as a transfer for purposes of the section 
242(b)(2) election.
    Q-15. If an amount is distributed by one plan (distributing plan) 
and rolled over into another plan (receiving plan), may the receiving 
plan distribute the amount rolled over in accordance with a section 
242(b)(2) election made under either the distributing plan or the 
receiving plan?
    A-15. No, if an amount is distributed by one plan (distributing 
plan) and rolled over into another plan (receiving plan), the receiving 
plan must distribute the amount rolled over in accordance with section 
401(a)(9) whether or not the employee made a section 242(b)(2) election 
under the distributing plan. Further, if the amount rolled over was not 
distributed in accordance with the election, the election under the 
distributing plan is revoked and section 401(a)(9) will apply to all 
subsequent distributions by the distributing plan. Finally, if the 
employee made a section 242(b)(2) election under the receiving plan and 
such election is still in effect, the amount rolled over must be 
separately accounted for under the receiving plan and distributed in 
accordance with section 401(a)(9). If amounts rolled over are not 
separately accounted for, any section 242(b)(2) election under the 
receiving plan is revoked and section 401(a)(9) will apply to subsequent 
distributions by the receiving plan.
    Q-16. May a section 242(b)(2) election be revoked after the date by 
which distributions are required to commence in order to satisfy section 
401(a)(9) and this section of the regulations?
    A-16. Yes, a section 242(b)(2) election may be revoked after the 
date by which distributions are required to commence in order to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9) and this section of the regulations. However, if the 
section 242(b)(2) election is

[[Page 217]]

revoked after the date by which distributions are required to commence 
in order to satisfy section 401(a)(9) and this section of the 
regulations and the total amount of the distributions which would have 
been required to be made prior to the date of the revocation in order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(9), but for the section 242(b)(2) election, have 
not been made, the plan must distribute by the end of the calendar year 
following the calendar year in which the revocation occurs the total 
amount not yet distributed which was required to have been distributed 
to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9) and continue 
distributions in accordance with such requirements.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, 33302, June 15, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-9  Life expectancy and distribution period tables.

    Q-1. What is the life expectancy for an individual for purposes of 
determining required minimum distributions under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-1 The following table, referred to as the Single Life Table, is 
used for determining the life expectancy of an individual:

                            Single Life Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Life
                            Age                               expectancy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 0.........................................................         82.4
 1.........................................................         81.6
 2.........................................................         80.6
 3.........................................................         79.7
 4.........................................................         78.7
 5.........................................................         77.7
 6.........................................................         76.7
 7.........................................................         75.8
 8.........................................................         74.8
 9.........................................................         73.8
10.........................................................         72.8
11.........................................................         71.8
12.........................................................         70.8
13.........................................................         69.9
14.........................................................         68.9
15.........................................................         67.9
16.........................................................         66.9
17.........................................................         66.0
18.........................................................         65.0
19.........................................................         64.0
20.........................................................         63.0
21.........................................................         62.1
22.........................................................         61.1
23.........................................................         60.1
24.........................................................         59.1
25.........................................................         58.2
26.........................................................         57.2
27.........................................................         56.2
28.........................................................         55.3
29.........................................................         54.3
30.........................................................         53.3
31.........................................................         52.4
32.........................................................         51.4
33.........................................................         50.4
34.........................................................         49.4
35.........................................................         48.5
36.........................................................         47.5
37.........................................................         46.5
38.........................................................         45.6
39.........................................................         44.6
40.........................................................         43.6
41.........................................................         42.7
42.........................................................         41.7
43.........................................................         40.7
44.........................................................         39.8
45.........................................................         38.8
46.........................................................         37.9
47.........................................................         37.0
48.........................................................         36.0
49.........................................................         35.1
50.........................................................         34.2
51.........................................................         33.3
52.........................................................         32.3
53.........................................................         31.4
54.........................................................         30.5
55.........................................................         29.6
56.........................................................         28.7
57.........................................................         27.9
58.........................................................         27.0
59.........................................................         26.1
60.........................................................         25.2
61.........................................................         24.4
62.........................................................         23.5
63.........................................................         22.7
64.........................................................         21.8
65.........................................................         21.0
66.........................................................         20.2
67.........................................................         19.4
68.........................................................         18.6
69.........................................................         17.8
70.........................................................         17.0
71.........................................................         16.3
72.........................................................         15.5
73.........................................................         14.8
74.........................................................         14.1
75.........................................................         13.4
76.........................................................         12.7
77.........................................................         12.1
78.........................................................         11.4
79.........................................................         10.8
80.........................................................         10.2
81.........................................................          9.7
82.........................................................          9.1
83.........................................................          8.6
84.........................................................          8.1
85.........................................................          7.6
86.........................................................          7.1
87.........................................................          6.7
88.........................................................          6.3
89.........................................................          5.9
90.........................................................          5.5
91.........................................................          5.2
92.........................................................          4.9
93.........................................................          4.6
94.........................................................          4.3
95.........................................................          4.1
96.........................................................          3.8
97.........................................................          3.6
98.........................................................          3.4
99.........................................................          3.1

[[Page 218]]

 
100........................................................          2.9
101........................................................          2.7
102........................................................          2.5
103........................................................          2.3
104........................................................          2.1
105........................................................          1.9
106........................................................          1.7
107........................................................          1.5
108........................................................          1.4
109........................................................          1.2
110........................................................          1.1
111 +......................................................          1.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Q-2. What is the applicable distribution period for an individual 
account for purposes of determining required minimum distributions 
during an employee's lifetime under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-2. Table for determining distribution period. The following table, 
referred to as the Uniform Lifetime Table, is used for determining the 
distribution period for lifetime distributions to an employee in 
situations in which the employee's spouse is either not the sole 
designated beneficiary or is the sole designated beneficiary but is not 
more than 10 years younger than the employee.

                         Uniform Lifetime Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Distribution
                     Age of employee                          period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
70......................................................            27.4
71......................................................            26.5
72......................................................            25.6
73......................................................            24.7
74......................................................            23.8
75......................................................            22.9
76......................................................            22.0
77......................................................            21.2
78......................................................            20.3
79......................................................            19.5
80......................................................            18.7
81......................................................            17.9
82......................................................            17.1
83......................................................            16.3
84......................................................            15.5
85......................................................            14.8
86......................................................            14.1
87......................................................            13.4
88......................................................            12.7
89......................................................            12.0
90......................................................            11.4
91......................................................            10.8
92......................................................            10.2
93......................................................             9.6
94......................................................             9.1
95......................................................             8.6
96......................................................             8.1
97......................................................             7.6
98......................................................             7.1
99......................................................             6.7
100.....................................................             6.3
101.....................................................             5.9
102.....................................................             5.5
103.....................................................             5.2
104.....................................................             4.9
105.....................................................             4.5
106.....................................................             4.2
107.....................................................             3.9
108.....................................................             3.7
109.....................................................             3.4
110.....................................................             3.1
111.....................................................             2.9
112.....................................................             2.6
113.....................................................             2.4
114.....................................................             2.1
115 +...................................................             1.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Q-3. What is the joint life and last survivor expectancy of an 
individual and beneficiary for purposes of determining required minimum 
distributions under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-3. The following table, referred to as the Joint and Last Survivor 
Table, is used for determining the joint and last survivor life 
expectancy of two individuals:

                                                              Joint and Last Survivor Table
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Ages                                  0        1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.............................................................     90.0     89.5     89.0     88.6     88.2     87.8     87.4     87.1     86.8     86.5
1.............................................................     89.5     89.0     88.5     88.1     87.6     87.2     86.8     86.5     86.1     85.8
2.............................................................     89.0     88.5     88.0     87.5     87.1     86.6     86.2     85.8     85.5     85.1
3.............................................................     88.6     88.1     87.5     87.0     86.5     86.1     85.6     85.2     84.8     84.5
4.............................................................     88.2     87.6     87.1     86.5     86.0     85.5     85.1     84.6     84.2     83.8
5.............................................................     87.8     87.2     86.6     86.1     85.5     85.0     84.5     84.1     83.6     83.2
6.............................................................     87.4     86.8     86.2     85.6     85.1     84.5     84.0     83.5     83.1     82.6
7.............................................................     87.1     86.5     85.8     85.2     84.6     84.1     83.5     83.0     82.5     82.1
8.............................................................     86.8     86.1     85.5     84.8     84.2     83.6     83.1     82.5     82.0     81.6
9.............................................................     86.5     85.8     85.1     84.5     83.8     83.2     82.6     82.1     81.6     81.0
10............................................................     86.2     85.5     84.8     84.1     83.5     82.8     82.2     81.6     81.1     80.6
11............................................................     85.9     85.2     84.5     83.8     83.1     82.5     81.8     81.2     80.7     80.1
12............................................................     85.7     84.9     84.2     83.5     82.8     82.1     81.5     80.8     80.2     79.7
13............................................................     85.4     84.7     84.0     83.2     82.5     81.8     81.1     80.5     79.9     79.2
14............................................................     85.2     84.5     83.7     83.0     82.2     81.5     80.8     80.1     79.5     78.9
15............................................................     85.0     84.3     83.5     82.7     82.0     81.2     80.5     79.8     79.1     78.5

[[Page 219]]

 
16............................................................     84.9     84.1     83.3     82.5     81.7     81.0     80.2     79.5     78.8     78.1
17............................................................     84.7     83.9     83.1     82.3     81.5     80.7     80.0     79.2     78.5     77.8
18............................................................     84.5     83.7     82.9     82.1     81.3     80.5     79.7     79.0     78.2     77.5
19............................................................     84.4     83.6     82.7     81.9     81.1     80.3     79.5     78.7     78.0     77.3
20............................................................     84.3     83.4     82.6     81.8     80.9     80.1     79.3     78.5     77.7     77.0
21............................................................     84.1     83.3     82.4     81.6     80.8     79.9     79.1     78.3     77.5     76.8
22............................................................     84.0     83.2     82.3     81.5     80.6     79.8     78.9     78.1     77.3     76.5
23............................................................     83.9     83.1     82.2     81.3     80.5     79.6     78.8     77.9     77.1     76.3
24............................................................     83.8     83.0     82.1     81.2     80.3     79.5     78.6     77.8     76.9     76.1
25............................................................     83.7     82.9     82.0     81.1     80.2     79.3     78.5     77.6     76.8     75.9
26............................................................     83.6     82.8     81.9     81.0     80.1     79.2     78.3     77.5     76.6     75.8
27............................................................     83.6     82.7     81.8     80.9     80.0     79.1     78.2     77.4     76.5     75.6
28............................................................     83.5     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.9     79.0     78.1     77.2     76.4     75.5
29............................................................     83.4     82.6     81.6     80.7     79.8     78.9     78.0     77.1     76.2     75.4
30............................................................     83.4     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.9     77.0     76.1     75.2
31............................................................     83.3     82.4     81.5     80.6     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.9     76.0     75.1
32............................................................     83.3     82.4     81.5     80.5     79.6     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.9     75.0
33............................................................     83.2     82.3     81.4     80.5     79.5     78.6     77.7     76.8     75.9     74.9
34............................................................     83.2     82.3     81.3     80.4     79.5     78.5     77.6     76.7     75.8     74.9
35............................................................     83.1     82.2     81.3     80.4     79.4     78.5     77.6     76.6     75.7     74.8
36............................................................     83.1     82.2     81.3     80.3     79.4     78.4     77.5     76.6     75.6     74.7
37............................................................     83.0     82.2     81.2     80.3     79.3     78.4     77.4     76.5     75.6     74.6
38............................................................     83.0     82.1     81.2     80.2     79.3     78.3     77.4     76.4     75.5     74.6
39............................................................     83.0     82.1     81.1     80.2     79.2     78.3     77.3     76.4     75.5     74.5
40............................................................     82.9     82.1     81.1     80.2     79.2     78.3     77.3     76.4     75.4     74.5
41............................................................     82.9     82.0     81.1     80.1     79.2     78.2     77.3     76.3     75.4     74.4
42............................................................     82.9     82.0     81.1     80.1     79.1     78.2     77.2     76.3     75.3     74.4
43............................................................     82.9     82.0     81.0     80.1     79.1     78.2     77.2     76.2     75.3     74.3
44............................................................     82.8     81.9     81.0     80.0     79.1     78.1     77.2     76.2     75.2     74.3
45............................................................     82.8     81.9     81.0     80.0     79.1     78.1     77.1     76.2     75.2     74.3
46............................................................     82.8     81.9     81.0     80.0     79.0     78.1     77.1     76.1     75.2     74.2
47............................................................     82.8     81.9     80.9     80.0     79.0     78.0     77.1     76.1     75.2     74.2
48............................................................     82.8     81.9     80.9     80.0     79.0     78.0     77.1     76.1     75.1     74.2
49............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.9     79.9     79.0     78.0     77.0     76.1     75.1     74.1
50............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.9     79.9     79.0     78.0     77.0     76.0     75.1     74.1
51............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.9     79.9     78.9     78.0     77.0     76.0     75.1     74.1
52............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.9     79.9     78.9     78.0     77.0     76.0     75.0     74.1
53............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.8     79.9     78.9     77.9     77.0     76.0     75.0     74.0
54............................................................     82.7     81.8     80.8     79.9     78.9     77.9     76.9     76.0     75.0     74.0
55............................................................     82.6     81.8     80.8     79.8     78.9     77.9     76.9     76.0     75.0     74.0
56............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.9     77.9     76.9     75.9     75.0     74.0
57............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.9     77.9     76.9     75.9     75.0     74.0
58............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.8     77.9     76.9     75.9     74.9     74.0
59............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.8     77.9     76.9     75.9     74.9     74.0
60............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.9     75.9     74.9     73.9
61............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.8     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.9     75.9     74.9     73.9
62............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.7     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.9     75.9     74.9     73.9
63............................................................     82.6     81.7     80.7     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.9     74.9     73.9
64............................................................     82.5     81.7     80.7     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.9     74.9     73.9
65............................................................     82.5     81.7     80.7     79.8     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.9     73.9
66............................................................     82.5     81.7     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.9     73.9
67............................................................     82.5     81.7     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.9     73.9
68............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.9
69............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.9
70............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.8     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.9
71............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
72............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
73............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
74............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
75............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
76............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.8     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
77............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
78............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
79............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
80............................................................     82.5     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
81............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
82............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
83............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
84............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.7     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
85............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.8     75.8     74.8     73.8
86............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
87............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8

[[Page 220]]

 
88............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
89............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
90............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
91............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
92............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
93............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
94............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
95............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
96............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
97............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
98............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
99............................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
100...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
101...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
102...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
103...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
104...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
105...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
106...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
107...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
108...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
109...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
110...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
111...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
112...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
113...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
114...........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
115 +.........................................................     82.4     81.6     80.6     79.7     78.7     77.7     76.7     75.8     74.8     73.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 221]]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         10         11         12         13         14         15         16         17         18         19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10........................................       80.0       79.6       79.1       78.7       78.2       77.9       77.5       77.2       76.8       76.5
11........................................       79.6       79.0       78.6       78.1       77.7       77.3       76.9       76.5       76.2       75.8
12........................................       79.1       78.6       78.1       77.6       77.1       76.7       76.3       75.9       75.5       75.2
13........................................       78.7       78.1       77.6       77.1       76.6       76.1       75.7       75.3       74.9       74.5
14........................................       78.2       77.7       77.1       76.6       76.1       75.6       75.1       74.7       74.3       73.9
15........................................       77.9       77.3       76.7       76.1       75.6       75.1       74.6       74.1       73.7       73.3
16........................................       77.5       76.9       76.3       75.7       75.1       74.6       74.1       73.6       73.1       72.7
17........................................       77.2       76.5       75.9       75.3       74.7       74.1       73.6       73.1       72.6       72.1
18........................................       76.8       76.2       75.5       74.9       74.3       73.7       73.1       72.6       72.1       71.6
19........................................       76.5       75.8       75.2       74.5       73.9       73.3       72.7       72.1       71.6       71.1
20........................................       76.3       75.5       74.8       74.2       73.5       72.9       72.3       71.7       71.1       70.6
21........................................       76.0       75.3       74.5       73.8       73.2       72.5       71.9       71.3       70.7       70.1
22........................................       75.8       75.0       74.3       73.5       72.9       72.2       71.5       70.9       70.3       69.7
23........................................       75.5       74.8       74.0       73.3       72.6       71.9       71.2       70.5       69.9       69.3
24........................................       75.3       74.5       73.8       73.0       72.3       71.6       70.9       70.2       69.5       68.9
25........................................       75.1       74.3       73.5       72.8       72.0       71.3       70.6       69.9       69.2       68.5
26........................................       75.0       74.1       73.3       72.5       71.8       71.0       70.3       69.6       68.9       68.2
27........................................       74.8       74.0       73.1       72.3       71.6       70.8       70.0       69.3       68.6       67.9
28........................................       74.6       73.8       73.0       72.2       71.3       70.6       69.8       69.0       68.3       67.6
29........................................       74.5       73.6       72.8       72.0       71.2       70.4       69.6       68.8       68.0       67.3
30........................................       74.4       73.5       72.7       71.8       71.0       70.2       69.4       68.6       67.8       67.1
31........................................       74.3       73.4       72.5       71.7       70.8       70.0       69.2       68.4       67.6       66.8
32........................................       74.1       73.3       72.4       71.5       70.7       69.8       69.0       68.2       67.4       66.6
33........................................       74.0       73.2       72.3       71.4       70.5       69.7       68.8       68.0       67.2       66.4
34........................................       73.9       73.0       72.2       71.3       70.4       69.5       68.7       67.8       67.0       66.2
35........................................       73.9       73.0       72.1       71.2       70.3       69.4       68.5       67.7       66.8       66.0
36........................................       73.8       72.9       72.0       71.1       70.2       69.3       68.4       67.6       66.7       65.9
37........................................       73.7       72.8       71.9       71.0       70.1       69.2       68.3       67.4       66.6       65.7
38........................................       73.6       72.7       71.8       70.9       70.0       69.1       68.2       67.3       66.4       65.6
39........................................       73.6       72.7       71.7       70.8       69.9       69.0       68.1       67.2       66.3       65.4
40........................................       73.5       72.6       71.7       70.7       69.8       68.9       68.0       67.1       66.2       65.3
41........................................       73.5       72.5       71.6       70.7       69.7       68.8       67.9       67.0       66.1       65.2
42........................................       73.4       72.5       71.5       70.6       69.7       68.8       67.8       66.9       66.0       65.1
43........................................       73.4       72.4       71.5       70.6       69.6       68.7       67.8       66.8       65.9       65.0
44........................................       73.3       72.4       71.4       70.5       69.6       68.6       67.7       66.8       65.9       64.9
45........................................       73.3       72.3       71.4       70.5       69.5       68.6       67.6       66.7       65.8       64.9
46........................................       73.3       72.3       71.4       70.4       69.5       68.5       67.6       66.6       65.7       64.8
47........................................       73.2       72.3       71.3       70.4       69.4       68.5       67.5       66.6       65.7       64.7
48........................................       73.2       72.2       71.3       70.3       69.4       68.4       67.5       66.5       65.6       64.7
49........................................       73.2       72.2       71.2       70.3       69.3       68.4       67.4       66.5       65.6       64.6
50........................................       73.1       72.2       71.2       70.3       69.3       68.4       67.4       66.5       65.5       64.6
51........................................       73.1       72.2       71.2       70.2       69.3       68.3       67.4       66.4       65.5       64.5
52........................................       73.1       72.1       71.2       70.2       69.2       68.3       67.3       66.4       65.4       64.5
53........................................       73.1       72.1       71.1       70.2       69.2       68.3       67.3       66.3       65.4       64.4
54........................................       73.1       72.1       71.1       70.2       69.2       68.2       67.3       66.3       65.4       64.4
55........................................       73.0       72.1       71.1       70.1       69.2       68.2       67.2       66.3       65.3       64.4
56........................................       73.0       72.1       71.1       70.1       69.1       68.2       67.2       66.3       65.3       64.3
57........................................       73.0       72.0       71.1       70.1       69.1       68.2       67.2       66.2       65.3       64.3

[[Page 222]]

 
58........................................       73.0       72.0       71.0       70.1       69.1       68.1       67.2       66.2       65.2       64.3
59........................................       73.0       72.0       71.0       70.1       69.1       68.1       67.2       66.2       65.2       64.3
60........................................       73.0       72.0       71.0       70.0       69.1       68.1       67.1       66.2       65.2       64.2
61........................................       73.0       72.0       71.0       70.0       69.1       68.1       67.1       66.2       65.2       64.2
62........................................       72.9       72.0       71.0       70.0       69.0       68.1       67.1       66.1       65.2       64.2
63........................................       72.9       72.0       71.0       70.0       69.0       68.1       67.1       66.1       65.2       64.2
64........................................       72.9       71.9       71.0       70.0       69.0       68.0       67.1       66.1       65.1       64.2
65........................................       72.9       71.9       71.0       70.0       69.0       68.0       67.1       66.1       65.1       64.2
66........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       70.0       69.0       68.0       67.1       66.1       65.1       64.1
67........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       70.0       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.1       65.1       64.1
68........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       70.0       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.1       65.1       64.1
69........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.1       65.1       64.1
70........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.1       64.1
71........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.1       64.1
72........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       69.0       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.1       64.1
73........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.1
74........................................       72.9       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.1
75........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.1
76........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.1
77........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       68.0       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.1
78........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
79........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
80........................................       72.8       71.9       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
81........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
82........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
83........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
84........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       67.0       66.0       65.0       64.0
85........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
86........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
87........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
88........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
89........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
90........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
91........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
92........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
93........................................       72.8       71.8       70.9       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
94........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
95........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
96........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
97........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
98........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
99........................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
100.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
101.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
102.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
103.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
104.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
105.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0

[[Page 223]]

 
106.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
107.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
108.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
109.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
110.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
111.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
112.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
113.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
114.......................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
115 +.....................................       72.8       71.8       70.8       69.9       68.9       67.9       66.9       66.0       65.0       64.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         20         21         22         23         24         25         26         27         28         29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20........................................       70.1       69.6       69.1       68.7       68.3       67.9       67.5       67.2       66.9       66.6
21........................................       69.6       69.1       68.6       68.2       67.7       67.3       66.9       66.6       66.2       65.9
22........................................       69.1       68.6       68.1       67.6       67.2       66.7       66.3       65.9       65.6       65.2
23........................................       68.7       68.2       67.9       67.1       66.6       66.2       65.7       65.3       64.9       64.6
24........................................       68.3       67.7       67.2       66.6       66.1       65.6       65.2       64.7       64.3       63.9
25........................................       67.9       67.3       66.7       66.2       65.6       65.1       64.6       64.2       63.7       63.3
26........................................       67.5       66.9       66.3       65.7       65.2       64.6       64.1       63.6       63.2       62.8
27........................................       67.2       66.6       65.9       65.3       64.7       64.2       63.6       63.1       62.7       62.2
28........................................       66.9       66.2       65.6       64.9       64.3       63.7       63.2       62.7       62.1       61.7
29........................................       66.6       65.9       65.2       64.6       63.9       63.3       62.8       62.2       61.7       61.2
30........................................       66.3       65.6       64.9       64.2       63.6       62.9       62.3       61.8       61.2       60.7
31........................................       66.1       65.3       64.6       63.9       63.2       62.6       62.0       61.4       60.8       60.2
32........................................       65.8       65.1       64.3       63.6       62.9       62.2       61.6       61.0       60.4       59.8
33........................................       65.6       64.8       64.1       63.3       62.6       61.9       61.3       60.6       60.0       59.4
34........................................       65.4       64.6       63.8       63.1       62.3       61.6       60.9       60.3       59.6       59.0
35........................................       65.2       64.4       63.6       62.8       62.1       61.4       60.6       59.9       59.3       58.6
36........................................       65.0       64.2       63.4       62.6       61.9       61.1       60.4       59.6       69.0       58.3
37........................................       64.9       64.0       63.2       62.4       61.6       60.9       60.1       59.4       58.7       58.0
38........................................       64.7       63.9       63.0       62.2       61.4       60.6       59.9       59.1       58.4       57.7
39........................................       64.6       63.7       62.9       62.1       61.2       60.4       59.6       58.9       58.1       57.4
40........................................       64.4       63.6       62.7       61.9       61.1       60.2       59.4       58.7       57.9       57.1
41........................................       64.3       63.5       62.6       61.7       60.9       60.1       59.3       58.5       57.7       56.9
42........................................       64.2       63.3       62.5       61.6       60.8       59.9       59.1       58.3       57.5       56.7
43........................................       64.1       63.2       62.4       61.5       60.6       59.8       58.9       58.1       57.3       56.5
44........................................       64.0       63.1       62.2       61.4       60.5       59.6       58.8       57.9       57.1       56.3
45........................................       64.0       63.0       62.2       61.3       60.4       59.5       58.6       57.8       56.9       56.1
46........................................       63.9       63.0       62.1       61.2       60.3       59.4       58.5       57.7       56.8       56.0
47........................................       63.8       62.9       62.0       61.1       60.2       59.3       58.4       57.5       56.7       55.8
48........................................       63.7       62.8       61.9       61.0       60.1       59.2       58.3       57.4       56.5       55.7
49........................................       63.7       62.8       61.8       60.9       60.0       59.1       58.2       57.3       56.4       55.6
50........................................       63.6       62.7       61.8       60.8       59.9       59.0       58.1       57.2       56.3       55.4
51........................................       63.6       62.6       61.7       60.8       59.9       58.9       58.0       57.1       56.2       55.3
52........................................       63.5       62.6       61.7       60.7       59.8       58.9       58.0       57.1       56.1       55.2
53........................................       63.5       62.5       61.6       60.7       59.7       58.8       57.9       57.0       56.1       55.2
54........................................       63.5       62.5       61.6       60.6       59.7       58.8       57.8       56.9       56.0       55.1
55........................................       63.4       62.5       61.5       60.6       59.6       58.7       57.8       56.8       55.9       55.0
56........................................       63.4       62.4       61.5       60.5       59.6       58.7       57.7       56.8       55.9       54.9

[[Page 224]]

 
57........................................       63.4       62.4       61.5       60.5       59.6       58.6       57.7       56.7       55.8       54.9
58........................................       63.3       62.4       61.4       60.5       59.5       58.6       57.6       56.7       55.8       54.8
59........................................       63.3       62.3       61.4       60.4       59.5       58.5       57.6       56.7       55.7       54.8
60........................................       63.3       62.3       61.4       60.4       59.5       58.5       57.6       56.6       55.7       54.7
61........................................       63.3       62.3       61.3       60.4       59.4       58.5       57.5       56.6       55.6       54.7
62........................................       63.2       62.3       61.3       60.4       59.4       58.4       57.5       56.5       55.6       54.7
63........................................       63.2       62.3       61.3       60.3       59.4       58.4       57.4       56.5       55.6       54.6
64........................................       63.2       62.2       61.3       60.3       59.4       58.4       57.4       56.5       55.5       54.6
65........................................       63.2       62.2       61.3       60.3       59.3       58.4       57.4       56.5       55.5       54.6
66........................................       63.2       62.2       61.2       60.3       59.3       58.4       57.4       56.4       55.5       54.5
67........................................       63.2       62.2       61.2       60.3       59.3       58.3       57.4       56.4       55.5       54.5
68........................................       63.1       62.2       61.2       60.2       59.3       58.3       57.4       56.4       55.4       54.5
69........................................       63.1       62.2       61.2       60.2       59.3       58.3       57.3       56.4       55.4       54.5
70........................................       63.1       62.2       61.2       60.2       59.3       58.3       57.3       56.4       55.4       54.4
71........................................       63.1       62.1       61.2       60.2       59.2       58.3       57.3       56.4       55.4       54.4
72........................................       63.1       62.1       61.2       60.2       59.2       58.3       57.3       56.3       55.4       54.4
73........................................       63.1       62.1       61.2       60.2       59.2       58.3       57.3       56.3       55.4       54.4
74........................................       63.1       62.1       61.2       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.3       56.3       55.4       54.4
75........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.3       56.3       55.3       54.4
76........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.3       56.3       55.3       54.4
77........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.3       56.3       55.3       54.4
78........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.3       56.3       55.3       54.4
79........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.2       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
80........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
81........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
82........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
83........................................       63.1       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
84........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
85........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.3       55.3       54.3
86........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
87........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
88........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.2       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
89........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
90........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
91........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
92........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
93........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
94........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
95........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
96........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
97........................................       60.3       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
98........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
99........................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
100.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
101.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
102.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
103.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
104.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3

[[Page 225]]

 
105.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
106.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
107.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
108.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
109.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
110.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
111.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
112.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
113.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
114.......................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
115 +.....................................       63.0       62.1       61.1       60.1       59.1       58.2       57.2       56.2       55.3       54.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         30         31         32         33         34         35         36         37         38         39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30........................................       60.2       59.7       59.2       58.8       58.4       58.0       57.6       57.3       57.0       56.7
31........................................       59.7       59.2       58.7       58.2       57.8       57.4       57.0       56.6       56.3       56.0
32........................................       59.2       58.7       58.2       57.7       57.2       56.8       56.4       56.0       55.6       55.3
33........................................       58.8       58.2       57.7       57.2       56.7       56.2       55.8       55.4       55.0       54.7
34........................................       58.4       57.8       57.2       56.7       56.2       55.7       55.3       54.8       54.4       54.0
35........................................       58.0       57.4       56.8       56.2       55.7       55.2       54.7       54.3       53.8       53.4
36........................................       57.6       57.0       56.4       55.8       55.3       54.7       54.2       53.7       53.3       52.8
37........................................       57.3       56.6       56.0       55.4       54.8       54.3       53.7       53.2       52.7       52.3
38........................................       57.0       56.3       55.6       55.0       54.4       53.8       53.3       52.7       52.2       51.7
39........................................       56.7       56.0       55.3       54.7       54.0       53.4       52.8       52.3       51.7       51.2
40........................................       56.4       55.7       55.0       54.3       53.7       53.0       52.4       51.8       51.3       50.8
41........................................       56.1       55.4       54.7       54.0       53.3       52.7       52.0       51.4       50.9       50.3
42........................................       55.9       55.2       54.4       53.7       53.0       52.3       51.7       51.1       50.4       49.9
43........................................       55.7       54.9       54.2       53.4       52.7       52.0       51.3       50.7       50.1       49.5
44........................................       55.5       54.7       53.9       53.2       52.4       51.7       51.0       50.4       49.7       49.1
45........................................       55.3       54.5       53.7       52.9       52.2       51.5       50.7       50.0       49.4       48.7
46........................................       55.1       54.3       53.5       52.7       52.0       51.2       50.5       49.8       49.1       48.4
47........................................       55.0       54.1       53.3       52.5       51.7       51.0       50.2       49.5       48.8       48.1
48........................................       54.8       54.0       53.2       52.3       51.5       50.8       50.0       49.2       48.5       47.8
49........................................       54.7       53.8       53.0       52.2       51.4       50.6       49.8       49.0       48.2       47.5
50........................................       54.6       53.7       52.9       52.0       51.2       50.4       49.6       48.8       48.0       47.3
51........................................       54.5       53.6       52.7       51.9       51.0       50.2       49.4       48.6       47.8       47.0
52........................................       54.4       53.5       52.6       51.7       50.9       50.0       49.2       48.4       47.6       46.8
53........................................       54.3       53.4       52.5       51.6       50.8       49.9       49.1       48.2       47.4       46.6
54........................................       54.2       53.3       52.4       51.5       50.6       49.8       48.9       48.1       47.2       46.4
55........................................       54.1       53.2       52.3       51.4       50.5       49.7       48.8       47.9       47.1       46.3
56........................................       54.0       53.1       52.2       51.3       50.4       49.5       48.7       47.8       47.0       46.1
57........................................       54.0       53.0       52.1       51.2       50.3       49.4       48.6       47.7       46.8       46.0
58........................................       53.9       53.0       52.1       51.2       50.3       49.4       48.5       47.6       46.7       45.8
59........................................       53.8       52.9       52.0       51.1       50.2       49.3       48.4       47.5       46.6       45.7
60........................................       53.8       52.9       51.9       51.0       50.1       49.2       48.3       47.4       46.5       45.6
61........................................       53.8       52.8       51.9       51.0       50.0       49.1       48.2       47.3       46.4       45.5
62........................................       53.7       52.8       51.8       50.9       50.0       49.1       48.1       47.2       46.3       45.4
63........................................       53.7       52.7       51.8       50.9       49.9       49.0       48.1       47.2       46.3       45.3
64........................................       53.6       52.7       51.8       50.8       49.9       48.9       48.0       47.1       46.2       45.3
65........................................       53.6       52.7       51.7       50.8       49.8       48.9       48.0       47.0       46.1       45.2

[[Page 226]]

 
66........................................       53.6       52.6       51.7       50.7       49.8       48.9       47.9       47.0       46.1       45.1
67........................................       53.6       52.6       51.7       50.7       49.8       48.8       47.9       46.9       46.0       45.1
68........................................       53.5       52.6       51.6       50.7       49.7       48.8       47.8       46.9       46.0       45.0
69........................................       53.5       52.6       51.6       50.6       49.7       48.7       47.8       46.9       45.9       45.0
70........................................       53.5       52.5       51.6       50.6       49.7       48.7       47.8       46.8       45.9       44.9
71........................................       53.5       52.5       51.6       50.6       49.6       48.7       47.7       46.8       45.9       44.9
72........................................       53.5       52.5       51.5       50.6       49.6       48.7       47.7       46.8       45.8       44.9
73........................................       53.4       52.5       51.5       50.6       49.6       48.6       47.7       46.7       45.8       44.8
74........................................       53.4       52.5       51.5       50.5       49.6       48.6       47.7       46.7       45.8       44.8
75........................................       53.4       52.5       51.5       50.5       49.6       48.6       47.7       46.7       45.7       44.8
76........................................       53.4       52.4       51.5       50.5       49.6       48.6       47.6       46.7       45.7       44.8
77........................................       53.4       52.4       51.5       50.5       49.5       48.6       47.6       46.7       45.7       44.8
78........................................       53.4       52.4       51.5       50.5       49.5       48.6       47.6       46.6       45.7       44.7
79........................................       53.4       52.4       51.5       50.5       49.5       48.6       47.6       46.6       45.7       44.7
80........................................       53.4       52.4       51.4       50.5       49.5       48.5       47.6       46.6       45.7       44.7
81........................................       53.4       52.4       51.4       50.5       49.5       48.5       47.6       46.6       45.7       44.7
82........................................       53.4       52.4       51.4       50.5       49.5       48.5       47.6       46.6       45.6       44.7
83........................................       53.4       52.4       51.4       50.5       49.5       48.5       47.6       46.6       45.6       44.7
84........................................       53.4       52.4       51.4       50.5       49.5       48.5       47.6       46.6       45.6       44.7
85........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.7
86........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
87........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
88........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
89........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
90........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
91........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
92........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
93........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
94........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.6       45.6       44.6
95........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
96........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
97........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
98........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
99........................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
100.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
101.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
102.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
103.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
104.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.5       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
105.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
106.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
107.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
108.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
109.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
110.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
111.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
112.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
113.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6

[[Page 227]]

 
114.......................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
115 +.....................................       53.3       52.4       51.4       50.4       49.4       48.5       47.5       46.5       45.6       44.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         40         41         42         43         44         45         46         47         48         49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40........................................       50.2       49.8       49.3       48.9       48.5       48.1       47.7       47.4       47.1       46.8
41........................................       49.8       49.3       48.8       48.3       47.9       47.5       47.1       46.7       46.4       46.1
42........................................       49.3       48.8       48.3       47.8       47.3       46.9       46.5       46.1       45.8       45.4
43........................................       48.9       48.3       47.8       47.3       46.8       46.3       45.9       45.5       45.1       44.8
44........................................       48.5       47.9       47.3       46.8       46.3       45.8       45.4       44.9       44.5       44.2
45........................................       48.1       47.5       46.9       46.3       45.8       45.3       44.8       44.4       44.0       43.6
46........................................       47.7       47.1       46.5       45.9       45.4       44.8       44.3       43.9       43.4       43.0
47........................................       47.4       46.7       46.1       45.5       44.9       44.4       43.9       43.4       42.9       42.4
48........................................       47.1       46.4       45.8       45.1       44.5       44.0       43.4       42.9       42.4       41.9
49........................................       46.8       46.1       45.4       44.8       44.2       43.6       43.0       42.4       41.9       41.4
50........................................       46.5       45.8       45.1       44.4       43.8       43.2       42.6       42.0       41.5       40.9
51........................................       46.3       45.5       44.8       44.1       43.5       42.8       42.2       41.6       41.0       40.5
52........................................       46.0       45.3       44.6       43.8       43.2       42.5       41.8       41.2       40.6       40.1
53........................................       45.8       45.1       44.3       43.6       42.9       42.2       41.5       40.9       40.3       39.7
54........................................       45.6       44.8       44.1       43.3       42.6       41.9       41.2       40.5       39.9       39.3
55........................................       45.5       44.7       43.9       43.1       42.4       41.6       40.9       40.2       39.6       38.9
56........................................       45.3       44.5       43.7       42.9       42.1       41.4       40.7       40.0       39.3       38.6
57........................................       45.1       44.3       43.5       42.7       41.9       41.2       40.4       39.7       39.0       38.3
58........................................       45.0       44.2       43.3       42.5       41.7       40.9       40.2       39.4       38.7       38.0
59........................................       44.9       44.0       43.2       42.4       41.5       40.7       40.0       39.2       38.5       37.8
60........................................       44.7       43.9       43.0       42.2       41.4       40.6       39.8       39.0       38.2       37.5
61........................................       44.6       43.8       42.9       42.1       41.2       40.4       39.6       38.8       38.0       37.3
62........................................       44.5       43.7       42.8       41.9       41.1       40.3       39.4       38.6       37.8       37.1
63........................................       44.5       43.6       42.7       41.8       41.0       40.1       39.3       38.5       37.7       36.9
64........................................       44.4       43.5       42.6       41.7       40.8       40.0       39.2       38.3       37.5       36.7
65........................................       44.3       43.4       42.5       41.6       40.7       39.9       39.0       38.2       37.4       36.6
66........................................       44.2       43.3       42.4       41.5       40.6       39.8       38.9       38.1       37.2       36.4
67........................................       44.2       43.3       42.3       41.4       40.6       39.7       38.8       38.0       37.1       36.3
68........................................       44.1       43.2       42.3       41.4       40.5       39.6       38.7       37.9       37.0       36.2
69........................................       44.1       43.1       42.2       41.3       40.4       39.5       38.6       37.8       36.9       36.0
70........................................       44.0       43.1       42.2       41.3       40.3       39.4       38.6       37.7       36.8       35.9
71........................................       44.0       43.0       42.1       41.2       40.3       39.4       38.5       37.6       36.7       35.9
72........................................       43.9       43.0       42.1       41.1       40.2       39.3       38.4       37.5       36.6       35.8
73........................................       43.9       43.0       42.0       41.1       40.2       39.3       38.4       37.5       36.6       35.7
74........................................       43.9       42.9       42.0       41.1       40.1       39.2       38.3       37.4       36.5       35.6
75........................................       43.8       42.9       42.0       41.0       40.1       39.2       38.3       37.4       36.5       35.6
76........................................       43.8       42.9       41.9       41.0       40.1       39.1       38.2       37.3       36.4       35.5
77........................................       43.8       42.9       41.9       41.0       40.0       39.1       38.2       37.3       36.4       35.5
78........................................       43.8       42.8       41.9       40.9       40.0       39.1       38.2       37.2       36.3       35.4
79........................................       43.8       42.8       41.9       40.9       40.0       39.1       38.1       37.2       36.3       35.4
80........................................       43.7       42.8       41.8       40.9       40.0       39.0       38.1       37.2       36.3       35.4
81........................................       43.7       42.8       41.8       40.9       39.9       39.0       38.1       37.2       36.2       35.3
82........................................       43.7       42.8       41.8       40.9       39.9       39.0       38.1       37.1       36.2       35.3
83........................................       43.7       42.8       41.8       40.9       39.9       39.0       38.0       37.1       36.2       35.3
84........................................       43.7       42.7       41.8       40.8       39.9       39.0       38.0       37.1       36.2       35.3

[[Page 228]]

 
85........................................       43.7       42.7       41.8       40.8       39.9       38.9       38.0       37.1       36.2       35.2
86........................................       43.7       42.7       41.8       40.8       39.9       38.9       38.0       37.1       36.1       35.2
87........................................       43.7       42.7       41.8       40.8       39.9       38.9       38.0       37.0       36.1       35.2
88........................................       43.7       42.7       41.8       40.8       39.9       38.9       38.0       37.0       36.1       35.2
89........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       38.0       37.0       36.1       35.2
90........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       38.0       37.0       36.1       35.2
91........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.2
92........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
93........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
94........................................       43.7       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
95........................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
96........................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
97........................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.1       35.1
98........................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
99........................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
100.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
101.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
102.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
103.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.9       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
104.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
105.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
106.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
107.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
108.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.8       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
109.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
110.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
111.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
112.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
113.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
114.......................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
115 +.....................................       43.6       42.7       41.7       40.7       39.8       38.8       37.9       37.0       36.0       35.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         50         51         52         53         54         55         56         57         58         59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50........................................       40.4       40.0       39.5       39.1       38.7       38.3       38.0       37.6       37.3       37.1
51........................................       40.0       39.5       39.0       38.5       38.1       37.7       37.4       37.0       36.7       36.4
52........................................       39.5       39.0       38.5       38.0       37.6       37.2       36.8       36.4       36.0       35.7
53........................................       39.1       38.5       38.0       37.5       37.1       36.6       36.2       35.8       35.4       35.1
54........................................       38.7       38.1       37.6       37.1       36.6       36.1       35.7       35.2       34.8       34.5
55........................................       38.3       37.7       37.2       36.6       36.1       35.6       35.1       34.7       34.3       33.9
56........................................       38.0       37.4       36.8       36.2       35.7       35.1       34.7       34.2       33.7       33.3
57........................................       37.6       37.0       36.4       35.8       35.2       34.7       34.2       33.7       33.2       32.8
58........................................       37.3       36.7       36.0       35.4       34.8       34.3       33.7       33.2       32.8       32.3
59........................................       37.1       36.4       35.7       35.1       34.5       33.9       33.3       32.8       32.3       31.8
60........................................       36.8       36.1       35.4       34.8       34.1       33.5       32.9       32.4       31.9       31.3
61........................................       36.6       35.8       35.1       34.5       33.8       33.2       32.6       32.0       31.4       30.9
62........................................       36.3       35.6       34.9       34.2       33.5       32.9       32.2       31.6       31.1       30.5
63........................................       36.1       35.4       34.6       33.9       33.2       32.6       31.9       31.3       30.7       30.1

[[Page 229]]

 
64........................................       35.9       35.2       34.4       33.7       33.0       32.3       31.6       31.0       30.4       29.8
65........................................       35.8       35.0       34.2       33.5       32.7       32.0       31.4       30.7       30.0       29.4
66........................................       35.6       34.8       34.0       33.3       32.5       31.8       31.1       30.4       29.8       29.1
67........................................       35.5       34.7       33.9       33.1       32.3       31.6       30.9       30.2       29.5       28.8
68........................................       35.3       34.5       33.7       32.9       32.1       31.4       30.7       29.9       29.2       28.6
69........................................       35.2       34.4       33.6       32.8       32.0       31.2       30.5       29.7       29.0       28.3
70........................................       35.1       34.3       33.4       32.6       31.8       31.1       30.3       29.5       28.8       28.1
71........................................       35.0       34.2       33.3       32.5       31.7       30.9       30.1       29.4       28.6       27.9
72........................................       34.9       34.1       33.2       32.4       31.6       30.8       30.0       29.2       28.4       27.7
73........................................       34.8       34.0       33.1       32.3       31.5       30.6       29.8       29.1       28.3       27.5
74........................................       34.8       33.9       33.0       32.2       31.4       30.5       29.7       28.9       28.1       27.4
75........................................       34.7       33.8       33.0       32.1       31.3       30.4       29.6       28.8       28.0       27.2
76........................................       34.6       33.8       32.9       32.0       31.2       30.3       29.5       28.7       27.9       27.1
77........................................       34.6       33.7       32.8       32.0       31.1       30.3       29.4       28.6       27.8       27.0
78........................................       34.5       33.6       32.8       31.9       31.0       30.2       29.3       28.5       27.7       26.9
79........................................       34.5       33.6       32.7       31.8       31.0       30.1       29.3       28.4       27.6       26.8
80........................................       34.5       33.6       32.7       31.8       30.9       30.1       29.2       28.4       27.5       26.7
81........................................       34.4       33.5       32.6       31.8       30.9       30.0       29.2       28.3       27.5       26.6
82........................................       34.4       33.5       32.6       31.7       30.8       30.0       29.1       28.3       27.4       26.6
83........................................       34.4       33.5       32.6       31.7       30.8       29.9       29.1       28.2       27.4       26.5
84........................................       34.3       33.4       32.5       31.7       30.8       29.9       29.0       28.2       27.3       26.5
85........................................       34.3       33.4       32.5       31.6       30.7       29.9       29.0       28.1       27.3       26.4
86........................................       34.3       33.4       32.5       31.6       30.7       29.8       29.0       28.1       27.2       26.4
87........................................       34.3       33.4       32.5       31.6       30.7       29.8       28.9       28.1       27.2       26.4
88........................................       34.3       33.4       32.5       31.6       30.7       29.8       28.9       28.0       27.2       26.3
89........................................       34.3       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.7       29.8       28.9       28.0       27.2       26.3
90........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.8       28.9       28.0       27.1       26.3
91........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.9       28.0       27.1       26.3
92........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       28.0       27.1       26.2
93........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       28.0       27.1       26.2
94........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.1       26.2
95........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.1       26.2
96........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.2
97........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.2
98........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.2
99........................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.2
100.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
101.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.5       30.6       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
102.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.4       30.5       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
103.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.4       30.5       29.7       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
104.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.4       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
105.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
106.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
107.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
108.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.8       27.9       27.0       26.1
109.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
110.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
111.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
112.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
113.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1

[[Page 230]]

 
114.......................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
115 +.....................................       34.2       33.3       32.3       31.4       30.5       29.6       28.7       27.9       27.0       26.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         60         61         62         63         64         65         66         67         68         69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60........................................       30.9       30.4       30.0       29.6       29.2       28.8       28.5       28.2       27.9       27.6
61........................................       30.4       29.9       29.5       29.0       28.6       28.3       27.9       27.6       27.3       27.0
62........................................       30.0       29.5       29.0       28.5       28.1       27.7       27.3       27.0       26.7       26.4
63........................................       29.6       29.0       28.5       28.1       27.6       27.2       26.8       26.4       26.1       25.7
64........................................       29.2       28.6       28.1       27.6       27.1       26.7       26.3       25.9       25.5       25.2
65........................................       28.8       28.3       27.7       27.2       26.7       26.2       25.8       25.4       25.0       24.6
66........................................       28.5       27.9       27.3       26.8       26.3       25.8       25.3       24.9       24.5       24.1
67........................................       28.2       27.6       27.0       26.4       25.9       25.4       24.9       24.4       24.0       23.6
68........................................       27.9       27.3       26.7       26.1       25.5       25.0       24.5       24.0       23.5       23.1
69........................................       27.6       27.0       26.4       25.7       25.2       24.6       24.1       23.6       23.1       22.6
70........................................       27.4       26.7       26.1       25.4       24.8       24.3       23.7       23.2       22.7       22.2
71........................................       27.2       26.5       25.8       25.2       24.5       23.9       23.4       22.8       22.3       21.8
72........................................       27.0       26.3       25.6       24.9       24.3       23.7       23.1       22.5       22.0       21.4
73........................................       26.8       26.1       25.4       24.7       24.0       23.4       22.8       22.2       21.6       21.1
74........................................       26.6       25.9       25.2       24.5       23.8       23.1       22.5       21.9       21.3       20.8
75........................................       26.5       25.7       25.0       24.3       23.6       22.9       22.3       21.6       21.0       20.5
76........................................       26.3       25.6       24.8       24.1       23.4       22.7       22.0       21.4       20.8       20.2
77........................................       26.2       25.4       24.7       23.9       23.2       22.5       21.8       21.2       20.6       19.9
78........................................       26.1       25.3       24.6       23.8       23.1       22.4       21.7       21.0       20.3       19.7
79........................................       26.0       25.2       24.4       23.7       22.9       22.2       21.5       20.8       20.1       19.5
80........................................       25.9       25.1       24.3       23.6       22.8       22.1       21.3       20.6       20.0       19.3
81........................................       25.8       25.0       24.2       23.4       22.7       21.9       21.2       20.5       19.8       19.1
82........................................       25.8       24.9       24.1       23.4       22.6       21.8       21.1       20.4       19.7       19.0
83........................................       25.7       24.9       24.1       23.3       22.5       21.7       21.0       20.2       19.5       18.8
84........................................       25.6       24.8       24.0       23.2       22.4       21.6       20.9       20.1       19.4       18.7
85........................................       25.6       24.8       23.9       23.1       22.3       21.6       20.8       20.1       19.3       18.6
86........................................       25.5       24.7       23.9       23.1       22.3       21.5       20.7       20.0       19.2       18.5
87........................................       25.5       24.7       23.8       23.0       22.2       21.4       20.7       19.9       19.2       18.4
88........................................       25.5       24.6       23.8       23.0       22.2       21.4       20.6       19.8       19.1       18.3
89........................................       25.4       24.6       23.8       22.9       22.1       21.3       20.5       19.8       19.0       18.3
90........................................       25.4       24.6       23.7       22.9       22.1       21.3       20.5       19.7       19.0       18.2
91........................................       25.4       24.5       23.7       22.9       22.1       21.3       20.5       19.7       18.9       18.2
92........................................       25.4       24.5       23.7       22.9       22.0       21.2       20.4       19.6       18.9       18.1
93........................................       25.4       24.5       23.7       22.8       22.0       21.2       20.4       19.6       18.8       18.1
94........................................       25.3       24.5       23.6       22.8       22.0       21.2       20.4       19.6       18.8       18.0
95........................................       25.3       24.5       23.6       22.8       22.0       21.1       20.3       19.6       18.8       18.0
96........................................       25.3       24.5       23.6       22.8       21.9       21.1       20.3       19.5       18.8       18.0
97........................................       25.3       24.5       23.6       22.8       21.9       21.1       20.3       19.5       18.7       18.0
98........................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.8       21.9       21.1       20.3       19.5       18.7       17.9
99........................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.7       21.9       21.1       20.3       19.5       18.7       17.9
100.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.7       21.9       21.1       20.3       19.5       18.7       17.9
101.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.7       21.9       21.1       20.2       19.4       18.7       17.9
102.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.7       21.9       21.1       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.9

[[Page 231]]

 
103.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.6       22.7       21.9       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.9
104.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.9       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
105.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.9       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
106.......................................       25.3       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.9       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
107.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
108.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
109.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
110.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
111.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
112.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
113.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
114.......................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
115 +.....................................       25.2       24.4       23.5       22.7       21.8       21.0       20.2       19.4       18.6       17.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         70         71         72         73         74         75         76         77         78         79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70........................................       21.8       21.3       20.9       20.6       20.2       19.9       19.6       19.4       19.1       18.9
71........................................       21.3       20.9       20.5       20.1       19.7       19.4       19.1       18.8       18.5       18.3
72........................................       20.9       20.5       20.0       19.6       19.3       18.9       18.6       18.3       18.0       17.7
73........................................       20.6       20.1       19.6       19.2       18.8       18.4       18.1       17.8       17.5       17.2
74........................................       20.2       19.7       19.3       18.8       18.4       18.0       17.6       17.3       17.0       16.7
75........................................       19.9       19.4       18.9       18.4       18.0       17.6       17.2       16.8       16.5       16.2
76........................................       19.6       19.1       18.6       18.1       17.6       17.2       16.8       16.4       16.0       15.7
77........................................       19.4       18.8       18.3       17.8       17.3       16.8       16.4       16.0       15.6       15.3
78........................................       19.1       18.5       18.0       17.5       17.0       16.5       16.0       15.6       15.2       14.9
79........................................       18.9       18.3       17.7       17.2       16.7       16.2       15.7       15.3       14.9       14.5
80........................................       18.7       18.1       17.5       16.9       16.4       15.9       15.4       15.0       14.5       14.1
81........................................       18.5       17.9       17.3       16.7       16.2       15.6       15.1       14.7       14.2       13.8
82........................................       18.3       17.7       17.1       16.5       15.9       15.4       14.9       14.4       13.9       13.5
83........................................       18.2       17.5       16.9       16.3       15.7       15.2       14.7       14.2       13.7       13.2
84........................................       18.0       17.4       16.7       16.1       15.5       15.0       14.4       13.9       13.4       13.0
85........................................       17.9       17.3       16.6       16.0       15.4       14.8       14.3       13.7       13.2       12.8
86........................................       17.8       17.1       16.5       15.8       15.2       14.6       14.1       13.5       13.0       12.5
87........................................       17.7       17.0       16.4       15.7       15.1       14.5       13.9       13.4       12.9       12.4
88........................................       17.6       16.9       16.3       15.6       15.0       14.4       13.8       13.2       12.7       12.2
89........................................       17.6       16.9       16.2       15.5       14.9       14.3       13.7       13.1       12.6       12.0
90........................................       17.5       16.8       16.1       15.4       14.8       14.2       13.6       13.0       12.4       11.9
91........................................       17.4       16.7       16.0       15.4       14.7       14.1       13.5       12.9       12.3       11.8
92........................................       17.4       16.7       16.0       15.3       14.6       14.0       13.4       12.8       12.2       11.7
93........................................       17.3       16.6       15.9       15.2       14.6       13.9       13.3       12.7       12.1       11.6
94........................................       17.3       16.6       15.9       15.2       14.5       13.9       13.2       12.6       12.0       11.5
95........................................       17.3       16.5       15.8       15.1       14.5       13.8       13.2       12.6       12.0       11.4
96........................................       17.2       16.5       15.8       15.1       14.4       13.8       13.1       12.5       11.9       11.3
97........................................       17.2       16.5       15.8       15.1       14.4       13.7       13.1       12.5       11.9       11.3
98........................................       17.2       16.4       15.7       15.0       14.3       13.7       13.0       12.4       11.8       11.2
99........................................       17.2       16.4       15.7       15.0       14.3       13.6       13.0       12.4       11.8       11.2
100.......................................       17.1       16.4       15.7       15.0       14.3       13.6       12.9       12.3       11.7       11.1
101.......................................       17.1       16.4       15.6       14.9       14.2       13.6       12.9       12.3       11.7       11.1
102.......................................       17.1       16.4       15.6       14.9       14.2       13.5       12.9       12.2       11.6       11.0
103.......................................       17.1       16.3       15.6       14.9       14.2       13.5       12.9       12.2       11.6       11.0

[[Page 232]]

 
104.......................................       17.1       16.3       15.6       14.9       14.2       13.5       12.8       12.2       11.6       11.0
105.......................................       17.1       16.3       15.6       14.9       14.2       13.5       12.8       12.2       11.5       10.9
106.......................................       17.1       16.3       15.6       14.8       14.1       13.5       12.8       12.2       11.5       10.9
107.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.6       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.8       12.1       11.5       10.9
108.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.8       12.1       11.5       10.9
109.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.8       12.1       11.5       10.9
110.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.5       10.9
111.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.5       10.8
112.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.5       10.8
113.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.4       10.8
114.......................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.4       10.8
115 +.....................................       17.0       16.3       15.5       14.8       14.1       13.4       12.7       12.1       11.4       10.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                         80         81         82         83         84         85         86         87         88         89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80........................................       13.8       13.4       13.1       12.8       12.6       12.3       12.1       11.9       11.7       11.5
81........................................       13.4       13.1       12.7       12.4       12.2       11.9       11.7       11.4       11.3       11.1
82........................................       13.1       12.7       12.4       12.1       11.8       11.5       11.3       11.0       10.8       10.6
83........................................       12.8       12.4       12.1       11.7       11.4       11.1       10.9       10.6       10.4       10.2
84........................................       12.6       12.2       11.8       11.4       11.1       10.8       10.5       10.3       10.1        9.9
85........................................       12.3       11.9       11.5       11.1       10.8       10.5       10.2        9.9        9.7        9.5
86........................................       12.1       11.7       11.3       10.9       10.5       10.2        9.9        9.6        9.4        9.2
87........................................       11.9       11.4       11.0       10.6       10.3        9.9        9.6        9.4        9.1        8.9
88........................................       11.7       11.3       10.8       10.4       10.1        9.7        9.4        9.1        8.8        8.6
89........................................       11.5       11.1       10.6       10.2        9.9        9.5        9.2        8.9        8.6        8.3
90........................................       11.4       10.9       10.5       10.1        9.7        9.3        9.0        8.6        8.3        8.1
91........................................       11.3       10.8       10.3        9.9        9.5        9.1        8.8        8.4        8.1        7.9
92........................................       11.2       10.7       10.2        9.8        9.3        9.0        8.6        8.3        8.0        7.7
93........................................       11.1       10.6       10.1        9.6        9.2        8.8        8.5        8.1        7.8        7.5
94........................................       11.0       10.5       10.0        9.5        9.1        8.7        8.3        8.0        7.6        7.3
95........................................       10.9       10.4        9.9        9.4        9.0        8.6        8.2        7.8        7.5        7.2
96........................................       10.8       10.3        9.8        9.3        8.9        8.5        8.1        7.7        7.4        7.1
97........................................       10.7       10.2        9.7        9.2        8.8        8.4        8.0        7.6        7.3        6.9
98........................................       10.7       10.1        9.6        9.2        8.7        8.3        7.9        7.5        7.1        6.8
99........................................       10.6       10.1        9.6        9.1        8.6        8.2        7.8        7.4        7.0        6.7
100.......................................       10.6       10.0        9.5        9.0        8.5        8.1        7.7        7.3        6.9        6.6
101.......................................       10.5       10.0        9.4        9.0        8.5        8.0        7.6        7.2        6.9        6.5
102.......................................       10.5        9.9        9.4        8.9        8.4        8.0        7.5        7.1        6.8        6.4
103.......................................       10.4        9.9        9.4        8.8        8.4        7.9        7.5        7.1        6.7        6.3
104.......................................       10.4        9.8        9.3        8.8        8.3        7.9        7.4        7.0        6.6        6.3
105.......................................       10.4        9.8        9.3        8.8        8.3        7.8        7.4        7.0        6.6        6.2
106.......................................       10.3        9.8        9.2        8.7        8.2        7.8        7.3        6.9        6.5        6.2
107.......................................       10.3        9.8        9.2        8.7        8.2        7.7        7.3        6.9        6.5        6.1
108.......................................       10.3        9.7        9.2        8.7        8.2        7.7        7.3        6.8        6.4        6.1
109.......................................       10.3        9.7        9.2        8.7        8.2        7.7        7.2        6.8        6.4        6.0
110.......................................       10.3        9.7        9.2        8.6        8.1        7.7        7.2        6.8        6.4        6.0
111.......................................       10.3        9.7        9.1        8.6        8.1        7.6        7.2        6.8        6.3        6.0
112.......................................       10.2        9.7        9.1        8.6        8.1        7.6        7.2        6.7        6.3        5.9

[[Page 233]]

 
113.......................................       10.2        9.7        9.1        8.6        8.1        7.6        7.2        6.7        6.3        5.9
114.......................................       10.2        9.7        9.1        8.6        8.1        7.6        7.1        6.7        6.3        5.9
115 +.....................................       10.2        9.7        9.1        8.6        8.1        7.6        7.1        6.7        6.3        5.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                                      AGES
                                                                                                                                                       90
                                                                                                                                                       91
                                                                                                                                                       92
                                                                                                                                                       93
                 Ages                       90         91         92         93         94         95         96         97         98         99      94
                                                                                                                                                       95
                                                                                                                                                       96
                                                                                                                                                       97
                                                                                                                                                       98
                                                                                                                                                       99
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------
90....................................        7.8        7.6        7.4        7.2        7.1        6.9        6.8        6.6        6.5        6.4
91....................................        7.6        7.4        7.2        7.0        6.8        6.7        6.5        6.4        6.3        6.1
92....................................        7.4        7.2        7.0        6.8        6.6        6.4        6.3        6.1        6.0        5.9
93....................................        7.2        7.0        6.8        6.6        6.4        6.2        6.1        5.9        5.8        5.6
94....................................        7.1        6.8        6.6        6.4        6.2        6.0        5.9        5.7        5.6        5.4
95....................................        6.9        6.7        6.4        6.2        6.0        5.8        5.7        5.5        5.4        5.2
96....................................        6.8        6.5        6.3        6.1        5.9        5.7        5.5        5.3        5.2        5.0
97....................................        6.6        6.4        6.1        5.9        5.7        5.5        5.3        5.2        5.0        4.9
98....................................        6.5        6.3        6.0        5.8        5.6        5.4        5.2        5.0        4.8        4.7
99....................................        6.4        6.1        5.9        5.6        5.4        5.2        5.0        4.9        4.7        4.5
100...................................        6.3        6.0        5.8        5.5        5.3        5.1        4.9        4.7        4.5        4.4
101...................................        6.2        5.9        5.6        5.4        5.2        5.0        4.8        4.6        4.4        4.2
102...................................        6.1        5.8        5.5        5.3        5.1        4.8        4.6        4.4        4.3        4.1
103...................................        6.0        5.7        5.4        5.2        5.0        4.7        4.5        4.3        4.1        4.0
104...................................        5.9        5.6        5.4        5.1        4.9        4.6        4.4        4.2        4.0        3.8
105...................................        5.9        5.6        5.3        5.0        4.8        4.5        4.3        4.1        3.9        3.7
106...................................        5.8        5.5        5.2        4.9        4.7        4.5        4.2        4.0        3.8        3.6
107...................................        5.8        5.4        5.1        4.9        4.6        4.4        4.2        3.9        3.7        3.5
108...................................        5.7        5.4        5.1        4.8        4.6        4.3        4.1        3.9        3.7        3.5
109...................................        5.7        5.3        5.0        4.8        4.5        4.3        4.0        3.8        3.6        3.4
110...................................        5.6        5.3        5.0        4.7        4.5        4.2        4.0        3.8        3.5        3.3
111...................................        5.6        5.3        5.0        4.7        4.4        4.2        3.9        3.7        3.5        3.3
112...................................        5.6        5.3        4.9        4.7        4.4        4.1        3.9        3.7        3.5        3.2
113...................................        5.6        5.2        4.9        4.6        4.4        4.1        3.9        3.6        3.4        3.2
114...................................        5.6        5.2        4.9        4.6        4.3        4.1        3.9        3.6        3.4        3.2
115 +.................................        5.5        5.2        4.9        4.6        4.3        4.1        3.8        3.6        3.4        3.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Ages                        100        101        102        103        104        105        106        107        108        109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.......................................        4.2        4.1        3.9        3.8        3.7        3.5        3.4        3.3        3.3        3.2
101.......................................        4.1        3.9        3.7        3.6        3.5        3.4        3.2        3.1        3.1        3.0
102.......................................        3.9        3.7        3.6        3.4        3.3        3.2        3.1        3.0        2.9        2.8
103.......................................        3.8        3.6        3.4        3.3        3.2        3.0        2.9        2.8        2.7        2.6
104.......................................        3.7        3.5        3.3        3.2        3.0        2.9        2.7        2.6        2.5        2.4
105.......................................        3.5        3.4        3.2        3.0        2.9        2.7        2.6        2.5        2.4        2.3
106.......................................        3.4        3.2        3.1        2.9        2.7        2.6        2.4        2.3        2.2        2.1
107.......................................        3.3        3.1        3.0        2.8        2.6        2.5        2.3        2.2        2.1        2.0
108.......................................        3.3        3.1        2.9        2.7        2.5        2.4        2.2        2.1        1.9        1.8
109.......................................        3.2        3.0        2.8        2.6        2.4        2.3        2.1        2.0        1.8        1.7
110.......................................        3.1        2.9        2.7        2.5        2.3        2.2        2.0        1.9        1.7        1.6
111.......................................        3.1        2.9        2.7        2.5        2.3        2.1        1.9        1.8        1.6        1.5
112.......................................        3.0        2.8        2.6        2.4        2.2        2.0        1.9        1.7        1.5        1.4
113.......................................        3.0        2.8        2.6        2.4        2.2        2.0        1.8        1.6        1.5        1.3

[[Page 234]]

 
114.......................................        3.0        2.7        2.5        2.3        2.1        1.9        1.8        1.6        1.4        1.3
115 +.....................................        2.9        2.7        2.5        2.3        2.1        1.9        1.7        1.5        1.4        1.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 235]]


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Ages                        110         111         112         113         114        115 +
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110.....................................         1.5         1.4         1.3         1.2         1.1         1.1
111.....................................         1.4         1.2         1.1         1.1         1.0         1.0
112.....................................         1.3         1.1         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0
113.....................................         1.2         1.1         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0
114.....................................         1.1         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0
115 +...................................         1.1         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0         1.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Q-4. May the tables under this section be changed?
    A-4. The Single Life Table, Uniform Lifetime Table and Joint and 
Last Survivor Table provided in A-1 through A-3 of this section may be 
changed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, and other 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 18994, Apr. 17, 2002; 67 FR 36676, May 24, 2002]



Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1  Limitation on annual compensation.

    (a) Compensation limit requirement--(1) In general. In order to be a 
qualified plan, a plan must satisfy section 401(a)(17). Section 
401(a)(17) provides an annual compensation limit for each employee under 
a qualified plan. This limit applies to a qualified plan in two ways. 
First, a plan may not base allocations, in the case of a defined 
contribution plan, or benefit accruals, in the case of a defined benefit 
plan, on compensation in excess of the annual compensation limit. 
Second, the amount of an employee's annual compensation that may be 
taken into account in applying certain specified nondiscrimination rules 
under the Internal Revenue Code is subject to the annual compensation 
limit. These two limitations are set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section, respectively. Paragraph (d) of this section provides the 
effective dates of section 401(a)(17), the amendments made by section 
13212 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA '93), and 
this section. Paragraph (e) of this section provides rules for 
determining post-effective-date accrued benefits under the fresh-start 
rules.
    (2) Annual compensation limit for plan years beginning before 
January 1, 1994. For purposes of this section, for plan years beginning 
prior to the OBRA '93 effective date, annual compensation limit means 
$200,000, adjusted as provided by the Commissioner. The amount of the 
annual compensation limit is adjusted at the same time and in the same 
manner as under section 415(d). The base period for the annual 
adjustment is the calendar quarter ending December 31, 1988, and the 
first adjustment is effective on January 1, 1990. Any increase in the 
annual compensation limit is effective as of January 1 of a calendar 
year and applies to any plan year beginning in that calendar year. In 
any plan year beginning prior to the OBRA '93 effective date, if 
compensation for any plan year beginning prior to the statutory 
effective date is used for determining allocations or benefit accruals, 
or when applying any nondiscrimination rule, then the annual 
compensation limit for the first plan year beginning on or after the 
statutory effective date (generally $200,000) must be applied to 
compensation for that prior plan year.
    (3) Annual compensation limit for plan years beginning on or after 
January 1, 1994--(i) In general. For purposes of this section, for plan 
years beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective date, annual 
compensation limit means $150,000, adjusted as provided by the 
Commissioner. The adjusted dollar amount of the annual compensation 
limit is determined by adjusting the $150,000 amount for changes in the 
cost of living as provided in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section and 
rounding this adjusted dollar amount as provided in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iii) of this section. Any increase in the annual compensation 
limit is effective as of January 1 of a calendar year and applies to any 
plan year beginning in that calendar year. For example, if a plan has a 
plan year beginning July 1, 1994, and ending June 30, 1995, the annual 
compensation limit in effect on January 1, 1994 ($150,000), applies to 
the plan for the entire plan year.

[[Page 236]]

    (ii) Cost of living adjustment. The $150,000 amount is adjusted for 
changes in the cost of living by the Commissioner at the same time and 
in the same manner as under section 415(d). The base period for the 
annual adjustment is the calendar quarter ending December 31, 1993.
    (iii) Rounding of adjusted compensation limit. After the $150,000, 
adjusted in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, 
exceeds the annual compensation limit for the prior calendar year by 
$10,000 or more, the annual compensation limit will be increased by the 
amount of such excess, rounded down to the next lowest multiple of 
$10,000.
    (4) Additional guidance. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings 
and procedures, notices, and other guidance, published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), 
provide any additional guidance that may be necessary or appropriate 
concerning the annual limits on compensation under section 401(a)(17).
    (b) Plan limit on compensation--(1) General rule. A plan does not 
satisfy section 401(a)(17) unless it provides that the compensation 
taken into account for any employee in determining plan allocations or 
benefit accruals for any plan year is limited to the annual compensation 
limit. For purposes of this rule, allocations and benefit accruals under 
a plan include all benefits provided under the plan, including ancillary 
benefits.
    (2) Plan-year-by-plan-year requirement. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b), the limit in effect for the current plan year applies 
only to the compensation for that year that is taken into account in 
determining plan allocations or benefit accruals for the year. The 
compensation for any prior plan year taken into account in determining 
an employee's allocations or benefit accruals for the current plan year 
is subject to the applicable annual compensation limit in effect for 
that prior year. Thus, increases in the annual compensation limit apply 
only to compensation taken into account for the plan year in which the 
increase is effective. In addition, if compensation for any plan year 
beginning prior to the OBRA '93 effective date is used for determining 
allocations or benefit accruals in a plan year beginning on or after the 
OBRA '93 effective date, then the annual compensation limit for that 
prior year is the annual compensation limit in effect for the first plan 
year beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective date (generally 
$150,000).
    (3) Application of limit to a plan year--(i) In general. For 
purposes of applying this paragraph (b), the annual compensation limit 
is applied to the compensation for the plan year on which allocations or 
benefit accruals are based.
    (ii) Compensation for the plan year. If a plan determines 
compensation used in determining allocations or benefit accruals for a 
plan year based on compensation for the plan year, then the annual 
compensation limit that applies to the compensation for the plan year is 
the limit in effect for the calendar year in which the plan year begins. 
Alternatively, if a plan determines compensation used in determining 
allocations or benefit accruals for the plan year on the basis of 
compensation for a 12-consecutive-month period, or periods, ending no 
later than the last day of the plan year, then the annual compensation 
limit applies to compensation for each of those periods based on the 
annual compensation limit in effect for the respective calendar year in 
which each 12-month period begins.
    (iii) Compensation for a period of less than 12-months--(A) 
Proration required. If compensation for a period of less than 12 months 
is used for a plan year, then the otherwise applicable annual 
compensation limit is reduced in the same proportion as the reduction in 
the 12-month period. For example, if a defined benefit plan provides 
that the accrual for each month in a plan year is separately determined 
based on the compensation for that month and the plan year accrual is 
the sum of the accruals for all months, then the annual compensation 
limit for each month is \1/12\th of the annual compensation limit for 
the plan year. In addition, if the period for determining compensation 
used in calculating an employee's allocation or accrual for a plan year 
is a short plan year (i.e., shorter than 12 months), the annual 
compensation

[[Page 237]]

limit is an amount equal to the otherwise applicable annual compensation 
limit multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of 
months in the short plan year, and the denominator of which is 12.
    (B) No proration required for participation for less than a full 
plan year. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section, a 
plan is not treated as using compensation for less than 12 months for a 
plan year merely because the plan formula provides that the allocation 
or accrual for each employee is based on compensation for the portion of 
the plan year during which the employee is a participant in the plan. In 
addition, no proration is required merely because an employee is covered 
under a plan for less than a full plan year, provided that allocations 
or benefit accruals are otherwise determined using compensation for a 
period of at least 12 months. Finally, notwithstanding paragraph 
(b)(3)(iii)(A) of this section, no proration is required merely because 
the amount of elective contributions (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(k)-6, matching contributions (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(m)-5, or employee contributions (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(m)-5 that is contributed for each pay period during a plan year is 
determined separately using compensation for that pay period.
    (4) Limits on multiple employer and multiemployer plans. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b), in the case of a plan described in 
section 413(c) or 414(f) (a plan maintained by more than one employer), 
the annual compensation limit applies separately with respect to the 
compensation of an employee from each employer maintaining the plan 
instead of applying to the employee's total compensation from all 
employers maintaining the plan.
    (5) Family aggregation. [Reserved]
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (b).

    Example 1. Plan X is a defined benefit plan with a calendar year 
plan year and bases benefits on the average of an employee's high 3 
consecutive years' compensation. The OBRA '93 effective date for Plan X 
is January 1, 1994. Employee A's high 3 consecutive years' compensation 
prior to the application of the annual compensation limits is $160,000 
(1994), $155,000 (1993), and $135,000 (1992). To satisfy this paragraph 
(b), Plan X cannot base plan benefits for Employee A in 1994 on 
compensation in excess of $145,000 (the average of $150,000 (A's 1994 
compensation capped by the annual compensation limit), $150,000 (A's 
1993 compensation capped by the $150,000 annual compensation limit 
applicable to all years before 1994), and $135,000 (A's 1992 
compensation capped by the $150,000 annual compensation limit applicable 
to all years before 1994)). For purposes of determining the 1994 
accrual, each year (1994, 1993, and 1992), not the average of the 3 
years, is subject to the 1994 annual compensation limit of $150,000.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as Example 1, except that Employee 
A's high 3 consecutive years' compensation prior to the application of 
the limits is $185,000 (1997), $175,000 (1996), and $165,000 (1995). 
Assume that the annual compensation limit is first adjusted to $160,000 
for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1997. Plan X cannot base 
plan benefits for Employee A in 1997 on compensation in excess of 
$153,333 (the average of $160,000 (A's 1997 compensation capped by the 
1997 limit), $150,000 (A's 1996 compensation capped by the 1996 limit), 
and $150,000 (A's 1995 compensation capped by the 1995 limit)).
    Example 3. Plan Y is a defined benefit plan that bases benefits on 
an employee's high consecutive 36 months of compensation ending within 
the plan year. Employee B's high 36 months are the period September 1995 
to August 1998, in which Employee B earned $50,000 in each month. Assume 
that the annual compensation limit is first adjusted to $160,000 for 
plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1997. The annual 
compensation limit is $150,000, $150,000, and $160,000 in 1995, 1996, 
and 1997, respectively. To satisfy this paragraph (b), Plan Y cannot 
base Employee B's plan benefits for the 1998 plan year on compensation 
in excess of $153,333. This amount is determined by applying the 
applicable annual compensation limit to compensation for each of the 
three 12-consecutive-month periods. The September 1995 to August 1996 
period is capped by the annual compensation limit of $150,000 for 1995; 
the September 1996 to August 1997 period is capped by the annual 
compensation limit of $150,000 for 1996; and the September 1997 to 
August 1998 period is capped by the annual compensation limit of 
$160,000 for 1997. The average of these capped amounts is the annual 
compensation limit applicable in determining benefits for the 1998 year.
    Example 4. (a) Employer P is a partnership. Employer P maintains 
Plan Z, a profit-sharing plan that provides for an annual allocation of 
employer contributions of 15 percent of plan year compensation for 
employees other than self-employed individuals, and 13.0435 percent of 
plan year compensation for self-employed individuals. The plan year of

[[Page 238]]

Plan Z is the calendar year. The OBRA '93 effective date for Plan Z is 
January 1, 1994. In order to satisfy section 401(a)(17), as amended by 
OBRA '93, the plan provides that, beginning with the 1994 plan year, the 
plan year compensation used in determining the allocation of employer 
contributions for each employee may not exceed the annual limit in 
effect for the plan year under OBRA '93. Plan Z defines compensation for 
self-employed individuals (employees within the meaning of section 
401(c)(1)) as the self-employed individual's net profit from self-
employment attributable to Employer P minus the amount of the self-
employed individual's deduction under section 164(f) for one-half of 
self-employment taxes. Plan Z defines compensation for all other 
employees as wages within the meaning of section 3401(a). Employee C and 
Employee D are partners of Employer P and thus are self-employed 
individuals. Neither Employee C nor Employee D owns an interest in any 
other business or is a common-law employee in any business. For the 1994 
calendar year, Employee C has net profit from self-employment of 
$80,000, and Employee D has net profit from self-employment of $175,000. 
The deduction for Employee C under section 164(f) for one-half of self-
employment taxes is $4,828. The deduction for Employee D under section 
164(f) for one-half of self-employment taxes is $6,101
    (b) The plan year compensation under the plan formula for Employee C 
is $75,172 ($80,000 minus $4,828). The allocation of employer 
contributions under the plan allocation formula for 1994 for Employee C 
is $9,805 ($75,172 (Employee C's plan year compensation for 1994) 
multiplied by 13.0435%). The plan year compensation under the plan 
formula before application of the annual limit under section 401(a)(17) 
for Employee D is $168,899 ($175,000 minus $6101). After application of 
the annual limit, the plan year compensation for the 1994 plan year for 
Employee D is $150,000 (the annual limit for 1994). Therefore, the 
allocation of employer contributions under the plan allocation formula 
for 1994 for Employee D is $19,565 ($150,000 (Employee D's plan year 
compensation after application of the annual limit for 1994) multiplied 
by 13.0435%).
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that Plan 
Z provides that plan year compensation for self-employed individuals is 
defined as earned income within the meaning of section 401(c)(2) 
attributable to Employer P. In addition, Plan Z provides for an annual 
allocation of employer contributions of 15 percent of plan year 
compensation for all employees in the plan, including self-employed 
individuals, such as Employees C and D. The net profit from self-
employment for Employee C and the net profit from self-employment for 
Employee D are the same as provided in Example 4. However, the earned 
income of Employee C determined in accordance with section 401(c)(2) is 
$65,367 ($80,000 minus $4,828 minus $9,805). The earned income of 
Employee D determined in accordance with section 401(c)(2) is $146,869 
($175,000 minus $6,101 minus $22,030). Therefore, the allocation of 
employer contributions under the plan allocation formula for 1994 for 
Employee C is $9,805 ($65,367 (Employee C's plan year compensation for 
1994) multiplied by 15%). Employee D's earned income for 1994 does not 
exceed the 1994 annual limit of $150,000. Therefore, the allocation of 
employer contributions under the plan allocation formula for 1994 for 
Employee D is $22,030 ($146,869 (Employee D's plan year compensation for 
1994) multiplied by 15%).

    (c) Limit on compensation for nondiscrimination rules--(1) General 
rule. The annual compensation limit applies for purposes of applying the 
nondiscrimination rules under sections 401(a)(4), 401(a)(5), 401(l), 
401(k)(3), 401(m)(2), 403(b)(12), 404(a)(2) and 410(b)(2). The annual 
compensation limit also applies in determining whether an alternative 
method of determining compensation impermissibly discriminates under 
section 414(s)(3). Thus, for example, the annual compensation limit 
applies when determining a self-employed individual's total earned 
income that is used to determine the equivalent alternative compensation 
amount under Sec. 1.414(s)-1(g)(1). This paragraph (c) provides rules 
for applying the annual compensation limit for these purposes. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c), compensation means the compensation used 
in applying the applicable nondiscrimination rule.
    (2) Plan-year-by-plan-year requirement. For purposes of this 
paragraph (c), when applying an applicable nondiscrimination rule for a 
plan year, the compensation for each plan year taken into account is 
limited to the applicable annual compensation limit in effect for that 
year, and an employee's compensation for that plan year in excess of the 
limit is disregarded. Thus, if the nondiscrimination provision is 
applied on the basis of compensation determined over a period of more 
than one year (for example, average annual compensation), the annual 
compensation limit in effect for each of the plan years that is taken 
into account in determining the average applies to the respective plan 
year's compensation. In addition, if compensation for any plan

[[Page 239]]

year beginning prior to the OBRA '93 effective date is used when 
applying any nondiscrimination rule in a plan year beginning on or after 
the OBRA '93 effective date, then the annual compensation limit for that 
prior year is the annual compensation limit for the first plan year 
beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective date (generally $150,000).
    (3) Plan-by-plan limit. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the 
annual compensation limit applies separately to each plan (or group of 
plans treated as a single plan) of an employer for purposes of the 
applicable nondiscrimination requirement. For this purpose, the plans 
included in the testing group taken into account in determining whether 
the average benefit percentage test of Sec. 1.410(b)-5 is satisfied are 
generally treated as a single plan.
    (4) Application of limit to a plan year. The rules provided in 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section regarding the application of the limit 
to a plan year apply for purposes of this paragraph (c).
    (5) Limits on multiple employer and multiemployer plans. The rule 
provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section regarding the application 
of the limit to multiple employer and multiemployer plans applies for 
purposes of this paragraph (c).
    (d) Effective date--(1) Statutory effective date--(i) General rule. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (d), section 401(a)(17) 
applies to a plan as of the first plan year beginning on or after 
January 1, 1989. For purposes of this section, statutory effective date 
generally means the first day of the first plan year that section 
401(a)(17) is applicable to a plan. In the case of governmental plans, 
statutory effective date means the first day of the first plan year for 
which the plan is not deemed to satisfy section 401(a)(17) by reason of 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (ii) Exception for collectively bargained plans. In the case of a 
plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements 
between employee representatives and one or more employers ratified 
before March 1, 1986, section 401(a)(17) applies to allocations and 
benefit accruals for plan years beginning on or after the earlier of--
    (A) January 1, 1991; or
    (B) The later of January 1, 1989, or the date on which the last of 
the collective bargaining agreements terminates (determined without 
regard to any extension or renegotiation of any agreement occurring 
after February 28, 1986). For purposes of this paragraph (d)(1)(ii), the 
rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-10(a)(2) apply for purposes of determining 
whether a plan is maintained pursuant to one or more collective 
bargaining agreements, and any extension or renegotiation of a 
collective bargaining agreement, which extension or renegotiation is 
ratified after February 28, 1986, is to be disregarded in determining 
the date on which the agreement terminates.
    (2) OBRA '93 effective date--(i) In general. For purposes of this 
section, OBRA '93 effective date means the first day of the first plan 
year beginning on or after January 1, 1994, except as provided in this 
paragraph (d)(2).
    (ii) Exception for collectively bargained plans--(A) In general. In 
the case of a plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective 
bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more 
employers ratified before August 10, 1993, OBRA '93 effective date means 
the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after the earlier 
of--
    (1) The latest of--
    (i) January 1, 1994;
    (ii) The date on which the last of such collective bargaining 
agreements terminates (without regard to any extension, amendment, or, 
modification of such agreements on or after August 10, 1993); or
    (iii) In the case of a plan maintained pursuant to collective 
bargaining under the Railway Labor Act, the date of execution of an 
extension or replacement of the last of such collective bargaining 
agreements in effect on August 10, 1993; or
    (2) January 1, 1997.
    (B) Determination of whether plan is collectively bargained. For 
purposes of this paragraph (d)(2)(ii), the rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-
10(a)(2) apply for purposes of determining whether a plan is maintained 
pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements, except that 
August 10, 1993, is substituted for

[[Page 240]]

March 1, 1986, as the date before which the collective bargaining 
agreements must be ratified.
    (3) Regulatory effective date. This Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1 applies to 
plan years beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective date. However, 
in the case of a plan maintained by an organization that is exempt from 
income taxation under section 501(a), including plans subject to section 
403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective plans), this Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1 applies 
to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1996. For plan years 
beginning before the effective date of these regulations and on or after 
the statutory effective date, a plan must be operated in accordance with 
a reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 401(a)(17), taking 
into account, if applicable, the OBRA '93 reduction to the annual 
compensation limit under section 401(a)(17).
    (4) Special rules for governmental plans--(i) Deemed satisfaction by 
governmental plans. In the case of governmental plans described in 
section 414(d), including plans subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) 
(nonelective plans), section 401(a)(17) is considered satisfied for plan 
years beginning before the later of January 1, 1996, or 90 days after 
the opening of the first legislative session beginning on or after 
January 1, 1996, of the governing body with authority to amend the plan, 
if that body does not meet continuously. For purposes of this paragraph 
(d)(4), the term governing body with authority to amend the plan means 
the legislature, board, commission, council, or other governing body 
with authority to amend the plan.
    (ii) Transition rule for governmental plans--(A) In general. In the 
case of an eligible participant in a governmental plan (within the 
meaning of section 414(d)), the annual compensation limit under this 
section shall not apply to the extent that the application of the 
limitation would reduce the amount of compensation that is allowed to be 
taken into account under the plan below the amount that was allowed to 
be taken into account under the plan as in effect on July 1, 1993. Thus, 
for example, if a plan as in effect on July 1, 1993, determined benefits 
without any reference to a limit on compensation, then the annual 
compensation limit in effect under this section will not apply to any 
eligible participant in any future year.
    (B) Eligible participant. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(4)(ii), 
an eligible participant is an individual who first became a participant 
in the plan prior to the first day of the first plan year beginning 
after the earlier of--
    (1) The last day of the plan year by which a plan amendment to 
reflect the amendments made by section 13212 of OBRA '93 is both adopted 
and effective; or
    (2) December 31, 1995.
    (C) Plan must be amended to incorporate limits. This paragraph 
(d)(4)(ii) shall not apply to any eligible participant in a plan unless 
the plan is amended so that the plan incorporates by reference the 
annual compensation limit under section 401(a)(17), effective with 
respect to noneligible participants for plan years beginning after 
December 31, 1995 (or earlier, if the plan amendment so provides).
    (5) Benefits earned prior to effective date--(i) In general. 
Allocations under a defined contribution plan or benefits accrued under 
a defined benefit plan for plan years beginning before the statutory 
effective date are not subject to the annual compensation limit. 
Allocations under a defined contribution plan or benefits accrued under 
a defined benefit plan for plan years beginning on or after the 
statutory effective date, but before the OBRA '93 effective date, are 
subject to the annual compensation limit under paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section. However, these allocations or accruals are not subject to the 
OBRA '93 reduction to the annual compensation limit described in 
paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Allocation for a plan year. The allocations for a plan year 
include amounts described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(ii) or Sec. 
1.401(m)-1(f)(6) plus the earnings, expenses, gains, and losses 
attributable to those amounts.
    (iii) Benefits accrued for years before the effective date. The 
benefits accrued for plan years prior to a specified date by any 
employee are the employee's benefits accrued under the plan, determined 
as if those benefits had been frozen (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c)(3)(i))

[[Page 241]]

as of the day immediately preceding such specified date. Thus, for 
example, benefits accrued for those plan years generally do not include 
any benefits accrued under an amendment increasing prior benefits that 
is adopted after the date on which the employee's benefits under the 
plan must be treated as frozen.
    (e) Determination of post-effective-date accrued benefits--(1) In 
general. The plan formula that is used to determine the amount of 
allocations or benefit accruals for plan years beginning on or after the 
dates described in paragraph (d)(1) or (2) must comply with section 
401(a)(17) as in effect on such date. This paragraph (e) provides rules 
for applying section 401(a)(17) in the case of section 401(a)(17) 
employees who accrue additional benefits under a defined benefit plan in 
a plan year beginning on or after the relevant effective date. Paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section contains definitions used in applying these 
rules. Paragraphs (e)(3) and (e)(4) of this section explain the 
application of the fresh-start rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13 to the 
determination of the accrued benefits of section 401(a)(17) employees.
    (2) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (e), the following 
definitions apply:
    (i) Section 401(a)(17) employee. An employee is a section 401(a)(17) 
employee as of a date, on or after the statutory effective date, if the 
employee's current accrued benefit as of that date is based on 
compensation for a year prior to the statutory effective date that 
exceeded the annual compensation limit for the first plan year beginning 
on or after the statutory effective date. In addition, an employee is a 
section 401(a)(17) employee as of a date, on or after the OBRA '93 
effective date, if the employee's current accrued benefit as of that 
date is based on compensation for a year prior to the OBRA '93 effective 
date that exceeded the annual compensation limit for the first plan year 
beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective date. For this purpose, a 
current accrued benefit is not treated as based on compensation that 
exceeded the relevant annual compensation limit, if a plan makes a fresh 
start using the formula with wear-away described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c)(4)(ii), and the employee's accrued benefit determined under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(4)(ii)(B), taking into account the annual compensation 
limit, exceeds the employee's frozen accrued benefit (or, if applicable, 
the employee's adjusted accrued benefit) as of the fresh-start date.
    (ii) Section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date. Section 401(a)(17) fresh-
start date means a fresh-start date as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 
not earlier than the last day of the last plan year beginning before the 
statutory effective date, and not later than the last day of the last 
plan year beginning before the effective date of these regulations.
    (iii) OBRA '93 fresh-start date. OBRA '93 fresh-start date means a 
fresh-start date as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 not earlier than the 
last day of the last plan year beginning before the OBRA '93 effective 
date, and not later than the last day of the last plan year beginning 
before the effective date of these regulations.
    (iv) Section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit. Section 401(a)(17) 
frozen accrued benefit means the accrued benefit for any section 
401(a)(17) employee frozen (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(3)(i)) 
as of the last day of the last plan year beginning before the statutory 
effective date.
    (v) OBRA '93 frozen accrued benefit. OBRA '93 frozen accrued benefit 
means the accrued benefit for any section 401(a)(17) employee frozen (as 
defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(3)(i)) as of the OBRA '93 fresh-start 
date.
    (3) Application of fresh-start rules--(i) General rule. In order to 
satisfy section 401(a)(17), a defined benefit plan must determine the 
accrued benefit of each section 401(a)(17) employee by applying the 
fresh-start rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c). The fresh-start rules must 
be applied using a section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date and using the 
plan benefit formula, after amendment to comply with section 401(a)(17) 
and this section, as the formula applicable to benefit accruals in the 
current plan year. In addition, the fresh-start rules must be applied to 
determine the accrued benefit of each section 401(a)(17) employee using 
an OBRA '93 fresh-start date and using the plan benefit formula, after 
amendment to comply with the reduction in the section 401(a)(17) annual

[[Page 242]]

compensation limit described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, as the 
formula applicable to benefit accruals in the current plan year.
    (ii) Consistency rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) and (d)--(A) 
General rule. In applying the fresh-start rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c) and (d), the group of section 401(a)(17) employees is a fresh-
start group. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(5)(ii)(A). Thus, the 
consistency rules of those sections govern, unless otherwise provided. 
For example, if the plan is using a fresh-start date applicable to all 
employees and is not adjusting frozen accrued benefits under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(d) for employees who are not section 401(a)(17) 
employees, then the frozen accrued benefits for section 401(a)(17) 
employees may not be adjusted under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) or this 
paragraph (e).
    (B) Determination of adjusted accrued benefit. If the fresh-start 
rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) and (d) are applied to determine the 
benefits of all employees after a fresh-start date, the plan will not 
fail to satisfy the consistency requirement of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(c)(5)(i) merely because the plan makes the adjustment described in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) to the frozen accrued benefits of employees who 
are not section 401(a)(17) employees, but does not make the adjustment 
to the frozen accrued benefits of section 401(a)(17) employees. In 
addition, the plan does not fail to satisfy the consistency requirement 
of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(5)(i) merely because the plan makes the 
adjustment described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) for section 401(a)(17) 
employees on the basis of the compensation formula that was used to 
determine the frozen accrued benefit (as required under paragraph 
(e)(4)(iii) of this section) but makes the adjustment for employees who 
are not section 401(a)(17) employees on the basis of any other method 
provided in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8).
    (4) Permitted adjustments to frozen accrued benefit of section 
401(a)(17) employees--(i) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraphs (e)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section, the rules in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(3) (permitting certain adjustments to frozen accrued 
benefits) apply to section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefits or OBRA 
'93 frozen accrued benefits.
    (ii) Optional forms of benefit. After either the section 401(a)(17) 
fresh-start date or the OBRA '93 fresh-start date, a plan may be amended 
either to provide a new optional form of benefit or to make an optional 
form of benefit available with respect to the section 401(a)(17) frozen 
accrued benefit or the OBRA '93 frozen accrued benefit, provided that 
the optional form of benefit is not subsidized. Whether an optional form 
is subsidized may be determined using any reasonable actuarial 
assumptions.
    (iii) Adjusting section 401(a)(17) accrued benefits--(A) In general. 
If the plan adjusts accrued benefits for employees under the rules of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) as of a fresh-start date, the adjusted accrued 
benefit (within the meaning of section Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)) for each 
section 401(a)(17) employee must be determined after the fresh-start 
date by reference to the plan's compensation formula that was actually 
used to determine the frozen accrued benefit as of the fresh-start date. 
For this purpose, the plan's compensation formula incorporates the 
plan's underlying compensation definition and compensation averaging 
period. In making the adjustment, the denominator of the adjustment 
fraction described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)(i) is the employee's 
compensation as of the fresh-start date using the plan's compensation 
formula as of that date and, in the case of an OBRA '93 fresh-start 
date, reflecting the annual compensation limits that applied as of the 
fresh-start date. The numerator of the adjustment fraction is the 
employee's updated compensation (i.e., compensation for the current plan 
year within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)), determined after 
applying the annual compensation limits to each year's compensation that 
is used in the plan's compensation formula as of the fresh-start date. 
Similarly, in applying the alternative rule in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(d)(8)(v), the updated compensation that is substituted must be 
determined after applying the annual compensation limits to each year's 
compensation that is used in the plan's compensation formula. Thus, no 
adjustment will be permitted unless the updated compensation (determined 
after

[[Page 243]]

applying the annual compensation limit) exceeds the compensation that 
was used to determine the employee's frozen accrued benefit.
    (B) Multiple fresh starts. If a plan makes more than one fresh start 
with respect to a section 401(a)(17) employee, the employee's frozen 
accrued benefit as of the latest fresh-start date will either be 
determined by applying the current benefit formula to the employee's 
total years of service as of that fresh-start date or will consist of 
the sum of the employee's frozen accrued benefit (or adjusted accrued 
benefit (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)(i))) as of the 
previous fresh-start date plus additional frozen accruals since the 
previous fresh start. If the frozen accrued benefit consists of such a 
sum, in making the adjustments described in paragraph (e)(4)(iii)(A) of 
this section, separate adjustments must be made to that previously 
frozen accrued benefit (or adjusted accrued benefit) and the additional 
frozen accruals to the extent that the frozen accrued benefit and the 
additional accruals have been determined using different compensation 
formulas or different compensation limits (i.e., the section 401(a)(17) 
limit before and after the reduction in limit described in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section). In this case, if the plan is applying the 
adjustment fraction of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)(i), the denominator of 
the separate adjustment fraction for adjusting each portion of the 
frozen accrued benefit must reflect the actual compensation formula, 
and, if applicable, compensation limit, originally used for determining 
that portion. For example, the frozen accrued benefit of a section 
401(a)(17) employee as of the OBRA '93 fresh-start date may be based on 
the sum of the section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit (determined 
without any annual compensation limit) plus benefit accruals in the 
years between the statutory effective date and the OBRA '93 effective 
date (based on compensation that was subject to the annual compensation 
limits for those years). In this example, in adjusting the section 
401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit, the denominator of the adjustment 
fraction does not reflect any annual compensation limit. Similarly, in 
adjusting the frozen accruals for years between the statutory effective 
date and the OBRA '93 effective date, the denominator of the adjustment 
fraction reflects the level of the annual compensation limit in effect 
for those years.
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules in this 
paragraph (e).

    Example 1. (a) Employer X maintains Plan Y, a calendar year defined 
benefit plan providing an annual benefit for each year of service equal 
to 2 percent of compensation averaged over an employee's high 3 
consecutive calendar years' compensation. Section 401(a)(17) applies to 
Plan Y in 1989. As of the close of the last plan year beginning before 
January 1, 1989 (i.e., the 1988 plan year), Employee A, with 5 years of 
service, had accrued a benefit of $25,000 which equals 10 percent (2 
percent multiplied by 5 years of service) of average compensation of 
$250,000. Employer X decides to comply with the provisions of this 
section for plan years before the effective date of this section. 
Employer X decides to make the amendment effective for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 1989, and uses December 31, 1988 as the 
section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date. Plan Y, as amended, provides that, 
in determining an employee's benefit, compensation taken into account is 
limited in accordance with the provisions of this section to the annual 
compensation limit under section 401(a)(17), and that, for section 
401(a)(17) employees, the employee's accrued benefit is the greater of
    (i) The employee's benefit under the plan's benefit formula (after 
the plan formula is amended to comply with section 401(a)(17)) as 
applied to the employee's total years of service; and
    (ii) The employee's accrued benefit as of December 31, 1988, 
determined as though the employee terminated employment on that date 
without regard to any plan amendments after that date.
    Employer X decides not to amend Plan Y to provide for the 
adjustments permitted under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) to the accrued 
benefit of section 401(a)(17) employees as of December 31, 1988.
    (b) Under Plan Y, Employee A's accrued benefit at the end of 1989 is 
$25,000, which is the greater of Employee A's accrued benefit as of the 
last day of the 1988 plan year ($25,000), and $24,000, which is Employee 
A's benefit based on the plan's benefit formula applied to Employee A's 
total years of service ($200,000 multiplied by (2 percent multiplied by 
6 years of service)). The formula of Plan Y applicable to section 
401(a)(17) employees for calculating their accrued benefits for years 
after the section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date is the formula in Sec. 
1.401(a)-

[[Page 244]]

13(c)(4)(ii) (formula with wear-away). The fresh-start formula is 
applied using a benefit formula for the 1989 plan year that satisfies 
section 401(a)(17) and this section, and the December 31, 1988 fresh-
start date used for the plan is a section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date 
within the meaning of paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section. Thus, Plan 
Y, as amended, satisfies paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section for plan 
years commencing prior to the OBRA '93 effective date.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the 
plan formula provides that effective January 1, 1989, for section 
401(a)(17) employees, an employee's benefit will equal the sum of the 
employee's accrued benefit as of December 31, 1988 (determined as though 
the employee terminated employment on that date and without regard to 
any amendments after that date), and 2 percent of compensation averaged 
over an employee's high 3 consecutive years' compensation times years of 
service taking into account only years of service after December 31, 
1988. Thus, under Plan Y's formula, Employee A's accrued benefit as of 
December 31, 1989 is $29,000, which is equal to the sum of $25,000 
(Employee A's accrued benefit as of December 31, 1988) plus $4,000 
($200,000 multiplied by (2 percent multiplied by 1 year of service)). 
The formula of Plan Y applicable to section 401(a)(17) employees for 
calculating their accrued benefits for years after the section 
401(a)(17) fresh-start date is the formula in Sec. 1.401(a)-13(c)(4)(i) 
(formula without wear-away). The fresh-start formula is applied using a 
benefit formula for the 1989 plan year that satisfies section 401(a)(17) 
and this section, and the December 31, 1988 fresh-start date used for 
the plan is a section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date within the meaning of 
paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section. Thus, Plan Y, as amended, 
satisfies paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section for plan years commencing 
prior to the OBRA '93 effective date.
    Example 3. (a) Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that 
the plan formula provides that effective January 1, 1989, an employee's 
benefit equals the greater of the plan formulas in Example 1 and Example 
2. The formula of Plan Y applicable to section 401(a)(17) employees for 
calculating their accrued benefits for years after the section 
401(a)(17) fresh-start date is the formula in Sec. 1.401(a)-
13(c)(4)(iii) (formula with extended wear-away). The fresh-start formula 
is applied using a benefit formula for the 1989 plan year that satisfies 
section 401(a)(17) and this section, and the December 31, 1988 fresh-
start date used for the plan is a section 401(a)(17) fresh-start date 
within the meaning of paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section. Thus, Plan 
Y, as amended, satisfies paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section for plan 
years commencing prior to the OBRA '93 effective date.
    (b) Assume that for each of the years 1991-93 Employee A's annual 
compensation under the plan compensation formula, disregarding the 
amendment to comply with section 401(a)(17) is $300,000. The annual 
compensation limit is adjusted to $222,220, $228,860, and $235,840 for 
plan years beginning January 1, 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively. 
Because Employer X has decided to amend Plan Y to comply with the 
provisions of this section effective for plan years beginning on or 
after January 1, 1989, and has used December 31, 1988 as the section 
401(a)(17) fresh-start date, the compensation that may be taken into 
account for plan benefits in 1993 cannot exceed $228,973 (the average of 
$222,220, $228,860, and $235,840). Therefore, as of December 31, 1993, 
the benefit determined under the fresh-start formula with wear-away 
would be $45,795 ($228,973 multiplied by (2 percent multiplied by 10 
years of service)). The benefit determined under the fresh-start formula 
without wear-away would be $47,897, which is equal to $25,000 (Employee 
A's section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit) plus $22,897 ($228,973 
multiplied by (2 percent multiplied by 5 years of service)). Because 
Employee A's accrued benefit is being determined using the fresh-start 
formula with extended wear-away, Employee A's accrued benefit as of 
December 31, 1993, is equal to $47,897, the greater of the two amounts.
    Example 4. (a) Assume the same facts as in Example 3, except that 
Plan Y satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(3) through (d)(7) and that the 
amendment to Plan Y effective for plan years beginning after December 
31, 1988, also provided for adjustments to the section 401(a)(17) frozen 
accrued benefit in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) using the 
fraction described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)(i).
    (b) As of December 31, 1993, the numerator of Employee A's 
compensation fraction is $228,973 (the average of Employee A's annual 
compensation for 1991, 1992, and 1993, as limited by the respective 
annual limit for each of those years). The denominator of Employee A's 
compensation fraction determined in accordance with paragraph 
(e)(4)(iii) of this section is $250,000 (the average of Employee A's 
high 3 consecutive calendar year compensation as of December 31, 1988, 
determined without regard to section 401(a)(17)). Therefore, Employee 
A's compensation fraction is $228,973/$250,000. Because the compensation 
adjustment fraction is less than 1, Employee A's section 401(a)(17) 
frozen accrued benefit is not adjusted. Therefore, Employee A's accrued 
benefit as of December 31, 1993, would still be $47,897, which is equal 
to $25,000 (Employee A's section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit) plus 
$22,897 ($228,973 multiplied by (2 percent multiplied by 5 years of 
service).
    Example 5. (a) Assume the same facts as in Example 3, except that as 
of January 1, 1994, Plan Y is amended to provide that benefits will be 
determined based on compensation of $150,000 (the limit in effect under 
section

[[Page 245]]

401(a)(17) for plan years beginning on or after the OBRA '93 effective 
date) and that for section 401(a)(17) employees, each employee's accrued 
benefit will be determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(4)(i) (formula 
without wear-away) using December 31, 1993 as the OBRA '93 fresh-start 
date.
    (b) Assume that for each of the years 1996-98 Employee A's annual 
compensation under the plan compensation definition, disregarding the 
amendment to comply with section 401(a)(17), is $400,000. Assume that 
the annual compensation limit is first adjusted to $160,000 for plan 
years beginning on or after January 1, 1997, and is not adjusted for the 
plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1998. The compensation that 
may be taken into account for the 1998 plan year cannot exceed $156,667 
(the average of $150,000 for 1996, $160,000 for 1997, and $160,000 for 
1998).
    (c) Therefore, at the end of December 31, 1998, Employee A's accrued 
benefit is $63,564, which is equal to $47,897 (Employee A's OBRA '93 
frozen accrued benefit) plus $15,667 ($156,667 multiplied by (2 percent 
multiplied by 5 years of service)).
    Example 6. (a) Assume the same facts as in Example 5, except that, 
for the fresh-start group (in this case the section 401(a)(17) 
employees), the amendments to Plan Y provide for adjustments to the 
section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit and the OBRA '93 frozen 
accrued benefit in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d) using the 
fraction described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d)(8)(i).
    (b) Employee A's frozen accrued benefit as of December 31, 1993, is 
adjusted as of December 31, 1998, as follows:
    (1) Employee A's frozen accrued benefit as of December 31, 1993, is 
the sum of Employee A's section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit 
($25,000) and Employee A's frozen accruals for the years 1989-93 
($22,897).
    (2) The numerator of Employee A's adjustment fraction is $156,667 
(the average of $150,000, $160,000, and $160,000). The denominator of 
Employee A's adjustment fraction with respect to Employee A's section 
401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit is $250,000, and the denominator of 
Employee A's adjustment fraction with respect to the rest of Employee 
A's frozen accrued benefit is $228,973 (the average of Employee A's 
annual compensation for 1991, 1992, and 1993, as limited by the 
respective annual limit for each of those years).
    (3) Employee A's section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit as 
adjusted through December 31, 1998, remains $25,000. The compensation 
adjustment fraction determined in accordance with paragraph (e)(4)(iii) 
of this section is less than one ($156,667 divided by $250,000).
    (4) Employee A's frozen accruals for the years 1989-93, as adjusted 
through December 31, 1998, remain $22,897 because the adjustment 
fraction is less than one ($156,667 divided by $228,973).
    (5) Employee A's adjusted accrued benefit as of December 31, 1998, 
equals $47,897 (the sum of the $25,000 and $22,897 amounts from 
paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4), respectively, of this Example).
    (c) Employee A's section 401(a)(17) frozen accrued benefit will not 
be adjusted for compensation increases until the numerator of the 
fraction used to adjust that frozen accrued benefit exceeds the 
denominator of $250,000 used in determining those accruals.
    Similarly, the portion of Employee A's OBRA '93 frozen accrued 
benefit attributable to the frozen accruals for the years 1989-1993 will 
not be adjusted for compensation increases until the numerator of the 
fraction used to adjust those frozen accruals exceeds the denominator of 
$228,973 used in determining those accruals.

[T.D. 8547, 59 FR 32905, June 27, 1994, as amended by T.D. 9169, 69 FR 
78153, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-0  Table of contents.

    This section contains a listing of the headings of Sec. Sec. 1.401 
(a)(26)-1 through 1.401(a)(26)-9.

         Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-1 Minimum participation requirements

    (a) General rule.
    (b) Exceptions to section 401(a)(26).
    (1) Plans that do not benefit any highly compensated employees.
    (2) Multiemployer plans.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Multiemployer plans covering noncollectively bargained 
employees.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Special testing rule.
    (3) Certain underfunded defined benefit plans.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Eligible plans.
    (iii) Actuarial certification.
    (iv) Cessation of all benefit accruals.
    (4) Section 401(k) plan maintained by employers that include certain 
governmental or tax-exempt entities.
    (5) Certain acquisitions or dispositions.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Special rule for transactions that occur in the plan year prior 
to the first plan year to which section 401(a)(26) applies.
    (iii) Definition of ``acquisition'' or ``disposition''.
    (c) Additional rules.

             Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2 Minimum participation rule

    (a) General rule.
    (b) Frozen plans.
    (c) Plan.
    (d) Disaggregation of certain plans.

[[Page 246]]

    (1) Mandatory disaggregation.
    (i) ESOPs and non-ESOPs.
    (ii) Plans maintained by more than one employer.
    (A) Multiple employer plans.
    (B) Multiemployer plans.
    (iii) Defined benefit plans with other arrangements.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Examples.
    (iv) Plans benefiting employees of qualified separate lines of 
business.
    (2) Permissive disaggregation.
    (i) Plans benefiting collectively bargained employees.
    (ii) Plans benefiting otherwise excludable employees.

Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3 Rules applicable to a defined benefit plan's prior 
                            benefit structure

    (a) General rule.
    (b) Prior benefit structure.
    (c) Testing a prior benefit structure.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Meaningful benefits.
    (d) Multiemployer plan rule.

              Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-4 Testing former employees

    (a) Scope.
    (b) Minimum participation rule for former employees.
    (c) Special rule.
    (d) Excludable former employees.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Exception.

         Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5 Employees who benefit under a plan

    (a) Employees benefiting under a plan.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Sequential or concurrent benefit offset arrangements.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Offset by sequential or grandfathered benefits.
    (iii) Concurrent benefit offset arrangements.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Special rules for certain section 414(n) employer-recipients.
    (b) Former employees benefiting under a plan.

                Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-6 Excludable employees

    (a) In general.
    (b) Excludable employees.
    (1) Minimum age and service exclusions.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Plans benefiting otherwise excludable employees.
    (iii) Examples.
    (2) Certain air pilots.
    (3) Certain nonresident aliens.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Special treaty rule.
    (4) Employees covered pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
    (5) Employees not covered pursuant to a collective bargaining 
agreement.
    (6) Examples.
    (7) Certain terminating employees.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Hours of service.
    (8) Employees of qualified separate lines of business.
    (c) Former employees.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Employees terminated before a specified date.
    (3) Previously excludable employees.
    (4) Vested accrued benefits eligible for mandatory distribution.
    (d) Certain police or firefighters.

                  Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-7 Testing methods

    (a) Testing on each day of the plan year.
    (b) Simplified testing method.
    (c) Retroactive correction.

                    Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-8 Definitions

    Collective bargaining agreement.
    Collectively bargained employee.
    Covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
    Defined benefit plan.
    Defined contribution plan.
    Employee.
    Employer.
    ESOP.
    Former employee.
    Highly compensated employee.
    Highly compensated former employee.
    Multiemployer plan.
    Noncollectively bargained employee.
    Nonhighly compensated employee.
    Nonhighly compensated former employee.
    Plan.
    Plan year.
    Professional employee.
    Section 401(k) plan.
    Section 401(m) plan.

        Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-9 Effective dates and transition rules

    (a) In general.
    (b) Transition rules.
    (1) Governmental plans and certain section 403(b) annuities.
    (2) Early retirement ``window-period'' benefits.
    (3) Employees who do not benefit because of a minimum-period-of-
service requirement or a last-day requirement.
    (4) Certain plan terminations.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Exception.
    (5) ESOPs and non-ESOPs.
    (c) Waiver of excise tax on reversions.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Termination date.
    (3) Failure to satisfy section 401(a)(26).

[[Page 247]]

    (d) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63413, Dec. 4, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-1  Minimum participation requirements.

    (a) General rule. A plan is a qualified plan for a plan year only if 
the plan satisfies section 401(a)(26) for the plan year. A plan that 
satisfies any of the exceptions described in paragraph (b) of this 
section passes section 401(a)(26) automatically for the plan year. A 
plan that does not satisfy one of the exceptions in paragraph (b) of 
this section must satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2(a). In addition, a 
defined benefit plan must satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3 with respect to 
its prior benefit structure. Finally, a defined benefit plan that 
benefits former employees (for example, a defined benefit plan that is 
amended to provide an ad hoc cost-of-living adjustment to former 
employees) must separately satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-4 with respect to 
its former employees.
    (b) Exceptions to section 401(a)(26)--(1) Plans that do not benefit 
any highly compensated employees. A plan, other than a frozen defined 
benefit plan as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2(b), satisfies section 
401(a)(26) for a plan year if the plan is not a top-heavy plan under 
section 416 and the plan meets the following requirements:
    (i) The plan benefits no highly compensated employee or highly 
compensated former employee of the employer; and
    (ii) The plan is not aggregated with any other plan of the employer 
to enable the other plan to satisfy section 401(a)(4) or 410(b). The 
plan may, however, be aggregated with the employer's other plans for 
purposes of the average benefit percentage test in section 
410(b)(2)(A)(ii).
    (2) Multiemployer plans--(i) In genera1. The portion of a 
multiemployer plan that benefits only employees included in a unit of 
employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement may be treated as 
a separate plan that satisfies section 401(a)(26) for a plan year.
    (ii) Multiemployer plans covering noncollectively bargained 
employees--(A) In general. The rule provided in paragraph (b)(2)(i) does 
not apply to the portion of a multiemployer plan that benefits employees 
who are not included in any collective bargaining unit covered by a 
collective bargaining agreement. Thus, the portion of the plan 
benefiting these employees must separately satisfy section 401(a)(26).
    (B) Special testing rule. A multiemployer plan that benefits 
employees who are not included in any collective bargaining unit covered 
by a collective bargaining agreement satisfies section 401(a)(26) if the 
plan benefits 50 employees. For purposes of this special testing rule, 
employees who are included in a unit of employees covered by a 
collective bargaining agreement may be included in determining whether 
the plan benefits 50 employees.
    (3) Certain underfunded defined benefit plans--(i) In general. A 
defined benefit plan is deemed to satisfy section 401(a)(26) for a plan 
year if all of the conditions of paragraphs (b)(3)(ii) through 
(b)(3)(iv) of this section are satisfied with respect to the plan for 
the plan year.
    (ii) Eligible plans. This condition is satisfied for a plan year 
only if the plan is subject to title IV of the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) for the plan year or, if the plan is 
not a title IV plan under ERISA, it is not a top-heavy plan within the 
meaning of section 416. This condition does not apply for plan years 
beginning before January 1, 1992.
    (iii) Actuarial certification. This condition is satisfied for a 
plan year only if the employer's timely filed actuarial report, as 
required by section 6059, evidences that the plan does not have 
sufficient assets to satisfy all liabilities under the plan (determined 
in accordance with section 401(a)(2)).
    (iv) Cessation of all benefit accruals. This condition is satisfied 
for a plan year only if, for the plan year, no employee or former 
employee is benefiting within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5(a) or 
(b). For this purpose, an employee is not treated as benefiting solely 
by reason of being a non-key employee receiving minimum benefit accruals 
required by section 416.
    (4) Section 401(k) plan maintained by employers that include certain 
governmental or tax-exempt entities. Section 401(k)(4)(B) prevents 
certain State and

[[Page 248]]

local governments and tax-exempt organizations from maintaining a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement. A plan (or portion of a plan) 
that is either a section 401(k) plan or a section 401(m) plan that is 
provided under the same general arrangement as a section 401(k) plan may 
be treated as a separate plan that satisfies section 401(a)(26) for a 
plan year if the following requirements are satisfied:
    (i) The section 401(k) plan is maintained by an employer who has 
employees precluded from being eligible employees under the arrangement 
by reason of section 401(k)(4)(B), and
    (ii) More than 95 percent of the employees of the employer who are 
not precluded from being eligible employees under a section 401(k) plan 
by reason of section 401(k)(4)(B) benefit under the section 401(k) plan.
    (5) Certain acquisitions or dispositions--(i) General rule. Rules 
similar to the rules prescribed under section 410(b)(6)(C) apply under 
section 401(a)(26). Pursuant to these rules, the requirements of section 
401(a)(26) are treated as satisfied for certain plans of an employer 
involved in an acquisition or disposition (transaction) for the 
transition period. The transition period begins on the date of the 
transaction and ends on the last day of the first plan year beginning 
after the date of the transaction.
    (ii) Special rule for transactions that occur in the plan year prior 
to the first plan year to which section 401(a)(26) applies. Where there 
has been a transaction described in section 410(b)(6)(C) in the plan 
year prior to the first plan year in which section 401(a)(26) applies to 
a plan, the plan satisfies section 401(a)(26) for the transition period 
if the plan benefited 50 employees or 40 percent of the employees of the 
employer immediately prior to the transaction.
    (iii) Definition of ``acquisition'' and ``disposition.'' For 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(5), the terms ``acquisition'' and 
``disposition'' refer to an asset or stock acquisition, merger, or other 
similar transaction involving a change in employer of the employees of a 
trade or business.
    (c) Additional rules. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance of general applicability, provide any 
additional rules that may be necessary or appropriate in applying the 
minimum participation requirements of section 401(a)(26).

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63413, Dec. 4, 1991, as amended by T.D. 8487, 58 FR 
46838, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2  Minimum participation rule.

    (a) General rule. A plan satisfies this paragraph (a) for a plan 
year only if the plan benefits at least the lesser of--
    (1) 50 employees of the employer, or
    (2) 40 percent of the employees of the employer.
    (b) Frozen plans. A plan under which no employee or former employee 
benefits (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5 (a) or (b)), is a 
frozen plan for purposes of this section and satisfies paragraph (a) of 
this section automatically. Thus, a frozen defined contribution plan 
satisfies section 401(a)(26) automatically and a frozen defined benefit 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(26) for a plan year by satisfying the 
prior benefit structure requirements in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3. For 
purposes of the rule in this paragraph (b), a defined benefit plan that 
provides only the minimum benefits for non-key employees required by 
section 416 is a frozen defined benefit plan.
    (c) Plan. ``Plan'' means a plan within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(b)-7 (a) and (b), after the application of the mandatory 
disaggregation rules of paragraph (d)(1) of this section and, if 
applicable, the permissive disaggregation rules of paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section.
    (d) Disaggregation of certain plans--(1) Mandatory disaggregation--
(i) ESOPs and non-ESOPs. The portion of a plan that is an ESOP and the 
portion of the plan that is not an ESOP are treated as separate plans 
for purposes of section 401(a)(26), except as otherwise permitted under 
Sec. 54.4975-11(e) of this Chapter.
    (ii) Plans maintained by more than one employer--(A) Multiple 
employer plans. If a plan benefits employees of more than one employer 
and those employees are not included in a unit of employees covered by 
one or more collective bargaining agreements, the plan is a multiple 
employer plan. A multiple employer plan is treated as separate

[[Page 249]]

plans, each of which is maintained by a separate employer and must 
separately satisfy section 401(a)(26) by reference only to that 
employer's employees.
    (B) Multiemployer plans. The portion of a multiemployer plan that 
benefits employees who are included in one or more units of employees 
covered by one or more collective bargaining agreements and the portion 
of that plan that benefits employees who are not included in a unit of 
employees covered pursuant to any collective bargaining agreement are 
treated as separate plans. The portion of a multiemployer plan that 
benefits employees who are not included in a unit of employees covered 
by a collective bargaining agreement is a multiple employer plan as 
described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(A) of this section. This paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii)(B) does not apply to the extent that the special testing rule 
in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-1(b)(2)(ii) applies. Also, this paragraph 
(d)(1)(B)(2) does not apply for purposes of prior benefit structure 
testing under Sec. 1.401 (a)(26)-3.
    (iii) Defined benefit plans with other arrangements--(A) In general. 
A defined benefit plan is treated as comprising separate plans if, under 
the facts and circumstances, there is an arrangement (either under or 
outside the plan) that has the effect of providing any employee with a 
greater interest in a portion of the assets of a plan in a way that has 
the effect of creating separate accounts. Separate plans are not 
created, however, merely because a partnership agreement provides for 
allocation among partners, in proportion to their partnership interests, 
of either the cost of funding the plan or surplus assets upon plan 
termination.
    (B) Examples. The following examples illustrate certain situations 
in which other arrangements relating to a defined benefit plan are or 
are not treated as creating separate plans:

    Example 1. Employer A maintains a defined benefit plan under which 
each highly compensated employee can direct the investment of the 
portion of the plan's assets that represents the accumulated 
contributions with respect to that employee's plan benefits. In 
addition, by agreement outside the plan, if the product of the 
employee's investment direction exceeds the value needed to fund that 
employee's benefits, Employer A agrees to make a special payment to the 
participant. In this case, each separate portion of the pool of assets 
over which an employee has investment authority is a separate plan for 
the employee.
    Example 2. Employer B is a partnership that maintains a defined 
benefit plan. The partnership agreement provides that, upon termination 
of the plan, a special allocation of any excess plan assets after 
reversion is made to the partnership on the basis of partnership share. 
This arrangement does not create separate plans with respect to the 
partners.

    (iv) Plans benefiting employees of qualified separate lines of 
business. If an employer is treated as operating qualified separate 
lines of business for purposes of section 401(a)(26) in accordance with 
Sec. 1.414(r)-1(b), the portion of a plan that benefits employees of 
one qualified separate line of business is treated as a separate plan 
from the portions of the same plan that benefit employees of the other 
qualified separate lines of business of the employer. See Sec. Sec. 
1.414(r)-1(c)(3) and 1.414(r)-9 (separate application of section 
401(a)(26) to the employees of a qualified separate line of business). 
The rule in this paragraph (d)(6) does not apply to a plan that is 
tested under the special rule for employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-
1(c)(3)(ii) for a plan year.
    (2) Permissive disaggregation--(i) Plans benefiting collectively 
bargained employees. For purposes of section 401(a)(26), an employer may 
treat the portion of a plan that benefits employees who are included in 
a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement as a 
plan separate from the portion of a plan that benefits employees who are 
not included in such a collective bargaining unit. This paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) applies separately to each collective bargaining agreement. 
Thus, for example, the portion of a plan that benefits employees 
included in a unit of employees covered by one collective bargaining 
agreement may be treated as a plan that is separate from the portion of 
the plan that benefits employees included in a unit of employees covered 
by another collective bargaining agreement.
    (ii) Plans benefiting otherwise excludable employees. If an employer 
applies section 401(a)(26) separately to the portion of a plan that 
benefits only employees who satisfy age and service

[[Page 250]]

conditions under the plan that are lower than the greatest minimum age 
and service conditions permissible under section 410(a), the plan is 
treated as comprising separate plans, one benefiting the employees who 
have not satisfied the lower minimum age and service but not the 
greatest minimum age and service conditions permitted under section 
410(a) and one benefiting employees who have satisfied the greatest 
minimum age and service conditions permitted under section 410(a). See 
Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-6(b)(1)(ii) for rules concerning testing of otherwise 
excludable employees.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63414, Dec. 4, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3  Rules applicable to a defined benefit plan's 
prior benefit structure.

    (a) General rule. A defined benefit plan that does not meet one of 
the exceptions in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-1(b) must satisfy paragraph (c) of 
this section with respect to its prior benefit structure. Defined 
contribution plans are not subject to this section.
    (b) Prior benefit structure. Each defined benefit plan has only one 
prior benefit structure, and all accrued benefits under the plan as of 
the beginning of a plan year (including benefits rolled over or 
transferred to the plan) are included in the prior benefit structure for 
the year.
    (c) Testing a prior benefit structure--(1) General rule. A plan's 
prior benefit structure satisfies this paragraph if the plan provides 
meaningful benefits to a group of employees that includes the lesser of 
50 employees or 40 percent of the employer's employees. Thus, a plan 
satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c) if at least 50 
employees or 40 percent of the employer's employees currently accrue 
meaningful benefits under the plan. Alternatively, a plan satisfies this 
paragraph if at least 50 employees and former employees or 40 percent of 
the employer's employees and former employees have meaningful accrued 
benefits under the plan.
    (2) Meaningful benefits. Whether a plan is providing meaningful 
benefits, or whether individuals have meaningful accrued benefits under 
a plan, is determined on the basis of all the facts and circumstances. 
The relevant factors in making this determination include, but are not 
limited to, the following: the level of current benefit accruals; the 
comparative rate of accruals under the current benefit formula compared 
to prior rates of accrual under the plan; the projected accrued benefits 
under the current benefit formula compared to accrued benefits as of the 
close of the immediately preceding plan year; the length of time the 
current benefit formula has been in effect; the number of employees with 
accrued benefits under the plan; and the length of time the plan has 
been in effect. A rule for determining whether an offset plan provides 
meaningful benefits is provided in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5(a)(2). A plan 
does not satisfy this paragraph (c) if it exists primarily to preserve 
accrued benefits for a small group of employees and thereby functions 
more as an individual plan for the small group of employees or for the 
employer.
    (d) Multiemployer plan rule. A multiemployer plan is deemed to 
satisfy the prior benefit structure rule in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section for a plan year if the multiemployer plan provides meaningful 
benefits to at least 50 employees for a plan year, or 50 employees have 
meaningful accrued benefits under the plan. For purposes of this 
paragraph, all employees benefiting under the multiemployer plan may be 
considered, whether or not these employees are included in a unit of 
employees covered pursuant to any collective bargaining agreement.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63415, Dec. 4, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-4  Testing former employees.

    (a) Scope. This section applies to any defined benefit plan that 
benefits former employees in a plan year within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(a)(26)-5(b) and does not meet one of the exceptions in Sec. 
1.401(a)(26)-1(b).
    (b) Minimum participation rule for former employees. Except as set 
forth in paragraph (c) of this section, a plan that is subject to this 
section must benefit at least the lesser of:
    (1) 50 former employees of the employer, or
    (2) 40 percent of the former employees of the employer.

[[Page 251]]

    (c) Special rule. A plan satisfies the minimum participation rule in 
paragraph (b) of this section if the plan benefits at least five former 
employees, and if either:
    (1) More than 95 percent of all former employees with vested accrued 
benefits under the plan benefit under the plan for the plan year, or
    (2) At least 60 percent of the former employees who benefit under 
the plan for the plan year are nonhighly compensated former employees.
    (d) Excludable former employees--(1) General rule. Whether a former 
employee is an excludable former employee for purposes of this section 
is determined under Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-6(c).
    (2) Exception. Solely for purposes of paragraph (c) of this section, 
the rule in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-6(c)(4) (regarding vested accrued 
benefits eligible for mandatory distribution) does not apply to any 
former employee having a vested accrued benefit. Thus, a former employee 
who has a vested accrued benefit is not an excludable former employee 
merely because that vested accrued benefit does not exceed the cash-out 
limit in effect under Sec. 1.411(a)-11(c)(3)(ii).

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63416, Dec. 4, 1991, as amended by T.D. 8794, 63 FR 
70338, Dec. 21, 1998; T.D. 8891, 65 FR 44682, July 19, 2000]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5  Employees who benefit under a plan.

    (a) Employees benefiting under a plan--(1) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an employee is treated as 
benefiting under a plan for a plan year if and only if, for that plan 
year, the employee would be treated as benefiting under the provisions 
of Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a), without regard to Sec. 1.410(b)-3(a)(iv).
    (2) Sequential or concurrent benefit offset arrangements--(i) In 
general. An employee is treated as accruing a benefit under a plan that 
includes an offset or reduction of benefits that satisfies either 
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) or (a)(2)(iii) of this section if either the 
employee accrues a benefit under the plan for the year, or the employee 
would have accrued a benefit if the offset or reduction portion of the 
benefit formula were disregarded. In addition, an employee is treated as 
accruing a meaningful benefit for purposes of prior benefit structure 
testing under Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3 if the employee would have accrued a 
meaningful benefit if the offset or reduction portion of the benefit 
formula were disregarded.
    (ii) Offset by sequential or grandfathered benefits. An offset or 
reduction of benefits under a defined benefit plan satisfies this 
paragraph (a)(2) if the benefit formula provides that an employee will 
not accrue additional benefits under the current portion of the benefit 
formula until the employee has accrued, under such portion, a benefit in 
excess of such employee's benefit under one or more formulas in effect 
for prior years that are based wholly on prior years of service. The 
prior benefit may have accrued under the same or a separate plan, may be 
provided under the same or a separate plan and may relate to service 
with the same or previous employers. Benefits will not fail to be 
treated as based wholly on prior years if they are based, directly or 
indirectly, on compensation earned after such prior years (including 
compensation earned in the current year), if they are adjusted to 
reflect increases in the section 415 limitations, or if they are 
increased to provide an ad hoc cost of living adjustment designed to 
adjust, in whole or in part, for inflation. Furthermore, benefits do not 
fail to be treated as based wholly on prior years merely because the 
benefits (e.g., early retirement benefits) are subject to an age or 
years-of-service condition and, in applying the condition or conditions, 
the current and prior years are taken into account.
    (iii) Concurrent benefit offset arrangements--(A) General rule. An 
offset or reduction of benefits under a defined benefit plan satisfies 
the requirements of this paragraph (a)(2)(iii) if the benefit formula 
provides a benefit that is offset or reduced by contributions or 
benefits under another plan that is maintained by the same employer and 
the following additional requirements are met:
    (1) The contributions or benefits under a plan that are used to 
offset or reduce the benefits under the positive portion of the fomu1a 
being tested accrued under such other plan;
    (2) The employees who benefit under the formula being tested also 
benefit

[[Page 252]]

under the other plan on a reasonable and uniform basis; and
    (3) The contributions or benefits under the plan that are used to 
offset or reduce the benefits under the formula being tested are not 
used to offset or reduce that employee's benefits under any other plan 
or any other formula.
    (B) Special rules for certain section 414(n) employer-recipients. 
The same employer requirement in the concurrent benefit offset rule in 
paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) of this section is waived for certain section 
414(n) employer-recipients. Under this exception, an employer-recipient 
(within the meaning of sections 414 (n) and (o)) may treat contributions 
or benefits under a plan maintained by a leasing organization as 
contributions or benefits accrued under the recipient organization plan 
provided the following requirements are met: the employer-recipient 
maintains a plan covering leased employees (which employees are treated 
as employees of the employer-recipient within the meaning of sections 
414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2)); the leased employees are also covered under a 
plan maintained by the leasing organization; and contributions or 
benefits under the plan maintained by the employer-recipient are offset 
or reduced by the contributions or benefits under the leasing 
organization plan that are attributable to service with the recipient 
organization. Also, for purposes of the benefiting condition requirement 
in paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of this section, the employees of the 
employer-recipient who are not leased from the leasing organization are 
not required to benefit under the plan of the leasing organization.
    (b) Former employees benefiting under a plan. A former employee is 
treated as benefiting for a plan year if and only if the former employee 
would be treated as benetiting under the rules in Sec. 1.410(b)-3(b).

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63416, Dec. 4, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-6  Excludable employees.

    (a) In general. For purposes of applying section 401(a)(26) with 
respect to either employees, former employees, or both employees and 
former employees, as applicable, all employees other than excludable 
employees described in paragraph (b) of this section, all former 
employees other than excludable former employees described in paragraph 
(c) of this section, or both, as the case may be, must be taken into 
account. Except as specifically provided otherwise in this section, the 
rules of this section are applied by reference only to the particular 
plan and must be applied on a uniform and consistent basis.
    (b) Excludable employees. An employee is an excludable employee if 
the employee is covered by one or more of the following exclusions:
    (1) Minimum age and service exclusions--(i) In general. If a plan 
applies minimum age and service eligibility conditions permissible under 
section 410(a)(1) and excludes all employees who do not meet those 
conditions from benefiting under the plan, tbn all employees who fail to 
satisfy those conditions may be treated as excludable employees with 
respect to that plan. An employee is treated as meeting the age and 
service requirements on the date any employee with the same age and 
service would be eligible to commence participation in the plan, as 
provided in section 410(b)(4)(C).
    (ii) Plans benefiting otherwise excludable employees. An employer 
may treat a plan benefiting otherwise excludable employees as two 
separate plans, one for the otherwise excludable employees and one for 
the other employees benefiting under the plan. The effect of this rule 
is that employees who would be excludable under paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section (applied without regard to section 410(a)(1)(B)), but for the 
fact that the plan does not apply the greatest permissible minimum age 
and service conditions, may be treated as excludable employees with 
respect to the plan. This treatment is only available if each of the 
following conditions is satisfied:
    (A) The plan under which the otherwise excludable employees benefit 
also benefits employees who are not otherwise excludable.
    (B) The plan under which the otherwise excludable employees benefit 
satisfies section 401(a)(26), both by reference only to otherwise 
excludable

[[Page 253]]

employees and by reference only to employees who are not otherwise 
excludable.
    (C) The contributions or benefits provided to the otherwise 
excludable employees (expressed as percentages of compensation) are not 
greater than the contributions or benefits provided to the employees who 
are not otherwise excludable under the plan.
    (D) No highly compensated employee is included in the group of 
otherwise excludable employees for more than one plan year.
    (iii) Examples. The following examples illustrate some of the 
minimum-age-and-service exclusion requirements:

    Example 1. Employer X maintains a defined contribution plan, Plan X, 
under which employees who have not completed 1 year of service are not 
eligible to participate. Employer X has six employees. Two of the 
employees participate in Plan X. The other four employees have not 
completed 1 year of service and are therefore not eligible to 
participate in Plan X. The four employees who have not completed 1 year 
of service are excludable employees and may be disregarded for purposes 
of applying the minimum participation test. Therefore, Plan X satisfies 
section 401(a)(26) because both of the two employees who must be 
considered are participants in Plan X.
    Example 2. Employer Y has 100 employees and maintains two plans, 
Plan 1 and Plan 2. Plan 1 provides that employees who have not completed 
1 year of service are not eligible to participate. Plan 2 has no minimum 
age or service requirement. Twenty of Y's employees do not meet the 
minimum service requirement under Plan 1. Each plan satisfies the ratio 
test under section 410(b)(1)(B). In testing Plan 1 to determine whether 
it satisfies section 401(a)(26), the 20 employees not meeting the 
minimum age and service requirement under Plan 1 are treated as 
excludable employees. In testing Plan 2 to determine whether it 
satisfies section 401(a)(26), no employees are treated as excludable 
employees because Plan 2 does not have a minimum age or service 
requirement.

    (2) Certain air pilots. An employee who is excluded from 
consideration under section 410(b)(3)(B) (relating to certain air 
pilots) may be treated as an excludable employee.
    (3) Certain nonresident aliens--(i) In general. An employee who is 
excluded from consideration under section 410(b)(3)(C) (relating to 
certain nonresident aliens) may be treated as an excludable employee.
    (ii) Special treaty rule. In addition, an employee who is a 
nonresident alien (within the meaning of section 7701(b)(1)(B)) and who 
does receive earned income (within the meaning of section 911(d)(2)) 
from the employer that constitutes income from sources within the United 
States (within the meaning of section 861(a)(3)) is permitted to be 
excluded, if all of the employee's earned income from the employer from 
sources within the United States is exempt from United States income tax 
under an applicable income tax convention. This paragraph (b)(3)(ii) 
applies only if all employees described in the preceding sentence are so 
excluded.
    (4) Employees covered pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. 
When testing a plan benefiting only noncollectively bargained employees, 
an employee who is excluded from consideration under section 
410(b)(3)(A) (exclusion for employees included in a unit of employees 
covered by a collective bargaining agreement) may be treated as an 
excludable employee. This rule may be applied separately to each 
collective bargaining agreement. See Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-8 for the 
definitions of the terms ``collective bargaining agreement'', 
``collectively bargained employee,'' and ``covered pursuant to a 
collective bargaining agreement''.
    (5) Employees not covered pursuant to a collective bargaining 
agreement. When testing a plan that benefits only employees who are 
included in a group of employees who are covered pursuant to a 
collective bargaining agreement, an employee who is not included in the 
group of employees who are covered by the collective bargaining 
agreement may be treated as an excludable employee.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the excludable 
employee rules that relate to employees covered pursuant to collective 
bargaining agreements. For purposes of these examples assume that no 
other exclusion rules are applicable.

    Example 1. Employer W has 70 collectively bargained employees and 30 
non-collectively bargained employees. Employer W maintains

[[Page 254]]

Plan W, which benefits only the 30 non-collectively bargained employees. 
The 70 collectively bargained employees may be treated as excludable 
employees and thus may be disregarded in applying section 401(a)(26) to 
Plan W.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as Example I, except that the 
Commissioner has determined that the employee representative is not a 
bona fide employee representative under section 7701(a)(46) and thus 
there are no ``collectively bargained employees.'' In this case, all 
employees of W must be considered in determining whether section 
401(a)(26) is met.
    Example 3. Employer X has collectively bargained employees and 70 
noncollectively bargained employees. Employer X maintains Plan X, which 
benefits only the 30 collectively bargained employees. Employer X may 
treat the non-collectively bargained employees as excludable employees 
and disregard them in applying section 401(a)(26) to the collectively 
bargained plan.
    Example 4. Assume the same facts as Example 3, except that the 
Commissioner has determined that the employee representative is not a 
bona fide employee representative under section 7701(a)(46) and thus 
there is no recognized collective bargaining agreement. In this case, 
Employer X may not treat the non-collectively bargained employees of X 
as excludable employees.
    Example 5. Assume the same facts as Example 3, except that 3 percent 
of the 30 collectively bargained employees are professionals. In this 
case, Employer X may not treat the non-collectively bargained employees 
of X as excludable employees.
    Example 6. Employer Y has 100 collectively bargained employees. 
Thirty of Y's employees are represented by Collective Bargaining Unit 1 
and covered under Plan 1. Seventy of Y's employees are represented by 
Collective Bargaining Unit 2 and covered under Plan 2. For purposes of 
testing Plan 1, the employees of Collective Bargaining Unit 2 may be 
treated as excludable employees. Similarly, for purposes of testing Plan 
2, the employees of Collective Bargaining Unit 1 may be treated as 
excludable employees.

    (7) Certain terminating employees--(i) In general. An employee may 
be treated as an excludable employee for a plan year with respect to a 
particular plan if--
    (A) The employee does not benefit under the plan for the plan year,
    (B) The employee is eligible to participate in the plan,
    (C) The plan has a minimum period of service requirement or a 
requirement that an employee be employed on the last day of the plan 
year (last-day requirement) in order for an employee to accrue a benefit 
or receive an allocation for the plan year,
    (D) The employee fails to accrue a benefit or receive an allocation 
under the plan solely because of the failure to satisfy the minimum 
period of service or last-day requirement,
    (E) The employee terminates employment during the plan year with no 
more than 500 hours of service, and the employee is not an employee as 
of the last day of the plan year (for purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(7)(i)(E), a plan that uses the elapsed time method of determining 
years of service may use either 91 consecutive calendar days or 3 
consecutive calendar months instead of 500 hours of service, provided it 
uses the same convention for all employees during a plan year), and
    (F) If this paragraph (b)(7) is applied with respect to any employee 
with respect to a plan for a plan year, it is applied with respect to 
all employees with respect to the plan for the plan year.
    (ii) Hours of service. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(7), the 
term ``hour of service'' has the same meaning as set forth in 29 CFR 
2530.200b-2 under the general method of crediting service for the 
employee. If one of the equivalencies set forth in 29 CFR 2530.200b-3 is 
used for crediting service under the plan, the 500-hour requirement must 
be adjusted accordingly.
    (8) Employees of qualified separate lines of business. If an 
employer is treated as operating qualified separate lines of business 
for purposes of section 401(a)(26) in accordance with Sec. 1.414(r)-
1(b), in testing a plan that benefits employees of one qualified 
separate line of business, the employees of the other qualified separate 
lines of business of the employer are treated as excludable employees. 
See Sec. Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(3) and 1.414(r)-9 (separate application of 
section 401(a)(26) to the employees of a qualified separate line of 
business). The rule in this paragraph (b)(8) does not apply to a plan 
that is tested under the special rule for employer-wide plans in Sec. 
1.414(r)-l(c)(3)(ii) for a plan year.
    (c) Former employees--(1) In general. For purposes of applying 
section 401(a)(26) with respect to former employees, all former 
employees of the

[[Page 255]]

employer are taken into account, except that the employer may treat a 
former employee described in paragraph (c)(2) through (c)(4) of this 
section as an excludable former employee. If any of the former employee 
exclusion rules under paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(4) of this section 
is applied, it must be applied to all former employees for the plan year 
on a consistent basis.
    (2) Employees terminated before a specified date. The employer may 
treat a former employee as excludable if--
    (i) The former employee became a former employee either prior to 
January 1, 1984, or prior to the tenth calendar year preceding the 
calendar year in which the current plan year begins, and
    (ii) The former employee became a former employee in a calendar year 
that precedes the earliest calendar year in which any former employee 
who benefits under the plan in the current plan year became a former 
employee.
    (3) Previously excludable employees. The employer may treat a former 
employee as excludable if the former employee was an excludable employee 
(or would have been an excludable employee if these regulations had been 
in effect) under the rules of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section 
during the plan year in which the former employee became a former 
employee. If the employer treats a former employee as excludable 
pursuant to this paragraph (c)(3), the former employee is not taken into 
account with respect to a plan even if the former employee is benefiting 
under the plan.
    (4) Vested accrued benefits eligible for mandatory distribution. A 
former employee may be treated as an excludable former employee if the 
present value of the former employee's vested accrued benefit does not 
exceed the cash-out limit in effect under Sec. 1.411(a)-11(c)(3)(ii). 
This determination is made in accordance with the rules of sections 
411(a)(11) and 417(e).
    (d) Certain police or firefighters. An employer may apply section 
401(a)(26) separately with respect to any classification of qualified 
public safety employees for whom a separate plan is maintained. Thus, 
for purposes of testing a separate plan covering a class of qualified 
public safety employees, all employees who are not in that 
classification are treated as excludable employees. Also, such employees 
need not be taken into account in determining whether or not any other 
plan satisfies section 401(a)(26). For purposes of this paragraph (d), 
qualified public safety employee means any employee of any police 
department or fire department organized and operated by a State or 
political subdivision if the employee provides police protection, 
firefighting services, or emergency medical services for any area within 
the jurisdiction of a State or political subdivision.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63416, Dec. 4, 1991, as amended by T.D. 8794, 63 FR 
70338, Dec. 21, 1998; T.D. 8891, 65 FR 44682, July 19, 2000]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-7  Testing methods.

    (a) Testing on each day of the plan year. A plan satisfies section 
401(a)(26) for a plan year only if the plan satisfies section 401(a)(26) 
on each day of the plan year. An employee benefits on a day if the 
employee is a participant for such day and the employee benefits under 
the plan for the year under the rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-5.
    (b) Simplified testing method. A plan is treated as satisfying the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section if it satisfies section 
401(a)(26) on any single plan day during the plan year, but only if that 
day is reasonably representative of the employer's workforce and the 
plan's coverage. A plan does not have to be tested on the same day each 
plan year.
    (c) Retroactive correction. If a plan fails to satisfy section 
401(a)(26) for a plan year, the plan may be retroactively amended during 
the same period and under the same conditions as provided for in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3) through (g)(5) to satisfy section 401(a)(26). A 
plan merger that occurs by the end of the period provided in Sec. 
l.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(iv) is treated solely for purposes of section 
401(a)(26) as if it were effective as of the first day of the plan year. 
The rule of this paragraph (c) may be illustrated by the following 
example.

    Example. Assume that an employer with 500 employees maintains two 
defined contribution plans. Plan A benefits 45 employees.

[[Page 256]]

Plan B benefits 50 employees. Immediately before the end of the period 
provided for in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(iv), the employer expands 
coverage under Plan A to benefit 20 more employees retroactively for the 
plan year. Thus, Plan A satisfies paragraph (a) of this section for the 
plan year. Alternatively, before the end of the period provided for in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(iv), or later if a later period is applicable 
under section 401(b), the employer could merge Plan A with Plan B to 
satisfy section 401(a)(26).

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63418, Dec. 4, 1991]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-8  Definitions.

    In applying this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-1 through 
1.401(a)(26)-9 the definitions in this section govern unless otherwise 
provided.
    Collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining agreement 
means an agreement that the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective 
bargaining agreement between employee representatives and the employer 
that satisfies Sec. 301.7701-17T. Employees described in section 
413(b)(8) who are employees of the union or the plan and are treated as 
employees of an employer are not employees covered pursuant to a 
collective bargaining agreement for purposes of section 401(a)(26) 
unless the employees are actually covered pursuant to such an agreement.
    Collectively bargained employee. Collectively bargained employee 
means a collectively bargained employee within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-6(d)(2).
    Covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Covered by a 
collective bargaining agreement means covered by a collective bargaining 
agreement within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-6(d)(2)(iii).
    Defined benefit plan. Defined benefit plan means a defined benefit 
plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Defined contribution plan. Defined contribution plan means a defined 
contribution plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Employee. Employee means an employee, within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Employer. Employer means the employer within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    ESOP. ESOP means an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning 
of section 4975(e)(7) or a tax credit employee stock ownership plan 
within the meaning of section 409(a).
    Former employee. Former employee means a former employee within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Highly compensated employee. Highly compensated employee means an 
employee who is highly compensated within the meaning of section 414(q).
    Highly compensated former employee. Highly compensated former 
employee means a former employee who is highly compensated within the 
meaning of section 414(q)(9).
    Multiemployer plan. Multiemployer plan means a multiemployer plan 
within the meaning of section 414(f).
    Noncollectively bargained employee. Noncollectively bargained 
employee means an employee who is not a collectively bargained employee.
    Nonhighly compensated employee. Nonhighly compensated employee means 
an employee who is not a highly compensated employee.
    Nonhighly compensated former employee. Nonhighly compensated former 
employee means a former employee who is not a highly compensated former 
employee.
    Plan. Plan means plan as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2(c).
    Plan year. Plan year means the plan year of the plan as defined in 
the written plan document. In the absence of a specifically designated 
plan year, the plan year is deemed to be the calendar year.
    Professional employee. Professional employee means a professional 
employee as defined in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    Section 401(k) plan. Section 401(k) plan means a plan consisting of 
elective contributions described in Sec. 1.401(k)-1 (g)(3) under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement described in Sec. 1.401(k)-
1(a)(4)(i).
    Section 401(m) plan. Section 401(m) plan means a plan consisting of 
employee contributions described in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(f)(6) or matching 
contributions described in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(f)(12), or both.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63418, Dec. 4, 1991]

[[Page 257]]



Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-9  Effective dates and transition rules.

    (a) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) 
of this section, section 401(a)(26) and the regulations thereunder apply 
to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1989.
    (b) Transition rules--(1) Governmental plans and certain section 
403(b) annuities. Section 401(a)(26) is treated as satisfied for plan 
years beginning before the later of January 1, 1996, or 90 days after 
the opening of the first legislative session beginning on or after 
January 1, 1996, of the governing body with authority to amend the plan, 
if that body does not meet continuously, in the case of governmental 
plans described in section 414(d), including plans subject to section 
403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective plans). For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(1), the term ``governing body with authority to amend the plan'' 
means the legislature, board, commission, council, or other governing 
body with authority to amend the plan.
    (2) Early retirement ``window-period'' benefits. Early retirement 
benefits available under a plan only to employees who retire within a 
limited period of time, not to exceed one year, are treated as 
satisfying section 401(a)(26) if such benefits are provided under plan 
terms that were adopted and in effect on or before March 14, 1989.
    (3) Employees who do not benefit because of a minimum-period-of-
service requirement or a last-day requirement. For the first plan year 
beginning after December 31, 1988, and before January 1, 1990, employees 
who are eligible to participate under the plan and who fail to accrue a 
benefit solely because of the failure to satisfy either a minimum-
period-of-service requirement of 1000 hours of service or less or a 
last-day requirement may be treated as benefiting under the plan.
    (4) Certain plan terminations--(i) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, if a plan terminates after section 
401(a)(26) becomes effective with respect to the plan (as determined 
under paragraph (a) of this section), the plan is not treated as a 
qualified plan upon termination unless it complies with section 
401(a)(26) and the regulations thereunder (to the extent they are 
applicable) for all periods for which section 401(a)(26) is effective 
with respect to the plan.
    (ii) Exception. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b)(4)(i) of this 
section, a plan does not fail to be treated as a qualified plan upon 
termination merely because the plan fails to satisfy the requirements of 
section 401(a)(26) and the regulations thereunder if the plan is 
terminated with a termination date on or before December 31, 1989, and 
either of the following conditions is satisfied:
    (A) In the case of a defined benefit plan, no highly compensated 
employee has an accrued benefit under the plan exceeding the lesser of 
either the benefit the employee had accrued as of the close of the last 
plan year beginning before January 1, 1989, or the benefit the employee 
would have accrued as of the close of the last plan year under the terms 
of the plan in effect and applicable with respect to the employee on 
December 13, 1988.
    (B) In the case of a defined contribution plan, no highly 
compensated employee receives a contribution allocation for any plan 
year beginning after December 31, 1988. For this purpose, a contribution 
allocation with respect to an employee for a plan year beginning before 
January 1, 1989, may be treated as a contribution allocation for a plan 
year beginning after December 31, 1988, if the allocation for the prior 
year exceeds the allocation that the employee would have received for 
such year under the terms of the plan in effect and applicable with 
respect to the employee on December 13, 1988. An allocation of 
forfeitures to highly compensated employees with respect to 
contributions made for plan years beginning before January 1, 1988, does 
not cause a defined contribution plan to fail to satisfy the conditions 
of this paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(B).
    (5) ESOPs and non-ESOPs. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this 
section and Sec. 54.4975-11(a)(5) of this Chapter, an employer may 
treat the rule in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-2(d)(1)(i), regarding mandatory 
disaggregation of ESOPs and non-ESOPs as not effective for plan years 
beginning before January 1, 1990.
    (c) Waiver of excise tax on reversions--(1) In general. Pursuant to 
section 1112(e)(3) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986

[[Page 258]]

(TRA '86), if certain conditions are satisfied, a waiver of the excise 
tax under section 4980 applies with respect to any employer reversion 
that occurs by reason of the termination or merger of a plan before the 
first year to which section 401(a)(26) applies to the plan. In general, 
the applicable conditions are that the plan must have been in existence 
on August 16, 1986; that if section 401(a)(26) was in effect for the 
plan year including August 16, 1986, the plan would have failed to 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(26) and would have continued 
to fail the requirements at all times thereafter; that the plan 
satisfies the applicable conditions in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(A) or (B) of 
this section; and that certain requirements regarding asset or liability 
transfers and mergers and spinoffs involving the plan after August 16, 
1986, are satisfied.
    (2) Termination date. An employer reversion with respect to a plan 
is eligible for the section 4980 excise tax waiver only if the employer 
reversion occurs by reason of the termination of the plan with a 
termination date prior to the first plan year for which section 
401(a)(26) applies to the plan. Solely for purposes of this waiver, the 
employer reversion is treated as satisfying this paragraph (c)(2) even 
though the plan's termination date is during the first plan year for 
which section 401(a)(26) applies to the plan if the plan's termination 
date is on or before May 31, 1989. If the termination date occurs in the 
first plan year for which section 401(a)(26) applied to the plan and the 
employer receives a reversion that is eligible for the waiver of the 
section 4980 tax, the plan is subject to the interest rate restriction 
set forth in section 11 12(e)(3)(B) of TRA '86 as amended.
    (3) Failure to satisfy section 401(a)(26). An employer reversion 
with respect to a plan is eligible for the excise tax waiver only if the 
plan was in existence on August 16, 1986, and, if section 401(a)(26) had 
applied to the plan for the plan year including such date, the plan 
would have failed to satisfy section 401(a)(26) for the plan year and 
continuously thereafter until the plan's termination or merger. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c)(3), a plan is treated as though it would 
have failed to satisfy section 401(a)(26) before such section actually 
applied to the plan only if the plan (as defined under section 414(1)) 
failed to benefit at least the lesser of 50 employees or 40 percent of 
the employer's employees. In general, this determination is to be made 
on the basis of only the applicable statutory provisions, without regard 
to the regulations under section 401(a)(26). Thus, for example, the 
prior benefit structure rules in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-3 do not apply in 
determining whether a plan would have failed to satisfy section 
401(a)(26) for plan years beginning prior to the effective date of 
section 401(a)(26) with respect to the plan.
    (d) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements. In the case 
of a plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining 
agreements (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(26)-8(a)) that were ratified 
before March 1, 1986, section 401(a)(26) and the regulations thereunder 
shall not apply to plan years beginning before the earlier of--
    (1) January 1, 1991, or
    (2) The later of--
    (i) January 1, 1989, or
    (ii) The date on which the last of such collective bargaining 
agreements terminates. For purposes of this paragraph (d), any extension 
or renegotiation of any collective bargaining agreement that is ratified 
after February 28, 1986, is disregarded in determining the date on which 
such collective bargaining agreement terminates.

[T.D. 8375, 56 FR 63419, Dec. 4, 1991, as amended by T.D. 8487, 58 FR 
46838, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1  Requirement to offer direct rollover of eligible
rollover distributions; questions and answers.

    The following questions and answers relate to the qualification 
requirement imposed by section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986, pertaining to the direct rollover option for eligible rollover 
distributions from pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans. 
Section 401(a)(31) was added by section 522(a) of the Unemployment 
Compensation Amendments of 1992, Public Law 102-318, 106 Stat. 290 
(UCA). For additional UCA guidance under sections 402(c), 402(f), 
403(b)(8) and (10), and

[[Page 259]]

3405(c), see Sec. Sec. 1.402(c)-2, 1.402(f)-1, and 1.403(b)-7(b), and 
Sec. 31.3405(c)-1 of this chapter, respectively.

                            List of Questions

    Q-1: What are the direct rollover requirements under section 
401(a)(31)?
    Q-2: Does section 401(a)(31) require that a qualified plan permit a 
direct rollover to be made to a qualified trust that is not part of a 
defined contribution plan?
    Q-3: What is a direct rollover that satisfies section 401(a)(31), 
and how is it accomplished?
    Q-4: Is providing a distributee with a check for delivery to an 
eligible retirement plan a reasonable means of accomplishing a direct 
rollover?
    Q-5: Is an eligible rollover distribution that is paid to an 
eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover currently includible in 
gross income or subject to 20-percent withholding?
    Q-6: What procedures may a plan administrator prescribe for electing 
a direct rollover, and what information may the plan administrator 
require a distributee to provide when electing a direct rollover?
    Q-7: May the plan administrator treat a distributee as having made 
an election under a default procedure where the distributee does not 
affirmatively elect to make or not make a direct rollover within a 
certain time period?
    Q-8: May the plan administrator establish a deadline after which the 
distributee may not revoke an election to make or not make a direct 
rollover?
    Q-9: Must the plan administrator permit a distributee to elect to 
have a portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid to an eligible 
retirement plan in a direct rollover and to have the remainder of that 
distribution paid to the distributee?
    Q-10: Must the plan administrator allow a distributee to divide an 
eligible rollover distribution into two or more separate distributions 
to be paid in direct rollovers to two or more eligible retirement plans?
    Q-11: Will a plan satisfy section 401(a)(31) if the plan 
administrator does not permit a distributee to elect a direct rollover 
if his or her eligible rollover distributions during a year are 
reasonably expected to total less than $200?
    Q-12: Is a plan administrator permitted to treat a distributee's 
election to make or not make a direct rollover with respect to one 
payment in a series of periodic payments as applying to all subsequent 
payments in the series?
    Q-13: Is the eligible retirement plan designated by a distributee to 
receive a direct rollover distribution required to accept the 
distribution?
    Q-14. If a plan accepts an invalid rollover contribution, whether or 
not as a direct rollover, how will the contribution be treated for 
purposes of applying the qualification requirements of section 401(a) or 
403(a) to the plan?
    Q-15: For purposes of applying the plan qualification requirements 
of section 401(a), is an eligible rollover distribution that is paid to 
an eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover a distribution and 
rollover or is it a transfer of assets and liabilities?
    Q-16: Must a direct rollover option be provided for an eligible 
rollover distribution that is in the form of a plan loan offset amount?
    Q-17: Must a direct rollover option be provided for an eligible 
rollover distribution from a qualified plan distributed annuity 
contract?
    Q-18: What assumptions may a plan administrator make regarding 
whether a benefit is an eligible rollover distribution?
    Q-19: When must a qualified plan be amended to comply with section 
401(a)(31)?

                          Questions and Answers

    Q-1: What are the direct rollover requirements under section 
401(a)(31)?
    A-1: (a) General rule. To satisfy section 401(a)(31), added by UCA, 
a plan must provide that if the distributee of any eligible rollover 
distribution elects to have the distribution paid directly to an 
eligible retirement plan, and specifies the eligible retirement plan to 
which the distribution is to be paid, then the distribution will be paid 
to that eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover described in Q&A-3 
of this section. Thus, the plan must give the distributee the option of 
having his or her distribution paid in a direct rollover to an eligible 
retirement plan specified by the distributee. For purposes of section 
401(a)(31) and this section, eligible rollover distribution has the 
meaning set forth in section 402(c)(4) and Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-3 
through Q&A-10 and Q&A-14, except as otherwise provided in Q&A-2 of this 
section, eligible retirement plan has the meaning set forth in section 
402(c)(8)(B) and Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-2.
    (b) Related Internal Revenue Code provisions--(1) Mandatory 
withholding. If a distributee of an eligible rollover distribution does 
not elect to have the eligible rollover distribution paid directly from 
the plan to an eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover under 
section

[[Page 260]]

401(a)(31), the eligible rollover distribution is subject to 20-percent 
income tax withholding under section 3405(c). See Sec. 31.3405(c)-1 of 
this chapter for guidance concerning the withholding requirements 
applicable to eligible rollover distributions.
    (2) Notice requirement. Section 402(f) requires the plan 
administrator of a qualified plan to provide, within a reasonable period 
of time before making an eligible rollover distribution, a written 
explanation to the distributee of the distributee's right to elect a 
direct rollover and the withholding consequences of not making that 
election. The explanation also is required to provide certain other 
relevant information relating to the taxation of distributions. See 
Sec. 1.402(f)-1 for guidance concerning the written explanation 
required under section 402(f).
    (3) Section 403(b) annuities. Section 403(b)(10) provides that 
requirements similar to those imposed by section 401(a)(31) apply to 
annuities described in section 403(b). See Sec. 1.403(b)-7(b) for 
guidance concerning the direct rollover requirements for distributions 
from annuities described in section 403(b).
    (c) Effective date--(1) Statutory effective date. Section 401(a)(31) 
applies to eligible rollover distributions made on or after January 1, 
1993.
    (2) Regulatory effective date. This section applies to eligible 
rollover distributions made on or after October 19, 1995. For eligible 
rollover distributions made on or after January 1, 1993 and before 
October 19, 1995, Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1T (as it appeared in the April 1, 
1995 edition of 26 CFR part 1), applies. However, for any distribution 
made on or after January 1, 1993 but before October 19, 1995, a plan may 
satisfy section 401(a)(31) by substituting any or all provisions of this 
section for the corresponding provisions of Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1T, if 
any.
    Q-2: Does section 401(a)(31) require that a qualified plan permit a 
direct rollover to be made to a qualified trust that is not part of a 
defined contribution plan?
    A-2: No. Section 401(a)(31)(D) limits the types of qualified trusts 
that are treated as eligible retirement plans to defined contribution 
plans that accept eligible rollover distributions. Therefore, although a 
plan is permitted, at a participant's election, to make a direct 
rollover to any type of eligible retirement plan, as defined in section 
402(c)(8)(B) (including a defined benefit plan), a plan will not fail to 
satisfy section 401(a)(31) solely because the plan will not permit a 
direct rollover to a qualified trust that is part of a defined benefit 
plan. In contrast, if a distributee elects a direct rollover of an 
eligible rollover distribution to an annuity plan described in section 
403(a), that distribution must be paid to the annuity plan, even if the 
recipient annuity plan is a defined benefit plan.
    Q-3: What is a direct rollover that satisfies section 401(a)(31), 
and how is it accomplished?
    A-3: A direct rollover that satisfies section 401(a)(31) is an 
eligible rollover distribution that is paid directly to an eligible 
retirement plan for the benefit of the distributee. A direct rollover 
may be accomplished by any reasonable means of direct payment to an 
eligible retirement plan. Reasonable means of direct payment include, 
for example, a wire transfer or the mailing of a check to the eligible 
retirement plan. If payment is made by check, the check must be 
negotiable only by the trustee of the eligible retirement plan. If the 
payment is made by wire transfer, the wire transfer must be directed 
only to the trustee of the eligible retirement plan. In the case of an 
eligible retirement plan that does not have a trustee (such as a 
custodial individual retirement account or an individual retirement 
annuity), the custodian of the plan or issuer of the contract under the 
plan, as appropriate, should be substituted for the trustee for purposes 
of this Q&A-3, and Q&A-4 of this section.
    Q-4: Is providing a distributee with a check for delivery to an 
eligible retirement plan a reasonable means of accomplishing a direct 
rollover?
    A-4: Providing the distributee with a check and instructing the 
distributee to deliver the check to the eligible retirement plan is a 
reasonable means of direct payment, provided that the check is made 
payable as follows: [Name of the trustee] as trustee of [name of the 
eligible retirement plan]. For example, if the name of the eligible

[[Page 261]]

retirement plan is ``Individual Retirement Account of John Q. Smith,'' 
and the name of the trustee is ``ABC Bank,'' the payee line of a check 
would read ``ABC Bank as trustee of Individual Retirement Account of 
John Q. Smith.'' Unless the name of the distributee is included in the 
name of the eligible retirement plan, the check also must indicate that 
it is for the benefit of the distributee. If the eligible retirement 
plan is not an individual retirement account or an individual retirement 
annuity, the payee line of the check need not identify the trustee by 
name. For example, the payee line of a check for the benefit of 
distributee Jane Doe might read, ``Trustee of XYZ Corporation Savings 
Plan FBO Jane Doe.''
    Q-5: Is an eligible rollover distribution that is paid to an 
eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover currently includible in 
gross income or subject to 20-percent withholding?
    A-5: No. An eligible rollover distribution that is paid to an 
eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover is not currently 
includible in the distributee's gross income under section 402(c) and is 
exempt from the 20-percent withholding imposed under section 3405(c)(2). 
However, when any portion of the eligible rollover distribution is 
subsequently distributed from the eligible retirement plan, that portion 
will be includible in gross income to the extent required under section 
402, 403, or 408.
    Q-6: What procedures may a plan administrator prescribe for electing 
a direct rollover, and what information may the plan administrator 
require a distributee to provide when electing a direct rollover?
    A-6: (a) Permissible procedures. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraph (b) of this Q&A-6, the plan administrator may prescribe any 
procedure for a distributee to elect a direct rollover under section 
401(a)(31), provided that the procedure is reasonable. The procedure may 
include any reasonable requirement for information or documentation from 
the distributee in addition to the items of adequate information 
specified in Sec. 31.3405(c)-1(b), Q&A-7 of this chapter. For example, 
it would be reasonable for the plan administrator to require that the 
distributee provide a statement from the designated recipient plan that 
the plan will accept the direct rollover for the benefit of the 
distributee and that the recipient plan is, or is intended to be, an 
individual retirement account, an individual retirement annuity, a 
qualified annuity plan described in section 403(a), or a qualified trust 
described in section 401(a), as applicable. In the case of a designated 
recipient plan that is a qualified trust, it also would be reasonable 
for the plan administrator to require a statement that the qualified 
trust is not excepted from the definition of an eligible retirement plan 
by section 401(a)(31)(D) (i.e., is not a defined benefit plan).
    (b) Impermissible procedures. A plan will fail to satisfy section 
401(a)(31) if the plan administrator prescribes any unreasonable 
procedure, or requires information or documentation, that effectively 
eliminates or substantially impairs the distributee's ability to elect a 
direct rollover. For example, it would effectively eliminate or 
substantially impair the distributee's ability to elect a direct 
rollover if the recipient plan required the distributee to obtain an 
opinion of counsel stating that the eligible retirement plan receiving 
the rollover is a qualified plan or individual retirement account. 
Similarly, it would effectively eliminate or substantially impair the 
distributee's ability to elect a direct rollover if the distributing 
plan required a letter from the recipient eligible retirement plan 
stating that, upon request by the distributing plan, the recipient plan 
will automatically return any direct rollover amount that the 
distributing plan advises the recipient plan was paid incorrectly. It 
would also effectively eliminate or substantially impair the 
distributee's ability to elect a direct rollover if the distributing 
plan required, as a condition for making a direct rollover, a letter 
from the recipient eligible retirement plan indemnifying the 
distributing plan for any liability arising from the distribution.
    Q-7: May the plan administrator treat a distributee as having made 
an election under a default procedure

[[Page 262]]

where the distributee does not affirmatively elect to make or not make a 
direct rollover within a certain time period?
    A-7: Yes, the plan administrator may establish a default procedure 
whereby any distributee who fails to make an affirmative election is 
treated as having either made or not made a direct rollover election. 
However, the plan administrator may not make a distribution under any 
default procedure unless the distributee has received an explanation of 
the default procedure and an explanation of the direct rollover option 
as required under section 402(f) and Sec. 1.402(f)-1, Q&A-1 and unless 
the timing requirements described in Sec. 1.402(f)-1, Q&A-2 and Q&A-3 
have been satisfied with respect to the explanations of both the default 
procedure and the direct rollover option.
    Q-8: May the plan administrator establish a deadline after which the 
distributee may not revoke an election to make or not make a direct 
rollover?
    A-8: Yes, but the plan administrator is not permitted to prescribe 
any deadline or time period with respect to revocation of a direct 
rollover election that is more restrictive for the distributee than that 
which otherwise applies under the plan to revocation of the form of 
distribution elected by the distributee.
    Q-9: Must the plan administrator permit a distributee to elect to 
have a portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid to an eligible 
retirement plan in a direct rollover and to have the remainder of that 
distribution paid to the distributee?
    A-9: Yes, the plan administrator must permit a distributee to elect 
to have a portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid to an 
eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover and to have the remainder 
paid to the distributee. However, the plan administrator is permitted to 
require that, if the distributee elects to have only a portion of an 
eligible rollover distribution paid to an eligible retirement plan in a 
direct rollover, that portion be equal to at least a specified minimum 
amount, provided the specified minimum amount is less than or equal to 
$500 or any greater amount as prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter. If the entire 
amount of the eligible rollover distribution is less than or equal to 
the specified minimum amount, the plan administrator need not allow the 
distributee to divide the distribution.
    Q-10: Must the plan administrator allow a distributee to divide an 
eligible rollover distribution into two or more separate distributions 
to be paid in direct rollovers to two or more eligible retirement plans?
    A-10: No. The plan administrator is not required (but is permitted) 
to allow the distributee to divide an eligible rollover distribution 
into separate distributions to be paid to two or more eligible 
retirement plans in direct rollovers. Thus, the plan administrator may 
require that the distributee select a single eligible retirement plan to 
which the eligible rollover distribution (or portion thereof) will be 
distributed in a direct rollover.
    Q-11: Will a plan satisfy section 401(a)(31) if the plan 
administrator does not permit a distributee to elect a direct rollover 
if his or her eligible rollover distributions during a year are 
reasonably expected to total less than $200?
    A-11: Yes. A plan will satisfy section 401(a)(31) even though the 
plan administrator does not permit any distributee to elect a direct 
rollover with respect to eligible rollover distributions during a year 
that are reasonably expected to total less than $200 or any lower 
minimum amount specified by the plan administrator. The rules described 
in Sec. 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-14 of this chapter (relating to whether 
withholding under section 3405(c) is required for an eligible rollover 
distribution that is less than $200) also apply for purposes of 
determining whether a direct rollover election under section 401(a)(31) 
must be provided for an eligible rollover distribution that is less than 
$200 or the lower specified amount.
    Q-12: Is a plan administrator permitted to treat a distributee's 
election to make or not make a direct rollover with respect to one 
payment in a series

[[Page 263]]

of periodic payments as applying to all subsequent payments in the 
series?
    A-12: (a) Yes. A plan administrator is permitted to treat a 
distributee's election to make or not make a direct rollover with 
respect to one payment in a series of periodic payments as applying to 
all subsequent payments in the series, provided that:
    (1) The employee is permitted at any time to change, with respect to 
subsequent payments, a previous election to make or not make a direct 
rollover; and
    (2) The written explanation provided under section 402(f) explains 
that the election to make or not make a direct rollover will apply to 
all future payments unless the employee subsequently changes the 
election.
    (b) See Sec. 1.402(f)-1, Q&A-3 for further guidance concerning the 
rules for providing section 402(f) notices when eligible rollover 
distributions are made in a series of periodic payments.
    Q-13: Is the eligible retirement plan designated by a distributee to 
receive a direct rollover distribution required to accept the 
distribution?
    A-13: No. Although section 401(a)(31) requires qualified plans to 
provide distributees the option to make a direct rollover of their 
eligible rollover distributions to an eligible retirement plan, it 
imposes no requirement that any eligible retirement plan accept 
rollovers. Thus, a plan can refuse to accept rollovers. Alternatively, a 
plan can limit the circumstances under which it will accept rollovers. 
For example, a plan can limit the types of plans from which it will 
accept a rollover or limit the types of assets it will accept in a 
rollover (such as accepting only cash or its equivalent).
    Q-14. If a plan accepts an invalid rollover contribution, whether or 
not as a direct rollover, how will the contribution be treated for 
purposes of applying the qualification requirements of section 401(a) or 
403(a) to the plan?
    A-14. (a) Acceptance of invalid rollover contribution. If a plan 
accepts an invalid rollover contribution, the contribution will be 
treated, for purposes of applying the qualification requirements of 
section 401(a) or 403(a) to the receiving plan, as if it were a valid 
rollover contribution, if the following two conditions are satisfied. 
First, when accepting the amount from the employee as a rollover 
contribution, the plan administrator of the receiving plan reasonably 
concludes that the contribution is a valid rollover contribution. While 
evidence that the distributing plan is the subject of a determination 
letter from the Commissioner indicating that the distributing plan is 
qualified would be useful to the receiving plan administrator in 
reasonably concluding that the contribution is a valid rollover 
contribution, it is not necessary for the distributing plan to have such 
a determination letter in order for the receiving plan administrator to 
reach that conclusion. Second, if the plan administrator of the 
receiving plan later determines that the contribution was an invalid 
rollover contribution, the amount of the invalid rollover contribution, 
plus any earnings attributable thereto, is distributed to the employee 
within a reasonable time after such determination.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this Q&A-14:
    (1) An invalid rollover contribution is an amount that is accepted 
by a plan as a rollover within the meaning of Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-1 
(or as a rollover contribution within the meaning of section 
408(d)(3)(A)(ii)) but that is not an eligible rollover distribution from 
a qualified plan (or an amount described in section 408(d)(3)(A)(ii)) or 
that does not satisfy the other requirements of section 401(a)(31), 
402(c), or 408(d)(3) for treatment as a rollover or a rollover 
contribution.
    (2) A valid rollover contribution is a contribution that is accepted 
by a plan as a rollover within the meaning of Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-1 or 
as a rollover contribution within the meaning of section 408(d)(3) and 
that satisfies the requirements of section 401(a)(31), 402(c), or 
408(d)(3) for treatment as a rollover or a rollover contribution.
    (c) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (a) of this Q&A-14 are 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Employer X maintains for its employees Plan M, a 
profit sharing plan qualified under section 401(a). Plan M provides that 
any employee of Employer X may make a rollover contribution to Plan M. 
Employee A is an employee of Employer X, will

[[Page 264]]

not have attained age 70\1/2\ by the end of the year, and has a vested 
account balance in Plan O (a plan maintained by Employee A's prior 
employer). Employee A elects a single sum distribution from Plan O and 
elects that it be paid to Plan M in a direct rollover.
    (ii) Employee A provides the plan administrator of Plan M with a 
letter from the plan administrator of Plan O stating that Plan O has 
received a determination letter from the Commissioner indicating that 
Plan O is qualified.
    (iii) Based upon such a letter, absent facts to the contrary, a plan 
administrator may reasonably conclude that Plan O is qualified and that 
the amount paid as a direct rollover is an eligible rollover 
distribution.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as Example 1, except that, 
instead of the letter provided in paragraph (ii) of Example 1, Employee 
A provides the plan administrator of Plan M with a letter from the plan 
administrator of Plan O representing that Plan O satisfies the 
requirements of section 401(a) (or representing that Plan O is intended 
to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) and that the administrator 
of Plan O is not aware of any Plan O provision or operation that would 
result in the disqualification of Plan O).
    (ii) Based upon such a letter, absent facts to the contrary, a plan 
administrator may reasonably conclude that Plan O is qualified and that 
the amount paid as a direct rollover is an eligible rollover 
distribution.
    Example 3. (i) Same facts as Example 1, except that Employee A 
elects to receive the distribution from Plan O and wishes to make a 
rollover contribution described in section 402 rather than a direct 
rollover.
    (ii) When making the rollover contribution, Employee A certifies 
that, to the best of Employee A's knowledge, Employee A is entitled to 
the distribution as an employee and not as a beneficiary, the 
distribution from Plan O to be contributed to Plan M is not one of a 
series of periodic payments, the distribution from Plan O was received 
by Employee A not more than 60 days before the date of the rollover 
contribution, and the entire amount of the rollover contribution would 
be includible in gross income if it were not being rolled over.
    (iii) As support for these certifications, Employee A provides the 
plan administrator of Plan M with two statements from Plan O. The first 
is a letter from the plan administrator of Plan O, as described in 
Example 1, stating that Plan O has received a determination letter from 
the Commissioner indicating that Plan O is qualified. The second is the 
distribution statement that accompanied the distribution check. The 
distribution statement indicates that the distribution is being made by 
Plan O to Employee A, indicates the gross amount of the distribution, 
and indicates the amount withheld as Federal income tax. The amount 
withheld as Federal income tax is 20 percent of the gross amount of the 
distribution. Employee A contributes to Plan M an amount not greater 
than the gross amount of the distribution stated in the letter from Plan 
O and the contribution is made within 60 days of the date of the 
distribution statement from Plan O.
    (iv) Based on the certifications and documentation provided by 
Employee A, absent facts to the contrary, a plan administrator may 
reasonably conclude that Plan O is qualified and that the distribution 
otherwise satisfies the requirements of section 402(c) for treatment as 
a rollover contribution.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that, 
rather than contributing the distribution from Plan O to Plan M, 
Employee A contributes the distribution from Plan O to IRA P, an 
individual retirement account described in section 408(a). After the 
contribution of the distribution from Plan O to IRA P, but before the 
year in which Employee A attains age 70\1/2\, Employee A requests a 
distribution from IRA P and decides to contribute it to Plan M as a 
rollover contribution. To make the rollover contribution, Employee A 
endorses the check received from IRA P as payable to Plan M.
    (ii) In addition to providing the certifications described in 
Example 3 with respect to the distribution from Plan O, Employee A 
certifies that, to the best of Employee A's knowledge, the contribution 
to IRA P was not made more than 60 days after the date Employee A 
received the distribution from Plan O, no amount other than the 
distribution from Plan O has been contributed to IRA P, and the 
distribution from IRA P was received not more than 60 days earlier than 
the rollover contribution to Plan M.
    (iii) As support for these certifications, in addition to the two 
statements from Plan O described in Example 3, Employee A provides 
copies of statements from IRA P. The statements indicate that the 
account is identified as an IRA, the account was established within 60 
days of the date of the letter from Plan O informing Employee A that an 
amount had been distributed, and the opening balance in the IRA does not 
exceed the amount of the distribution described in the letter from Plan 
O. There is no indication in the statements that any additional 
contributions have been made to IRA P since the account was opened. The 
date on the check from IRA P is less than 60 days before the date that 
Employee A makes the contribution to Plan M.
    (iv) Based on the certifications and documentation provided by 
Employee A, absent facts to the contrary, a plan administrator may 
reasonably conclude that Plan O is qualified and that the contribution 
by Employee A is a rollover contribution described in section 
408(d)(3)(A)(ii) that satisfies the

[[Page 265]]

other requirements of section 408(d)(3) for treatment as a rollover 
contribution.

    Q-15: For purposes of applying the plan qualification requirements 
of section 401(a), is an eligible rollover distribution that is paid to 
an eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover a distribution and 
rollover or is it a transfer of assets and liabilities?
    A-15: For purposes of applying the plan qualification requirements 
of section 401(a), a direct rollover is a distribution and rollover of 
the eligible rollover distribution and not a transfer of assets and 
liabilities. For example, if the consent requirements under section 
411(a)(11) or sections 401(a)(11) and 417(a)(2) apply to the 
distribution, they must be satisfied before the eligible rollover 
distribution may be distributed in a direct rollover. Similarly, the 
direct rollover is not a transfer of assets and liabilities that must 
satisfy the requirements of section 414(l). Finally, a direct rollover 
is not a transfer of benefits for purposes of applying the requirements 
under section 411(d)(6), as described in Sec. 1.411(d)-4, Q&A-3. 
Therefore, for example, the eligible retirement plan is not required to 
provide, with respect to amounts paid to it in a direct rollover, the 
same optional forms of benefits that were provided under the plan that 
made the direct rollover. The direct rollover requirements of section 
401(a)(31) do not affect the ability of a qualified plan to make an 
elective or nonelective transfer of assets and liabilities to another 
qualified plan in accordance with applicable law (such as section 
414(l)).
    Q-16: Must a direct rollover option be provided for an eligible 
rollover distribution that is in the form of a plan loan offset amount?
    A-16: A plan will not fail to satisfy section 401(a)(31) merely 
because the plan does not permit a distributee to elect a direct 
rollover of an eligible rollover distribution in the form of a plan loan 
offset amount. Section 1.402(c)-2(b), Q&A-9 defines a plan loan offset 
amount, in general, as a distribution that occurs when, under the terms 
governing a plan loan, the participant's accrued benefit is reduced 
(offset) in order to repay the loan. A plan administrator is permitted 
to allow a direct rollover of a participant note for a plan loan to a 
qualified trust described in section 401(a) or a qualified annuity plan 
described in section 403(a). See Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-9 for examples 
illustrating the rules for plan loan offset amounts that are set forth 
in this Q&A-16. See Sec. 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-11 of this chapter for 
guidance concerning special withholding rules that apply to a 
distribution in the form of a plan loan offset amount.
    Q-17: Must a direct rollover option be provided for an eligible 
rollover distribution from a qualified plan distributed annuity 
contract?
    A-17: Yes. If any amount to be distributed under a qualified plan 
distributed annuity contract is an eligible rollover distribution (in 
accordance with Sec. 1.402(c)-2), Q&A-10 the annuity contract must 
satisfy section 401(a)(31) in the same manner as a qualified plan under 
section 401(a). Section 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-10 defines a qualified plan 
distributed annuity contract as an annuity contract purchased for a 
participant, and distributed to the participant, by a qualified plan. In 
the case of a qualified plan distributed annuity contract, the payor 
under the contract is treated as the plan administrator. See Sec. 
31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-13 of this chapter concerning the application of 
mandatory 20-percent withholding requirements to distributions from a 
qualified plan distributed annuity contract.
    Q-18: What assumptions may a plan administrator make regarding 
whether a benefit is an eligible rollover distribution?
    A-18: (a) General rule. For purposes of section 401(a)(31), a plan 
administrator may make the assumptions described in paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this Q&A-18 in determining the amount of a distribution that is 
an eligible rollover distribution for which a direct rollover option 
must be provided. Section 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-10 of this chapter provides 
assumptions for purposes of complying with section 3405(c). See Sec. 
1.402(c)-2, Q&A-15 concerning the effect of these assumptions for 
purposes of section 402(c).
    (b) $5,000 death benefit. A plan administrator is permitted to 
assume that a distribution from the plan that qualifies for the $5,000 
death benefit exclusion under section 101(b) is the only

[[Page 266]]

death benefit being paid with respect to a deceased employee that 
qualifies for that exclusion. Thus, to the extent that such a 
distribution would be excludible from gross income based on this 
assumption, the plan administrator is permitted to assume that it is not 
an eligible rollover distribution.
    (c) Determination of designated beneficiary. For the purpose of 
determining the amount of the minimum distribution required to satisfy 
section 401(a)(9)(A) for any calendar year, the plan administrator is 
permitted to assume that there is no designated beneficiary.
    Q-19: When must a qualified plan be amended to comply with section 
401(a)(31)?
    A-19: Even though section 401(a)(31) applies to distributions from 
qualified plans made on or after January 1, 1993, a qualified plan is 
not required to be amended before the last day by which amendments must 
be made to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and related 
provisions, as permitted in other administrative guidance of general 
applicability, provided that:
    (a) In the interim period between January 1, 1993, and the date on 
which the plan is amended, the plan is operated in accordance with the 
requirements of section 401(a)(31); and
    (b) The amendment applies retroactively to January 1, 1993.

[T.D. 8619, 60 FR 49204, Sept. 22, 1995, as amended by T.D. 8880, 65 FR 
21314, Apr. 21, 2000; 65 FR 34534, May 30, 2000; T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41159, 
July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.401(a)(35)-1  Diversification requirements for certain defined
contribution plans.

    (a) General rule--(1) Diversification requirements. Section 
401(a)(35) imposes diversification requirements on applicable defined 
contribution plans. A trust that is part of an applicable defined 
contribution plan is not a qualified trust under section 401(a) unless 
the plan--
    (i) Satisfies the diversification election requirements for elective 
deferrals and employee contributions set forth in paragraph (b) of this 
section;
    (ii) Satisfies the diversification election requirements for 
employer nonelective contributions set forth in paragraph (c) of this 
section;
    (iii) Satisfies the investment option requirement set forth in 
paragraph (d) of this section; and
    (iv) Does not apply any restrictions or conditions on investments in 
employer securities that violate the requirements of paragraph (e) of 
this section.
    (2) Definitions, effective dates, and transition rules. The 
definitions of applicable defined contribution plan, employer security, 
parent corporation, and publicly traded are set forth in paragraph (f) 
of this section. Applicability dates and transition rules are set forth 
in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (b) Diversification requirements for elective deferrals and employee 
contributions invested in employer securities--(1) General rule. With 
respect to any individual described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
if any portion of the individual's account under an applicable defined 
contribution plan attributable to elective deferrals (as described in 
section 402(g)(3)(A)), employee contributions, or rollover contributions 
is invested in employer securities, then the plan satisfies the 
requirements of this paragraph (b) if the individual may elect to divest 
those employer securities and reinvest an equivalent amount in other 
investment options. The plan may limit the time for divestment and 
reinvestment to periodic, reasonable opportunities occurring no less 
frequently than quarterly.
    (2) Applicable individual with respect to elective deferrals and 
employee contributions. An individual is described in this paragraph 
(b)(2) if the individual is--
    (i) A participant;
    (ii) An alternate payee who has an account under the plan; or
    (iii) A beneficiary of a deceased participant.
    (c) Diversification requirements for employer nonelective 
contributions invested in employer securities--(1) General rule. With 
respect to any individual described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
if a portion of the individual's account under an applicable defined 
contribution plan attributable to employer nonelective contributions is 
invested in employer securities, then the plan

[[Page 267]]

satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c) if the individual may 
elect to divest those employer securities and reinvest an equivalent 
amount in other investment options. The plan may limit the time for 
divestment and reinvestment to periodic, reasonable opportunities 
occurring no less frequently than quarterly.
    (2) Applicable individual with respect to employer nonelective 
contributions. An individual is described in this paragraph (c)(2) if 
the individual is--
    (i) A participant who has completed at least three years of service;
    (ii) An alternate payee who has an account under the plan with 
respect to a participant who has completed at least three years of 
service; or
    (iii) A beneficiary of a deceased participant.
    (3) Completion of three years of service. For purposes of paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, a participant completes three years of service 
on the last day of the vesting computation period provided for under the 
plan that constitutes the completion of the third year of service under 
section 411(a)(5). However, for a plan that uses the elapsed time method 
of crediting service for vesting purposes (or a plan that provides for 
immediate vesting without using a vesting computation period or the 
elapsed time method of determining vesting), a participant completes 
three years of service on the day immediately preceding the third 
anniversary of the participant's date of hire.
    (d) Investment options. An applicable defined contribution plan must 
offer not less than three investment options, other than employer 
securities, to which an individual who has the right to divest under 
paragraph (b)(1) or (c)(1) of this section may direct the proceeds from 
the divestment of employer securities. Each of the three investment 
options must be diversified and have materially different risk and 
return characteristics. For this purpose, investment options that 
constitute a broad range of investment alternatives within the meaning 
of Department of Labor Regulation section 2550.404c-1(b)(3) are treated 
as being diversified and having materially different risk and return 
characteristics.
    (e) Restrictions or conditions on investments in employer 
securities--(1) Impermissible restrictions or conditions--(i) General 
rule. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, an 
applicable defined contribution plan violates the requirements of this 
paragraph (e) if the plan imposes restrictions or conditions with 
respect to the investment of employer securities that are not imposed on 
the investment of other assets of the plan. A restriction or condition 
with respect to employer securities means--
    (A) A restriction on an individual's right to divest an investment 
in employer securities that is not imposed on an investment that is not 
employer securities; or
    (B) A benefit that is conditioned on investment in employer 
securities.
    (ii) Indirect restrictions or conditions--(A) Except as provided in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section, a plan violates the requirements of 
this paragraph (e) if the plan imposes a restriction or condition 
described in paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) or (B) of this section either 
directly or indirectly.
    (B) A plan imposes an indirect restriction on an individual's right 
to divest an investment in employer securities if, for example, the plan 
provides that a participant who divests his or her account balance with 
respect to the investment in employer securities is not permitted for a 
period of time thereafter to reinvest in employer securities.
    (C) A plan does not impose an indirect restriction or condition 
merely because there are tax consequences that result from an 
individual's divestment of an investment in employer securities. Thus, 
the loss of the special treatment for net unrealized appreciation 
provided under section 402(e)(4) with respect to employer securities is 
disregarded. Similarly, a plan does not impose an impermissible 
restriction or condition merely because it provides that an individual 
may not reinvest divested amounts in the same employer securities 
account but is permitted to invest such divested amounts in another 
employer securities account where the only relevant difference between 
the separate accounts is the section 402(e)(4) cost (or other basis) of 
the

[[Page 268]]

trust in the shares held in each account. (See Sec. 1.402(a)-1(b) for 
rules regarding section 402(e)(4).)
    (2) Permitted restrictions or conditions--(i) In general. An 
applicable defined contribution plan does not violate the requirements 
of this paragraph (e) merely because it imposes a restriction or a 
condition set forth in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) or (e)(2)(iii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Securities laws. A plan is permitted to impose a restriction or 
condition on the divestiture of employer securities that is either 
required in order to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws 
or is reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable 
securities laws. For example, it is permissible for a plan to limit 
divestiture rights for participants who are subject to section 16(b) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f) to a reasonable 
period (such as 3 to 12 days) following publication of the employer's 
quarterly earnings statements because it is reasonably designed to 
ensure compliance with Rule 10b-5 of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.
    (iii) Deferred application of the diversification requirements--(A) 
Becoming an applicable defined contribution plan. An applicable defined 
contribution plan is permitted to restrict the application of the 
diversification requirements of section 401(a)(35) and this section for 
up to 90 days after the plan becomes an applicable defined contribution 
plan (for example, a plan becoming an applicable defined contribution 
plan because the employer securities held under the plan become publicly 
traded).
    (B) Loss of exception for indirect investments. In the case where an 
investment fund described in paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) of this section no 
longer meets the requirement in paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(B) of this section 
that the investment must be independent of the employer (including the 
situation where the fund no longer meets the percentage limitation rule 
in paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(C) of this section), the plan does not fail to 
satisfy the diversification requirements of section 401(a)(35) and this 
section merely because it does not offer those rights with respect to 
that investment fund for up to 90 days after the investment fund ceases 
to meet those requirements.
    (3) Permitted indirect restrictions or conditions--(i) In general. 
An applicable defined contribution plan does not violate the 
requirements of this paragraph (e) merely because it imposes an indirect 
restriction or condition set forth in this paragraph (e)(3).
    (ii) Limitation on investment in employer securities. A plan is 
permitted to limit the extent to which an individual's account balance 
can be invested in employer securities, provided the limitation applies 
without regard to a prior exercise of rights to divest employer 
securities. For example, a plan does not impose a restriction that 
violates this paragraph (e) merely because the plan prohibits a 
participant from investing additional amounts in employer securities if 
more than 10 percent of that participant's account balance is invested 
in employer securities.
    (iii) Trading frequency. A plan is permitted to impose reasonable 
restrictions on the timing and number of investment elections that an 
individual can make to invest in employer securities, provided that the 
restrictions are designed to limit short-term trading in the employer 
securities. For example, a plan could provide that a participant may not 
elect to invest in employer securities if the employee has elected to 
divest employer securities within a short period of time, such as seven 
days, prior to the election to invest in employer securities.
    (iv) Fees. The plan has not provided an indirect benefit that is 
conditioned on investment in employer securities merely because the plan 
imposes fees on other investment options that are not imposed on the 
investment in employer securities. In addition, the plan has not 
provided a restriction on the right to divest an investment in employer 
securities merely because the plan imposes a reasonable fee for the 
divestment of employer securities.
    (v) Stable value or similar fund. A plan is permitted to allow 
transfers to be made into or out of a stable value or similar fund more 
frequently than a fund invested in employer securities for purposes of 
paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section. Thus, a plan that includes

[[Page 269]]

a broad range of investment alternatives as described in paragraph (d) 
of this section, including a stable value or similar fund, does not 
impose an impermissible restriction under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this 
section merely because it permits transfers into or out of that fund 
more frequently than other funds under the plan, provided that the plan 
would otherwise satisfy this paragraph (e) (taking into account any 
restrictions or conditions imposed with respect to the other investment 
options under the plan). For purposes of this section, a stable value 
fund or similar fund means an investment product or fund designed to 
preserve or guarantee principal and provide a reasonable rate of return, 
while providing liquidity for benefit distributions or transfers to 
other investment alternatives (such as a product or fund described in 
Department of Labor Regulation Sec. 2550.404c-5(e)(4)(iv)(A) or 
(v)(A)).
    (vi) Transfers out of a qualified default investment alternative 
(QDIA). A plan is permitted to provide for transfers out of a QDIA 
within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation section 2550.404c-
5(e) more frequently than a fund invested in employer securities.
    (vii) Frozen funds--(A) General rule. A plan is permitted to 
prohibit any further investment in employer securities. Thus, a plan is 
not treated as imposing an indirect restriction merely because it 
provides that an employee that divests an investment in employer 
securities is not permitted to reinvest in employer securities, but only 
if the plan does not permit additional contributions or other 
investments to be invested in employer securities. For this purpose, a 
plan does not provide for further investment in employer securities 
merely because dividends paid on employer securities under the plan are 
reinvested in employer securities.
    (B) Transitional relief for certain leveraged employee stock 
ownership plans (ESOPs). An employer stock fund does not fail to be a 
frozen fund under this paragraph (e)(3)(vii) merely because of the 
allocation of employer securities that are released as matching 
contributions from the plan's suspense account that holds employer 
securities acquired with an exempt loan under section 4975(d)(3). This 
paragraph (e)(3)(vii)(B) only applies to employer securities that were 
acquired in a plan year beginning before January 1, 2007, with the 
proceeds of an exempt loan within the meaning of section 4975(d)(3) 
which is not refinanced after the end of the last plan year beginning 
before January 1, 2007.
    (4) Delegation of authority to Commissioner. The Commissioner may 
provide for additional permitted restrictions or conditions or permitted 
indirect restrictions or conditions in revenue rulings, notices, or 
other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.
    (f) Definitions--(1) Application of definitions. This paragraph (f) 
contains definitions that are applicable for purposes of this section.
    (2) Applicable defined contribution plan--(i) General rule. Except 
as provided in this paragraph (f)(2), an applicable defined contribution 
plan means any defined contribution plan which holds employer securities 
that are publicly traded. See paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this section for a 
special rule that treats certain plans that hold employer securities 
that are not publicly traded as applicable defined contribution plans 
and paragraph (f)(3)(ii) of this section for a special rule that treats 
certain plans as not holding publicly traded employer securities for 
purposes of this section.
    (ii) Exception for certain ESOPs. An employee stock ownership plan 
(ESOP), as defined in section 4975(e)(7), is not an applicable defined 
contribution plan if the plan is a separate plan for purposes of section 
414(l) with respect to any other defined benefit plan or defined 
contribution plan maintained by the same employer or employers and holds 
no contributions (or earnings thereunder) that are (or were ever) 
subject to section 401(k) or 401(m). Thus, an ESOP is an applicable 
defined contribution plan if the ESOP is a portion of a larger plan 
(whether or not that larger plan includes contributions that are subject 
to section 401(k) or 401(m)). For purposes of this paragraph (f)(2)(ii), 
a plan is not considered to hold amounts ever subject to section 401(k) 
or 401(m) merely because the plan holds amounts attributable to rollover 
amounts in a separate account

[[Page 270]]

that were previously subject to section 401(k) or 401(m).
    (iii) Exception for one-participant plans. A one-participant plan, 
as defined in section 401(a)(35)(E)(iv), is not an applicable defined 
contribution plan.
    (iv) Certain defined contribution plans treated as holding publicly 
traded employer securities--(A) General rule. A defined contribution 
plan holding employer securities that are not publicly traded is treated 
as an applicable defined contribution plan if any employer maintaining 
the plan or any member of a controlled group of corporations that 
includes such employer has issued a class of stock which is publicly 
traded. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(2)(iv), a controlled group of 
corporations has the meaning given such term by section 1563(a), except 
that ``50 percent'' is substituted for ``80 percent'' each place it 
appears.
    (B) Exception for certain plans. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this 
section does not apply to a plan if--
    (1) No employer maintaining the plan (or a parent corporation with 
respect to such employer) has issued stock that is publicly traded; and
    (2) No employer maintaining the plan (or parent corporation with 
respect to such employer) has issued any special class of stock which 
grants to the holder or issuer particular rights, or bears particular 
risks for the holder or issuer, with respect to any employer maintaining 
the plan (or any member of a controlled group of corporations that 
includes such employer) which has issued any stock that is publicly 
traded.
    (3) Employer security--(i) General rule. Employer security has the 
meaning given such term by section 407(d)(1) of the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).
    (ii) Certain defined contribution plans or investment funds not 
treated as holding employer securities--(A) Exception for certain 
indirect investments. Subject to paragraphs (f)(3)(ii)(B) and (C) of 
this section, a plan (and an investment option described in paragraph 
(d) of this section) is not treated as holding employer securities for 
purposes of this section to the extent the employer securities are held 
indirectly as part of a broader fund that is--
    (1) A regulated investment company described in section 851(a);
    (2) A common or collective trust fund or pooled investment fund 
maintained by a bank or trust company supervised by a State or a Federal 
agency;
    (3) A pooled investment fund of an insurance company that is 
qualified to do business in a State;
    (4) An investment fund managed by an investment manager within the 
meaning of section 3(38) of ERISA for a multiemployer plan; or
    (5) Any other investment fund designated by the Commissioner in 
revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin.
    (B) Investment must be independent. The exception set forth in 
paragraph (f)(3)(ii)(A) of this section applies only if the investment 
in the employer securities is held in a fund under which--
    (1) There are stated investment objectives of the fund; and
    (2) The investment is independent of the employer (or employers) and 
any affiliate thereof.
    (C) Percentage limitation rule. For purposes of paragraph 
(f)(3)(ii)(B)(2) of this section, an investment in employer securities 
in a fund is not considered to be independent of the employer (or 
employers) and any affiliate thereof if the aggregate value of the 
employer securities held in the fund is in excess of 10 percent of the 
total value of all of the fund's investments for the plan year. The 
determination of whether the value of employer securities exceeds 10 
percent of the total value of the fund's investments for the plan year 
is made as of the end of the preceding plan year. The determination can 
be based on the information in the latest disclosure of the fund's 
portfolio holdings that was filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC) in that preceding plan year.
    (4) Parent corporation. Parent corporation has the meaning given 
such term by section 424(e).
    (5) Publicly traded--(i) In general. A security is publicly traded 
if it is readily tradable on an established securities market.

[[Page 271]]

    (ii) Readily tradable on an established securities market. For 
purposes of this paragraph (f)(5), except as provided by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin, a security is readily tradable on an 
established securities market if--
    (A) The security is traded on a national securities exchange that is 
registered under section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
U.S.C. 78f); or
    (B) The security is traded on a foreign national securities exchange 
that is officially recognized, sanctioned, or supervised by a 
governmental authority and the security is deemed by the SEC as having a 
``ready market'' under SEC Rule 15c3-1 (17 CFR 240.15c3-1).
    (g) Applicability date and transition rules--(1) Statutory effective 
date--(i) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 
(g) and section 901(c)(3)(A) and (B) of the Pension Protection Act of 
2006, Public Law 109-280 (120 Stat. 780 (2006)) (PPA '06), section 
401(a)(35) is effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 
2006.
    (ii) Collectively bargained plans--(A) Delayed statutory effective 
date. In the case of a plan maintained pursuant to one or more 
collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 
one or more employers ratified on or before August 17, 2006, section 
401(a)(35) is effective for plan years beginning after the earlier of--
    (1) The later of--
    (i) December 31, 2007; or
    (ii) The date on which the last such collective bargaining agreement 
terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof); or
    (2) December 31, 2008.
    (B) Treatment of plans with both collectively bargained and non-
collectively bargained employees. If a collective bargaining agreement 
applies to some, but not all, of the plan participants, the definition 
of whether the plan is considered a collectively bargained plan for 
purposes of this paragraph (g)(1)(ii) is made in the same manner as the 
definition of whether a plan is collectively bargained under section 
436(f)(3).
    (2) Regulatory effective/applicability date. This section is 
effective and applicable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 
2011.
    (3) Statutory transition rules--(i) General rule. Pursuant to 
section 401(a)(35)(H), in the case of the portion of an account to which 
paragraph (c) of this section applies and that consists of employer 
securities acquired in a plan year beginning before January 1, 2007, the 
requirements of paragraph (c) of this section only apply to the 
applicable percentage of such securities.
    (ii) Applicable percentage--(A) Phase-in percentage. For purposes of 
this paragraph (g)(3), the applicable percentage is determined as 
follows--

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Plan year to which paragraph (c) of this section      The applicable
                       applies:                          percentage is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st...................................................                33
2nd...................................................                66
3rd and following.....................................               100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Special rule. For a plan for which the special effective date 
under section 901(c)(3) of PPA '06 applies, the applicable percentage 
under this paragraph (g)(3)(ii) is determined without regard to the 
delayed effective date in section 901(c)(3)(A) and (B) of PPA '06.
    (iii) Nonapplication for participants age 55 with three years of 
service. Paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section does not apply to an 
individual who is a participant who attained age 55 and had completed at 
least three years of service (as defined in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section) before the first day of the first plan year beginning after 
December 31, 2005.
    (iv) Separate application by class of securities. This paragraph 
(g)(3) applies separately with respect to each class of securities.

[T.D. 9484, 75 FR 27931, May 19, 2010]



Sec. 1.401(b)-1  Certain retroactive changes in plan.

    (a) General rule. Under section 401(b) a stock bonus, pension, 
profit-sharing, annuity, or bond purchase plan which does not satisfy 
the requirements of section 401(a) on any day solely as a result of a 
disqualifying provision (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section) 
shall be considered to have satisfied such requirements on such date if, 
on or before the last day of the remedial amendment period (as 
determined under paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this

[[Page 272]]

section) with respect to such disqualifying provision, all provisions of 
the plan which are necessary to satisfy all requirements of sections 
401(a), 403(a), or 405(a) are in effect and have been made effective for 
all purposes for the whole of such period. Under some facts and 
circumstances, it may not be possible to amend a plan retroactively so 
that all provisions of the plan which are necessary to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a) are in fact made effective for the whole 
remedial amendment period. If it is not possible, the requirements of 
this section will not be satisfied even if the employer adopts a 
retroactive plan amendment which, in form, appears to satisfy such 
requirements. Section 401(b) does not permit a plan to be made 
retroactively effective, for qualification purposes, for a taxable year 
prior to the taxable year of the employer in which the plan was adopted 
by such employer.
    (b) Disqualifying provisions. For purposes of this section, with 
respect to a plan described in paragraph (a) of this section, the term 
``disqualifying provision'' means:
    (1) A provision of a new plan, the absence of a provision from a new 
plan, or an amendment to an existing plan, which causes such plan to 
fail to satisfy the requirements of the Code applicable to qualification 
of such plan as of the date such plan or amendment is first made 
effective.
    (2) A plan provision which results in the failure of the plan to 
satisfy the qualification requirements of the Code by reason of a change 
in such requirements--
    (i) Effected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829), hereafter referred to as ``ERISA,'' or 
the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-248, 96 
Stat. 324), hereafter referred to as ``TEFRA,'' or
    (ii) Effective before the first day of the first plan year beginning 
after December 31, 1989 and that is effected by the Tax Reform Act of 
1986 (Pub. L. 99-514, 100 Stat. 2085, 2489), hereafter referred to as 
``TRA '86,'' the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, (Pub. L. 99-
509, 100 Stat. 1874), hereafter referred to as ``OBRA '86,'' or the 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 
1330), hereafter referred to as ``OBRA '87.'' For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii), a disqualifying provision includes any plan 
provision that is integral to a qualification requirement changed by TRA 
'86, OBRA '86, or OBRA '87 or any requirement treated by the 
Commissioner, directly or indirectly, as if section 1140 of TRA '86 
applied to it, but only to the extent such provision is effective before 
the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 1989. 
With respect to disqualifying provisions described in this paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) effective before the first day of the first plan year which 
begins after December 31, 1988, there must be compliance with the 
conditions of section 1140 of TRA '86 (other than the requirement that 
the plan amendment be made on or before the last day of the first plan 
year beginning after December 31, 1988), including operation in 
accordance with the plan provision as of its effective date with respect 
to the plan.
    (3) A plan provision designated by the Commissioner, at the 
Commissioner's discretion, as a disqualifying provision that either--
    (i) Results in the failure of the plan to satisfy the qualification 
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of a change in those 
requirements; or
    (ii) Is integral to a qualification requirement of the Internal 
Revenue Code that has been changed.
    (c) Special rules applicable to disqualifying provisions--(1) 
Absence of plan provision. For purposes of paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of 
this section, a disqualifying provision includes the absence from a plan 
of a provision required by, or, if applicable, integral to the 
applicable change to the qualification requirements of the Internal 
Revenue Code, if the plan was in effect on the date the change became 
effective with respect to the plan.
    (2) Method of designating disqualifying provisions. The Commissioner 
may designate a plan provision as a disqualifying provision pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section only in revenue rulings, notices, and 
other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2) of this chapter.

[[Page 273]]

    (3) Authority to impose limitations. In the case of a provision that 
has been designated as a disqualifying provision by the Commissioner 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the Commissioner may 
impose limits and provide additional rules regarding the amendments that 
may be made with respect to that disqualifying provision during the 
remedial amendment period. The Commissioner may provide guidance in 
revenue rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter.
    (d) Remedial amendment period. (1) The remedial amendment period 
with respect to a disqualifying provision begins:
    (i) In the case of a provision of, or absence of a provision from, a 
new plan, described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the date the 
plan is put into effect,
    (ii) In the case of an amendment to an existing plan, described in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the date the plan amendment is adopted 
or put into effect (whichever is earlier),
    (iii) In the case of a disqualifying provision described in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the date on which the change effected 
by ERISA, TEFRA, TRA '86, OBRA '86, OBRA '87, or a qualification 
requirement that is treated, directly or indirectly, as subject to the 
conditions of section 1140 of TRA '86 described in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section, became effective with respect to such plan or, in the case 
of a provision, described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, that 
is integral to such qualification requirement, the first day on which 
the plan was operated in accordance with such provision, or
    (iv) In the case of a disqualifying provision described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(i) of this section, the date on which the change effected by an 
amendment to the Internal Revenue Code became effective with respect to 
the plan; or
    (v) In the case of a disqualifying provision described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) of this section, the first day on which the plan was operated 
in accordance with such provision, as amended, unless another time is 
specified by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, and other 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2) of this chapter.
    (2) Unless further extended as provided by paragraph (e) of this 
section, the remedial amendment period ends with the latest of:
    (i) In the case of a plan maintained by one employer, the time 
prescribed by law, including extensions, for filing the income tax 
return (or partnership return of income) of the employer for the 
employer's taxable year in which falls the latest of:
    (A) The date on which the remedial amendment period begins.
    (B) The date on which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is adopted, or
    (C) The date on which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is made effective,
    (ii) In the case of a plan maintained by one employer, the last day 
of the plan year within which falls the latest of:
    (A) The date on which the remedial amendment period begins,
    (B) The date on which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is adopted, or
    (C) The date on which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is made effective,
    (iii) In the case of a plan maintained by more than one employer, 
the last day of the tenth month following the last day of the plan year 
in which falls the latest of:
    (A) The date on which the remedial amendment period begins,
    (B) The date on which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is adopted, or
    (C) The date of which a plan amendment described in paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section is made effective, or
    (iv) December 31, 1976, but only in the case of a plan to which 
section 411 (relating to minimum vesting standards) applies without 
regard to section 411(e)(2), and only in the case of a remedial 
amendment period which began on or after September 2, 1974.
    (3) For purposes of paragraphs (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii), and 
(d)(2)(iii) of this section, for any disqualifying provision described 
in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the remedial amendment period 
shall be deemed to have begun

[[Page 274]]

with the first day of the first plan year which begins after December 
31, 1988.
    (4) For purposes of this paragraph (d)(2) of this section, a master 
or prototype plan shall not be considered to be a plan maintained by 
more than one employer, and whether or not a plan is maintained by more 
than one employer, shall be determined without regard to section 414 (b) 
and (c) except that if a plan is maintained solely by an affiliated 
group of corporations (within the meaning of section 1504) which files a 
consolidated income tax return pursuant to section 1501 for a taxable 
year within which falls the latest of the dates described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) of this section, such plan shall be deemed to be maintained by 
one employer.
    (e) Extensions of remedial amendment period--(1) Opinion letter 
request by sponsoring organization of master or prototype plan. In the 
case of an employer who has adopted a master or prototype plan, a 
remedial amendment period that began on or after September 2, 1974, 
shall not end prior to the later of:
    (i) June 30, 1977, or
    (ii) The last day of the month that is six months after the month in 
which:
    (A) The opinion letter with respect to the request of the sponsoring 
organization is issued by the Internal Revenue Service,
    (B) Such request is withdrawn, or
    (C) Such request is otherwise disposed of by the Internal Revenue 
Service. The rules contained in this subparagraph apply only if the 
sponsoring organization of such master or prototype plan has, after 
September 2, 1974, and on or before December 31, 1976, filed a request 
for an opinion letter with respect to the initial or continuing 
qualification of the plan (or a trust which is part of the plan). The 
provisions of this paragraph (e)(1) apply to a master or prototype plan 
adopted to replace another plan even though the remedial amendment 
period applicable to the replaced plan has expired at the time of 
adoption of the replacement plan.
    (2) Notification letter request by law firm sponsor of district-
approved plan. In the case of an employer who has adopted a pattern 
plan, a remedial amendment period that began on or after September 2, 
1974, shall not end prior to the later of:
    (i) June 30, 1977, or
    (ii) The last day of the month that is six months after the month in 
which:
    (A) The notification letter with respect to the request of the 
sponsoring law firm is issued by the Internal Revenue Service,
    (B) Such request is withdrawn, or
    (C) Such request is otherwise disposed of by the Internal Revenue 
Service. The rules contained in this subparagraph shall apply only if 
the sponsoring law firm of such pattern plan has, on or before December 
31, 1976, filed a request for a notification letter with the Internal 
Revenue Service with respect to the initial or continuing qualification 
of the plan (or a trust which is part of the plan). The provisions of 
this paragraph (e)(2) apply to a pattern plan adopted to replace another 
plan even though the remedial amendment period applicable to the 
replaced plan has expired at the time of the adoption of the replacement 
plan.
    (3) Determination letter request by employer or plan administrator. 
If on or before the end of a remedial amendment period determined 
without regard to this paragraph (e), or in a case to which paragraph 
(e) (1) or (2) of this section applies, on or before the 90th day 
following the later of the dates described in paragraph (e) (1) or (2) 
of this section, the employer or plan administrator files a request 
pursuant to Sec. 601.201(s) of this chapter (Statement of Procedural 
Rules) for a determination letter with respect to the initial or 
continuing qualification of the plan, or a trust which is part of such 
plan, such remedial amendment period shall be extended until the 
expiration of 91 days after:
    (i) The date on which notice of the final determination with respect 
to such request for a determination letter is issued by the Internal 
Revenue Service, such request is withdrawn, or such request is otherwise 
finally disposed of by the Internal Revenue Service, or
    (ii) If a petition is timely filed with the United States Tax Court 
for a declaratory judgment under section 7476 with respect to the final 
determination (or the failure of the Internal Revenue Service to make a 
final determination)

[[Page 275]]

in response to such request, the date on which the decision of the 
United States Tax Court in such proceeding becomes final.
    (4) Transitional rule. In the case of a request for a determination 
letter described in and filed within the time prescribed in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section with respect to which a final determination is 
issued by the Internal Revenue Service on or before September 28, 1976 
the remedial amendment period described in paragraph (d) of this section 
shall not end prior to the expiration of 150 days beginning on the date 
of such final determination by the Internal Revenue Service.
    (5) Disqualifying provision prior to September 2, 1974. If the 
remedial amendment period with respect to a disqualifying provision 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section began prior to September 
2, 1974, and the provisions of paragraphs (e)(5)(i), (ii) and (iii) of 
this section are satisfied, the remedial amendment period described in 
paragraph (d) shall not end prior to December 31, 1976. This 
subparagraph shall apply only if--
    (i) A request pursuant to Sec. 601.201 of this chapter for a 
determination letter with respect to the initial or continuing 
qualification of the plan (or a trust which is part of the plan) was 
filed not later than the later of:
    (A) The time prescribed by law, including extensions, for filing the 
income tax return (or partnership return of income) of the employer for 
the employer's taxable year in which falls the date on which the 
remedial amendment period began, or
    (B) The date 6 months after the close of such taxable year,
    (ii) The employer, either:
    (A) While such request for a determination letter is or was under 
consideration by the Internal Revenue Service or,
    (B) Promptly after the date on which notice of the final 
determination with respect to such request for a determination letter is 
issued by the Internal Revenue Service, such request is withdrawn, or 
such request is otherwise finally disposed of by the Internal Revenue 
Service, adopts or adopted either a plan amendment retroactive to the 
date on which the remedial amendment period began, or a prospective plan 
amendment, and
    (iii) The amendment described in paragraph (e)(5)(ii) of this 
section would have resulted in the plan's satisfying the requirements of 
section 401(a) of the Code from the beginning of the remedial amendment 
period to the date such amendment was made if this section had been in 
effect during such period, and in the case of a prospective amendment, 
if such amendment had been made retroactive to such beginning date.
    (f) Discretionary extensions. At his discretion, the Commissioner 
may extend the remedial amendment period or may allow a particular plan 
to be amended after the expiration of its remedial amendment period and 
any applicable extension of such period. In determining whether such an 
extension will be granted, the Commissioner shall consider, among other 
factors, whether substantial hardship to the employer would result if 
such an extension were not granted, whether such an extension is in the 
best interest of plan participants, and whether the granting of the 
extension is adverse to the interests of the Government. The mere 
absence of final regulations with respect to issues covered under the 
Special Reliance Procedure announced by the Internal Revenue Service in 
Technical Information Release 1416 on November 5, 1975, and as extended 
by Internal Revenue Service News Release IR-1616 on May 14, 1976, shall 
not be deemed to satisfy the criteria of this paragraph. With regard to 
a particular plan, a request for extension of time pursuant to this 
paragraph shall be submitted prior to the expiration of the remedial 
amendment period determined without regard to this paragraph, or within 
such time thereafter as the Internal Revenue Service may consider 
resonable under the circumstances. The request should be submitted to 
the appropriate District Director, determined under Sec. 
601.201(s)(3)(xii) of this chapter (Statement of Procedural Rules). This 
subparagraph applies to disqualifying provisions that were adopted or 
became effective prior to September 2, 1974, as

[[Page 276]]

well as disqualifying provisions adopted or made effective on or after 
September 2, 1974.

(Secs. 401(b), 7805, Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 943, 68A 
Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 401(b), 7805))

[T.D. 7437, 41 FR 42653, Sept. 28, 1976, as amended by T.D. 7896, 48 FR 
23817, May 27, 1983; T.D. 7997, 49 FR 50645, Dec. 31, 1984; T.D. 8217, 
53 FR 29662, Aug. 8, 1988; T.D. 8727, 62 FR 41273, 41274, Aug. 1, 1997; 
T.D. 8871, 65 FR 5433, Feb. 4, 2000]



Sec. 1.401(f)-1  Certain custodial accounts and annuity contracts.

    (a) Treatment of a custodial account or an annuity contract as a 
qualified trust. Beginning on January 1, 1974, a custodial account or an 
annuity contract may be used, in lieu of a trust, under any qualified 
pension, profitsharing, or stock bonus plan if the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section are met. A custodial account or an annuity 
contract may be used under such a plan, whether the plan covers common-
law employees, self-employed individuals who are treated as employees by 
reason of section 401(c), or both. The use of a custodial account or 
annuity contract as part of a plan does not preclude the use of a trust 
or another custodial account or another annuity contract as part of the 
same plan. A plan under which a custodial account or an annuity contract 
is used may be considered in connection with other plans of the employer 
in determining whether the requirements of section 401 are satisfied.
    (b) Rules applicable to custodial accounts and annuity contracts. 
(1) Beginning on January 1, 1974, a custodial account or an annuity 
contract is treated as a qualified trust under section 401 if the 
following requirements are met:
    (i) The custodial account or annuity contract would, except for that 
fact that it is not a trust, constitute a qualified trust under section 
401; and
    (ii) In the case of a custodial account, the custodian either is a 
bank or is another person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the 
Commissioner, that the manner in which he will hold the assets will be 
consistent with the requirements of section 401. This demonstration must 
be made in the same manner as the demonstration required by Sec. 1.408-
2(e).
    (2) If a custodial account would, except for the fact that it is not 
a trust, constitute a qualified trust under section 401, it must, for 
example, be created pursuant to a written agreement which constitutes a 
valid contract under local law. In addition, the terms of the contract 
must make it impossible, prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities 
with respect to the employees and their beneficiaries covered by the 
plan. For any part of the funds of the custodial account to be used for, 
or diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the 
employees or their beneficiaries as provided for in the plan (see 
paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-2).
    (3) An annuity contract would, except for the fact that it is not a 
trust, constitute a qualified trust under section 401 if it is purchased 
by an employer for an employee under a plan which meets the requirements 
of section 404(a)(2) and the regulations thereunder, except that the 
plan may be either a pension or a profit-sharing plan.
    (c) Effect of this section. (1)(i) Any custodial account or annuity 
contract which satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) of this 
section is treated as a qualified trust for all purposes of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1954. Such a custodial account or annuity contract is 
treated as a separate legal person which is exempt from the income tax 
under section 501(a). In addition, the person holding the assets of such 
account or holding such contract is treated as the trustee thereof. 
Accordingly, such person is required to file the returns described in 
sections 6033 and 6047 and to supply any other information which the 
trustee of a qualified trust is required to furnish.
    (ii) Any procedure which has the effect of merely substituting one 
custodian for another shall not be considered as terminating or 
interrupting the legal existence of a custodial account which otherwise 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.
    (2)(i) The beneficiary of a custodial account which satisfies the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section is taxed in accordance 
with section 402. In determining whether the funds of a custodial 
account are distributed or

[[Page 277]]

made available to an employee or his beneficiary, the rules which under 
section 402(a) are applicable to trusts will also apply to the custodial 
account as though it were a separate legal person and not an agent of 
the employee.
    (ii) If a custodial account which has qualified under section 401 
fails to qualify under such section for any taxable year, such custodial 
account will not thereafter be treated as a separate legal person, and 
the funds in such account shall be treated as made available within the 
meaning of section 402(a)(1) to the employees for whom they are held.
    (3) The beneficiary of an annuity contract which satisfies the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section is taxed as if he were the 
beneficiary of an annuity contract described in section 403(a).
    (d) Definitions. For purposes of this section--
    (1) The term bank means a bank as defined in section 408(n).
    (2) The term annuity means an annuity as defined in section 401(g). 
Thus, any contract or certificate issued after December 31, 1962, which 
is transferable is not treated as a qualified trust under this section.
    (e) Other contracts. For purposes of this section, other than the 
non-transferability restriction of paragraph (d)(2), a contract issued 
by an insurance company qualified to do business in a state shall be 
treated as an annuity contract. For purposes of the preceding sentence, 
the contract does not include a life, health or accident, property, 
casualty or liability insurance contract. For purposes of this 
paragraph, a contract which is issued by an insurance company will not 
be considered a life insurance contract merely because the contract 
provides incidental life insurance protection. The provisions of this 
paragraph are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 
1975.
    (f) Cross reference. For the requirement that the assets of an 
employee benefit plan be placed in trust, and exceptions thereto, see 
section 403 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 
U.S.C. 1103, and the regulations prescribed thereunder by the Secretary 
of Labor.

(Secs. 401(f)(2), 7805, Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 939 and 
68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 401(f)(2), 7805))

[43 FR 41204, Sept. 15, 1978. Redesignated and amended by T.D. 7748, 46 
FR 1695, 1696, Jan. 7, 1981; T.D. 8635, 60 FR 65549, Dec. 20, 1995; T.D. 
9849, 84 FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.401(k)-0  Table of contents.

    This section contains first a list of section headings and then a 
list of the paragraphs in each section in Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-1 through 
1.401(k)-6.

                            List of Sections

         Sec. 1.401(k)-1 Certain cash or deferred arrangements.

                       Sec. 1.401(k)-2 ADP test.

               Sec. 1.401(k)-3 Safe harbor requirements.

            Sec. 1.401(k)-4 SIMPLE 401(k) plan requirements.

  Sec. 1.401(k)-5 Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar 
                           events. [Reserved]

                      Sec. 1.401(k)-6 Definitions.

                           List of Paragraphs

         Sec. 1.401(k)-1 Certain cash or deferred arrangements.

    (a) General rules.
    (1) Certain plans permitted to include cash or deferred 
arrangements.
    (2) Rules applicable to cash or deferred arrangements generally.
    (i) Definition of cash or deferred arrangement.
    (ii) Treatment of after-tax employee contributions.
    (iii) Treatment of ESOP dividend election.
    (iv) Treatment of elective contributions as plan assets.
    (3) Rules applicable to cash or deferred elections generally.
    (i) Definition of cash or deferred election.
    (ii) Automatic enrollment.
    (iii) Rules related to timing.
    (A) Requirement that amounts not be currently available.
    (B) Contribution may not precede election.
    (C) Contribution may not precede services.
    (iv) Current availability defined.
    (v) Certain one-time elections not treated as cash or deferred 
elections.
    (vi) Tax treatment of employees.
    (vii) Examples.
    (4) Rules applicable to qualified cash or deferred arrangements.
    (i) Definition of qualified cash or deferred arrangement.

[[Page 278]]

    (ii) Treatment of elective contributions as employer contributions.
    (iii) Tax treatment of employees.
    (iv) Application of nondiscrimination requirements to plan that 
includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
    (A) Exclusive means of amounts testing.
    (B) Testing benefits, rights and features.
    (C) Minimum coverage requirement.
    (5) Rules applicable to nonqualified cash or deferred arrangements.
    (i) Definition of nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement.
    (ii) Treatment of elective contributions as nonelective 
contributions.
    (iii) Tax treatment of employees.
    (iv) Qualification of plan that includes a nonqualified cash or 
deferred arrangement.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Application of section 401(a)(4) to certain plans.
    (v) Example.
    (6) Rules applicable to cash or deferred arrangements of self-
employed individuals.
    (i) Application of general rules.
    (ii) Treatment of matching contributions made on behalf of self-
employed individuals.
    (iii) Timing of self-employed individual's cash or deferred 
election.
    (iv) Special rule for certain payments to self-employed individuals.
    (b) Coverage and nondiscrimination requirements.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Automatic satisfaction by certain plans.
    (3) Anti-abuse provisions.
    (4) Aggregation and restructuring.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Aggregation of cash or deferred arrangements within a plan.
    (iii) Aggregation of plans.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Plans with inconsistent ADP testing methods.
    (iv) Disaggregation of plans and separate testing.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Restructuring prohibited.
    (v) Modifications to section 410(b) rules.
    (A) Certain disaggregation rules not applicable.
    (B) Permissive aggregation of collective bargaining units.
    (C) Multiemployer plans.
    (vi) Examples.
    (c) Nonforfeitability requirements.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Definition of immediately nonforfeitable.
    (3) Example.
    (d) Distribution limitation.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Rules applicable to distributions upon severance from 
employment.
    (3) Rules applicable to hardship distributions.
    (i) Distribution must be on account of hardship.
    (ii) Immediate and heavy financial need.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Deemed immediate and heavy financial need.
    (C) Primary beneficiary under the plan.
    (iii) Distribution necessary to satisfy financial need.
    (A) Distribution may not exceed amount of need.
    (B) No alternative means reasonably available.
    (C) Additional conditions.
    (iv) Commissioner may expand standards.
    (v) Applicability date.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Options for earlier application.
    (C) Certain rules optional in 2019.
    (4) Rules applicable to distributions upon plan termination.
    (i) No alternative defined contribution plan.
    (ii) Lump sum requirement for certain distributions.
    (5) Rules applicable to all distributions.
    (i) Exclusive distribution rules.
    (ii) Deemed distributions.
    (iii) ESOP dividend distributions.
    (iv) Limitations apply after transfer.
    (6) Examples.
    (e) Additional requirements for qualified cash or deferred 
arrangements.
    (1) Qualified plan requirement.
    (2) Election requirements.
    (i) Cash must be available.
    (ii) Frequency of elections.
    (3) Separate accounting requirement.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Satisfaction of separate accounting requirement.
    (4) Limitations on cash or deferred arrangements of state and local 
governments.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Rural cooperative plans and Indian tribal governments.
    (iii) Adoption after May 6, 1986.
    (iv) Adoption before May 7, 1986.
    (5) One-year eligibility requirement.
    (6) Other benefits not contingent upon elective contributions.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Definition of other benefits.
    (iii) Effect of certain statutory limits.
    (iv) Nonqualified deferred compensation.
    (v) Plan loans and distributions.
    (vi) Examples.
    (7) Plan provision requirement.
    (f) Special rules for designated Roth contributions.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Inclusion treatment.
    (3) Separate accounting required.
    (4) Designated Roth contributions must satisfy rules applicable to 
elective contributions.
    (i) In general.

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    (ii) Special rules for direct rollovers.
    (5) Rules regarding designated Roth contribution elections.
    (i) Frequency of elections.
    (ii) Default elections.
    (6) Effective date.
    (g) Effective dates.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Early implementation permitted.
    (3) Collectively bargained plans.
    (4) Applicability of prior regulations.

                        Sec. 1.401(k)-2 ADP Test

    (a) Actual deferral percentage (ADP) Test.
    (1) In general.
    (i) ADP test formula.
    (ii) HCEs as sole eligible employees.
    (iii) Special rule for early participation.
    (2) Determination of ADP.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Determination of applicable year under current year and prior 
year testing method.
    (3) Determination of ADR.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) ADR of HCEs eligible under more than one arrangement.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Plans not permitted to be aggregated.
    (iii) Examples.
    (4) Elective contributions taken into account under the ADP test.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Elective contributions for partners and self-employed 
individuals.
    (iii) Elective contributions for HCEs.
    (5) Elective contributions not taken into account under the ADP 
test.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Elective contributions for NHCEs.
    (iii) Elective contributions treated as catch-up contributions.
    (iv) Elective contributions used to satisfy the ACP test.
    (v) Additional elective contributions pursuant to section 414(u).
    (vi) Default elective contributions pursuant to section 414(w).
    (6) Qualified nonelective contributions and qualified matching 
contributions that may be taken into account under the ADP test.
    (i) Timing of allocation.
    (ii) Requirement that amount satisfy section 401(a)(4).
    (iii) Aggregation must be permitted.
    (iv) Disporportionate contributions not taken into account.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Definition of representative contribution rate.
    (C) Definition of applicable contribution rate.
    (D) Special rule for prevailing wage contributions.
    (v) Qualified matching contributions.
    (vi) Contributions only used once.
    (7) Examples.
    (b) Correction of excess contributions.
    (1) Permissible correction methods.
    (i) In general.
    (A) Qualified nonelective contributions or qualified matching 
contributions.
    (B) Excess contributions distributed.
    (C) Excess contributions recharacterized.
    (ii) Combination of correction methods.
    (iii) Exclusive means of correction.
    (2) Corrections through distribution.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Calculation of total amount to be distributed.
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess contributions for each 
HCE.
    (B) Determination of the total amount of excess contributions.
    (C) Satisfaction of ADP.
    (iii) Apportionment of total amount of excess contributions among 
the HCEs.
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess contributions for each 
HCE.
    (B) Limit on amount apportioned to any individual.
    (C) Apportionment to additional HCEs.
    (iv) Income allocable to excess contributions.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Method of allocating income.
    (C) Alternative method of allocating plan year income.
    (D) Plan years before 2008.
    (E) Alternative method for allocating plan year and gap period 
income.
    (v) Distribution.
    (vi) Tax treatment of corrective distributions.
    (A) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning on or after 
January 1, 2008.
    (B) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008.
    (C) Corrective distributions attributable to designated Roth 
contributions.
    (vii) Other rules.
    (A) No employee or spousal consent required.
    (B) Treatment of corrective distributions as elective contributions.
    (C) No reduction of required minimum distribution.
    (D) Partial distributions.
    (viii) Examples.
    (3) Recharacterization of excess contributions.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Treatment of recharacterized excess contributions.
    (iii) Additional rules.
    (A) Time of recharacterization.
    (B) Employee contributions must be permitted under plan.
    (C) Treatment of recharacterized excess contributions.
    (4) Rules applicable to all corrections.
    (i) Coordination with distribution of excess deferrals.
    (A) Treatment of excess deferrals that reduce excess contributions.

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    (B) Treatment of excess contributions that reduce excess deferrals.
    (ii) Forfeiture of match on distributed excess contributions.
    (iii) Permitted forfeiture of QMAC.
    (iv) No requirement for recalculation.
    (v) Treatment of excess contributions that are catch-up 
contributions.
    (5) Failure to timely correct.
    (i) Failure to correct within 2\1/2\ months after end of plan year.
    (ii) Failure to correct within 12 months after end of plan year.
    (iii) Special rule for eligible automatic contribution arrangements.
    (c) Additional rules for prior year testing method.
    (1) Rules for change in testing method.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Situations permitting a change to the prior year testing 
method.
    (2) Calculation of ADP under the prior year testing method for the 
first plan year.
    (i) Plans that are not successor plans.
    (ii) First plan year defined.
    (iii) Successor plans.
    (3) Plans using different testing methods for the ADP and ACP test.
    (4) Rules for plan coverage changes.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Optional rule for minor plan coverage changes.
    (iii) Definitions.
    (A) Plan coverage change.
    (B) Prior year subgroup.
    (C) Weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups.
    (iv) Examples.

                Sec. 1.401(k)-3 Safe harbor requirement

    (a) ADP test safe harbor.
    (1) Section 401(k)(12) safe harbor.
    (2) Section 401(k)(13) safe harbor.
    (3) Requirements applicable to safe harbor contributions.
    (b) Safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Safe harbor compensation defined.
    (c) Safe harbor matching contribution requirement.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Basic matching formula.
    (3) Enhanced matching formula.
    (4) Limitation on HCE matching contributions.
    (5) Use of safe harbor match not precluded by certain plan 
provisions.
    (i) Safe harbor matching contributions on employee contributions.
    (ii) Periodic matching contributions.
    (6) Permissible restrictions on elective contributions by NHCEs.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Restrictions on election periods.
    (iii) Restrictions on amount of elective contributions.
    (iv) Restrictions on types of compensation that may be deferred.
    (v) Restrictions due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.
    (7) Examples.
    (d) Notice requirement.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Content requirement.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Minimum content requirement.
    (iii) References to SPD.
    (3) Timing requirement.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Deemed satisfaction of timing requirement.
    (e) Plan year requirement.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Initial plan year.
    (3) Change of plan year.
    (4) Final plan year.
    (f) Plan amendments adopting safe harbor nonelective contributions.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Contingent notice provided.
    (3) Follow-up notice requirement.
    (g) Permissible reduction or suspension of safe harbor 
contributions.
    (1) General rule.
    (i) Matching contributions.
    (ii) Nonelective contributions.
    (2) Supplemental notice.
    (h) Additional rules.
    (1) Contributions taken into account.
    (2) Use of safe harbor nonelective contributions to satisfy other 
nondiscrimination tests.
    (3) Early participation rules.
    (4) Satisfying safe harbor contribution requirement under another 
defined contribution plan.
    (5) Contributions used only once.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Qualified automatic contribution arrangement.
    (1) Automatic contribution requirement.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Automatic contribution arrangement.
    (iii) Exception to automatic enrollment for certain current 
employees.
    (2) Qualified percentage.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Minimum percentage requirements.
    (A) Initial-period requirement.
    (B) Second-year requirement.
    (C) Third-year requirement.
    (D) Later years requirement.
    (iii) Exception to uniform percentage requirement.
    (iv) Treatment of periods without default contributions.
    (k) Modifications to contribution requirements and notice 
requirements for automatic contribution safe harbor.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Lower matching requirement.
    (3) Modified nonforfeiture requirement.
    (4) Additional notice requirements.

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    (i) In general.
    (ii) Additional information.
    (iii) Timing requirements.

            Sec. 1.401(k)-4 SIMPLE 401(k) Plan Requirements

    (a) General rule.
    (b) Eligible employer.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Special rule.
    (c) Exclusive plan.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Special rule.
    (d) Election and notice.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Employee elections.
    (i) Initial plan year of participation.
    (ii) Subsequent plan years.
    (iii) Election to terminate.
    (3) Employee notices.
    (e) Contributions.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Elective contributions.
    (3) Matching contributions.
    (4) Nonelective contributions.
    (5) SIMPLE compensation.
    (f) Vesting.
    (g) Plan year.
    (h) Other rules.

  Sec. 1.401(k)-5 Special Rules for Mergers, Acquisitions and Similar 
                           Events. [Reserved]

                      Sec. 1.401(k)-6 Definitions.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 9 
Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9324, 72 FR 21109, Apr. 30, 2007; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 
8207, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9641, 78 FR 68737, Nov. 15, 2013; T.D. 9875, 
84 FR 49657, Sept. 23, 2019]



Sec. 1.401(k)-1  Certain cash or deferred arrangements.

    (a) General rules--(1) Certain plans permitted to include cash or 
deferred arrangements. A plan, other than a profit-sharing, stock bonus, 
pre-ERISA money purchase pension, or rural cooperative plan, does not 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) if the plan includes a cash 
or deferred arrangement. A profit-sharing, stock bonus, pre-ERISA money 
purchase pension, or rural cooperative plan does not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a) merely because the plan includes a cash 
or deferred arrangement. A cash or deferred arrangement is part of a 
plan for purposes of this section if any contributions to the plan, or 
accruals or other benefits under the plan, are made or provided pursuant 
to the cash or deferred arrangement.
    (2) Rules applicable to cash or deferred arrangements generally--(i) 
Definition of cash or deferred arrangement. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section, a cash or deferred 
arrangement is an arrangement under which an eligible employee may make 
a cash or deferred election with respect to contributions to, or 
accruals or other benefits under, a plan that is intended to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a) (including a contract that is intended to 
satisfy the requirements of section 403(a)).
    (ii) Treatment of after-tax employee contributions. A cash or 
deferred arrangement does not include an arrangement under which amounts 
contributed under a plan at an employee's election are designated or 
treated at the time of contribution as after-tax employee contributions 
(e.g., by treating the contributions as taxable income subject to 
applicable withholding requirements). See also section 414(h)(1). A 
designated Roth contribution, however, is not treated as an after-tax 
contribution for purposes of this section, Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 
Sec. 1.401(k)-6 and Sec. 1.401(m)-1 through Sec. 1.401(m)-5. A 
contribution can be an after-tax employee contribution under the rule of 
this paragraph (a)(2)(ii) even if the employee's election to make after-
tax employee contributions is made before the amounts subject to the 
election are currently available to the employee.
    (iii) Treatment of ESOP dividend election. A cash or deferred 
arrangement does not include an arrangement under an ESOP under which 
dividends are either distributed or invested pursuant to an election 
made by participants or their beneficiaries in accordance with section 
404(k)(2)(A)(iii).
    (iv) Treatment of elective contributions as plan assets. The extent 
to which elective contributions constitute plan assets for purposes of 
the prohibited transaction provisions of section 4975 and title I of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 829), Public 
Law 93-406, is determined in accordance with regulations and rulings 
issued by the Department of Labor. See 29 CFR 2510.3-102.
    (3) Rules applicable to cash or deferred elections generally--(i) 
Definition of cash

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or deferred election. A cash or deferred election is any direct or 
indirect election (or modification of an earlier election) by an 
employee to have the employer either--
    (A) Provide an amount to the employee in the form of cash (or some 
other taxable benefit) that is not currently available; or
    (B) Contribute an amount to a trust, or provide an accrual or other 
benefit, under a plan deferring the receipt of compensation.
    (ii) Automatic enrollment. For purposes of determining whether an 
election is a cash or deferred election, it is irrelevant whether the 
default that applies in the absence of an affirmative election is 
described in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A) of this section (i.e., the employee 
receives an amount in cash or some other taxable benefit) or in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section (i.e., the employer contributes 
an amount to a trust or provides an accrual or other benefit under a 
plan deferring the receipt of compensation).
    (iii) Rules related to timing--(A) Requirement that amounts not be 
currently available. A cash or deferred election can only be made with 
respect to an amount that is not currently available to the employee on 
the date of the election. Further, a cash or deferred election can only 
be made with respect to amounts that would (but for the cash or deferred 
election) become currently available after the later of the date on 
which the employer adopts the cash or deferred arrangement or the date 
on which the arrangement first becomes effective.
    (B) Contribution may not precede election. A contribution is made 
pursuant to a cash or deferred election only if the contribution is made 
after the election is made.
    (C) Contribution may not precede services--(1) General rule. 
Contributions are made pursuant to a cash or deferred election only if 
the contributions are made after the employee's performance of service 
with respect to which the contributions are made (or when the cash or 
other taxable benefit would be currently available, if earlier).
    (2) Exception for bona fide administrative considerations. The 
timing of contributions will not be treated as failing to satisfy the 
requirements of this paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(C) merely because 
contributions for a pay period are occasionally made before the services 
with respect to that pay period are performed, provided the 
contributions are made early in order to accommodate bona fide 
administrative considerations (for example, the temporary absence of the 
bookkeeper with responsibility to transmit contributions to the plan) 
and are not paid early with a principal purpose of accelerating 
deductions.
    (iv) Current availability defined. Cash or another taxable benefit 
is currently available to the employee if it has been paid to the 
employee or if the employee is able currently to receive the cash or 
other taxable benefit at the employee's discretion. An amount is not 
currently available to an employee if there is a significant limitation 
or restriction on the employee's right to receive the amount currently. 
Similarly, an amount is not currently available as of a date if the 
employee may under no circumstances receive the amount before a 
particular time in the future. The determination of whether an amount is 
currently available to an employee does not depend on whether it has 
been constructively received by the employee for purposes of section 
451.
    (v) Certain one-time elections not treated as cash or deferred 
elections. A cash or deferred election does not include a one-time 
irrevocable election made no later than the employee's first becoming 
eligible under the plan or any other plan or arrangement of the employer 
that is described in section 219(g)(5)(A) (whether or not such other 
plan or arrangement has terminated), to have contributions equal to a 
specified amount or percentage of the employee's compensation (including 
no amount of compensation) made by the employer on the employee's behalf 
to the plan and a specified amount or percentage of the employee's 
compensation (including no amount of compensation) divided among all 
other plans or arrangements of the employer (including plans or 
arrangements not yet established) for the duration of the

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employee's employment with the employer, or in the case of a defined 
benefit plan to receive accruals or other benefits (including no 
benefits) under such plans. Thus, for example, employer contributions 
made pursuant to a one-time irrevocable election described in this 
paragraph are not treated as having been made pursuant to a cash or 
deferred election and are not includible in an employee's gross income 
by reason of Sec. 1.402(a)-1(d). In the case of an irrevocable election 
made on or before December 23, 1994--
    (A) The election does not fail to be treated as a one-time 
irrevocable election under this paragraph (a)(3)(v) merely because an 
employee was previously eligible under another plan of the employer 
(whether or not such other plan has terminated); and
    (B) In the case of a plan in which partners may participate, the 
election does not fail to be treated as a one-time irrevocable election 
under this paragraph (a)(3)(v) merely because the election was made 
after commencement of employment or after the employee's first becoming 
eligible under any plan of the employer, provided that the election was 
made before the first day of the first plan year beginning after 
December 31, 1988, or, if later, March 31, 1989.
    (vi) Tax treatment of employees. An amount generally is includible 
in an employee's gross income for the taxable year in which the employee 
actually or constructively receives the amount. But for section 
402(e)(3), an employee is treated as having received an amount that is 
contributed to an exempt trust or plan described in section 401(a) or 
403(a) pursuant to the employee's cash or deferred election. This is the 
case even if the election to defer is made before the year in which the 
amount is earned, or before the amount is currently available. See Sec. 
1.402(a)-1(d).
    (vii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (a)(3):

    Example 1. (i) An employer maintains a profit-sharing plan under 
which each eligible employee has an election to defer an annual bonus 
payable on January 30 each year. The bonus equals 10% of compensation 
during the previous calendar year. Deferred amounts are not treated as 
after-tax employee contributions. The bonus is currently available on 
January 30.
    (ii) An election made prior to January 30 to defer all or part of 
the bonus is a cash or deferred election, and the bonus deferral 
arrangement is a cash or deferred arrangement.
    Example 2. (i) An employer maintains a profit-sharing plan which 
provides for discretionary profit sharing contributions and under which 
each eligible employee may elect to reduce his compensation by up to 10% 
and to have the employer contribute such amount to the plan. The 
employer pays each employee every two weeks for services during the 
immediately preceding two weeks. The employee's election to defer 
compensation for a payroll period must be made prior to the date the 
amount would otherwise be paid. The employer contributes to the plan the 
amount of compensation that each employee elected to defer, at the time 
it would otherwise be paid to the employee, and does not treat the 
contribution as an after-tax employee contribution.
    (ii) The election is a cash or deferred election and the 
contributions are elective contributions.
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that 
the employer makes a $10,000 contribution on January 31 of the plan year 
that is in addition to the contributions that satisfy the employer's 
obligation to make contributions with respect to cash or deferred 
elections for prior payroll periods. Employee A makes an election on 
February 15 to defer $2,000 from compensation that is not currently 
available and the employer reduces the employee's compensation to 
reflect the election.
    (ii) None of the additional $10,000 contributed January 31 is a 
contribution made pursuant to Employee A's cash or deferred election, 
because the contribution was made before the election was made. 
Accordingly, the employer must make an additional contribution of $2,000 
in order to satisfy its obligation to contribute an amount to the plan 
pursuant to Employee A's election. The $10,000 contribution may be 
allocated under the plan terms providing for discretionary profit 
sharing contributions.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that 
Employee A had an outstanding election to defer $500 from each payroll 
period's compensation. The $10,000 additional payment that is 
contributed early is not made early in order to accommodate bona fide 
administrative considerations.
    (ii) None of the additional $10,000 contributed January 31 is a 
contribution made pursuant to Employee A's cash or deferred election for 
future payroll periods, because the contribution was made before the 
earlier of Employee A's performance of services to which the 
contribution is attributable or

[[Page 284]]

when the compensation would be currently available. Furthermore, the 
exception for early contributions in paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this 
section does not apply. Accordingly, the employer must make an 
additional contribution of $500 per payroll period in order to satisfy 
its obligation to contribute an amount to the plan pursuant to Employee 
A's election. The $10,000 contribution may be allocated under the plan 
terms providing for discretionary profit sharing contributions.
    Example 5. (i) Employer B establishes a money purchase pension plan 
in 1986. This is the first qualified plan established by Employer B. All 
salaried employees are eligible to participate under the plan. Hourly-
paid employees are not eligible to participate under the plan. In 2000, 
Employer B establishes a profit-sharing plan under which all employees 
(both salaried and hourly) are eligible. Employer B permits all 
employees on the effective date of the profit-sharing plan to make a 
one-time irrevocable election to have Employer B contribute 5% of 
compensation on their behalf to the plan and make no other contribution 
to any other plan of Employer B (including plans not yet established) 
for the duration of the employee's employment with Employer B, and have 
their salaries reduced by 5%.
    (ii) The election provided under the profit-sharing plan is not a 
one-time irrevocable election within the meaning of paragraph (a)(3)(v) 
of this section with respect to the salaried employees of Employer B 
who, before becoming eligible to participate under the profit-sharing 
plan, became eligible to participate under the money purchase pension 
plan. The election under the profit-sharing plan is a one-time 
irrevocable election within the meaning of paragraph (a)(3)(v) of this 
section with respect to the hourly employees, because they were not 
previously eligible to participate under another plan of the employer.

    (4) Rules applicable to qualified cash or deferred arrangements--(i) 
Definition of qualified cash or deferred arrangement. A qualified cash 
or deferred arrangement is a cash or deferred arrangement that satisfies 
the requirements of paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section.
    (ii) Treatment of elective contributions as employer contributions. 
Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3), elective 
contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (including 
designated Roth contributions) are treated as employer contributions. 
Thus, for example, elective contributions under such an arrangement are 
treated as employer contributions for purposes of sections 401(a), 
401(k), 402, 404, 409, 411, 412, 415, 416, and 417.
    (iii) Tax treatment of employees. Except as provided in section 
402(g), 402A (effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 
2005), or Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3), elective contributions under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement are neither includible in an 
employee's gross income at the time the cash would have been includible 
in the employee's gross income (but for the cash or deferred election), 
nor at the time the elective contributions are contributed to the plan. 
See Sec. 1.402(a)-1(d)(2)(i).
    (iv) Application of nondiscrimination requirements to plan that 
includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement--(A) Exclusive means 
of amounts testing. Elective contributions (including elective 
contributions that are designated Roth contributions) under a qualified 
cash or deferred arrangement satisfy the requirements of section 
401(a)(4) with respect to amounts if and only if the amount of elective 
contributions satisfies the nondiscrimination test of section 401(k) 
under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1(b)(2)(ii)(B).
    (B) Testing benefits, rights and features. A plan that includes a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement must satisfy the requirements of 
section 401(a)(4) with respect to benefits, rights and features in 
addition to the requirements regarding amounts described in paragraph 
(a)(4)(iv)(A) of this section. For example, the right to make each level 
of elective contributions under a cash or deferred arrangement and the 
right to make designated Roth contributions are rights or features 
subject to the requirements of section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(e)(3)(i) and (iii)(D). Thus, for example, if all employees are 
eligible to make a stated level of elective contributions under a cash 
or deferred arrangement, but that level of contributions can only be 
made from compensation in excess of a stated amount, such as the Social 
Security taxable wage base, the arrangement will generally favor HCEs 
with respect to the availability of elective contributions and thus will 
generally not satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(4).

[[Page 285]]

    (C) Minimum coverage requirement. A qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement is treated as a separate plan that must satisfy the 
requirements of section 410(b). See Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(1) for special 
rules. The determination of whether a cash or deferred arrangement 
satisfies the requirements of section 410(b) must be made without regard 
to the modifications to the disaggregation rules set forth in paragraph 
(b)(4)(v) of this section. See also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii)(A), 
relating to corrective amendments that may be made to satisfy the 
minimum coverage requirements of section 410(b).
    (5) Rules applicable to nonqualified cash or deferred arrangements--
(i) Definition of nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement. A 
nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement is a cash or deferred 
arrangement that fails to satisfy one or more of the requirements in 
paragraph (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this section.
    (ii) Treatment of elective contributions as nonelective 
contributions. Except as specifically provided otherwise, elective 
contributions under a nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement are 
treated as nonelective employer contributions. Thus, for example, the 
elective contributions under such an arrangement are treated as 
nonelective employer contributions for purposes of sections 401(a) 
(including section 401(a)(4)) and 401(k), 404, 409, 411, 412, 415, 416, 
and 417 and are not subject to the requirements of section 401(m).
    (iii) Tax treatment of employees. Elective contributions under a 
nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement are includible in an 
employee's gross income at the time the cash or other taxable amount 
that the employee would have received (but for the cash or deferred 
election) would have been includible in the employee's gross income. See 
Sec. 1.402(a)-1(d)(1).
    (iv) Qualification of plan that includes a nonqualified cash or 
deferred arrangement--(A) In general. A profit-sharing, stock bonus, 
pre-ERISA money purchase pension, or rural cooperative plan does not 
fail to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) merely because the 
plan includes a nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement. In 
determining whether the plan satisfies the requirements of section 
401(a)(4), the nondiscrimination tests of sections 401(k), paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, section 401(m)(2) and Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b) may 
not be used. See Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) and 1.410(b)-9 
(definition of section 401(k) plan).
    (B) Application of section 401(a)(4) to certain plans. The amount of 
employer contributions under a nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement 
is treated as satisfying section 401(a)(4) if the arrangement is part of 
a collectively bargained plan that automatically satisfies the 
requirements of section 410(b). See Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-(c)(5) and 
1.410(b)-2(b)(7). Additionally, the requirements of sections 401(a)(4) 
and 410(b) do not apply to a governmental plan (within the meaning of 
section 414(d)) maintained by a State or local government or political 
subdivision thereof (or agency or instrumentality thereof). See sections 
401(a)(5) and 410(c)(1)(A).
    (v) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this paragraph (a)(5):

    Example. (i) For the 2006 plan year, Employer A maintains a 
collectively bargained plan that includes a cash or deferred 
arrangement. Employer contributions under the cash or deferred 
arrangement do not satisfy the nondiscrimination test of section 401(k) 
and paragraph (b) of this section.
    (ii) The arrangement is a nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement. 
The employer contributions under the cash or deferred arrangement are 
considered to be nondiscriminatory under section 401(a)(4), and the 
elective contributions are generally treated as employer contributions 
under paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section. Under paragraph (a)(5)(iii) 
of this section and under Sec. 1.402(a)-1(d)(1), however, the elective 
contributions are includible in each employee's gross income.

    (6) Rules applicable to cash or deferred arrangements of self-
employed individuals--(i) Application of general rules. Generally, a 
partnership or sole proprietorship is permitted to maintain a cash or 
deferred arrangement, and individual partners or owners are permitted to 
make cash or deferred elections with respect to compensation 
attributable to services rendered to the entity, under the same rules 
that apply to other cash or deferred arrangements. For example, any 
contributions made on behalf of an individual partner

[[Page 286]]

or owner pursuant to a cash or deferred arrangement of a partnership or 
sole proprietorship are elective contributions unless they are 
designated or treated as after-tax employee contributions. In the case 
of a partnership, a cash or deferred arrangement includes any 
arrangement that directly or indirectly permits individual partners to 
vary the amount of contributions made on their behalf. Consistent with 
Sec. 1.402(a)-1(d), the elective contributions under such an 
arrangement are includible in income and are not deductible under 
section 404(a) unless the arrangement is a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement (i.e., the requirements of section 401(k) and this section 
are satisfied). Also, even if the arrangement is a qualified cash or 
deferred arrangement, the elective contributions are includible in gross 
income and are not deductible under section 404(a) to the extent they 
exceed the applicable limit under section 402(g). See also Sec. 
1.401(a)-30.
    (ii) Treatment of matching contributions made on behalf of self-
employed individuals. Under section 402(g)(8), matching contributions 
made on behalf of a self-employed individual are not treated as elective 
contributions made pursuant to a cash or deferred election, without 
regard to whether such matching contributions indirectly permit 
individual partners to vary the amount of contributions made on their 
behalf.
    (iii) Timing of self-employed individual's cash or deferred 
election. For purposes of paragraph (a)(3)(iv) of this section, a 
partner's compensation is deemed currently available on the last day of 
the partnership taxable year and a sole proprietor's compensation is 
deemed currently available on the last day of the individual's taxable 
year. Accordingly, a self-employed individual may not make a cash or 
deferred election with respect to compensation for a partnership or sole 
proprietorship taxable year after the last day of that year. See Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(ii) for the rules regarding when these contributions 
are treated as allocated.
    (iv) Special rule for certain payments to self-employed individuals. 
For purposes of sections 401(k) and 401(m), the earned income of a self-
employed individual for a taxable year constitutes payment for services 
during that year. Thus, for example, if a partnership provides for cash 
advance payments during the taxable year to be made to a partner based 
on the value of the partner's services prior to the date of payment (and 
which do not exceed a reasonable estimate of the partner's earned income 
for the taxable year), a contribution of a portion of these payments to 
a profit sharing plan in accordance with an election to defer the 
portion of the advance payments does not fail to be made pursuant to a 
cash or deferred election within the meaning of paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of 
this section merely because the contribution is made before the amount 
of the partner's earned income is finally determined and reported. 
However, see Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(ii) for rules on when earned income 
is treated as received.
    (b) Coverage and nondiscrimination requirements--(1) In general. A 
cash or deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (b) for a plan 
year only if--
    (i) The group of eligible employees under the cash or deferred 
arrangement (including any employees taken into account for purposes of 
section 410(b) pursuant to Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii)(A)) satisfies 
the requirements of section 410(b) (including the average benefit 
percentage test, if applicable); and
    (ii) The cash or deferred arrangement satisfies--
    (A) The ADP test of section 401(k)(3) described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2;
    (B) The ADP safe harbor provisions of section 401(k)(12) described 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-3; or
    (C) The ADP safe harbor provisions of section 401(k)(13) described 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-3; or
    (D) The SIMPLE 401(k) provisions of section 401(k)(11) described in 
Sec. 1.401(k)-4.
    (2) Automatic satisfaction by certain plans. Notwithstanding 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a governmental plan (within the 
meaning of section 414(d)) maintained by a State or local government or 
political subdivision thereof (or agency or instrumentality thereof) 
shall be treated as meeting the requirements of this paragraph (b).
    (3) Anti-abuse provisions. This section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 
through 1.401(k)-6 are designed to provide simple, practical

[[Page 287]]

rules that accommodate legitimate plan changes. At the same time, the 
rules are intended to be applied by employers in a manner that does not 
make use of changes in plan testing procedures or other plan provisions 
to inflate inappropriately the ADP for NHCEs (which is used as a 
benchmark for testing the ADP for HCEs) or to otherwise manipulate the 
nondiscrimination testing requirements of this paragraph (b). Further, 
this paragraph (b) is part of the overall requirement that benefits or 
contributions not discriminate in favor of HCEs. Therefore, a plan will 
not be treated as satisfying the requirements of this paragraph (b) if 
there are repeated changes to plan testing procedures or plan provisions 
that have the effect of distorting the ADP so as to increase 
significantly the permitted ADP for HCEs, or otherwise manipulate the 
nondiscrimination rules of this paragraph, if a principal purpose of the 
changes was to achieve such a result.
    (4) Aggregation and restructuring--(i) In general. This paragraph 
(b)(4) contains the exclusive rules for aggregating and disaggregating 
plans and cash or deferred arrangements for purposes of this section, 
and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6.
    (ii) Aggregation of cash or deferred arrangements within a plan. 
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this paragraph (b)(4), all 
cash or deferred arrangements included in a plan are treated as a single 
cash or deferred arrangement and a plan must apply a single test under 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section with respect to all such 
arrangements within the plan. Thus, for example, if two groups of 
employees are eligible for separate cash or deferred arrangements under 
the same plan, all contributions under both cash or deferred 
arrangements must be treated as made under a single cash or deferred 
arrangement subject to a single test, even if they have significantly 
different features, such as different limits on elective contributions.
    (iii) Aggregation of plans--(A) In general. For purposes of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6, the term plan 
means a plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(a) and (b), after 
application of the mandatory disaggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(c), and the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), as 
modified by paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this section. Thus, for example, two 
plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that are treated as a 
single plan pursuant to the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(d) are treated as a single plan for purposes of sections 
401(k) and (m).
    (B) Plans with inconsistent ADP testing methods. Pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, a single testing method must apply 
with respect to all cash or deferred arrangements under a plan. Thus, in 
applying the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), an 
employer may not aggregate plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(b)) that apply inconsistent testing methods. For example, a plan 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that applies the current 
year testing method may not be aggregated with another plan that applies 
the prior year testing method. Similarly, an employer may not aggregate 
a plan (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) using the ADP safe 
harbor provisions of section 401(k)(12) and another plan that is using 
the ADP test of section 401(k)(3).
    (iv) Disaggregation of plans and separate testing--(A) In general. 
If a cash or deferred arrangement is included in a plan (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that is mandatorily disaggregated under 
the rules of section 410(b) (as modified by this paragraph (b)(4)), the 
cash or deferred arrangement must be disaggregated in a consistent 
manner. For example, in the case of an employer that is treated as 
operating qualified separate lines of business under section 414(r), if 
the eligible employees under a cash or deferred arrangement are in more 
than one qualified separate line of business, only those employees 
within each qualified separate line of business may be taken into 
account in determining whether each disaggregated portion of the plan 
complies with the requirements of section 401(k), unless the employer is 
applying the special rule for employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-
1(c)(2)(ii) with respect to the plan. Similarly, if a cash or deferred 
arrangement under which employees are permitted to participate

[[Page 288]]

before they have completed the minimum age and service requirements of 
section 410(a)(1) applies section 410(b)(4)(B) for determining whether 
the plan complies with section 410(b)(1), then the arrangement must be 
treated as two separate arrangements, one comprising all eligible 
employees who have met the age and service requirements of section 
410(a)(1) and one comprising all eligible employees who have not met the 
age and service requirements under section 410(a)(1), unless the plan is 
using the rule in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(1)(iii)(A).
    (B) Restructuring prohibited. Restructuring under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
9(c) may not be used to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 
section 401(k). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c)(3)(ii).
    (v) Modifications to section 410(b) rules--(A) Certain 
disaggregation rules not applicable. The mandatory disaggregation rules 
relating to section 401(k) plans and section 401(m) plans set forth in 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(1) and ESOP and non-ESOP portions of a plan set 
forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2) shall not apply for purposes of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6. Accordingly, 
notwithstanding Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d)(2), an ESOP and a non-ESOP which are 
different plans (within the meaning of section 414(l), as described in 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) are permitted to be aggregated for these purposes.
    (B) Permissive aggregation of collective bargaining units. 
Notwithstanding the general rule under section 410(b) and Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(c) that a plan that benefits employees who are included in a 
unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement and 
employees who are not included in the collective bargaining unit is 
treated as comprising separate plans, an employer can treat two or more 
separate collective bargaining units as a single collective bargaining 
unit for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 
1.401(k)-6, provided that the combinations of units are determined on a 
basis that is reasonable and reasonably consistent from year to year. 
Thus, for example, if a plan benefits employees in three categories 
(e.g., employees included in collective bargaining unit A, employees 
included in collective bargaining unit B, and employees who are not 
included in any collective bargaining unit), the plan can be treated as 
comprising three separate plans, each of which benefits only one 
category of employees. However, if collective bargaining units A and B 
are treated as a single collective bargaining unit, the plan will be 
treated as comprising only two separate plans, one benefiting all 
employees who are included in a collective bargaining unit and another 
benefiting all other employees. Similarly, if a plan benefits only 
employees who are included in collective bargaining unit A and employees 
who are included in collective bargaining unit B, the plan can be 
treated as comprising two separate plans. However, if collective 
bargaining units A and B are treated as a single collective bargaining 
unit, the plan will be treated as a single plan. An employee is treated 
as included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining 
agreement if and only if the employee is a collectively bargained 
employee within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-6(d)(2).
    (C) Multiemployer plans. Notwithstanding Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(c)(4)(ii)(C), the portion of the plan that is maintained pursuant to a 
collective bargaining agreement (within the meaning of Sec. 1.413-
1(a)(2)) is treated as a single plan maintained by a single employer 
that employs all the employees benefiting under the same benefit 
computation formula and covered pursuant to that collective bargaining 
agreement. The rules of paragraph (b)(4)(v)(B) of this section 
(including the permissive aggregation of collective bargaining units) 
apply to the resulting deemed single plan in the same manner as they 
would to a single employer plan, except that the plan administrator is 
substituted for the employer where appropriate and that appropriate 
fiduciary obligations are taken into account. The noncollectively 
bargained portion of the plan is treated as maintained by one or more 
employers, depending on whether the noncollectively bargaining unit 
employees who benefit under the plan are employed by one or more 
employers.
    (vi) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (b)(4):


[[Page 289]]


    Example 1. (i) Employer A maintains Plan V, a profit-sharing plan 
that includes a cash or deferred arrangement in which all of the 
employees of Employer A are eligible to participate. For purposes of 
applying section 410(b), Employer A is treated as operating qualified 
separate lines of business under section 414(r) in accordance with Sec. 
1.414(r)-1(b). However, Employer A applies the special rule for 
employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) to the portion of its 
profit-sharing plan that consists of elective contributions under the 
cash or deferred arrangement (and to no other plans or portions of 
plans).
    (ii) Under these facts, the requirements of this section and 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6 must be applied on an employer-
wide rather than a qualified separate line of business basis.
    Example 2. (i) Employer B maintains Plan W, a profit-sharing plan 
that includes a cash or deferred arrangement in which all of the 
employees of Employer B are eligible to participate. For purposes of 
applying section 410(b), the plan treats the cash or deferred 
arrangement as two separate plans, one for the employees who have 
completed the minimum age and service eligibility conditions under 
section 410(a)(1) and the other for employees who have not completed the 
conditions. The plan provides that it will satisfy the section 401(k) 
safe harbor requirement of Sec. 1.401(k)-3 with respect to the 
employees who have met the minimum age and service conditions and that 
it will meet the ADP test requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2 with respect 
to the employees who have not met the minimum age and service 
conditions.
    (ii) Under these facts, the cash or deferred arrangement must be 
disaggregated on a consistent basis with the disaggregation of Plan W. 
Thus, the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2 must be applied by comparing 
the ADP for eligible HCEs who have not completed the minimum age and 
service conditions with the ADP for eligible NHCEs for the applicable 
year who have not completed the minimum age and service conditions.
    Example 3. (i) Employer C maintains Plan X, a stock-bonus plan 
including an ESOP. The plan also includes a cash or deferred arrangement 
for participants in the ESOP and non-ESOP portions of the plan.
    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(v)(A) of this section the ESOP and 
non-ESOP portions of the stock-bonus plan are a single cash or deferred 
arrangement for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 
through 1.401(k)-6. However, as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iv)(C) of 
this section, the ESOP and non-ESOP portions of the plan are still 
treated as separate plans for purposes of satisfying the requirements of 
section 410(b).

    (c) Nonforfeitability requirements--(1) General rule. A cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (c) only if the amount 
attributable to an employee's elective contributions are immediately 
nonforfeitable, within the meaning of paragraph (c)(2) of this section, 
are disregarded for purposes of applying section 411(a)(2) to other 
contributions or benefits, and the contributions remain nonforfeitable 
even if the employee makes no additional elective contributions under a 
cash or deferred arrangement.
    (2) Definition of immediately nonforfeitable. An amount is 
immediately nonforfeitable if it is immediately nonforfeitable within 
the meaning of section 411, and would be nonforfeitable under the plan 
regardless of the age and service of the employee or whether the 
employee is employed on a specific date. An amount that is subject to 
forfeitures or suspensions permitted by section 411(a)(3) does not 
satisfy the requirements of this paragraph (c).
    (3) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
this paragraph (c):

    Example. (i) Employees B and C are covered by Employer Y's stock 
bonus plan, which includes a cash or deferred arrangement. All employees 
participating in the plan have a nonforfeitable right to a percentage of 
their account balance derived from all contributions (including elective 
contributions) as shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Nonforfeitable
                   Years of service                        percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 1..........................................                  0
1....................................................                 20
2....................................................                 40
3....................................................                 60
4....................................................                 80
5 or more............................................                100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The cash or deferred arrangement does not satisfy paragraph (c) 
of this section because elective contributions are not immediately 
nonforfeitable. Thus, the cash or deferred arrangement is a nonqualified 
cash or deferred arrangement.

    (d) Distribution limitation--(1) General rule. A cash or deferred 
arrangement satisfies this paragraph (d) only if amounts attributable to 
elective contributions may not be distributed before one of the 
following events, and any distributions so permitted also satisfy the 
additional requirements of paragraphs (d)(2) through (5) of this section 
(to the extent applicable)--

[[Page 290]]

    (i) The employee's death, disability, or severance from employment;
    (ii) In the case of a profit-sharing, stock bonus or rural 
cooperative plan--
    (A) The employee's attainment of age 59\1/2\; or
    (B) In accordance with section 401(k)(14), the employee's hardship;
    (iii) In accordance with section 401(k)(10), the termination of the 
plan; or
    (iv) In the case of a qualified reservist distribution defined in 
section 72(t)(2)(G)(iii), the date the reservist was ordered or called 
to active duty.
    (2) Rules applicable to distributions upon severance from 
employment. An employee has a severance from employment when the 
employee ceases to be an employee of the employer maintaining the plan. 
An employee does not have a severance from employment if, in connection 
with a change of employment, the employee's new employer maintains such 
plan with respect to the employee. For example, a new employer maintains 
a plan with respect to an employee by continuing or assuming sponsorship 
of the plan or by accepting a transfer of plan assets and liabilities 
(within the meaning of section 414(l)) with respect to the employee.
    (3) Rules applicable to hardship distributions--(i) Distribution 
must be on account of hardship. A distribution is treated as made after 
an employee's hardship for purposes of paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section if and only if it is made on account of the hardship. For 
purposes of this rule, a distribution is made on account of hardship 
only if the distribution both is made on account of an immediate and 
heavy financial need of the employee and is necessary to satisfy the 
financial need. The determination of the existence of an immediate and 
heavy financial need and of the amount necessary to meet the need must 
be made in accordance with nondiscriminatory and objective standards set 
forth in the plan.
    (ii) Immediate and heavy financial need--(A) In general. Whether an 
employee has an immediate and heavy financial need is to be determined 
based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. Generally, for 
example, the need to pay the funeral expenses of a family member would 
constitute an immediate and heavy financial need. A distribution made to 
an employee for the purchase of a boat or television would generally not 
constitute a distribution made on account of an immediate and heavy 
financial need. A financial need may be immediate and heavy even if it 
was reasonably foreseeable or voluntarily incurred by the employee.
    (B) Deemed immediate and heavy financial need. A distribution is 
deemed to be made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need of 
the employee if the distribution is for--
    (1) Expenses for (or necessary to obtain) medical care that would be 
deductible under section 213(d), determined without regard to the 
limitations in section 213(a) (relating to the applicable percentage of 
adjusted gross income and the recipients of the medical care) provided 
that, if the recipient of the medical care is not listed in section 
213(a), the recipient is a primary beneficiary under the plan;
    (2) Costs directly related to the purchase of a principal residence 
for the employee (excluding mortgage payments);
    (3) Payment of tuition, related educational fees, and room and board 
expenses, for up to the next 12 months of post-secondary education for 
the employee, for the employee's spouse, child or dependent (as defined 
in section 152 without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and 
(d)(1)(B)), or for a primary beneficiary under the plan;
    (4) Payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the employee from 
the employee's principal residence or foreclosure on the mortgage on 
that residence;
    (5) Payments for burial or funeral expenses for the employee's 
deceased parent, spouse, child or dependent (as defined in section 152 
without regard to section 152(d)(1)(B)), or for a deceased primary 
beneficiary under the plan;
    (6) Expenses for the repair of damage to the employee's principal 
residence that would qualify for the casualty deduction under section 
165 (determined without regard to section 165(h)(5) and whether the loss 
exceeds 10% of adjusted gross income); or

[[Page 291]]

    (7) Expenses and losses (including loss of income) incurred by the 
employee on account of a disaster declared by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 100-707, provided that the 
employee's principal residence or principal place of employment at the 
time of the disaster was located in an area designated by FEMA for 
individual assistance with respect to the disaster.
    (C) Primary beneficiary under the plan. For purposes of paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii)(B) of this section, a ``primary beneficiary under the plan'' 
is an individual who is named as a beneficiary under the plan and has an 
unconditional right, upon the death of the employee, to all or a portion 
of the employee's account balance under the plan.
    (iii) Distribution necessary to satisfy financial need--(A) 
Distribution may not exceed amount of need. A distribution is treated as 
necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of an 
employee only to the extent the amount of the distribution is not in 
excess of the amount required to satisfy the financial need (including 
any amounts necessary to pay any federal, state, or local income taxes 
or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution).
    (B) No alternative means reasonably available. A distribution is not 
treated as necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of 
an employee unless each of the following requirements is satisfied--
    (1) The employee has obtained all other currently available 
distributions (including distributions of ESOP dividends under section 
404(k), but not hardship distributions) under the plan and all other 
plans of deferred compensation, whether qualified or nonqualified, 
maintained by the employer;
    (2) The employee has provided to the plan administrator a 
representation in writing (including by using an electronic medium as 
defined in Sec. 1.401(a)-21(e)(3)), or in such other form as may be 
prescribed by the Commissioner, that he or she has insufficient cash or 
other liquid assets reasonably available to satisfy the need; and
    (3) The plan administrator does not have actual knowledge that is 
contrary to the representation.
    (C) Additional conditions. A plan generally may provide for 
additional conditions, such as those described in 26 CFR 1.401(k)-
1(d)(3)(iv)(B) and (C) (revised as of April 1, 2019), to demonstrate 
that a distribution is necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy 
financial need of an employee. For example, a plan may provide that, 
before a hardship distribution may be made, an employee must obtain all 
nontaxable loans (determined at the time a loan is made) available under 
the plan and all other plans maintained by the employer. However, a plan 
may not provide for a suspension of an employee's elective contributions 
or employee contributions under any plan described in section 401(a) or 
403(a), any section 403(b) plan, or any eligible governmental plan 
described in Sec. 1.457-2(f) as a condition of obtaining a hardship 
distribution.
    (iv) Commissioner may expand standards. The Commissioner may 
prescribe additional guidance of general applicability, published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), 
expanding the list of distributions deemed to be made on account of 
immediate and heavy financial needs and setting forth additional methods 
to demonstrate that a distribution is necessary to satisfy an immediate 
and heavy financial need.
    (v) Applicability date--(A) General rule. Except as otherwise 
provided in this paragraph (d)(3)(v), the rules in this paragraph (d)(3) 
apply to distributions made on or after January 1, 2020. For 
distributions made before January 1, 2020, the rules in 26 CFR 1.401(k)-
1(d)(3) (revised as of April 1, 2019) apply.
    (B) Options for earlier application. The rules in this paragraph 
(d)(3) may be applied to distributions made in plan years beginning 
after December 31, 2018, and the last sentence of paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii)(C) of this section (prohibiting the suspension of 
contributions as a condition of obtaining a hardship distribution) may 
be applied as of the first day of the first plan year beginning after 
December 31, 2018, even if the distribution was made in the prior plan 
year. Thus, for example, a calendar-

[[Page 292]]

year plan that provides for hardship distributions under the rules in 26 
CFR 1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(E) (revised as of April 1, 2019) may be amended 
to provide that an employee who receives a hardship distribution in the 
second half of the 2018 plan year will be prohibited from making 
contributions only until January 1, 2019 (or may continue to provide 
that contributions will be suspended for the originally scheduled 6 
months). In addition, paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(B) of this section (listing 
distributions deemed to be made on account of an immediate and heavy 
financial need) may be applied to distributions made on or after a date 
that is as early as January 1, 2018.
    (C) Certain rules optional in 2019. If, in accordance with paragraph 
(d)(3)(v)(B) of this section, the rules in this paragraph (d)(3) are 
applied to distributions made before January 1, 2020, then the rules in 
paragraphs (d)(3)(iii)(B)(2) and (3) of this section (relating to an 
employee representation) and the last sentence of paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii)(C) of this section (prohibiting the suspension of 
contributions as a condition of obtaining a hardship distribution) may 
be disregarded with respect to such distributions.
    (4) Rules applicable to distributions upon plan termination--(i) No 
alternative defined contribution plan. A distribution may not be made 
under paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section if the employer establishes 
or maintains an alternative defined contribution plan. For purposes of 
the preceding sentence, the definition of the term ``employer'' 
contained in Sec. 1.401(k)-6 is applied as of the date of plan 
termination, and a plan is an alternative defined contribution plan only 
if it is a defined contribution plan that exists at any time during the 
period beginning on the date of plan termination and ending 12 months 
after distribution of all assets from the terminated plan. However, if 
at all times during the 24-month period beginning 12 months before the 
date of plan termination, fewer than 2% of the employees who were 
eligible under the defined contribution plan that includes the cash or 
deferred arrangement as of the date of plan termination are eligible 
under the other defined contribution plan, the other plan is not an 
alternative defined contribution plan. In addition, a defined 
contribution plan is not treated as an alternative defined contribution 
plan if it is an employee stock ownership plan as defined in section 
4975(e)(7) or 409(a), a simplified employee pension as defined in 
section 408(k), a SIMPLE IRA plan as defined in section 408(p), a plan 
or contract that satisfies the requirements of section 403(b), or a plan 
that is described in section 457(b) or (f).
    (ii) Lump sum requirement for certain distributions. A distribution 
may be made under paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section only if it is a 
lump sum distribution. The term lump sum distribution has the meaning 
provided in section 402(e)(4)(D) (without regard to section 
402(e)(4)(D)(i)(I), (II), (III) and (IV)). In addition, a lump sum 
distribution includes a distribution of an annuity contract from a trust 
that is part of a plan described in section 401(a) and which is exempt 
from tax under section 501(a) or an annuity plan described in 403(a).
    (5) Rules applicable to all distributions--(i) Exclusive 
distribution rules. Amounts attributable to elective contributions may 
not be distributed on account of any event not described in this 
paragraph (d), such as completion of a stated period of plan 
participation or the lapse of a fixed number of years. For example, if 
excess deferrals (and income) for an employee's taxable year are not 
distributed within the time prescribed in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(2) or (3), 
the amounts may be distributed only on account of an event described in 
this paragraph (d). Pursuant to section 401(k)(8), the prohibition on 
distributions set forth in this section does not apply to a distribution 
of excess contributions under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b).
    (ii) Deemed distributions. The cost of life insurance (determined 
under section 72) is not treated as a distribution for purposes of 
section 401(k)(2) and this paragraph (d). The making of a loan is not 
treated as a distribution, even if the loan is secured by the employee's 
accrued benefit attributable to elective contributions or is includible 
in the employee's income under section

[[Page 293]]

72(p). However, the reduction, by reason of default on a loan, of an 
employee's accrued benefit derived from elective contributions is 
treated as a distribution.
    (iii) ESOP dividend distributions. A plan does not fail to satisfy 
the requirements of this paragraph (d) merely by reason of a dividend 
distribution described in section 404(k)(2).
    (iv) Limitations apply after transfer. The limitations of this 
paragraph (d) generally continue to apply to amounts attributable to 
elective contributions (including QNECs and qualified matching 
contributions taken into account for the ADP test under Sec. 1.401(k)-
2(a)(6)) that are transferred to another qualified plan of the same or 
another employer. Thus, the transferee plan will generally fail to 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) and this section if 
transferred amounts may be distributed before the times specified in 
this paragraph (d). In addition, a cash or deferred arrangement fails to 
satisfy the limitations of this paragraph (d) if it transfers amounts to 
a plan that does not provide that the transferred amounts may not be 
distributed before the times specified in this paragraph (d). The 
transferor plan does not fail to comply with the preceding sentence if 
it reasonably concludes that the transferee plan provides that the 
transferred amounts may not be distributed before the times specified in 
this paragraph (d). What constitutes a basis for a reasonable conclusion 
is determined under standards comparable to those under the rules 
related to acceptance of rollover distributions. See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-
1, A-14. The limitations of this paragraph (d) cease to apply after the 
transfer, however, if the amounts could have been distributed at the 
time of the transfer (other than on account of hardship), and the 
transfer is an elective transfer described in Sec. 1.411(d)-4, Q&A-
3(b)(1). The limitations of this paragraph (d) also do not apply to 
amounts that have been paid in a direct rollover to the plan after being 
distributed by another plan.
    (6) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (d):

    (i)Employer M maintains Plan V, a profit-sharing plan that includes 
a cash or deferred arrangement. Elective contributions under the 
arrangement may be withdrawn for any reason after two years following 
the end of the plan year in which the contributions were made. Because 
the plan permits distributions of elective contributions before the 
occurrence of one of the events specified in section 401(k)(2)(B) and 
this paragraph (d), the cash or deferred arrangement is a nonqualified 
cash or deferred arrangement and the elective contributions are 
currently includible in income under section 402.
    (ii)(A) Employer N maintains Plan W, a profit-sharing plan that 
includes a cash or deferred arrangement. Plan W provides for 
distributions upon a participant's severance from employment, death or 
disability. All employees of Employer N and its wholly owned subsidiary, 
Employer O, are eligible to participate in Plan W. Employer N agrees to 
sell all issued and outstanding shares of Employer O to an unrelated 
entity, Employer T, effective on December 31, 2006. Following the 
transaction, Employer O will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Employer T. 
Additionally, individuals who are employed by Employer O on the 
effective date of the sale continue to be employed by Employer O 
following the sale. Following the transaction, all employees of Employer 
O will cease to participate in Plan W and will become eligible to 
participate in the cash or deferred arrangement maintained by Employer 
T, Plan X. No assets will be transferred from Plan W to Plan X, except 
in the case of a direct rollover within the meaning of section 
401(a)(31).
    (B) Employer O ceases to be a member of Employer N's controlled 
group as a result of the sale. Therefore, employees of Employer O who 
participated in Plan W will have a severance from employment and are 
eligible to receive a distribution from Plan W.
    (iii) Employer R maintains a pre-ERISA money purchase pension plan 
that includes a cash or deferred arrangement that is not a rural 
cooperative plan. Elective contributions under the arrangement may be 
distributed to an employee on account of hardship. Under paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section, hardship is a permissible distribution

[[Page 294]]

event only in a profit-sharing, stock bonus or rural cooperative plan. 
Since elective contributions under the arrangement may be distributed 
before a permissible distribution event occurs, the cash or deferred 
arrangement does not satisfy this paragraph (d), and is not a qualified 
cash or deferred arrangement. Moreover, the plan is not a qualified plan 
because a money purchase pension plan may not provide for payment of 
benefits upon hardship. See Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(i).
    (e) Additional requirements for qualified cash or deferred 
arrangements--(1) Qualified plan requirement. A cash or deferred 
arrangement satisfies this paragraph (e) only if the plan of which it is 
a part is a profit-sharing, stock bonus, pre-ERISA money purchase or 
rural cooperative plan that otherwise satisfies the requirements of 
section 401(a) (taking into account the cash or deferred arrangement). A 
plan that includes a cash or deferred arrangement may provide for other 
contributions, including employer contributions (other than elective 
contributions), employee contributions, or both. However, except as 
expressly permitted under section 401(m), 410(b)(2)(A)(ii) or 
416(c)(2)(A), elective contributions and matching contributions taken 
into account under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a) may not be taken into account for 
purposes of determining whether any other contributions under any plan 
(including the plan to which the contributions are made) satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a).
    (2) Election requirements--(i) Cash must be available. A cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (e) only if the 
arrangement provides that the amount that each eligible employee may 
defer as an elective contribution is available to the employee in cash. 
Thus, for example, if an eligible employee is provided the option to 
receive a taxable benefit (other than cash) or to have the employer 
contribute on the employee's behalf to a profit-sharing plan an amount 
equal to the value of the taxable benefit, the arrangement is not a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement. Similarly, if an employee has 
the option to receive a specified amount in cash or to have the employer 
contribute an amount in excess of the specified cash amount to a profit-
sharing plan on the employee's behalf, any contribution made by the 
employer on the employee's behalf in excess of the specified cash amount 
is not treated as made pursuant to a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement, but would be treated as a matching contribution. This cash 
availability requirement applies even if the cash or deferred 
arrangement is part of a cafeteria plan within the meaning of section 
125.
    (ii) Frequency of elections. A cash or deferred arrangement 
satisfies this paragraph (e) only if the arrangement provides an 
employee with an effective opportunity to make (or change) a cash or 
deferred election at least once during each plan year. Whether an 
employee has an effective opportunity is determined based on all the 
relevant facts and circumstances, including the adequacy of notice of 
the availability of the election, the period of time during which an 
election may be made, and any other conditions on elections.
    (3) Separate accounting requirement--(i) General rule. A cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (e) only if the portion of 
an employee's benefit subject to the requirements of paragraphs (c) and 
(d) of this section is determined by an acceptable separate accounting 
between that portion and any other benefits. Separate accounting is not 
acceptable unless contributions and withdrawals are attributed to the 
separate accounts and gains, losses, and other credits or charges are 
separately allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis to the 
accounts subject to the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section and to other accounts. Subject to section 401(a)(4), forfeitures 
are not required to be allocated to the accounts in which benefits are 
subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. The separate 
accounting requirement of this paragraph (e)(3)(i) applies at the time 
the elective contribution is contributed to the plan and continues to 
apply until the contribution is distributed under the plan.
    (ii) Satisfaction of separate accounting requirement. The 
requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section are treated as 
satisfied if all amounts held under a plan that includes a qualified 
cash or deferred arrangement (and, if

[[Page 295]]

applicable, under another plan to which QNECs and QMACs are made) are 
subject to the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section.
    (4) Limitations on cash or deferred arrangements of state and local 
governments--(i) General rule. A cash or deferred arrangement does not 
satisfy the requirements of this paragraph (e) if the arrangement is 
adopted after May 6, 1986, by a State or local government or political 
subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality thereof (a 
governmental unit). For purposes of this paragraph (e)(4), an employer 
that has made a legally binding commitment to adopt a cash or deferred 
arrangement is treated as having adopted the arrangement on that date.
    (ii) Rural cooperative plans and Indian tribal governments. This 
paragraph (e)(4) does not apply to a rural cooperative plan or to a plan 
of an employer which is an Indian tribal government (as defined in 
section 7701(a)(40)), a subdivision of an Indian tribal government 
(determined in accordance with section 7871(d)), an agency or 
instrumentality of an Indian tribal government or subdivision thereof, 
or a corporation chartered under Federal, State or tribal law which is 
owned in whole or in part by any of the entities in this paragraph 
(e)(4)(ii).
    (iii) Adoption after May 6, 1986. A cash or deferred arrangement is 
treated as adopted after May 6, 1986, with respect to all employees of 
any employer that adopts the arrangement after such date.
    (iv) Adoption before May 7, 1986. If a governmental unit adopted a 
cash or deferred arrangement before May 7, 1986, then any cash or 
deferred arrangement adopted by the unit at any time is treated as 
adopted before that date. If an employer adopted an arrangement prior to 
such date, all employees of the employer may participate in the 
arrangement.
    (5) One-year eligibility requirement. A cash or deferred arrangement 
satisfies this paragraph (e) only if no employee is required to complete 
a period of service with the employer maintaining the plan extending 
beyond the period permitted under section 410(a)(1) (determined without 
regard to section 410(a)(1)(B)(i)) to be eligible to make a cash or 
deferred election under the arrangement.
    (6) Other benefits not contingent upon elective contributions--(i) 
General rule. A cash or deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph 
(e) only if no other benefit is conditioned (directly or indirectly) 
upon the employee's electing to make or not to make elective 
contributions under the arrangement. The preceding sentence does not 
apply to--
    (A) Any matching contribution (as defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(2)) 
made by reason of such an election;
    (B) Any benefit, right or feature (such as a plan loan) that 
requires, or results in, an amount to be withheld from an employee's pay 
(e.g. to pay for the benefit or to repay the loan), to the extent the 
cash or deferred arrangement restricts elective contributions to amounts 
available after such withholding from the employee's pay (after 
deduction of all applicable income and employment taxes);
    (C) Any reduction in the employer's top-heavy contributions under 
section 416(c)(2) because of matching contributions that resulted from 
the elective contributions; or
    (D) Any benefit that is provided at the employee's election under a 
plan described in section 125(d) in lieu of an elective contribution 
under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
    (ii) Definition of other benefits. For purposes of this paragraph 
(e)(6), other benefits include, but are not limited to, benefits under a 
defined benefit plan; nonelective contributions under a defined 
contribution plan; the availability, cost, or amount of health benefits; 
vacations or vacation pay; life insurance; dental plans; legal services 
plans; loans (including plan loans); financial planning services; 
subsidized retirement benefits; stock options; property subject to 
section 83; and dependent care assistance. Also, increases in salary, 
bonuses or other cash remuneration (other than the amount that would be 
contributed under the cash or deferred election) are benefits for 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(6). The ability to make after-tax 
employee contributions is a benefit, but that benefit is not contingent 
upon an employee's electing to make or not make

[[Page 296]]

elective contributions under the arrangement merely because the amount 
of elective contributions reduces dollar-for-dollar the amount of after-
tax employee contributions that may be made. Additionally, benefits 
under any other plan or arrangement (whether or not qualified) are not 
contingent upon an employee's electing to make or not to make elective 
contributions under a cash or deferred arrangement merely because the 
elective contributions are or are not taken into account as compensation 
under the other plan or arrangement for purposes of determining 
benefits.
    (iii) Effect of certain statutory limits. Any benefit under an 
excess benefit plan described in section 3(36) of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 829), Public Law 93-
406, that is dependent on the employee's electing to make or not to make 
elective contributions is not treated as contingent. Deferred 
compensation under a nonqualified plan of deferred compensation that is 
dependent on an employee's having made the maximum elective deferrals 
under section 402(g) or the maximum elective contributions permitted 
under the terms of the plan also is not treated as contingent.
    (iv) Nonqualified deferred compensation. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (e)(6)(iii) of this section, participation in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan is treated as contingent for 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(6) to the extent that an employee may 
receive additional deferred compensation under the nonqualified plan to 
the extent the employee makes or does not make elective contributions.
    (v) Plan loans and distributions. A loan or distribution of elective 
contributions is not a benefit conditioned on an employee's electing to 
make or not make elective contributions under the arrangement merely 
because the amount of the loan or distribution is based on the amount of 
the employee's account balance.
    (vi) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (e)(6):

    Example 1. Employer T maintains a cash or deferred arrangement for 
all of its employees. Employer T also maintains a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan for two highly paid executives, Employees R and C. 
Under the terms of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, R and C 
are eligible to participate only if they do not make elective 
contributions under the cash or deferred arrangement. Participation in 
the nonqualified plan is a contingent benefit for purposes of this 
paragraph (e)(6), because R's and C's participation is conditioned on 
their electing not to make elective contributions under the cash or 
deferred arrangement.
    Example 2. Employer T maintains a cash or deferred arrangement for 
all its employees. Employer T also maintains a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan for two highly paid executives, Employees R and C. 
Under the terms of the arrangements, Employees R and C may defer a 
maximum of 10% of their compensation, and may allocate their deferral 
between the cash or deferred arrangement and the nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan in any way they choose (subject to the overall 10% 
maximum). Because the maximum deferral available under the nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan depends on the elective deferrals made under 
the cash or deferred arrangement, the right to participate in the 
nonqualified plan is a contingent benefit for purposes of this paragraph 
(e)(6).

    (7) Plan provision requirement. A plan that includes a cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (e) only if it provides 
that the nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(k) will be met. 
Thus, the plan must provide for satisfaction of one of the specific 
alternatives described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section and, if 
with respect to that alternative there are optional choices, which of 
the optional choices will apply. For example, a plan that uses the ADP 
test of section 401(k)(3), as described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of 
this section, must specify whether it is using the current year testing 
method or prior year testing method. Additionally, a plan that uses the 
prior year testing method must specify whether the ADP for eligible 
NHCEs for the first plan year is 3% or the ADP for the eligible NHCEs 
for the first plan year. Similarly, a plan that uses the safe harbor 
method of section 401(k)(12), as described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) of 
this section, must specify whether the safe harbor contribution will be 
the nonelective safe harbor contribution or the matching safe harbor 
contribution and is not permitted to provide that ADP testing will be 
used if the requirements for the safe

[[Page 297]]

harbor are not satisfied. In addition, a plan that uses the safe harbor 
method of section 401(k)(13), as described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C) of 
this section, must specify the default percentages that apply for the 
plan year and whether the safe harbor contribution will be the 
nonelective safe harbor contribution or the matching safe harbor 
contribution, and is not permitted to provide that ADP testing will be 
used if the requirements for the safe harbor are not satisfied. For 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(7), a plan may incorporate by reference 
the provisions of section 401(k)(3) and Sec. 1.401(k)-2 if that is the 
nondiscrimination test being applied. The Commissioner may, in guidance 
of general applicability, published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
(see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), specify the options that will 
apply under the plan if the nondiscrimination test is incorporated by 
reference in accordance with the preceding sentence.
    (8) Section 415 compensation required. With respect to compensation 
that is paid (or would have been paid but for a cash or deferred 
election) in plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2007, a cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies this paragraph (e) only if cash or 
deferred elections can only be made with respect to amounts that are 
compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3) and Sec. 1.415(c)-
2. Thus, for example, the arrangement is not a qualified cash or 
deferred arrangement if an eligible employee who is not in qualified 
military service (as that term is defined in section 414(u)) and who is 
not permanently and totally disabled (as defined in section 22(e)(3)) 
can make a cash or deferred election with respect to an amount paid 
after severance from employment, unless the amount is paid by the later 
of 2\1/2\ months after severance from employment or the end of the year 
that includes the date of severance from employment and is described in 
Sec. 1.415(c)-2(e)(3)(ii) or (iii).
    (f) Special rules for designated Roth contributions--(1) In general. 
The term designated Roth contribution means an elective contribution 
under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement that, to the extent 
permitted under the plan, is--
    (i) Designated irrevocably by the employee at the time of the cash 
or deferred election as a designated Roth contribution that is being 
made in lieu of all or a portion of the pre-tax elective contributions 
the employee is otherwise eligible to make under the plan;
    (ii) Treated by the employer as not excludible from the employee's 
gross income (in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section);
    (iii) Maintained by the plan in a separate account (in accordance 
with paragraph (f)(3) of this section).
    (2) Inclusion treatment. An elective contribution is generally 
treated as not excludible from gross income if it is treated as 
includible in gross income by the employer (e.g., by treating the 
contribution as wages subject to applicable income tax withholding). 
However, in the case of a self-employed individual, an elective 
contribution is treated as not excludible from gross income only if the 
individual does not claim a deduction for such amount. If an elective 
contribution would not have been includible in gross income if the 
amount had been paid directly to the employee (rather than being subject 
to a cash or deferral election), the elective contribution is 
nevertheless permitted to be a designated Roth contribution, provided 
the employee is entitled to treat the amount as an investment in the 
contract pursuant to section 72(f)(2).
    (3) Separate accounting required. Under the separate accounting 
requirement of this paragraph (f)(3), contributions and withdrawals of 
designated Roth contributions must be credited and debited to a 
designated Roth account maintained for the employee and the plan must 
maintain a record of the employee's investment in the contract (that is, 
designated Roth contributions that have not been distributed) with 
respect to the employee's designated Roth account. In addition, gains, 
losses, and other credits or charges must be separately allocated on a 
reasonable and consistent basis to the designated Roth account and other 
accounts under the plan. However, forfeitures may not be allocated to 
the designated Roth account and no contributions other than designated 
Roth contributions and rollover contributions described in section

[[Page 298]]

402A(c)(3)(B) may be allocated to such account. The separate accounting 
requirement applies at the time the designated Roth contribution is 
contributed to the plan and must continue to apply until the designated 
Roth account is completely distributed. A-13 of Sec. 1.402A-1 for 
additional requirements for separate accounting.
    (4) Designated Roth contributions must satisfy rules applicable to 
elective contributions--(i) In general. A designated Roth contribution 
must satisfy the requirements applicable to elective contributions made 
under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement. Thus, for example, a 
designated Roth contribution must satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 
(c) and (d) of this section and is treated as an employer contribution 
for purposes of sections 401(a), 401(k), 402, 404, 409, 411, 412, 415, 
416 and 417. In addition, the designated Roth contributions are treated 
as elective contributions for purposes of the ADP test. Similarly, the 
designated Roth account under the plan is subject to the rules of 
section 401(a)(9)(A) and (B) in the same manner as an account that 
contains pre-tax elective contributions.
    (ii) Special rules for direct rollovers. A direct rollover from a 
designated Roth account under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement 
may only be made to another designated Roth account under an applicable 
retirement plan described in section 402A(e)(1) or to a Roth IRA 
described in section 408A, and only to the extent the rollover is 
permitted under the rules of section 402(c). Moreover, a participant's 
designated Roth account and the participant's other accounts under a 
plan are treated as accounts held under two separate plans (within the 
meaning of section 414(l)) for purposes of applying the automatic 
rollover rules for mandatory distributions under section 
401(a)(31)(B)(i)(I) and the special rules in A-9 through A-11 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(31)-1.
    (5) Rules regarding designated Roth contribution elections--(i) 
Frequency of elections. The rules under paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this 
section regarding frequency of elections apply in the same manner to 
both pre-tax elective contributions and designated Roth contributions. 
Thus, an employee must have an effective opportunity to make (or change) 
an election to make designated Roth contributions at least once during 
each plan year.
    (ii) Default elections--(A) In the case of a plan that provides for 
both pre-tax elective contributions and designated Roth contributions 
and in which, under paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, the default in 
the absence of an affirmative election is to make a contribution under 
the cash or deferred arrangement, the plan terms must provide the extent 
to which the default contributions are pre-tax elective contributions 
and the extent to which the default contributions are designated Roth 
contributions.
    (B) If the default contributions under the plan are designated Roth 
contributions, then an employee who has not made an affirmative election 
is deemed to have irrevocably designated the contributions (in 
accordance with section 402A(c)(1)(B)) as designated Roth contributions.
    (6) Effective date. Section 402A and the provisions of this section 
1.401(k)-1(f) apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
    (g) Effective dates--(1) General rule. Except as otherwise provided 
in this paragraph (g), this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 
1.401(k)-6 apply to plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2006.
    (2) Early implementation permitted. A plan is permitted to apply the 
rules of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6 to 
any plan year that ends after December 29, 2004, provided the plan 
applies all the rules of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 
1.401(k)-6 and all the rules of Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-1 through 1.401(m)-
5, to the extent applicable, for that plan year and all subsequent plan 
years.
    (3) Collectively bargained plans. In the case of a plan maintained 
pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements between 
employee representatives and one or more employers in effect on the date 
described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the provisions of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6 apply to the later 
of the first plan year beginning after the termination of the last such 
agreement or the first plan year

[[Page 299]]

described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
    (4) Applicability of prior regulations. For any plan year before a 
plan applies this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-2 through 1.401(k)-6 
(either the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2006, or 
such earlier year, as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section), 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1 (as it appeared in the April 1, 2004 edition of 26 CFR 
part 1) applies to the plan to the extent that section, as it so 
appears, reflects the statutory provisions of section 401(k) as in 
effect for the relevant year.
    (5) Applicability date for definitions of qualified matching 
contributions (QMACs) and qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs). 
The revisions to the second sentence in the definitions of QMACs and 
QNECs in Sec. 1.401(k)-6 apply to plan years ending on or after July 
20, 2018.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 9 
Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9319, 72 FR 16894, Apr. 5, 2007; T.D. 9324, 72 FR 
21109, Apr. 30, 2007; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8207, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9835 83 
FR 34471, July 20, 2018; T.D. 9875, 84 FR 49657, Sept. 23, 2019]



Sec. 1.401(k)-2  ADP test.

    (a) Actual deferral percentage (ADP) test--(1) In general--(i) ADP 
test formula. A cash or deferred arrangement satisfies the ADP test for 
a plan year only if--
    (A) The ADP for the eligible HCEs for the plan year is not more than 
the ADP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable year multiplied by 
1.25; or
    (B) The excess of the ADP for the eligible HCEs for the plan year 
over the ADP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable year is not more 
than 2 percentage points, and the ADP for the eligible HCEs for the plan 
year is not more than the ADP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable 
year multiplied by 2.
    (ii) HCEs as sole eligible employees. If, for the applicable year 
for determining the ADP of the NHCEs for a plan year, there are no 
eligible NHCEs (i.e., all of the eligible employees under the cash or 
deferred arrangement for the applicable year are HCEs), the arrangement 
is deemed to satisfy the ADP test for the plan year.
    (iii) Special rule for early participation. If a cash or deferred 
arrangement provides that employees are eligible to participate before 
they have completed the minimum age and service requirements of section 
410(a)(1)(A), and if the plan applies section 410(b)(4)(B) in 
determining whether the cash or deferred arrangement meets the 
requirements of section 410(b)(1), then in determining whether the 
arrangement meets the requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, either--
    (A) Pursuant to section 401(k)(3)(F), the ADP test is performed 
under the plan (determined without regard to disaggregation under Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(c)(3)), using the ADP for all eligible HCEs for the plan year 
and the ADP of eligible NHCEs for the applicable year, disregarding all 
NHCEs who have not met the minimum age and service requirements of 
section 410(a)(1)(A); or
    (B) Pursuant to Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4), the plan is disaggregated 
into separate plans and the ADP test is performed separately for all 
eligible employees who have completed the minimum age and service 
requirements of section 410(a)(1)(A) and for all eligible employees who 
have not completed the minimum age and service requirements of section 
410(a)(1)(A).
    (2) Determination of ADP--(i) General rule. The ADP for a group of 
eligible employees (either eligible HCEs or eligible NHCEs) for a plan 
year or applicable year is the average of the ADRs of the eligible 
employees in that group for that year. The ADP for a group of eligible 
employees is calculated to the nearest hundredth of a percentage point.
    (ii) Determination of applicable year under current year and prior 
year testing method. The ADP test is applied using the prior year 
testing method or the current year testing method. Under the prior year 
testing method, the applicable year for determining the ADP for the 
eligible NHCEs is the plan year immediately preceding the plan year for 
which the ADP test is being performed. Under the prior year testing 
method, the ADP for the eligible NHCEs is determined using the ADRs for 
the eligible employees who were NHCEs in that preceding plan year, 
regardless of

[[Page 300]]

whether those NHCEs are eligible employees or NHCEs in the plan year for 
which the ADP test is being calculated. Under the current year testing 
method, the applicable year for determining the ADP for the eligible 
NHCEs is the same plan year as the plan year for which the ADP test is 
being performed. Under either method, the ADP for eligible HCEs is the 
average of the ADRs of the eligible HCEs for the plan year for which the 
ADP test is being performed. See paragraph (c) of this section for 
additional rules for the prior year testing method.
    (3) Determination of ADR--(i) General rule. The ADR of an eligible 
employee for a plan year or applicable year is the sum of the employee's 
elective contributions taken into account with respect to such employee 
for the year, determined under the rules of paragraphs (a)(4) and (5) of 
this section, and the qualified nonelective contributions and qualified 
matching contributions taken into account with respect to such employee 
under paragraph (a)(6) of this section for the year, divided by the 
employee's compensation taken into account for the year. The ADR is 
calculated to the nearest hundredth of a percentage point. If no 
elective contributions, qualified nonelective contributions, or 
qualified matching contributions are taken into account under this 
section with respect to an eligible employee for the year, the ADR of 
the employee is zero.
    (ii) ADR of HCEs eligible under more than one arrangement--(A) 
General rule. Pursuant to section 401(k)(3)(A), the ADR of an HCE who is 
an eligible employee in more than one cash or deferred arrangement of 
the same employer is calculated by treating all contributions with 
respect to such HCE under any such arrangement as being made under the 
cash or deferred arrangement being tested. Thus, the ADR for such an HCE 
is calculated by accumulating all contributions under any cash or 
deferred arrangement (other than a cash or deferred arrangement 
described in paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this section) that would be 
taken into account under this section for the plan year, if the cash or 
deferred arrangement under which the contribution was made applied this 
section and had the same plan year. For example, in the case of a plan 
with a 12-month plan year, the ADR for the plan year of that plan for an 
HCE who participates in multiple cash or deferred arrangements of the 
same employer is the sum of all contributions during such 12-month 
period that would be taken into account with respect to the HCE under 
all such arrangements in which the HCE is an eligible employee, divided 
by the HCE's compensation for that 12-month period (determined using the 
compensation definition for the plan being tested), without regard to 
the plan year of the other plans and whether those plans are satisfying 
this section or Sec. 1.401(k)-3.
    (B) Plans not permitted to be aggregated. Cash or deferred 
arrangements under plans that are not permitted to be aggregated under 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4) (determined without regard to the prohibition on 
aggregating plans with inconsistent testing methods set forth in Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(b)(4)(iii)(B) and the prohibition on aggregating plans with 
different plan years set forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d)(5)) are not 
aggregated under this paragraph (a)(3)(ii).
    (iii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (a)(3):

    Example 1. (i) Employee A, an HCE with compensation of $120,000, is 
eligible to make elective contributions under Plan S and Plan T, two 
profit-sharing plans maintained by Employer H with calendar year plan 
years, each of which includes a cash or deferred arrangement. During the 
current plan year, Employee A makes elective contributions of $6,000 to 
Plan S and $4,000 to Plan T.
    (ii) Under each plan, the ADR for Employee A is determined by 
dividing Employee A's total elective contributions under both 
arrangements by Employee A's compensation taken into account under the 
plan for the year. Therefore, Employee A's ADR under each plan is 8.33% 
($10,000/$120,000).
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Plan T defines compensation (for deferral and testing purposes) to 
exclude all bonuses paid to an employee. Plan S defines compensation 
(for deferral and testing purposes) to include bonuses paid to an 
employee. During the current year, Employee A's compensation included a 
$10,000 bonus. Therefore, Employee A's compensation under Plan T is 
$110,000 and Employee A's compensation under Plan S is $120,000.

[[Page 301]]

    (ii) Employee A's ADR under Plan T is 9.09% ($10,000/$110,000) and 
under Plan S, Employee A's ADR is 8.33% ($10,000/$120,000).
    Example 3. (i) Employer J sponsors two profit-sharing plans, Plan U 
and Plan V, each of which includes a cash or deferred arrangement. Plan 
U's plan year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Plan V has a 
calendar year plan year. Compensation under both plans is limited to the 
participant's compensation during the period of participation. Employee 
B is an HCE who participates in both plans. Employee B's monthly 
compensation and elective contributions to each plan for the 2005 and 
2006 calendar years are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Monthly       Monthly
                                   Monthly      elective      elective
         Calendar year          compensation  contribution  contribution
                                                to Plan U     to Plan V
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005..........................      $10,000          $500          $400
2006..........................       11,500           700           550
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Under Plan U, Employee B's ADR for the plan year ended June 30, 
2006, is equal to Employee B's total elective contributions under Plan U 
and Plan V for the plan year ending June 30, 2006, divided by Employee 
B's compensation for that period. Therefore, Employee B's ADR under Plan 
U for the plan year ending June 30, 2006, is (($900 x 6) + ($1,250 x 6)) 
/ (($10,000 x 6) + ($11,500 x 6)), or 10%.
    (iii) Under Plan V, Employee B's ADR for the plan year ended 
December 31, 2005, is equal to total elective contributions under Plan U 
and V for the plan year ending December 31, 2005, divided by Employee 
B's compensation for that period. Therefore, Employee B's ADR under Plan 
V for the plan year ending December 31, 2005, is ($10,800/$120,000), or 
9%.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as Example 3, except that 
Employee B first becomes eligible to participate in Plan U on January 1, 
2006.
    (ii) Under Plan U, Employee B's ADR for the plan year ended June 30, 
2006, is equal to Employee B's total elective contributions under Plan U 
and V for the plan year ending June 30, 2006, divided by Employee B's 
compensation for that period. Therefore, Employee B's ADR under Plan U 
for the plan year ending June 30, 2006, is (($400 x 6) + ($1,250 x 6)) / 
(($10,000 x 6) + ($11,500 x 6)), or 7.67%.

    (4) Elective contributions taken into account under the ADP test--
(i) General rule. An elective contribution is taken into account in 
determining the ADR for an eligible employee for a plan year or 
applicable year only if each of the following requirements is 
satisfied--
    (A) The elective contribution is allocated to the eligible 
employee's account under the plan as of a date within that year. For 
purposes of this rule, an elective contribution is considered allocated 
as of a date within a year only if--
    (1) The allocation is not contingent on the employee's participation 
in the plan or performance of services on any date subsequent to that 
date; and
    (2) The elective contribution is actually paid to the trust no later 
than the end of the 12-month period immediately following the year to 
which the contribution relates.
    (B) The elective contribution relates to compensation that either--
    (1) Would have been received by the employee in the year but for the 
employee's election to defer under the arrangement; or
    (2) Is attributable to services performed by the employee in the 
year and, but for the employee's election to defer, would have been 
received by the employee within 2\1/2\ months after the close of the 
year, but only if the plan provides for elective contributions that 
relate to compensation that would have been received after the close of 
a year to be allocated to such prior year rather than the year in which 
the compensation would have been received.
    (ii) Elective contributions for partners and self-employed 
individuals. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(4), a partner's 
distributive share of partnership income is treated as received on the 
last day of the partnership taxable year and a sole proprietor's 
compensation is treated as received on the last day of the individual's 
taxable year. Thus, an elective contribution made on behalf of a partner 
or sole proprietor is treated as allocated to the partner's account for 
the plan year that includes the last day of the partnership taxable 
year, provided the requirements of paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section 
are met.
    (iii) Elective contributions for HCEs. Elective contributions of an 
HCE must include any excess deferrals, as described in Sec. 1.402(g)-
1(a), even if those excess deferrals are distributed, pursuant to Sec. 
1.402(g)-1(e).
    (5) Elective contributions not taken into account under the ADP 
test--(i) General

[[Page 302]]

rule. Elective contributions that do not satisfy the requirements of 
paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section may not be taken into account in 
determining the ADR of an eligible employee for the plan year or 
applicable year with respect to which the contributions were made, or 
for any other plan year. Instead, the amount of the elective 
contributions must satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(4) 
(without regard to the ADP test) for the plan year for which they are 
allocated under the plan as if they were nonelective contributions and 
were the only nonelective contributions for that year. See Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) and 1.410(b)-7(c)(1).
    (ii) Elective contributions for NHCEs. Elective contributions of an 
NHCE shall not include any excess deferrals, as described in Sec. 
1.402(g)-1(a), to the extent the excess deferrals are prohibited under 
section 401(a)(30). However, to the extent that the excess deferrals are 
not prohibited under section 401(a)(30), they are included in elective 
contributions even if distributed pursuant to Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e).
    (iii) Elective contributions treated as catch-up contributions. 
Elective contributions that are treated as catch-up contributions under 
section 414(v) because they exceed a statutory limit or employer-
provided limit (within the meaning of Sec. 1.414(v)-1(b)(1)) are not 
taken into account under paragraph (a)(4) of this section for the plan 
year for which the contributions were made, or for any other plan year.
    (iv) Elective contributions used to satisfy the ACP test. Except to 
the extent necessary to demonstrate satisfaction of the requirement of 
Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6)(ii), elective contributions taken into account 
for the ACP test under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6) are not taken into account 
under paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (v) Additional elective contributions pursuant to section 414(u). 
Additional elective contributions made pursuant to section 414(u) by 
reason of an eligible employee's qualified military service are not 
taken into account under paragraph (a)(4) of this section for the plan 
year for which the contributions are made, or for any other plan year.
    (vi) Default elective contributions pursuant to section 414(w). 
Default elective contributions made under an eligible automatic 
contribution arrangement (within the meaning of Sec. 1.414(w)-1(b)) 
that are distributed pursuant to Sec. 1.414(w)-1(c) for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2008, are not taken into account under 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section for the plan year for which the 
contributions are made, or for any other plan year.
    (6) Qualified nonelective contributions and qualified matching 
contributions that may be taken into account under the ADP test. 
Qualified nonelective contributions and qualified matching contributions 
may be taken into account in determining the ADR for an eligible 
employee for a plan year or applicable year but only to the extent the 
contributions satisfy the following requirements--
    (i) Timing of allocation. The qualified nonelective contribution or 
qualified matching contribution is allocated to the employee's account 
as of a date within that year within the meaning of paragraph 
(a)(4)(i)(A) of this section. Consequently, under the prior year testing 
method, in order to be taken into account in calculating the ADP for the 
eligible NHCEs for the applicable year, a qualified nonelective 
contribution or qualified matching contribution must be contributed no 
later than the end of the 12-month period immediately following the 
applicable year even though the applicable year is different than the 
plan year being tested.
    (ii) Requirement that amount satisfy section 401(a)(4). The amount 
of nonelective contributions, including those qualified nonelective 
contributions taken into account under this paragraph (a)(6) and those 
qualified nonelective contributions taken into account for the ACP test 
of section 401(m)(2) under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6), satisfies the 
requirements of section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2). The 
amount of nonelective contributions, excluding those qualified 
nonelective contributions taken into account under this paragraph (a)(6) 
and those qualified nonelective contributions taken into account for the 
ACP test of section 401(m)(2) under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6),

[[Page 303]]

satisfies the requirements of section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1(b)(2). In the case of an employer that is applying the special rule 
for employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) with respect to 
the cash or deferred arrangement, the determination of whether the 
qualified nonelective contributions satisfy the requirements of this 
paragraph (a)(6)(ii) must be made on an employer-wide basis regardless 
of whether the plans to which the qualified nonelective contributions 
are made are satisfying the requirements of section 410(b) on an 
employer-wide basis. Conversely, in the case of an employer that is 
treated as operating qualified separate lines of business, and does not 
apply the special rule for employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-
1(c)(2)(ii) with respect to the cash or deferred arrangement, then the 
determination of whether the qualified nonelective contributions satisfy 
the requirements of this paragraph (a)(6)(ii) is not permitted to be 
made on an employer-wide basis regardless of whether the plans to which 
the qualified nonelective contributions are made are satisfying the 
requirements of section 410(b) on that basis.
    (iii) Aggregation must be permitted. The plan that contains the cash 
or deferred arrangement and the plan or plans to which the qualified 
nonelective contributions or qualified matching contributions are made, 
are plans that would be permitted to be aggregated under Sec. 1.401(k)-
1(b)(4). If the plan year of the plan that contains the cash or deferred 
arrangement is changed to satisfy the requirement under Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(d)(5) that aggregated plans have the same plan year, qualified 
nonelective contributions and qualified matching contributions may be 
taken into account in the resulting short plan year only if such 
qualified nonelective contributions and qualified matching contributions 
could have been taken into account under an ADP test for a plan with the 
same short plan year.
    (iv) Disproportionate contributions not taken into account--(A) 
General rule. Qualified nonelective contributions cannot be taken into 
account for a plan year for an NHCE to the extent such contributions 
exceed the product of that NHCE's compensation and the greater of 5% or 
two times the plan's representative contribution rate. Any qualified 
nonelective contribution taken into account under an ACP test under 
Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6) (including the determination of the 
representative contribution rate for purposes of Sec. 1.401(m)-
2(a)(6)(v)(B)), is not permitted to be taken into account for purposes 
of this paragraph (a)(6) (including the determination of the 
representative contribution rate under paragraph (a)(6)(iv)(B) of this 
section).
    (B) Definition of representative contribution rate. For purposes of 
this paragraph (a)(6)(iv), the plan's representative contribution rate 
is the lowest applicable contribution rate of any eligible NHCE among a 
group of eligible NHCEs that consists of half of all eligible NHCEs for 
the plan year (or, if greater, the lowest applicable contribution rate 
of any eligible NHCE in the group of all eligible NHCEs for the plan 
year and who is employed by the employer on the last day of the plan 
year).
    (C) Definition of applicable contribution rate. For purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(6)(iv), the applicable contribution rate for an eligible 
NHCE is the sum of the qualified matching contributions taken into 
account under this paragraph (a)(6) for the eligible NHCE for the plan 
year and the qualified nonelective contributions made for the eligible 
NHCE for the plan year, divided by the eligible NHCE's compensation for 
the same period.
    (D) Special rule for prevailing wage contributions. Notwithstanding 
paragraph (a)(6)(iv)(A) of this section, qualified nonelective 
contributions that are made in connection with an employer's obligation 
to pay prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act (46 Stat. 1494), 
Public Law 71-798, Service Contract Act of 1965 (79 Stat. 1965), Public 
Law 89-286, or similar legislation can be taken into account for a plan 
year for an NHCE to the extent such contributions do not exceed 10 
percent of that NHCE's compensation.
    (v) Qualified matching contributions. Qualified matching 
contributions satisfy this paragraph (a)(6) only to the extent that such 
qualified matching contributions are matching contributions that are not 
precluded from being

[[Page 304]]

taken into account under the ACP test for the plan year under the rules 
of Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(5)(ii).
    (vi) Contributions only used once. Qualified nonelective 
contributions and qualified matching contributions cannot be taken into 
account under this paragraph (a)(6) to the extent such contributions are 
taken into account for purposes of satisfying any other ADP test, any 
ACP test, or the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3, 1.401(m)-3 or 
1.401(k)-4. Thus, for example, matching contributions that are made 
pursuant to Sec. 1.401(k)-3(c) cannot be taken into account under the 
ADP test. Similarly, if a plan switches from the current year testing 
method to the prior year testing method pursuant to Sec. 1.401(k)-2(c), 
qualified nonelective contributions that are taken into account under 
the current year testing method for a year may not be taken into account 
under the prior year testing method for the next year.
    (7) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (a):

    Example 1. (i) Employer X has three employees, A, B, and C. Employer 
X sponsors a profit-sharing plan (Plan Z) that includes a cash or 
deferred arrangement. Each year, Employer X determines a bonus 
attributable to the prior year. Under the cash or deferred arrangement, 
each eligible employee may elect to receive none, all or any part of the 
bonus in cash. X contributes the remainder to Plan Z. The portion of the 
bonus paid in cash, if any, is paid 2 months after the end of the plan 
year and thus is included in compensation for the following plan year. 
Employee A is an HCE, while Employees B and C are NHCEs. The plan uses 
the current year testing method and defines compensation to include 
elective contributions and bonuses paid during each plan year. In 
February of 2005, Employer X determined that no bonuses will be paid for 
2004. In February of 2006, Employer X provided a bonus for each employee 
equal to 10% of regular compensation for 2005. For the 2005 plan year, 
A, B, and C have the following compensation and make the following 
elections:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Elective
                Employee                   Compensation    contribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................        $100,000          $4,340
B.......................................          60,000           2,860
C.......................................          45,000           1,250
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For each employee, the ratio of elective contributions to the 
employee's compensation for the plan year is:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Ratio of elective
                Employee                   contribution to       ADR
                                             compensation     (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................    $4,340/$100,000         4.34
B.......................................       2,860/60,000         4.77
C.......................................       1,250/45,000         2.78
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The ADP for the HCEs (Employee A) is 4.34%. The ADP for the 
NHCEs is 3.78% ((4.77% + 2.78%)/2). Because 4.34% is less than 4.73% 
(3.78% multiplied by 1.25), the plan satisfies the ADP test under 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
elective contributions are made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement 
throughout the plan year, and no bonuses are paid. As provided by 
section 414(s)(2), Employer X includes elective contributions in 
compensation. During the year, B and C defer the same amount as in 
Example 1, but A defers $5,770. Thus, the compensation and elective 
contributions for A, B, and C are:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Elective         ADR
                              Employee                                Compensation    contributions   (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A..................................................................        $100,000          $5,770         5.77
B..................................................................          60,000           2,860         4.77
C..................................................................          45,000           1,250         2.78
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The ADP for the HCEs (Employee A) is 5.77%. The ADP for the 
NHCEs is 3.78% ((4.77% + 2.78%)/2). Because 5.77% exceeds 4.73% (3.78% x 
1.25), the plan does not satisfy the ADP test under paragraph (a)(1)(i) 
of this section. However, because the ADP for the HCEs does not exceed 
the ADP for the NHCEs by more than 2 percentage points and the ADP for 
the HCEs does not exceed the ADP for the NHCEs multiplied by 2 (3.78% x 
2 = 7.56%), the plan satisfies the ADP test under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section.
    Example 3. (i) Employees D through L are eligible employees in Plan 
T, a profit-sharing plan that contains a cash or deferred arrangement. 
The plan is a calendar year plan that uses the prior year testing 
method. Plan T provides that elective contributions are included in 
compensation (as provided under section 414(s)(2)). Each eligible 
employee may elect to defer up to 6% of compensation under the cash or 
deferred arrangement. Employees D and E are HCEs. The compensation, 
elective contributions, and ADRs of Employees D and E for the 2006 plan 
year are shown below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Elective
                                                                   Compensation    contributions   ADR for 2006
                            Employee                               for 2006 plan   for 2006 plan     plan year
                                                                       year            year          (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D...............................................................        $100,000         $10,000              10
E...............................................................          95,000           4,750               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) During the 2005 plan year, Employees F through L were eligible 
NHCEs. The compensation, elective contributions and ADRs

[[Page 305]]

of Employees F through L for the 2005 plan year are shown in the 
following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Elective
                                                                   Compensation    contributions   ADR for 2005
                            Employee                               for 2005 plan   for 2005 plan     plan year
                                                                       year            year          (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F...............................................................         $60,000          $3,600               6
G...............................................................          40,000           1,600               4
H...............................................................          30,000           1,200               4
I...............................................................          20,000             600               3
J...............................................................          20,000             600               3
K...............................................................          10,000             300               3
L...............................................................           5,000             150               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The ADP for 2006 for the HCEs is 7.5%. Because Plan T is using 
the prior year testing method, the applicable year for determining the 
NHCE ADP is the prior plan year (i.e., 2005). The NHCE ADP is determined 
using the ADRs for NHCEs eligible during the prior plan year (without 
regard to whether they are eligible under the plan during the plan 
year). The ADP for the NHCEs is 3.71% (the sum of the individual ADRs, 
26%, divided by 7 employees). Because 7.5% exceeds 4.64% (3.71% x 1.25), 
Plan T does not satisfy the ADP test under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section. In addition, because the ADP for the HCEs exceeds the ADP for 
the NHCEs by more than 2 percentage points, Plan T does not satisfy the 
ADP test under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section. Therefore, the cash 
or deferred arrangement fails to be a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement unless the ADP failure is corrected under paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    Example 4. (i) Plan U is a calendar year profit-sharing plan that 
contains a cash or deferred arrangement and uses the current year 
testing method. Plan U provides that elective contributions are included 
in compensation (as provided under section 414(s)(2)). The following 
amounts are contributed under Plan U for the 2006 plan year: QNECs equal 
to 2% of each employee's compensation; Contributions equal to 6% of each 
employee's compensation that are not immediately vested under the terms 
of the plan; 3% of each employee's compensation that the employee may 
elect to receive as cash or to defer under the plan. Both types of 
nonelective contributions are made for the HCEs (employees M and N) and 
the NHCEs (employees O through S) for the plan year and are contributed 
after the end of the plan year and before the end of the following plan 
year. In addition, neither type of nonelective contributions is used for 
any other ADP or ACP test.
    (ii) For the 2006 plan year, the compensation, elective 
contributions, and actual deferral ratios of employees M through S are 
shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Actual
                            Employee                               Compensation      Elective     deferral ratio
                                                                                   contributions     (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M...............................................................        $100,000          $3,000               3
N...............................................................         100,000           2,000               2
O...............................................................          60,000           1,800               3
P...............................................................          40,000               0               0
Q...............................................................          30,000               0               0
R...............................................................           5,000               0               0
S...............................................................          20,000               0               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The elective contributions alone do not satisfy the ADP test 
of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section because the 
ADP for the HCEs, consisting of employees M and N, is 2.5% and the ADP 
for the NHCEs is 0.6%.
    (iv) The 2% QNECs satisfies the timing requirement of paragraph 
(a)(6)(i) of this section because it is paid within 12-month after the 
plan year for which allocated. All nonelective contributions also 
satisfy the requirements relating to section 401(a)(4) set forth in 
paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section (because all employees receive an 
8% nonelective contribution and the nonelective contributions excluding 
the QNECs is 6% for all employees). In addition, the QNECs are not 
disproportionate under paragraph (a)(6)(iv) of this section because no 
QNEC for an NHCE exceeds the product of the plan's applicable 
contribution rate (2%) and that NHCE's compensation.
    (v) Because the rules of paragraph (a)(6) of this section are 
satisfied, the 2% QNECs may be taken into account in applying the ADP 
test of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The 6% 
nonelective contributions, however, may not be taken into account 
because they are not QNECs.
    (vi) If the 2% QNECs are taken into account, the ADP for the HCEs is 
4.5%, and the actual deferral percentage for the NHCEs is 2.6%. Because 
4.5% is not more than two percentage points greater than 2.6 percent, 
and not more than two times 2.6, the cash or deferred arrangement 
satisfies the ADP test of section 401(k)(3) under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section.
    Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as Example 4, except the plan 
uses the prior year testing method. In addition, the NHCE ADP for the 
2005 plan year (the prior plan year) is 0.8% and no QNECs are 
contributed for the 2005 plan year during 2005 or 2006.
    (ii) In 2007, it is determined that the elective contributions alone 
do not satisfy the ADP test of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section for 2006 because the 2006 ADP for the eligible HCEs, 
consisting of employees M and N, is 2.5% and the 2005 ADP for the 
eligible NHCEs is 0.8%. An additional QNEC of 2% of compensation is made 
for each eligible NHCE in 2007 and allocated for 2005.
    (iii) The 2% QNECs that are made in 2007 and allocated for the 2005 
plan year do not satisfy the timing requirement of paragraph

[[Page 306]]

(a)(6)(i) of this section for the applicable year for the 2005 plan year 
because they were not contributed before the last day of the 2006 plan 
year. Accordingly, the 2% QNECs do not satisfy the rules of paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section and may not be taken into account in applying the 
ADP test of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section for 
the 2006 plan year. The cash or deferred arrangement fails to be a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement unless the ADP failure is 
corrected under paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 6. (i) The facts are the same as Example 4, except that the 
ADP for the HCEs is 4.6% and there is no 6% nonelective contribution 
under the plan. The employer would like to take into account the 2% QNEC 
in determining the ADP for the NHCEs but not in determining the ADP for 
the HCEs.
    (ii) The elective contributions alone fail the requirements of 
section 401(k) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section because the HCE ADP 
for the plan year (4.6%) exceeds 0.75% (0.6% x 1.25) and 1.2% (0.6% x 
2).
    (iii) The 2% QNECs may not be taken into account in determining the 
ADP of the NHCEs because they fail to satisfy the requirements relating 
to section 401(a)(4) set forth in paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section. 
This is because the amount of nonelective contributions, excluding those 
QNECs that would be taken into account under the ADP test, would be 2% 
of compensation for the HCEs and 0% for the NHCEs. Therefore, the cash 
or deferred arrangement fails to be a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement unless the ADP failure is corrected under paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    Example 7. (i) The facts are the same as Example 6, except that 
Employee R receives a QNEC in an amount of $500 and no QNECs are made on 
behalf of the other employees.
    (ii) If the QNEC could be taken into account under paragraph (a)(6) 
of this section, the ADP for the NHCEs would be 2.6% and the plan would 
satisfy the ADP test. The QNEC is disproportionate under paragraph 
(a)(6)(iv) of this section, and cannot be taken into account under 
paragraph (a)(6) of this section, to the extent it exceeds the greater 
of 5% and two times the plan's representative contribution rate (0%), 
multiplied by Employee R's compensation. The plan's representative 
contribution rate is 0% because it is the lowest applicable contribution 
rate among a group of NHCEs that is at least half of all NHCEs, or all 
the NHCEs who are employed on the last day of the plan year. Therefore, 
the QNEC may be taken into account under the ADP test only to the extent 
it does not exceed 5% times Employee R's compensation (or $250) and the 
cash or deferred arrangement fails to satisfy the ADP test and must 
correct under paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 8. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 4 except that 
the plan changes from the current year testing method to the prior year 
testing method for the following plan year (2007 plan year). The ADP for 
the HCEs for the 2007 plan year is 3.5%.
    (ii) The 2% QNECs may not be taken into account in determining the 
ADP for the NHCEs for the applicable year (2006 plan year) in satisfying 
the ADP test for the 2007 plan year because they were taken into account 
in satisfying the ADP test for the 2006 plan year. Accordingly, the NHCE 
ADP for the applicable year is 0.6%. The elective contributions for the 
plan year fail the requirements of section 401(k) and paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section because the HCE ADP for the plan year (3.5%) exceeds the 
ADP limit of 1.2% (the greater of 0.75% (0.6% x 1.25) and 1.2% (0.6% x 
2)), determined using the applicable year ADP for the NHCEs. Therefore, 
the cash or deferred arrangement fails to be a qualified cash or 
deferred arrangement unless the ADP failure is corrected under paragraph 
(b) of this section.
    Example 9. (i)(A) Employer N maintains Plan X, a profit sharing plan 
that contains a cash or deferred arrangement and that uses the current 
year testing method. Plan X provides for employee contributions, 
elective contributions, and matching contributions. Matching 
contributions on behalf of NHCEs are qualified matching contributions 
(QMACs) and are contributed during the 2005 plan year. Matching 
contributions on behalf of HCEs are not QMACs, because they fail to 
satisfy the nonforfeitability requirement of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(c). The 
elective contributions and matching contributions with respect to HCEs 
for the 2005 plan year are shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Matching
                                                            Elective     Total matching   contributions
                                                          contributions   contributions   that are not    QMACs
                                                                                              QMACs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly compensated employees...........................             15%              5%              5%       0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) The elective contributions and matching contributions with 
respect to the NHCEs for the 2005 plan year are shown in the following 
table:

[[Page 307]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Matching
                                                            Elective     Total matching   contributions
                                                          contributions   contributions   that are not    QMACs
                                                                                              QMACs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonhighly compensated employees........................             11%              4%              0%       4%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The plan fails to satisfy the ADP test of section 401(k)(3)(A) 
and paragraph (a)(1) of this section because the ADP for HCEs (15%) is 
more than 125% of the ADP for NHCEs (11%), and more than 2 percentage 
points greater than 11%. However, the plan provides that QMACs may be 
used to meet the requirements of section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii) provided that 
they are not used for any other ADP or ACP test. QMACs equal to 1% of 
compensation are taken into account for each NHCE in applying the ADP 
test. After this adjustment, the applicable ADP and ACP (taking into 
account the provisions of Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(5)(ii)) for the plan year 
are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Actual          Actual
                                             deferral      contribution
                                            percentage      percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HCEs....................................              15               5
Nonhighly compensated employees.........              12               3
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The elective contributions and QMACs taken into account for 
purposes of the ADP test of section 401(k)(3) satisfy the requirements 
of section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii) under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section 
because the ADP for HCEs (15%) is not more than the ADP for NHCEs 
multiplied by 1.25 (12% x 1.25 = 15%).

    (b) Correction of excess contributions--(1) Permissible correction 
methods--(i) In general. A cash or deferred arrangement does not fail to 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section if the employer, in accordance with the terms of the plan 
that includes the cash or deferred arrangement, uses any of the 
following correction methods--
    (A) Qualified nonelective contributions or qualified matching 
contributions. The employer makes qualified nonelective contributions or 
qualified matching contributions that are taken into account under this 
section and, in combination with other amounts taken into account under 
paragraph (a) of this section, allow the cash or deferred arrangement to 
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (B) Excess contributions distributed. Excess contributions are 
distributed in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (C) Excess contributions recharacterized. Excess contributions are 
recharacterized in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Combination of correction methods. A plan may provide for the 
use of any of the correction methods described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of 
this section, may limit elective contributions in a manner designed to 
prevent excess contributions from being made, or may use a combination 
of these methods, to avoid or correct excess contributions. A plan may 
permit an HCE to elect whether any excess contributions are to be 
recharacterized or distributed. Similarly, a plan may permit an HCE with 
elective contributions for a year that includes both pre-tax elective 
contributions and designated Roth contributions to elect whether the 
excess contributions are to be attributed to pre-tax elective 
contributions or designated Roth contributions. If the plan uses a 
combination of correction methods, any contribution made under paragraph 
(b)(1)(i)(A) of this section must be taken into account before 
application of the correction methods in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) or (C) 
of this section.
    (iii) Exclusive means of correction. A failure to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section may not be corrected 
using any method other than the ones described in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) 
and (ii) of this section. Thus, excess contributions for a plan year may 
not remain unallocated or be allocated to a suspense account for 
allocation to one or more employees in any future year. In addition, 
excess contributions may not be corrected using the retroactive 
correction rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
11(g)(3)(vii) and (5).
    (2) Corrections through distribution--(i) General rule. This 
paragraph (b)(2) contains the rules for correction of excess 
contributions through a distribution from the plan. Correction through a

[[Page 308]]

distribution generally involves a 4-step process. First, the plan must 
determine, in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the 
total amount of excess contributions that must be distributed under the 
plan. Second, the plan must apportion the total amount of excess 
contributions among HCEs in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of 
this section. Third, the plan must determine the income allocable to 
excess contributions in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this 
section. Finally, the plan must distribute the apportioned excess 
contributions and allocable income in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(2)(v) of this section. Paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section provides 
rules relating to the tax treatment of these distributions. Paragraph 
(b)(2)(vii) provides other rules relating to these distributions.
    (ii) Calculation of total amount to be distributed. The following 
procedures must be used to determine the total amount of the excess 
contributions to be distributed--
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess contributions for each 
HCE. The amount of excess contributions attributable to a given HCE for 
a plan year is the amount (if any) by which the HCE's contributions 
taken into account under this section must be reduced for the HCE's ADR 
to equal the highest permitted ADR under the plan. To calculate the 
highest permitted ADR under a plan, the ADR of the HCE with the highest 
ADR is reduced by the amount required to cause that HCE's ADR to equal 
the ADR of the HCE with the next highest ADR. If a lesser reduction 
would enable the arrangement to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(C) of this section, only this lesser reduction is used in 
determining the highest permitted ADR.
    (B) Determination of the total amount of excess contributions. The 
process described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section must be 
repeated until the arrangement would satisfy the requirements of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C) of this section. The sum of all reductions for 
all HCEs determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section is the 
total amount of excess contributions for the plan year.
    (C) Satisfaction of ADP. A cash or deferred arrangement satisfies 
this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C) if the arrangement would satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section if the ADR for each 
HCE were determined after the reductions described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
    (iii) Apportionment of total amount of excess contributions among 
the HCEs. The following procedures must be used in apportioning the 
total amount of excess contributions determined under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section among the HCEs:
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess contributions for each 
HCE. The contributions of the HCE with the highest dollar amount of 
contributions taken into account under this section are reduced by the 
amount required to cause that HCE's contributions to equal the dollar 
amount of the contributions taken into account under this section for 
the HCE with the next highest dollar amount of contributions taken into 
account under this section. If a lesser apportionment to the HCE would 
enable the plan to apportion the total amount of excess contributions, 
only the lesser apportionment would apply.
    (B) Limit on amount apportioned to any individual. For purposes of 
this paragraph (b)(2)(iii), the amount of contributions taken into 
account under this section with respect to an HCE who is an eligible 
employee in more than one plan of an employer is determined by taking 
into account all contributions otherwise taken into account with respect 
to such HCE under any plan of the employer during the plan year of the 
plan being tested as being made under the plan being tested. However, 
the amount of excess contributions apportioned for a plan year with 
respect to any HCE must not exceed the amount of contributions actually 
contributed to the plan for the HCE for the plan year. Thus, in the case 
of an HCE who is an eligible employee in more than one plan of the same 
employer to which elective contributions are made and whose ADR is 
calculated in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, the 
amount required to be distributed under this paragraph (b)(2)(iii) shall 
not exceed the contributions actually

[[Page 309]]

contributed to the plan and taken into account under this section for 
the plan year.
    (C) Apportionment to additional HCEs. The procedure in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii)(A) of this section must be repeated until the total amount 
of excess contributions determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section has been apportioned.
    (iv) Income allocable to excess contributions--(A) General rule. For 
plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, the income allocable 
to excess contributions is equal to the allocable gain or loss through 
the end of the plan year. See paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(D) of this section 
for rules that apply to plan years beginning before January 1, 2008.
    (B) Method of allocating income. A plan may use any reasonable 
method for computing the income allocable to excess contributions, 
provided that the method does not violate section 401(a)(4), is used 
consistently for all participants and for all corrective distributions 
under the plan for the plan year, and is used by the plan for allocating 
income to participant's accounts. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(8). A plan 
will not fail to use a reasonable method for computing the income 
allocable to excess contributions merely because the income allocable to 
excess contributions is determined on a date that is no more than 7 days 
before the distribution.
    (C) Alternative method of allocating plan year income. A plan may 
allocate income to excess contributions for the plan year by multiplying 
the income for the plan year allocable to the elective contributions and 
other amounts taken into account under this section (including 
contributions made for the plan year), by a fraction, the numerator of 
which is the excess contributions for the employee for the plan year, 
and the denominator of which is the sum of the--
    (1) Account balance attributable to elective contributions and other 
contributions taken into account under this section as of the beginning 
of the plan year, and
    (2) Any additional amount of such contributions made for the plan 
year.
    (D) Plan years before 2008. For plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008, the income allocable to excess contributions is determined 
under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(2)(iv) (as it appeared in the April 1, 2007, 
edition of 26 CFR part 1).
    (v) Distribution. Within 12 months after the close of the plan year 
in which the excess contribution arose, the plan must distribute to each 
HCE the excess contributions apportioned to such HCE under paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section and the allocable income. Except as 
otherwise provided in this paragraph (b)(2)(v) and paragraph (b)(4)(i) 
of this section, a distribution of excess contributions must be in 
addition to any other distributions made during the year and must be 
designated as a corrective distribution by the employer. In the event of 
a complete termination of the plan during the plan year in which an 
excess contribution arose, the corrective distribution must be made as 
soon as administratively feasible after the date of termination of the 
plan, but in no event later than 12 months after the date of 
termination. If the entire account balance of an HCE is distributed 
prior to when the plan makes a distribution of excess contributions in 
accordance with this paragraph (b)(2), the distribution is deemed to 
have been a corrective distribution of excess contributions (and income) 
to the extent that a corrective distribution would otherwise have been 
required.
    (vi) Tax treatment of corrective distributions--(A) Corrective 
distributions for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008. 
Except as provided in this paragraph (b)(2)(vi), for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2008, a corrective distribution of 
excess contributions (and allocable income) is includible in the 
employee's gross income for the employee's taxable year in which 
distributed. In addition, the corrective distribution is not subject to 
the early distribution tax of section 72(t). See paragraph (b)(5) of 
this section for additional rules relating to the employer excise tax on 
amounts distributed more than 2\1/2\ months (6 months in the case of 
certain plans that include an eligible automatic contribution 
arrangement within the meaning of section 414(w)) after the end of the 
plan year. See also Sec. 1.402(c)-2, A-

[[Page 310]]

4 for restrictions on rolling over distributions that are excess 
contributions.
    (B) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008. The tax treatment of corrective distributions for plan years 
beginning before January 1, 2008, is determined under Sec. 1.401(k)-
2(b)(2)(vi) (as it appeared in the April 1, 2007, edition of 26 CFR Part 
1).
    (C) Corrective distributions attributable to designated Roth 
contributions. Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(2)(vi)(A) and (B) of this 
section, a distribution of excess contributions is not includible in 
gross income to the extent it represents a distribution of designated 
Roth contributions. However, the income allocable to a corrective 
distribution of excess contributions that are designated Roth 
contributions is included in gross income in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(2)(vi)(A) or (B) of this section (i.e., in the same manner as income 
allocable to a corrective distribution of excess contributions that are 
pre-tax elective contributions).
    (vii) Other rules--(A) No employee or spousal consent required. A 
corrective distribution of excess contributions (and income) may be made 
under the terms of the plan without regard to any notice or consent 
otherwise required under sections 411(a)(11) and 417.
    (B) Treatment of corrective distributions as elective contributions. 
Excess contributions are treated as employer contributions for purposes 
of sections 404 and 415 even if distributed from the plan.
    (C) No reduction of required minimum distribution. A distribution of 
excess contributions (and income) is not treated as a distribution for 
purposes of determining whether the plan satisfies the minimum 
distribution requirements of section 401(a)(9). See Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, 
A-9(b).
    (D) Partial distributions. Any distribution of less than the entire 
amount of excess contributions (and allocable income) with respect to 
any HCE is treated as a pro rata distribution of excess contributions 
and allocable income.
    (viii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application 
of this paragraph (b)(2). For purposes of these examples, none of the 
plans provide for catch-up contributions under section 414(v). The 
examples are as follows:

    Example 1. (i) Plan P, a calendar year profit-sharing plan that 
includes a cash or deferred arrangement, provides for distribution of 
excess contributions to HCEs to the extent necessary to satisfy the ADP 
test. For the 2006 plan year, Employee A, an HCE, has elective 
contributions of $12,000 and $200,000 in compensation, for an ADR of 6%, 
and Employee B, a second HCE, has elective contributions of $8,960 and 
compensation of $128,000, for an ADR of 7%. The ADP for the NHCEs is 3% 
for the 2006 plan year. Under the ADP test, the ADP of the two HCEs 
under the plan may not exceed 5% (i.e., 2 percentage points more than 
the ADP of the NHCEs under the plan). The ADP for the 2 HCEs under the 
plan is 6.5%. Therefore, there must be a correction of excess 
contributions for the 2006 plan year.
    (ii) The total amount of excess contributions for the HCEs is 
determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section as follows: the 
elective contributions of Employee B (the HCE with the highest ADR) are 
reduced by $1,280 in order to reduce his ADR to 6% ($7,680/$128,000), 
which is the ADR of Employee A.
    (iii) Because the ADP of the HCEs determined after the $1,280 
reduction to Employee B still exceeds 5%, further reductions in elective 
contributions are necessary in order to reduce the ADP of the HCEs to 
5%. The elective contributions of Employee A and Employee B are each 
reduced by 1% of compensation ($2,000 and $1,280 respectively). Because 
the ADP of the HCEs determined after the reductions equals 5%, the plan 
would satisfy the requirements of (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (iv) The total amount of excess contributions ($4,560 = $1,280 + 
$2,000 + $1,280) is apportioned among the HCEs under paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section first to the HCE with the highest amount of 
elective contributions. Therefore, Employee A is apportioned $3,040 (the 
amount required to cause Employee A's elective contributions to equal 
the next highest dollar amount of elective contributions).
    (v) Because the total amount of excess contributions has not been 
apportioned, further apportionment is necessary. The balance ($1,520) of 
the total amount of excess contributions is apportioned equally among 
Employee A and Employee B ($760 to each).
    (vi) Therefore, the cash or deferred arrangement will satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section if, by the end of the 
12 month period following the end of the 2006 plan year, Employee A 
receives a

[[Page 311]]

corrective distribution of excess contributions equal to $3,800 ($3,040 
+ $760) and allocable income and Employee B receives a corrective 
distribution of $760 and allocable income.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except 
Employee A's ADR is based on $3,000 of elective contributions to this 
plan and $9,000 of elective contributions to another plan of the 
employer.
    (ii) The total amount of excess contributions ($4,560 = $1,280 + 
$2,000 + $1,280) is apportioned among the HCEs under paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section first to the HCE with the highest amount of 
elective contributions. The amount of elective contributions for 
Employee A is $12,000. Therefore, Employee A is apportioned $3,040 (the 
amount required to cause Employee A's elective contributions to equal 
the next highest dollar amount of elective contributions). However, 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(B) of this section, no more than the 
amount actually contributed to the plan may be apportioned to an HCE. 
Accordingly, no more than $3,000 may be apportioned to Employee A. 
Therefore, the remaining $1,560 must be apportioned to Employee B.
    (iii) The cash or deferred arrangement will satisfy the requirements 
of paragraph (a)(1) of this section if, by the end of the 12 month 
period following the end of the 2006 plan year, Employee A receives a 
corrective distribution of excess contributions equal to $3,000 (total 
amount of elective contributions actually contributed to the plan for 
Employee A) and allocable income and Employee B receives a corrective 
distribution of $1,560 and allocable income.

    (3) Recharacterization of excess contributions--(i) General rule. 
Excess contributions are recharacterized in accordance with this 
paragraph (b)(3) only if the excess contributions that would have to be 
distributed under (b)(2) of this section if the plan was correcting 
through distribution of excess contributions are recharacterized as 
described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, and all of the 
conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section are 
satisfied.
    (ii) Treatment of recharacterized excess contributions. 
Recharacterized excess contributions are includible in the employee's 
gross income as if such amounts were distributed under paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section. The recharacterized excess contributions are treated as 
employee contributions for purposes of section 72, sections 401(a)(4), 
401(m), Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d) and Sec. 1.401(k)-2. This requirement is 
not treated as satisfied unless the payor or plan administrator reports 
the recharacterized excess contributions as employee contributions to 
the Internal Revenue Service and the employee by timely providing such 
Federal tax forms and accompanying instructions and timely taking such 
other action as is prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
(see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter) as well as the applicable 
Federal tax forms and accompanying instructions.
    (iii) Additional rules--(A) Time of recharacterization. Excess 
contributions may not be recharacterized under this paragraph (b)(3) 
after 2\1/2\ months after the close of the plan year to which the 
recharacterization relates. Recharacterization is deemed to have 
occurred on the date on which the last of those HCEs with excess 
contributions to be recharacterized is notified in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (B) Employee contributions must be permitted under plan. The amount 
of recharacterized excess contributions, in combination with the 
employee contributions actually made by the HCE, may not exceed the 
maximum amount of employee contributions (determined without regard to 
the ACP test of section 401(m)(2)) permitted under the provisions of the 
plan as in effect on the first day of the plan year.
    (C) Treatment of recharacterized excess contributions. 
Recharacterized excess contributions continue to be treated as employer 
contributions for all purposes under the Internal Revenue Code (other 
than those specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section), including 
section 401(a) and sections 404, 409, 411, 412, 415, 416, and 417. Thus, 
for example, recharacterized excess contributions remain subject to the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(c); must be deducted under section 404; 
and are treated as employer contributions described in section 
415(c)(2)(A).
    (4) Rules applicable to all corrections--(i) Coordination with 
distribution of excess deferrals--(A) Treatment of excess deferrals that 
reduce excess contributions. The amount of excess contributions

[[Page 312]]

(and allocable income) to be distributed under paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section or the amount of excess contributions recharacterized under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section with respect to an employee for a plan 
year, is reduced by any amounts previously distributed to the employee 
from the plan to correct excess deferrals for the employee's taxable 
year ending with or within the plan year in accordance with section 
402(g)(2).
    (B) Treatment of excess contributions that reduce excess deferrals. 
Under Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e), the amount required to be distributed to 
correct an excess deferral to an employee for a taxable year is reduced 
by any excess contributions (and allocable income) previously 
distributed or excess contributions recharacterized with respect to the 
employee for the plan year beginning with or within the taxable year. 
The amount of excess contributions includible in the gross income of the 
employee, and the amount of excess contributions reported by the payer 
or plan administrator as includible in the gross income of the employee, 
does not include the amount of any reduction under Sec. 1.402(g)-
1(e)(6).
    (ii) Forfeiture of match on distributed excess contributions. A 
matching contribution is taken into account under section 401(a)(4) even 
if the match is with respect to an elective contribution that is 
distributed or recharacterized under this paragraph (b). This requires 
that, after correction of excess contributions, each level of matching 
contributions be currently and effectively available to a group of 
employees that satisfies section 410(b). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
4(e)(3)(iii)(G). Thus, a plan that provides the same rate of matching 
contributions to all employees will not meet the requirements of section 
401(a)(4) if elective contributions are distributed under this paragraph 
(b) to HCEs to the extent needed to meet the requirements of section 
401(k)(3), while matching contributions attributable to those elective 
contributions remain allocated to the HCEs' accounts. Under section 
411(a)(3)(G) and Sec. 1.411(a)-4(b)(7), a plan may forfeit matching 
contributions attributable to excess contributions, excess aggregate 
contributions or excess deferrals to avoid a violation of section 
401(a)(4). See also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii)(B) regarding the use 
of additional allocations to the accounts of NHCEs for the purpose of 
correcting a discriminatory rate of matching contributions.
    (iii) Permitted forfeiture of QMAC. Pursuant to section 
401(k)(8)(E), a qualified matching contribution is not treated as 
forfeitable under Sec. 1.401(k)-1(c) merely because under the plan it 
is forfeited in accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section or 
Sec. 1.414(w)-1(d)(2).
    (iv) No requirement for recalculation. If excess contributions are 
distributed or recharacterized in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and 
(3) of this section, the cash or deferred arrangement is treated as 
meeting the nondiscrimination test of section 401(k)(3) regardless of 
whether the ADP for the HCEs, if recalculated after the distributions or 
recharacterizations, would satisfy section 401(k)(3).
    (v) Treatment of excess contributions that are catch-up 
contributions. A cash or deferred arrangement does not fail to meet the 
requirements of section 401(k)(3) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
merely because excess contributions that are catch-up contributions 
because they exceed the ADP limit, as described in Sec. 1.414(v)-
1(b)(1)(iii), are not corrected in accordance with this paragraph (b).
    (5) Failure to timely correct--(i) Failure to correct within 2\1/2\ 
months after end of plan year. If a plan does not correct excess 
contributions within 2\1/2\ months after the close of the plan year for 
which the excess contributions are made, the employer will be liable for 
a 10% excise tax on the amount of the excess contributions. See section 
4979 and Sec. 54.4979-1 of this chapter. Qualified nonelective 
contributions and qualified matching contributions properly taken into 
account under paragraph (a)(6) of this section for a plan year may 
enable a plan to avoid having excess contributions, even if the 
contributions are made after the close of the 2\1/2\ month period.
    (ii) Failure to correct within 12 months after end of plan year. If 
excess contributions are not corrected within 12 months after the close 
of the plan year for which they were made, the cash or

[[Page 313]]

deferred arrangement will fail to satisfy the requirements of section 
401(k)(3) for the plan year for which the excess contributions are made 
and all subsequent plan years during which the excess contributions 
remain in the trust.
    (iii) Special rule for eligible automatic contribution arrangements. 
In the case of excess contributions under a plan that includes an 
eligible automatic contribution arrangement within the meaning of 
section 414(w), 6 months is substituted for 2\1/2\ months in paragraph 
(b)(5)(i) of this section. The additional time described in this 
paragraph (b)(5)(iii) applies to a distribution of excess contributions 
for a plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2010 only where all the 
eligible NHCEs and eligible HCEs are covered employees under the 
eligible automatic contribution arrangement (within the meaning of Sec. 
1.414(w)-1(e)(3)) for the entire plan year (or for the portion of the 
plan year that the eligible NHCEs and eligible HCEs are eligible 
employees).
    (c) Additional rules for prior year testing method--(1) Rules for 
change in testing method--(i) General rule. A plan is permitted to 
change from the prior year testing method to the current year testing 
method for any plan year. A plan is permitted to change from the current 
year testing method to the prior year testing method only in situations 
described in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. For purposes of this 
paragraph (c)(1), a plan that uses the safe harbor method described in 
Sec. 1.401(k)-3 or a SIMPLE 401(k) plan is treated as using the current 
year testing method for that plan year.
    (ii) Situations permitting a change to the prior year testing 
method. The situations described in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii) are:
    (A) The plan is not the result of the aggregation of two or more 
plans, and the current year testing method was used under the plan for 
each of the 5 plan years preceding the plan year of the change (or if 
lesser, the number of plan years the plan has been in existence, 
including years in which the plan was a portion of another plan).
    (B) The plan is the result of the aggregation of two or more plans, 
and for each of the plans that are being aggregated (the aggregating 
plans), the current year testing method was used for each of the 5 plan 
years preceding the plan year of the change (or if lesser, the number of 
plan years since that aggregating plan has been in existence, including 
years in which the aggregating plan was a portion of another plan).
    (C) A transaction described in section 410(b)(6)(C)(i) and Sec. 
1.410(b)-2(f) occurs and--
    (1) As a result of the transaction, the employer maintains both a 
plan using the prior year testing method and a plan using the current 
year testing method; and
    (2) The change from the current year testing method to the prior 
year testing method occurs within the transition period described in 
section 410(b)(6)(C)(ii).
    (2) Calculation of ADP under the prior year testing method for the 
first plan year--(i) Plans that are not successor plans. If, for the 
first plan year of any plan (other than a successor plan), the plan uses 
the prior year testing method, the plan is permitted to use either that 
first plan year as the applicable year for determining the ADP for 
eligible NHCEs, or use 3% as the ADP for eligible NHCEs, for applying 
the ADP test for that first plan year. A plan (other than a successor 
plan) that uses the prior year testing method but has elected for its 
first plan year to use that year as the applicable year is not treated 
as changing its testing method in the second plan year and is not 
subject to the limitations on double counting on QNECs under paragraph 
(a)(6)(vi) of this section for the second plan year.
    (ii) First plan year defined. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(2), 
the first plan year of any plan is the first year in which the plan 
provides for elective contributions. Thus, the rules of this paragraph 
(c)(2) do not apply to a plan (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(b)) for a plan year if for such plan year the plan is aggregated under 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4) with any other plan that provided for elective 
contributions in the prior year.
    (iii) Successor plans. A plan is a successor plan if 50% or more of 
the eligible employees for the first plan year

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were eligible employees under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement 
maintained by the employer in the prior year. If a plan that is a 
successor plan uses the prior year testing method for its first plan 
year, the ADP for the group of NHCEs for the applicable year must be 
determined under paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (3) Plans using different testing methods for the ADP and ACP test. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (c)(3), a plan may use 
the current year testing method or prior year testing method for the ADP 
test for a plan year without regard to whether the current year testing 
method or prior year testing method is used for the ACP test for that 
year. For example, a plan may use the prior year testing method for the 
ADP test and the current year testing method for its ACP test for the 
plan year. However, plans that use different testing methods under this 
paragraph (c)(3) cannot use--
    (i) The recharacterization method of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section to correct excess contributions for a plan year;
    (ii) The rules of Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6)(ii) to take elective 
contributions into account under the ACP test (rather than the ADP 
test); or
    (iii) The rules of paragraph (a)(6)(v) of this section to take 
qualified matching contributions into account under the ADP test (rather 
than the ACP test).
    (4) Rules for plan coverage changes--(i) In general. A plan that 
uses the prior year testing method and experiences a plan coverage 
change during a plan year satisfies the requirements of this section for 
that year only if the plan provides that the ADP for the NHCEs for the 
plan year is the weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year 
subgroups.
    (ii) Optional rule for minor plan coverage changes. If a plan 
coverage change occurs and 90% or more of the total number of the NHCEs 
from all prior year subgroups are from a single prior year subgroup, 
then, in lieu of using the weighted averages described in paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) of this section, the plan may provide that the ADP for the 
group of eligible NHCEs for the prior year under the plan is the ADP of 
the NHCEs for the prior year of the plan under which that single prior 
year subgroup was eligible.
    (iii) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(4):
    (A) Plan coverage change. The term plan coverage change means a 
change in the group or groups of eligible employees under a plan on 
account of--
    (1) The establishment or amendment of a plan;
    (2) A plan merger or spinoff under section 414(l);
    (3) A change in the way plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(b)) are combined or separated for purposes of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4) 
(e.g., permissively aggregating plans not previously aggregated under 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), or ceasing to permissively aggregate plans under 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d));
    (4) A reclassification of a substantial group of employees that has 
the same effect as amending the plan (e.g., a transfer of a substantial 
group of employees from one division to another division); or
    (5) A combination of any of paragraphs (c)(4)(iii)(A)(1) through (4) 
of this section.
    (B) Prior year subgroup. The term prior year subgroup means all 
NHCEs for the prior plan year who, in the prior year, were eligible 
employees under a specific plan maintained by the employer that included 
a qualified cash or deferred arrangement and who would have been 
eligible employees in the prior year under the plan being tested if the 
plan coverage change had first been effective as of the first day of the 
prior plan year instead of first being effective during the plan year. 
The determination of whether an NHCE is a member of a prior year 
subgroup is made without regard to whether the NHCE terminated 
employment during the prior year.
    (C) Weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups. The 
term weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups means the 
sum, for all prior year subgroups, of the adjusted ADPs for the plan 
year. The term adjusted ADP with respect to a prior year subgroup means 
the ADP for the prior plan year of the specific plan

[[Page 315]]

under which the members of the prior year subgroup were eligible 
employees on the first day of the prior plan year, multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of NHCEs in the prior 
year subgroup and denominator of which is the total number of NHCEs in 
all prior year subgroups.
    (iv) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (c)(4):
    Example 1. (i) Employer B maintains two calendar year plans, Plan O 
and Plan P, each of which includes a cash or deferred arrangement. The 
plans were not permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for the 
2005 plan year. Both plans use the prior year testing method. Plan O had 
300 eligible employees who were NHCEs for the 2005 plan year, and their 
ADP for that year was 6%. Sixty of the eligible employees who were NHCEs 
for the 2005 plan year under Plan O, terminated their employment during 
that year. Plan P had 100 eligible employees who were NHCEs for 2005, 
and the ADP for those NHCEs for that plan was 4%. Plan O and Plan P are 
permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for the 2006 plan 
year.
    (ii) The permissive aggregation of Plan O and Plan P for the 2006 
plan year under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) is a plan coverage change that 
results in treating the plans as one plan (Plan OP) for purposes of 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4). Therefore, the prior year ADP for the NHCEs 
under Plan OP for the 2006 plan year is the weighted average of the ADPs 
for the prior year subgroups: the Plan O prior year subgroup and the 
Plan P prior year subgroup.
    (iii) The Plan O prior year subgroup consists of the 300 employees 
who, in the 2005 plan year, were eligible NHCEs under Plan O and who 
would have been eligible under Plan OP for the 2005 plan year if Plan O 
and Plan P had been permissively aggregated for that plan year. The Plan 
P prior year subgroup consists of the 100 employees who, in the 2005 
plan year, were eligible NHCEs under Plan P and would have been eligible 
under Plan OP for the 2005 plan year if Plan O and Plan P had been 
permissively aggregated for that plan year.
    (iv) The weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups 
is the sum of the adjusted ADP for the Plan O prior year subgroup and 
the adjusted ADP for the Plan P prior year subgroup. The adjusted ADP 
for the Plan O prior year subgroup is 4.5%, calculated as follows: 6% 
(the ADP for the NHCEs under Plan O for the 2005 plan year) x 300/400 
(the number of NHCEs in the Plan O prior year subgroup divided by the 
total number of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups). The adjusted ADP for 
the Plan P prior year subgroup is 1%, calculated as follows: 4% (the ADP 
for the NHCEs under Plan P for the 2005 plan year) x 100/400 (the number 
of NHCEs in the Plan P prior year subgroup divided by the total number 
of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups). Thus, the prior year ADP for 
NHCEs under Plan OP for the 2006 plan year is 5.5% (the sum of adjusted 
ADPs for the prior year subgroups, 4.5% plus 1%).
    (v) As provided in paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(B) of this section, the 
determination of whether an NHCE is a member of a prior year subgroup is 
made without regard to whether that NHCE terminated employment during 
the prior year. Thus, the prior ADP for the NHCEs under Plan OP for the 
2006 plan year is unaffected by the termination of the 60 NHCEs covered 
by Plan O during the 2005 plan year.
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as Example 1, except that the 
60 employees who terminated employment during the 2005 plan are instead 
spun-off to another plan.
    (ii) The permissive aggregation of Plan O and Plan P for the 2006 
plan year under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) is a plan coverage change that 
results in treating the plans as one plan (Plan OP) for purposes of 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4) and the spin-off of the 60 employees is a plan 
coverage change. Therefore, the prior year ADP for the NHCEs under Plan 
OP for the 2006 plan year is the weighted average of the ADPs for the 
prior year subgroups: the Plan O prior year subgroup and the Plan P 
prior year subgroup.
    (iii) For purposes of determining the prior year subgroups, the 
employees who would have been eligible employees in the prior year under 
the plan being tested are determined as if both plan coverage changes 
had first been effective as of the first day of the prior plan year. The 
Plan O prior year subgroup consists of the 240 employees who, in the 
2005 plan year, were eligible NHCEs under Plan O and would have been 
eligible under Plan OP for the 2005 plan year if the spin-off had 
occurred at the beginning of the 2005 plan year and Plan O and Plan P 
had been permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for that plan 
year. The Plan P prior year subgroup consists of the 100 employees who, 
in the 2005 plan year, were eligible NHCEs under Plan P and would have 
been eligible under Plan OP for the 2005 plan year if Plan O and Plan P 
had been permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for that plan 
year.
    (iv) The weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups 
is the sum of the adjusted ADP with respect to the prior year subgroup 
consisting of eligible NHCEs from Plan O and the adjusted ADP with 
respect to the prior year subgroup consisting of eligible NHCEs from 
Plan P. The adjusted ADP for the prior year subgroup consisting of 
eligible NHCEs under Plan O is 4.23%, calculated as follows: 6% (the ADP 
for the NHCEs under Plan O for the 2005 plan year) x 240/340 (the

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number of NHCEs in that prior year subgroup divided by the total number 
of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups). The adjusted ADP for the prior 
year subgroup consisting of the eligible NHCEs from Plan P is 1.18%, 
calculated as follows: 4% (the ADP for the NHCEs under Plan P for the 
2005 plan year) x 100/340 (the number of NHCEs in that prior year 
subgroup divided by the total number of NHCEs in all prior year 
subgroups). Thus, the prior year ADP for NHCEs under Plan OP for the 
2006 plan year is 5.41% (the sum of adjusted ADPs for the prior year 
subgroups, 4.23% plus 1.18%).
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
instead of Plan O and Plan P being permissively aggregated for the 2006 
plan year, 200 of the employees eligible under Plan O were spun-off from 
Plan O and merged into Plan P.
    (ii) The spin-off from Plan O and merger to Plan P for the 2006 plan 
year are plan coverage changes for Plan P. Therefore, the prior year ADP 
for the NHCEs under Plan P for the 2006 plan year is the weighted 
average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups under Plan P. There are 
2 subgroups under Plan P for the 2006 plan year. The Plan O prior year 
subgroup consists of the 200 employees who, in the 2005 plan year, were 
eligible NHCEs under Plan O and who would have been eligible under Plan 
P for the 2005 plan year if the spin-off and merger had occurred on the 
first day of the 2005 plan year. The Plan P prior year subgroup consists 
of the 100 employees who, in the 2005 plan year, were eligible NHCEs 
under Plan P for the 2005 plan year.
    (iii) The weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups 
is the sum of the adjusted ADP for the Plan O prior year subgroup and 
the adjusted ADP for the Plan P prior year subgroup. The adjusted ADP 
for the Plan O prior year subgroup is 4.0%, calculated as follows: 6% 
(the ADP for the NHCEs under Plan O for the 2005 plan year) x 200/300 
(the number of NHCEs in the Plan O prior year subgroup divided by the 
total number of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups). The adjusted ADP for 
the Plan P prior year subgroup is 1.33%, calculated as follows: 4% (the 
ADP for the NHCEs under Plan P for the 2005 plan year) x 100/300 (the 
number of NHCEs in the Plan P prior year subgroup divided by the total 
number of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups). Thus, the prior year ADP 
for NHCEs under Plan P for the 2006 plan year is 5.33% (the sum of 
adjusted ADPs for the 2 prior year subgroups, 4.0% plus 1.33%).
    (iv) The spin-off from Plan O for the 2006 plan year is a plan 
coverage change for Plan O. Therefore, the prior year ADP for the NHCEs 
under Plan O for the 2006 plan year is the weighted average of the ADPs 
for the prior year subgroups under Plan O. In this case, there is only 
one prior year subgroup under Plan O, the employees who were NHCEs of 
Employer B for the 2005 plan year and who were eligible for the 2005 
plan year under Plan O. Because there is only one prior year subgroup 
under Plan O, the weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year 
subgroup under Plan O is equal to the NHCE ADP for the prior year (2005 
plan year) under Plan O, or 6%.
    Example 4. (i) Employer C maintains a calendar year plan, Plan Q, 
which includes a cash or deferred arrangement that uses the prior year 
testing method. Plan Q covers employees of Division A and Division B. In 
2005, Plan Q had 500 eligible employees who were NHCEs, and the ADP for 
those NHCEs for 2005 was 2%. Effective January 1, 2006, Employer C 
amends the eligibility provisions under Plan Q to exclude employees of 
Division B effective January 1, 2006. In addition, effective on that 
same date, Employer C establishes a new calendar year plan, Plan R, 
which includes a cash or deferred arrangement that uses the prior year 
testing method. The only eligible employees under Plan R are the 100 
employees of Division B who were eligible employees under Plan Q.
    (ii) Plan R is a successor plan, within the meaning of paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii) of this section (because all of the employees were eligible 
employees under Plan Q in the prior year). Therefore, Plan R cannot use 
the first plan year rule set forth in paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this 
section.
    (iii) The amendment to the eligibility provisions of Plan Q and the 
establishment of Plan R are plan coverage changes within the meaning of 
paragraph (c)(4)(iii)(A) of this section for Plan Q and Plan R. 
Accordingly, each plan must determine the NHCE ADP for the 2006 plan 
year under the rules set forth in paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (iv) The prior year ADP for NHCEs under Plan Q is the weighted 
average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups. Plan Q has only one 
prior year subgroup (because the only NHCEs who would have been eligible 
employees under Plan Q for the 2005 plan year if the amendment to the 
Plan Q eligibility provisions had occurred as of the first day of that 
plan year were eligible employees under Plan Q). Therefore, for purposes 
of the 2006 plan year under Plan Q, the ADP for NHCEs for the prior year 
is the weighted average of the ADPs for the prior year subgroups, or 2%, 
the same as if the plan amendment had not occurred.
    (v) Similarly, Plan R has only one prior year subgroup (because the 
only NHCEs who would have been eligible employees under Plan R for the 
2005 plan year if the plan were established as of the first day of that 
plan year were eligible employees under Plan Q). Therefore, for purposes 
of the 2006 testing year under Plan R, the ADP for NHCEs for the prior 
year is the weighted average of the

[[Page 317]]

ADPs for the prior year subgroups, or 2%, the same as that of Plan Q.
    Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that 
the provisions of Plan R extend eligibility to 50 hourly employees who 
previously were not eligible employees under any qualified cash or 
deferred arrangement maintained by Employer C.
    (ii) Plan R is a successor plan (because 100 of Plan R's 150 
eligible employees were eligible employees under another qualified cash 
or deferred arrangement maintained by Employer C in the prior year). 
Therefore, Plan R cannot use the first plan year rule set forth in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section.
    (iii) The establishment of Plan R is a plan coverage change that 
affects Plan R. Because the 50 hourly employees were not eligible 
employees under any qualified cash or deferred arrangement of Employer C 
for the prior plan year, they do not comprise a prior year subgroup. 
Accordingly, Plan R still has only one prior year subgroup. Therefore, 
for purposes of the 2006 testing year under Plan R, the ADP for NHCEs 
for the prior year is the weighted average of the ADPs for the prior 
year subgroups, or 2%, the same as that of Plan Q.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 
10, Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8207, Feb. 24, 2009]



Sec. 1.401(k)-3  Safe harbor requirements.

    (a) ADP test safe harbor--(1) Section 401(k)(12) safe harbor. A cash 
or deferred arrangement satisfies the ADP safe harbor provision of 
section 401(k)(12) for a plan year if the arrangement satisfies the safe 
harbor contribution requirement of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section 
for the plan year, the notice requirement of paragraph (d) of this 
section, the plan year requirements of paragraph (e) of this section, 
and the additional rules of paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this 
section, as applicable.
    (2) Section 401(k)(13) safe harbor. For plan years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2008, a cash or deferred arrangement satisfies the ADP 
safe harbor provision of section 401(k)(13) for a plan year if the 
arrangement is described in paragraph (j) of this section and satisfies 
the safe harbor contribution requirement of paragraph (k) of this 
section for the plan year, the notice requirement of paragraph (d) of 
this section (modified to include the information set forth in paragraph 
(k)(4) of this section), the plan year requirements of paragraph (e) of 
this section, and the additional rules of paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) 
of this section, as applicable. A cash or deferred arrangement that 
satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (a)(2) is referred to as a 
qualified automatic contribution arrangement.
    (3) Requirements applicable to safe harbor contributions. Pursuant 
to section 401(k)(12)(E)(ii) and section 401(k)(13)(D)(iv), the safe 
harbor contribution requirement of paragraph (b), (c), or (k) of this 
section must be satisfied without regard to section 401(l). The 
contributions made under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section (and the 
corresponding contributions under paragraph (k) of this section) are 
referred to as safe harbor nonelective contributions and safe harbor 
matching contributions.
    (b) Safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement--(1) General 
rule. The safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement of this 
paragraph is satisfied if, under the terms of the plan, the employer is 
required to make a qualified nonelective contribution on behalf of each 
eligible NHCE equal to at least 3% of the employee's safe harbor 
compensation.
    (2) Safe harbor compensation defined. For purposes of this section, 
safe harbor compensation means compensation as defined in Sec. 
1.401(k)-6 (which incorporates the definition of compensation in Sec. 
1.414(s)-1); provided, however, that the rule in the last sentence of 
Sec. 1.414(s)-1(d)(2)(iii) (which generally permits a definition of 
compensation to exclude all compensation in excess of a specified dollar 
amount) does not apply in determining the safe harbor compensation of 
NHCEs. Thus, for example, the plan may limit the period used to 
determine safe harbor compensation to the eligible employee's period of 
participation.
    (c) Safe harbor matching contribution requirement--(1) In general. 
The safe harbor matching contribution requirement of this paragraph (c) 
is satisfied if, under the plan, qualified matching contributions are 
made on behalf of each eligible NHCE in an amount determined under the 
basic matching formula of section 401(k)(12)(B)(i)(I), as described in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or under an enhanced matching

[[Page 318]]

formula of section 401(k)(12)(B)(i)(II), as described in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section.
    (2) Basic matching formula. Under the basic matching formula, each 
eligible NHCE receives qualified matching contributions in an amount 
equal to the sum of--
    (i) 100% of the amount of the employee's elective contributions that 
do not exceed 3% of the employee's safe harbor compensation; and
    (ii) 50% of the amount of the employee's elective contributions that 
exceed 3% of the employee's safe harbor compensation but that do not 
exceed 5% of the employee's safe harbor compensation.
    (3) Enhanced matching formula. Under an enhanced matching formula, 
each eligible NHCE receives a matching contribution under a formula 
that, at any rate of elective contributions by the employee, provides an 
aggregate amount of qualified matching contributions at least equal to 
the aggregate amount of qualified matching contributions that would have 
been provided under the basic matching formula of paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section. In addition, under an enhanced matching formula, the ratio 
of matching contributions on behalf of an employee under the plan for a 
plan year to the employee's elective contributions may not increase as 
the amount of an employee's elective contributions increases.
    (4) Limitation on HCE matching contributions. The safe harbor 
matching contribution requirement of this paragraph (c) is not satisfied 
if the ratio of matching contributions made on account of an HCE's 
elective contributions under the cash or deferred arrangement for a plan 
year to those elective contributions is greater than the ratio of 
matching contributions to elective contributions that would apply with 
respect to any eligible NHCE with elective contributions at the same 
percentage of safe harbor compensation.
    (5) Use of safe harbor match not precluded by certain plan 
provisions--(i) Safe harbor matching contributions on employee 
contributions. The safe harbor matching contribution requirement of this 
paragraph (c) will not fail to be satisfied merely because safe harbor 
matching contributions are made on both elective contributions and 
employee contributions if safe harbor matching contributions are made 
with respect to the sum of elective contributions and employee 
contributions on the same terms as safe harbor matching contributions 
are made with respect to elective contributions. Alternatively, the safe 
harbor matching contribution requirement of this paragraph (c) will not 
fail to be satisfied merely because safe harbor matching contributions 
are made on both elective contributions and employee contributions if 
safe harbor matching contributions on elective contributions are not 
affected by the amount of employee contributions.
    (ii) Periodic matching contributions. The safe harbor matching 
contribution requirement of this paragraph (c) will not fail to be 
satisfied merely because the plan provides that safe harbor matching 
contributions will be made separately with respect to each payroll 
period (or with respect to all payroll periods ending with or within 
each month or quarter of a plan year) taken into account under the plan 
for the plan year, provided that safe harbor matching contributions with 
respect to any elective contributions made during a plan year quarter 
are contributed to the plan by the last day of the immediately following 
plan year quarter.
    (6) Permissible restrictions on elective contributions by NHCEs--(i) 
General rule. The safe harbor matching contribution requirement of this 
paragraph (c) is not satisfied if elective contributions by NHCEs are 
restricted, unless the restrictions are permitted by this paragraph 
(c)(6).
    (ii) Restrictions on election periods. A plan may limit the 
frequency and duration of periods in which eligible employees may make 
or change cash or deferred elections under a plan. However, an employee 
must have a reasonable opportunity (including a reasonable period after 
receipt of the notice described in paragraph (d) of this section) to 
make or change a cash or deferred election for the plan year. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c)(6)(ii), a 30-day period is deemed to be a 
reasonable period to make or change a cash or deferred election.

[[Page 319]]

    (iii) Restrictions on amount of elective contributions. A plan is 
permitted to limit the amount of elective contributions that may be made 
by an eligible employee under a plan, provided that each NHCE who is an 
eligible employee is permitted (unless the employee is restricted under 
paragraph (c)(6)(v) of this section) to make elective contributions in 
an amount that is at least sufficient to receive the maximum amount of 
matching contributions available under the plan for the plan year, and 
the employee is permitted to elect any lesser amount of elective 
contributions. However, a plan may require eligible employees to make 
cash or deferred elections in whole percentages of compensation or whole 
dollar amounts.
    (iv) Restrictions on types of compensation that may be deferred. A 
plan may limit the types of compensation that may be deferred by an 
eligible employee under a plan, provided that each eligible NHCE is 
permitted to make elective contributions under a definition of 
compensation that would be a reasonable definition of compensation 
within the meaning of Sec. 1.414(s)-1(d)(2). Thus, the definition of 
compensation from which elective contributions may be made is not 
required to satisfy the nondiscrimination requirement of Sec. 1.414(s)-
1(d)(3).
    (v) Restrictions due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. 
A plan may limit the amount of elective contributions made by an 
eligible employee under a plan--
    (A) Because of the limitations of section 402(g) or 415;
    (B) Due to a suspension under section 414(u)(12)(B)(ii); or
    (C) Because, on account of a hardship distribution made before 
January 1, 2020, an employee's ability to make elective contributions 
has been suspended for 6 months.
    (7) Examples. The following examples illustrate the safe harbor 
contribution requirement of this paragraph (c):

    Example 1. (i) Beginning January 1, 2006, Employer A maintains Plan 
L covering employees in Divisions D and E, each of which includes HCEs 
and NHCEs. Plan L contains a cash or deferred arrangement and provides 
qualified matching contributions equal to 100% of each eligible 
employee's elective contributions up to 3% of compensation and 50% of 
the next 2% of compensation. For purposes of the matching contribution 
formula, safe harbor compensation is defined as all compensation within 
the meaning of section 415(c)(3) (a definition that satisfies section 
414(s)). Also, each employee is permitted to make elective contributions 
from all safe harbor compensation within the meaning of section 
415(c)(3) and may change a cash or deferred election at any time. Plan L 
limits the amount of an employee's elective contributions for purposes 
of section 402(g) and section 415. All contributions under Plan L are 
nonforfeitable and are subject to the withdrawal restrictions of section 
401(k)(2)(B). Plan L provides for no other contributions and Employer A 
maintains no other plans. Plan L is maintained on a calendar-year basis, 
and all contributions for a plan year are made within 12 months after 
the end of the plan year.
    (ii) Based on these facts, matching contributions under Plan L are 
safe harbor matching contributions because they are qualified matching 
contributions equal to the basic matching formula. Accordingly, Plan L 
satisfies the safe harbor contribution requirement of this paragraph 
(c).
    Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
instead of providing a basic matching contribution, Plan L provides a 
qualified matching contribution equal to 100% of each eligible 
employee's elective contributions up to 4% of safe harbor compensation.
    (ii) Plan L's formula is an enhanced matching formula because each 
eligible NHCE receives safe harbor matching contributions at a rate 
that, at any rate of elective contributions, provides an aggregate 
amount of qualified matching contributions at least equal to the 
aggregate amount of qualified matching contributions that would have 
been received under the basic safe harbor matching formula, and the rate 
of matching contributions does not increase as the rate of an employee's 
elective contributions increases. Accordingly, Plan L satisfies the safe 
harbor contribution requirement of this paragraph (c).
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that 
instead of permitting each employee to make elective contributions from 
all compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3), each 
employee's elective contributions under Plan L are limited to 15% of the 
employee's basic compensation. Basic compensation is defined under Plan 
L as compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3), but excluding 
overtime pay.
    (ii) The definition of basic compensation under Plan L is a 
reasonable definition of compensation within the meaning of Sec. 
1.414(s)-1(d)(2).
    (iii) Plan L will not fail to satisfy the safe harbor contribution 
requirement of this

[[Page 320]]

paragraph (c) merely because Plan L limits the amount of elective 
contributions and the types of compensation that may be deferred by 
eligible employees, provided that each eligible NHCE may make elective 
contributions equal to at least 4% of the employee's safe harbor 
compensation.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Plan L provides that only employees employed on the last day of the plan 
year will receive a safe harbor matching contribution.
    (ii) Even if the plan that provides for employee contributions and 
matching contributions satisfies the minimum coverage requirements of 
section 410(b)(1) taking into account this last-day requirement, Plan L 
would not satisfy the safe harbor contribution requirement of this 
paragraph (c) because safe harbor matching contributions are not made on 
behalf of all eligible NHCEs who make elective contributions.
    (iii) The result would be the same if, instead of providing safe 
harbor matching contributions, Plan L provides for a 3% safe harbor 
nonelective contribution that is restricted to eligible employees under 
the cash or deferred arrangement who are employed on the last day of the 
plan year.
    Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
instead of providing qualified matching contributions under the basic 
matching formula to employees in both Divisions D and E, employees in 
Division E are provided qualified matching contributions under the basic 
matching formula, while safe harbor matching contributions continue to 
be provided to employees in Division D under the enhanced matching 
formula described in Example 2.
    (ii) Even if Plan L satisfies Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 with respect to 
each rate of matching contributions available to employees under the 
plan, the plan would fail to satisfy the safe harbor contribution 
requirement of this paragraph (c) because the rate of matching 
contributions with respect to HCEs in Division D at a rate of elective 
contributions between 3% and 5% would be greater than that with respect 
to NHCEs in Division E at the same rate of elective contributions. For 
example, an HCE in Division D who would have a 4% rate of elective 
contributions would have a rate of matching contributions of 100% while 
an NHCE in Division E who would have the same rate of elective 
contributions would have a lower rate of matching contributions.

    (d) Notice requirement--(1) General rule. The notice requirement of 
this paragraph (d) is satisfied for a plan year if each eligible 
employee is given notice of the employee's rights and obligations under 
the plan and the notice satisfies the content requirement of paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section and the timing requirement of paragraph (d)(3) of 
this section. The notice must be in writing or in such other form as may 
be approved by the Commissioner. See Sec. 1.401(a)-21 of this chapter 
for rules permitting the use of electronic media to provide applicable 
notices to recipients with respect to retirement plans.
    (2) Content requirement--(i) General rule. The content requirement 
of this paragraph (d)(2) is satisfied if the notice is--
    (A) Sufficiently accurate and comprehensive to inform the employee 
of the employee's rights and obligations under the plan; and
    (B) Written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average 
employee eligible to participate in the plan.
    (ii) Minimum content requirement. Subject to the requirements of 
paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section, a notice is not considered 
sufficiently accurate and comprehensive unless the notice accurately 
describes--
    (A) The safe harbor matching contribution or safe harbor nonelective 
contribution formula used under the plan (including a description of the 
levels of safe harbor matching contributions, if any, available under 
the plan);
    (B) Any other contributions under the plan or matching contributions 
to another plan on account of elective contributions or employee 
contributions under the plan (including the potential for discretionary 
matching contributions) and the conditions under which such 
contributions are made;
    (C) The plan to which safe harbor contributions will be made (if 
different than the plan containing the cash or deferred arrangement);
    (D) The type and amount of compensation that may be deferred under 
the plan;
    (E) How to make cash or deferred elections, including any 
administrative requirements that apply to such elections;
    (F) The periods available under the plan for making cash or deferred 
elections;
    (G) Withdrawal and vesting provisions applicable to contributions 
under the plan; and
    (H) Information that makes it easy to obtain additional information 
about

[[Page 321]]

the plan (including an additional copy of the summary plan description) 
such as telephone numbers, addresses and, if applicable, electronic 
addresses, of individuals or offices from whom employees can obtain such 
plan information.
    (iii) References to SPD. A plan will not fail to satisfy the content 
requirements of this paragraph (d)(2) merely because, in the case of 
information described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section 
(relating to any other contributions under the plan), paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(C) of this section (relating to the plan to which safe harbor 
contributions will be made) or paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(D) of this section 
(relating to the type and amount of compensation that may be deferred 
under the plan), the notice cross-references the relevant portions of a 
summary plan description that provides the same information that would 
be provided in accordance with such paragraphs and that has been 
provided (or is concurrently provided) to employees.
    (3) Timing requirement--(i) General rule. The timing requirement of 
this paragraph (d)(3) is satisfied if the notice is provided within a 
reasonable period before the beginning of the plan year (or, in the year 
an employee becomes eligible, within a reasonable period before the 
employee becomes eligible). The determination of whether a notice 
satisfies the timing requirement of this paragraph (d)(3) is based on 
all of the relevant facts and circumstances.
    (ii) Deemed satisfaction of timing requirement. The timing 
requirement of this paragraph (d)(3) is deemed to be satisfied if at 
least 30 days (and no more than 90 days) before the beginning of each 
plan year, the notice is given to each eligible employee for the plan 
year. In the case of an employee who does not receive the notice within 
the period described in the previous sentence because the employee 
becomes eligible after the 90th day before the beginning of the plan 
year, the timing requirement is deemed to be satisfied if the notice is 
provided no more than 90 days before the employee becomes eligible (and 
no later than the date the employee becomes eligible). Thus, for 
example, the preceding sentence would apply in the case of any employee 
eligible for the first plan year under a newly established plan that 
provides for elective contributions, or would apply in the case of the 
first plan year in which an employee becomes eligible under an existing 
plan that provides for elective contributions. If it is not practicable 
for the notice to be provided on or before the date specified in the 
plan that an employee becomes eligible, the notice will nonetheless be 
treated as provided timely if it is provided as soon as practicable 
after that date and the employee is permitted to elect to defer from all 
types of compensation that may be deferred under the plan earned 
beginning on the date the employee becomes eligible.
    (e) Plan year requirement--(1) General rule. Except as provided in 
this paragraph (e) or in paragraph (f) of this section, a plan will fail 
to satisfy the requirements of sections 401(k)(12), 401(k)(13), and this 
section unless plan provisions that satisfy the rules of this section 
are adopted before the first day of the plan year and remain in effect 
for an entire 12-month plan year. In addition, except as provided in 
paragraph (g) of this section or in guidance of general applicability 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), a plan which includes provisions 
that satisfy the rules of this section will not satisfy the requirements 
of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b) if it is amended to change such provisions for 
that plan year. Moreover, if, as described under paragraph (h)(4) of 
this section, safe harbor matching or nonelective contributions will be 
made to another plan for a plan year, provisions under that other plan 
specifying that the safe harbor contributions will be made and providing 
that the contributions will be QNECs or QMACs must also be adopted 
before the first day of that plan year.
    (2) Initial plan year. A newly established plan (other than a 
successor plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(c)(2)(iii)) will 
not be treated as violating the requirements of this paragraph (e) 
merely because the plan year is less than 12 months, provided that the 
plan year is at least 3 months long (or, in the case of a newly 
established employer that establishes the plan as

[[Page 322]]

soon as administratively feasible after the employer comes into 
existence, a shorter period). Similarly, a cash or deferred arrangement 
will not fail to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph (e) if it is 
added to an existing profit sharing, stock bonus, or pre-ERISA money 
purchase pension plan for the first time during that year provided 
that--
    (i) The plan is not a successor plan; and
    (ii) The cash or deferred arrangement is made effective no later 
than 3 months prior to the end of the plan year.
    (3) Change of plan year. A plan that has a short plan year as a 
result of changing its plan year will not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this section merely because the plan 
year has less than 12 months, provided that--
    (i) The plan satisfied the requirements of this section for the 
immediately preceding plan year; and
    (ii) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (determined 
without regard to paragraph (g) of this section) for the immediately 
following plan year (or for the immediately following 12 months if the 
immediately following plan year is less than 12 months).
    (4) Final plan year. A plan that terminates during a plan year will 
not fail to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (e)(1) of this section 
merely because the final plan year is less than 12 months, provided that 
the plan satisfies the requirement of this section through the date of 
termination and either--
    (i) The plan would satisfy the requirements of paragraph (g) of this 
section, treating the termination of the plan as a reduction or 
suspension of safe harbor contributions, other than the requirements of 
paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) or (g)(1)(ii)(A) of this section (relating to the 
employer's financial condition and information included in the initial 
notice for the plan year) and paragraph (g)(1)(i)(D) or (g)(1)(ii)(D) of 
this section (requiring that employees have a reasonable opportunity to 
change their cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, employee 
contribution elections); or
    (ii) The plan termination is in connection with a transaction 
described in section 410(b)(6)(C) or the employer incurs a substantial 
business hardship comparable to a substantial business hardship 
described in section 412(c).
    (f) Plan amendments adopting safe harbor nonelective contributions--
(1) General rule. Notwithstanding paragraph (e)(1) of this section, a 
plan that provides for the use of the current year testing method may be 
amended after the first day of the plan year and no later than 30 days 
before the last day of the plan year to adopt the safe harbor method of 
this section, effective as of the first day of the plan year, using 
nonelective contributions under paragraph (b) of this section, but only 
if the plan provides the contingent and follow-up notices described in 
this section. A plan amendment made pursuant to this paragraph (f)(1) 
for a plan year may provide for the use of the safe harbor method 
described in this section solely for that plan year and a plan sponsor 
is not limited in the number of years for which it is permitted to adopt 
an amendment providing for the safe harbor method of this section using 
nonelective contributions under paragraph (b) of this section and this 
paragraph (f).
    (2) Contingent notice provided. A plan satisfies the requirement to 
provide the contingent notice under this paragraph (f)(2) if it provides 
a notice that would satisfy the requirements of paragraph (d) of this 
section, except that, in lieu of setting forth the safe harbor 
contributions used under the plan as set forth in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, the notice specifies that the plan may be 
amended during the plan year to include the safe harbor nonelective 
contribution and that, if the plan is amended, a follow-up notice will 
be provided.
    (3) Follow-up notice requirement. A plan satisfies the requirement 
to provide a follow-up notice under this paragraph (f)(3) if, no later 
than 30 days before the last day of the plan year, each eligible 
employee is given a notice that states that the safe harbor nonelective 
contributions will be made for the plan year. The notice must be in 
writing or in such other form as may be prescribed by the Commissioner 
and is

[[Page 323]]

permitted to be combined with a contingent notice provided under 
paragraph (f)(2) of this section for the next plan year.
    (g) Permissible reduction or suspension of safe harbor 
contributions--(1) General rule--(i) Matching contributions. A plan that 
provides for safe harbor matching contributions intended to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for a plan year will not 
fail to satisfy the requirements of section 401(k)(3) merely because the 
plan is amended during the plan year to reduce or suspend safe harbor 
matching contributions on future elective contributions (and, if 
applicable, employee contributions) provided that--
    (A) In the case of plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, 
the employer either--
    (1) Is operating at an economic loss as described in section 
412(c)(2)(A) for the plan year; or
    (2) Includes in the notice described in paragraph (d) of this 
section a statement that the plan may be amended during the plan year to 
reduce or suspend safe harbor matching contributions and that the 
reduction or suspension will not apply until at least 30 days after all 
eligible employees are provided notice of the reduction or suspension;
    (B) All eligible employees are provided a supplemental notice that 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this section;
    (C) The reduction or suspension of safe harbor matching 
contributions is effective no earlier than the later of the date the 
amendment is adopted or 30 days after eligible employees are provided 
the supplemental notice described in paragraph (g)(2) of this section;
    (D) Eligible employees are given a reasonable opportunity (including 
a reasonable period after receipt of the supplemental notice) prior to 
the reduction or suspension of safe harbor matching contributions to 
change their cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, their 
employee contribution elections;
    (E) The plan is amended to provide that the ADP test will be 
satisfied for the entire plan year in which the reduction or suspension 
occurs using the current year testing method described in Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii); and
    (F) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (other than 
this paragraph (g)) with respect to amounts deferred through the 
effective date of the amendment.
    (ii) Nonelective contributions. For amendments adopted after May 18, 
2009, a plan that provides for safe harbor nonelective contributions 
intended to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section 
for the plan year will not fail to satisfy the requirements of section 
401(k)(3) merely because the plan is amended during the plan year to 
reduce or suspend safe harbor nonelective contributions provided that--
    (A) The employer either--
    (1) Is operating at an economic loss, as described in section 
412(c)(2)(A) for the plan year; or
    (2) Includes in the notice described in paragraph (d) of this 
section a statement that the plan may be amended during the plan year to 
reduce or suspend safe harbor nonelective contributions and that the 
reduction or suspension will not apply until at least 30 days after all 
eligible employees are provided notice of the reduction or suspension;
    (B) All eligible employees are provided a supplemental notice that 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (g)(2) of this section;
    (C) The reduction or suspension of safe harbor nonelective 
contributions is effective no earlier than the later of the date the 
amendment is adopted or 30 days after eligible employees are provided 
the supplemental notice described in paragraph (g)(2) of this section;
    (D) Eligible employees are given a reasonable opportunity (including 
a reasonable period after receipt of the supplemental notice) prior to 
the reduction or suspension of nonelective contributions to change their 
cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, their employee 
contribution elections;
    (E) The plan is amended to provide that the ADP test will be 
satisfied for the entire plan year in which the reduction or suspension 
occurs using the current year testing method described in Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii); and

[[Page 324]]

    (F) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (other than 
this paragraph (g)) with respect to safe harbor compensation paid 
through the effective date of the amendment.
    (2) Supplemental notice. The supplemental notice requirement of this 
paragraph (g)(2) is satisfied if each eligible employee is given a 
notice (in writing or such other form as prescribed by the Commissioner) 
that explains--
    (i) The consequences of the amendment that reduces or suspends 
future safe harbor contributions;
    (ii) The procedures for changing their cash or deferred elections 
and, if applicable, their employee contribution elections; and
    (iii) The effective date of the amendment.
    (h) Additional rules--(1) Contributions taken into account. A 
contribution is taken into account for purposes of this section for a 
plan year if and only if the contribution would be taken into account 
for such plan year under the rules of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a) or 1.401(m)-
2(a). Thus, for example, a safe harbor matching contribution must be 
made within 12 months of the end of the plan year. Similarly, an 
elective contribution that would be taken into account for a plan year 
under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(i)(B)(2) must be taken into account for 
such plan year for purposes of this section, even if the compensation 
would have been received after the close of the plan year.
    (2) Use of safe harbor nonelective contributions to satisfy other 
nondiscrimination tests. A safe harbor nonelective contribution used to 
satisfy the nonelective contribution requirement under paragraph (b) of 
this section may also be taken into account for purposes of determining 
whether a plan satisfies section 401(a)(4). Thus, these contributions 
are not subject to the limitations on qualified nonelective 
contributions under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6)(ii), but are subject to the 
rules generally applicable to nonelective contributions under section 
401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii). However, pursuant to 
section 401(k)(12)(E)(ii) and section 401(k)(13)(D)(iv), to the extent 
they are needed to satisfy the safe harbor contribution requirement of 
paragraph (b) of this section, safe harbor nonelective contributions may 
not be taken into account under any plan for purposes of section 401(l) 
(including the imputation of permitted disparity under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-7).
    (3) Early participation rules. Section 401(k)(3)(F) and Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(1)(iii)(A), which provide an alternative nondiscrimination 
rule for certain plans that provide for early participation, do not 
apply for purposes of section 401(k)(12), section 401(k)(13), and this 
section. Thus, a plan is not treated as satisfying this section with 
respect to the eligible employees who have not completed the minimum age 
and service requirements of section 410(a)(1)(A) unless the plan 
satisfies the requirements of this section with respect to such eligible 
employees. However, a plan is permitted to apply the rules of section 
410(b)(4)(B) to treat the plan as two separate plans for purposes of 
section 410(b) and apply the safe harbor requirements of this section to 
one plan and apply the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2 to the other 
plan. See Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4)(vi), Example 2.
    (4) Satisfying safe harbor contribution requirement under another 
defined contribution plan. Safe harbor matching or nonelective 
contributions may be made to the plan that contains the cash or deferred 
arrangement or to another defined contribution plan that satisfies 
section 401(a) or 403(a). If safe harbor contributions are made to 
another defined contribution plan, the safe harbor plan must specify the 
plan to which the safe harbor contributions are made and the 
contribution requirement of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section must be 
satisfied in the other defined contribution plan in the same manner as 
if the contributions were made to the plan that contains the cash or 
deferred arrangement. Consequently, the plan to which the contributions 
are made must have the same plan year as the plan containing the cash 
and deferred arrangement and each employee eligible under the plan 
containing the cash or deferred arrangement must be eligible under the 
same conditions under the other defined contribution plan. The plan to 
which the safe harbor contributions are made need not be a plan that can 
be aggregated with the plan that

[[Page 325]]

contains the cash or deferred arrangement.
    (5) Contributions used only once. Safe harbor matching or 
nonelective contributions cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of 
this section with respect to more than one plan.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Qualified automatic contribution arrangement--(1) Automatic 
contribution requirement--(i) In general. A cash or deferred arrangement 
is described in this paragraph (j) if it is an automatic contribution 
arrangement described in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section where the 
default election under that arrangement is a contribution equal to the 
qualified percentage described in paragraph (j)(2) of this section 
multiplied by the eligible employee's compensation from which elective 
contributions are permitted to be made under the cash or deferred 
arrangement. For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2010, the 
compensation used for this purpose must be safe harbor compensation as 
defined under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Automatic contribution arrangement. An automatic contribution 
arrangement is a cash or deferred arrangement within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(2) that provides that, in the absence of an eligible 
employee's affirmative election, a default election applies under which 
the employee is treated as having made an election to have a specified 
contribution made on his or her behalf under the plan. The default 
election begins to apply with respect to an eligible employee no earlier 
than a reasonable period of time after receipt of the notice describing 
the automatic contribution arrangement. The default election ceases to 
apply with respect to an eligible employee for periods of time with 
respect to which the employee has an affirmative election that is 
currently in effect to--
    (A) Have elective contributions made in a different amount on his or 
her behalf (in a specified amount or percentage of compensation); or
    (B) Not have any elective contributions made on his or her behalf.
    (iii) Exception to automatic enrollment for certain current 
employees. An automatic contribution arrangement will not fail to be a 
qualified automatic contribution arrangement merely because the default 
election provided under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section is not 
applied to an employee who was an eligible employee under the cash or 
deferred arrangement (or a predecessor arrangement) immediately prior to 
the effective date of the qualified automatic contribution arrangement 
and on that effective date had an affirmative election in effect (that 
remains in effect) to--
    (A) Have elective contributions made on his or her behalf (in a 
specified amount or percentage of compensation); or
    (B) Not have elective contributions made on his or her behalf.
    (2) Qualified percentage--(i) In general. A percentage is a 
qualified percentage only if it--
    (A) Is uniform for all employees (except to the extent provided in 
paragraph (j)(2)(iii) of this section);
    (B) Does not exceed 10 percent; and
    (C) Satisfies the minimum percentage requirements of paragraph 
(j)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Minimum percentage requirements--(A) Initial-period 
requirement. The minimum percentage requirement of this paragraph 
(j)(2)(ii)(A) is satisfied only if the percentage that applies for the 
initial period is at least 3 percent. For this purpose, the initial 
period begins when the employee first has contributions made pursuant to 
a default election under an arrangement that is intended to be a 
qualified automatic contribution arrangement for a plan year and ends on 
the last day of the following plan year.
    (B) Second-year requirement. The minimum percentage requirement of 
this paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(B) is satisfied only if the percentage that 
applies for the plan year immediately following the last day described 
in paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(A) of this section is at least 4 percent.
    (C) Third-year requirement. The minimum percentage requirement of 
this paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(C) is satisfied only if the percentage that 
applies for the plan year immediately following the plan year described 
in paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(B) of this section is at least 5 percent.

[[Page 326]]

    (D) Later years requirement. A percentage satisfies the minimum 
percentage requirement of this paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(D) only if the 
percentage that applies for all plan years following the plan year 
described in paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(C) of this section is at least 6 
percent.
    (iii) Exception to uniform percentage requirement. A plan does not 
fail to satisfy the uniform percentage requirement of paragraph 
(j)(2)(i)(A) of this section merely because--
    (A) The percentage varies based on the number of years (or portions 
of years) since the beginning of the initial period for an eligible 
employee;
    (B) The rate of elective contributions under a cash or deferred 
election that is in effect for an employee immediately prior to the 
effective date of the default percentage under the qualified automatic 
contribution arrangement is not reduced;
    (C) The rate of elective contributions is limited so as not to 
exceed the limits of sections 401(a)(17), 402(g) (determined with or 
without catch-up contributions described in section 402(g)(1)(C) or 
402(g)(7)), and 415; or
    (D) The default election provided under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this 
section is not applied during the period an employee is not permitted to 
make elective contributions in order for the plan to satisfy the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(c)(6)(v)(B).
    (iv) Treatment of periods without default contributions. The minimum 
percentages described in paragraph (j)(2)(ii) of this section are based 
on the date the initial period begins, regardless of whether the 
employee is eligible to make elective contributions under the plan after 
that date. However, for purposes of determining the date the initial 
period described in paragraph (j)(2)(ii)(A) of this section begins, a 
plan is permitted to treat an employee who for an entire plan year did 
not have contributions made pursuant to a default election under the 
qualified automatic contribution arrangement as if the employee had not 
had such contributions made for any prior plan year as well.
    (k) Modifications to contribution requirements and notice 
requirements for automatic contribution safe harbor--(1) In general. A 
cash or deferred arrangement satisfies the contribution requirements of 
this paragraph (k) only if it satisfies the contribution requirements of 
either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as modified by the rules of 
paragraphs (k)(2) and (k)(3) of this section. In addition, a cash or 
deferred arrangement satisfies the notice requirement of section 
401(k)(13)(E) only if the notice satisfies the additional requirements 
of paragraph (k)(4) of this section.
    (2) Lower matching requirement. In applying the requirement of 
paragraph (c) of this section in the case of a cash or deferred 
arrangement, the basic matching formula is modified so that each 
eligible NHCE must receive the sum of--
    (i) 100 percent of the employee's elective contributions that do not 
exceed 1 percent of the employee's safe harbor compensation; and
    (ii) 50 percent of the employee's elective contributions that exceed 
1 percent of the employee's safe harbor compensation but that do not 
exceed 6 percent of the employee's safe harbor compensation.
    (3) Modified nonforfeiture requirement. A cash or deferred 
arrangement described in paragraph (j) of this section will not fail to 
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as 
applicable, merely because the safe harbor contributions are not 
qualified nonelective contributions or qualified matching contributions 
provided that--
    (i) The contributions are subject to the withdrawal restrictions 
that apply to QNECs and QMACs, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d); and
    (ii) Any employee who has completed 2 years of service (within the 
meaning of section 411(a)) has a nonforfeitable right to the account 
balance attributable to the safe harbor contributions.
    (4) Additional notice requirements--(i) In general. A notice 
satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (k)(4) only if it includes 
the additional information described in paragraph (k)(4)(ii) of this 
section and satisfies the timing requirements of paragraph (k)(4)(iii) 
of this section.

[[Page 327]]

    (ii) Additional information. A notice satisfies the additional 
information requirement of this paragraph (k)(4)(ii) only if it 
explains--
    (A) The level of elective contributions which will be made on the 
employee's behalf if the employee does not make an affirmative election;
    (B) The employee's right under the arrangement to elect not to have 
elective contributions made on the employee's behalf (or to elect to 
have such contributions made in a different amount or percentage of 
compensation); and
    (C) How contributions under the arrangement will be invested 
(including, in the case of an arrangement under which the employee may 
elect among 2 or more investment options, how contributions will be 
invested in the absence of an investment election by the employee).
    (iii) Timing requirements. A notice satisfies the timing 
requirements of this paragraph (k)(4)(iii) only if it is provided 
sufficiently early so that the employee has a reasonable period of time 
after receipt of the notice to make the elections described under 
paragraph (k)(4)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section. However, the 
requirement in the preceding sentence that an employee have a reasonable 
period of time after receipt of the notice to make an alternative 
election does not permit a plan to make the default election effective 
any later than the earlier of--
    (A) The pay date for the second payroll period that begins after the 
date the notice is provided; and
    (B) The first pay date that occurs at least 30 days after the notice 
is provided.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9294, 71 FR 
61887, Oct. 20, 2006; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8208, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9641, 
78 FR 68737, Nov. 15, 2013; T.D. 9875, 84 FR 49658, Sept. 23, 2019]



Sec. 1.401(k)-4  SIMPLE 401(k) plan requirements.

    (a) General rule. A cash or deferred arrangement satisfies the 
SIMPLE 401(k) plan provision of section 401(k)(11) for a plan year if 
the arrangement satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (i) 
of this section for that year. A plan that contains a cash or deferred 
arrangement that satisfies this section is referred to as a SIMPLE 
401(k) plan. Pursuant to section 401(k)(11), a SIMPLE 401(k) plan is 
treated as satisfying the ADP test of section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii) for that 
year.
    (b) Eligible employer--(1) General rule. A SIMPLE 401(k) plan must 
be established by an eligible employer. Eligible employer for purposes 
of this section means, with respect to any plan year, an employer that 
had no more than 100 employees who each received at least $5,000 of 
SIMPLE compensation, as defined in paragraph (e)(5) of this section, 
from the employer for the prior calendar year.
    (2) Special rule. An eligible employer that establishes a SIMPLE 
401(k) plan for a plan year and that fails to be an eligible employer 
for any subsequent plan year, is treated as an eligible employer for the 
2 plan years following the last plan year the employer was an eligible 
employer. If the failure is due to any acquisition, disposition, or 
similar transaction involving an eligible employer, the preceding 
sentence applies only if the provisions of section 410(b)(6)(C)(i) are 
satisfied.
    (c) Exclusive plan--(1) General rule. The SIMPLE 401(k) plan must be 
the exclusive plan for each SIMPLE 401(k) plan participant for the plan 
year. This requirement is satisfied if there are no contributions made, 
or benefits accrued, for services during the plan year on behalf of any 
SIMPLE 401(k) plan participant under any other qualified plan maintained 
by the employer. Other qualified plan for purposes of this section means 
any plan, contract, pension, or trust described in section 219(g)(5)(A) 
or (B).
    (2) Special rule. A SIMPLE 401(k) plan will not be treated as 
failing the requirements of this paragraph (c) merely because any SIMPLE 
401(k) plan participant receives an allocation of forfeitures under 
another plan of the employer.
    (d) Election and notice--(1) General rule. An eligible employer 
establishing or maintaining a SIMPLE 401(k) plan must satisfy the 
election and notice requirements in paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this 
section.
    (2) Employee elections--(i) Initial plan year of participation. For 
the plan year

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in which an employee first becomes eligible under the SIMPLE 401(k) 
plan, the employee must be permitted to make a cash or deferred election 
under the plan during a 60-day period that includes either the day the 
employee becomes eligible or the day before.
    (ii) Subsequent plan years. For each subsequent plan year, each 
eligible employee must be permitted to make or modify his cash or 
deferred election during the 60-day period immediately preceding such 
plan year.
    (iii) Election to terminate. An eligible employee must be permitted 
to terminate his cash or deferred election at any time. If an employee 
does terminate his cash or deferred election, the plan is permitted to 
provide that such employee cannot have elective contributions made under 
the plan for the remainder of the plan year.
    (3) Employee notices. The employer must notify each eligible 
employee within a reasonable time prior to each 60-day election period, 
or on the day the election period starts, that he or she can make a cash 
or deferred election, or modify a prior election, if applicable, during 
that period. The notice must state whether the eligible employer will 
make the matching contributions described in paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section or the nonelective contributions described in paragraph (e)(4) 
of this section.
    (e) Contributions--(1) General rule. A SIMPLE 401(k) plan satisfies 
the contribution requirements of this paragraph (e) for a plan year only 
if no contributions may be made to the SIMPLE 401(k) plan during such 
year, other than contributions described in this paragraph (e) and 
rollover contributions described in Sec. 1.402(c)-2, Q&A-1(a).
    (2) Elective contributions. Subject to the limitations on annual 
additions under section 415, each eligible employee must be permitted to 
make an election to have up to $10,000 of elective contributions made on 
the employee's behalf under the SIMPLE 401(k) plan for a plan year. The 
$10,000 limit is increased beginning in 2006 in the same manner as the 
$160,000 amount is adjusted under section 415(d), except that pursuant 
to section 408(p)(2)(E)(ii) the base period shall be the calendar 
quarter beginning July 1, 2004 and any increase which is not a multiple 
of $500 is rounded to the next lower multiple of $500.
    (3) Matching contributions. Each plan year, the eligible employer 
must contribute a matching contribution to the account of each eligible 
employee on whose behalf elective contributions were made for the plan 
year. The amount of the matching contribution must equal the lesser of 
the eligible employee's elective contributions for the plan year or 3% 
of the eligible employee's SIMPLE compensation for the entire plan year.
    (4) Nonelective contributions. For any plan year, in lieu of 
contributing matching contributions described in paragraph (e)(3) of 
this section, an eligible employer may, in accordance with plan terms, 
contribute a nonelective contribution to the account of each eligible 
employee in an amount equal to 2% of the eligible employee's SIMPLE 
compensation for the entire plan year. The eligible employer may limit 
the nonelective contributions to those eligible employees who received 
at least $5,000 of SIMPLE compensation from the employer for the entire 
plan year.
    (5) SIMPLE compensation. Except as otherwise provided, the term 
SIMPLE compensation for purposes of this section means the sum of wages, 
tips, and other compensation from the eligible employer subject to 
federal income tax withholding (as described in section 6051(a)(3)) and 
the employee's elective contributions made under any other plan, and if 
applicable, elective deferrals under a section 408(p) SIMPLE IRA plan, a 
section 408(k)(6) SARSEP, or a plan or contract that satisfies the 
requirements of section 403(b), and compensation deferred under a 
section 457 plan, required to be reported by the employer on Form W-2 
(as described in section 6051(a)(8)). For self-employed individuals, 
SIMPLE compensation means net earnings from self-employment determined 
under section 1402(a) prior to subtracting any contributions made under 
the SIMPLE 401(k) plan on behalf of the individual.
    (f) Vesting. All benefits attributable to contributions described in 
paragraph (e) of this section must be nonforfeitable at all times.

[[Page 329]]

    (g) Plan year. The plan year of a SIMPLE 401(k) plan must be the 
whole calendar year. Thus, in general, a SIMPLE 401(k) plan can be 
established only on January 1 and can be terminated only on December 31. 
However, in the case of an employer that did not previously maintain a 
SIMPLE 401(k) plan, the establishment date can be as late as October 1 
(or later in the case of an employer that comes into existence after 
October 1 and establishes the SIMPLE 401(k) plan as soon as 
administratively feasible after the employer comes into existence).
    (h) Other rules. A SIMPLE 401(k) plan is not treated as a top-heavy 
plan under section 416. See section 416(g)(4)(G).

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(k)-5  Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar 
events. [Reserved]

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(k)-6  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise provided, the definitions of this section govern 
for purposes of section 401(k) and the regulations thereunder.
    Actual contribution percentage (ACP) test. Actual contribution 
percentage test or ACP test means the test described in Sec. 1.401(m)-
2(a)(1).
    Actual deferral percentage (ADP). Actual deferral percentage or ADP 
means the ADP of the group of eligible employees as defined in Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(2).
    Actual deferral percentage (ADP) test. Actual deferral percentage 
test or ADP test means the test described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(1).
    Actual deferral ratio (ADR). Actual deferral ratio or ADR means the 
ADR of an eligible employee as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(3).
    Cash or deferred arrangement. Cash or deferred arrangement is 
defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(2).
    Cash or deferred election. Cash or deferred election is defined in 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3).
    Compensation. Compensation means compensation as defined in section 
414(s) and Sec. 1.414(s)-1. The period used to determine an employee's 
compensation for a plan year must be either the plan year or the 
calendar year ending within the plan year. Whichever period is selected 
must be applied uniformly to determine the compensation of every 
eligible employee under the plan for that plan year. A plan may, 
however, limit the period taken into account under either method to that 
portion of the plan year or calendar year in which the employee was an 
eligible employee, provided that this limit is applied uniformly to all 
eligible employees under the plan for the plan year. In the case of an 
HCE whose ADR is determined under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(3)(ii), period of 
participation includes periods under another plan for which elective 
contributions are aggregated under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(3)(ii). See also 
section 401(a)(17) and Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1(c)(1).
    Current year testing method. Current year testing method means the 
testing method described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii) or 1.401(m)-
2(a)(2)(ii) under which the applicable year is the current plan year.
    Designated Roth account. Designated Roth account means a separate 
account maintained by a plan to which only designated Roth contributions 
(including income, expenses, gains and losses attributable thereto) are 
made.
    Designated Roth contributions. Designated Roth contributions means 
designated Roth contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(f)(1).
    Elective contributions. Elective contributions means employer 
contributions made to a plan pursuant to a cash or deferred election 
under a cash or deferred arrangement (whether or not the arrangement is 
a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(4)).
    Eligible employee--(1) General rule. Eligible employee means an 
employee who is directly or indirectly eligible to make a cash or 
deferred election under the plan for all or a portion of the plan year. 
For example, if an employee must perform purely ministerial or 
mechanical acts (e.g., formal application for participation or consent 
to payroll withholding) in order to be eligible to make a cash or 
deferred election for a plan year, the employee is an eligible employee 
for the plan year without regard to whether the employee performs the 
acts.

[[Page 330]]

    (2) Conditions on eligibility. An employee who is unable to make a 
cash or deferred election because the employee has not contributed to 
another plan is also an eligible employee. By contrast, if an employee 
must perform additional service (e.g., satisfy a minimum period of 
service requirement) in order to be eligible to make a cash or deferred 
election for a plan year, the employee is not an eligible employee for 
the plan year unless the service is actually performed. See Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(e)(5), however, for certain limits on the use of minimum 
service requirements. Finally, an employee does not fail to be treated 
as an eligible employee merely because the employee may receive no 
additional annual additions because of section 415(c)(1).
    (3) Certain one-time elections. An employee is not an eligible 
employee merely because the employee, no later than the employee's first 
becoming eligible to make a cash or deferred election under any plan or 
arrangement of the employer (described in section 219(g)(5)(A)), is 
given the one-time opportunity to elect, and the employee does in fact 
elect, not to be eligible to make a cash or deferred election under the 
plan or any other plan or arrangement maintained by the employer 
(including plans not yet established) for the duration of the employee's 
employment with the employer. This rule applies in addition to the rules 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)(v) relating to the definition of a cash or 
deferred election. In no event is an election made after December 23, 
1994, treated as a one-time irrevocable election under this paragraph if 
the election is made by an employee who previously became eligible under 
another plan or arrangement (whether or not terminated) of the employer.
    Eligible HCE. Eligible HCE means an eligible employee who is an HCE.
    Eligible NHCE. Eligible NHCE means an eligible employee who is not 
an HCE.
    Employee. Employee means an employee within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Employee stock ownership plan 
or ESOP means the portion of a plan that is an ESOP within the meaning 
of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2).
    Employer. Employer means an employer within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Excess contributions. Excess contributions means, with respect to a 
plan year, the amount of total excess contributions apportioned to an 
HCE under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(2)(iii).
    Excess deferrals. Excess deferrals means excess deferrals as defined 
in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(3).
    Highly compensated employee (HCE). Highly compensated employee or 
HCE has the meaning provided in section 414(q).
    Matching contributions. Matching contributions means matching 
contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(2).
    Nonelective contributions. Nonelective contributions means employer 
contributions (other than matching contributions) with respect to which 
the employee may not elect to have the contributions paid to the 
employee in cash or other benefits instead of being contributed to the 
plan.
    Non-employee stock ownership plan (non-ESOP). Non-employee stock 
ownership plan or non-ESOP means the portion of a plan that is not an 
ESOP within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2).
    Non-highly compensated employee (NHCE). Non-highly compensated 
employee or NHCE means an employee who is not an HCE.
    Plan. Plan is defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b)(4).
    Pre-ERISA money purchase pension plan. (1) Pre-ERISA money purchase 
pension plan is a pension plan--
    (i) That is a defined contribution plan (as defined in section 
414(i));
    (ii) That was in existence on June 27, 1974, and as in effect on 
that date, included a salary reduction agreement; and
    (iii) Under which neither the employee contributions nor the 
employer contributions, including elective contributions, may exceed the 
levels (as a percentage of compensation) provided for by the 
contribution formula in effect on June 27, 1974.
    (2) A plan was in existence on June 27, 1974, if it was a written 
plan adopted on or before that date, even if no funds had yet been paid 
to the trust associated with the plan.

[[Page 331]]

    Pre-tax elective contributions. Pre-tax elective contributions means 
elective contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement 
that are not designated Roth contributions.
    Prior year testing method. Prior year testing method means the 
testing method under which the applicable year is the prior plan year, 
as described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii) or 1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(ii).
    Qualified matching contributions (QMACs). Qualified matching 
contributions or QMACs means matching contributions that satisfy the 
requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(c) and (d) as though the contributions 
were elective contributions, without regard to whether the contributions 
are actually taken into account under the ADP test under Sec. 1.401(k)-
2(a)(6) or the ACP test under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6).Thus, the matching 
contributions must satisfy the nonforfeitability requirements of Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(c) and be subject to the distribution limitations of Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(d) when they are allocated to participants' accounts. See 
also Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(4)(iii) for a rule providing that a matching 
contribution does not fail to qualify as a QMAC solely because it is 
forfeitable under section 411(a)(3)(G) as a result of being a matching 
contribution with respect to an excess deferral, excess contribution, or 
excess aggregate contribution, or it is forfeitable under Sec. 
1.414(w)-1(d)(2).
    Qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs). Qualified nonelective 
contributions or QNECs means employer contributions, other than elective 
contributions or matching contributions, that satisfy the requirements 
of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(c) and (d) as though the contributions were elective 
contributions, without regard to whether the contributions are actually 
taken into account under the ADP test under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) or 
the ACP test under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6). Thus, the nonelective 
contributions must satisfy the nonforfeitability requirements of Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(c) and be subject to the distribution limitations of Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(d) when they are allocated to participants' accounts.
    Rural cooperative plans. Rural cooperative plan means a plan 
described in section 401(k)(7).

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78154, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 
10, Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8210, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9835, 83 FR 
34471, July 20, 2018; T.D. 9875, 84 FR 49658, Sept. 23, 2019]



Sec. 1.401(l)-0  Table of contents.

    This section contains a listing of the headings of Sec. Sec. 
1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-6.

 Sec. 1.401(l)-1 Permitted disparity with respect to employer-provided 
                       contributions or benefits.

    (a) Permitted disparity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Overview.
    (3) Exclusive rules.
    (4) Exceptions.
    (5) Additional rules.
    (b) Relationship to other requirements.
    (c) Definitions.
    (1) Accumulation plan.
    (2) Average annual compensation.
    (3) Base benefit percentage.
    (4) Base contribution percentage.
    (5) Benefit formula.
    (6) Benefit, right, or feature.
    (7) Covered compensation.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Special rules.
    (A) Rounded table.
    (B) Proposed regulation definition.
    (iii) Period for using covered compensation amount.
    (8) Defined benefit plan.
    (9) Defined contribution plan.
    (10) Disparity.
    (11) Employee.
    (12) Employer.
    (13) Employer contributions.
    (14) Excess benefit percentage.
    (15) Excess contribution percentage.
    (16) Excess plan.
    (i) Defined benefit excess plan.
    (ii) Defined contribution excess plan.
    (17) Final average compensation.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Limitations.
    (iii) Determination of section 414(s) compensation.
    (18) Gross benefit percentage.
    (19) Highly compensated employee.
    (20) Integration level.
    (21) Nonexcludable employee.
    (22) Nonhighly compensated employee.
    (23) Offset level.
    (24) Offset percentage.
    (25) Offset plan.
    (26) PIA.
    (27) Plan.
    (28) Plan year compensation.
    (29) Qualified plan.

[[Page 332]]

    (30) Section 401(l) plan.
    (31) Section 414(s) compensation.
    (32) Social security retirement age.
    (33) Straight life annuity.
    (34) Taxable wage base.
    (35) Year of service.

  Sec. 1.401(l)-2 Permitted disparity for defined contribution plans.

    (a) Requirements.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Excess plan requirement.
    (3) Maximum disparity.
    (4) Uniform disparity.
    (5) Integration level.
    (b) Maximum permitted disparity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Maximum excess allowance.
    (c) Uniform disparity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Deemed uniformity.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Overall permitted disparity.
    (iii) Non-FICA employees.
    (d) Integration level.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Taxable wage base.
    (3) Single dollar amount.
    (4) Intermediate amount.
    (5) Prorated integration level for short plan year.
    (e) Examples.

     Sec. 1.401(l)-3 Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

    (a) Requirements.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Excess or offset plan requirement.
    (3) Maximum disparity.
    (4) Uniform disparity.
    (5) Integration or offset level.
    (6) Benefits, rights, and features.
    (b) Maximum permitted disparity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Maximum excess allowance.
    (3) Maximum offset allowance.
    (4) Rules of application.
    (i) Disparity provided for the plan year.
    (ii) Reductions in disparity rate.
    (iii) Normal and optional forms of benefit.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Level annuity forms.
    (C) Other forms.
    (D) Post-retirement cost-of-living adjustments.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Requirements.
    (E) Section 417(e) exception.
    (5) Examples.
    (c) Uniform disparity.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Deemed uniformity.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Use of fractional accrual and disparity for 35 years.
    (iii) Use of fractional accrual and disparity for fewer than 35 
years.
    (iv) Different social security retirement ages.
    (v) Reduction for integration level.
    (vi) Overall permitted disparity.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Unit credit plans.
    (C) Fractional accrual plans.
    (vii) Non-FICA employees.
    (viii) Average annual compensation adjustment for offset plan.
    (ix) PIA offsets.
    (3) Examples.
    (d) Requirements for integration level or offset compensation.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Covered compensation.
    (3) Uniform percentage of covered compensation.
    (4) Single dollar amount.
    (5) Intermediate amount.
    (6) Intermediate amount safe harbor.
    (7) Prorated integration level for short plan year.
    (8) Demographic requirements.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Attained age requirement.
    (iii) Nondiscrimination requirement.
    (A) Minimum percentage test.
    (B) Ratio test.
    (C) High dollar amount test.
    (D) Individual disparity reductions.
    (9) Reduction in the 0.75-percent factor if integration or offset 
level exceeds covered compensation.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Uniform percentage of covered compensation.
    (iii) Single dollar amount.
    (A) Plan-wide reduction.
    (B) Individual reductions.
    (iv) Reductions.
    (A) Table.
    (B) Interpolation.
    (10) Examples.
    (e) Adjustments to the 0.75-percent factor for benefits commencing 
at ages other than social security retirement age.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Adjustments.
    (i) Benefits commencing on or after age 55 and before social 
security retirement age.
    (ii) Benefits commencing after social security retirement age and on 
or before age 70.
    (iii) Benefits commencing before age 55.
    (iv) Benefits commencing after age 70.
    (3) Tables.
    (4) Benefit commencement date.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Qualified social security supplement.
    (5) Examples.
    (f) Benefits, rights, and features.
    (1) Defined benefit excess plan.
    (2) Offset plan.
    (3) Examples.
    (g) No reductions in 0.75-percent factor for ancillary benefits.

[[Page 333]]

    (h) Benefits attributable to employee contributions not taken into 
account.
    (i) Multiple integration levels. [Reserved]
    (j) Additional rules.

           Sec. 1.401(l)-4 Special rules for railroad plans.

    (a) In general.
    (b) Defined contribution plans.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Single integration level method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Definitions.
    (3) Two integration level method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Total disparity requirement.
    (iii) Intermediate disparity requirement.
    (iv) Definitions.
    (c) Defined benefit excess plans.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Single integration level method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Definitions.
    (3) Two integration level method.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Employee with lower covered compensation.
    (iii) Employee with lower railroad retirement covered compensation.
    (iv) Definitions.
    (d) Offset plans.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Maximum tier 2 and supplementary annuity offset allowance.
    (e) Additional rules.
    (1) Definitions.
    (2) Adjustments to 0.75-percent factor.
    (3) Adjustments to 0.56-percent factor.
    (4) Overall permitted disparity.

          Sec. 1.401(l)-5 Overall permitted disparity limits.

    (a) Introduction.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Plan requirements.
    (3) Plans taken into account.
    (b) Annual overall permitted disparity limit.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Total annual disparity fraction.
    (3) Annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction.
    (4) Annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fraction.
    (5) Annual offset plan disparity fraction.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) PIA offset plans.
    (6) Annual imputed disparity fraction.
    (7) Annual nondisparate fraction.
    (8) Determination of fraction.
    (i) General rule
    (ii) Multiple formulas.
    (iii) Offset arrangements.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Defined benefit plans.
    (C) Defined contribution plans.
    (iv) Applicable percentages.
    (v) Fractional accrual plans.
    (9) Examples.
    (c) Cumulative permitted disparity limit.
    (1) In general.
    (i) Employees who benefit under defined benefit plans.
    (ii) Employees who do not benefit under defined benefit plans.
    (iii) Certain plan years disregarded.
    (iv) Determination of type of plan.
    (v) Applicable plan years.
    (vi) Transition rule for defined contribution plans.
    (2) Cumulative disparity fraction.
    (3) Determination of total annual disparity fractions for prior 
years.
    (4) Special rules for greater of formulas and offset arrangements.
    (i) Greater of formulas.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Separate satisfaction by formulas.
    (C) Single plan.
    (ii) Offset arrangements.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Separate satisfaction by plans.
    (C) No other plan.
    (5) Examples.
    (d) Additional rules.

         Sec. 1.401(l)-6 Effective dates and transition rules.

    (a) Statutory effective date.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Collectively bargained plans.
    (b) Regulatory effective date.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations.
    (3) Defined contribution plans.
    (4) Defined benefit plans.
    (c) Compliance during transition period.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47617, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10818, Mar. 31, 1992, as 
amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46830, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(l)-1  Permitted disparity in employer-provided 
contributions or benefits.

    (a) Permitted disparity--(1) In general. Section 401(a)(4) provides 
that a plan is a qualified plan only if the amount of contributions or 
benefits provided under the plan does not discriminate in favor of 
highly compensated employees. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2). Section 
401(a)(5)(C) provides that a plan does not discriminate in favor of 
highly compensated employees merely because of disparities in employer-
provided contributions or benefits provided to, or on behalf of, 
employees under the plan that are permitted under section 401(l). Thus, 
if a plan satisfies section 401(l), permitted disparities in employer-
provided contributions or benefits under a plan are disregarded, by 
reason of section

[[Page 334]]

401(a)(5)(C), in determining whether the plan satisfies any of the safe 
harbors under Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(2) and 1.401(a)(4)-3(b). 
However, even if disparities in employer-provided contributions or 
benefits under a plan are permitted under section 401(l) and thus do not 
cause the plan to fail to satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2), the plan 
may still fail to satisfy section 401(a)(4) for other reasons. 
Similarly, even if disparities in employer-provided contributions or 
benefits under a plan are not permitted under section 401(l) and thus 
may not be disregarded under section 401(a)(4) by reason of section 
401(l), the plan may still be found to be nondiscriminatory under the 
tests of section 401(a)(4), including the rules for imputing permitted 
disparity under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7.
    (2) Overview. Rules relating to disparities in employer-provided 
contributions under a defined contribution plan are provided in Sec. 
1.401(l)-2. For rules relating to disparities in employer-provided 
benefits under a defined benefit plan, see Sec. 401(l)-3. For rules 
relating to the application of section 401(l) to a plan maintained by a 
railroad employer, see Sec. 1.401(l)-4. For rules relating to the 
overall permitted disparity limits, see Sec. 1.401(l)-5. For rules 
relating to the effective date of section 401(l), see Sec. 1.401(l)-6.
    (3) Exclusive rules. The rules provided in Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 
through 1.401(l)-6 are the exclusive means for a plan to satisfy 
sections 401(l) and 401(a)(5)(C). Accordingly, a plan that provides 
disparities in employer-provided contributions or benefits that are not 
permitted under Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-6 does not 
satisfy section 401(l) or 401(a)(5)(C).
    (4) Exceptions. Sections 401(a)(5)(C) and 401(l) are not available 
in the following arrangements--
    (i) A plan maintained by an employer, determined for purposes of the 
Federal Insurance Contributions Act or the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, 
as applicable, that does not pay any wages within the meaning of section 
3121(a) or compensation within the meaning of section 3231(e). For this 
purpose, a plan maintained for a self-employed individual within the 
meaning of section 401(c)(1), who is also subject to the tax under 
section 1401, is deemed to be a plan maintained by an employer that pays 
wages within the meaning of section 3121(a).
    (ii) A plan, or the portion of a plan, that is an employee stock 
ownership plan described in section 4975(e)(7) (an ESOP) or a tax credit 
employee stock ownership plan described in section 409(a) (a TRASOP), 
except as provided in Sec. 54.4975-11(a)(7)(ii) of this chapter, which 
contains a limited exception to this rule for certain ESOPs in existence 
on November 1, 1977.
    (iii) With respect to elective contributions as defined in Sec. 
1.401(k)-6 under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement as defined in 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(4)(i) or with respect to employee or matching 
contributions defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(3) or (a)(2), respectively.
    (iv) With respect to contributions to a simplified employee pension 
made under a salary reduction arrangement described in section 408(k)(6) 
(a SARSEP).
    (5) Additional rules. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, 
notices, or other documents of general applicability, prescribe 
additional rules that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of section 401(l), including rules applying section 401(l) with 
respect to an employer that pays wages within the meaning of section 
3121(a) or compensation within the meaning of section 3231(e) for some 
years and not other years.
    (b) Relationship to other requirements. Unless explicitly provided 
otherwise, section 401(l) does not provide an exception to any other 
requirement under section 401(a). Thus, for example, even if the plan 
complies with section 401(l), the plan may not provide a benefit lower 
than the minimum benefit required under section 416. Moreover, a plan 
may not adjust benefits in any manner that results in a decrease in any 
employee's accrued benefit in violation of section 411(d)(6) and section 
411(b)(1)(G). However, a plan does not fail to satisfy section 401(l) 
merely because, in order to ensure compliance with section 411, an 
employee's accrued benefit under the plan is defined as the greater of 
the employee's previously accrued benefit and the benefit determined 
under a strict application of the plan's benefit formula and accrual

[[Page 335]]

method. See section 401(a)(15) for additional rules relating to 
circumstances under which plan benefits may not be decreased because of 
increases in social security benefits.
    (c) Definitions. In applying Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-
6, the definitions in this paragraph (c) govern unless otherwise 
provided.
    (1) Accumulation plan. Accumulation plan means an accumulation plan 
within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (2) Average annual compensation. Average annual compensation means 
average annual compensation within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(e)(2).
    (3) Base benefit percentage. Base benefit percentage means the rate 
at which employer-provided benefits are determined under a defined 
benefit excess plan with respect to an employee's average annual 
compensation at or below the integration level (expressed as a 
percentage of such average annual compensation).
    (4) Base contribution percentage. Base contribution percentage means 
the rate at which employer contributions are allocated to the account of 
an employee under a defined contribution excess plan with respect to the 
employee's plan year compensation at or below the integration level 
(expressed as a percentage of such plan year compensation).
    (5) Benefit formula. Benefit formula means benefit formula within 
the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (6) Benefit, right, or feature. Benefit, right, or feature means a 
benefit, right, or feature within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (7) Covered compensation--(i) In general. Covered compensation for 
an employee means the average (without indexing) of the taxable wage 
bases in effect for each calendar year during the 35-year period ending 
with the last day of the calendar year in which the employee attains (or 
will attain) social security retirement age. A 35-year period is used 
for all individuals regardless of the year of birth of the individual. 
In determining an employee's covered compensation for a plan year, the 
taxable wage base for all calendar years beginning after the first day 
of the plan year is assumed to be the same as the taxable wage base in 
effect as of the beginning of the plan year. An employee's covered 
compensation for a plan year beginning after the 35-year period 
applicable under this paragraph (c)(7)(i) is the employee's covered 
compensation for the plan year during which the 35-year period ends. An 
employee's covered compensation for a plan year beginning before the 35-
year period applicable under this paragraph (c)(7)(i) is the taxable 
wage base in effect as of the beginning of the plan year.
    (ii) Special rules--(A) Rounded table. For purposes of determining 
the amount of an employee's covered compensation under paragraph 
(c)(7)(i) of this section, a plan may use tables, provided by the 
Commissioner, that are developed by rounding the actual amounts of 
covered compensation for different years of birth.
    (B) Proposed regulation definition. For plan years beginning before 
January 1, 1995, in lieu of the definition of covered compensation 
contained in paragraph (c)(7)(i) of this section, a plan may define 
covered compensation as the average (without indexing) of the taxable 
wage bases in effect for each calendar year during the 35-year period 
ending with the last day of the calendar year preceding the calendar 
year in which the employee attains (or will attain) social security 
retirement age.
    (iii) Period for using covered compensation amount. A plan must 
generally provide that an employee's covered compensation is 
automatically adjusted for each plan year. However, a plan may use an 
amount of covered compensation for employees equal to each employee's 
covered compensation (as defined in paragraph (c)(7)(i) or (c)(7)(ii) of 
this section) for a plan year earlier than the current plan year, 
provided the earlier plan year is the same for all employees and is not 
earlier than the later of--
    (A) The plan year that begins 5 years before the current plan year, 
and
    (B) The plan year beginning in 1989.

In the case of an accumulation plan, the benefit accrued for an employee 
in prior years is not affected by changes in the employee's covered 
compensation that occur in later years.

[[Page 336]]

    (8) Defined benefit plan. Defined benefit plan means a defined 
benefit plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    (9) Defined contribution plan. Defined contribution plan means a 
defined contribution plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-9. In 
addition, for purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-6, a 
defined contribution plan includes a simplified employee pension as 
defined in section 408(k) (SEP), other than a SEP (or portion or a SEP) 
that is a salary reduction arrangement described in section 408(k)(6) 
(SARSEP).
    (10) Disparity. Disparity means--
    (i) In the case of a defined contribution excess plan, the amount by 
which the excess contribution percentage exceeds the base contribution 
percentage,
    (ii) In the case of a defined benefit excess plan, the amount by 
which the excess benefit percentage exceeds the base benefit percentage, 
and
    (iii) In the case of an offset plan, the offset percentage.
    (11) Employee. Employee means employee within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (12) Employer. Employer means the employer within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    (13) Employer contributions. Employer contributions means all 
amounts taken into account with respect to an employee under a plan 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c)(2)(ii).
    (14) Excess benefit percentage. Excess benefit percentage means the 
rate at which employer-provided benefits are determined under a defined 
benefit excess plan with respect to an employee's average annual 
compensation above the integration level (expressed as a percentage of 
such average annual compensation).
    (15) Excess contribution percentage. Excess contribution percentage 
means the rate at which employer contributions are allocated to the 
account of an employee under a defined contribution excess plan with 
respect to the employee's plan year compensation above the integration 
level (expressed as a percentage of such plan year compensation).
    (16) Excess plan--(i) Defined benefit excess plan. Defined benefit 
excess plan means a defined benefit plan under which the rate at which 
employer-provided benefits are determined with respect to average annual 
compensation above the integration level under the plan (expressed as a 
percentage of such average annual compensation) is greater than the rate 
at which employer-provided benefits are determined with respect to 
average annual compensation at or below the integration level (expressed 
as a percentage of such average annual compensation).
    (ii) Defined contribution excess plan. Defined contribution excess 
plan means a defined contribution plan under which the rate at which 
employer contributions are allocated to the account of an employee with 
respect to plan year compensation above the integration level (expressed 
as a percentage of such plan year compensation) is greater than the rate 
at which employer contributions are allocated to the account of an 
employee with respect to plan year compensation at or below the 
integration level (expressed as a percentage of such plan year 
compensation).
    (17) Final average compensation--(i) In general. Final average 
compensation for an employee means the average of the employee's annual 
section 414(s) compensation for the 3-consecutive-year period ending 
with or within the plan year or for the employee's period of employment 
if shorter. The year in which an employee terminates employment may be 
disregarded in determining final average compensation. The definition of 
final average compensation used in the plan must be applied consistently 
with respect to all employees. For example, if the plan provides that 
the year in which the employee terminates employment is disregarded in 
determining final average compensation, the year must be disregarded for 
all employees who terminate employment in that year. The plan may 
specify any 3-consecutive-year period ending in the plan year, provided 
the period is determined consistently for all employees. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3)(iii) and Sec. 1.414(s)-1(f) for rules permitting 
service and compensation with another employer to be taken into account 
for purposes of nondiscrimination testing, including satisfying section 
401(l).
    (ii) Limitations. In determining an employee's final average 
compensation

[[Page 337]]

under this paragraph (c)(17), annual section 414(s) compensation for any 
year in excess of the taxable wage base in effect at the beginning of 
that year must not be taken into account. A plan may provide that each 
employee's final average compensation for a plan year is limited to the 
employee's average annual compensation for the plan year.
    (iii) Determination of section 414(s) compensation. A plan must use 
the same definition of section 414(s) compensation to determine final 
average compensation as the plan uses to determine average annual 
compensation (or plan year compensation in the case of an accumulation 
plan).
    (18) Gross benefit percentage. Gross benefit percentage means the 
rate at which employer-provided benefits are determined under an offset 
plan (before application of the offset) with respect to an employee's 
average annual compensation (expressed as a percentage of average annual 
compensation).
    (19) Highly compensated employee. Highly compensated employee means 
HCE within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (20) Integration level. Integration level means the dollar amount 
specified in an excess plan at or below which the rate of employer-
provided contributions or benefits (expressed in each case as a 
percentage of an employee's plan year compensation or average annual 
compensation up to the specified dollar amount) under the plan is less 
than the rate of employer-provided contributions or benefits (expressed 
in each case as a percentage of the employee's plan year compensation or 
average annual compensation above the specified dollar amount) under the 
plan above such dollar amount.
    (21) Nonexcludable employee. Nonexcludable employee means 
nonexcludable employee within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (22) Nonhighly compensated employee. Nonhighly compensated employee 
means NHCE within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (23) Offset level. Offset level means the dollar limit specified in 
the plan on the amount of each employee's final average compensation 
taken into account in determining the offset under an offset plan.
    (24) Offset percentage. Offset percentage means the rate at which an 
employee's employer-provided benefit is reduced or offset under an 
offset plan (expressed as a percentage of the employee's final average 
compensation up to the offset level).
    (25) Offset plan. Offset plan means a defined benefit plan that is 
not a defined benefit excess plan and that provides that each employee's 
employer-provided benefit is reduced or offset by a specified percentage 
of the employee's final average compensation up to the offset level 
under the plan.
    (26) PIA. PIA or primary insurance amount means the old-age 
insurance benefit under section 202 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 402) payable to each employee at a single age that is not earlier 
than age 62 and not later than age 65. PIA must be determined under the 
Social Security Act as in effect at the time the employee's offset is 
determined. Thus, it is determined without assuming any future increases 
in compensation, any future increases in the taxable wage base, any 
changes in the formulas used under the Social Security Act to determine 
PIA (for example, changes in the breakpoints), or any future increases 
in the consumer price index. However, it may be assumed that the 
employee will continue to receive compensation at the same rate as that 
received at the time the offset is being determined, until reaching the 
single age described in the first sentence of this paragraph (c)(26). 
PIA must be determined in a consistent manner for all employees and in 
accordance with revenue rulings or other guidance provided by the 
Commissioner.
    (27) Plan. Plan means a plan within the meaning of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-12 or a component plan treated as a plan under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-9(c).
    (28) Plan year compensation. Plan year compensation means plan year 
compensation within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (29) Qualified plan. Qualified plan means a qualified plan within 
the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (30) Section 401(l) plan. Section 401(l) plan means a section 401(l) 
plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.

[[Page 338]]

    (31) Section 414(s) compensation. Section 414(s) compensation means 
section 414(s) compensation within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (32) Social security retirement age. Social security retirement age 
for an employee means the social security retirement age of the employee 
as determined under section 415(b)(8).
    (33) Straight life annuity. Straight life annuity means a straight 
life annuity within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12.
    (34) Taxable wage base. Taxable wage base means the contribution and 
benefit base under section 230 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
430).
    (35) Year of service. Year of service means a year of service as 
defined in the plan for purposes of the benefit formula and the accrual 
method under the plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(d)(3) for rules on years of service that may be 
taken into account for purposes of nondiscrimination testing, including 
satisfying section 401(l).

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47618, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10818, 10951, Mar. 31, 
1992, as amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46831, Sept. 3, 1993; T.D. 9169, 69 
FR 78153, Dec. 29, 2004]



Sec. 1.401(l)-2  Permitted disparity for defined contribution plans.

    (a) Requirements--(1) In general. Disparity in the rates of employer 
contributions allocated to employees' accounts under a defined 
contribution plan is permitted under section 401(l) and this section for 
a plan year only if the plan satisfies paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(5) 
of this section. A plan that otherwise satisfies this paragraph (a) will 
not be considered to fail section 401(l) merely because it contains one 
or more provisions described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(b)(4). See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3)(i)(C) for special rules applicable to target benefit 
plans.
    (2) Excess plan requirement. The plan must be a defined contribution 
excess plan.
    (3) Maximum disparity. The disparity for all employees under the 
plan must not exceed the maximum permitted disparity prescribed in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (4) Uniform disparity. The disparity for all employees under the 
plan must be uniform within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (5) Integration level. The integration level specified in the plan 
must satisfy paragraph (d) of this section.
    (b) Maximum permitted disparity--(1) In general. The disparity 
provided for the plan year must not exceed the maximum excess allowance 
as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. In addition, the plan 
must satisfy the overall permitted disparity limits of Sec. 1.401(l)-5.
    (2) Maximum excess allowance. The maximum excess allowance for a 
plan year is the lesser of--
    (i) The base contribution percentage, or
    (ii) The greater of--
    (A) 5.7 percent, reduced as required under paragraph (d) of this 
section, or
    (B) The percentage rate of tax under section 3111(a), in effect as 
of the beginning of the plan year, that is attributable to the old age 
insurance portion of the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance 
provisions of the Social Security Act, reduced as required under 
paragraph (d) of this section. For a year in which the percentage rate 
of tax described in this paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) exceeds 5.7 percent, 
the Commissioner will publish the rate of such tax and a revised table 
under paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (c) Uniform disparity--(1) In general. The disparity provided under 
a plan is uniform only if the plan uses the same base contribution 
percentage and the same excess contribution percentage for all employees 
in the plan.
    (2) Deemed uniformity--(i) In general. The disparity under a plan 
does not fail to be uniform for purposes of this paragraph (c) merely 
because the plan contains one or more of the provisions described in 
paragraphs (c)(2) (ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (ii) Overall permitted disparity. The plan provides that, in the 
case of each employee who has reached the cumulative permitted disparity 
limit applicable to the employee under Sec. 1.401(l)-5(c), employer 
contributions are allocated to the account of the employee with respect 
to the employee's total plan year compensation at the excess 
contribution percentage.

[[Page 339]]

    (iii) Non-FICA employees. The plan provides that, in the case of 
each employee under the plan with respect to whom none of the taxes 
under section 3111(a), section 3221, or section 1401 is required to be 
paid, employer contributions are allocated to the account of the 
employee with respect to the employee's total plan year compensation at 
the excess contribution percentage.
    (d) Integration level--(1) In general. The integration level under 
the plan must satisfy paragraph (d)(2), (d)(3), or (d)(4) of this 
section, as modified by paragraph (d)(5) of this section in the case of 
a short plan year. If a reduction applies to the disparity factor under 
this paragraph (d), the reduced factor is used for all purposes in 
determining whether the permitted disparity rules for defined 
contribution plans are satisfied.
    (2) Taxable wage base. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(2) is 
satisfied only if the integration level under the plan for each employee 
is the taxable wage base in effect as of the beginning of the plan year.
    (3) Single dollar amount. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(3) 
is satisfied only if the integration level under the plan for all 
employees is a single dollar amount (either specified in the plan or 
determined under a formula specified in the plan) that does not exceed 
the greater of $10,000 or 20 percent of the taxable wage base in effect 
as of the beginning of the plan year.
    (4) Intermediate amount. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(4) is 
satisfied only if--
    (i) The integration level under the plan for all employees is a 
single dollar amount (either specified in the plan or determined under a 
formula specified in the plan) that is greater than the highest amount 
determined under paragraph (d)(3) of this section and less than the 
taxable wage base, and
    (ii) The plan adjusts the factor determined under paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section in accordance with the table below.

                                  Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               If the integration level                  The 5.7 percent
-------------------------------------------------------   factor in the
                                                         maximum excess
           Is more than             But not more than     allowance is
                                                          reduced to--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater of $10,000 or 20% of       80% of taxable wage  4.3%
 taxable wage base.                 base.
80% of taxable wage base.........  Amount less than     5.4%
                                    taxable wage base.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Prorated integration level for short plan year. If a plan uses 
paragraph (2) or (4) of the definition of plan year compensation under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 (i.e., section 414(s) compensation for the plan 
year or the period of plan participation) and has a plan year that 
comprises fewer than 12 months, the integration level under the plan for 
each employee must be an amount equal to the otherwise applicable 
integration level described in paragraph (d)(2), (d)(3), or (d)(4) of 
this section, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the 
number of months in the plan year, and the denominator of which is 12. 
No adjustment to the maximum excess allowance is required as a result of 
the application of this paragraph (d)(5), other than any adjustment 
already required under paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (e) Examples. The following examples illustrate this section. In 
each example, 5.7 percent exceeds the percentage rate of tax described 
in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section.

    Example 1. Employer X maintains a profit-sharing plan with the 
calendar year as its plan year. For the 1989 plan year, the plan 
provides that the account of each employee who has plan year 
compensation in excess of the taxable wage base in effect at the 
beginning of the plan year will receive an allocation for the plan year 
of 5.7 percent of plan year compensation in excess of the taxable wage 
base. The plan provides that no allocation will be made to the account 
of any employee for the plan year with respect to plan year compensation 
not in excess of the taxable wage base. The maximum excess allowance is 
exceeded for the 1989 plan year because the excess contribution 
percentage (5.7 percent) for the plan year exceeds the base contribution 
percentage (0 percent) for the plan year by more than the lesser of the 
base contribution percentage (0 percent) or the percentage determined 
under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section (5.7 percent) for the plan 
year.

[[Page 340]]

    Example 2. Employer Y maintains a money purchase pension plan with 
the calendar year as its plan year. For the 1990 plan year, the plan 
provides that the account of each employee will receive an allocation of 
5 percent of the employee's plan year compensation up to the taxable 
wage base in effect at the beginning of the plan year plus an allocation 
of 10 percent of the employee's plan year compensation in excess of the 
taxable wage base. The maximum excess allowance is not exceeded for the 
plan year because the excess contribution percentage (10 percent) for 
the plan year does not exceed the base contribution percentage (5 
percent) for the plan year by more than the lesser of the base 
contribution percentage (5 percent) or the percentage determined under 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section (5.7 percent) for the plan year.
    Example 3. Assume the same facts as in Example 2, except that the 
plan provides that, with respect to plan year compensation in excess of 
the taxable wage base, the account of each employee will receive an 
allocation for the plan year of 12 percent of such compensation. The 
maximum excess allowance is exceeded for the plan year because the 
excess contribution percentage (12 percent) for the plan year exceeds 
the base contribution percentage (5 percent) for the plan year by more 
than the lesser of the base contribution percentage (5 percent) or the 
percentage determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section (5.7 
percent) for the plan year.
    Example 4. Employer Z maintains a money purchase pension plan with a 
plan year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The taxable wage base for 
the 1990 calendar year is $51,300 and the taxable wage base for the 1991 
calendar year is $53,400. For the plan year beginning July 1, 1990, and 
ending June 30, 1991, the plan provides that the account of each 
employee will receive an allocation of 4 percent of the employee's plan 
year compensation up to $53,400 plus an allocation of 6 percent of the 
employee's plan year compensation in excess of $53,400. Although the 
excess contribution percentage (6 percent) for the plan year does not 
exceed the base contribution percentage (4 percent) for the plan year by 
more than the lesser of the base contribution percentage (4 percent) or 
the percentage determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section 
(5.7 percent), the plan does not satisfy paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section because the integration level of $53,400 exceeds the maximum 
permitted integration level of $51,300 (the taxable wage base in effect 
as of the beginning of the plan year).
    Example 5. Assume the same facts as in Example 4, except that for 
the plan year beginning July 1, 1990, and ending June 30, 1991, the plan 
provides that the account of each employee will receive an allocation of 
5 percent of the employee's plan year compensation up to $30,000 plus an 
allocation of 9 percent of the employee's plan year compensation in 
excess of $30,000. The integration level of $30,000 is 58 percent of the 
taxable wage base of $51,300 for the 1990 calendar year. The maximum 
excess allowance is not exceeded for the plan year because the excess 
contribution percentage (9 percent) for the plan year does not exceed 
the base contribution percentage (5 percent) for the plan year by more 
than the lesser of the base contribution percentage (5 percent) or the 
percentage determined under paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (d) of this 
section (4.3 percent) for the plan year.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47621, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10818, 10951, Mar. 31, 
1992, as amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46832, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(l)-3  Permitted disparity for defined benefit plans.

    (a) Requirements--(1) In general. Disparity in the rates of 
employer-provided benefits under a defined benefit plan is permitted 
under section 401(l) and this section for a plan year only if the plan 
satisfies paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(6) of this section. A plan that 
otherwise satisfies this paragraph (a) will not be considered to fail 
section 401(l) merely because it contains one or more provisions 
described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(6) (such as multiple formulas). 
Section 401(a)(5)(D) and Sec. 1.401(a)(5)-1(d) provide other rules 
under which benefits provided under a defined benefit plan (including 
defined benefit excess and offset plans) may be limited. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(5)(viii) for special rules under which an insurance 
contract plan may satisfy Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2) and section 401(l). 
See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3)(iii)(B) for special rules applicable to 
cash balance plans.
    (2) Excess or offset plan requirement. The plan must be a defined 
benefit excess plan or an offset plan.
    (3) Maximum disparity. The disparity for all employees under the 
plan must not exceed the maximum permitted disparity prescribed in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (4) Uniform disparity. The disparity for all employees under the 
plan must be uniform within the meaning of paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (5) Integration or offset level. The integration or offset level 
specified in the plan must satisfy paragraph (d) of this section.
    (6) Benefits, rights, and features. The benefits, rights, and 
features provided

[[Page 341]]

under the plan must satisfy paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
    (b) Maximum permitted disparity--(1) In general. In the case of a 
defined benefit excess plan, the disparity provided for the plan year 
may not exceed the maximum excess allowance as defined in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section. In the case of an offset plan, the disparity 
provided for the plan year may not exceed the maximum offset allowance 
as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. In addition, either type 
of plan must satisfy the overall permitted disparity limits of Sec. 
1.401(l)-5.
    (2) Maximum excess allowance. The maximum excess allowance for a 
plan year is the lesser of--
    (i) 0.75 percent, reduced as required under paragraphs (d) and (e) 
of this section, or
    (ii) The base benefit percentage for the plan year.
    (3) Maximum offset allowance. The maximum offset allowance for a 
plan year is the lesser of--
    (i) 0.75 percent, reduced as required under paragraphs (d) and (e) 
of this section, or
    (ii) One-half of the gross benefit percentage, multiplied by a 
fraction (not to exceed one), the numerator of which is the employee's 
average annual compensation, and the denominator of which is the 
employee's final average compensation up to the offset level.
    (4) Rules of application--(i) Disparity provided for the plan year. 
Disparity provided for the plan year generally means the disparity 
provided under the plan's benefit formula for the employee's year of 
service with respect to the plan year. However, if a plan determines 
each employee's accrued benefit under the fractional accrual method of 
section 411(b)(1)(C), disparity provided under the plan also means the 
disparity in the benefit accrued for the employee for the plan year. 
Thus, a plan using the fractional accrual method must satisfy this 
paragraph (b) with respect to the plan's benefit formula and with 
respect to the benefits accrued for the plan year.
    (ii) Reduction in disparity rate. Any reductions in the 0.75-percent 
factor required under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section are 
cumulative.
    (iii) Normal and optional forms of benefit--(A) In general. A plan 
satisfies the maximum permitted disparity requirement of this paragraph 
(b) only if the plan satisfies this paragraph (b) with respect to each 
optional form of benefit (including the normal form of benefit) provided 
under the plan.
    (B) Level annuity forms. In the case of an optional form of benefit 
payable as a level annuity over a period of not less than the life of 
the employee, the optional form must satisfy the maximum permitted 
disparity requirement of this paragraph (b). Thus, for example, if the 
form of a defined benefit plan's normal retirement benefit is an annuity 
for life with a 10-year certain feature and the plan permits employees 
to elect an optional form of benefit in the form of a straight life 
annuity, the plan must satisfy the maximum disparity requirement of this 
paragraph (b) with respect to each of the optional forms of benefit. An 
annuity that decreases only after the death of the employee, or that 
decreases only after the death of either the employee or the joint 
annuitant, is considered a level annuity for purposes of this paragraph 
(b).
    (C) Other forms. In the case of an optional form of benefit that is 
not described in paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(B) of this section, the optional 
form must satisfy the maximum permitted disparity requirement of this 
paragraph (b), when the respective portions of the optional form are 
normalized under the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 to a straight life 
annuity commencing at the same time as the optional form of benefit, 
regardless of whether the straight life annuity form is actually 
provided under the plan. In the case of a defined benefit excess plan, 
the respective portions are the portion of the optional form 
attributable to average annual compensation up to the integration level 
(the ``base portion'') and the portion of the optional form attributable 
to average annual compensation in excess of the integration level (the 
``excess portion''). In the case of an offset plan, the respective 
portions are the optional form determined without regard to the offset 
(the ``gross amount'') and the offset applied to the gross amount to 
determine the optional form (the ``offset amount'').

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    (D) Post-retirement cost-of-living adjustments--(1) In general. A 
benefit does not fail to be a level annuity described in paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii)(B) of this section merely because it provides an automatic 
post-retirement cost-of-living adjustment that satisfies paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii)(D)(2) of this section. Thus, increases in the employee's 
annuity pursuant to such a cost-of-living adjustment do not cause the 
disparity provided under the optional form of benefit to exceed the 
maximum disparity permitted under this paragraph (b). For rules on ad 
hoc post-retirement cost-of-living adjustments, see Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
10(b).
    (2) Requirements. A cost-of-living adjustment satisfies this 
paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(D)(2) if--
    (i) It is included in the accrued benefit of all employees, and.
    (ii) It increases, on a uniform and consistent basis, the benefits 
of all former employees who are no younger than age 62, at a rate no 
greater than adjustments to social security benefits under section 
215(i)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act that have occurred since the 
later of the employee's attainment of age 62 or commencement of 
benefits.
    (E) Section 417(e) exception. A plan will not fail to satisfy this 
paragraph (b) merely because the disparity in a benefit that is subject 
to the interest rate restrictions of sections 401(a)(11) and 417(e) 
exceeds the maximum disparity that would otherwise be allowed under this 
paragraph (b) if the increase in disparity is required to satisfy Sec. 
1.417(e)-1(d). In applying the exception in this paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii)(E), for purposes of determining what is required under Sec. 
1.417(e)-1(d), a plan may use the rate described in Sec. 1.417(e)-
1(d)(2)(i) for all employees, without regard to whether the present 
value of an employee's vested benefit exceeds $25,000.
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (b). 
Unless otherwise provided, the following facts apply. The plan is 
noncontributory and is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. 
The plan uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision 
that would require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. In the case of a defined 
benefit excess plan, the plan uses each employee's covered compensation 
as the integration level; in the case of an offset plan, the plan uses 
each employee's covered compensation as the offset level and provides 
that an employee's final average compensation is limited to the 
employee's average annual compensation. Each example discusses the 
benefit formula applicable to an employee who has a social security 
retirement age of 65.

    Example 1. Plan N is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 0.5 percent of average annual compensation 
in excess of the integration level, for each year of service. The plan 
provides no benefits with respect to average annual compensation up to 
the integration level. The disparity provided under the plan exceeds the 
maximum excess allowance because the excess benefit percentage (0.5 
percent) exceeds the base benefit percentage (0 percent) by more than 
the base benefit percentage (0 percent).
    Example 2. Plan O is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit equal to 2 percent of average annual compensation, 
minus 0.75 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, 
for each year of service up to 35. The disparity provided under the plan 
satisfies this paragraph (b) because the offset percentage (0.75 
percent) does not exceed the maximum offset allowance equal to the 
lesser of 0.75 percent or one-half of the gross benefit percentage (1 
percent).
    Example 3. Plan P is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 0.5 percent of average annual compensation 
up to the integration level, plus 1.25 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 35. The disparity provided under the plan exceeds the 
maximum excess allowance because the excess benefit percentage (1.25 
percent) exceeds the base benefit percentage (0.5 percent) by more than 
the base benefit percentage (0.5 percent).
    Example 4. Plan Q is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation, minus 
0.75 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, for 
each year of service up to 35. The disparity under the plan exceeds the 
maximum offset allowance because the offset percentage exceeds one-half 
of the gross benefit percentage (0.5 percent).
    Example 5. (a) Plan R is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation, minus 
0.5 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, for 
each year of

[[Page 343]]

service up to 35. The plan determines an employee's average annual 
compensation using an averaging period comprising five consecutive 12-
month periods and taking into account the employee's compensation for 
the ten consecutive 12-month periods ending with the plan year. The plan 
does not provide that an employee's final average compensation is 
limited to the employee's average annual compensation.
    (b) Employee A has average annual compensation of $20,000, final 
average compensation of $25,000, and covered compensation of $32,000. 
The maximum offset allowance applicable to Employee A for the plan year 
under paragraph (b)(3) of this section is one-half of the gross benefit 
percentage multiplied by the ratio, not to exceed one, of Employee A's 
average annual compensation to Employee A's final average compensation 
up to the offset level. Thus, the maximum offset allowance is 0.4 
percent (\1/2\ x 1 percent x $20,000/$25,000). With respect to Employee 
A, the benefit formula provides an offset that exceeds the maximum 
offset allowance. The plan must therefore reduce Employee A's offset 
percentage to 0.4 percent. (Under paragraph (c)(2)(viii) of this 
section, Employee A's adjusted disparity rate is deemed uniform.)
    (c) Alternatively, under Sec. 1.401(l)-1(c)(17)(ii) (the definition 
of final average compensation), the plan could specify that an 
employee's final average compensation is limited to the amount of the 
employee's average annual compensation. Thus, the ratio of average 
annual compensation to final average compensation would always be equal 
to at least one, and the maximum offset allowance under the plan would 
be one-half of the gross benefit percentage.
    Example 6. Plan S is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
base benefit percentage of 1 percent of average annual compensation up 
to the integration level for each year of service. The plan also 
provides, for each of the first 10 years of service, an excess benefit 
percentage of 1.85 percent of average annual compensation in excess of 
the integration level. For each year of service after 10, the plan 
provides an excess benefit percentage of 1.65 percent of the employee's 
average annual compensation in excess of the integration level. The 
disparity provided under the plan exceeds the maximum excess allowance 
because the excess benefit percentage for each of the first ten years of 
service (1.85 percent) exceeds the base benefit percentage (1 percent) 
by more than 0.75 percent.
    Example 7. The facts are the same as in Example 6, except that the 
plan provides an excess benefit percentage of 1.65 percent of average 
annual compensation in excess of the integration level for each of the 
first 10 years of service and an excess benefit percentage of 1.85 
percent of average annual compensation in excess of the integration 
level for each year of service after 10. The disparity provided under 
the plan exceeds the maximum excess allowance because the excess benefit 
percentage for each year of service after 10 (1.85 percent) exceeds the 
base benefit percentage (1 percent) by more than 0.75 percent.
    Example 8. Plan T is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1.0 percent of average annual compensation 
up to the integration level, plus 1.7 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 35, payable in the form of a joint and survivor annuity. 
The plan also allows an employee to receive the retirement benefit in 
the form of an actuarially equivalent straight life annuity. The 
actuarially equivalent straight life annuity equals 1.09 percent of 
average annual compensation up to the integration level, plus 1.85 
percent of average annual compensation in excess of the integration 
level, for each year of service up to 35. The disparity provided under 
the plan with respect to the straight life annuity form of benefit (0.76 
percent) exceeds the maximum excess allowance because the excess benefit 
percentage (1.85 percent) exceeds the base benefit percentage (1.09 
percent) by more than 0.75 percent.
    Example 9. Plan U is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1.0 percent of average annual compensation 
up to the integration level, plus 1.7 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 35, payable in the form of a straight life annuity. Plan U 
provides a single sum optional form of benefit at normal retirement age 
equal to 100 times the monthly annuity payable at that age. Thus, if an 
employee elects the single sum optional form of benefit, the base 
portion of the single sum benefit is 8.33 percent (100 times 1.0 
percent/12) of average annual compensation up to the integration level 
per year of service, and the excess portion of the single sum benefit is 
14.17 percent (100 times 1.7 percent/12) of average annual compensation 
in excess of the integration level per year of service. Each respective 
portion of the single sum option is normalized to a straight life 
annuity commencing at normal retirement age, using 8-percent interest 
and the UP-84 mortality table. After normalization, the base portion of 
the benefit is 1.02 percent of average annual compensation up to the 
integration level, and the excess portion of the benefit is 1.73 percent 
of average annual compensation in excess of the integration level. The 
single sum optional form of benefit satisfies this paragraph (b) because 
the disparity provided in the optional form of benefit does not exceed 
the maximum excess allowance.


[[Page 344]]


    (c) Uniform disparity--(1) In general. The disparity provided under 
a defined benefit excess plan is uniform only if the plan uses the same 
base benefit percentage and the same excess benefit percentage for all 
employees with the same number of years of service. The disparity 
provided under an offset plan is uniform only if the plan uses the same 
gross benefit percentage and the same offset percentage for all 
employees with the same number of years of service. The disparity 
provided under a plan that determines each employee's accrued benefit 
under the fractional accrual method of section 411(b)(1)(C) is uniform 
only if the plan satisfies one of the deemed uniformity rules of 
paragraph (c)(2) (ii) or (iii) of this section.
    (2) Deemed uniformity--(i) In general. The disparity provided under 
a plan does not fail to be uniform for purposes of this paragraph (c) 
merely because the plan contains one or more of the provisions described 
in paragraphs (c)(2) (ii) through (ix) of this section.
    (ii) Use of fractional accrual and disparity for 35 years. The plan 
contains a benefit formula as described in paragraphs (c)(2)(ii) (A) and 
(B) of this section, and the plan determines each employee's accrued 
benefit under the method described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(B), 
i.e., by multiplying the employee's fractional rule benefit (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.411(b)-1(b)(3)(ii)(A)) by a fraction, the numerator 
of which is the employee's years of service determined as of the plan 
year, and the denominator of which is the employee's projected years of 
service as of normal retirement age.
    (A) For each year of service at least up to 35, the benefit plan 
formula provides the same base benefit percentage and the same excess 
benefit percentage for all employees in the case of a defined benefit 
excess plan or the same gross benefit percentage and the same offset 
percentage for all employees in the case of an offset plan.
    (B) For each additional year of service, the benefit formula 
provides a uniform percentage of all average annual compensation that is 
no greater than the excess benefit percentage or the gross benefit 
percentage under paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, whichever is 
applicable.
    (iii) Use of fractional accrual and disparity for fewer than 35 
years. The plan contains a benefit formula as described in paragraphs 
(c)(2)(iii) (A) through (C) of this section, and the plan determines 
each employee's accrued benefit under the method described in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(B).
    (A) For each year in the employee's initial period of service 
comprising fewer than 35 years, the benefit formula provides the same 
base benefit percentage and the same excess benefit percentage for all 
employees in the case of a defined benefit excess plan or the same gross 
benefit percentage and the same offset percentage for all employees in 
the case of an offset plan.
    (B) For each year of service after the initial period and at least 
up to 35, the benefit formula provides a uniform percentage of all 
average annual compensation, that is equal to the excess benefit 
percentage or the gross benefit percentage under paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (C) For each year of service after the period described in paragraph 
(c)(2)(iii)(B) of this section, the benefit formula provides a uniform 
percentage of all average annual compensation that is no greater than 
the excess benefit percentage or the gross benefit percentage under 
paragraph (c)(2)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (iv) Different social security retirement ages. The benefit formula 
uses the same excess benefit percentage or the same gross benefit 
percentage for all employees with the same number of years of service 
and, for employees with social security retirement ages later than age 
65, adjusts the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess or offset 
allowance as required under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, by 
increasing the base benefit percentage in the case of a defined benefit 
excess plan, or reducing the offset percentage in the case of an offset 
plan.
    (v) Reduction for integration level. The plan uses an integration 
level or offset level greater than each employee's covered compensation 
and makes individual reductions in the 0.75-percent factor, as permitted 
under paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of this section, by increasing the base 
benefit percentage in the case of a defined benefit excess plan or

[[Page 345]]

reducing the offset percentage in the case of an offset plan.
    (vi) Overall permitted disparity--(A) In general. The benefit 
formula provides that, with respect to each employee's years of service 
after reaching the cumulative permitted disparity limit applicable to 
the employee under Sec. 1.401(l)-5(c), employer-provided benefits are 
determined with respect to the employee's total average annual 
compensation at a rate equal to the nondisparate percentage. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c)(2)(vi), the nondisparate percentage is 
generally the excess benefit percentage or gross benefit percentage 
otherwise applicable under the benefit formula to an employee with the 
same number of years of service.
    (B) Unit credit plans. In the case of a unit credit plan described 
in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(3), if the 411(b)(1)(B) limit percentage is 
less than the nondisparate percentage, the 411(b)(1)(B) limit percentage 
must be substituted for the nondisparate percentage. For this purpose, 
the 411(b)(1)(B) limit percentage is 133\1/3\ percent of the smallest 
base benefit percentage, or 133\1/3\ percent of the smallest difference 
between the gross benefit percentage and the offset percentage, 
whichever is applicable, where the smallest base benefit percentage or 
difference is determined by reference to the benefit formula as applied 
to employees with no more years of service than the employee.
    (C) Fractional accrual plans. In the case of a fractional accrual 
plan described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4), the benefit formula must 
provide for the nondisparate percentage with respect to years of service 
after the employee would reach the cumulative permitted disparity limit 
applicable to the employee under Sec. 1.401(l)-5(c) as modified by this 
paragraph (c)(2)(vi)(C). Solely for purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(2)(vi)(C), the employee's annual disparity fractions (and thus the 
year in which the employee would reach the cumulative permitted 
disparity limit) are determined using the disparity provided under the 
benefit formula (rather than the special rule for fractional accrual 
plans in Sec. 1.401(l)-5(b)(8)(v)).
    (vii) Non-FICA employees. The plan provides that, in the case of 
each employee under the plan with respect to whom none of the taxes 
under section 3111(a), section 3221, or section 1401 is required to be 
paid, employer-provided benefits are determined with respect to the 
employee's total average annual compensation at the excess benefit 
percentage or gross benefit percentage applicable to an employee with 
the same number of years of service.
    (viii) Average annual compensation adjustment for offset plan. In 
the case of each employee whose final average compensation exceeds the 
employee's average annual compensation, the plan adjusts the offset 
percentage as required under paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section in 
order to satisfy the maximum offset allowance.
    (ix) PIA offsets. In the case of an offset plan, the plan provides 
that the offset applied to each employee's benefit is the lesser of a 
specified percentage of the employee's PIA and an offset that otherwise 
satisfies the requirements of this section (the ``section 401(l) 
overlay''). The specified percentage of PIA must be the same for all 
employees with the same number of years of service. In the case of a 
plan that determines each employee's accrued benefit under the 
fractional accrual method of section 411(b)(1)(C), the specified 
percentage of PIA is deemed to be the same for all employees with the 
same number of years of service if the plan satisfies either of the 
deemed uniformity rules in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) or (iii) of this 
section, substituting ``offset, expressed as a percentage of PIA, per 
year of service'' for the term ``offset percentage'' (in addition to 
satisfying either of those rules with respect to the section 401(l) 
overlay).
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (c). 
Unless otherwise provided, the following facts apply. The plan is 
noncontributory and is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. 
The plan uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision 
that would require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. In the case of a defined 
benefit excess plan, the plan uses each employee's covered compensation 
as the integration level; in the case of an offset plan, the plan uses 
each employee's covered compensation as the offset level and

[[Page 346]]

provides that an employee's final average compensation is limited to the 
employee's average annual compensation. Each example discusses the 
benefit formula applicable to an employee who has a social security 
retirement age of 65.

    Example 1. Plan M is a defined benefit excess plan that satisfies 
the 133\1/3\ percent accrual rule of section 411(b)(1)(B). The plan 
provides a normal retirement benefit of 1.0 percent of average annual 
compensation up to the integration level, plus 1.65 percent of average 
annual compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 25. The plan also provides a benefit of 1.0 percent of all 
average annual compensation for each year of service in excess of 25. 
The disparity provided under the plan is uniform because the plan uses 
the same base and excess benefit percentages for all employees with the 
same number of years of service. If the plan formula were the same 
except that it used a different excess benefit percentage for some of 
the years of service between one and 25, the disparity under the plan 
would continue to be uniform.
    Example 2. Plan O is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 50 percent of average annual compensation 
up to the integration level and 68.75 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of the integration level, multiplied by a 
fraction, the numerator of which is the employee's service, up to 25 
years, and the denominator of which is 25. The plan determines an 
employee's accrued benefit as described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
3(b)(4)(i)(B). The benefit formula thus provides a base benefit 
percentage of 2 percent (50 percent x \1/25\) and an excess benefit 
percentage of 2.75 percent (68.75 percent x \1/25\) for each of an 
employee's first 25 years of service and no benefit for years of service 
after 25. The disparity provided under the plan is not uniform within 
the meaning of this paragraph (c) because the benefit formula does not 
satisfy either of the uniform disparity rules for fractional accrual 
plans under paragraphs (c)(2) (ii) and (iii) of this section.
    Example 3. Plan P is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation for each 
year of service up to 35, minus 0.75 percent of the final average 
compensation up to the offset level for each year of service up to 25. 
The plan determines an employee's accrued benefit under the method 
described in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(b)(4)(i)(B). Because the formula under 
the plan provides the same gross benefit percentage and offset 
percentage for 25 years of service (fewer than 35) and, for years of 
service after 25 and up to 35, provides a benefit at a uniform rate 
(equal to the gross benefit percentage) of all average annual 
compensation, and the plan accrues the benefit ratably, the disparity 
under the plan is deemed to be uniform under paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of 
this section.
    Example 4. Plan Q is an offset plan that benefits employees with 
social security retirement ages of 65, 66, and 67. For each year of 
service up to 35, the plan provides a normal retirement benefit equal to 
2 percent of average annual compensation, minus an offset based on the 
employee's final average compensation up to the offset level. For 
employees with a social security retirement age of 65, the offset 
percentage is 0.75 percent; for employees with a social security 
retirement age of 66, the offset percentage is 0.70 percent; and for 
employees with a social security retirement age of 67, the offset 
percentage is 0.65 percent. The disparity under the plan is deemed to be 
uniform under paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section because the plan uses 
the same gross benefit percentage for all employees and reduces the 
offset percentage for employees with social security retirement ages of 
66 and 67 to comply with the adjustments in the 0.75-percent factor in 
the maximum excess or offset allowance required under paragraph (e)(1) 
of this section. (Because Plan Q effectively provides unreduced benefits 
prior to the social security retirement age for employees with social 
security retirement ages of 66 and 67, the 0.75-percent factor in the 
maximum offset allowance must be reduced to 0.70 percent and 0.65 
percent, respectively.) Alternatively, Plan Q could satisfy this 
paragraph (c) if it provided a uniform offset percentage of 0.65 percent 
for all employees because 0.65 percent is the maximum offset allowance 
under the plan for an employee with a social security retirement age of 
67.
    Example 5. Plan R is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, minus an 
offset determined as a percentage of total final average compensation, 
for each year of service up to 35. For an employee whose final average 
compensation does not exceed the employee's covered compensation, the 
offset percentage is 0.75 percent. For an employee whose final average 
compensation exceeds the employee's covered compensation, the plan 
reduces the offset percentage, as required by paragraph (d) of this 
section. The reduced offset percentage is determined by comparing the 
employee's final average compensation to the employee's covered 
compensation as permitted under paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of this 
section. The disparity provided under the plan is deemed uniform under 
paragraph (c)(2)(v) of this section because the plan uses the same gross 
benefit percentage for all employees and makes individual reductions in 
the 0.75-percent factor, as permitted under paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of 
this section, by reducing the offset percentage in the case of an 
employee

[[Page 347]]

whose final average compensation exceeds covered compensation.

    (d) Requirements for integration or offset level--(1) In general. 
The integration level under a defined benefit excess plan or the offset 
level under an offset plan must satisfy paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3), 
(d)(4), (d)(5) or (d)(6) of this section, as modified by paragraph 
(d)(7) of this section in the case of a short plan year. Paragraph 
(d)(8) of this section contains demographic tests that apply to certain 
defined benefit plans. Paragraph (d)(9) of this section explains certain 
reductions required in the 0.75-percent factor under paragraph (b)(2) or 
(b)(3) of this section. Paragraph (d)(10) of this section contains 
examples. If a reduction applies to the 0.75-percent factor under this 
paragraph (d), the reduced factor is used for all purposes in 
determining whether the permitted disparity rules for defined benefit 
plans are satisfied.
    (2) Covered compensation. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(2) 
is satisfied only if the integration or offset level under the plan for 
each employee is the employee's covered compensation.
    (3) Uniform percentage of covered compensation. The requirement of 
this paragraph (d)(3) is satisfied only if--
    (i) The integration or offset level under the plan for each employee 
is a uniform percentage (greater than 100 percent) of each employee's 
covered compensation,
    (ii) In the case of a defined benefit excess plan, the integration 
level does not exceed the taxable wage base in effect for the plan year, 
and, in the case of an offset plan, the offset level does not exceed the 
employee's final average compensation, and
    (iii) The plan adjusts the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess 
or offset allowance in accordance with paragraph (d)(9) of this section.
    (4) Single dollar amount. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(4) 
is satisfied only if the integration or offset level under the plan for 
all employees is a single dollar amount (either specified in the plan or 
determined under a formula specified in the plan) that does not exceed 
the greater of $10,000 or one-half of the covered compensation of an 
individual who attains social security retirement age in the calendar 
year in which the plan year begins. In the case of a calendar year in 
which no individual could attain social security retirement age, for 
example, the year 2003, this rule is applied using covered compensation 
of an individual attaining social security retirement age in the 
preceding calendar year.
    (5) Intermediate amount. The requirement of this paragraph (d)(5) is 
satisfied only if--
    (i) The integration or offset level under the plan for all employees 
is a single dollar amount (either specified in the plan or determined 
under a formula specified in the plan) that is greater than the highest 
amount determined under paragraph (d)(4) of this section,
    (ii) In the case of a defined benefit excess plan, the single dollar 
amount does not exceed the taxable wage base in effect for the plan 
year, and, in the case of an offset plan, the single dollar amount does 
not exceed the employee's final average compensation,
    (iii) The plan satisfies the demographic requirements of paragraph 
(d)(8) of this section, and
    (iv) The plan adjusts the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess 
or offset allowance in accordance with paragraph (d)(9) of this section.

For purposes of this paragraph (d)(5), an offset level of each 
employee's final average compensation is considered a single dollar 
amount determined under a formula specified in the plan.
    (6) Intermediate amount safe harbor. The requirement of this 
paragraph (d)(6) is satisfied only if--
    (i) The integration or offset level under the plan for all employees 
is a single dollar amount described in paragraph (d)(5) of this section, 
and
    (ii) The 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess or offset 
allowance under paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section is reduced to 
the lesser of the adjusted factor determined under paragraph (d)(9) of 
this section or 80 percent of the otherwise applicable factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section, determined without regard to 
paragraph (d)(9) of this section.
    (7) Prorated integration level for short plan year. If an 
accumulation plan uses paragraph (2) or (4) of the definition of

[[Page 348]]

plan year compensation under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12 (i.e., section 414(s) 
compensation for the plan year or the period of plan participation) and 
has a plan year that comprises fewer than 12 months, the integration or 
offset level under the plan for each employee must be an amount equal to 
the otherwise applicable integration or offset level described in 
paragraph (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), (d)(5), or (d)(6) of this section, 
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months 
in the plan year and the denominator of which is 12. No adjustment to 
the maximum excess or offset allowance is required as a result of the 
application of this paragraph (d)(7), other than any adjustment already 
required under paragraph (d)(6) or (d)(9) of this section.
    (8) Demographic requirements--(i) In general. A plan that satisfies 
the demographic requirements of paragraphs (d)(8)(ii) and (iii) of this 
section may use an integration level described in paragraph (d)(5) of 
this section.
    (ii) Attained age requirement. The requirement of this paragraph 
(d)(8)(ii) is satisfied only if the average attained age of the 
nonhighly compensated employees in the plan is not greater than the 
greater of--
    (A) Age 50, or
    (B) 5 plus the average attained age of the highly compensated 
employees in the plan. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(8)(ii), 
attained ages are determined as of the beginning of the plan year.
    (iii) Nondiscrimination requirement. The requirement of this 
paragraph (d)(8)(iii) is satisfied only if at least one of the following 
tests in paragraphs (d)(8)(iii) (A) through (D) of this section is 
satisfied.
    (A) Minimum percentage test. This test is satisfied only if more 
than 50 percent of the nonhighly compensated employees in the plan have 
average annual compensation at least equal to 120 percent of the 
integration or offset level.
    (B) Ratio test. This test is satisfied only if the percentage of 
nonhighly compensated nonexcludable employees, who are in the plan and 
who have average annual compensation at least equal to 120 percent of 
the integration or offset level, is at least 70 percent of the 
percentage of highly compensated nonexcludable employees who are 
employees in the plan.
    (C) High dollar amount test. This test is satisfied only if the 
integration or offset level exceeds 150 percent of the covered 
compensation of an individual who attains social security retirement age 
in the calendar year in which the plan year begins. In the case of a 
calendar year in which no individual could attain social security 
retirement age, for example, the year 2003, this rule is applied using 
covered compensation of an individual attaining social security 
retirement age in the preceding calendar year.
    (D) Individual disparity reductions. This test is satisfied only if 
the plan is an offset plan that uses an offset level of each employee's 
final average compensation and makes individual disparity reductions as 
permitted under paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(B) of this section.
    (9) Reduction in the 0.75-percent factor if integration or offset 
level exceeds covered compensation--(i) In general. If the integration 
or offset level specified under the plan is each employee's covered 
compensation as of the plan year, no reduction in the 0.75-percent 
factor in the maximum excess or offset allowance is required for the 
plan year under this paragraph (d)(9). If a plan specifies an 
integration or offset level that exceeds an employee's covered 
compensation, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess or offset 
allowance must be reduced as required in paragraph (d)(9)(ii) or (iii) 
of this section. Paragraph (d)(9)(iv) of this section contains a table 
of the applicable reductions.
    (ii) Uniform percentage of covered compensation. If a plan specifies 
an integration or offset level that is a uniform percentage (in excess 
of 100 percent) of each employee's covered compensation, the 0.75-
percent factor in the maximum excess or offset allowance must be reduced 
in accordance with the table in paragraph (d)(9)(iv) of this section. 
Thus, for example, if a plan specifies an integration or offset level of 
120 percent of each employee's covered compensation, the 0.75-percent 
factor in the maximum excess or offset allowance must be reduced to 0.69 
percent in accordance with the table because the

[[Page 349]]

specified integration or offset level is more than covered compensation 
but not more than 125 percent of covered compensation.
    (iii) Single dollar amount. If a plan specifies an integration or 
offset level of a single dollar amount as permitted under paragraph 
(d)(5) of this section (for example, $30,000), the applicable reduction 
in the maximum excess or offset allowance must be determined under 
paragraph (d)(9)(iii) (A) or (B) of this section, as specified under the 
plan.
    (A) Plan-wide reduction. The applicable reduction in the maximum 
excess or offset allowance under the table in paragraph (d)(9)(iv) of 
this section may be determined by comparing the single dollar amount 
specified in the plan to the covered compensation of an individual 
attaining social security retirement age in the calendar year in which 
the plan year begins. Thus, for example, if a plan specifies a single 
integration or offset level of $30,000 that is uniformly applicable to 
all employees for a plan year and the covered compensation of an 
individual attaining social security retirement age in the calendar year 
in which the plan year begins is $20,000, the 0.75-percent factor in the 
maximum excess or offset allowance must be reduced to 0.60 percent for 
all employees in accordance with the table in paragraph (d)(9)(iv) of 
this section because the specified integration or offset level of 
$30,000 is more than 125 percent of $20,000 but not more than 150 
percent of $20,000. In the case of a calendar year in which no 
individual could attain social security retirement age (for example, 
2003), the comparison is made with covered compensation of an individual 
who attained social security retirement age in the preceding calendar 
year. If an offset plan uses an offset level of each employee's final 
average compensation, the reduction under this paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(A) 
is determined by comparing the highest possible amount of final average 
compensation to the covered compensation of an individual attaining 
social security retirement age in the calendar year in which the plan 
year begins.
    (B) Individual reductions. The applicable reduction in the maximum 
excess or offset allowance under the table in paragraph (d)(9)(iv) of 
this section may be determined by comparing the single dollar amount 
specified in the plan to the covered compensation of each employee under 
the plan. Thus, for example, if a plan specifies a single integration or 
offset level of $30,000 that is uniformly applicable to all employees 
for a plan year, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess or offset 
allowance must be reduced to 0.60 percent for an employee with covered 
compensation of $20,000, but need not be reduced for an employee whose 
covered compensation is $30,000 or greater.
    (iv) Reductions--(A) Table.

                                  Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          The permitted disparity factor
  If the integration or offset level is                 is
------------------------------------------------------------------------
100 percent of covered compensation.....  0.75 percent
125 percent of covered compensation.....  0.69 percent
150 percent of covered compensation.....  0.60 percent
175 percent of covered compensation.....  0.53 percent
200 percent of covered compensation.....  0.47 percent
The taxable wage base or final average    0.42 percent
 compensation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Interpolation. If the integration or offset level used under a 
plan is between the percentages of covered compensation in the table, 
the permitted disparity factor applicable to the plan can be determined 
either by straight-line interpolation between the permitted disparity 
factors in the table or by rounding the integration or offset level up 
to the next highest percentage of covered compensation in the table.
    (10) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (d). 
Unless otherwise provided, the following facts apply. The plan is 
noncontributory and is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. 
The plan uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision 
that would require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. In the case of an offset 
plan, the plan provides that an employee's final average compensation is 
limited to the employee's average annual compensation. Each example 
discusses the benefit formula applicable to an employee who has a social 
security retirement age of 65.

    Example 1. (a) Plan M is a defined benefit excess plan that uses the 
calendar year as its

[[Page 350]]

plan year. For the 1989 plan year, the plan uses an integration level of 
$20,000, which is 118 percent of the 1989 covered compensation of 
$16,968 for an individual reaching social security retirement age in 
1989. The plan may use that integration level without satisfying 
paragraph (d)(8) of this section, provided the adjustment to the 0.75-
percent factor required under paragraph (d)(6) of this section is made. 
That adjustment is the lesser of the factor determined under paragraph 
(d)(9) of this section or 80 percent of the factor otherwise applicable 
under paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section.
    (b) The plan determines the factor under paragraph (d)(9) of this 
section by comparing the integration level to the covered compensation 
of an individual attaining social security retirement age in the 
calendar year in which the plan year begins and by rounding the 
integration level up to 125 percent of that covered compensation amount. 
The 0.75-percent factor is therefore replaced by 0.69 percent pursuant 
to the table in paragraph (d)(9) of this section. The 0.69-percent 
factor is 92 percent of the 0.75-percent factor. Because the lesser of 
80 percent and 92 percent is 80 percent, the 0.75-percent factor is 
reduced to 0.6 percent (80 percent of 0.75 percent) under paragraph 
(d)(6) of this section. The 0.6-percent factor applies to benefits 
commencing at age 65 for an employee with a social security retirement 
age of 65. In determining normal retirement benefits for employees with 
social security retirement ages of 66 or 67, the applicable factors for 
benefits commencing at age 65 are, respectively, 0.56 percent (80 
percent of 0.7 percent) and 0.52 percent (80 percent of 0.65 percent).
    (c) The plan could also determine the factor under paragraph (d)(9) 
of this section by comparing the integration level to the covered 
compensation of each employee under the plan, or by straight line 
interpolation between the disparity factors contained in the table in 
paragraph (d)(9) of this section, or both. (Of course, if the plan 
satisfied paragraph (d)(8) of this section, the plan could use the 
factor determined under paragraph (d)(9) of this section.)
    Example 2. (a) Plan N, an accumulation plan, is a defined benefit 
excess plan that, for each year of service up to 35, accrues a normal 
retirement benefit of 1 percent of plan year compensation up to the 
taxable wage base, plus 1.75 percent of plan year compensation above the 
taxable wage base, for each year of service up to 35. An employee's 
total retirement benefit is the sum of the accruals for all years. The 
plan satisfies paragraph (d)(8) of this section.
    (b) Because the plan uses the taxable wage base (an amount above 
covered compensation) as the integration level, it must reduce the 0.75-
percent factor in the maximum excess allowance as required under 
paragraphs (d)(5) and (d)(9) of this section. The reduced factor, if 
determined on a plan-wide basis under paragraph (d)(9)(iii)(A) of this 
section, is 0.42 percent. The plan must therefore reduce the disparity 
in the plan so that it does not exceed 0.42 percent.
    Example 3. (a) For the 1990 plan year, Plan O provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, minus a 
percentage of final average compensation up to $48,000, for each year of 
service up to 35. The plan satisfies paragraph (d)(8) of this section. 
As permitted under paragraph (d)(9) of this section, the plan provides 
that each employee's offset percentage is determined by comparing 
$48,000 to the employee's covered compensation and by rounding the 
result up to the next highest percentage of covered compensation.
    (b) Employee A has a social security retirement age of 66 and 
covered compensation of $40,000. Because the plan provides for 
commencement of Employee A's benefit at age 65, the 0.75-percent factor 
in the maximum offset allowance is reduced to 0.7 percent under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section (the ``paragraph (e) factor''). In 
addition, because $48,000 is rounded up to 125 percent of Employee A's 
covered compensation, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum offset 
allowance is reduced to 0.69 percent under paragraph (d)(9) of this 
section (the ``paragraph (d) factor''). The reductions are cumulative 
under paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.
    (c) The cumulative reductions can be made by multiplying the 
paragraph (e) facdtor by the ratio of the paragraph (d) factor to 0.75 
percent or by multiplying the paragraph (d) factor by the ratio of the 
paragraph (e) factor to 0.75 percent. The disparity factor for Employee 
A is therefore 0.64 percent ((0.7 percent x 0.69 percent/0.75 percent) 
or (0.69 percent x 0.7 percent/0.75 percent)).
    Example 4. Plan P is an offset plan that uses the calendar year as 
the plan year and uses an offset level of each employee's final average 
compensation. Assume that the taxable wage bases for 1990-1992 are the 
following:

1990--$51,300
1991--$53.400
1992--$58,000


Employee B's final average compensation, determined as of the close of 
the 1992 plan year, is the average of Employee B's annual compensation 
for the period 1990-1992. Employee B's annual compensation for each year 
is the following:

1990--$47,000
1991--$59,000
1992--$65,000

For purposes of determining the offset applied to Employee B's employer-
provided benefit under the plan. Employee's B's final average 
compensation as of the close of the 1992 plan year is $52,800 ($47,000 + 
$53,400 +

[[Page 351]]

$58,000/3). This is because annual compensation in excess of the taxable 
wage base in effect at the beginning of the year may not be taken into 
account in determining an employee's final average compensation or in 
determining the employee's offset. If the plan determines the offset 
applied to Employee B's benefit by reference to compensation in excess 
of $52,800, the plan fails to satisfy this paragraph (d).

    (e) Adjustments to the 0.75-percent factor for benefits commencing 
at ages other than social security retirement age--(1) In general. The 
0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess allowance and in the maximum 
offset allowance applies to a benefit commencing at an employee's social 
security retirement age. Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this 
section, if a benefit payable to an employee under a defined benefit 
excess plan or a defined benefit offset plan commences at an age before 
the employee's social security retirement age (including a benefit 
payable at the normal retirement age under the plan), the 0.75-percent 
factor in the maximum excess allowance or in the maximum offset 
allowance, respectively, is reduced in accordance with paragraph 
(e)(2)(i) of this section. If a benefit payable to an employee under a 
defined benefit excess plan or a defined offset plan commences at an age 
after the employee's social security retirement age, the 0.75-percent 
factor in the maximum excess allowance or in the maximum offset 
allowance, respectively, may be increased in accordance with paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii) of this section. Paragraph (e)(4) of this section provides 
rules on the age at which a benefit commences. See paragraph (f) of this 
section for the requirements applicable to optional forms of benefit.
    (2) Adjustments--(i) Benefits commencing on or after age 55 and 
before social security retirement age. If benefits commence before an 
employee's social security retirement age, the 0.75-percent factor in 
the maximum excess allowance and in the maximum offset allowance must be 
reduced for such early commencement of benefits in accordance with the 
tables set forth in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Benefits commencing after social security retirement age and on 
or before age 70. If benefits commence after an employee's social 
security retirement age, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess 
allowance and in the maximum offset allowance may be increased for such 
delayed commencement of benefits in accordance with the tables set forth 
in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (iii) Benefits commencing before age 55. If benefits commence before 
the employee attains age 55, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum 
excess allowance and in the maximum offset allowance is further reduced 
(on a monthly basis to reflect the month in which benefits commence) to 
a factor that is the actuarial equivalent of the 0.75-percent factor, as 
adjusted under the tables in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, 
applicable to a benefit commencing in the month in which the employee 
attains age 55. In determining actuarial equivalence for this purpose, a 
reasonable interest rate must be used. In addition, a reasonable 
mortality table must be used to determine the actuarial present value, 
as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12, of the benefits commencing at age 55 
and at the earlier commencement age, and a reasonable mortality table 
may be used to determine the actuarial present value at the earlier 
commencement age of the benefits commencing at age 55. A standard 
interest rate and a standard mortality table, as defined in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-12, are considered reasonable.
    (iv) Benefits commencing after age 70. If benefits commence after 
the employee attains age 70, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum 
excess allowance and in the maximum offset allowance may be further 
increased (on a monthly basis to reflect the month in which benefits 
commence) to a factor that is the actuarial equivalent of the 0.75-
percent factor (as adjusted in accordance with this paragraph (e)) 
applicable to a benefit commencing in the month in which the employee 
attains age 70. In determining actuarial equivalence for this purpose, a 
reasonable interest rate must be used. In addition, a reasonable 
mortality table must be used to determine the actuarial present value, 
as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12, of the benefits commencing at age 70 
and at the later commencement age, and a reasonable mortality table may 
be used to determine the value at the later commencement age of the 
benefits commencing

[[Page 352]]

at age 70. A standard interest rate and a standard mortality table, as 
defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12, are considered reasonable.
    (3) Tables. Tables I, II, and III provide the adjustments in the 
0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess allowance and in the maximum 
offset allowance applicable to benefits commencing on or after age 55 
and on or before age 70 to an employee who has a social security 
retirement age of 65, 66 or 67. Table IV is a simplified table for a 
plan that uses a single disparity factor of 0.65 percent for all 
employees at age 65. The factors in the following tables are applicable 
to benefits that commence in the month the employee attains the 
specified age. Accordingly, if benefits commence in a month other than 
the month in which the employee attains the specified age, appropriate 
adjustments in the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess allowance 
and the maximum offset allowance must be made. For this purpose, 
adjustments may be based on straight-line interpolation from the factors 
in the tables or in accordance with the methods of adjustment specified 
in paragraphs (e)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this section.

                                 Table I
                   [Social security retirement age 67]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   70                                1.002
                   69                                0.908
                   68                                0.825
                   67                                0.750
                   66                                0.700
                   65                                0.650
                   64                                0.600
                   63                                0.550
                   62                                0.500
                   61                                0.475
                   60                                0.450
                   59                                0.425
                   58                                0.400
                   57                                0.375
                   56                                0.344
                   55                                0.316
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table II
                   [Social security retirement age 66]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   70                                1.101
                   69                                0.998
                   68                                0.907
                   67                                0.824
                   66                                0.750
                   65                                0.700
                   64                                0.650
                   63                                0.600
                   62                                0.550
                   61                                0.500
                   60                                0.475
                   59                                0.450
                   58                                0.425
                   57                                0.400
                   56                                0.375
                   55                                0.344
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table III
                   [Social security retirement age 65]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   70                                1.209
                   69                                1.096
                   68                                0.996
                   67                                0.905
                   66                                0.824
                   65                                0.750
                   64                                0.700
                   63                                0.650
                   62                                0.600
                   61                                0.550
                   60                                0.500
                   59                                0.475
                   58                                0.450
                   57                                0.425
                   56                                0.400
                   55                                0.375
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table IV
                           [Simplified table]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   70                                1.048
                   69                                0.950
                   68                                0.863
                   67                                0.784
                   66                                0.714
                   65                                0.650
                   64                                0.607
                   63                                0.563
                   62                                0.520
                   61                                0.477
                   60                                0.433
                   59                                0.412
                   58                                0.390
                   57                                0.368
                   56                                0.347
                   55                                0.325
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 353]]

    (4) Benefit commencement date--(i) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section, a benefit commences for purposes 
of this paragraph (e) on the first day of the period for which the 
benefit is paid under the plan.
    (ii) Qualified social security supplement. If a plan uses a 
qualified social security supplement, as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
12, to provide an aggregate benefit at retirement before social security 
retirement age that is a uniform percentage of average annual 
compensation, benefits will be considered to commence on the first day 
of the period for which the qualified social security supplement is no 
longer payable. In order for this paragraph (e)(4)(ii) to apply, the 
uniform percentage must be equal to the excess benefit percentage in the 
case of an excess plan or the gross benefit percentage in the case of an 
offset plan.
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (e). 
Unless otherwise provided, the following facts apply. The plan is 
noncontributory and is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. 
The plan uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision 
that would require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. In the case of a defined 
benefit excess plan, the plan uses each employee's covered compensation 
as the integration level; in the case of an offset plan, the plan uses 
each employee's covered compensation as the offset level and provides 
that an employee's final average compensation is limited to the 
employee's average annual compensation. Each example discusses the 
benefit formula applicable to an employee who has a social security 
retirement age of 65.

    Example 1. Plan M is a defined benefit excess plan that, for an 
employee with a social security retirement age of 65, provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 1.25 percent of average annual compensation up to 
the integration level, plus 2.0 percent of average annual compensation 
in excess of the integration level, for each year of service up to 35. 
For an employee with at least 20 years of service, the plan provides a 
benefit commencing at age 55 that is equal to the benefit payable at age 
65. For that employee, the disparity provided under the plan at age 55 
is 0.75 percent (2 percent-1.25 percent). Because this disparity exceeds 
the 0.375 percent factor provided in the table for a benefit payable at 
age 55 to an employee with a social security retirement age of 65, the 
plan fails to satisfy paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section with 
respect to the early retirement benefit.
    Example 2. Assume the same facts as in Example 1, except that the 
base benefit percentage under the plan is 1.75 percent. Thus, the 
disparity provided under the plan at age 55 is 0.25 percent (2 percent-
1.75 percent). Because the disparity does not exceed the 0.375 percent 
factor provided in the table for a benefit payable at age 55 to an 
employee with a social security retirement age of 65, the plan does not 
fail to satisfy paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section with respect to 
the early retirement benefit.
    Example 3. Plan N is an offset plan that, for an employee with a 
social security retirement age of 65, provides a normal retirement 
benefit of 1.75 percent of average annual compensation, minus 0.75 
percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, for each 
year of service up to 35. For an employee with at least 20 years of 
service, the plan provides a benefit commencing at age 55 that is equal 
to the benefit payable at age 65. For that employee, the disparity 
provided under the plan at age 55 is 0.75 percent. Because this 
disparity exceeds the 0.375-percent factor provided in the table for an 
offset applied to a benefit payable at age 55 to an employee with a 
social security retirement age of 65, the plan fails to satisfy 
paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section with respect to the early 
retirement benefit. The plan would not fail to satisfy paragraphs (b) 
and (e) of this section with respect to the early retirement benefit if 
the applicable factor for determining the offset applied to the benefit 
were reduced to 0.375 percent.
    Example 4. Plan O is a defined benefit excess plan that, for an 
employee with a social security retirement age of 65, provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 1.25 percent of average annual compensation up to 
the integration level, plus 2.0 percent of average annual compensation 
in excess of the integration level, for each year of service up to 35. 
The plan provides benefits commencing before normal retirement age with 
the following reductions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Percentage of normal
                    Age                        retirement benefit (%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
64........................................  90
63........................................  85
62........................................  80
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Under the plan, a benefit payable at age 64 is equal to 90 percent of 
the normal retirement benefit payable at age 65. Thus, the excess 
benefit percentage under the plan is 1.8 percent, the base benefit 
percentage under the

[[Page 354]]

plan is 1.125 percent, and the disparity provided under the plan at age 
64 is 0.675 percent. Similarly, a benefit payable at age 63 is equal to 
85 percent of the normal retirement benefit payable at age 65. Thus, the 
excess benefit percentage under the plan is 1.7 percent, the base 
benefit percentage under the plan is 1.0625 percent, and the disparity 
provided under the plan at age 63 is 0.6375 percent. Finally, a benefit 
payable at age 62 is equal to 80 percent of the normal retirement 
benefit payable at age 65. Thus, the excess benefit percentage under the 
plan is 1.6 percent, the base benefit percentage under the plan is 1.0 
percent, and the disparity provided under the plan at age 62 is 0.6 
percent. Because the disparities provided under the plan at each early 
commencement age do not exceed the factors provided in the applicable 
table in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the plan does not fail to 
satisfy paragraphs (b) and (e) of this section with respect to the early 
retirement benefits.
    Example 5. Plan P is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 0.75 percent of average annual compensation 
up to the integration level, plus 1.5 percent of average annual 
compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 35. The plan does not provide any benefits, other than 
normal retirement benefits, commencing before an employee's social 
security retirement age. Employee A, born in 1947, has a social security 
retirement age of 66. Because the plan provides for the distribution of 
normal retirement benefits before Employee A's social security 
retirement age, the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess allowance 
applicable to Employee A must be reduced to 0.70 percent in accordance 
with this paragraph (e). Accordingly, the disparity provided to A under 
the plan exceeds the maximum excess allowance because the excess benefit 
percentage (1.5 percent) exceeds the base benefit percentage (0.75 
percent) by more than the maximum excess allowance of 0.70 percent, as 
reduced in accordance with this paragraph (e).
    Example 6. Assume the same facts as in Example 5, except that the 
plan also provides an early retirement benefit, commencing at age 62, to 
an employee who satisfies the conditions for early retirement specified 
in the plan. The early retirement benefit is based upon the employee's 
accrued benefit at early retirement age and equals the amount that would 
have been paid commencing at the employee's normal retirement age based 
upon the employee's average annual compensation, covered compensation 
and years of service at the date of the employee's early retirement. 
Employee B, who has a social security retirement age of 65, meets the 
conditions for early retirement under the plan and retires at age 62 
with 30 years of service. At the time of early retirement, Employee B 
has average annual compensation of $20,000 and covered compensation of 
$16,000. Under the plan's benefit formula, Employee B has accrued a 
normal retirement benefit, commencing at age 65, of $5,400 ((22.5 
percent x $16,000) + (45 percent x $4,000)) based on Employee B's 
average annual compensation, covered compensation and years of service 
at early retirement. Accordingly, under the plan's early retirement 
provisions, Employee B is entitled to receive, commencing at early 
retirement, a benefit of $5,400. Because the early retirement benefit is 
a benefit commencing at age 62 (before Employee B's social security 
retirement age), the 0.75-percent factor in the maximum excess allowance 
must be reduced to 0.60 percent in accordance with this paragraph (e). 
Accordingly, the disparity provided to Employee B under the plan at 
early retirement exceeds the maximum excess allowance.
    Example 7. (a) Plan Q is a defined benefit excess plan that provides 
a normal retirement benefit of 1.35 percent of average annual 
compensation up to the integration level, plus 2 percent of average 
annual compensation in excess of the integration level, for each year of 
service up to 35. The plan provides that an employee with 10 years of 
service at age 55 may receive an unreduced retirement benefit. The plan 
also provides that employee with a supplemental benefit of 0.65 percent 
of average annual compensation up to the integration level for each year 
of service up to 35, payable from early retirement until age 65. The 
supplemental benefit is a qualified social security supplement under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12. The effect of the supplement is to provide an 
employee with a uniform benefit of 2 percent of average annual 
compensation from early retirement until age 65, when the supplement is 
no longer payable. Therefore, for purposes of this paragraph (e), the 
employee's benefit will be considered to commence at age 65.
    (b) Assume that Plan Q is instead an offset plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, 
minus 0.65 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, 
for each year of service up to 35. The plan provides the same early 
retirement benefit on the same conditions, except that the supplement is 
0.65 percent of an employee's final average compensation up to the 
offset level. An employee at age 55 thus receives a uniform benefit of 2 
percent of average annual compensation until age 65, when the supplement 
is no longer payable. Therefore, for purposes of this paragraph (e), the 
employee's benefit will be considered to commence at age 65.

    (f) Benefits, rights, and features--(1) Defined benefit excess plan. 
In the case of a defined benefit excess plan, each benefit, right, or 
feature provided

[[Page 355]]

under the plan with respect to employer-provided benefits attributable 
to average annual compensation above the integration level (an ``excess 
benefit, right, or feature'') must also be provided on the same terms 
with respect to employer-provided benefits attributable to average 
annual compensation up to the integration level (a ``base benefit, 
right, or feature''). Alternatively, an excess benefit, right, or 
feature may be provided on different terms than the base benefit, right, 
or feature, if the terms used to determine the base benefit, right, or 
feature produce a benefit, right, or feature of inherently equal or 
greater value than the benefit, right, or feature that would be produced 
under the terms used to determine the excess benefit, right, or feature.
    (2) Offset plan. In the case of an offset plan, each benefit, right, 
or feature provided under the plan with respect to employer-provided 
benefits before application of the offset (a ``gross benefit, right, or 
feature'') must be provided on the same terms as those used to determine 
the offset applied to the gross benefit, right, or feature. 
Alternatively, a gross benefit, right, or feature may be provided on 
different terms from those used to determine the offset applied to the 
gross benefit, right, or feature, if the terms used to determine the 
gross benefit, right, or feature produce a benefit, right, or feature of 
inherently equal or greater value than the benefit, right, or feature 
that would be produced under the terms used to determine the offset 
applied to the gross benefit, right, or feature. In addition, if 
benefits commence before an employee's normal retirement age, the gross 
benefit percentage under the plan must be reduced by a number of 
percentage points that is not less than the number of percentage points 
by which the offset percentage must be reduced, from normal retirement 
age to the age at which benefits commence, under the rules of paragraph 
(e) of this section.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (f). 
Unless otherwise provided, the following facts apply. The plan is 
noncontributory and is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. 
The plan uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision 
that would require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section. In the case of a defined 
benefit excess plan, the plan uses each employee's covered compensation 
as the integration level; in the case of an offset plan, the plan uses 
each employee's covered compensation as the offset level and provides 
that an employee's final average compensation is limited to the 
employee's average annual compensation. Each example discusses the 
benefit formula applicable to an employee who has a social security 
retirement age of 65. All optional forms of benefit under each plan are 
provided on the same terms.

    Example 1. Plan M is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation up 
to the integration level, plus 1.65 percent of average annual 
compensation above the integration level, for each year of service up to 
35. The plan provides an early retirement benefit for any employee who 
terminates employment at or after age 55 with 10 or more years of 
service. In determining an employee's early retirement, the 1.65 percent 
excess benefit percentage is reduced in accordance with the table in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section for a plan that uses a single disparity 
factor of 0.65 percent for all employees at age 65. However, a larger 
reduction factor is applied to determine the base benefit percentage at 
early retirement. The plan violates this paragraph (f) because the 
excess early retirement benefit is not provided on the same terms as the 
base early retirement benefit, nor do the terms used to determine the 
base early retirement benefit produce an early retirement benefit of 
inherently equal or greater value than the early retirement benefit that 
would be produced under the terms used to determine the excess benefit, 
right, or feature.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that the 
plan determines the early retirement benefit by applying the same 
reduction factors under paragraph (e)(3) of this section to the base and 
excess benefit percentages. Furthermore, if an employee terminates 
employment at or after age 55 with 30 or more years of service, the plan 
provides that the base benefit percentage of 1 percent is not reduced. 
Although the excess early retirement benefit is provided on different 
terms than the base early retirement benefit, the plan satisfies this 
paragraph (f) because the terms used to determine the base early 
retirement benefit produce an early retirement of inherently

[[Page 356]]

equal or greater value than the early retirement benefit that would be 
produced under the terms used to determine the excess benefit, right, or 
feature.
    Example 3. Plan N is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, minus 
0.65 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, for 
each year of service up to 35. In determining the qualified joint and 
survivor (``QJSA'') form of the normal retirement benefit, the plan 
applies a factor of 80 percent to the gross benefit percentage and a 
factor of 100 percent to the offset percentage. Thus, the QJSA form is 
1.6 percent of average annual compensation, minus 0.65 percent of final 
average compensation up to the offset level, for each year of service up 
to 35. The plan violates this paragraph (f) because the gross QJSA form 
is not provided on the same terms as the terms used to determine the 
offset applied to the QJSA, nor does it produce a QJSA benefit that is 
of inherently equal or greater value than the QJSA benefit that would be 
produced under the terms used to determine the offset under the plan.
    Example 4. Plan O is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation up 
to the integration level, plus 1.65 percent of average annual 
compensation above the integration level, for each year of service up to 
35. The plan also provides a single sum optional form of benefit 
determined by applying a single interest rate and mortality assumption 
to the entire normal retirement benefit. The plan satisfies this 
paragraph (f) because the excess optional form is provided on the same 
terms as the base optional form. The plan would also satisfy this 
paragraph (f) if it used a lower interest rate to determine the base 
optional form than used to determine the excess optional form because 
the lower interest rate would produce an optional form of inherently 
equal or greater value than the optional form produced by using the same 
interest rate.
    Example 5. Plan R is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation up 
to the integration level, plus 1.65 percent of average annual 
compensation above the integration level, for each year of service up to 
35. If an employee continues to work after normal retirement age, the 
plan provides that the employee receives credit for additional years of 
service up to the service limit of 35. The plan also provides that the 
disparity provided under the plan will increase as permitted under 
paragraph (e) of this section for benefits commencing after social 
security retirement age. However, the plan does not provide an increase 
in the base benefit percentage to reflect the fact that the employee has 
delayed commencement of benefits past normal retirement age. Thus, for 
example, for an employee at age 68, the plan provides a benefit of 1 
percent of average annual compensation up to the integration level, plus 
1.86 percent of average annual compensation above the integration level, 
for each year of service up to 35. The plan violates this paragraph (f) 
because the excess benefit provided for an employee after normal 
retirement age is not provided on the same terms as the base benefit, 
nor do the terms used to determine the base benefit produce a benefit of 
inherently equal or greater value than the benefit that would be 
produced under the terms used to determine the excess benefit.
    Example 6. Plan Q is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, minus 
0.65 percent of final average compensation up to the offset level, for 
each year of service up to 35. In accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section, the plan reduces the offset percentage under the plan for early 
retirement and provides a benefit at age 55 of 2 percent of average 
annual compensation, minus 0.325 percent of final average compensation 
up to the offset level, for each year of service up to 35. However, the 
early retirement benefit does not meet this paragraph (f) because an 
employee's gross benefit percentage is not reduced for early retirement.
    Example 7. The facts are the same as in Example 6 except that the 
plan reduces the gross benefit percentage for early retirement at age 55 
to 1.675 percent. Because the gross benefit percentage is reduced by 
0.325 percent (from 2.0 percent to 1.675 percent), the same percentage 
point reduction made in the offset percentage (from 0.65 percent to 
0.325 percent), the early retirement benefit meets this paragraph (f).

    (g) No reductions in 0.75-percent factor for ancillary benefits. For 
purposes of applying the maximum excess allowance or the maximum offset 
allowance under paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section, no reduction is 
made to the 0.75-percent factor merely because the plan provides 
disparity in qualified disability benefits (within the meaning of 
section 411(a)(9)) or preretirement death benefits and the relevant 
benefits are payable before an employee's social security retirement 
age.
    (h) Benefits attributable to employee contributions not taken into 
account. Benefits attributable to employee contributions to a defined 
benefit plan are not taken into account in determining whether the 
disparity provided under a defined benefit excess plan or an offset plan 
exceeds the maximum permitted

[[Page 357]]

disparity described in paragraph (b) of this section. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-6(b) for methods of determining the employer-provided 
benefit under a plan that includes employee contributions not allocated 
to separate accounts (i.e., a contributory DB plan), including Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-6(b)(2)(iii)(B) for adjustments to the base and excess 
benefit percentages or the gross benefit percentage under a section 
401(l) plan. If, after adjustment, the employee's base benefit 
percentage or gross benefit percentage (whichever is applicable) is less 
than zero, such percentage is deemed to be zero for purposes of the 
maximum excess allowance or maximum offset allowance under paragraph 
(b)(2) or (3) of this section.
    (i) Multiple integration levels [Reserved]
    (j) Additional rules. The Commissioner may, in revenue rulings, 
notices or other documents of general applicability, prescribe 
additional rules as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of this section, including updated tables under paragraphs (d) 
and (e) of this section providing for reductions in the 0.75-percent 
factor in the maximum excess allowance and in the maximum offset 
allowance and rules in paragraph (h) of this section for determining the 
portion of an employee's benefit attributable to employee contributions.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47622, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10818, 10819, 10951, 
10952, Mar. 31, 1992, as amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46832, Sept. 3, 
1993]



Sec. 1.401(l)-4  Special rules for railroad plans.

    (a) In general. Section 401(l)(6) provides that, in the case of a 
plan maintained by a railroad employer that covers employees who are 
entitled to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, in 
determining whether such a plan satisfies section 401(l), rules similar 
to the rules under section 401(l) apply and such rules take into account 
the employer-derived portion of tier 2 and supplemental annuity benefits 
provided under the railroad retirement system. In general, for purposes 
of determining whether a defined contribution plan or a defined benefit 
plan maintained by a railroad employer and covering employees described 
in te preceding sentence, satisfies section 401(l), the employer-derived 
portion of an employee's tier 2 benefits and supplementary annuity 
benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 are treated as though 
such benefits were provided by the railroad employer under a qualified 
plan. Paragraph (b) of this section contains rules for defined 
contribution plans. Paragraph (c) of this section contains rules for 
defined benefit excess plans. Paragraph (d) of this section contains 
rules for offset plans. Paragraph (e) of this section contains 
definitions and additional rules of application.
    (b) Defined contribution plans--(1) In general. A defined 
contribution plan maintained by a railroad employer satisfies section 
401(l) and Sec. 1.401(l)-2 for a plan year only if the plan satisfies 
paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section for the plan year.
    (2) Single integration level method--(i) In general. A plan 
satisfies this paragraph (b)(2) if--
    (A) The plan specifies a single integration level for all employees 
that does not exceed the railroad retirement taxable wage base in effect 
as of the beginning of the plan year,
    (B) The plan uses the same base contribution percentage and the same 
excess contribution percentage for all employees, and
    (C) The excess contribution percentage does not exceed the sum of 
11.4 percentage points and the base contribution percentage.
    (ii) Definitions. The following definitions govern for purposes of 
this paragraph (b)(2).
    (A) Base contribution percentage means the rate at which employer 
contributions are allocated to the account of an employee under the plan 
with respect to the employee's plan year compensation at or below the 
railroad retirement taxable wage base (expressed as a percentage of such 
plan year compensation).
    (B) Excess contribution percentage means the rate at which employer 
contributions are allocated to the account of an employee under the plan 
with respect to the employee's plan year compensation above the railroad 
retirement taxable wage base (expressed as a

[[Page 358]]

percentage of such plan year compensation).
    (3) Two integration level method--(i) In general. A plan satisfies 
this paragraph (b)(3) if--
    (A) The plan specifies two integration levels for all employees, 
equal to the railroad retirement taxable wage base in effect as of the 
beginning of the plan year and the taxable wage base in effect as of the 
beginning of the plan year, and
    (B) The plan satisfies paragraphs (b)(3) (ii) and (iii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Total disparity requirement. A plan satisfies this paragraph 
(b)(3)(ii) if--
    (A) The plan uses the same base contribution percentage and the same 
excess contribution percentage for all employees, and
    (B) The excess contribution percentage does not exceed the sum of 
11.4 percentage points and the base contribution percentage.
    (iii) Intermediate disparity requirement. A plan satisfies this 
paragraph (b)(3)(iii) if--
    (A) The plan uses the same base contribution percentage and the same 
intermediate contribution percentage for all employees, and
    (B) The intermediate contribution percentage does not exceed the sum 
of 5.7 percentage points and the base contribution percentage.
    (iv) Definitions. The following definitions govern for purposes of 
this paragraph (b)(3).
    (A) Base contribution percentage means the rate at which employer 
contributions are allocated to the account of an employee under the plan 
with respect to the employee's plan year compensation at or below the 
railroad retirement taxable wage base (expressed as a percentage of such 
plan year compensation).
    (B) Intermediate contribution percentage means the rate at which 
employer contributions are allocated to the account of an employee under 
the plan with respect to the employee's plan year compensation between 
the railroad retirement taxable wage base and the taxable wage base 
(expressed as a percentage of such plan year compensation).
    (C) Excess contribution percentage means the rate at which employer 
contributions are allocated to the account of an employee under the plan 
with respect to the employee's plan year compensation above the taxable 
wage base (expressed as a percentage of such plan year compensation).
    (c) Defined benefit excess plans--(1) In general. A defined benefit 
excess plan maintained by a railroad employer satisfies section 401(l) 
and Sec. 1.401(l)-3 for a plan year only if the plan satisfies 
paragraph (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section for the plan year.
    (2) Single integration level method--(i) In general. A plan 
satisfies this paragraph (c)(2) if--
    (A) The plan specifies a single integration level for all employees 
that does not exceed railroad retirement covered compensation,
    (B) The plan uses the same base benefit percentage and the same 
excess benefit percentage for all employees, and
    (C) The excess benefit percentage does not exceed the lesser of--
    (1) Two times the sum of 0.56 percent and the base benefit 
percentage, or
    (2) 0.56 percent plus the base benefit percentage plus 0.75 percent.
    (ii) Definitions. The following definitions govern for purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(2).
    (A) Base benefit percentage means the rate at which employer-
provided benefits are determined under the plan with respect to an 
employee's average annual compensation at or below the employee's 
railroad retirement covered compensation (expressed as a percentage of 
such average annual compensation).
    (B) Excess benefit percentage means the rate at which employer-
provided benefits are determined under the plan with respect to an 
employee's average annual compensation above the employee's railroad 
retirement covered compensation (expressed as a percentage of such 
average annual compensation).
    (3) Two integration level method--(i) In general. A plan satisfies 
this paragraph (c)(3) for a plan year if--
    (A) The plan specifies two integration levels for all employees, 
equal to each employee's railroad retirement covered compensation and 
each employee's covered compensation, and

[[Page 359]]

    (B) The plan satisfies paragraph (c)(3) (ii) and (iii) of this 
section.
    (ii) Employee with lower covered compensation. A plan satisfies this 
paragraph (c)(3)(ii) if, with respect to each employee whose lower 
integration level is the employee's covered compensation--
    (A) The plan uses the same base benefit percentage and the same 
intermediate benefit percentage for all employees,
    (B) The intermediate benefit percentage does not exceed the base 
benefit percentage by more than the lesser of 0.75 percent or the base 
benefit percentage,
    (C) The plan uses the same intermediate benefit percentage and the 
same excess benefit percentage for all employees, and
    (D) The excess benefit percentage does not exceed the intermediate 
benefit percentage by more than 0.56 percent.
    (iii) Employee with lower railroad retirement covered compensation. 
A plan satisfies this paragraph (c)(3)(iii) if, with respect to each 
employee whose lower integration level is the employee's railroad 
retirement covered compensation--
    (A) The plan uses the same base benefit percentage and the same 
excess benefit percentage for all employees,
    (B) The excess benefit percentage does not exceed the lesser of--
    (1) Two times the sum of 0.56 percent and the base benefit 
percentage, or
    (2) The sum of 0.56 percent plus the base benefit percentage plus 
0.75 percent,
    (C) The plan uses the same the base benefit percentage and the same 
intermediate benefit percentage for all employees, and
    (D) The intermediate benefit percentage does not exceed the sum of 
0.56 percent plus the base benefit percentage.
    (iv) Definitions. The following definitions govern for purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(3).
    (A) Base benefit percentage means the rate at which employer-
provided benefits are determined under the plan with respect to an 
employee's average annual compensation at or below the lower integration 
level specified in the plan (expressed as a percentage of such average 
annual compensation).
    (B) Intermediate benefit percentage means the rate at which 
employer-provided benefits are determined under the plan with respect to 
an employee's average annual compensation between the lower and higher 
integration levels specified in the plan (expressed as a percentage of 
such average annual compensation).
    (C) Excess benefit percentage means the rate at which employer-
provided benefits are determined under the plan with respect to an 
employee's average annual compensation above the higher integration 
level specified in the plan (expressed as a percentage of such average 
annual compensation).
    (d) Offset plans--(1) In general. An offset plan maintained by a 
railroad employer satisfies section 401(l) and Sec. 1.401(l)-3 for a 
plan year only if--
    (i) The plan satisfies Sec. 1.401(l)-3 for the plan year without 
regard to the offset for the employer-derived portion of tier 2 and 
supplementary annuity benefits provided under the railroad retirement 
system, and
    (ii) The offset for the employer-derived portion of tier 2 and 
supplementary annuity benefits provided under the railroad retirement 
system does not exceed the maximum tier 2 and supplementary annuity 
offset allowance.
    (2) Maximum tier 2 and supplementary annuity offset allowance. For 
purposes of paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the maximum tier 2 and 
supplementary annuity offset allowance for a plan year is equal to 0.56 
percent of the employee's railroad retirement covered compensation for 
the plan year.
    (e) Additional rules--(1) Definitions. The following definitions 
govern for purposes of this section.
    (i) Railroad retirement taxable wage base means the applicable base, 
as determined under section 3231(e)(2)B)(ii), for purposes of the tax 
under section 3221(b) (the tier 2 tax).
    (ii) Railroad retirement covered compensation for an employee means 
12 multiplied by the average of the 60 highest monthly railroad 
retirement taxable wage bases in effect for the employee's period of 
employment. The monthly railroad retirement taxable

[[Page 360]]

wage base is determined by dividing the railroad retirement taxable wage 
base for the calendar year in which the month occurs by 12. An 
employee's railroad retirement covered compensation for the plan year is 
determined as of the beginning of the plan year. A plan must provide 
that an employee's railroad retirement covered compensation is 
automatically adjusted for each plan year. See Sec. 1.401(l)-1(b) for 
rules relating to prohibited decreases in an employee's accrued benefit 
within the meaning of section 411(d)(6) or section 411(b)(1)(G).
    (2) Adjustments to 0.75-percent factor. The 0.75-percent factor in 
the maximum excess allowance and in the maximum offset allowance is 
subject to the reductions prescribed in Sec. 1.401(l)-3 (d) and (e), 
except that in the case of an employee with at least 30 years of service 
with a railroad employer, the following tables are substituted for 
Tables I through III contained in Sec. 1.401(l)-3(e)(3).

                                 Table I
                   [Social security retirement age 67]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   66                                0.750
                   65                                0.750
                   64                                0.750
                   63                                0.750
                   62                                0.750
                   61                                0.525
                   60                                0.525
                   59                                0.508
                   58                                0.490
                   57                                0.472
                   56                                0.433
                   55                                0.398
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table II
                   [Social security retirement age 66]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   65                                0.750
                   64                                0.750
                   63                                0.750
                   62                                0.750
                   61                                0.563
                   60                                0.563
                   59                                0.544
                   58                                0.525
                   57                                0.506
                   56                                0.488
                   55                                0.447
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table III
                   [Social security retirement age 65]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   64                                0.750
                   63                                0.750
                   62                                0.750
                   61                                0.600
                   60                                0.600
                   59                                0.580
                   58                                0.560
                   57                                0.540
                   56                                0.520
                   55                                0.500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Adjustments to 0.56-percent factor. The 0.56-percent factor for 
defined benefit excess plans and offset plans under paragraphs (c) and 
(d) of this section respectively is subject to the reductions prescribed 
in Sec. 1.401(l)-3 (d) and (e), except that, for purposes of applying 
this paragraph (e)(3)--
    (i) ``Railroad retirement covered compensation'' is substituted for 
``covered compensation'' in Sec. 1.401(l)-3(d),
    (ii) The reductions under Sec. 1.401(l)-3(d) are made by 
multiplying the 0.56-percent factor by the ratio of the applicable 
factor from the table in Sec. 1.401(l)-(3)(d)(9)(iv)(A) to 0.75, and
    (iii) The following tables are substituted for Tables I through III 
set forth in Sec. 1.401(l)-3(e)(3).
    (A) Tables applicable to 0.56% factor for employees covered by tier 
2 of railroad retirement with 30 or more years of railroad service.

                                 Table I
                   [Social security retirement age 67]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   66                                0.560
                   65                                0.560
                   64                                0.560
                   63                                0.560
                   62                                0.560
                   61                                0.560
                   60                                0.560
                   59                                0.541
                   58                                0.523
                   57                                0.504
                   56                                0.462
                   55                                0.425
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 361]]


                                Table II
                   [Social security retirement age 66]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   65                                0.560
                   64                                0.560
                   63                                0.560
                   62                                0.560
                   61                                0.560
                   60                                0.560
                   59                                0.541
                   58                                0.523
                   57                                0.504
                   56                                0.485
                   55                                0.445
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table III
                   [Social security retirement age 65]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   64                                0.560
                   63                                0.560
                   62                                0.560
                   61                                0.560
                   60                                0.560
                   59                                0.541
                   58                                0.523
                   57                                0.504
                   56                                0.485
                   55                                0.467
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (B) Tables applicable to 0.56% factor for employees covered by tier 
2 of railroad retirement with less than 30 years of railroad service.

                                 Table I
                   [Social security retirement age 67]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   66                                0.523
                   65                                0.485
                   64                                0.448
                   63                                0.420
                   62                                0.392
                   61                                0.379
                   60                                0.366
                   59                                0.353
                   58                                0.340
                   57                                0.327
                   56                                0.300
                   55                                0.275
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table II
                   [Social security retirement age 66]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   65                                0.523
                   64                                0.485
                   63                                0.448
                   62                                0.420
                   61                                0.392
                   60                                0.378
                   59                                0.364
                   58                                0.350
                   57                                0.336
                   56                                0.322
                   55                                0.295
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                Table III
                   [Social security retirement age 65]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Annual factor in maximum excess
   Age at which benefits commence        allowance and maximum offset
                                             allowance (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   64                                0.523
                   63                                0.485
                   62                                0.448
                   61                                0.418
                   60                                0.388
                   59                                0.373
                   58                                0.358
                   57                                0.343
                   56                                0.329
                   55                                0.314
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Overall permitted disparity. The overall permitted disparity 
rules of Sec. 1.401(l)-5 apply to employees who benefit under a plan 
maintained by a railroad employer.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47632, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10819, 10952, Mar. 31, 
1992]



Sec. 1.401(l)-5  Overall permitted disparity limits.

    (a) Introduction--(1) In general. The maximum excess allowance and 
maximum offset allowance limit the disparity that can be provided under 
a plan for a plan year. The overall permitted disparity rules apply to 
limit the disparity provided for a plan year if an employee benefits 
under more than one plan maintained by the employer (the ``annual 
overall permitted disparity limit'') and to limit the disparity provided 
for an employee's total years of service, either in a single plan or in 
more than one plan of the employer (the ``cumulative overall permitted 
disparity limit''). The overall permitted disparity rules take into 
account the disparity provided under a section 401(l) plan and the 
permitted

[[Page 362]]

disparity imputed under a plan that satisfies section 401(a)(4) by 
relying on Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. A plan that is not a section 401(l) plan 
is generally deemed to impute permitted disparity under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-7 unless established otherwise. Paragraph (b) of this 
section provides rules on the annual overall permitted disparity limit. 
Paragraph (c) of this section provides rules on the cumulative overall 
permitted disparity limit.
    (2) Plan requirements. In order to satisfy section 401(l), a plan 
must provide that the overall permitted disparity limits may not be 
exceeded and must specify how employer-provided contributions or 
benefits under the plan are adjusted, if necessary, to satisfy the 
overall permitted disparity limits. Any adjustments made to satisfy the 
overall permitted disparity limits must be made in a uniform manner for 
all employees.
    (3) Plans taken into account. For purposes of this section, all 
plans of the employer are taken into account. In addition, all plans of 
any other employer are taken into account for all periods of service 
with the other employer for which the employee receives credit for 
purposes of benefit accrual under any plan of the current employer.
    (b) Annual overall permitted disparity limit--(1) In general. If, in 
the plan year, an employee benefits under more than one plan, the annual 
overall permitted disparity limit is satisfied only if the employee's 
total annual disparity fraction, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, does not exceed one. Paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(8) of this 
section explain the determination of an employee's annual disparity 
fractions. Paragraph (b)(9) of this section provides examples.
    (2) Total annual disparity fraction. An employee's total annual 
disparity fraction is the sum of the employee's annual disparity 
fractions, as defined in paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(7) of this 
section. An employee's total annual disparity fraction is determined as 
of the end of the current plan year, based on the employee's annual 
disparity fractions under all plans with plan years ending in the 
current plan year.
    (3) Annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction. For a plan 
year, the annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction for an 
employee benefiting under a defined contribution plan that is a section 
401(l) plan is a fraction--
    (i) The numerator of which is the disparity provided under the plan 
for the plan year, and
    (ii) The denominator of which is the maximum excess allowance under 
Sec. 1.401(l)-2(b)(2) for the plan year.
    (4) Annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fraction. For a 
plan year, the annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fraction for 
an employee benefiting under a defined benefit excess plan that is a 
section 401(l) plan is a fraction--
    (i) The numerator of which is the disparity provided under the plan 
for the plan year, and
    (ii) The denominator of which is the maximum excess allowance under 
Sec. 1.401(l)-3(b)(2) for the plan year.
    (5) Annual offset plan disparity fraction--(i) In general. For a 
plan year, the annual offset plan disparity fraction for an employee 
benefiting under an offset plan that is a section 401(l) plan is a 
fraction--
    (A) The numerator of which is the disparity provided under the plan 
for the plan year; and
    (B) The denominator of which is the maximum offset allowance under 
Sec. 1.401(l)-3(b)(3) for the plan year.
    (ii) PIA offset plans. In the case of an offset plan that applies an 
offset of a specified percentage of the employee's PIA, as permitted 
under Sec. 1.401(l)-3(c)(2)(ix), the numerator of the annual offset 
plan disparity fraction is the offset percentage used in the section 
401(l) overlay under the plan.
    (6) Annual imputed disparity fraction. For a plan year, the annual 
imputed disparity fraction for an employee benefiting under a plan that 
imputes permitted disparity with respect to the employee under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-7 is one.
    (7) Annual nondisparate fraction. For a plan year, the annual 
nondisparate fraction for an employee benefiting under a plan that 
neither is a section 401(l) plan nor imputes permitted disparity under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7 is zero.

[[Page 363]]

    (8) Determination of fraction--(i) General rule. A separate annual 
disparity fraction is generally determined for each plan under which the 
employee benefits. Thus, for example, if two plans are aggregated and 
treated as a single plan for purposes of section 401(a)(4), a single 
annual disparity fraction applies to the aggregated plan.
    (ii) Multiple formulas. If a plan provides an allocation or benefit 
equal to the sum of two or more formulas, each formula is considered a 
separate plan for purposes of this section. If a plan provides an 
allocation or benefit equal to the greater of two or more formulas, an 
annual disparity fraction is calculated for the employee under each 
formula and the largest of the fractions is the employee's annual 
disparity fraction under the plan.
    (iii) Offset arrangements--(A) In general. If an employee benefits 
under two plans taken into account under paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section as described in paragraph (b)(8)(iii)(B) or (C) of this section, 
the employee's annual disparity fraction under both plans is the larger 
of the annual disparity fractions calculated separately under each plan.
    (B) Defined benefit plans. The employee's employer-provided accrued 
benefit under a defined benefit plan is offset by the employee's total 
employer-provided accrued benefit under another defined benefit plan or 
by the actuarial equivalent (as defined in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-12) of the 
employee's total account balance under a defined contribution plan that 
is attributable to employer contributions.
    (C) Defined contribution plans. The amount allocated to the 
employee's account under a defined contribution plan is offset by the 
total amount allocated to the employee's account under another defined 
contribution plan.
    (iv) Applicable percentages. The disparity provided under a plan is 
determined on the base and excess percentages under an excess plan and 
the offset percentage under an offset plan, regardless of whether the 
employee's plan year or average annual compensation exceeds the 
integration or offset level under the plan.
    (v) Fractional accrual plans. If a section 401(l) plan determines 
each employee's accrued benefit under the fractional accrual method of 
section 411(b)(1)(C), the numerator of an employee's annual disparity 
fraction is based on the disparity provided in the benefit accrued for 
the employee for the plan year.
    (9) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (b). 
Except as otherwise provided, each plan is a section 401(l) plan.

    Example 1. (a) Employee A benefits for the plan year under a defined 
contribution excess plan, Plan X, and a defined benefit excess plan, 
Plan Y, of the employer. Plans X and Y have the same plan year. Employee 
A benefits under no other plan of the employer for the plan year of any 
other plan ending in the plan year of Plans X and Y. Plan X provides a 
base contribution percentage of 5 percent and an excess contribution 
percentage of 7 percent, thus providing Employee A with disparity of 2 
percent for the plan year. The maximum excess allowance for the plan 
year under Plan X is 5 percent. Plan Y provides a base benefit 
percentage of 1 percent and an excess benefit percentage of 1.35 
percent, thus providing Employee A with disparity of 0.35 percent for 
the plan year. The maximum excess allowance for the plan year under Plan 
Y is 0.75 percent.
    (b) Employee A's annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction 
under Plan X for the plan year is 0.4 (2 percent divided by 5 percent). 
Employee A's annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fraction under 
Plan Y for the plan year is 0.47 (0.35 percent divided by 0.75 percent). 
Employee A's total annual disparity fraction is the sum of 0.4 and 0.47 
or 0.87. Because Employee A's total annual disparity fraction does not 
exceed one, the plans satisfy the annual overall permitted disparity 
limit with respect to Employee A for the plan year.
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Plan Y is a defined contribution plan, rather than a defined benefit 
plan. Plan X and Plan Y cover the same employees and are identical in 
their terms except for the base and excess contribution percentages 
provided under the plans. Plan Y provides a base contribution percentage 
of 3 percent and an excess contribution percentage of 6 percent, thus 
providing Employee A with disparity of 3 percent for the plan year. The 
maximum excess allowance for the plan year under Plan Y is 3 percent.
    (b) Employee A's annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction 
under Plan X for the plan year is 0.4 (2 percent divided by 5 percent). 
Employee A's annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction under 
Plan Y for the plan year is 1 (3 percent divided by 3 percent). Because 
Employee A's total annual disparity fraction (the sum of 0.4 and 1 or 
1.4) exceeds one, the plans do not satisfy

[[Page 364]]

the annual overall permitted disparity requirements with respect to 
Employee A for the plan year.
    (c) Plan X and Plan Y are aggregated for purposes of section 
401(a)(4) and form a single section 401(l) plan. Under the plan, the 
base contribution percentage is 8 percent (5 percent plus 3 percent), 
and the excess contribution percentage is 13 percent (7 percent plus 6 
percent). A single annual defined contribution plan disparity fraction 
is determined for Employee A for the plan year, the numerator of which 
is the disparity of 5 percent provided under the plan (13 percent minus 
8 percent), and the denominator of which is 5.7 percent, the maximum 
excess allowance that applies to the plan. Because Employee A's only 
annual disparity fraction of 0.88 (5 percent divided by 5.7 percent) 
does not exceed one, Employee A's total annual disparity fraction also 
does not exceed one. The plan thus satisfies the annual overall 
permitted disparity limit with respect to Employee A for the plan year.
    Example 3. Assume the same facts as in Example 2, except that Plan X 
and Plan Y use different integration levels. Therefore, when Plan X and 
Plan Y are aggregated to form a single plan for purposes of section 
401(a)(4), the single plan does not satisfy section 401(l). In applying 
the general test of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-2(c), the plan imputes disparity 
under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. Employee A's only annual disparity fraction 
is the annual imputed disparity fraction of one. Employee A's total 
annual disparity fraction is also one, and the plan satisfies the annual 
overall permitted disparity limit with respect to Employee A for the 
plan year.
    Example 4. (a) Employee B participates in two plans: Plan M, which 
is a section 401(l) plan, and Plan N, which is subject to the general 
test under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-3(c). Plan M provides that the disparity 
provided an employee for the plan year will be reduced to the extent 
necessary to satisfy the annual overall permitted disparity limits. The 
employer wishes to impute permitted disparity under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7 
in order for Plan N to satisfy section 401(a)(4). Employee B's imputed 
disparity fraction under Plan N is therefore one, and Plan M provides no 
disparity for Employee B for the plan year. As a result, Plan M provides 
disparity that is neither uniform nor deemed uniform under Sec. 
1.401(l)-3(c); Plan M therefore does not satisfy section 401(l).
    (b) Assume instead that Plan M provides that the annual overall 
permitted disparity limits must be satisfied without reducing the 
disparity provided for an employee under Plan M, thus requiring a 
reduction in the employee's annual disparity fraction under another 
plan. In that case, the disparity provided under Plan M would be uniform 
for the plan year and Plan M would continue to satisfy section 401(l). 
However, imputation of permitted disparity with respect to Employee B 
would not be allowed under Plan N.

    (c) Cumulative permitted disparity limit--(1) In general--(i) 
Employees who benefit under defined benefit plans. In the case of an 
employee who has benefited under one or more defined benefit plans for a 
plan year described in paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section, the 
cumulative permitted disparity limit is satisfied if the employee's 
cumulative disparity fraction, as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, does not exceed 35.
    (ii) Employees who do not benefit under defined benefit plans. In 
the case of an employee who has not benefited under a defined benefit 
plan for any plan year described in paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section, 
the cumulative permitted disparity limit is satisfied.
    (iii) Certain plan years disregarded. For purposes of this paragraph 
(c), an employee is not treated as benefiting under a defined benefit 
plan for a plan year described in paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section if 
the employer can establish that for that plan year the defined benefit 
plan was not a section 401(l) plan and did not impute permitted 
disparity under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7.
    (iv) Determination of type of plan. For purposes of this paragraph 
(c), a target benefit plan that relies on the special rule of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-8(b)(3) to satisfy section 401(a)(4) and a DB/DC plan within 
the meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(a) are treated as defined benefit 
plans. Similarly, a cash balance plan that relies on the special rule of 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-8(c)(3) to satisfy section 401(a)(4) is treated as a 
defined contribution plan.
    (v) Applicable plan years. In applying paragraphs (c)(1) (i), (ii), 
and (iii) of this section, for purposes of determining whether an 
employee benefits under a defined benefit plan, the applicable plan 
years are all plan years that begin on or after the regulatory effective 
date, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(l)-6(b), or, in the case of 
governmental plans, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(b).
    (vi) Transition rule for defined contribution plans. A defined 
contribution plan is deemed to satisfy the cumulative permitted 
disparity limit for the first plan year to which these regulations 
apply, as set forth in Sec. 1.401(l)-

[[Page 365]]

6(b), or, in the case of governmental plans, as set forth in Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(b).
    (2) Cumulative disparity fraction. An employee's cumulative 
disparity fraction is the sum of the employee's total annual disparity 
fractions, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, attributable 
to the employee's total years of service under all plans.
    (3) Determination of total annual disparity fractions for prior 
years. For each of the employee's years of service credited as of the 
end of the last plan year beginning before January 1, 1989, not to 
exceed 35, under all plans as of that time that are taken into account 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section (whether or not terminated), the 
employee's total annual disparity fraction is one. Therefore, if, before 
the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 1989, an employee 
never participated in or benefited under any plan taken into account 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the employee's total annual 
disparity fractions are determined without regard to this paragraph 
(c)(3). An employer may apply the rule in this paragraph (c)(3) with 
respect to all employees, using a year (including the current year) that 
is chosen by the employer and is later than 1989. Thus, for example, in 
lieu of calculating annual disparity fractions for all plan years, the 
employer may assume that the full disparity limit has been used in each 
prior plan year for which an employee has been credited with a year of 
service.
    (4) Special rules for greater of formulas and offset arrangements--
(i) Greater of formulas--(A) In general. A defined benefit plan that is 
a section 401(l) plan and that provides a benefit equal to the greater 
of the benefits determined under two or more formulas is deemed to 
satisfy the cumulative permitted disparity limit with respect to an 
employee if each of the requirements in paragraphs (c)(4)(i) (B) and (C) 
of this section is satisfied. For this purpose, a plan that uses a 
fresh-start formula that determines the accrued benefit as the greater 
of two amounts under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(4) (ii) or (iii) provides a 
benefit equal to the greater of the benefits determined under two or 
more formulas.
    (B) Separate satisfaction by formulas. Each formula under the plan 
would satisfy the cumulative permitted disparity limit if it were the 
only formula under the plan. In the case of a current formula that 
applies to the employee's total years of service (as, for example, under 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c)(4) (ii)(B) or (iii)(B)), for purposes of 
determining whether that formula would satisfy the cumulative permitted 
disparity limit if it were the only formula under the plan, the special 
rule for prior years under paragraph (c)(3) of this section may be 
disregarded.
    (C) Single plan. The employee has never benefited under another plan 
taken into account under paragraph (a)(3) of this section that is a 
section 401(l) plan or that satisfies section 401(a)(4) by relying on 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. For this purpose, if the benefit under the plan is 
offset in an offset arrangement described in paragraph (b)(8)(iii)(B) of 
this section, the other plan is disregarded. In addition, a plan does 
not fail the requirements of this paragraph (c)(4)(i)(C) merely because 
the employee benefits under another defined benefit plan, provided 
that--
    (1) With respect to each benefit formula under the plan, no years of 
service taken into account under that benefit formula are taken into 
account under a benefit formula of the other plan; and
    (2) Paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B) of this section would be satisfied if the 
plans were treated as a single plan that provided a benefit equal to the 
greater of the benefits provided under two or more formulas. For this 
purpose, a formula consists of the sum of a formula for the years of 
service taken into account under one plan and a formula for the years of 
service taken into account under the other plan. Thus, each possible 
combination of the formulas under the plans must satisfy paragraph 
(c)(4)(i)(B) of this section.
    (ii) Offset arrangements--(A) In general. If a defined benefit plan 
is a section 401(l) plan and the benefit under the plan (the gross 
benefit plan) is offset by the benefit under another plan (the 
offsetting plan) in an offset arrangement described in paragraph 
(b)(8)(iii)(B) of this section, the gross benefit plan is deemed to 
satisfy the

[[Page 366]]

cumulative permitted disparity limit with respect to an employee if each 
of the requirements in paragraphs (c)(4)(ii) (B) and (C) of this section 
is satisfied.
    (B) Separate satisfaction by plans. This requirement is satisfied if 
the gross benefit plan would satisfy the cumulative disparity limit if 
no offset applied, and the offsetting plan satisfies the cumulative 
permitted disparity limit, not taking into account the gross benefit 
plan.
    (C) No other plan. Except for the plans in the offset arrangement, 
the employee has never benefited under another plan taken into account 
under paragraph (a)(3) of this section that is a section 401(l) plan or 
that satisfies section 401(a)(4) by relying on Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-7. An 
offset arrangement does not fail the requirements of this paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii)(C) merely because the employee benefits under another defined 
benefit plan, provided no years of service taken into account under a 
benefit formula of any plan in the offset arrangement are also taken 
into account under a benefit formula of the other plan.
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate this paragraph (c). 
In each example the plan is noncontributory and, unless provided 
otherwise, is the only plan ever maintained by the employer. Each plan 
uses a normal retirement age of 65 and contains no provision that would 
require a reduction in the 0.75-percent factor under Sec. 1.401(l)-
3(b)(2) or (3). Each example discusses the benefit formula applicable to 
an employee who has a social security retirement age of 65.

    Example 1. Plan M is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 1 percent of average annual compensation up 
to covered compensation, plus 1.75 percent of average annual 
compensation above covered compensation, for each year of service 
without limit. The disparity provided under the plan for the plan year 
is 0.75 percent, the excess benefit percentage of 1.75 percent minus the 
base benefit percentage of 1 percent. The maximum excess allowance for 
the plan year is 0.75 percent. Thus, each employee's annual defined 
benefit excess plan disparity fraction under the plan for each plan year 
is one. Because the plan contains no limit on the years of service taken 
into account under the plan, the sum of the total annual disparity 
fractions for a potential employee with more than 35 years of service 
will exceed 35. In addition, the plan does not provide that the overall 
permitted disparity limits may not be exceeded as required by paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section. The plan therefore does not satisfy the 
cumulative permitted disparity limit of this paragraph (c).
    Example 2. Plan N is an offset plan that provides a normal 
retirement benefit of 2 percent of average annual compensation, minus 
0.75 percent of final average compensation up to the lesser of covered 
compensation and average annual compensation, for each year of service 
up to 35. The disparity provided under the plan for the plan year is 
0.75 percent, the offset percentage. The maximum offset allowance for 
the plan year is 0.75 percent. Thus, each employee's annual offset plan 
disparity fraction under the plan for each plan year is one. Because the 
plan limits the years of service taken into account under the plan to 
35, the sum of the total annual disparity fractions for an employee 
cannot exceed 35. The plan therefore satisfies the cumulative permitted 
disparity limit of this paragraph (c).
    Example 3. Plan O is a defined benefit excess plan that provides a 
normal retirement benefit of 0.75 percent of average annual compensation 
up to covered compensation, plus 1.25 percent of average annual 
compensation above covered compensation, for each year of service up to 
45. The disparity provided under the plan for the plan year is 0.5 
percent, the excess benefit percentage of 1.25 percent minus the base 
benefit percentage of 0.75 percent. The maximum excess allowance for the 
plan year is 0.75 percent. Thus, each employee's annual defined benefit 
excess plan disparity fraction under the plan for each plan year is 0.67 
(0.5 percent divided by 0.75 percent). Because the plan limits the years 
of service taken into account under the plan to 45, the sum of the total 
annual disparity fractions for an employee cannot exceed 30 (0.67 x 45). 
The plan therefore satisfies the cumulative permitted disparity limit of 
this paragraph (c).
    Example 4. (a) Plan P is a defined contribution excess plan. Plan P 
provides a base contribution percentage of 6 percent and an excess 
contribution percentage of 11.7 percent, thus providing disparity of 5.7 
percent for the plan year. Because the maximum excess allowance for each 
plan year under Plan P is 5.7 percent, each employee's annual defined 
contribution plan disparity fraction under Plan P for each plan year is 
one. Plan Q is a defined benefit excess plan maintained by the same 
employer. Plan Q provides a base benefit percentage of 1 percent and an 
excess benefit percentage of 1.75 percent for each year of service up to 
35, thus providing disparity of 0.75 percent for the plan year. Because 
the maximum excess allowance for each plan year under Plan Q is 0.75 
percent,

[[Page 367]]

each employee's annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fraction 
under Plan Q for each plan year is one.
    (b) Employee A benefits under Plan P for the 1980 through the 1994 
plan years. The sum of Employee A's total annual disparity fractions 
under Plan P is 15. (Under paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, Employee 
A's annual disparity fraction for each year of service as of the end of 
the 1988 plan year is one.) As of the 1995 plan year, Employee A no 
longer benefits under Plan P and begins to benefit under Plan Q for the 
first time. In order to satisfy the cumulative permitted disparity limit 
of this paragraph (c), Plan Q must provide that no disparity will be 
provided if the sum of an employee's total annual disparity fractions 
reaches 35, taking into account the employee's annual defined 
contribution plan disparity fractions under Plan P as well as the 
employee's annual defined benefit excess plan disparity fractions under 
Plan Q. Thus, after Employee A has benefited under Plan Q for 20 years, 
Plan Q may not provide any disparity in additional benefits accrued for 
Employee A.
    Example 5. (a) Plan O is a noncontributory defined benefit excess 
plan. Plan O provides an employee whose social security retirement age 
is 65 with the greater of the benefits determined under two formulas. 
The first formula provides a benefit of 1 percent of average annual 
compensation up to covered compensation, plus 1.75 percent of average 
annual compensation above covered compensation, for each year of service 
up to 35. The second formula provides a benefit of 1 percent of average 
annual compensation up to covered compensation, plus 1.6 percent of 
average annual compensation above covered compensation, for each year of 
service up to 40.
    (b) Under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, an employee's annual 
defined benefit excess plan fraction for each of the 35 years under the 
first formula is 0.75/0.75 or one, and an employee's annual defined 
benefit excess plan fraction for each of the 40 years under the second 
formula is 0.6/0.75 or 0.8. Under paragraph (b)(8)(ii) of this section, 
an employee's annual defined benefit excess plan fraction (and total 
annual disparity fraction because the employee benefits only under Plan 
O) for the plan year is the larger fraction under the two formulas or 
one. Therefore, after 35 years, the employee has a cumulative disparity 
fraction of 35. The disparity provided under the second formula for 
years of service after 35 thus exceeds the cumulative permitted 
disparity limit unless the plan qualifies for the special rule in 
paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section.
    (c) Assume the condition in paragraph (c)(4)(i)(C) of this section 
is satisfied because no employee has benefited under another plan taken 
into account under paragraph (a)(3) of this section. In addition, the 
largest cumulative disparity fraction possible under the first formula 
is 35 times one or 35, and the largest cumulative disparity fraction 
possible under the second formula is 40 times 0.8 or 32. Thus, the 
requirement of paragraph (c)(4)(i)(B) of this section is also satisfied 
because each formula would satisfy the cumulative permitted disparity 
limit if it were the only formula under the plan. Under paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) of this section, the plan is deemed to satisfy the cumulative 
permitted disparity limit with respect to an employee whose social 
security retirement age is 65.

    (d) Additional rules. The Commissioner may prescribe additional 
rules under this section as the Commissioner considers appropriate. 
Additional rules may include (without being limited to) rules for 
computing the fractions described in this section with respect to 
terminated plans, rules for applying the overall permitted disparity 
limits to employees who benefit under plans maintained by railroad 
employers, and rules for determining which plans do not satisfy section 
401(l) if the overall permitted disparity limits are exceeded.

[T.D. 8359, 56 FR 47634, Sept. 19, 1991; 57 FR 10819, 10952, Mar. 31, 
1992, as amended by T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46833, Sept. 3, 1993]



Sec. 1.401(l)-6  Effective dates and transition rules.

    (a) Statutory effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, section 401(a)(5)(C) is 
effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, and 
section 401(l) is effective with respect to plan years, and benefits 
attributable to plan years, beginning on or after January 1, 1989. The 
preceding sentence is applicable to a plan without regard to whether the 
plan was in existence as of a particular date.
    (2) Collectively bargained plans. (i) In the case of a plan 
maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements 
between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before 
March 1, 1986, sections 401(a)(5) and 401(l) are applicable for plan 
years beginning on or after the later of--
    (A) January 1, 1989; or
    (B) The date on which the last of such collective bargaining 
agreements terminates (determined without regard

[[Page 368]]

to any extension of any such agreement occurring on or after March 1, 
1986). However, notwithstanding the preceding sentence, sections 
401(a)(5) and 401(l) apply to plans described in this paragraph (a)(2) 
no later than the first plan year beginning after January 1, 1991.
    (ii) For purposes of paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section, a 
change made after October 22, 1986, in the terms or conditions of a 
collectively bargained plan, pursuant to a collective bargaining 
agreement ratified before March 1, 1986, is not treated as a change in 
the terms and conditions of the plan.
    (iii) In the case of a collectively bargained plan described in 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, if the date in paragraph 
(a)(2)(i)(B) of this section precedes November 15, 1988, then the date 
in this paragraph (a)(2) is replaced with the date on which the last of 
any collective bargaining agreements in effect on November 15, 1988, 
terminates, provided that the plan complies during this period with a 
reasonable good faith interpretation of section 401(l).
    (iv) Whether a plan is maintained pursuant to a collective 
bargaining agreement is determined under the principles applied under 
section 1017(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. 
See H.R. Rep. No. 1280, 93d Cong., 2d Sess. 266 (1974). In addition, a 
plan is not treated as maintained under a collective bargaining 
agreement unless the employee representatives satisfy section 
7701(a)(46) of the Internal Revenue Code after March 31, 1984. See Sec. 
301.7701-17T of this chapter for other requirements for a plan to be 
considered to be collectively bargained.
    (b) Regulatory effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 
through 1.401(l)-6 apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 
1994.
    (2) Plans of tax-exempt organizations. In the case of plans 
maintained by an organization exempt from income taxation under section 
501(a), including plans subject to section 403(b)(12)(A)(i) (nonelective 
plans), Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-6 apply to plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 1996.
    (3) Defined contribution plans. A defined contribution plan 
satisfies section 401(l) with respect to a plan year beginning on or 
after the effective date of these regulations, as set forth in 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, if it satisfies the 
applicable requirements of Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-5 for 
the plan year.
    (4) Defined benefit plans. A defined benefit excess plan or offset 
plan satisfies section 401(l) with respect to all plan years, and 
benefits attributable to all plan years, beginning on or after the 
effective date of these regulations, as set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) 
and (b)(2) of this section, by satisfying the applicable requirements of 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-5 and the requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-13(c) (and Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(d), if applicable), using a 
fresh-start date that is on or after December 31, 1988, and before the 
effective date of these regulations. A defined benefit excess plan or 
offset plan that does not satisfy section 401(l) with respect to all 
plan years beginning on or after the effective date of these regulations 
may, under the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-13(c) (and Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
13(d), if applicable), satisfy section 401(l) for plan years beginning 
after a fresh-start date by satisfying the applicable requirements of 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 1.401(l)-5 after the fresh-start date.
    (c) Compliance during transition period. For plan years beginning on 
or after January 1, 1989, and before the effective date of these 
regulations, as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, a plan must 
be operated in accordance with a reasonable, good faith interpretation 
of section 401(l). Whether a plan is operated in accordance with a 
reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 401(l) will generally 
be determined based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances, 
including the extent to which an employer has resolved unclear issues in 
its favor. A plan will be deemed to be operated in accordance with a 
reasonable, good faith interpretation of section 401(l) if it is 
operated in accordance with the terms of Sec. Sec. 1.401(l)-1 through 
1.401(l)-5.

[T.D. 8486, 58 FR 46835, Sept. 3, 1993]

[[Page 369]]



Sec. 1.401(m)-0  Table of contents.

    This section contains first a list of section headings and then a 
list of the paragraphs in each section in Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-1 through 
1.401(m)-5.

                            List of Sections

   Sec. 1.401(m)-1 Employee contributions and matching contributions.

                       Sec. 1.401(m)-2 ACP test.

               Sec. 1.401(m)-3 Safe harbor requirements.

  Sec. 1.401(m)-4 Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar 
                           events. [Reserved]

                      Sec. 1.401(m)-5 Definitions.

                           List of Paragraphs

   Sec. 1.401(m)-1 Employee contributions and matching contributions.

    (a) General nondiscrimination rules.
    (1) Nondiscriminatory amount of contributions.
    (i) Exclusive means of amounts testing.
    (ii) Testing benefits, rights and features.
    (2) Matching contributions.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Employer contributions made on account of an employee 
contribution or elective deferral.
    (iii) Employer contributions not on account of an employee 
contribution or elective deferral.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Special rule for forfeitures and released ESOP shares.
    (C) Exception for bona fide administrative considerations.
    (3) Employee contributions.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Certain contributions not treated as employee contributions.
    (iii) Qualified cost-of-living arrangements.
    (b) Nondiscrimination requirements for amount of contributions.
    (1) Matching contributions and employee contributions.
    (2) Automatic satisfaction by certain plans.
    (3) Anti-abuse provisions.
    (4) Aggregation and restructuring.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Aggregation of employee contributions and matching 
contributions within a plan.
    (iii) Aggregation of plans.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Arrangements with inconsistent ACP testing methods.
    (iv) Disaggregation of plans and separate testing.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Restructuring prohibited.
    (v) Certain disaggregation rules not applicable.
    (c) Additional requirements.
    (1) Separate testing for employee contributions and matching 
contributions.
    (2) Plan provision requirement.
    (d) Effective date.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Early implementation permitted.
    (3) Applicability of prior regulations.

                       Sec. 1.401(m)-2 ACP test.

    (a) Actual contribution percentage (ACP) test.
    (1) In general.
    (i) ACP test formula.
    (ii) HCEs as sole eligible employees.
    (iii) Special rule for early participation.
    (2) Determination of ACP.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Determination of applicable year under current year and prior 
year testing method.
    (3) Determination of ACR.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) ACR of HCEs eligible under more than one plan.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Plans not permitted to be aggregated.
    (iii) Example.
    (4) Employee contributions and matching contributions taken into 
account under the ACP test.
    (i) Employee contributions.
    (ii) Recharacterized elective contributions.
    (iii) Matching contributions.
    (5) Employee contributions and matching contributions not taken into 
account under the ACP test.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Disproportionate matching contributions.
    (A) Matching contributions in excess of 100%.
    (B) Representative matching rate.
    (C) Definition of matching rate.
    (iii) Qualified matching contributions used to satisfy the ADP test.
    (iv) Matching contributions taken into account under safe harbor 
provisions.
    (v) Treatment of forfeited matching contributions.
    (vi) Additional employee contributions or matching contributions 
pursuant to section 414(u).
    (6) Qualified nonelective contributions and elective contributions 
that may be taken into account under the ACP test.
    (i) Timing of allocation.
    (ii) Elective contributions taken into account under the ACP test.
    (iii) Requirement that amount satisfy section 401(a)(4).
    (iv) Aggregation must be permitted.
    (v) Disproportionate contributions not taken into account.
    (A) General rule.

[[Page 370]]

    (B) Definition of representative contribution rate.
    (C) Definition of applicable contribution rate.
    (D) Special rule for prevailing wage contributions.
    (vi) Contribution only used once.
    (7) Examples.
    (b) Correction of excess aggregate contributions.
    (1) Permissible correction methods.
    (i) In general.
    (A) Additional contributions.
    (B) Excess aggregate contributions distributed or forfeited.
    (ii) Combination of correction methods.
    (iii) Exclusive means of correction.
    (2) Correction through distribution.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Calculation of total amount to be distributed.
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess aggregate contributions 
for each HCE.
    (B) Determination of the total amount of excess aggregate 
contributions.
    (C) Satisfaction of ACP.
    (iii) Apportionment of total amount of excess aggregate 
contributions among the HCEs.
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess aggregate contributions 
for each HCE.
    (B) Limit on amount apportioned to any HCE.
    (C) Apportionment to additional HCEs.
    (iv) Income allocable to excess aggregate contributions.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Method of allocating income.
    (C) Alternative method of allocating income for the plan year.
    (D) Plan years before 2008.
    (E) Alternative method of allocating plan year and gap period 
income.
    (F) Allocable income for recharacterized elective contributions.
    (v) Distribution and forfeiture.
    (vi) Tax treatment of corrective distributions.
    (A) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning on or after 
January 1, 2008.
    (B) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008.
    (C) Corrective distributions attributable to designated Roth 
contributions.
    (3) Other rules.
    (i) No employee or spousal consent required.
    (ii) Treatment of corrective distributions and forfeited 
contributions as employer contributions.
    (iii) No reduction of required minimum distribution.
    (iv) Partial correction.
    (v) Matching contributions on excess contributions, excess deferrals 
and excess aggregate contributions.
    (A) Corrective distributions not permitted.
    (B) Coordination with section 401(a)(4).
    (vi) No requirement for recalculation.
    (4) Failure to timely correct.
    (i) Failure to correct within 2\1/2\ months after end of plan year.
    (ii) Failure to correct within 12 months after end of plan year.
    (iii) Special rule for eligible automatic contribution arrangements.
    (5) Examples.
    (c) Additional rules for prior year testing method.
    (1) Rules for change in testing method.
    (2) Calculation of ACP under the prior year testing method for the 
first plan year.
    (i) Plans that are not successor plans.
    (ii) First plan year defined.
    (iii) Plans that are successor plans.
    (3) Plans using different testing methods for the ACP and ADP test.
    (4) Rules for plan coverage change.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Optional rule for minor plan coverage changes.
    (iii) Definitions.
    (A) Plan coverage change.
    (B) Prior year subgroup.
    (C) Weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups.
    (iv) Examples.

               Sec. 1.401(m)-3 Safe harbor requirements.

    (a) ACP test safe harbor.
    (1) Section 401(m)(11) safe harbor.
    (2) Section 401(m)(12) safe harbor.
    (3) Requirements applicable to safe harbor contributions.
    (b) Safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement.
    (c) Safe harbor matching contribution requirement.
    (d) Limitation on contributions.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Matching rate must not increase.
    (3) Limit on matching contributions.
    (4) Limitation on rate of match.
    (5) HCEs participating in multiple plans.
    (6) Permissible restrictions on elective deferrals by NHCEs.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Restrictions on election periods.
    (iii) Restrictions on amount of contributions.
    (iv) Restrictions on types of compensation that may be deferred.
    (v) Restrictions due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.
    (e) Notice requirement.
    (f) Plan year requirement.
    (1) General rule.
    (2) Initial plan year.
    (3) Change of plan year.
    (4) Final plan year.
    (g) Plan amendments adopting nonelective safe harbor contributions.
    (h) Permissible reduction or suspension of safe harbor 
contributions.

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    (1) General rule.
    (i) Matching contributions.
    (ii) Nonelective contributions.
    (2) Supplemental notice.
    (j) Other rules.
    (1) Contributions taken into account.
    (2) Use of safe harbor nonelective contributions to satisfy other 
nondiscrimination tests.
    (3) Early participation rules.
    (4) Satisfying safe harbor contribution requirement under another 
defined contribution plan.
    (5) Contributions used only once.
    (6) Plan must satisfy ACP with respect to employee contributions.

  Sec. 1.401(m)-4 Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar 
                           events. [Reserved]

                      Sec. 1.401(m)-5 Definitions.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78184, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 
10, Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8210, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9641, 78 FR 
68738, Nov. 15, 2013]



Sec. 1.401(m)-1  Employee contributions and matching contributions.

    (a) General nondiscrimination rules--(1) Nondiscriminatory amount of 
contributions--(i) Exclusive means of amounts testing. A defined 
contribution plan does not satisfy section 401(a) for a plan year unless 
the amount of employee contributions and matching contributions to the 
plan for the plan year satisfies section 401(a)(4). The amount of 
employee contributions and matching contributions under a plan satisfies 
the requirements of section 401(a)(4) with respect to amounts if and 
only if the amount of employee contributions and matching contributions 
satisfies the nondiscrimination test of section 401(m) under paragraph 
(b) of this section and the plan satisfies the additional requirements 
of paragraph (c) of this section. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B).
    (ii) Testing benefits, rights and features. A plan that provides for 
employee contributions or matching contributions must satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a)(4) relating to benefits, rights and 
features in addition to the requirement regarding amounts described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. For example, the right to make each 
level of employee contributions and the right to each level of matching 
contributions under the plan are benefits, rights or features subject to 
the requirements of section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(3)(i) 
and (iii)(F) through (G).
    (2) Matching contributions--(i) In general. For purposes of section 
401(m), this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-5, 
matching contributions are--
    (A) Any employer contribution (including a contribution made at the 
employer's discretion) to a defined contribution plan on account of an 
employee contribution to a plan maintained by the employer;
    (B) Any employer contribution (including a contribution made at the 
employer's discretion) to a defined contribution plan on account of an 
elective deferral; and
    (C) Any forfeiture allocated on the basis of employee contributions, 
matching contributions, or elective deferrals.
    (ii) Employer contributions made on account of an employee 
contribution or elective deferral. Whether an employer contribution is 
made on account of an employee contribution or an elective deferral is 
determined on the basis of all the relevant facts and circumstances, 
including the relationship between the employer contribution and 
employee actions outside the plan. An employer contribution made to a 
defined contribution plan on account of contributions made by an 
employee under an employer-sponsored savings arrangement that are not 
held in a plan that is intended to be a qualified plan or other 
arrangement described in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(b) is not a matching 
contribution.
    (iii) Employer contributions not on account of an employee 
contribution or elective deferral--(A) General rule. Employer 
contributions are not matching contributions made on account of elective 
deferrals if they are contributed before the cash or deferred election 
is made or before the employees' performance of services with respect to 
which the elective deferrals are made (or when the cash that is subject 
to the cash or deferred elections would be currently available, if 
earlier). In addition, an employer contribution is not a matching 
contribution made on account of an employee contribution if it is 
contributed before the employee contribution.

[[Page 372]]

    (B) Exceptions for forfeitures and released ESOP shares. The rule of 
paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section does not apply to a forfeiture 
that is allocated as a matching contribution. In addition, an allocation 
of shares from an ESOP loan suspense account described in Sec. 54.4975-
11(c) and (d) of this chapter will not fail to be treated as a matching 
contribution solely because the employer contribution that resulted in 
the release and allocation of those shares from the suspense account is 
made before the employees' performance of services with respect to which 
the elective deferrals are made (or when the cash that is subject to the 
cash or deferred elections would be currently available, if earlier) 
provided that--
    (1) The contribution is for a required payment that is due under the 
loan terms; and
    (2) The contribution is not made early with a principal purpose of 
accelerating deductions.
    (C) Exception for bona fide administrative considerations. The 
timing of contributions will not be treated as failing to satisfy the 
requirements of this paragraph (a)(3)(iii) merely because contributions 
are occasionally made before the employees' performance of services with 
respect to which the elective deferrals are made (or when the cash that 
is subject to the cash or deferred elections would be currently 
available, if earlier) in order to accommodate bona fide administrative 
considerations and are not paid early with a principal purpose of 
accelerating deductions.
    (3) Employee contributions--(i) In general. For purposes of section 
401(m), this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-5, 
employee contributions are contributions to a plan that are designated 
or treated at the time of contribution as after-tax employee 
contributions (e.g., by treating the contributions as taxable income 
subject to applicable withholding requirements) and are allocated to an 
individual account for each eligible employee to which attributable 
earnings and losses are allocated. See Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(2)(ii). The 
term employee contributions includes--
    (A) Employee contributions to the defined contribution portion of a 
plan described in section 414(k);
    (B) Employee contributions applied to the purchase of whole life 
insurance protection or survivor benefit protection under a defined 
contribution plan;
    (C) Amounts attributable to excess contributions within the meaning 
of section 401(k)(8)(B) that are recharacterized as employee 
contributions under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3); and
    (D) Employee contributions to a plan or contract that satisfies the 
requirements of section 403(b).
    (ii) Certain contributions not treated as employee contributions. 
The term employee contributions does not include designated Roth 
contributions, repayment of loans, rollover contributions, repayment of 
distributions described in section 411(a)(7)(C), or employee 
contributions that are transferred to the plan from another plan.
    (iii) Qualified cost-of-living arrangements. Employee contributions 
to a qualified cost-of-living arrangement described in section 
415(k)(2)(B) are treated as employee contributions to a defined 
contribution plan, without regard to the requirement that the employee 
contributions be allocated to an individual account to which 
attributable earnings and losses are allocated.
    (b) Nondiscrimination requirements for amount of contributions--(1) 
Matching contributions and employee contributions. The matching 
contributions and employee contributions under a plan satisfy this 
paragraph (b) for a plan year only if the plan satisfies--
    (i) The ACP test of section 401(m)(2) described in Sec. 1.401(m)-2;
    (ii) The ACP safe harbor provisions of section 401(m)(11) described 
in Sec. 1.401(m)-3; or
    (iii) The ACP safe harbor provisions of section 401(m)(12) described 
in Sec. 1.401(m)-3; or
    (iv) The SIMPLE 401(k) provisions of sections 401(k)(11) and 
401(m)(10) described in Sec. 1.401(k)-4.
    (2) Automatic satisfaction by certain plans. Notwithstanding 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the requirements of this section are 
treated as satisfied with respect to employee contributions and matching 
contributions under a

[[Page 373]]

collectively bargained plan (or the portion of a plan) that 
automatically satisfies section 410(b). See Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
1(c)(5) and 1.410(b)-2(b)(7). Additionally, the requirements of sections 
401(a)(4) and 410(b) do not apply to a governmental plan (within the 
meaning of section 414(d)) maintained by a State or local government or 
political subdivision thereof (or agency or instrumentality thereof) 
and, accordingly such plans are not required to comply with this 
section. See sections 401(a)(5)(G), 403(b)(12)(C) and 410(c)(1)(A).
    (3) Anti-abuse provisions. Sections 1.401(m)-1 through 1.401(m)-5 
are designed to provide simple, practical rules that accommodate 
legitimate plan changes. At the same time, the rules are intended to be 
applied by employers in a manner that does not make use of changes in 
plan testing procedures or other plan provisions to inflate 
inappropriately the ACP for NHCEs (which is used as a benchmark for 
testing the ACP for HCEs) or to otherwise manipulate the 
nondiscrimination testing requirements of this paragraph (b). Further, 
this paragraph (b) is part of the overall requirement that benefits or 
contributions not discriminate in favor of HCEs. Therefore, a plan will 
not be treated as satisfying the requirements of this paragraph (b) if 
there are repeated changes to plan testing procedures or plan provisions 
that have the effect of distorting the ACP so as to increase 
significantly the permitted ACP for HCEs, or otherwise manipulate the 
nondiscrimination rules of this paragraph, if a principal purpose of the 
changes was to achieve such a result.
    (4) Aggregation and restructuring--(i) In general. This paragraph 
(b)(4) contains the exclusive rules for aggregating and disaggregating 
plans that provide for employee contributions and matching contributions 
for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-
5.
    (ii) Aggregation of employee contributions and matching 
contributions within a plan. Except as otherwise specifically provided 
in this paragraph (b)(4) and Sec. 1.401(m)-3(j)(6), a plan must be 
subject to a single test under paragraph (b)(1) of this section with 
respect to all employee contributions and matching contributions and all 
eligible employees under the plan. Thus, for example, if two groups of 
employees are eligible for matching contributions under a plan, all 
employee contributions and matching contributions under the plan must be 
subject to a single test, even if they have significantly different 
features, such as different rates of match.
    (iii) Aggregation of plans--(A) In general. The term plan means a 
plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(a) and (b), after 
application of the mandatory disaggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7(c), and the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), as 
modified by paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this section. Thus, for example, two 
plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that are treated as a 
single plan pursuant to the permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(d) are treated as a single plan for purposes of sections 
401(k) and 401(m).
    (B) Arrangements with inconsistent ACP testing methods. Pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, a single testing method must apply 
with respect to all employee contributions and matching contributions 
and all eligible employees under a plan. Thus, in applying the 
permissive aggregation rules of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), an employer may not 
aggregate plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that apply 
inconsistent testing methods. For example, a plan (within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7) that applies the current year testing method may not 
be aggregated with another plan that applies the prior year testing 
method. Similarly, an employer may not aggregate a plan (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7) that is using the ACP safe harbor 
provisions of section 401(m)(11) or 401(m)(12) and another plan that is 
using the ACP test of section 401(m)(2).
    (iv) Disaggregation of plans and separate testing--(A) In general. 
If employee contributions or matching contributions are included in a 
plan (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) that is mandatorily 
disaggregated under the rules of section 410(b) (as modified by this 
paragraph (b)(4)), the matching contributions and employee contributions 
under that plan must be disaggregated in a consistent manner.

[[Page 374]]

For example, in the case of an employer that is treated as operating 
qualified separate lines of business under section 414(r), if the 
eligible employees under a plan which provides for employee 
contributions or matching contributions are in more than one qualified 
separate line of business, only those employees within each qualified 
separate line of business may be taken into account in determining 
whether each disaggregated portion of the plan complies with the 
requirements of section 401(m), unless the employer is applying the 
special rule for employer-wide plans in Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) with 
respect to the plan. Similarly, if a plan that provides for employee 
contributions or matching contributions under which employees are 
permitted to participate before they have completed the minimum age and 
service requirements of section 410(a)(1) applies section 410(b)(4)(B) 
for determining whether the plan complies with section 410(b)(1), then 
the plan must be treated as two separate plans, one comprising all 
eligible employees who have met the minimum age and service requirements 
of section 410(a)(1) and one comprising all eligible employees who have 
not met the minimum age and service requirements of section 410(a)(1), 
unless the plan is using the rule in Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(1)(iii)(A).
    (B) Restructuring prohibited. Restructuring under Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
9(c) may not be used to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 
section 401(m). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-9(c)(3)(ii).
    (v) Certain disaggregation rules not applicable. The mandatory 
disaggregation rules relating to section 401(k) plans and section 401(m) 
plans set forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(1) and to ESOP and non-ESOP 
portions of a plan set forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2) shall not apply 
for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-
5. Accordingly, notwithstanding Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d)(2), an ESOP and a 
non-ESOP which are different plans (within the meaning of section 
414(l), as described in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(b)) are permitted to be 
aggregated for these purposes.
    (c) Additional requirements--(1) Separate testing for employee 
contributions and matching contributions. Under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(1), 
the group of employees who are eligible to make employee contributions 
or eligible to receive matching contributions must satisfy the 
requirements of section 410(b) as if those employees were covered under 
a separate plan. The determination of whether the separate plan 
satisfies the requirements of section 410(b) must be made without regard 
to the modifications to the disaggregation rules set forth in paragraph 
(b)(4)(v) of this section. In addition, except as expressly permitted 
under section 401(k), 410(b)(2)(A)(ii), or 416(c)(2)(A), employee 
contributions, matching contributions and elective contributions taken 
into account under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(6) may not be taken into account 
for purposes of determining whether any other contributions under any 
plan (including the plan to which the employee contributions or matching 
contributions are made) satisfy the requirements of section 401(a). See 
also Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii) for special rules relating to 
corrections of violations of the minimum coverage requirements or 
discriminatory rates of matching contributions.
    (2) Plan provision requirement. A plan that provides for employee 
contributions or matching contributions satisfies this section only if 
it provides that the nondiscrimination requirements of section 401(m) 
will be met. Thus, the plan must provide for satisfaction of one of the 
specific alternatives described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and, 
if with respect to that alternative there are optional choices, which of 
the optional choices will apply. For example, a plan that uses the ACP 
test of section 401(m)(2), as described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this 
section, must specify whether it is using the current year testing 
method or prior year testing method. Additionally, a plan that uses the 
prior year testing method must specify whether the ACP for eligible 
NHCEs for the first plan year is 3% or the ACP for the eligible NHCEs 
for the first plan year. Similarly, a plan that uses the safe harbor 
method of section 401(m)(11) or 401(m)(12), as described in paragraphs 
(b)(1)(ii) and (b)(1)(iii) of this section, must specify the default 
percentages that apply for the plan year and whether the safe harbor 
contribution will be

[[Page 375]]

the nonelective safe harbor contribution or the matching safe harbor 
contribution, and is not permitted to provide that ACP testing will be 
used if the requirements for the safe harbor are not satisfied. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c)(2), a plan may incorporate by reference 
the provisions of section 401(m)(2) and Sec. 1.401(m)-2 if that is the 
nondiscrimination test being applied. The Commissioner may, in guidance 
of general applicability, published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
(see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), specify the options that will 
apply under the plan if the nondiscrimination test is incorporated by 
reference in accordance with the preceding sentence.
    (d) Effective date--(1) General rule. Except as otherwise provided 
in this paragraph (d), this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 
1.401(m)-5 apply to plan years that begin on or after January 1, 2006.
    (2) Early implementation permitted. A plan is permitted to apply the 
rules of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-5 to 
any plan year that ends after December 29, 2004, provided the plan 
applies all the rules of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 
1.401(m)-5 and all the rules of Sec. Sec. 1.401(k)-1 through 1.401(k)-
6, to the extent applicable, for that plan year and all subsequent plan 
years.
    (3) Applicability of prior regulations. For any plan year, before a 
plan applies this section and Sec. Sec. 1.401(m)-2 through 1.401(m)-5 
(either the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2006 or 
such earlier year, as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section), 
Sec. 1.401(m)-1 and Sec. 1.401(m)-2 (as they appeared in the April 1, 
2004 edition of 26 CFR part 1) apply to the plan to the extent those 
sections, as they so appear, reflect the statutory provisions of section 
401(m) as in effect for the relevant year.
    (4) Effective date for definitions of qualified matching 
contributions (QMACs) and qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs). 
The revisions to the definitions of QMACs and QNECs in Sec. 1.401(m)-5 
apply to plan years ending on or after July 20, 2018.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78184, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9447, 74 FR 
8210, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9835, 83 FR 34471, July 20, 2018]



Sec. 1.401(m)-2  ACP test.

    (a) Actual contribution percentage (ACP) test--(1) In general--(i) 
ACP test formula. A plan satisfies the ACP test for a plan year only 
if--
    (A) The ACP for the eligible HCEs for the plan year is not more than 
the ACP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable year multiplied by 
1.25; or
    (B) The excess of the ACP for the eligible HCEs for the plan year 
over the ACP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable year is not more 
than 2 percentage points, and the ACP for the eligible HCEs for the plan 
year is not more than the ACP for the eligible NHCEs for the applicable 
year multiplied by 2.
    (ii) HCEs as sole eligible employees. If, for the applicable year 
there are no eligible NHCEs (i.e., all of the eligible employees under 
the plan for the applicable year are HCEs), the plan is deemed to 
satisfy the ACP test.
    (iii) Special rule for early participation. If a plan providing for 
employee contributions or matching contributions provides that employees 
are eligible to participate before they have completed the minimum age 
and service requirements of section 410(a)(1)(A), and if the plan 
applies section 410(b)(4)(B) in determining whether the plan meets the 
requirements of section 410(b)(1), then in determining whether the plan 
meets the requirements under paragraph (a)(1) of this section either--
    (A) Pursuant to section 401(m)(5)(C), the ACP test is performed 
under the plan (determined without regard to disaggregation under Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(c)(3)), using the ACP for all eligible HCEs for the plan year 
and the ACP of eligible NHCEs for the applicable year, disregarding all 
NHCEs who have not met the minimum age and service requirements of 
section 410(a)(1)(A); or
    (B) Pursuant to Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4), the plan is disaggregated 
into separate plans and the ACP test is performed separately for all 
eligible employees who have completed the minimum age and service 
requirements of section 410(a)(1)(A) and for all eligible employees who 
have not completed the minimum age and service requirements of section 
410(a)(1)(A).
    (2) Determination of ACP--(i) General rule. The ACP for a group of 
eligible

[[Page 376]]

employees (either eligible HCEs or eligible NHCEs) for a plan year or 
applicable year is the average of the ACRs of eligible employees in the 
group for that year. The ACP for a group of eligible employees is 
calculated to the nearest hundredth of a percentage point.
    (ii) Determination of applicable year under current year and prior 
year testing method. The ACP test is applied using the prior year 
testing method or the current year testing method. Under the prior year 
testing method, the applicable year for determining the ACP for the 
eligible NHCEs is the plan year immediately preceding the plan year for 
which the ACP test is being calculated. Under the prior year testing 
method, the ACP for the eligible NHCEs is determined using the ACRs for 
the eligible employees who were NHCEs in that preceding plan year, 
regardless of whether those NHCEs are eligible employees or NHCEs in the 
plan year for which the ACP test is being performed. Under the current 
year testing method, the applicable year for determining the ACP for 
eligible NHCEs is the same plan year as the plan year for which the ACP 
test is being calculated. Under either method, the ACP for the eligible 
HCEs is determined using the ACRs of eligible employees who are HCEs for 
the plan year for which the ACP test is being performed. See paragraph 
(c) of this section for additional rules for the prior year testing 
method.
    (3) Determination of ACR--(i) General rule. The ACR of an eligible 
employee for the plan year or applicable year is the sum of the employee 
contributions and matching contributions taken into account with respect 
to such employee (determined under the rules of paragraphs (a)(4) and 
(5) of this section), and the qualified nonelective and elective 
contributions taken into account under paragraph (a)(6) of this section 
for the year, divided by the employee's compensation taken into account 
for the year. The ACR is calculated to the nearest hundredth of a 
percentage point. If no employee contributions, matching contributions, 
elective contributions, or qualified nonelective contributions are taken 
into account under this section with respect to an eligible employee for 
the year, the ACR of the employee is zero.
    (ii) ACR of HCEs eligible under more than one plan--(A) General 
rule. Pursuant to section 401(m)(2)(B), the ACR of an HCE who is an 
eligible employee in more than one plan of an employer to which matching 
contributions or employee contributions are made is calculated by 
treating all contributions with respect to such HCE under any such plan 
as being made under the plan being tested. Thus, the ACR for such an HCE 
is calculated by accumulating all matching contributions and employee 
contributions under any plan (other than a plan described in paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii)(B) of this section) that would be taken into account under 
this section for the plan year, if the plan under which the contribution 
was made applied this section and had the same plan year. For example, 
in the case of a plan with a 12-month plan year, the ACR for the plan 
year of that plan for an HCE who participates in multiple plans of the 
same employer that provide for matching contributions or employee 
contributions is the sum of all such contributions during such 12-month 
period that would be taken into account with respect to the HCE under 
all plans in which the HCE is an eligible employee, divided by the HCE's 
compensation for that 12-month period (determined using the compensation 
definition for the plan being tested), without regard to the plan year 
of the other plans and whether those plans are satisfying this section 
or Sec. 1.401(m)-3.
    (B) Plans not permitted to be aggregated. Contributions under plans 
that are not permitted to be aggregated under Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4) 
(determined without regard to the prohibition on aggregating plans with 
inconsistent testing methods set forth in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4)(iii)(B) 
and the prohibition on aggregating plans with different plan years set 
forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d)(5)) are not aggregated under this paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii).
    (iii) Example. The following example illustrates the application of 
paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. See also

[[Page 377]]

Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(3)(iii) for additional examples of the application 
of the parallel rule under section 401(k)(3)(A). The example is as 
follows:

    Example. Employee A, an HCE with compensation of $120,000, is 
eligible to make employee contributions under Plan S and Plan T, two 
calendar-year profit-sharing plans of Employer H. Plan S and Plan T use 
the same definition of compensation. Plan S provides a match equal to 
50% of each employee's contributions and Plan T has no match. During the 
current plan year, Employee A elects to contribute $4,000 in employee 
contributions to Plan T and $4,000 in employee contributions to Plan S. 
There are no other contributions made on behalf of Employee A. Each plan 
must calculate Employee A's ACR by dividing the total employee 
contributions by Employee A and matching contributions under both plans 
by $120,000. Therefore, Employee A's ACR under each plan is 8.33% 
($4,000 + $4,000 + $2,000/$120,000).

    (4) Employee contributions and matching contributions taken into 
account under the ACP test--(i) Employee contributions. An employee 
contribution is taken into account in determining the ACR for an 
eligible employee for the plan year or applicable year in which the 
contribution is made. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an amount 
withheld from an employee's pay (or a payment by the employee to an 
agent of the plan) is treated as contributed at the time of such 
withholding (or payment) if the funds paid are transmitted to the trust 
within a reasonable period after the withholding (or payment).
    (ii) Recharacterized elective contributions. Excess contributions 
recharacterized in accordance with Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3) are taken into 
account as employee contributions for the plan year that includes the 
time at which the excess contribution is includible in the gross income 
of the employee under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3)(ii).
    (iii) Matching contributions. A matching contribution is taken into 
account in determining the ACR for an eligible employee for a plan year 
or applicable year only if each of the following requirements is 
satisfied--
    (A) The matching contribution is allocated to the employee's account 
under the terms of the plan as of a date within that year;
    (B) The matching contribution is made on account of (or the matching 
contribution is allocated on the basis of) the employee's elective 
deferrals or employee contributions for that year; and
    (C) The matching contribution is actually paid to the trust no later 
than the end of the 12-month period immediately following the year that 
contains that date.
    (5) Employee contributions and matching contributions not taken into 
account under the ACP test--(i) General rule. Matching contributions 
that do not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this 
section may not be taken into account in the ACP test for the plan year 
with respect to which the contributions were made, or for any other plan 
year. Instead, the amount of the matching contributions must satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a)(4) (without regard to the ACP test) for 
the plan year for which they are allocated under the plan as if they 
were nonelective contributions and were the only nonelective 
contributions for that year. See Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2)(ii)(B) 
and 1.410(b)-7(c)(1).
    (ii) Disproportionate matching contributions--(A) Matching 
contributions in excess of 100%. A matching contribution with respect to 
an elective deferral for an NHCE is not taken into account under the ACP 
test to the extent it exceeds the greatest of:
    (1) 5% of compensation;
    (2) the employee's elective deferrals for a year; and
    (3) the product of 2 times the plan's representative matching rate 
and the employee's elective deferrals for a year.
    (B) Representative matching rate. For purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii), the plan's representative matching rate is the lowest 
matching rate for any eligible NHCE among a group of NHCEs that consists 
of half of all eligible NHCEs in the plan for the plan year who make 
elective deferrals for the plan year (or, if greater, the lowest 
matching rate for all eligible NHCEs in the plan who are employed by the 
employer on the last day of the plan year and who make elective 
deferrals for the plan year).
    (C) Definition of matching rate. For purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii), the

[[Page 378]]

matching rate for an employee generally is the matching contributions 
made for such employee divided by the employee's elective deferrals for 
the year. If the matching rate is not the same for all levels of 
elective deferrals for an employee, the employee's matching rate is 
determined assuming that an employee's elective deferrals are equal to 6 
percent of compensation.
    (D) Application to matching contributions that match employee 
contributions. If a plan provides a match with respect to the sum of the 
employee's employee contributions and elective deferrals, that sum is 
substituted for the amount of the employee's elective deferrals in 
paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) (A) and (C) of this section and employees who make 
either employee contributions or elective deferrals are taken into 
account under paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(B) of this section. Similarly, if a 
plan provides a match with respect to the employee's employee 
contributions, but not elective deferrals, the employee's employee 
contributions are substituted for the amount of the employee's elective 
deferrals in paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) (A) and (C) of this section and 
employees who make employee contributions are taken into account under 
paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (iii) Qualified matching contributions used to satisfy the ADP test. 
Qualified matching contributions that are taken into account for the ADP 
test of section 401(k)(3) under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) are not taken 
into account in determining an eligible employee's ACR.
    (iv) Matching contributions taken into account under safe harbor 
provisions. A plan that satisfies the ACP safe harbor requirements of 
section 401(m)(11) or 401(m)(12) for a plan year but nonetheless must 
satisfy the requirements of this section because it provides for 
employee contributions for such plan year is permitted to apply this 
section disregarding all matching contributions with respect to all 
eligible employees. In addition, a plan that satisfies the ADP safe 
harbor requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3 for a plan year using qualified 
matching contributions but does not satisfy the ACP safe harbor 
requirements of section 401(m)(11) or 401(m)(12) for such plan year is 
permitted to apply this section by excluding matching contributions with 
respect to all eligible employees that do not exceed 4 percent (3\1/2\ 
percent in the case of a plan that satisfies the ADP safe harbor under 
section 401(k)(13)) of each employee's compensation. If a plan 
disregards matching contributions pursuant to this paragraph (a)(5)(iv), 
the disregard must apply with respect to all eligible employees.
    (v) Treatment of forfeited matching contributions. A matching 
contribution that is forfeited because the contribution to which it 
relates is treated as an excess contribution, excess deferral, excess 
aggregate contribution, or default elective contribution that is 
distributed under section 414(w), is not taken into account for purposes 
of this section.
    (vi) Additional employee contributions or matching contributions 
pursuant to section 414(u). Additional employee contributions and 
matching contributions made by reason of an eligible employee's 
qualified military service under section 414(u) are not taken into 
account under paragraph (a)(4) of this section for the plan year for 
which the contributions are made, or for any other plan year.
    (6) Qualified nonelective contributions and elective contributions 
that may be taken into account under the ACP test. Qualified nonelective 
contributions and elective contributions may be taken into account in 
determining the ACR for an eligible employee for a plan year or 
applicable year, but only to the extent the contributions satisfy the 
following requirements--
    (i) Timing of allocation. The qualified nonelective contribution is 
allocated to the employee's account as of a date within that year 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(i)(A)) and the elective 
contribution satisfies Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(4)(i). Consequently, under 
the prior year testing method, in order to be taken into account in 
calculating the ACP for the group of eligible NHCEs for the applicable 
year, a qualified nonelective contribution must be contributed no later 
than the end of the 12-month period following the applicable year even 
though the applicable year is different than the plan year being tested.

[[Page 379]]

    (ii) Elective contributions taken into account under the ACP test. 
Elective contributions may be taken into account for the ACP test only 
if the cash or deferred arrangement under which the elective 
contributions are made is required to satisfy the ADP test in Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(1) and, then only to the extent that the cash or deferred 
arrangement would satisfy that test, including such elective 
contributions in the ADP for the plan year or applicable year. Thus, for 
example, elective deferrals made pursuant to a salary reduction 
agreement under an annuity described in section 403(b) are not permitted 
to be taken into account in an ACP test. Similarly, elective 
contributions under a cash or deferred arrangement that is using the 
section 401(k) safe harbor described in Sec. 1.401(k)-3 cannot be taken 
into account in an ACP test. In addition, for plan years ending on or 
after November 8, 2007, elective contributions which are not permitted 
to be taken into account for the ADP test for the plan year under Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(a)(5)(ii), (iii), (v), or (vi) are not permitted to be taken 
into account for the ACP test.
    (iii) Requirement that amount satisfy section 401(a)(4). The amount 
of nonelective contributions, including those qualified nonelective 
contributions taken into account under this paragraph (a)(6) and those 
qualified nonelective contributions taken into account for the ADP test 
under paragraph Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6), and the amount of nonelective 
contributions, excluding those qualified nonelective contributions taken 
into account under this paragraph (a)(6) for the ACP test and those 
qualified nonelective contributions taken into account for the ADP test 
under paragraph Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6), satisfies the requirements of 
section 401(a)(4). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(b)(2). In the case of an 
employer that is applying the special rule for employer-wide plans in 
Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) with respect to the plan, the determination 
of whether the qualified nonelective contributions satisfy the 
requirements of this paragraph (a)(6)(iii) must be made on an employer-
wide basis regardless of whether the plans to which the qualified 
nonelective contributions are made are satisfying the requirements of 
section 410(b) on an employer-wide basis. Conversely, in the case of an 
employer that is treated as operating qualified separate lines of 
business, and does not apply the special rule for employer-wide plans in 
Sec. 1.414(r)-1(c)(2)(ii) with respect to the plan, then the 
determination of whether the qualifiednonelective contributions satisfy 
the requirements of this paragraph (a)(6)(iii) is not permitted to be 
made on an employer-wide basis regardless of whether the plans to which 
the qualified nonelective contributions are made are satisfying the 
requirements of section 410(b) on that basis.
    (iv) Aggregation must be permitted. The plan that provides for 
employee or matching contributions and the plan or plans to which the 
qualified nonelective contributions or elective contributions are made 
are plans that would be permitted to be aggregated under Sec. 1.401(m)-
1(b)(4). If the plan year of the plan that provides for employee or 
matching contributions is changed to satisfy the requirement under Sec. 
1.410(b)-7(d)(5) that aggregated plans have the same plan year, 
qualified nonelective contributions and elective contributions may be 
taken into account in the resulting short plan year only if such 
qualified nonelective and elective contributions could have been taken 
into account under an ADP test for a plan with that same short plan 
year.
    (v) Disproportionate contributions not taken into account--(A) 
General rule. Qualified nonelective contributions cannot be taken into 
account for an applicable year for an NHCE to the extent such 
contributions exceed the product of that NHCE's compensation and the 
greater of 5% and 2 times the plan's representative contribution rate. 
Any qualified nonelective contribution taken into account in an ADP test 
under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) (including the determination of the 
representative contribution rate for purposes of Sec. 1.401(k)-
2(a)(6)(iv)(B)) is not permitted to be taken into account for purposes 
of this paragraph (a)(6) (including the determination of the 
representative contribution rate for purposes of paragraph (a)(6)(v)(B) 
of this section).

[[Page 380]]

    (B) Definition of representative contribution rate. For purposes of 
this paragraph (a)(6)(v), the plan's representative contribution rate is 
the lowest applicable contribution rate of any eligible NHCE among a 
group of eligible NHCEs that consists of half of all eligible NHCEs for 
the plan year (or, if greater, the lowest applicable contribution rate 
of any eligible NHCE in the group of all eligible NHCEs for the 
applicable year and who is employed by the employer on the last day of 
the applicable year).
    (C) Definition of applicable contribution rate. For purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(6)(v), the applicable contribution rate for an eligible 
NHCE is the sum of the matching contributions taken into account under 
this section for the employee for the plan year and the qualified 
nonelective contributions made for that employee for the plan year, 
divided by that employee's compensation for the same period.
    (D) Special rule for prevailing wage contributions. Notwithstanding 
paragraph (a)(6)(v)(A) of this section, qualified nonelective 
contributions that are made in connection with an employer's obligation 
to pay prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act (46 Stat. 1494), Pub. 
L. 71-798, Service Contract Act of 1965 (79 Stat. 1965), Pub. L. 89-286, 
or similar legislation can be taken into account for a plan year for an 
NHCE to the extent such contributions do not exceed 10 percent of that 
NHCE's compensation.
    (vi) Contribution only used once. Qualified nonelective 
contributions cannot be taken into account under this paragraph (a)(6) 
to the extent such contributions are taken into account for purposes of 
satisfying any other ACP test, any ADP test, or the requirements of 
Sec. 1.401(k)-3, 1.401(m)-3 or 1.401(k)-4. Thus, for example, qualified 
nonelective contributions that are made pursuant to Sec. 1.401(k)-3(b) 
cannot be taken into account under the ACP test. Similarly, if a plan 
switches from the current year testing method to the prior year testing 
method pursuant to Sec. 1.401(m)-2(c)(1), qualified nonelective 
contributions that are taken into account under the current year testing 
method for a plan year may not be taken into account under the prior 
year testing method for the next plan year.
    (7) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (a). See Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) for additional examples 
of the parallel rules under section 401(k)(3)(A). The examples are as 
follows:

    Example 1. (i) Employer L maintains Plan U, a profit-sharing plan 
under which $.50 matching contributions are made for each dollar of 
employee contributions. Plan U uses the current year testing method. The 
chart below shows the average employee contributions (as a percentage of 
compensation) and matching contributions (as a percentage of 
compensation) for Plan U's HCEs and NHCEs for the 2006 plan year:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Employee            Matching
                                                      contributions       contributions      Actual contribution
                                                      (percentage)        (percentage)          (percentage)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly compensated employees......................                 4               2                     6
Nonhighly compensated employees...................                 3               1.5                   4.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The matching rate for all NHCEs is 50% and thus the matching 
contributions are not disproportionate under paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of 
this section. Accordingly, they are taken into account in determining 
the ACR of eligible employees.
    (iii) Because the ACP for the HCEs (6.0%) exceeds 5.63% (4.5% x 
1.25), Plan U does not satisfy the ACP test under paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) 
of this section. However, because the ACP for the HCEs does not exceed 
the ACP for the NHCEs by more than 2 percentage points and the ACP for 
the HCEs does not exceed the ACP for the NHCEs multiplied by 2 (4.5% x 2 
= 9%), the plan satisfies the ACP test under paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    Example 2. (i) Employees A through F are eligible employees in Plan 
V, a profit-sharing plan of Employer M that includes a cash or deferred 
arrangement and permits employee contributions. Under Plan V, a $.50 
matching contribution is made for each dollar of elective contributions 
and employee contributions. Plan V uses the current year testing method 
and does not provide for elective contributions to be taken into account 
in determining an eligible employee's ACR.

[[Page 381]]

For the 2006 plan year, Employees A and B are HCEs and the remaining 
employees are NHCEs. The compensation, elective contributions, employee 
contributions, and matching contributions for the 2006 plan year are 
shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Elective          Employee          Matching
                Employee                    Compensation      contributions     contributions     contributions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.......................................          $190,000           $15,000            $3,500            $9,250
B.......................................           100,000             5,000            10,000             7,500
C.......................................            85,000            12,000                 0             6,000
D.......................................            70,000             9,500                 0             4,750
E.......................................            40,000            10,000                 0             5,000
F.......................................            10,000                 0                 0                 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The matching rate for all NHCEs is 50% and thus the matching 
contributions are not disproportionate under paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of 
this section. Accordingly, they are taken into account in determining 
the ACR of eligible employees, as shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Employee          Matching
               Employee                  Compensation      contributions     contributions      ACR (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A....................................          $190,000            $3,500            $9,250                 6.71
B....................................           100,000            10,000             7,500                17.50
C....................................            85,000                 0             6,000                 7.06
D....................................            70,000                 0             4,750                 6.79
E....................................            40,000                 0             5,000                12.50
F....................................            10,000                 0                 0                 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The ACP for the HCEs is 12.11% ((6.71% + 17.50%)/2). The ACP 
for the NHCEs is 6.59% ((7.06% + 6.79% + 12.50% + 0.%)/4). Plan V fails 
to satisfy the ACP test under paragraph (a)(1)(i)(A) of this section 
because the ACP of HCEs is more than 125% of the ACP of the NHCEs (6.59% 
x 1.25 = 8.24%). In addition, Plan V fails to satisfy the ACP test under 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section because the ACP for the HCEs 
exceeds the ACP of the other employees by more than 2 percentage points 
(6.59% + 2% = 8.59%). Therefore, the plan fails to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(m)(2) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
unless the ACP failure is corrected under paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as Example 2, except that the 
plan provides that the NHCEs' elective contributions may be used to meet 
the requirements of section 401(m) to the extent needed under that 
section.
    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section, the $10,000 
of elective contributions for Employee E may be taken into account in 
determining the ACP rather than the ADP to the extent that the plan 
satisfies the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(1) excluding from the 
ADP this $10,000. In this case, if the $10,000 were excluded from the 
ADP for the NHCEs, the ADP for the HCEs is 6.45% (7.89% + 5.00%) /2 and 
the ADP for the NHCEs would be 6.92% (14.12% + 13.57% + 0% + 0%)/4) and 
the plan would satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(1) 
excluding from the ADP the elective contributions for NHCEs that are 
taken into account under section 401(m).
    (iii) After taking into account the $10,000 of elective 
contributions for Employee E in the ACP test, the ACP for the NHCEs is 
12.84% (7.06% + 6.79% + 37.50 % + 0%) /4. Therefore the plan satisfies 
the ACP test because the ACP for the HCEs (12.11%) is less than 1.25 
times the ACP for the NHCEs.
    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as Example 2, except that Plan 
V provides for a higher than 50% match rate on the elective 
contributions and employee contributions for all NHCEs. The match rate 
is defined as the rate, rounded up to the next whole percent, necessary 
to allow the plan to satisfy the ACP test, but not in excess of 100%. In 
this case, an increase in the match rate from 50% to 74% will be 
sufficient to allow the plan to satisfy the ACP test. Thus, for the 2006 
plan year, the compensation, elective contributions, employee 
contributions, matching contributions at a 74% match rate of the 
eligible NHCEs (employees C through F) are shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Elective          Employee          Matching
                Employee                    Compensation      contributions     contributions     contributions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C.......................................           $85,000           $12,000                $0            $8,880
D.......................................            70,000             9,500                 0             7,030
E.......................................            40,000            10,000                 0             7,400

[[Page 382]]

 
F.......................................            10,000                 0                 0                 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The matching rate for all NHCEs is 74% and thus the matching 
contributions are not disproportionate under paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of 
this section. Therefore, the matching contributions may be taken into 
account in determining the ACP for the NHCEs.
    (iii) The ACP for the NHCEs is 9.75% (10.45% + 10.04% + 18.50% + 
0%)/4. Because the ACP for the HCEs (12.11%) is less than 1.25 times the 
ACP for the NHCEs, the plan satisfies the requirements of section 
401(m).
    Example 5. (i) The facts are the same as Example 4, except that: 
Employee E's elective contributions are $2,000 (rather than $10,000) and 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section, the $2,000 of elective 
contributions for Employee E are taken into account in determining the 
ACP rather than the ADP. In addition, Plan V provides that the higher 
match rate is not limited to 100% and applies only for a specified group 
of NHCEs. The only member of that group is Employee E. Under the plan 
provision, the higher match rate is a 400% match. Thus, for the 2006 
plan year, the compensation, elective contributions, employee 
contributions, matching contributions of the eligible NHCEs (employees C 
through F) are shown in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Elective          Employee          Matching
                Employee                    Compensation      contributions     contributions     contributions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C.......................................           $85,000           $12,000                $0            $6,000
D.......................................            70,000             9,500                 0             4,750
E.......................................            40,000             2,000                 0             8,000
F.......................................            10,000                 0                 0                 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) If the entire matching contribution made on behalf of Employee 
E were taken into account under the ACP test, Plan V would satisfy the 
test, because the ACP for the NHCEs would be 9.71% (7.06% + 6.79% + 
25.00% + 0%)/4. Because the ACP for the HCEs (12.11%) is less than 1.25 
times what the ACP for the NHCEs would be, the plan would satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(m).
    (iii) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, however, 
matching contributions for an eligible NHCE that exceed the greatest of 
5% of compensation, the employee's elective deferrals and 2 times the 
product of the plan's representative matching rate and the employee's 
elective deferrals cannot be taken into account in applying the ACP 
test. The plan's representative matching rate is the lowest matching 
rate for any eligible employee in a group of NHCEs that is at least half 
of all eligible employees who are NHCEs in the plan for the plan year 
who make elective contributions for the plan year. For Plan V, the group 
of NHCEs who make such contributions consists of Employees C, D and E. 
The matching rates for these three employees are 50%, 50% and 400% 
respectively. The lowest matching rate for a group of NHCEs that is at 
least half of all the NHCEs who make elective contributions (or 2 NHCEs) 
is 50%. Because 400% is more than twice the plan's representative 
matching rate and the matching contributions exceed 5% of compensation, 
the full amount of matching contributions is not taken into account. 
Only $2,000 of the matching contributions made on behalf of Employee E 
(matching contributions that do not exceed the greatest of 5% of 
compensation, the employee's elective deferrals, or the product of 100% 
(2 times the representative matching rate) and the employee's elective 
deferrals) satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this 
section and may be taken into account under the ACP test. Accordingly, 
the ACP for the NHCEs is 5.96% (7.06% + 6.79% + 10% + 0%)/4 and the plan 
fails to satisfy the requirements of section 401(m)(2) and paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section unless the ACP failure is corrected under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    Example 6. (i) The facts are the same as Example 2, except that Plan 
V provides a QNEC equal to 13% of pay for Employee F that will be taken 
into account under the ACP test to the extent the contributions satisfy 
the requirements of paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (a)(6)(v) of this section, a QNEC cannot 
be taken into account in determining an NHCE's ACR to the extent it 
exceeds the greater of 5% and the product of the employee's compensation 
and the plan's representative contribution rate. The plan's 
representative contribution rate is two times the lowest applicable 
contribution rate for any eligible employee in a group of NHCEs that is 
at least half of all eligible employees who are NHCEs in the plan for 
the plan year. For Plan V, the applicable contribution rates for 
Employees C, D, E and

[[Page 383]]

F are 7.06%, 6.79%, 12.5% and 13% respectively. The lowest applicable 
contribution rate for a group of NHCEs that is at least half of all the 
NHCEs is 12.50% (the lowest applicable contribution rate for the group 
of NHCEs that consists of Employees E and F).
    (iii) Under paragraph (a)(6)(v)(B) of this section, the plan's 
representative contribution rate is 2 times 12.50% or 25.00%. 
Accordingly, the QNECs for Employee F can be taken into account under 
the ACP test only to the extent they do not exceed 25.00% of 
compensation. In this case, all of the QNECs for Employee F may be taken 
into account under the ACP test.
    (iv) After taking into account the QNECs for Employee F, the ACP for 
the NHCEs is 9.84% (7.06% + 6.79% + 12.50% + 13%)/4. Because the ACP for 
the HCEs (12.11%) is less than 1.25 times the ACP for the NHCEs, the 
plan satisfies the requirements of section 401(m)(2) and paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.

    (b) Correction of excess aggregate contributions--(1) Permissible 
correction methods--(i) In general. A plan that provides for employee 
contributions or matching contributions does not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(m)(2) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
if the employer, in accordance with the terms of the plan, uses either 
of the following correction methods--
    (A) Additional contributions. The employer makes additional 
contributions that are taken into account for the ACP test under this 
section that, in combination with the other contributions taken into 
account under this section, allow the plan to satisfy the requirements 
of paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (B) Excess aggregate contributions distributed or forfeited. Excess 
aggregate contributions are distributed or forfeited in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Combination of correction methods. A plan may provide for the 
use of either of the correction methods described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) 
of this section, may limit employee contributions or matching 
contributions in a manner that prevents excess aggregate contributions 
from being made, or may use a combination of these methods, to avoid or 
correct excess aggregate contributions. If a plan uses a combination of 
correction methods, any contributions made under paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) 
of this section must be taken into account before application of the 
correction method in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
    (iii) Exclusive means of correction. A failure to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section may not be corrected 
using any method other than one described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (ii) 
of this section. Thus, excess aggregate contributions for a plan year 
may not be corrected by forfeiting vested matching contributions, 
distributing nonvested matching contributions, recharacterizing matching 
contributions, or not making matching contributions required under the 
terms of the plan. Similarly, excess aggregate contributions for a plan 
year may not remain unallocated or be allocated to a suspense account 
for allocation to one or more employees in any future year. In addition, 
excess aggregate contributions may not be corrected using the 
retroactive correction rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g). See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii) and (5).
    (2) Correction through distribution--(i) General rule. This 
paragraph (b)(2) contains the rules for correction of excess aggregate 
contributions through a distribution from the plan. Correction through a 
distribution generally involves a 4-step process. First, the plan must 
determine, in accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the 
total amount of excess aggregate contributions that must be distributed 
under the plan. Second, the plan must apportion the total amount of 
excess aggregate contributions among the HCEs in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section. Third, the plan must determine 
the income allocable to excess aggregate contributions in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section. Finally, the plan must 
distribute the apportioned contributions, together with allocable income 
(or forfeit the apportioned matching contributions, if forfeitable) in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section. Paragraph 
(b)(2)(vi) of this section provides rules relating to the tax treatment 
of these distributions.
    (ii) Calculation of total amount to be distributed. The following 
procedures must be used to determine the total amount of the excess 
aggregate contributions to be distributed--

[[Page 384]]

    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess aggregate contributions 
for each HCE. The amount of excess aggregate contributions attributable 
to an HCE for a plan year is the amount (if any) by which the HCE's 
contributions taken into account under this section must be reduced for 
the HCE's ACR to equal the highest permitted ACR under the plan. To 
calculate the highest permitted ACR under a plan, the ACR of the HCE 
with the highest ACR is reduced by the amount required to cause that 
HCE's ACR to equal the ACR of the HCE with the next highest ACR. If a 
lesser reduction would enable the plan to satisfy the requirements of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C) of this section, only this lesser reduction 
applies.
    (B) Determination of the total amount of excess aggregate 
contributions. The process described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this 
section must be repeated until the plan would satisfy the requirements 
of paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(C) of this section. The sum of all reductions 
for all HCEs determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section is 
the total amount of excess aggregate contributions for the plan year.
    (C) Satisfaction of ACP. A plan satisfies this paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(C) if the plan would satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section if the ACR for each HCE were determined after 
the reductions described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
    (iii) Apportionment of total amount of excess aggregate 
contributions among the HCEs. The following procedures must be used in 
apportioning the total amount of excess aggregate contributions 
determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section among the HCEs--
    (A) Calculate the dollar amount of excess aggregate contributions 
for each HCE. The contributions with respect to the HCE with the highest 
dollar amount of contributions taken account under this section are 
reduced by the amount required to cause that HCE's contributions to 
equal the dollar amount of contributions taken into account under this 
section for the HCE with the next highest dollar amount of such 
contributions. If a lesser apportionment to the HCE would enable the 
plan to apportion the total amount of excess aggregate contributions, 
only the lesser apportionment would apply.
    (B) Limit on amount apportioned to any HCE. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(2)(iii), the contributions for an HCE who is an eligible 
employee in more than one plan of an employer to which matching 
contributions and employee contributions are made is determined by 
adding together all contributions otherwise taken into account in 
determining the ACR of the HCE under the rules of paragraph (a)(3)(ii) 
of this section. However, the amount of contributions apportioned with 
respect to an HCE must not exceed the amount of contributions taken into 
account under this section that were actually made on behalf of the HCE 
to the plan for the plan year. Thus, in the case of an HCE who is an 
eligible employee in more than one plan of the same employer to which 
employee contributions or matching contributions are made and whose ACR 
is calculated in accordance with paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, 
the amount distributed under this paragraph (b)(2)(iii) will not exceed 
such contributions actually contributed to the plan for the plan year 
that are taken into account under this section for the plan year.
    (C) Apportionment to additional HCEs. The procedure in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii)(A) of this section must be repeated until the total amount 
of excess aggregate contributions have been apportioned.
    (iv) Income allocable to excess aggregate contributions--(A) General 
rule. For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, the income 
allocable to excess aggregate contributions is equal to the allocable 
gain or loss through the end of the plan year. See paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv)(D) of this section for rules that apply to plan years 
beginning before January 1, 2008.
    (B) Method of allocating income. A plan may use any reasonable 
method for computing the income allocable to excess aggregate 
contributions, provided that the method does not violate section 
401(a)(4), is used consistently for all participants and for all 
corrective distributions under the plan for the plan year, and is used 
by the plan for allocating income to participants' accounts. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(8). A plan

[[Page 385]]

will not fail to use a reasonable method for computing the income 
allocable to excess contributions merely because the income allocable to 
excess aggregate contributions is determined on a date that is no more 
than 7 days before the distribution.
    (C) Alternative method of allocating income for the plan year. A 
plan may allocate income to excess aggregate contributions for the plan 
year by multiplying the income for the plan year allocable to employee 
contributions, matching contributions and other amounts taken into 
account under this section (including the contributions for the year), 
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess aggregate 
contributions for the employee for the plan year, and the denominator of 
which is the sum of the--
    (1) Account balance attributable to employee contributions and 
matching contributions and other amounts taken into account under this 
section as of the beginning of the plan year; and
    (2) Any additional such contributions for the plan year.
    (D) Plan years before 2008. For plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008, the income allocable to excess aggregate contributions is 
determined under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(b)(2)(iv) (as it appeared in the April 
1, 2007, edition of 26 CFR part 1).
    (E) Allocable income for recharacterized elective contributions. If 
recharacterized elective contributions are distributed as excess 
aggregate contributions, the income allocable to the excess aggregate 
contributions is determined as if recharacterized elective contributions 
had been distributed as excess contributions. Thus, income must be 
allocated to the recharacterized amounts distributed using the methods 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(2)(iv).
    (v) Distribution and forfeiture. Within 12 months after the close of 
the plan year in which the excess aggregate contribution arose, the plan 
must distribute to each HCE the contributions apportioned to such HCE 
under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section (and the allocable income) 
to the extent they are vested or forfeit such amounts, if forfeitable. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b)(2)(v), a distribution 
of excess aggregate contributions must be in addition to any other 
distributions made during the year and must be designated as a 
corrective distribution by the employer. In the event of a complete 
termination of the plan during the plan year in which an excess 
aggregate contribution arose, the corrective distribution must be made 
as soon as administratively feasible after the date of termination of 
the plan, but in no event later than 12 months after the date of 
termination. If the entire account balance of an HCE is distributed 
prior to when the plan makes a distribution of excess aggregate 
contributions in accordance with this paragraph (b)(2), the distribution 
is deemed to have been a corrective distribution of excess aggregate 
contributions (and income) to the extent that a corrective distribution 
would otherwise have been required.
    (vi) Tax treatment of corrective distributions--(A) Corrective 
distributions for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b)(2)(vi), for plan 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, a corrective distribution 
of excess aggregate contributions (and allocable income) is includible 
in the employee's gross income in the taxable year of the employee in 
which distributed. The portion of the distribution that is treated as an 
investment in the contract and is therefore not subject to tax under 
section 72 is determined without regard to any plan contributions other 
than those distributed as excess aggregate contributions. Regardless of 
when the corrective distribution is made, it is not subject to the early 
distribution tax of section 72(t). See paragraph (b)(4) of this section 
for additional rules relating to the employer excise tax on amounts 
distributed more than 2\1/2\ months (6 months in the case of certain 
plans that include an eligible automatic contribution arrangement within 
the meaning of section 414(w)) after the end of the plan year. See also 
Sec. 1.402(c)-2, A-4, prohibiting rollover of distributions that are 
excess aggregate contributions.
    (B) Corrective distributions for plan years beginning before January 
1, 2008.

[[Page 386]]

The tax treatment of corrective distributions for plan years beginning 
before January 1, 2008, is determined under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(b)(2)(vi) 
(as it appeared in the April 1, 2007, edition of 26 CFR Part 1). If the 
total amount of excess aggregate contributions determined under this 
paragraph (b)(2), and excess contributions determined under Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(b)(2) distributed to a recipient under a plan for any plan 
year is less than $100 (excluding income), a corrective distribution of 
excess aggregate contributions (and income) is includible in gross 
income in the recipient's taxable year in which the corrective 
distribution is made, except to the extent the corrective distribution 
is a return of employee contributions, or as provided in paragraph 
(b)(2)(vi)(C) of this section.
    (C) Corrective distributions attributable to designated Roth 
contributions. Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(2)(vi)(A) and (B) of this 
section, a distribution of excess aggregate contributions is not 
includible in gross income to the extent it represents a distribution of 
designated Roth contributions. However, the income allocable to a 
corrective distribution of excess aggregate contributions that are 
designated Roth contributions is taxed in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(2)(vi)(A) or (B) of this section (i.e., in the same manner as income 
allocable to a corrective distribution of excess aggregate contributions 
that are not designated Roth contributions).
    (3) Other rules--(i) No employee or spousal consent required. A 
distribution of excess aggregate contributions (and income) may be made 
under the terms of the plan without regard to any notice or consent 
otherwise required under sections 411(a)(11) and 417.
    (ii) Treatment of corrective distributions and forfeited 
contributions as employer contributions. Excess aggregate contributions 
(other than amounts attributable to employee contributions), including 
forfeited matching contributions, are treated as employer contributions 
for purposes of sections 404 and 415 even if distributed from the plan. 
Forfeited matching contributions that are reallocated to the accounts of 
other participants for the plan year in which the forfeiture occurs are 
treated under section 415 as annual additions for the participants to 
whose accounts they are reallocated and for the participants from whose 
accounts they are forfeited.
    (iii) No reduction of required minimum distribution. A distribution 
of excess aggregate contributions (and income) is not treated as a 
distribution for purposes of determining whether the plan satisfies the 
minimum distribution requirements of section 401(a)(9). See Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5, A-9(b).
    (iv) Partial correction. Any distribution of less than the entire 
amount of excess aggregate contributions (and allocable income) is 
treated as a pro rata distribution of excess aggregate contributions and 
allocable income.
    (v) Matching contributions on excess contributions, excess deferrals 
and excess aggregate contributions--(A) Corrective distributions not 
permitted. A matching contribution may not be distributed merely because 
the contribution to which it relates is treated as an excess 
contribution, excess deferral, or excess aggregate contribution.
    (B) Coordination with section 401(a)(4). A matching contribution is 
taken into account under section 401(a)(4) even if the match is 
distributed, unless the distributed contribution is an excess aggregate 
contribution. This requires that, after correction of excess aggregate 
contributions, each level of matching contributions be currently and 
effectively available to a group of employees that satisfies section 
410(b). See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4(e)(3)(iii)(G). Thus, a plan that 
provides the same rate of matching contributions to all employees will 
not meet the requirements of section 401(a)(4) if employee contributions 
are distributed under this paragraph (b) to HCEs to the extent needed to 
meet the requirements of section 401(m)(2), while matching contributions 
attributable to employee contributions remain allocated to the HCEs' 
accounts. This is because the level of matching contributions will be 
higher for a group of employees that consists entirely of HCEs. Under 
section 411(a)(3)(G) and Sec. 1.411(a)-4(b)(7), a plan may forfeit 
matching contributions attributable to excess contributions, excess 
aggregate contributions

[[Page 387]]

and excess deferrals to avoid a violation of section 401(a)(4). See also 
Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-11(g)(3)(vii)(B) regarding the use of additional 
allocations to the accounts of NHCEs for the purpose of correcting a 
discriminatory rate of matching contributions. A plan is permitted to 
provide for which contributions are to be distributed to satisfy the ACP 
test so as to avoid discriminatory matching rates that would otherwise 
violate section 401(a)(4). For example, the plan may provide that 
unmatched employee contributions will be distributed before matched 
employee contributions.
    (vi) No requirement for recalculation. If the distributions and 
forfeitures described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section are made, the 
employee contributions and matching contributions are treated as meeting 
the nondiscrimination test of section 401(m)(2) regardless of whether 
the ACP for the HCEs, if recalculated after the distributions and 
forfeitures, would satisfy section 401(m)(2).
    (4) Failure to timely correct--(i) Failure to correct within 2\1/2\ 
months after end of plan year. If a plan does not correct excess 
aggregate contributions within 2\1/2\ months after the close of the plan 
year for which the excess aggregate contributions are made, the employer 
will be liable for a 10% excise tax on the amount of the excess 
aggregate contributions. See section 4979 and Sec. 54.4979-1 of this 
chapter. Qualified nonelective contributions properly taken into account 
under paragraph (a)(6) of this section for a plan year may enable a plan 
to avoid having excess aggregate contributions, even if the 
contributions are made after the close of the 2\1/2\ month period.
    (ii) Failure to correct within 12 months after end of plan year. If 
excess aggregate contributions are not corrected within 12 months after 
the close of the plan year for which they were made, the plan will fail 
to meet the requirements of section 401(a)(4) for the plan year for 
which the excess aggregate contributions were made and all subsequent 
plan years in which the excess aggregate contributions remain in the 
trust.
    (iii) Special rule for eligible automatic contribution arrangements. 
In the case of excess aggregate contributions under a plan that includes 
an eligible automatic contribution arrangement (within the meaning of 
section 414(w)), 6 months is substituted for 2\1/2\ months in paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) of this section. The additional time described in this 
paragraph (b)(4)(iii) applies to a distribution of excess aggregate 
contributions for a plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2010 only 
where all the eligible NHCEs and eligible HCEs are covered employees 
under the eligible automatic contribution arrangement (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.414(w)-1(e)(3)) for the entire plan year (or for the 
portion of the plan year that the eligible NHCEs and eligible HCEs are 
eligible employees).
    (5) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
this paragraph. See also Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b) for additional examples of 
the parallel correction rules applicable to cash or deferred 
arrangements. For purposes of these examples, none of the plans provide 
for catch-up contributions under section 414(v). The examples are as 
follows:

    Example 1. (i) Employer L maintains a plan that provides for 
employee contributions and fully vested matching contributions. The plan 
provides that failures of the ACP test are corrected by distribution. In 
2006, the ACP for the eligible NHCEs is 6%. Thus, the ACP for the 
eligible HCEs may not exceed 8%. The three HCEs who participate have the 
following compensation, contributions, and ACRs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Employee contributions and
                   Employee                            Compensation           matching contributions           Actual contribution ratio (percent)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.............................................                     200,000                      14,000  7
B.............................................                     150,000                      13,500  9
C.............................................                     100,000                      12,000  12
                                                ..........................  ..........................  Average 9.33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) The total amount of excess aggregate contributions for the HCEs 
is determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section as

[[Page 388]]

follows: the matching and employee contributions of Employee C (the HCE 
with the highest ACR) is reduced by 3% of compensation (or $3,000) in 
order to reduce the ACR of that HCE to 9%, which is the ACR of Employee 
B.
    (iii) Because the ACP of the HCEs determined after the $3,000 
reduction still exceeds 8%, further reductions in matching contributions 
and employee contributions are necessary in order to reduce the ACP of 
the HCEs to 8%. The employee contributions and matching contributions 
for Employees B and C are reduced by an additional .5% of compensation 
or $1,250 ($750 and $500 respectively). Because the ACP of the HCEs 
determined after the reductions now equals 8%, the plan would satisfy 
the requirements of (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (iv) The total amount of excess aggregate contributions ($4,250) is 
apportioned among the HCEs under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section 
first to the HCE with the highest amount of matching contributions and 
employee contributions. Therefore, Employee A is apportioned $500 (the 
amount required to cause A's matching contributions and employee 
contributions to equal the next highest dollar amount of matching 
contributions and employee contributions).
    (v) Because the total amount of excess aggregate contributions has 
not been apportioned, further apportionment is necessary. The balance 
($3,750) of the total amount of excess aggregate contributions is 
apportioned equally among Employees A and B ($1,500 to each, the amount 
required to cause their contributions to equal the next highest dollar 
amount of matching contributions and employee contributions).
    (vi) Because the total amount of excess aggregate contributions has 
not been apportioned, further apportionment is necessary. The balance 
($750) of the total amount of excess aggregate contributions is 
apportioned equally among Employees A, B and C ($250 to each, the amount 
required to allocate the total amount of excess aggregate contributions 
for the plan).
    (vii) Therefore, the plan will satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section if, by the end of the 12 month period following 
the end of the 2006 plan year, Employee A receives a corrective 
distribution of excess aggregate contributions equal to $2,250 ($500 + 
$1,500 + $250) and allocable income, Employee B receives a corrective 
distribution of $250 and allocable income and Employee C receives a 
corrective distribution of $1,750 ($1,500 + $250) and allocable income.
    Example 2. (i) Employee D is the sole HCE who is eligible to 
participate in a cash or deferred arrangement maintained by Employer M. 
The plan that includes the arrangement, Plan X, permits employee 
contributions and provides a fully vested matching contribution equal to 
50% of elective contributions. Plan X is a calendar year plan. Plan X 
corrects excess contributions by recharacterization and provides that 
failures of the ACP test are corrected by distribution. For the 2006 
plan year, D's compensation is $200,000, and D's elective contributions 
are $15,000. The actual deferral percentages and actual contribution 
percentages for Employee D and the other eligible employees under Plan X 
are shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Actual
                                     Actual deferral     contribution
                                        percentage        percentage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee D.........................              7.5                3.75
NHCEs..............................              4                  2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) In February 2007, Employer M determines that D's actual 
deferral ratio must be reduced to 6%, or $12,000, which requires a 
recharacterization of $3,000 as an employee contribution. This increases 
D's actual contribution ratio to 5.25% ($7,500 in matching contributions 
plus $3,000 recharacterized as employee contributions, divided by 
$200,000 in compensation). Since D's actual contribution ratio must be 
limited to 4% for Plan X to satisfy the actual contribution percentage 
test, Plan X must distribute 1.25% or $2,500 of D's employee 
contributions and matching contributions together with allocable income. 
If $2,500 in matching contributions and allocable income is distributed, 
this will correct the excess aggregate contributions and will not result 
in a discriminatory rate of matching contributions. See Example 8.
    Example 3. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that 
Employee D also had elective contributions under Plan Y, maintained by 
an employer unrelated to M. In January 2007, D requests and receives a 
distribution of $1,200 in excess deferrals from Plan X. Pursuant to the 
terms of Plan X, D forfeits the $600 match on the excess deferrals to 
correct a discriminatory rate of match.
    (ii) The $3,000 that would otherwise have been recharacterized for 
Plan X to satisfy the actual deferral percentage test is reduced by the 
$1,200 already distributed as an excess deferral, leaving $1,800 to be 
recharacterized. See Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(4)(i)(A). D's actual 
contribution ratio is now 4.35% ($7,500 in matching contributions plus 
$1,800 in recharacterized contributions less $600 forfeited matching 
contributions attributable to the excess deferrals, divided by $200,000 
in compensation).
    (iii) The matching and employee contributions for Employee D must be 
reduced by .35% of compensation in order to reduce the ACP of the HCEs 
to 4%. The plan must provide for forfeiture of additional matching 
contributions to prevent a discriminatory rate of matching 
contributions. See Example 8.

[[Page 389]]

    Example 4. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 3, except that D 
does not request a distribution of excess deferrals until March 2007. 
Employer X has already recharacterized $3,000 as employee contributions.
    (ii) Under Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(6), the amount of excess deferrals is 
reduced by the amount of excess contributions that are recharacterized. 
Because the amount recharacterized is greater than the excess deferrals, 
Plan X is neither required nor permitted to make a distribution of 
excess deferrals, and the recharacterization has corrected the excess 
deferrals.
    Example 5. (i) For the 2006 plan year, Employee F defers $10,000 
under Plan M and $6,000 under Plan N. Plans M and N, which have calendar 
plan years are maintained by unrelated employers. Plan M provides a 
fully vested, 100% matching contribution, does not take elective 
contributions into account under section 401(m) or take matching 
contributions into account under section 401(k) and provides that excess 
contributions and excess aggregate contributions are corrected by 
distribution. Under Plan M, Employee F is allocated excess contributions 
of $600 and excess aggregate contributions of $1,600. Employee F timely 
requests and receives a distribution of the $1,000 excess deferral from 
Plan M and, pursuant to the terms of Plan M, forfeits the corresponding 
$1,000 matching contribution.
    (ii) No distribution is required or permitted to correct the excess 
contributions because $1,000 has been distributed by Plan M as excess 
deferrals. The distribution required to correct the excess aggregate 
contributions (after forfeiting the matching contribution) is $600 
($1,600 in excess aggregate contributions minus $1,000 in forfeited 
matching contributions). If Employee F had corrected the excess 
deferrals of $1,000 by withdrawing $1,000 from Plan N, Plan M would have 
had to correct the $600 excess contributions in Plan M by distributing 
$600. Since Employee F then would have forfeited $600 (instead of 
$1,000) in matching contributions, Employee F would have had $1,000 
($1,600 in excess aggregate contributions minus $600 in forfeited 
matching contributions) remaining of excess aggregate contributions in 
Plan M. These would have been corrected by distributing an additional 
$1,000 from Plan M.
    Example 6. (i) Employee G is the sole HCE in a profit sharing plan 
under which the employer matches 100% of employee contributions up to 2% 
of compensation, and 50% of employee contributions up to the next 4% of 
compensation. For the 2008 plan year, Employee G has compensation of 
$100,000 and makes a 7% employee contribution of $7,000. Employee G 
receives a 4% matching contribution or $4,000. Thus, Employee G's actual 
contribution ratio (ACR) is 11%. The actual contribution percentage for 
the NHCEs is 5%, and the employer determines that Employee G's ACR must 
be reduced to 7% to comply with the rules of section 401(m).
    (ii) In this case, the plan satisfies the requirements of section if 
it distributes the unmatched employee contributions of $1,000, and 
$2,000 of matched employee contributions with their related matches of 
$1,000. This would leave Employee G with 4% employee contributions, and 
3% matching contributions, for an ACR of 7%. Alternatively, the plan 
could distribute all matching contributions and satisfy this section. 
However, the plan could not distribute $4,000 of Employee G's employee 
contributions without forfeiting the related matching contributions 
because this would result in a discriminatory rate of matching 
contributions. See also Example 7.
    Example 7. (i) Employee H is an HCE in Employer X's profit sharing 
plan, which matches 100% of employee contributions up to 5% of 
compensation. The matching contribution is vested at the rate of 20% per 
year. In 2006, Employee H makes $5,000 in employee contributions and 
receives $5,000 of matching contributions. Employee H is 60% vested in 
the matching contributions at the end of the 2006 plan year. In February 
2007, Employer X determines that Employee H has excess aggregate 
contributions of $1,000. The plan provides that only matching 
contributions will be distributed as excess aggregate contributions.
    (ii) Employer X has two options available in distributing Employee 
H's excess aggregate contributions. The first option is to distribute 
$600 of vested matching contributions and forfeit $400 of nonvested 
matching contributions. These amounts are in proportion to Employee H's 
vested and nonvested interests in all matching contributions. The second 
option is to distribute $1,000 of vested matching contributions, leaving 
the nonvested matching contributions in the plan.
    (iii) If the second option is chosen, the plan must also provide a 
separate vesting schedule for vesting these nonvested matching 
contributions. This is necessary because the nonvested matching 
contributions must vest as rapidly as they would have had no 
distribution been made. Thus, 50% must vest in each of the next 2 years.
    (iv) The plan will not satisfy the nondiscriminatory availability 
requirement of section 401(a)(4) if only nonvested matching 
contributions are forfeited because the effect is that matching 
contributions for HCEs vest more rapidly than those for NHCEs. See Sec. 
1.401(m)-2(b)(3)(v)(B).
    Example 8. (i) Employer Y maintains a calendar year profit sharing 
plan that includes a cash or deferred arrangement. Elective 
contributions are matched at the rate of 100%. After-tax employee 
contributions are permitted under the plan only for NHCEs

[[Page 390]]

and are matched at the same rate. No employees make excess deferrals. 
Employee J, an HCE, makes an $8,000 elective contribution and receives 
an $8,000 matching contribution.
    (ii) Employer Y performs the actual deferral percentage (ADP) and 
the actual contribution percentage (ACP). To correct failures of the ADP 
and ACP tests, the plan distributes to A $1,000 of excess contributions 
and $500 of excess aggregate contributions. After the distributions, 
Employee J's contributions for the year are $7,000 of elective 
contributions and $7,500 of matching contributions. As a result, 
Employee J has received a higher effective rate of matching 
contributions than NHCEs ($7,000 of elective contributions matched by 
$7,500 is an effective matching rate of 107 percent). If this amount 
remains in Employee J's account without correction, it will cause the 
plan to fail to satisfy section 401(a)(4), because only an HCE receives 
the higher matching contribution rate. The remaining $500 matching 
contribution may be forfeited (but not distributed) under section 
411(a)(3)(G), if the plan so provides. The plan could instead correct 
the discriminatory rate of matching contributions by making additional 
allocations to the accounts of NHCEs. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
11(g)(3)(vii)(B) and (6), Example 7.

    (c) Additional rules for prior year testing method--(1) Rules for 
change in testing method. A plan is permitted to change from the prior 
year testing method to the current year testing method for any plan 
year. A plan is permitted to change from the current year testing method 
to the prior year testing method only in situations described in Sec. 
1.401(k)-2(c)(1)(ii). For purposes of this paragraph (c)(1), a plan that 
uses the safe harbor method described in Sec. 1.401(m)-3 or a SIMPLE 
401(k) plan is treated as using the current year testing method for that 
plan year
    (2) Calculation of ACP under the prior year testing method for the 
first plan year--(i) Plans that are not successor plans. If, for the 
first plan year of any plan (other than a successor plan), a plan uses 
the prior year testing method, the plan is permitted to use either that 
first plan year as the applicable year for determining the ACP for the 
eligible NHCEs, or 3% as the ACP for eligible NHCEs, for applying the 
ACP test for that first plan year. A plan (other than a successor plan) 
that uses the prior year testing method but has elected for its first 
plan year to use that year as the applicable year for determining the 
ACP for the eligible NHCEs is not treated as changing its testing method 
in the second plan year and is not subject to the limitations on double 
counting under paragraph (a)(6)(vi) of this section for the second plan 
year.
    (ii) First plan year defined. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(2), 
the first plan year of any plan is the first year in which the plan 
provides for employee contributions or matching contributions. Thus, the 
rules of this paragraph (c)(2) do not apply to a plan (within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7) for a plan year if for such plan year the 
plan is aggregated under Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4) with any other plan that 
provides for employee or matching contributions in the prior year.
    (iii) Plans that are successor plans. A plan is a successor plan if 
50% or more of the eligible employees for the first plan year were 
eligible employees under another plan maintained by the employer in the 
prior year that provides for employee contributions or matching 
contributions. If a plan that is a successor plan uses the prior year 
testing method for its first plan year, the ACP for the group of NHCEs 
for the applicable year must be determined under paragraph (c)(4) of 
this section.
    (3) Plans using different testing methods for the ACP and ADP test. 
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (c)(3), a plan may use 
the current year testing method or prior year testing method for the ACP 
test for a plan year without regard to whether the current year testing 
method or prior year testing method is used for the ADP test for that 
year. For example, a plan may use the prior year testing method for the 
ACP test and the current year testing method for its ADP test for the 
plan year. However, plans that use different testing methods under this 
paragraph (c)(3) cannot use--
    (i) The recharacterization method of Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(3) to 
correct excess contributions for a plan year;
    (ii) The rules of paragraph (a)(6)(ii) of this section to take 
elective contributions into account under the ACP test (rather than the 
ADP test); or

[[Page 391]]

    (iii) The rules of paragraph Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(6) to take 
qualified matching contributions into account under the ADP test (rather 
than the ACP test).
    (4) Rules for plan coverage change--(i) In general. A plan that uses 
the prior year testing method that experiences a plan coverage change 
during a plan year satisfies the requirements of this section for that 
year only if the plan provides that the ACP for the NHCEs for the plan 
year is the weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups.
    (ii) Optional rule for minor plan coverage changes. If a plan 
coverage change occurs and 90% or more of the total number of the NHCEs 
from all prior year subgroups are from a single prior year subgroup, 
then, in lieu of using the weighted averages described in paragraph 
(c)(4)(i) of this section, the plan may provide that the ACP for the 
group of eligible NHCEs for the prior year under the plan is the ACP of 
the NHCEs for the prior year of the plan under which that single prior 
year subgroup was eligible.
    (iii) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(4)--
    (A) Plan coverage change. The term plan coverage change means a 
change in the group or groups of eligible employees under a plan on 
account of--
    (1) The establishment or amendment of a plan;
    (2) A plan merger or spinoff under section 414(l);
    (3) A change in the way plans (within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-
7) are combined or separated for purposes of Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4) 
(e.g., permissively aggregating plans not previously aggregated under 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d), or ceasing to permissively aggregate plans under 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d));
    (4) A reclassification of a substantial group of employees that has 
the same effect as amending the plan (e.g., a transfer of a substantial 
group of employees from one division to another division); or
    (5) A combination of any of paragraphs (c)(4)(iii)(A)(1) through (4) 
of this section.
    (B) Prior year subgroup. The term prior year subgroup means all 
NHCEs for the prior plan year who, in the prior year, were eligible 
employees under a specific plan that provides for employee contributions 
or matching contributions maintained by the employer and who would have 
been eligible employees in the prior year under the plan being tested if 
the plan coverage change had first been effective as of the first day of 
the prior plan year instead of first being effective during the plan 
year. The determination of whether an NHCE is a member of a prior year 
subgroup is made without regard to whether the NHCE terminated 
employment during the prior year.
    (C) Weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups. The 
term weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups means the 
sum, for all prior year subgroups, of the adjusted ACPs for the plan 
year. The term adjusted ACP with respect to a prior year subgroup means 
the ACP for the prior plan year of the specific plan under which the 
members of the prior year subgroup were eligible employees on the first 
day of the prior plan year, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of 
which is the number of NHCEs in the prior year subgroup and denominator 
of which is the total number of NHCEs in all prior year subgroups.
    (iv) Example. The following example illustrate the application of 
this paragraph (c)(4). See also Sec. 1.401(k)-2(c)(4) for examples of 
the parallel rules applicable to the ADP test. The example is as 
follows:

    Example. (i) Employer B maintains two plans, Plan N and Plan P, each 
of which provides for employee contributions or matching contributions. 
The plans were not permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for 
the 2005 testing year. Both plans use the prior year testing method. 
Plan N had 300 eligible employees who were NHCEs for 2005, and their ACP 
for that year was 6%. Plan P had 100 eligible employees who were NHCEs 
for 2005, and the ACP for those NHCEs for that plan was 4%. Plan N and 
Plan P are permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for the 
2006 plan year.
    (ii) The permissive aggregation of Plan N and Plan P for the 2006 
testing year under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) is a plan coverage change that 
results in treating the plans as one plan (Plan NP). Therefore, the 
prior year ACP for the NHCEs under Plan NP for the 2006 testing year is 
the weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups.

[[Page 392]]

    (iii) The first step in determining the weighted average of the ACPs 
for the prior year subgroups is to identify the prior year subgroups. 
With respect to the 2006 testing year, an employee is a member of a 
prior year subgroup if the employee was an NHCE of Employer B for the 
2005 plan year, was an eligible employee for the 2005 plan year under 
any section 401(k) plan maintained by Employer B, and would have been an 
eligible employee in the 2005 plan year under Plan NP if Plan N and Plan 
P had been permissively aggregated under Sec. 1.410(b)-7(d) for that 
plan year. The NHCEs who were eligible employees under separate plans 
for the 2005 plan year comprise separate prior year subgroups. Thus, 
there are two prior year subgroups under Plan NP for the 2006 testing 
year: the 300 NHCEs who were eligible employees under Plan N for the 
2005 plan year and the 100 NHCEs who were eligible employees under Plan 
P for the 2005 plan year.
    (iv) The weighted average of the ACPs for the prior year subgroups 
is the sum of the adjusted ACP with respect to the prior year subgroup 
that consists of the NHCEs who were eligible employees under Plan N, and 
the adjusted ACP with respect to the prior year subgroup that consists 
of the NHCEs who were eligible employees under Plan P. The adjusted ACP 
for the prior year subgroup that consists of the NHCEs who were eligible 
employees under Plan N is 4.5%, calculated as follows: 6% (the ACP for 
the NHCEs under Plan N for the prior year) x 300/400 (the number of 
NHCEs in that prior year subgroup divided by the total number of NHCEs 
in all prior year subgroups), which equals 4.5%. The adjusted ACP for 
the prior year subgroup that consists of the NHCEs who were eligible 
employees under Plan P is 1%, calculated as follows: 4% (the ACP for the 
NHCEs under Plan P for the prior year) x 100/400 (the number of NHCEs in 
that prior year subgroup divided by the total number of NHCEs in all 
prior year subgroups), which equals 1%. Thus, the prior year ACP for 
NHCEs under Plan NP for the 2006 testing year is 5.5% (the sum of 
adjusted ACPs for the prior year subgroups, 4.5% plus 1%).

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78184, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 
10, Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8210, Feb. 24, 2009; 74 FR 12551, 
Mar. 25, 2009]



Sec. 1.401(m)-3  Safe harbor requirements.

    (a) ACP test safe harbor--(1) Section 401(m)(11) safe harbor. 
Matching contributions under a plan satisfy the ACP safe harbor 
provisions of section 401(m)(11) for a plan year if the plan satisfies 
the safe harbor contribution requirement of paragraph (b) or (c) of this 
section for the plan year, the limitations on matching contributions of 
paragraph (d) of this section, the notice requirement of paragraph (e) 
of this section, the plan year requirements of paragraph (f) of this 
section, and the additional rules of paragraphs (g), (h) and (j) of this 
section, as applicable.
    (2) Section 401(m)(12) safe harbor. For a plan year beginning on or 
after January 1, 2008, matching contributions under a plan satisfy the 
ACP safe harbor provisions of section 401(m)(12) for a plan year if the 
matching contributions are made with respect to an automatic 
contribution arrangement described in paragraph Sec. 1.401(k)-3(j) that 
satisfies the safe harbor requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3, the 
limitations on matching contributions of paragraph (d) of this section, 
the notice requirement of paragraph (e) of this section, the plan year 
requirements of paragraph (f) of this section, and the additional rules 
of paragraphs (g), (h) and (j) of this section, as applicable.
    (3) Requirements applicable to safe harbor contributions. Pursuant 
to sections 401(k)(12)(E)(ii) and 401(k)(13)(D)(iv), the safe harbor 
contribution requirement of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section and 
Sec. 1.401(k)-3(k) must be satisfied without regard to section 401(l). 
The contributions made under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section and 
Sec. 1.401(k)-3(k) are referred to as safe harbor nonelective 
contributions and safe harbor matching contributions.
    (b) Safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement. A plan 
satisfies the safe harbor nonelective contribution requirement of this 
paragraph (b) if it satisfies the safe harbor nonelective contribution 
requirement of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(b).
    (c) Safe harbor matching contribution requirement. A plan satisfies 
the safe harbor matching contribution requirement of this paragraph (c) 
if it satisfies the safe harbor matching contribution requirement of 
Sec. 1.401(k)-3(c).
    (d) Limitation on contributions--(1) General rule. A plan that 
provides for matching contributions meets the requirements of this 
section only if it satisfies the limitations on contributions set forth 
in this paragraph (d).
    (2) Matching rate must not increase. A plan that provides for 
matching contributions meets the requirements of this paragraph (d) only 
if the ratio of

[[Page 393]]

matching contributions on behalf of an employee under the plan for a 
plan year to the employee's elective deferrals and employee 
contributions, does not increase as the amount of an employee's elective 
deferrals and employee contributions increases.
    (3) Limit on matching contributions. A plan that provides for 
matching contributions satisfies the requirements of this section only 
if--
    (i) Matching contributions are not made with respect to elective 
deferrals or employee contributions that exceed 6% of the employee's 
safe harbor compensation (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(b)(2)); 
and
    (ii) Matching contributions that are discretionary do not exceed 4% 
of the employee's safe harbor compensation.
    (4) Limitation on rate of match. A plan meets the requirements of 
this section only if the ratio of matching contributions on behalf of an 
HCE to that HCE's elective deferrals or employee contributions (or the 
sum of elective deferrals and employee contributions) for that plan year 
is no greater than the ratio of matching contributions to elective 
deferrals or employee contributions (or the sum of elective deferrals 
and employee contributions) that would apply with respect to any NHCE 
for whom the elective deferrals or employee contributions (or the sum of 
elective deferrals and employee contributions) are the same percentage 
of safe harbor compensation. An employee is taken into account for 
purposes of this paragraph (d)(4) if the employee is an eligible 
employee under the cash or deferred arrangement with respect to which 
the contributions required by paragraph (b) or (c) of this section are 
being made for a plan year. A plan will not fail to satisfy this 
paragraph (d)(4) merely because the plan provides that matching 
contributions will be made separately with respect to each payroll 
period (or with respect to all payroll periods ending with or within 
each month or quarter of a plan year) taken into account under the plan 
for the plan year, provided that matching contributions with respect to 
any elective deferrals or employee contributions made during a plan year 
quarter are contributed to the plan by the last day of the immediately 
following plan year quarter.
    (5) HCEs participating in multiple plans. The rules of section 
401(m)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(3)(ii) apply for purposes of 
determining the rate of matching contributions under paragraph (d)(4) of 
this section. However, a plan will not fail to satisfy the safe harbor 
matching contribution requirements of this section merely because an HCE 
participates during the plan year in more than one plan that provides 
for matching contributions, provided that--
    (i) The HCE is not simultaneously an eligible employee under two 
plans that provide for matching contributions maintained by an employer 
for a plan year; and
    (ii) The period used to determine compensation for purposes of 
determining matching contributions under each such plan is limited to 
periods when the HCE participated in the plan.
    (6) Permissible restrictions on elective deferrals by NHCEs--(i) 
General rule. A plan does not satisfy the safe harbor requirements of 
this section, if elective deferrals or employee contributions by NHCEs 
are restricted, unless the restrictions are permitted by this paragraph 
(d)(6).
    (ii) Restrictions on election periods. A plan may limit the 
frequency and duration of periods in which eligible employees may make 
or change contribution elections under a plan. However, an employee must 
have a reasonable opportunity (including a reasonable period after 
receipt of the notice described in paragraph (e) of this section) to 
make or change a contribution election for the plan year. For purposes 
of this section, a 30-day period is deemed to be a reasonable period to 
make or change a contribution election.
    (iii) Restrictions on amount of contributions. A plan is permitted 
to limit the amount of contributions that may be made by an eligible 
employee under a plan, provided that each NHCE who is an eligible 
employee is permitted (unless the employee is restricted under paragraph 
(d)(6)(v) of this section) to make contributions in an amount that is at 
least sufficient to receive the maximum amount of matching contributions 
available under the plan for

[[Page 394]]

the plan year, and the employee is permitted to elect any lesser amount 
of contributions. However, a plan may require eligible employees to make 
contribution elections in whole percentages of compensation or whole 
dollar amounts.
    (iv) Restrictions on types of compensation that may be deferred. A 
plan may limit the types of compensation that may be deferred or 
contributed by an eligible employee under a plan, provided that each 
eligible NHCE is permitted to make contributions under a definition of 
compensation that would be a reasonable definition of compensation 
within the meaning of Sec. 1.414(s)-1(d)(2). Thus, the definition of 
compensation from which contributions may be made is not required to 
satisfy the nondiscrimination requirement of Sec. 1.414(s)-1(d)(3).
    (v) Restrictions due to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. 
A plan may limit the amount of contributions made by an eligible 
employee under a plan--
    (A) Because of the limitations of section 402(g) or section 415;
    (B) Due to a suspension under section 414(u)(12)(B)(ii); or
    (C) Because, on account of a hardship distribution made before 
January 1, 2020, an employee's ability to make contributions has been 
suspended for 6 months.
    (e) Notice requirement. A plan satisfies the notice requirement of 
this paragraph (e) if it satisfies the notice requirement of Sec. 
1.401(k)-3(d).
    (f) Plan year requirement--(1) General rule. Except as provided in 
this paragraph (f) or in paragraph (g) of this section, a plan will fail 
to satisfy the requirements of section 401(m)(11), section 401(m)(12), 
and this section unless plan provisions that satisfy the rules of this 
section are adopted before the first day of that plan year and remain in 
effect for an entire 12-month plan year. In addition, except as provided 
in paragraph (h) of this section or in guidance of general applicability 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), a plan which includes provisions 
that satisfy the rules of this section will not satisfy the requirements 
of Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b) if it is amended to change such provisions for 
that plan year. Moreover, if, as described in paragraph (j)(4) of this 
section, safe harbor matching or nonelective contributions will be made 
to another plan for a plan year, provisions under that other plan 
specifying that the safe harbor contributions will be made and providing 
that the contributions will be QNECs or QMACs must also be adopted 
before the first day of that plan year.
    (2) Initial plan year. A newly established plan (other than a 
successor plan within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(m)-2(c)(2)(iii)) will 
not be treated as violating the requirements of this paragraph (f) 
merely because the plan year is less than 12 months, provided that the 
plan year is at least 3 months long (or, in the case of a newly 
established employer that establishes the plan as soon as 
administratively feasible after the employer comes into existence, a 
shorter period). Similarly, a plan will not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of this paragraph (f) for the first plan year in which 
matching contributions are provided under the plan provided that--
    (i) The plan is not a successor plan; and
    (ii) The amendment providing for matching contributions is made 
effective at the same time as the adoption of a cash or deferred 
arrangement that satisfies the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3, taking 
into account the rules of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(e)(2).
    (3) Change of plan year. A plan that has a short plan year as a 
result of changing its plan year will not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section merely because the plan 
year has less than 12 months, provided that--
    (i) The plan satisfied the requirements of this section for the 
immediately preceding plan year; and
    (ii) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (determined 
without regard to paragraph (h) of this section) for the immediately 
following plan year or for the immediately following 12 months if the 
immediately following plan year is less than 12 months.
    (4) Final plan year. A plan that terminates during a plan year will 
not fail to satisfy the requirements of paragraph

[[Page 395]]

(f)(1) of this section merely because the final plan year is less than 
12 months, provided that the plan satisfies the requirement of this 
section through the date of termination and either--
    (i) The plan would satisfy the requirements of paragraph (h) of this 
section, treating the termination of the plan as a reduction or 
suspension of safe harbor contributions, other than the requirements of 
paragraph (h)(1)(i)(A) or (h)(1)(ii)(A) of this section (relating to the 
employer's financial condition and information included in the initial 
notice for the plan year) and paragraph (h)(1)(i)(D) or (h)(1)(ii)(D) of 
this section (requiring that employees have a reasonable opportunity to 
change their cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, employee 
contribution elections); or
    (ii) The plan termination is in connection with a transaction 
described in section 410(b)(6)(C) or the employer incurs a substantial 
business hardship, comparable to a substantial business hardship 
described in section 412(c).
    (g) Plan amendments adopting nonelective safe harbor contributions. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (f)(1) of this section, a plan that provides 
for the use of the current year testing method may be amended after the 
first day of the plan year and no later than 30 days before the last day 
of the plan year to adopt the safe harbor method of this section, 
effective as of the first day of the plan year, using nonelective 
contributions under paragraph (b) of this section if the plan satisfies 
the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(f).
    (h) Permissible reduction or suspension of safe harbor 
contributions--(1) General rule--(i) Matching contributions. A plan that 
provides for safe harbor matching contributions intended to satisfy the 
requirements of paragraph (c) of this section for a plan year will not 
fail to satisfy the requirements of section 401(m)(2) merely because the 
plan is amended during the plan year to reduce or suspend safe harbor 
matching contributions on future elective deferrals (and, if applicable, 
employee contributions) provided that--
    (A) In the case of plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, 
the employer either--
    (1) Is operating at an economic loss as described in section 
412(c)(2)(A) for the plan year; or
    (2) Includes in the notice described in paragraph (e) of this 
section, a statement that the plan may be amended during the plan year 
to reduce or suspend safe harbor matching contributions and that the 
reduction or suspension will not apply until at least 30 days after all 
eligible employees are provided notice of the reduction or suspension;
    (B) All eligible employees are provided a supplemental notice that 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section;
    (C) The reduction or suspension of safe harbor matching 
contributions is effective no earlier than the later of the date the 
amendment is adopted or 30 days after eligible employees are provided 
the supplemental notice described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section;
    (D) Eligible employees are given a reasonable opportunity (including 
a reasonable period after receipt of the supplemental notice) prior to 
the reduction or suspension of safe harbor matching contributions to 
change their cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, their 
employee contribution elections;
    (E) The plan is amended to provide that the ACP test will be 
satisfied for the entire plan year in which the reduction or suspension 
occurs using the current year testing method described in Sec. 
1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(ii); and
    (F) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (other than 
this paragraph (h)) with respect to amounts deferred through the 
effective date of the amendment.
    (ii) Nonelective contributions. For plan amendments adopted after 
May 18, 2009, a plan that provides for safe harbor nonelective 
contributions intended to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (b) of 
this section will not fail to satisfy the requirements of section 
401(m)(2) for the plan year merely because the plan is amended during 
the plan year to reduce or suspend safe harbor nonelective contributions 
provided that--
    (A) The employer either--

[[Page 396]]

    (1) Is operating at an economic loss as described in section 
412(c)(2)(A) for the plan year; or
    (2) Includes in the notice described in paragraph (e) of this 
section a statement that the plan may be amended during the plan year to 
reduce or suspend safe harbor nonelective contributions and that the 
reduction or suspension will not apply until at least 30 days after all 
eligible employees are provided notice of the reduction or suspension;
    (B) All eligible employees are provided a supplemental notice that 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section;
    (C) The reduction or suspension of safe harbor nonelective 
contributions is effective no earlier than the later of the date the 
amendment is adopted or 30 days after eligible employees are provided 
the supplemental notice described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section;
    (D) Eligible employees are given a reasonable opportunity (including 
a reasonable period after receipt of the supplemental notice) prior to 
the reduction or suspension of nonelective contributions to change their 
cash or deferred elections and, if applicable, their employee 
contribution elections;
    (E) The plan is amended to provide that the ACP test will be 
satisfied for the entire plan year in which the reduction or suspension 
occurs using the current year testing method described in Sec. 
1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(ii); and
    (F) The plan satisfies the requirements of this section (other than 
this paragraph
    (h)) with respect to safe harbor compensation paid through the 
effective date of the amendment.
    (2) Supplemental notice. The supplemental notice requirement of this 
paragraph (h)(2) is satisfied if each eligible employee is given a 
notice that satisfies the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-3(g)(2).
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Other rules--(1) Contributions taken into account. A 
contribution is taken into account for purposes of this section for a 
plan year under the same rules as Sec. 1.401(k)-3(h)(1).
    (2) Use of safe harbor nonelective contributions to satisfy other 
nondiscrimination tests. A safe harbor nonelective contribution used to 
satisfy the nonelective contribution requirement under paragraph (b) of 
this section may also be taken into account for purposes of determining 
whether a plan satisfies section 401(a)(4) under the same rules as Sec. 
1.401(k)-3(h)(2).
    (3) Early participation rules. Section 401(m)(5)(C) and Sec. 
1.401(m)-2(a)(1)(iii)(A), which provide an alternative nondiscrimination 
rule for certain plans that provide for early participation, do not 
apply for purposes of section 401(m)(11), section 401(m)(12), and this 
section. Thus, a plan is not treated as satisfying this section with 
respect to the eligible employees who have not completed the minimum age 
and service requirements of section 410(a)(1)(A) unless the plan 
satisfies the requirements of this section with respect to such eligible 
employees.
    (4) Satisfying safe harbor contribution requirement under another 
defined contribution plan. Safe harbor matching or nonelective 
contributions may be made to another defined contribution plan under the 
same rules as Sec. 1.401(k)-3(h)(4). Consequently, each NHCE under the 
plan providing for matching contributions must be eligible under the 
same conditions under the other defined contribution plan and the plan 
to which the contributions are made must have the same plan year as the 
plan providing for matching contributions.
    (5) Contributions used only once. Safe harbor matching or 
nonelective contributions cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of 
this section with respect to more than one plan.
    (6) Plan must satisfy ACP with respect to employee contributions. If 
the plan provides for employee contributions, in addition to satisfying 
the requirements of this section, it must also satisfy the ACP test of 
Sec. 1.401(m)-2. See Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(5)(iv) for special rules under 
which the ACP test is permitted to be performed disregarding some or all 
matching when this section is satisfied with respect to the matching 
contributions.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78184, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9447, 74 FR 
8211, Feb. 24, 2009; T.D. 9641, 78 FR 68738, Nov. 15, 2013; T.D. 9875, 
84 FR 49658, Sept. 23, 2019]

[[Page 397]]



Sec. 1.401(m)-4  Special rules for mergers, acquisitions and similar
events. [Reserved]



Sec. 1.401(m)-5  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise provided, the definitions of this section govern 
for purposes of section 401(m) and the regulations thereunder.
    Actual contribution percentage (ACP). Actual contribution percentage 
or ACP means the ACP of the group of eligible employees as defined in 
Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(i).
    Actual contribution percentage (ACP) test. Actual contribution 
percentage test or ACP test means the test described in Sec. 1.401(m)-
2(a)(1).
    Actual contribution ratio (ACR). Actual contribution ratio or ACR 
means the ACR of an eligible employee as defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-
2(a)(3).
    Actual deferral percentage (ADP) test. Actual deferral percentage 
test or ADP test means the test described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(1).
    Compensation. Compensation means compensation as defined in section 
414(s) and Sec. 1.414(s)-1. The period used to determine an employee's 
compensation for a plan year must be either the plan year or the 
calendar year ending within the plan year. Whichever period is selected 
must be applied uniformly to determine the compensation of every 
eligible employee under the plan for that plan year. A plan may, 
however, limit the period taken into account under either method to that 
portion of the plan year or calendar year in which the employee was an 
eligible employee, provided that this limit is applied uniformly to all 
eligible employees under the plan for the plan year. See also section 
401(a)(17) and Sec. 1.401(a)(17)-1(c)(1). For this purpose, in case of 
an HCE whose ACR is determined under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(a)(3)(ii), period 
of participation includes periods under another plan for which matching 
contributions or employee contributions are aggregated under Sec. 
1.401(m)-2(a)(3)(ii).
    Current year testing method. Current year testing method means the 
testing method under which the applicable year is the current plan year, 
as described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii) or 1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(ii)
    Designated Roth contributions. Designated Roth contributions means 
designated Roth contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(f)(1).
    Elective contributions. Elective contributions means elective 
contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-6.
    Elective deferrals. Elective deferrals means elective deferrals 
described in section 402(g)(3).
    Eligible employee--(1) General rule. Eligible employee means an 
employee who is directly or indirectly eligible to make an employee 
contribution or to receive an allocation of matching contributions 
(including matching contributions derived from forfeitures) under the 
plan for all or a portion of the plan year. For example, if an employee 
must perform purely ministerial or mechanical acts (e.g., formal 
application for participation or consent to payroll withholding) in 
order to be eligible to make an employee contribution for a plan year, 
the employee is an eligible employee for the plan year without regard to 
whether the employee performs these acts.
    (2) Conditions on eligibility. An employee who is unable to make 
employee contributions or to receive an allocation of matching 
contributions because the employee has not contributed to another plan 
is also an eligible employee. By contrast, if an employee must perform 
additional service (e.g., satisfy a minimum period of service 
requirement) in order to be eligible to make an employee contribution or 
to receive an allocation of matching contributions for a plan year, the 
employee is not an eligible employee for the plan year unless the 
service is actually performed. An employee who would be eligible to make 
employee contributions but for a suspension due to a distribution, a 
loan, or an election not to participate in the plan, is treated as an 
eligible employee for purposes of section 401(m) for a plan year even 
though the employee may not make employee contributions or receive an 
allocation of matching contributions by reason of the suspension. 
Finally, an employee does not fail to be treated as an eligible employee 
merely because the employee may receive no additional annual additions 
because of section 415(c)(1).

[[Page 398]]

    (3) Certain one-time elections. An employee is not an eligible 
employee merely because the employee, no later than the employee's first 
becoming eligible under any plan or arrangement described in section 
219(g)(5)(A) and providing for employee or matching contributions, is 
given a one-time opportunity to elect, and the employee in fact does 
elect, not to be eligible to make employee contributions or to receive 
allocations of matching contributions under the plan or any other plan 
or arrangement maintained by the employer (including plans not yet 
established) for the duration of the employee's employment with the 
employer. In no event is an election made after December 23, 1994, 
treated as a one-time irrevocable election under this paragraph if the 
election is made by an employee who previously became eligible under 
another plan or arrangement (whether or not terminated) of the employer.
    Eligible HCE. Eligible HCE means an eligible employee who is an HCE.
    Eligible NHCE. Eligible NHCE means an eligible employee who is not 
an HCE.
    Employee. Employee means an employee within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Employee contributions. Employee contributions means employee 
contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(3).
    Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Employee stock ownership plan 
or ESOP the portion of a plan that is an ESOP within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2).
    Employer. Employer means an employer within the meaning of Sec. 
1.410(b)-9.
    Excess aggregate contributions. Excess aggregate contributions 
means, with respect to a plan year, the amount of excess aggregate 
contributions apportioned to an HCE under Sec. 1.401(m)-2(b)(2)(iii).
    Excess contributions. Excess contributions means with respect to a 
plan year, the amount of excess contributions apportioned to an HCE 
under Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(2)(iii).
    Excess deferrals. Excess deferrals means excess deferrals as defined 
in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(3).
    Highly compensated employee (HCE). Highly compensated employee or 
HCE has the meaning provided in section 414(q).
    Matching contributions. Matching contribution is defined in Sec. 
1.401(m)-1(a)(2).
    Nonelective contributions. Nonelective contributions means employer 
contributions (other than matching contributions) with respect to which 
the employee may not elect to have the contributions paid to the 
employee in cash or other benefits instead of being contributed to the 
plan.
    Non-employee stock ownership plan (non-ESOP). Non-employee stock 
ownership plan or non-ESOP means the portion of a plan that is not an 
ESOP within the meaning of Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2).
    Non-highly compensated employee (NHCE). Non-highly compensated 
employee or NHCE means an employee who is not an HCE.
    Plan. Plan means plan as defined in Sec. 1.401(m)-1(b)(4).
    Prior year testing method. Prior year testing method means the 
testing method under which the applicable year is the prior plan year, 
as described in Sec. 1.401(k)-2(a)(2)(ii) or 1.401(m)-2(a)(2)(ii)
    Qualified matching contributions (QMACs). Qualified matching 
contributions or QMACs means qualified matching contributions or QMACs 
as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-6.
    Qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs). Qualified nonelective 
contributions or QNECs means qualified nonelective contributions or 
QNECs as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-6.

[T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78184, Dec. 29, 2004, as amended by T.D. 9237, 71 FR 
10, Jan. 3, 2006; T.D. 9835, 83 FR 34471, July 20, 2018]



Sec. 1.402(a)-1  Taxability of beneficiary under a trust which meets 
the requirements of section 401(a).

    (a) In general. (1)(i) Section 402 relates to the taxation of the 
beneficiary of an employees' trust. If an employer makes a contribution 
for the benefit of an employee to a trust described in section 401(a) 
for the taxable year of the employer which ends within or with a taxable 
year of the trust for which the trust is exempt under section 501(a), 
the employee is not required to include such contribution in his income 
except for the year or years in which such contribution is distributed 
or made

[[Page 399]]

available to him. It is immaterial in the case of contributions to an 
exempt trust whether the employee's rights in the contributions to the 
trust are forfeitable or nonforfeitable either at the time the 
contribution is made to the trust or thereafter.
    (ii) The provisions of section 402(a) relate only to a distribution 
by a trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt under section 
501(a) for the taxable year of the trust in which the distribution is 
made. With two exceptions, the distribution from such an exempt trust 
when received or made available is taxable to the distributee to the 
extent provided in section 72 (relating to annuities). First, for 
taxable years beginning before January 1, 1964, section 72(e)(3) 
(relating to the treatment of certain lump sums), as in effect before 
such date, shall not apply to such distributions. For taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 1963, such distributions may be taken into 
account in computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to 
income averaging). Secondly, certain total distributions described in 
section 402(a)(2) are taxable as long-term capital gains. For the 
treatment of such total distributions, see subparagraph (6) of this 
paragraph. Under certain circumstances, an amount representing the 
unrealized appreciation in the value of the securities of the employer 
is excludable from gross income for the year of distribution. For the 
rules relating to such exclusion, see paragraph (b) of this section. 
Paragraph (e) of this section provides rules relating to use of a 
qualified pension, annuity, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan to 
provide accident or health benefits or coverage otherwise described in 
sections 104, 105, or 106.
    (iii) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a 
distribution of property by a trust described in section 401(a) and 
exempt under section 501(a) shall be taken into account by the 
distributee at its fair market value. In the case of a distribution of a 
life insurance contract, retirement income contract, endowment contract, 
or other contract providing life insurance protection, or any interest 
therein, the policy cash value and all other rights under such contract 
(including any supplemental agreements thereto and whether or not 
guaranteed) are included in determining the fair market value of the 
contract. In addition, in the case of a transfer of property that occurs 
on or after August 29, 2005 where a trust described in section 401(a) 
and exempt under section 501(a) transfers property to a plan participant 
or beneficiary in exchange for consideration and where the fair market 
value of the property transferred exceeds the value of the 
consideration, then the excess of the fair market value of the property 
transferred by the trust over the value of the consideration received by 
the trust is treated as a distribution to the distributee under the plan 
for all purposes under the Internal Revenue Code. Where such a transfer 
occurs before that date, the excess of the fair market value of the 
property transferred by the trust over the value of the consideration 
received by the trust is includible in the gross income of the 
participant or beneficiary under section 61. However, such a transfer of 
a life insurance contract, retirement income contract, endowment 
contract, or other contract providing life insurance protection 
occurring before that date is not treated as a distribution for purposes 
of applying the requirements of subchapter D of chapter 1 of subtitle A 
of the Internal Revenue Code.
    (iv) If a trust is exempt for the taxable year in which the 
distribution occurs, but was not so exempt for one or more prior taxable 
years under section 501(a) (or under section 165(a) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1939 for years to which such section was applicable), 
the contributions of the employer which were includible in the gross 
income of the employee for the taxable year when made shall, in 
accordance with section 72(f), also be treated as part of the 
consideration paid by the employee.
    (v) If the trust is not exempt at the time the distribution is 
received by or made available to the employee, see section 402(b) and 
paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.402(b)-1.
    (vi) For the treatment of amounts paid to provide medical benefits 
described in section 401(h) as defined in paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-
14, see paragraph (h) of Sec. 1.72-15.

[[Page 400]]

    (2) If a trust described in section 401(a) and exempt under section 
501(a) purchases an annuity contract for an employee and distributes it 
to the employee in a year in which the trust is exempt, and the contract 
contains a cash surrender value which may be available to an employee by 
surrendering the contract, such cash surrender value will not be 
considered income to the employee unless and until the contract is 
surrendered. For the rule as to nontransferability of annuity contracts 
issued after 1962, see Sec. 1.401-9(b)(1). For additional requirements 
regarding distributions of annuity contracts, see, e.g., Sec. Sec. 
1.401(a)-20, Q&A-2, 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-17, and 1.401(a)(9)-6, Q&A-4. 
However, the distribution of an annuity contract must be treated as a 
lump sum distribution for purposes of determining the amount of tax 
under the 10-year averaging rule of section 402(e) (as in effect prior 
to amendment by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 100 Stat. 
2085). If, however, the contract distributed by such exempt trust is a 
life insurance contract, retirement income contract, endowment contract, 
or other contract providing life insurance protection, the fair market 
value of the contract at the time of distribution must be included in 
the distributee's income in accordance with the provisions of section 
402(a), except to the extent that, within 60 days after the distribution 
of the contract, all or any portion of such value is irrevocably 
converted into a contract under which no part of any proceeds payable on 
death at any time would be excludable under section 101(a) (relating to 
life insurance proceeds), or the contract is treated as a rollover 
contribution under section 402(c). If the contract distributed by such 
trust is a transferable annuity contract, or a retirement income, 
endowment, or other life insurance contract and such contract is not 
treated as a rollover contribution under section 402(c), then, 
notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the fair market value of the 
contract is includible in the distributee's gross income unless, within 
such 60 days, such contract is made nontransferable.
    (3) For the rules applicable to premiums paid by a trust described 
in section 401(a) and exempt under section 501(a) for the purchase of 
retirement income, endowment, or other contracts providing life 
insurance protection payable upon the death of the employee-participant, 
see paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.72-16.
    (4) For the rules applicable to the amounts payable by reason of the 
death of an employee under a contract providing life insurance 
protection, or an annuity contract, purchased by a trust described in 
section 401(a) and exempt under section 501(a), see paragraph (c) of 
Sec. 1.72-16.
    (5) If pension or annuity payments or other benefits are paid or 
made available to the beneficiary of a deceased employee or a deceased 
retired employee by a trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt 
under section 501(a), such amounts are taxable in accordance with the 
rules of section 402(a) and this section. In case such amounts are 
taxable under section 72, the ``investment in the contract'' shall be 
determined by reference to the amount contributed by the employee and by 
applying the applicable rules of sections 72 and 101(b)(2)(D). In case 
the amounts paid to, or includible in the gross income of, the 
beneficiaries of the deceased employee or deceased retired employee 
constitute a distribution to which subparagraph (6) of this paragraph is 
applicable, the extent to which the distribution is taxable is 
determined by reference to the contributions of the employee, by 
reference to any prior distributions which were excludable from gross 
income as a return of employee contributions, and by applying the 
applicable rules of sections 72 and 101(b).
    (6)(i) If the total distributions payable with respect to any 
employee under a trust described in section 401(a) which in the year of 
distribution is exempt under section 501(a) are paid to, or includible 
in the gross income of, the distributee within one taxable year of the 
distributee on account of the employee's death or other separation from 
the service, or death after such separation from service, the amount of 
such distribution, to the extent it exceeds the net amount contributed 
by the employee, shall be considered a gain from the sale or exchange of 
a

[[Page 401]]

capital asset held for more than six months. The total distributions 
payable are includible in the gross income of the distributee within one 
taxable year if they are made available to such distributee and the 
distributee fails to make a timely election under section 72(h) to 
receive an annuity in lieu of such total distributions. The ``net amount 
contributed by the employee'' is the amount actually contributed by the 
employee plus any amounts considered to be contributed by the employee 
under the rules of section 72(f), 101(b), and subparagraph (3) of this 
paragraph, reduced by any amounts theretofore distributed to him which 
were excludable from gross income as a return of employee contributions. 
See, however, paragraph (b) of this section for rules relating to the 
exclusion of amounts representing net unrealized appreciation in the 
value of securities of the employer corporation. In addition, all or 
part of the amount otherwise includible in gross income under this 
paragraph by a non-resident alien individual in respect of a 
distribution by the United States under a qualified pension plan may be 
excludable from gross income under section 402(a)(4). For rules relating 
to such exclusion, see paragraph (c) of this section. For additional 
rules relating to the treatment of total distributions described in this 
subdivision in the case of a nonresident alien individual, see sections 
871 and 1441 and the regulations thereunder.
    (ii) The term ``total distributions payable'' means the balance to 
the credit of an employee which becomes payable to a distributee on 
account of the employee's death or other separation from the service or 
on account of his death after separation from the service. Thus, 
distributions made before a total distribution (for example, annuity 
payments received by the employee after retirement), will not defeat 
application of the capital gains treatment with respect to the total 
distributions received by a beneficiary upon the death of the employee 
after retirement. However, a distribution on separation from service 
will not receive capital gains treatment unless it constitutes the total 
amount in the employee's account at the time of his separation from 
service. If the total amount in the employee's account at the time of 
his death or other separation from the service or death after separation 
from the service is paid or includible in the gross income of the 
distributee within one taxable year of the distributee, such amount is 
entitled to the capital gains treatment notwithstanding that in a later 
taxable year an additional amount, attributable to the last year of 
service, is credited to the account of the employee and distributed.
    (iii) If an employee retires and commences to receive an annuity but 
subsequently, in some succeeding taxable year, is paid a lump sum in 
settlement of all future annuity payments, the capital gains treatment 
does not apply to such lump sum settlement paid during the lifetime of 
the employee since it is not a payment on account of separation from the 
service, or death after separation, but is on account of the settlement 
of future annuity payments.
    (iv) If the ``total distributions payable'' are paid or includible 
in the gross income of several distributees within one taxable year on 
account of the employee's death or other separation from the service or 
on account of his death after separation from the service, the capital 
gains treatment is applicable. The total distributions payable are paid 
within one taxable year of the distributees when, for example, a portion 
of such total is distributed in cash to one distributee and the balance 
is used to purchase an annuity contract which is distributed to the 
other distributee. However, if the share of any distributee is not paid 
or includible in his gross income within the same taxable year in which 
the shares of the other distributees are paid or includible in their 
gross income, none of the distributees is entitled to the capital gains 
treatment, since the total distributions payable are not paid or 
includible in the distributees' gross income within one taxable year. 
For example, if the total distributions payable are made available to 
each of two distributees and one elects to receive his share in cash 
while the other makes a timely election under section 72(h) to

[[Page 402]]

receive his share in installment payments from the trust, the capital 
gains treatment does not apply to either distributee.
    (v) [Reserved]
    (vi) The term ``total distributions payable'' does not include 
United States Retirement Plan Bonds held by a trust to the credit of an 
employee. Thus, a distribution by a qualified trust may constitute a 
total distributions payable with respect to an employee even though the 
trust retains retirement plan bonds registered in the name of such 
employee. Similarly, the proceeds of a retirement plan bond received as 
a part of the total amount to the credit of an employee will not be 
entitled to capital gains treatment.
    (vii) For purposes of determining whether the total distributions 
payable to an employee have been distributed within one taxable year, 
the term ``total distributions payable'' includes amounts held by a 
trust to the credit of an employee which are attributable to 
contributions on behalf of the employee while he was a self-employed 
individual in the business with respect to which the plan was 
established. Thus, a distribution by a qualified trust is not a total 
distributions payable with respect to an employee if the trust retains 
amounts which are so attributable.
    (viii) The term ``total distributions payable'' does not include any 
amount which has been placed in a separate account for the funding of 
medical benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in paragraph (a) 
of Sec. 1.401-14. Thus, a distribution by a qualified trust may 
constitute a total distributions payable with respect to an employee 
even though the trust retains amounts attributable to the funding of 
medical benefits described in section 401(h).
    (7) The capital gains treatment provided by section 402(a)(2) and 
subparagraph (6) of this paragraph is not applicable to distributions 
paid to a distributee to the extent such distributions are attributable 
to contributions made on behalf of an employee while he was a self-
employed individual in the business with respect to which the plan was 
established. For the taxation of such amounts, see Sec. 1.72-18. For 
the rules for determining the amount attributable to contributions on 
behalf of an employee while he was self-employed, see paragraphs (b)(4) 
and (c)(2) of such section.
    (8) For purposes of this section, the term ``employee'' includes a 
self-employed individual who is treated as an employee under section 
401(c)(1), and paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.401-10, and the term 
``employer'' means the person treated as the employer of such individual 
under section 401(c)(4).
    (b) Distributions including securities of the employer corporation--
(1) In general. (i) If a trust described in section 401(a) which is 
exempt under section 501(a) makes a distribution to a distributee, and 
such distribution includes securities of the employer corporation, the 
amount of any net unrealized appreciation in such securities shall be 
excluded from the distributee's income in the year of such distribution 
to the following extent:
    (A) If the distribution constitutes a total distribution to which 
the regulations of paragraph (a)(6) of this section are applicable, the 
amount to be excluded is the entire net unrealized appreciation 
attributable to that part of the total distribution which consists of 
securities of the employer corporation; and
    (B) If the distribution is other than a total distribution to which 
paragraph (a)(6) of this section is applicable, the amount to be 
excluded is that portion of the net unrealized appreciation in the 
securities of the employer corporation which is attributable to the 
amount considered to be contributed by the employee to the purchase of 
such securities.

The amount of net unrealized appreciation which is excludable under the 
regulations of (A) and (B) of this subdivision shall not be included in 
the basis of the securities in the hands of the distributee at the time 
of distribution for purposes of determining gain or loss on their 
subsequent disposition. In the case of a total distribution the amount 
of net unrealized appreciation which is not included in the basis of the 
securities in the hands of the distributee at the time of distribution 
shall be considered as a gain from the sale or exchange of a capital 
asset held for more

[[Page 403]]

than six months to the extent that such appreciation is realized in a 
subsequent taxable transaction. However, if the net gain realized by the 
distributee in a subsequent taxable transaction exceeds the amount of 
the net unrealized appreciation at the time of distribution, such excess 
shall constitute a long-term or short-term capital gain depending upon 
the holding period of the securities in the hands of the distributee.
    (ii) For purposes of section 402(a) and of this section, the term 
``securities'' means only shares of stock and bonds or debentures issued 
by a corporation with interest coupons or in registered form, and the 
term ``securities of the employer corporation'' includes securities of a 
parent or subsidiary corporation (as defined in subsections (e) and (f) 
of section 425) of the employer corporation.
    (2) Determination of net unrealized appreciation. (i) The amount of 
net unrealized appreciation in securities of the employer corporation 
which are distributed by the trust is the excess of the market value of 
such securities at the time of distribution over the cost or other basis 
of such securities to the trust. Thus, if a distribution consists in 
part of securities which have appreciated in value and in part of 
securities which have depreciated in value, the net unrealized 
appreciation shall be considered to consist of the net increase in value 
of all of the securities included in the distribution. For this purpose, 
two or more distributions made by a trust to a distributee in a single 
taxable year of the distributee shall be treated as a single 
distribution.
    (ii) For the purpose of determining the net unrealized appreciation 
on a distributed security of the employer corporation, the cost or other 
basis of such security to the trust shall be computed in accordance with 
whichever of the following rules is applicable:
    (A) If a security was earmarked for the account of a particular 
employee at the time it was purchased by or contributed to the trust so 
that the cost or other basis of such security to the trust is reflected 
in the account of such employee, such cost or other basis shall be used.
    (B) If as of the close of each taxable year of the trust (or other 
specified period of time not in excess of 12 consecutive calendar 
months) the trust allocates among the accounts of participating 
employees all securities acquired by the trust during the period 
(exclusive of securities unallocated under a plan providing for 
allocation in whole shares only), the cost or other basis to the trust 
of any securities allocated as of the close of a particular allocation 
period shall be the average cost or other basis to the trust of all 
securities of the same type which were purchased or otherwise acquired 
by the trust during such allocation period. For purposes of determining 
the average cost to the trust of securities included in a subsequent 
allocation, the actual cost to the trust of the securities unallocated 
as of the close of a prior allocation period shall be deemed to be the 
average cost or other basis to the trust of securities of the same type 
allocated as of the close of such prior allocation period.
    (C) In a case where neither (a) nor (b) of this subdivision is 
applicable, if the trust fund, or a specified portion thereof, is 
invested exclusively in one particular type of security of the employer 
corporation, and if during the period the distributee participated in 
the plan none of such securities has been sold except for the purpose of 
paying benefits under the trust or for the purpose of enabling the 
trustee to obtain funds with which to exercise rights which have accrued 
to the trust, the cost or other basis to the trust of all securities 
distributed to such distributee shall be the total amount credited to 
the account of such distributee (or such portion thereof as was 
available for investment in such securities) reduced by the amount 
available for investment but uninvested on the date of distribution. If 
at the time of distribution to a particular distributee a portion of the 
amount credited to his account is forfeited, appropriate adjustment 
shall be made with respect thereto in determining the cost or other 
basis to the trust of the securities distributed.
    (D)(1) In all other cases, there shall be used the average cost (or 
other basis) to the trust of all securities of the employer corporation 
of the type

[[Page 404]]

distributed to the distributee which the trust has on hand at the time 
of the distribution, or which the trust had on hand on a specified 
inventory date which date does not precede the date of distribution by 
more than twelve calendar months. If a distribution includes securities 
of the employer corporation of more than one type, the average cost (or 
other basis) to the trust of each type of security distributed shall be 
determined. The average cost to the trust of securities of the employer 
corporation on hand on a specified inventory date (or on hand at the 
time of distribution) shall be computed on the basis of their actual 
cost, considering the securities most recently purchased to be those on 
hand, or by means of a moving average calculated by subtracting from the 
total cost of securities on hand immediately preceding a particular sale 
or distribution an amount computed by multiplying the number of 
securities sold or distributed by the average cost of all securities on 
hand preceding such sale or distribution.
    (2) These methods of computing average cost may be illustrated by 
the following examples:

    Example 1. A, a distributee who makes his income tax returns on the 
basis of a calendar year, receives on August 1, 1954, in a total 
distribution, to which paragraph (a)(6) of this section is applicable, 
ten shares of class D stock of the employer corporation. On July 1, 1954 
(the specified inventory date of the trust), the trust had on hand 80 
shares of class D stock. The average cost of the 10 shares distributed, 
on the basis of the actual cost method, is $100 computed as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Cost
              Shares                  Purchase date       per     Total
                                                         share     cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
20...............................  June 24, 1954......     $101   $2,020
40...............................  Jan. 10, 1953......      102    4,080
20...............................  Oct. 20, 1952......       95    1,900
----------------------------------                              --------
80...............................  ...................    8,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 2. B, a distributee who makes his income tax returns on the 
basis of a calendar year, receives on October 31, 1954, in a total 
distribution, to which paragraph (a)(6) of this section is applicable, 
20 shares of class E stock of the employer corporation. The specified 
inventory date of the trust is the last day of each calendar year. The 
trust had on hand on December 31, 1952, 1,000 shares of class E stock of 
the employer corporation. During the calendar year 1953 the trust 
distributed to four distributees a total of 100 shares of such stock and 
acquired, through a number of purchases, a total of 120 shares. The 
average cost of the 20 shares distributed to B, on the basis of the 
moving average method, is $52 computed as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total    Average
                                              Shares    cost      cost
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On hand Dec. 31, 1952......................    1,000   $50,000       $50
Distributed during 1953 at average cost of       100     5,000       (0)
 $50.......................................
                                            ----------------------------
                                                 900    45,000       (0)
Purchased during 1953......................      120     8,000       (0)
On hand Dec. 31, 1953......................    1,020    53,040        52
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Unrealized appreciation attributable to employee contributions. 
In any case in which it is necessary to determine the amount of net 
unrealized appreciation in securities of the employer corporation which 
is attributable to contributions made by an employee:
    (i) The cost or other basis of the securities to the trust and the 
amount of net unrealized appreciation shall first be determined in 
accordance with the regulations in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph;
    (ii) The amount contributed by the employee to the purchase of the 
securities shall be solely the portion of his actual contributions to 
the trust properly allocable to such securities, and shall not include 
any part of the increment in the trust fund expended in the purchase of 
the securities;
    (iii) The amount of net unrealized appreciation in the securities 
distributed which is attributable to the contributions of the employee 
shall be that proportion of the net unrealized appreciation determined 
under the regulations of subparagraph (2) of this paragraph which the 
contributions of the employee properly allocable to such securities bear 
to the cost or other basis to the trust of the securities;
    (iv) If a distribution consists solely of securities of the employer 
corporation, the contributions of the employee expended in the purchase 
of such securities shall be allocated to the securities distributed in a 
manner consistent with the principles set forth in subparagraph (2)(ii) 
(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this paragraph, whichever is applicable. Thus, 
the amount of the employee's contribution which can be identified as 
having been expended in the purchase of a particular security shall

[[Page 405]]

be allocated to such security, and the amount of such contribution which 
cannot be so identified shall be allocated ratably among the securities 
distributed. If a distribution consists in part of securities of the 
employer corporation and in part of cash or other property, appropriate 
allocation of a portion of the employee's contribution to such cash or 
other property shall be made unless such a location is inconsistent with 
the terms of the plan or trust.
    (v) The application of this subparagraph may be illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. A trust distributes ten shares of stock issued by the 
employer corporation each of which has an average cost to the trust of 
$100, consisting of employee contributions in the amount of $60 and 
employer contributions in the amount of $40, and on the date of 
distribution has a fair market value of $180. The portion of the net 
unrealized appreciation attributable to the contributions of the 
employee with respect to each of the shares of stock is $48 computed as 
follows:

(1) Value of one share of stock on distribution date............    $180
                                                                 =======
(2) Employee contributions......................................      60
(3) Employer contributions......................................      40
                                                                 -------
(4) Total contributions.........................................     100
                                                                 =======
(5) Net unrealized appreciation.................................      80
(6) Portion of net unrealized appreciation attributable to            48
 employee contributions \60/100\ (amount of employee
 contributions (item 2) over total contributions (item 4) of $80
 (item 5).......................................................
 

    (vi) For the purpose of determining gain or loss to the distributee 
in the year or years in which any share of stock referred to in the 
example in subdivision (v) of this subparagraph is sold or otherwise 
disposed of in a taxable transaction, the basis of each such share in 
the hands of the distributee at the time of the distribution by the 
trust will be $132 computed as follows:

(a) Employee contributions......................................     $60
(b) Employer contributions (taxable as ordinary income in the         40
 year the securities were distributed)..........................
(c) Portion of net unrealized appreciation attributable to            32
 employer contributions (item 5) minus (item 6) (taxable as
 ordinary income in the year the securities were distributed)...
                                                                 -------
(d) Basis of stock..............................................     132
 

    (4) Change in exempt status of trust. For principles applicable in 
making appropriate adjustments if the trust was not exempt for one or 
more years before the year of distribution, see paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (c) Certain distributions by United States to nonresident alien 
individuals. (1) This paragraph applies to a distribution--
    (i) Which is made by the United States under a pension plan 
described in section 401(a);
    (ii) Which is made in respect of services performed by an employee 
of the United States; and
    (iii) Which is received by, or made available to, a nonresident 
alien individual (including a nonresident alien individual who is a 
beneficiary of a deceased employee) during a taxable year beginning 
after December 31, 1959.


The amount of such a distribution that is includible in the gross income 
of the nonresident alien individual under section 402(a) (1) or (2) 
shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to the amount 
which would be includible in gross income if it were not for this 
paragraph, as--
    (A) The aggregate basic salary paid by the United States to the 
employee for his services in respect of which the distribution is being 
made, reduced by the amount of such basic salary which was not 
includible in the employee's gross income by reason of being from 
sources without the United States, bears to
    (B) The aggregate basic salary paid by the United States to the 
employee for his services in respect of which the distribution is being 
made.


See section 402(a)(4). See, also, paragraph (a) of this section for 
rules relating to the amount that is includible in gross income under 
section 402(a) (1) or (2) in the case of a distribution under a pension 
plan described in section 401(a).
    (2) For purposes of applying section 402(a)(4) and this paragraph to 
distributions under the Civil Service Retirement Act (5 U.S.C. 2251), 
the term ``basic salary'' shall have the meaning provided in section 
1(d) of such Act. In applying section 402(a)(4) and this paragraph to 
distributions under any other qualified pension plan of the United 
States, such term shall have a similar meaning. Thus, for example, 
``basic salary'' does not, in any case, include bonuses, allowances, or 
overtime pay.

[[Page 406]]

    (3) The rules in this paragraph may be illustrated by the following 
examples:

    Example 1. A, a retired employee of the United States who performed 
all of his services for the United States in a foreign country, 
receives, in respect of such services, a monthly pension of $200 under 
the Civil Service Retirement Act (a pension plan described in section 
410(a)). A received an aggregate basic salary for his services for the 
United States of $100,000. A was a nonresident alien individual during 
the whole of his employment with the United States and, therefore, his 
basic salary from the United States was not includible in his gross 
income by reason of being from sources without the United States. A 
would be requited, under section 72 but without regard to section 
402(a)(4) and this paragraph, to include $60 of each monthly pension 
payment in his gross income. The amount that is includible in A's gross 
income under section 402(a)(1) with respect to the monthly payments 
received during taxable years beginning after December 31, 1959, and 
while A is a nonresident alien individual, is computed as follows:

(i) Amount of distribution includible in gross income under          $60
 section 72 without regard to section 402(a)(4)...............
(ii) Aggregate basic salary for services for United States....   100,000
(iii) Aggregate basic salary for services for United States            0
 reduced by amount of such salary not includible in A's gross
 income by reason of being from sources without the United
 States.......................................................
(iv) Amount includible in A's gross income under section               0
 402(a)(1) ((iii) / (ii) x (i), or $0/$100,000 x $60).........
 

    Example 2. B, a retired employee of the United States who performed 
services for the United States both in a foreign country and in the 
United States, receives, in respect of such services, a monthly pension 
of $240 under the Civil Service Retirement Act. B received an aggregate 
basic salary for his services for the United States of $120,000; $80,000 
of which was for his services performed in the United States, and 
$40,000 of which was for his services performed in the foreign country. 
B was a nonresident alien individual during the whole of his employment 
with the United States and, consequently, the $40,000 basic salary for 
his services performed in the foreign country was not includible in his 
gross income by reason of being from sources without the United States. 
B would be required, under section 72 but without regard to section 
402(a)(4) and this paragraph, to include $165 of each monthly pension in 
his gross income. The amount that is includible in B's gross income 
under section 402(a)(1) with respect to the monthly payments received 
during taxable years beginning after December 31, 1959, and while B is a 
nonresident alien individual, is computed as follows:

(i) Amount of distribution includible in gross income under         $165
 section 72 without regard to section 402(a)(4)...............
(ii) Aggregate basic salary for services for United States....   120,000
(iii) Aggregate basic salary for services for United States       80,000
 reduced by amount of such salary not includible in B's gross
 income by reason of being from sources without the United
 States ($120,000-$40,000)....................................
(iv) Amount includible in B's gross income under section             110
 402(a)(1)(iii) / (ii) x (i), or $80,000/$120,000 x $165).....
 

    (d) Salary reduction, cash or deferred arrangements--(1) Inclusion 
in income. Whether a contribution to an exempt trust or plan described 
in section 401(a) or 403(a) is made by the employer or the employee is 
determined on the basis of the particular facts and circumstances of 
each case. Nevertheless, an amount contributed to a plan or trust will, 
except as otherwise provided under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, be 
treated as contributed by the employee if it was contributed at the 
employee's election, even though the election was made before the year 
in which the amount was earned by the employee or before the year in 
which the amount became currently available to the employee. Any amount 
treated as contributed by the employee is includible in the gross income 
of the employee for the year in which the amount would have been 
received by the employee but for the election. Thus, for example, 
amounts contributed to an exempt trust or plan by reason of a salary 
reduction agreement under a cash or deferred arrangement are treated as 
received by the employee when they would have been received by the 
employee but for the election to defer. Accordingly, they are includible 
in the gross income of the employee for that year (except as provided 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section). See Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)(iv) 
and (2)(iv) for the meaning of currently available and cash or deferred 
arrangement, respectively.
    (2) Amounts not included in income--(i) Qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement. Elective contributions as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-6 for a 
plan year made by an employer on behalf of an employee pursuant to a 
cash or deferred election under a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement, as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-

[[Page 407]]

1(a)(4)(i), are not treated as received by or distributed to the 
employee or as employee contributions. For plan years beginning after 
December 31, 1992, whether a cash or deferred election is made under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement is determined without regard to 
the special rules for certain collectively bargained plans contained in 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(5)(iv)(B). As a result, elective contributions under 
these plans are treated as employee contributions for purposes of this 
section if the cash or deferred arrangement does not satisfy the actual 
deferral percentage test of section 401(k)(3) or otherwise fails to be a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
    (ii) Matching contributions. Matching contributions described in 
Sec. 1.401(m)-1(a)(2) and section 401(m)(4) are not treated as 
contributed by an employee merely because they are made by the employer 
as a result of an employee's election.
    (iii) Effect of certain one-time elections. Amounts contributed to 
an exempt plan or trust described in section 401(a) or 403(a) pursuant 
to the one-time irrevocable employee election to participate in a plan 
described in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)(v) are not treated as contributed by 
an employee. Similarly, amounts contributed to an exempt plan or trust 
described in section 401(a) or 403(a) in which self-employed individuals 
may participate pursuant to the one-time irrevocable election described 
in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)(v)(B) are not treated as contributed by an 
employee.
    (3) Effective date and transition rules--(i) Effective date. In the 
case of a plan or trust that does not include a salary reduction or cash 
or deferred arrangement in existence on June 27, 1974, this paragraph 
applies to taxable years ending after that date.
    (ii) Transition rule for cash or deferred arrangements in existence 
on June 27, 1974--(A) General rule. In the case of a plan or trust that 
includes a salary reduction or a cash or deferred arrangement in 
existence on June 27, 1974, this paragraph applies to plan years 
beginning after December 31, 1979 (or, in the case of a pre-ERISA money 
purchase plan, as defined in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(g)(12), plan years 
beginning after July 18, 1984). For plan years beginning prior to 
January 1, 1980 (or, in the case of a pre-ERISA money purchase plan, 
plan years beginning before July 19, 1984), the taxable year of 
inclusion in gross income of the employee of any amount so contributed 
by the employer to the trust is determined in a manner consistent with 
Rev. Rul. 56-497, 1956-2 CB 284, Rev. Rul. 63-180, 1963-2 CB 189, and 
Rev. Rul. 68-89, 1968-1 CB 402.
    (B) Meaning of cash or deferred arrangement in existence on June 27, 
1974. A cash or deferred arrangement is considered as in existence on 
June 27, 1974, if, on or before that date, it was reduced to writing and 
adopted by the employer (including, in the case of a corporate employer, 
formal approval by the employer's board of directors and, if required, 
shareholders), even though no amounts had been contributed pursuant to 
the terms of the arrangement as of that date.
    (iii) Reasonable interpretation for plan years beginning after 1979 
and before 1992. For plan years beginning after December 31, 1979 (or in 
the case of a pre-ERISA money purchase plan, plan years beginning after 
July 18, 1984) and before January 1, 1992, a reasonable interpretation 
of the rules set forth in section 401(k) (as in effect during those 
years) may be relied upon to determine whether contributions were made 
under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement.
    (iv) Special rule for collectively bargained plans. For plan years 
beginning before January 1, 1993, a nonqualified cash or deferred 
arrangement will be treated as satisfying section 401(k)(3) solely for 
purposes of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section if it is part of a plan 
(or portion of a plan) that automatically satisfies section 401(a)(4) 
under Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(5)(iv)(B), relating to certain collectively 
bargained plans.
    (v) Special rule for governmental plans. For plan years beginning 
before the later of January 1, 1996, or 90 days after the opening of the 
first legislative session beginning on or after January 1, 1996, of the 
governing body with authority to amend the plan, if that body does not 
meet continuously, in the case of governmental plans described in 
section 414(d), a nonqualified cash or deferred arrangement will be 
treated as satisfying section 401(k)(3) solely for

[[Page 408]]

purposes of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section if it is part of a plan 
adopted by a state or local government before May 6, 1986. For purposes 
of this paragraph (d)(3)(v), the term governing body with authority to 
amend the plan means the legislature, board, commission, council, or 
other governing body with authority to amend the plan.
    (e) Medical, accident, etc. benefits paid from a qualified pension, 
annuity, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan--(1) Payment of premiums--
(i) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this 
section, a payment made from a qualified trust that is a premium for 
accident or health insurance (including a qualified long-term care 
insurance contract under section 7702B) constitutes a distribution under 
section 402(a) to the participant for whose benefit the premium is 
charged. The amount of the distribution equals the amount of the premium 
charged against the participant's benefits under the plan. If a defined 
contribution plan pays these premiums from a current year contribution 
or forfeiture that has not been allocated to a participant's account, 
then the amount of the premium for each participant is treated as first 
being allocated to the participant and then charged against the 
participant's benefits under the plan, so that the amount of the 
distribution is treated in the same manner as determined under the 
preceding sentence. Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) 
of this section, a distribution described in this paragraph (e)(1) is 
not excludable from gross income.
    (ii) Treatment of amounts received through accident or health 
insurance. To the extent that the payment of a premium for accident or 
health insurance constitutes a distribution under this paragraph (e)(1), 
amounts received through accident or health insurance are neither paid 
by the employer nor attributable to contributions by the employer that 
are excludable from the gross income of the employee. Accordingly, to 
the extent the premium for accident or health insurance constitutes a 
distribution under this paragraph (e)(1), amounts received through the 
accident or health insurance for personal injuries or sickness are 
excludable from gross income under section 104(a)(3) and are not treated 
as distributions from the plan. If those amounts are paid to the plan 
instead of to the employee, those amounts are treated as having been 
paid to the employee and then contributed by the employee to the plan 
(and must satisfy the qualification requirements applicable to employee 
contributions).
    (iii) Exception for disability insurance that replaces retirement 
contributions. The rules of paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section do not 
apply to the payment made from a qualified trust that is a premium paid 
to an insurance company for a contract providing for payment of benefits 
to be made to the trust in the event of an employee's inability to 
continue employment with the employer due to disability, provided that 
the payment of benefits with respect to the employee's account for each 
year does not exceed the reasonable expectation of the annual 
contributions that would have been made to the plan on the employee's 
behalf for the period of disability within that year, reduced by any 
other contributions made on the employee's behalf for the period of 
disability within that year. The payment of premiums described in the 
preceding sentence is not treated as a distribution under section 
402(a), but instead constitutes incidental accident or health insurance 
as provided in Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii). The Commissioner may issue rules 
of general applicability in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin further describing the tax 
treatment of disability coverage described in this paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii).
    (2) Medical benefits for retired employees provided under an account 
described in section 401(h). The payment of medical benefits under a 
pension or annuity plan from an account described in section 401(h) is 
treated in the same manner as a payment of accident or health benefits 
attributable to employer contributions, or employer-provided coverage 
under an accident or health plan. See Sec. 1.401-14(a) for the 
definition of medical benefits described in section 401(h). Accordingly, 
amounts applied for the payment of accident or health benefits, or for 
the payment of accident or health coverage, from a

[[Page 409]]

section 401(h) account are not includible in the gross income of the 
participant on whose behalf such contributions are made to the extent 
they are excludible from gross income under section 104, 105, or 106.
    (3) Distributions to eligible retired public safety officers. See 
section 402(l) (and any guidance issued under section 402(l)) for a 
limited exclusion from gross income for distributions used to pay for 
certain accident or health premiums (including premiums for qualified 
long-term care insurance contracts). This limited exclusion applies to 
eligible retired public safety officers, as defined in section 
402(l)(4)(B).
    (4) Effect of distribution of insurance premiums on plan 
qualification. See Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1) for rules concerning the types 
and amount of medical coverage and benefits that are permitted to be 
provided under a plan that is part of a trust described in section 
401(a). For example, Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii) provides that a profit-
sharing plan is primarily a plan of deferred compensation, but the 
amounts allocated to the account of a participant may be used to provide 
incidental accident or health insurance for the participant and the 
participant's family. See also section 401(k)(2)(B) for certain 
restrictions on the distribution of elective contributions.
    (5) Applicability to beneficiaries and alternate payees. This 
paragraph (e) applies to the payment of premiums charged against the 
benefits of a beneficiary or an alternate payee in the same manner as 
the payment of premiums charged against the account of a participant.
    (6) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (e) are illustrated 
by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. Employer A sponsors a profit-sharing plan 
qualified under section 401(a). The plan provides solely for non-
elective employer profit-sharing contributions. The plan's trustee 
enters into a contract with a third-party insurance carrier to provide 
health insurance for certain plan participants. The insurance contract 
provides for the payment of medical expenses incurred by those 
participants. The plan limits the amounts used to provide medical 
benefits to comply with the incidental benefit rules. The trustee makes 
monthly payments of $1,000 to pay the premiums due for Participant P's 
health insurance and Participant P's account balance is reduced by 
$1,000 at the time of each premium payment. In June 2015, Participant P 
is admitted to the hospital for covered medical care, and in July 2015, 
the health insurer pays the hospital $5,000 for the medical care 
provided to Participant P in June.
    (ii) Conclusion. Under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, each of the 
trustee's payments of $1,000 constitutes a taxable distribution under 
section 402(a) to Participant P on the date of each payment. The amount 
of these distributions may constitute payments for medical care under 
section 213. The $5,000 payment to the hospital is excludable from 
Participant P's gross income under section 104(a)(3) and is not treated 
as a distribution from the plan.
    Example 2. (i) Facts. Employer B sponsors a profit-sharing plan 
qualified under section 401(a). The plan provides for elective 
contributions described in section 401(k) and matching contributions as 
well as non-elective employer profit-sharing contributions. The plan 
does not provide that a disabled participant's compensation for purposes 
of determining plan contributions includes amounts that the participant 
would have received in the absence of the disability, and accordingly 
Employer B does not make any contributions to the plan for the benefit 
of a disabled employee for the period of disability. The plan's trustee 
enters into a contract with a third-party insurance carrier to provide 
disability insurance for plan participants who elect to be covered under 
the insurance contract. The insurance contract provides for the payment 
of an amount to the trustee on a participant's behalf during the period 
of the participant's disability. Amounts to be paid to the trustee from 
the insurance contract with respect to a participant are equal to the 
sum of the elective, matching, and non-elective employer profit-sharing 
contributions that would have been made on the participant's behalf 
during the participant's disability (based on the participant's rate of 
compensation before becoming disabled) with the payments to continue for 
the duration of the disability until age 65 (or 5 years after the 
participant became disabled, if later). Participant Q elects to be 
covered under the insurance contract, and the trustee makes the periodic 
premium payments out of the account balance of Participant Q. In June 
2015, Participant Q becomes disabled. During the period Participant Q is 
absent from employment due to disability, the insurer pays the trust the 
amount of the elective, matching, and non-elective employer profit-
sharing contributions that would have been made to the trust with 
respect to Participant Q had Participant Q not been disabled. The amount 
of the premiums

[[Page 410]]

for the insurance contract satisfies the limitations on incidental 
benefits under Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii).
    (ii) Conclusion. The payment of premiums from the trust is described 
in paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section. Accordingly, none of the 
premium payments under the contract constitute a distribution under 
section 402(a) to Participant Q. Further, amounts paid from the 
insurance contract to the trust also do not constitute a distribution to 
Participant Q. However, when Participant Q's account balance is 
distributed from the trust, the distribution will be subject to taxation 
in the year of distribution in accordance with the rules in section 402.

    (7) Effective/applicability date. This paragraph (e) applies for 
taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11675, Nov. 26, 1960]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
1.402(a)-1, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec. 1.402(a)(5)-1T  Rollovers of partial distributions from qualified
trusts and annuities. (Temporary)

    Q-1: Can an employee or the surviving spouse of a deceased employee 
roll over to an individual retirement account or annuity, described in 
section 408 (a) or (b), the taxable portion of a partial distribution 
from a qualifiedtrust described in section 401(a), a qualified plan 
described in section 403(a), or a tax-sheltered annuity contract under 
section 403(b)?
    A-1: Yes. For distributions made after July 18, 1984, the taxable 
portion of a partial distribution may be rolled over within 60 days of 
the distribution to an individual retirement account or annuity.
    Q-2: Are there special requirements applicable to rollovers of 
partial distributions?
    A-2: Yes. Section 402(a)(5)(D)(i) specifies that no part of a 
partial distribution may be rolled over unless the distribution is equal 
to at least 50 percent of the balance to the credit of the employee in 
the contract or plan immediately before the distribution, and the 
distribution is not one of a series of periodic payments. For purposes 
of this section, the balance to the credit of an employee does not 
include any accumulated deductible employee contributions (within the 
meaning of section 72(o)). In addition, in calculating the balance to 
the credit for purposes of the 50 percent test, qualified plans are not 
to be aggregated with other qualified plans and tax-sheltered annuity 
contracts are not to be aggregated with other tax-sheltered annuity 
contracts. Also, in applying the 50 percent test to a surviving spouse, 
the balance to the credit is the maximum amount the spouse is entitled 
to receive under the plan or contract, rather than the total balance to 
the credit of the employee. The rollover of a partial distribution may 
result in adverse tax consequences; see section 402(a)(5)(D) (iii) and 
(iv).
    Q-3: Are there any other requirements applicable to rollovers of 
partial distribution?
    A-3: Yes. Section 402(a)(5)(D)(i)(III) requires the employee to 
elect, in conformance with Treasury regulations, to treat a contribution 
of a partial distribution to an IRA as a rollover contribution. An 
election is made by designating, in writing, to the trustee or issuer of 
the IRA at the time of the contribution that the contribution is to be 
treated as a rollover contribution. This requirement of a written 
designation to the trustee or issuer of the IRA is effective for 
contributions paid to the trustee or issuer of the IRA after March 20, 
1986. For contributions paid to the trustee or issuer before March 21, 
1986, an election is made by computing the individual's income tax 
liability on the income tax return for the taxable year in which the 
distribution occurs in a manner consistent with not including the 
distribution (or portion thereof) in gross income. Both such elections 
are irrevocable, except that an election made on an income tax return 
filed before March 21, 1986 is revocable.
    Q-4: Does the election requirement apply to rollovers of qualified 
total distributions or rollover contributions described in section 
402(a) (5) or (7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 405(d)(3), or 408(d)(3) to 
individual retirement accounts and annuities (IRAs)?
    A-4: Yes. No amounts may be treated as a rollover contribution to an 
IRA under section 402(a)(5), 402(a)(7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 405(d)(3) 
(as amended

[[Page 411]]

by section 491(c) of the TRA of 1984), or 408(d)(3) unless the 
requirements described in Q & A-3 of this section are satisfied. Thus, 
once any portion of a total distribution is irrevocably designated as a 
rollover contribution, such distribution is not taxable under section 
402 or 403 and, therefore, is not eligible for the special capital gains 
and separate tax treatment under section 402 (a) and (e). Election 
requirements for rollover contributions to IRAs described in this Q &A-4 
are subject to the same effective date rules set forth in Q &A-3.

[T.D. 8073, 51 FR 4320, Feb. 4, 1986]



Sec. 1.402(b)-1  Treatment of beneficiary of a trust not exempt under





























































section 501(a).

    (a) Taxation by reason of employer contributions made after August 
1, 1969--(1) Taxation of contributions. Section 402(b) provides rules 
for taxing an employee on contributions made on his behalf by an 
employer to an employees' trust that is not exempt under section 501(a). 
In general, any such contributions made after August 1, 1969, during a 
taxable year of the employer which ends within or with a taxable year of 
the trust for which it is not so exempt shall be included as 
compensation in the gross income of the employee for his taxable year 
during which the contribution is made, but only to the extent that the 
employee's interest in such contribution is substantially vested at the 
time the contribution is made. The preceding sentence does not apply to 
contracts referred to in the transitional rule of paragraph (d)(1) (ii) 
or (iii) of this section. For the definition of the terms 
``substantially vested'' and ``substantially nonvested'' see Sec. 1.83-
3(b).
    (2) Determination of amount of employer contributions. If, for an 
employee, the actual amount of employer contributions referred to in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section for any taxable year of the employee is 
not determinable or for any other reason is not known, then, except as 
set forth in rules prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
(see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), such amount shall be 
either--
    (i) The excess of--
    (A) The amount determined as of the end of such taxable year in 
accordance with the formula described in Sec. 1.403(b)-1(d)(4), as it 
appeared in the April 1, 2006, edition of 26 CFR Part 1; over
    (B) The amount determined as of the end of the prior taxable year in 
accordance with the formula described in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A) of this 
section; or
    (ii) The amount determined under any other method utilizing 
recognized actuarial principles that are consistent with the provisions 
of the plan under which such contributions are made and the method 
adopted by the employer for funding the benefits under the plan.
    (b) Taxability of employee when rights under nonexempt trust change 
from nonvested to vested--(1) In general. If rights of an employee under 
a trust become substantially vested during a taxable year of the 
employee (ending after August 1, 1969), and a taxable year of the trust 
for which it is not exempt under section 501(a) ends with or within such 
year, the value of the employee's interest in the trust on the date of 
such change shall be included in his gross income for such taxable year, 
to the extent provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. When an 
employees' trust that was exempt under section 501(a) ceases to be so 
exempt, an employee shall include in his gross income only amounts 
contributed to the trust during a taxable year of the employer that ends 
within or with a taxable year of the trust in which it is not so exempt 
(to the same extent as if the trust had not been so exempt in all prior 
taxable years).
    (2) Value of an employee's interest in a trust. (i) For purposes of 
this section, the term ``the value of an employee's interest in a 
trust'' means the amount of the employee's beneficial interest in the 
net fair market value of all the assets in the trust as of any date on 
which some or all of the employee's interest in the trust becomes 
substantially vested. The net fair market value of all the assets in the 
trust is the total amount of the fair market values (determined without 
regard to any lapse restriction, as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(h)) of all 
the assets in the trust,

[[Page 412]]

less the amount of all the liabilities (including taxes) to which such 
assets are subject or which the trust has assumed (other than the rights 
of any employee in such assets), as of the date on which some or all of 
the employee's interest in the trust becomes substantially vested.
    (ii) If a separate account in a trust for the benefit of two or more 
employees is not maintained for each employee, the value of the 
employee's interest in such trust is determined in accordance with rules 
prescribed by the Commissioner under the authority in paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section.
    (iii) If there is no valuation of a nonexempt trust's assets on the 
date of the change referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the 
value of an employee's interest in such trust is determined by taking 
the weighted average of the values on the nearest valuation dates 
occurring before and after the date of such change. The average is to be 
determined in the manner described in Sec. 20.2031-2(b)(1).
    (3) Extent to which value of an employee's interest is includible in 
gross income. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, there 
shall be included in the gross income of the employee for his taxable 
year in which his rights under the trust become substantially vested 
only that portion of the value of his interest in the trust that is 
attributable to contributions made by the employer after August 1, 1969. 
However, the preceding sentence shall not apply--
    (i) To the extent such value is attributable to a contribution made 
on the date of such change, and
    (ii) To the extent such value is attributable to contributions 
described in paragraph (d)(1) (ii) or (iii) of this section (relating to 
contributions made pursuant to a binding contract entered into before 
April 22, 1969).

For purposes of this (3), if the value of an employee's interest in a 
trust which is attributable to contributions made by the employer after 
August 1, 1969, is not known, it shall be deemed to be an amount which 
bears the same ratio to the value of the employee's interest as the 
contributions made by the employer after such date bear to the total 
contributions made by the employer.
    (4) Partial vesting. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, if only part of an employee's interest in the trust becomes 
substantially vested during any taxable year, then only the 
corresponding part of the value of the employee's interest in such trust 
is includible in his gross income for such year. In such a case, it is 
first necessary to compute, under the rules in paragraphs (b) (1) and 
(2) of this section, the amount that would be includdible if his entire 
interest had changed to a substantially vested interest during such a 
year. The amount that is includible under this paragraph (4) is the 
amount determined under the preceding sentence multiplied by the percent 
of the employee's interest which became substantially vested during the 
taxable year.
    (5) Basis. The basis of any employee's interest in a trust to which 
this section applies shall be increased by the amount included in his 
gross income under this section.
    (6) Treatment as owner of trust. In general, a beneficiary of a 
trust to which this section applies may not be considered to be the 
owner under subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter I of the Code of 
any portion of such trust which is attributable to contributions to such 
trust made by the employer after August 1, 1969, or to incidental 
contributions made by the employee after such date. However, where 
contributions made by the employee are not incidental when compared to 
contributions made by the employer, such beneficiary shall be considered 
to be the owner of the portion of the trust attributable to 
contributions made by the employee, if the applicable requirements of 
such subpart E are satisfied. For purposes of this paragraph (6), 
contributions made by an employee are not incidental when compared to 
contributions made by the employer if the employee's total contributions 
as of any date exceed the employer's total contributions on behalf of 
the employee as of such date.
    (7) Example. The provisions in this paragraph may be illustrated by 
the following example:

    Example. On January 1, 1968 M corporation establishes an employees' 
trust, which is not exempt under section 501(a), for some of its

[[Page 413]]

employees, including A, reserving the right to discontinue contributions 
at any time. M corporation contributes $5,000 on A's behalf to the trust 
on February 1, 1968. At the time of contribution 50 percent of A's 
interest was substantially vested. On January 1, 1971, and January 1, 
1974, M corporation makes additional $5,000 contributions to the trust 
on A's behalf. A's interest in the trust changed from a 50 percent 
substantially vested to a 100 percent substantialy vested interest in 
the trust on December 31, 1974. Assume that the value of A's interest in 
the trust on December 31, 1974, which is attributable to employer 
contributions made after August 1, 1969, is calculated to be $11,000 
under paragraph (b)(3) of this section. The amount includible in A's 
gross income for 1971 and 1974 is computed as follows:
    (i) Amount of M corporation's contribution made on January 1, 1971, 
to the trust which is includible in A's gross income under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section (50 percent substantially vested interest in the 
trust times $5,000 contribution)--$2,500.

                                  1974

    (i) Amount of M corporation's contribution made on January 1, 1974, 
to the trust which is includible in A's gross income under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section (50 percent substantially vested interest in the 
trust times $5,000 contribution)--$2,500.
    (ii) Amount which would have been includible if A's entire interest 
had changed to a substantially vested interest (value of employee's 
interest in the trust attributable to employer contributions made after 
August 1, 1969--$11,000.
    (iii) Percent of A's interest that became substantially vested on 
December 31, 1974--50 percent.
    (iv) Amount includible in A's gross income for 1974 in respect of 
his percentage change from a substantially nonvested to a substantially 
vested interest in the trust (50 percent of $11,000)--$5,500.
    (v) Total amount includible in A's gross income for 1974 ((i) plus 
(iv))--$8,000.

    (c) Taxation of distributions from trust not exempt under section 
501(a)--(1) In general. Any amount actually distributed or made 
available to any distributee by an employees' trust in a taxable year in 
which it is not exempt under section 501(a) shall be taxable under 
section 72 (relating to annuities) to the distributee in the taxable 
year in which it is so distributed or made available. For taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 1963, such amounts may be taken into 
account in computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to 
income averaging). If, for example, the distribution from such a trust 
consists of an annuity contract, the amount of the distribution shall be 
considered to be the entire value of the contract at the time of 
distribution. Such value is includible in the gross income of the 
distributee to the extent that such value exceeds the investment in the 
contract, determined by applying sections 72 and 101(b). The 
distributions by such a trust shall be taxed as provided in section 72 
whether or not the employee's rights to the contributions become 
substantially vested beforehand. For rules relating to the treatment of 
employer contributions to a nonexempt trust as part of the consideration 
paid by the employee, see section 72(f). For rules relating to the 
treatment of the limited exclusion allowable under section 101(b)(2)(D) 
as additional consideration paid by the employee, see the regulations 
under that section.
    (2) Distributions before annuity starting date. Any amount 
distributed or made available to any distributee before the annuity 
starting date (as defined in section 72(c)(4)) by an employees' trust in 
a taxable year in which it is not exempt under section 501(a) shall be 
treated as distributed in the following order--
    (i) First, from that portion of the employee's interest in the trust 
attributable to contributions made by the employer after August 1, 1969 
(other than those referred to in paragraph (d)(1) (ii) or (iii) of this 
section) that has not been previously includible in the employee's gross 
income, to the extent that such a distribution is permitted under the 
trust (or the plan of which the trust is a part);
    (ii) Second, from that portion of the employee's interest in the 
trust attributable to contributions made by the employer on or before 
August 1, 1969 (or contributions referred to in paragraph (d)(1) (ii) or 
(iii) of this section);
    (iii) Third, from the remaining portion of the employee's interest 
in the trust attributable to contributions made by the employer.
    If the employee has made contributions to the trust, amounts 
attributable thereto shall be treated as distributed prior to any 
amounts attributable to the employer's contributions,

[[Page 414]]

to the extent provided by the trust (or the plan of which the trust is a 
part). However, the portion of such amounts attributable to income 
earned on the employee's contributions made after August 1, 1969, shall 
be treated as distributed prior to any return of such contributions.
    (d) Taxation by reason of employer contributions made on or before 
August 1, 1969. (1) Except as provided in section 402(d) (relating to 
taxable years beginning before January 1, 1977), any contribution to a 
trust made by an employer on behalf of an employee--
    (i) On or before August 1, 1969, or
    (ii) After such date, pursuant to a binding contract (as defined in 
Sec. 1.83-3(b)(2)) entered into before April 22, 1969, or
    (iii) After August 1, 1969, pursuant to a written plan in which the 
employee participated on April 22, 1969, and under which the obligation 
of the employer on such date was essentially the same as under a binding 
written contract, during a taxable year of the employer which ends 
within or with a taxable year of the trust for which the trust is not 
exempt under section 501(a) shall be included in income of the employee 
for his taxable year during which the contribution is made, if the 
employee's beneficial interest in the contribution is nonforfeitable at 
the time the contribution is made. If the employee's beneficial interest 
in the contribution is forfeitable at the time the contribution is made, 
even though his interest becomes nonforfeitable later the amount of such 
contribution is not required to be included in the income of the 
employee at the time his interest becomes nonforfeitable.
    (2)(i) An employee's beneficial interest in the contribution is 
nonforfeitable, within the meaning of sections 402(b), 403(c), and 
404(a)(5) prior to the amendments made thereto by the Tax Reform Act of 
1969 and section 403(b), at the time the contribution is made if there 
is no contingency under the plan that may cause the employee to lose his 
rights in the contribution. Similarly, an employee's rights under an 
annuity contract purchased for him by his employer change from 
forfeitable to nonforfeitable rights within the meaning of section 
403(d) prior to the repeal thereof by the Tax Reform Act of 1969 at that 
time when, for the first time, there is no contingency which may cause 
the employee to lose his rights under the contract. For example, if 
under the terms of a pension plan, an employee upon termination of his 
services before the retirement date, whether voluntarily or 
involuntarily, is entitled to a deferred annuity contract to be 
purchased with the employer's contributions made on his behalf, or is 
entitled to annuity payments which the trustee is abligated to make 
under the terms of the trust instrument based on the contributions made 
by the employer on his behalf, the employee's beneficial interest in 
such contributions is nonforfeitable.
    (ii) On the other hand, if, under the terms of a pension plan, an 
employee will lose the right to any annuity purchased from or to be 
provided by, contributions made by the employer if his services should 
be terminated before retirement, his beneficial interest in such 
contributions is nonforfeitable.
    (iii) The mere fact that an employee may not live to the retirement 
date, or may live only a short period after the retirement date, and may 
not be able to enjoy the receipt of annuity or pension payments, does 
not make his beneficial interest in the contributions made by the 
employer on his behalf forfeitable. If the employer's contributions have 
been irrevocably applied to purchase an annuity contract for the 
employee, or if the trustee is obligated to use the employer's 
contributions to provide an annuity for the employee provide only that 
the employee is alive on the dates the annuity payments are due, the 
employee's rights in the employer's contributions are nonforfeitable.

(Secs. 83 and 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (83 Stat. 588; 
68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 83 and 7805))

[T.D. 7554, 43 FR 31922, July 24, 1978, as amended by T.D. 9340, 72 FR 
41140, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.402(c)-1  Taxability of beneficiary of certain foreign situs 
trusts.

    Section 402(c) has the effect of treating, for purposes of section 
402, the distributions from a trust which at the

[[Page 415]]

time of the distribution is located outside the United States in the 
same manner as distributions from a trust which is located in the United 
States. If the trust would qualify for exemption from tax under section 
501(a) except for the fact that it fails to comply with the provisions 
of paragraph (a)(3)(i) of Sec. 1.401-1, which restricts qualification 
to trusts created or organized in the United States and maintained here, 
section 402(a) and Sec. 1.402(a)-1 are applicable to the distributions 
from such a trust. Thus, for example, a total distribution from such a 
trust is entitled to the long-term capital gains treatment of section 
402(a)(2), except in the case of a nonresident alien individual (see 
section 871 and 1441 and the regulations thereunder). However, if the 
plan fails to meet any requirement of section 401 and the regulations 
thereunder in addition to paragraph (a)(3)(i) of Sec. 1.401-1, section 
402(b) and Sec. 1.402(b)-1 are applicable to the distributions from 
such a trust.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11679, Nov. 26, 1960]



Sec. 1.402(c)-2  Eligible rollover distributions; questions
and answers.

    The following questions and answers relate to the rollover rules 
under section 402(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by 
sections 521 and 522 of the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 
1992, Public Law 102-318, 106 Stat. 290 (UCA). For additional UCA 
guidance under sections 401(a)(31), 402(f), 403(b)(8) and (10), and 
3405(c), see Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, 1.402(f)-1, and 1.403(b)-7(b), 
and Sec. 31.3405(c)-1 of this chapter, respectively.

                            List of Questions

    Q-1: What is the rule regarding distributions that may be rolled 
over to an eligible retirement plan?
    Q-2: What is an eligible retirement plan and a qualified plan?
    Q-3: What is an eligible rollover distribution?
    Q-4: Are there other amounts that are not eligible rollover 
distributions?
    Q-5: For purposes of determining whether a distribution is an 
eligible rollover distribution, how is it determined whether a series of 
payments is a series of substantially equal periodic payments over a 
period specified in section 402(c)(4)(A)?
    Q-6: What types of variations in the amount of a payment cause the 
payment to be independent of a series of substantially equal periodic 
payments and thus not part of the series?
    Q-7: When is a distribution from a plan a required minimum 
distribution under section 401(a)(9)?
    Q-8: How are amounts that are not includible in gross income 
allocated for purposes of determining the required minimum distribution?
    Q-9: What is a distribution of a plan loan offset amount and is it 
an eligible rollover distribution?
    Q-10: What is a qualified plan distributed annuity contract, and is 
an amount paid under such a contract a distribution of the balance to 
the credit of the employee in a qualified plan for purposes of section 
402(c)?
    Q-11: If an eligible rollover distribution is paid to an employee, 
and the employee contributes all or part of the eligible rollover 
distribution to an eligible retirement plan within 60 days, is the 
amount contributed not currently includible in gross income?
    Q-12: How does section 402(c) apply to a distributee who is not the 
employee?
    Q-13: Must an employee's (or spousal distributee's) election to 
treat a contribution of an eligible rollover distribution to an 
individual retirement plan as a rollover contribution be irrevocable?
    Q-14: How is the $5,000 death benefit exclusion under section 101(b) 
treated for purposes of determining the amount that is an eligible 
rollover distribution?
    Q-15: May an employee (or spousal distributee) roll over more than 
the plan administrator determines to be an eligible rollover 
distribution using an assumption described in Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-
18?
    Q-16: Is a rollover from a qualified plan to an individual 
retirement account or individual retirement annuity treated as a 
rollover contribution for purposes of the one-year look-back rollover 
limitation of section 408(d)(3)(B)?

                          Questions and Answers

    Q-1: What is the rule regarding distributions that may be rolled 
over to an eligible retirement plan?
    A-1: (a) General rule. Under section 402(c), as added by UCA, any 
portion of a distribution from a qualified plan that is an eligible 
rollover distribution described in section 402(c)(4) may be rolled over 
to an eligible retirement plan described in section 402(c)(8)(B). For 
purposes of section 402(c) and this section, a rollover is either a 
direct rollover as described in Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-3 or a 
contribution of an eligible

[[Page 416]]

rollover distribution to an eligible retirement plan that satisfies the 
time period requirement in section 402(c)(3) and Q&A-11 of this section 
and the designation requirement described in Q&A-13 of this section. See 
Q&A-2 of this section for the definition of an eligible retirement plan 
and a qualified plan.
    (b) Related Internal Revenue Code provisions--(1) Direct rollover 
option. Section 401(a)(31), added by UCA, requires qualified plans to 
provide a distributee of an eligible rollover distribution the option to 
elect to have the distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement 
plan in a direct rollover. See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1 for further guidance 
concerning this direct rollover option.
    (2) Notice requirement. Section 402(f) requires the plan 
administrator of a qualified plan to provide, within a reasonable time 
before making an eligible rollover distribution, a written explanation 
to the distributee of the distributee's right to elect a direct rollover 
and the withholding consequences of not making that election. The 
explanation also is required to provide certain other relevant 
information relating to the taxation of distributions. See Sec. 
1.402(f)-1 for guidance concerning the written explanation required 
under section 402(f).
    (3) Mandatory income tax withholding. If a distributee of an 
eligible rollover distribution does not elect to have the eligible 
rollover distribution paid directly from the plan to an eligible 
retirement plan in a direct rollover under section 401(a)(31), the 
eligible rollover distribution is subject to 20-percent income tax 
withholding under section 3405(c). See Sec. 31.3405(c)-1 of this 
chapter for provisions relating to the withholding requirements 
applicable to eligible rollover distributions.
    (4) Section 403(b) annuities. See Sec. 1.403(b)-7(b) for guidance 
concerning the direct rollover requirements for distributions from 
annuities described in section 403(b).
    (c) Effective date--(1) Statutory effective date. Section 402(c), 
added by UCA, applies to eligible rollover distributions made on or 
after January 1, 1993, even if the event giving rise to the distribution 
occurred on or before January 1, 1993 (e.g. termination of the 
employee's employment with the employer maintaining the plan before 
January 1, 1993), and even if the eligible rollover distribution is part 
of a series of payments that began before January 1, 1993.
    (2) Regulatory effective date. This section applies to any 
distribution made on or after October 19, 1995. For eligible rollover 
distributions made on or after January 1, 1993 and before October 19, 
1995, Sec. 1.402(c)-2T (as it appeared in the April 1, 1995 edition of 
26 CFR part 1), applies. However, for any distribution made on or after 
January 1, 1993 but before October 19, 1995, any or all of the 
provisions of this section may be substituted for the corresponding 
provisions of Sec. 1.402(c)-2T, if any.
    Q-2: What is an eligible retirement plan and a qualified plan?
    A-2: An eligible retirement plan, under section 402(c)(8)(B), means 
a qualified plan or an individual retirement plan. For purposes of 
section 402(c) and this section, a qualified plan is an employees' trust 
described in section 401(a) which is exempt from tax under section 
501(a) or an annuity plan described in section 403(a). An individual 
retirement plan is an individual retirement account described in section 
408(a) or an individual retirement annuity (other than an endowment 
contract) described in section 408(b).
    Q-3: What is an eligible rollover distribution?
    A-3: (a) General rule. Unless specifically excluded, an eligible 
rollover distribution means any distribution to an employee (or to a 
spousal distributee described in Q&A-12(a) of this section) of all or 
any portion of the balance to the credit of the employee in a qualified 
plan. Thus, except as specifically provided in Q&A-4(b) of this section, 
any amount distributed to an employee (or such a spousal distributee) 
from a qualified plan is an eligible rollover distribution, regardless 
of whether it is a distribution of a benefit that is protected under 
section 411(d)(6).
    (b) Exceptions. An eligible rollover distribution does not include 
the following:
    (1) Any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal 
periodic payments made (not less frequently

[[Page 417]]

than annually) over any one of the following periods--
    (i) The life of the employee (or the joint lives of the employee and 
the employee's designated beneficiary);
    (ii) The life expectancy of the employee (or the joint life and last 
survivor expectancy of the employee and the employee's designated 
beneficiary); or
    (iii) A specified period of ten years or more;
    (2) Any distribution to the extent the distribution is a required 
minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9); or
    (3) The portion of any distribution that is not includible in gross 
income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized 
appreciation described in section 402(e)(4)). Thus, for example, an 
eligible rollover distribution does not include the portion of any 
distribution that is excludible from gross income under section 72 as a 
return of the employee's investment in the contract (e.g., a return of 
the employee's after-tax contributions), but does include net unrealized 
appreciation.
    Q-4: Are there other amounts that are not eligible rollover 
distributions?
    A-4: Yes. The following amounts are not eligible rollover 
distributions:
    (a) Elective deferrals (as defined in section 402(g)(3)) and 
employee contributions that, pursuant to rules prescribed by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), 
are returned to the employee (together with the income allocable 
thereto) in order to comply with the section 415 limitations.
    (b) Corrective distributions of excess deferrals as described in 
Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e)(3), together with the income allocable to these 
corrective distributions.
    (c) Corrective distributions of excess contributions under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement described in Sec. 1.401(k)-
1(f)(4) and excess aggregate contributions described in Sec. 1.401(m)-
2(b)(2), together with the income allocable to these distributions.
    (d) Loans that are treated as deemed distributions pursuant to 
section 72(p).
    (e) Dividends paid on employer securities as described in section 
404(k).
    (f) The costs of life insurance coverage (P.S. 58 costs).
    (g) Prohibited allocations that are treated as deemed distributions 
pursuant to section 409(p).
    (h) A distribution that is a permissible withdrawal from an eligible 
automatic contribution arrangement within the meaning of section 414(w).
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Distributions of premiums for accident or health insurance under 
Sec. 1.402(a)-1(e)(1)(i). This paragraph A-4(j) applies for taxable 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.
    (k) Similar items designated by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. 
See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    Q-5: For purposes of determining whether a distribution is an 
eligible rollover distribution, how is it determined whether a series of 
payments is a series of substantially equal periodic payments over a 
period specified in section 402(c)(4)(A)?
    A-5: (a) General rule. Generally, whether a series of payments is a 
series of substantially equal periodic payments over a specified period 
is determined at the time payments begin, and by following the 
principles of section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv), without regard to contingencies 
or modifications that have not yet occurred. Thus, for example, a joint 
and 50-percent survivor annuity will be treated as a series of 
substantially equal payments at the time payments commence, as will a 
joint and survivor annuity that provides for increased payments to the 
employee if the employee's beneficiary dies before the employee. 
Similarly, for purposes of determining if a disability benefit payment 
is part of a series of substantially equal payments for a period 
described in section 402(c)(4)(A), any contingency under which payments 
cease upon recovery from the disability may be disregarded.
    (b) Certain supplements disregarded. For purposes of determining 
whether a distribution is one of a series of payments that are 
substantially equal, social security supplements described in section 
411(a)(9) are disregarded. For example, if a distributee receives a life 
annuity of $500 per month, plus a social

[[Page 418]]

security supplement consisting of payments of $200 per month until the 
distributee reaches the age at which social security benefits of not 
less than $200 a month begin, the $200 supplemental payments are 
disregarded and, therefore, each monthly payment of $700 made before the 
social security age and each monthly payment of $500 made after the 
social security age is treated as one of a series of substantially equal 
periodic payments for life. A series of payments that are not 
substantially equal solely because the amount of each payment is reduced 
upon attainment of social security retirement age (or, alternatively, 
upon commencement of social security early retirement, survivor, or 
disability benefits) will also be treated as substantially equal as long 
as the reduction in the actual payments is level and does not exceed the 
applicable social security benefit.
    (c) Changes in the amount of payments or the distributee. If the 
amount (or, if applicable, the method of calculating the amount) of the 
payments changes so that subsequent payments are not substantially equal 
to prior payments, a new determination must be made as to whether the 
remaining payments are a series of substantially equal periodic payments 
over a period specified in Q&A-3(b)(1) of this section. This 
determination is made without taking into account payments made or the 
years of payment that elapsed prior to the change. However, a new 
determination is not made merely because, upon the death of the 
employee, the spouse or former spouse of the employee becomes the 
distributee. Thus, once distributions commence over a period that is at 
least as long as either the first annuitant's life or 10 years (e.g., as 
provided by a life annuity with a five-year or ten-year-certain 
guarantee), then substantially equal payments to the survivor are not 
eligible rollover distributions even though the payment period remaining 
after the death of the employee is or may be less than the period 
described in section 402(c)(4)(A). For example, substantially equal 
periodic payments made under a life annuity with a five-year term 
certain would not be an eligible rollover distribution even when paid 
after the death of the employee with three years remaining under the 
term certain.
    (d) Defined contribution plans. The following rules apply in 
determining whether a series of payments from a defined contribution 
plan constitute substantially equal periodic payments for a period 
described in section 402(c)(4)(A):
    (1) Declining balance of years. A series of payments from an account 
balance under a defined contribution plan will be considered 
substantially equal payments over a period if, for each year, the amount 
of the distribution is calculated by dividing the account balance by the 
number of years remaining in the period. For example, a series of 
payments will be considered substantially equal payments over 10 years 
if the series is determined as follows. In year 1, the annual payment is 
the account balance divided by 10; in year 2, the annual payment is the 
remaining account balance divided by 9; and so on until year 10 when the 
entire remaining balance is distributed.
    (2) Reasonable actuarial assumptions. If an employee's account 
balance under a defined contribution plan is to be distributed in annual 
installments of a specified amount until the account balance is 
exhausted, then, for purposes of determining if the period of 
distribution is a period described in section 402(c)(4)(A), the period 
of years over which the installments will be distributed must be 
determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions. For example, if an 
employee has an account balance of $100,000, elects distributions of 
$12,000 per year until the account balance is exhausted, and the future 
rate of return is assumed to be 8% per year, the account balance will be 
exhausted in approximately 14 years. Similarly, if the same employee 
elects a fixed annual distribution amount and the fixed annual amount is 
less than or equal to $10,000, it is reasonable to assume that a future 
rate of return will be greater than 0% and, thus, the account will not 
be exhausted in less than 10 years.
    (e) Series of payments beginning before January 1, 1993. Except as 
provided in paragraph (c) of this Q&A, if a series of periodic payments 
began before January 1, 1993, the determination of whether the post-
December 31, 1992 payments

[[Page 419]]

are a series of substantially equal periodic payments over a specified 
period is made by taking into account all payments made, including 
payments made before January 1, 1993. For example, if a series of 
substantially equal periodic payments beginning on January 1, 1983, is 
scheduled to be paid over a period of 15 years, payments in the series 
that are made after December 31, 1992, will not be eligible rollover 
distributions even though they will continue for only five years after 
December 31, 1992, because the pre- January 1, 1993 payments are taken 
into account in determining the specified period.
    Q-6: What types of variations in the amount of a payment cause the 
payment to be independent of a series of substantially equal periodic 
payments and thus not part of the series?
    A-6: (a) Independent payments. Except as provided in paragraph (b) 
of this Q&A, a payment is treated as independent of the payments in a 
series of substantially equal payments, and thus not part of the series, 
if the payment is substantially larger or smaller than the other 
payments in the series. An independent payment is an eligible rollover 
distribution if it is not otherwise excepted from the definition of 
eligible rollover distribution. This is the case regardless of whether 
the payment is made before, with, or after payments in the series. For 
example, if an employee elects a single payment of half of the account 
balance with the remainder of the account balance paid over the life 
expectancy of the distributee, the single payment is treated as 
independent of the payments in the series and is an eligible rollover 
distribution unless otherwise excepted. Similarly, if an employee's 
surviving spouse receives a survivor life annuity of $1,000 per month 
plus a single payment on account of death of $7,500, the single payment 
is treated as independent of the payments in the annuity and is an 
eligible rollover distribution unless otherwise excepted (e.g., $5,000 
of the $7,500 might qualify to be excluded from gross income as a death 
benefit under section 101(b)).
    (b) Special rules--(1) Administrative error or delay. If, due solely 
to reasonable administrative error or delay in payment, there is an 
adjustment after the annuity starting date to the amount of any payment 
in a series of payments that otherwise would constitute a series of 
substantially equal payments described in section 402(c)(4)(A) and this 
section, the adjusted payment or payments will be treated as part of the 
series of substantially equal periodic payments and will not be treated 
as independent of the payments in the series. For example, if, due 
solely to reasonable administrative delay, the first payment of a life 
annuity is delayed by two months and reflects an additional two months 
worth of benefits, that payment will be treated as a substantially equal 
payment in the series rather than as an independent payment. The result 
will not change merely because the amount of the adjustment is paid in a 
separate supplemental payment.
    (2) Supplemental payments for annuitants. A supplemental payment 
from a defined benefit plan to annuitants (e.g., retirees or 
beneficiaries) will be treated as part of a series of substantially 
equal payments, rather than as an independent payment, provided that the 
following conditions are met--
    (i) The supplement is a benefit increase for annuitants;
    (ii) The amount of the supplement is determined in a consistent 
manner for all similarly situated annuitants;
    (iii) The supplement is paid to annuitants who are otherwise 
receiving payments that would constitute substantially equal periodic 
payments; and
    (iv) The aggregate supplement is less than or equal to the greater 
of 10% of the annual rate of payment for the annuity, or $750 or any 
higher amount prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance published in the Federal Register. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (3) Final payment in a series. If a payment in a series of payments 
from an account balance under a defined contribution plan represents the 
remaining balance to the credit and is substantially less than the other 
payments in the series, the final payment must nevertheless be treated 
as a payment in the series of substantially equal payments and may not 
be treated as an independent payment if the other

[[Page 420]]

payments in the series are substantially equal and the payments are for 
a period described in section 402(c)(4)(A) based on the rules provided 
in paragraph (d)(2) of Q&A-5 of this section. Thus, such final payment 
will not be an eligible rollover distribution.
    Q-7: When is a distribution from a plan a required minimum 
distribution under section 401(a)(9)?
    A-7: (a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) 
of this Q&A, if a minimum distribution is required for a calendar year, 
the amounts distributed during that calendar year are treated as 
required minimum distributions under section 401(a)(9), to the extent 
that the total required minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9) for 
the calendar year has not been satisfied. Accordingly, these amounts are 
not eligible rollover distributions. For example, if an employee is 
required under section 401(a)(9) to receive a required minimum 
distribution for a calendar year of $5,000 and the employee receives a 
total of $7,200 in that year, the first $5,000 distributed will be 
treated as the required minimum distribution and will not be an eligible 
rollover distribution and the remaining $2,200 will be an eligible 
rollover distribution if it otherwise qualifies. If the total section 
401(a)(9) required minimum distribution for a calendar year is not 
distributed in that calendar year (e.g., when the distribution for the 
calendar year in which the employee reaches age 70\1/2\ is made on the 
following April 1), the amount that was required but not distributed is 
added to the amount required to be distributed for the next calendar 
year in determining the portion of any distribution in the next calendar 
year that is a required minimum distribution.
    (b) Distribution before age 70\1/2\. Any amount that is paid before 
January 1 of the year in which the employee attains (or would have 
attained) age 70\1/2\ will not be treated as required under section 
401(a)(9) and, thus, is an eligible rollover distribution if it 
otherwise qualifies.
    (c) Special rule for annuities. In the case of annuity payments from 
a defined benefit plan, or under an annuity contract purchased from an 
insurance company (including a qualified plan distributed annuity 
contract (as defined in Q&A-10 of this section)), the entire amount of 
any such annuity payment made on or after January 1 of the year in which 
an employee attains (or would have attained) age 70\1/2\ will be treated 
as an amount required under section 401(a)(9) and, thus, will not be an 
eligible rollover distribution.
    Q-8: How are amounts that are not includible in gross income 
allocated for purposes of determining the required minimum distribution?
    A-8: If section 401(a)(9) has not yet been satisfied by the plan for 
the year with respect to an employee, a distribution is made to the 
employee that exceeds the amount required to satisfy section 401(a)(9) 
for the year for the employee, and a portion of that distribution is 
excludible from gross income, the following rule applies for purposes of 
determining the amount of the distribution that is an eligible rollover 
distribution. The portion of the distribution that is excludible from 
gross income is first allocated toward satisfaction of section 401(a)(9) 
and then the remaining portion of the required minimum distribution, if 
any, is satisfied from the portion of the distribution that is 
includible in gross income. For example, assume an employee is required 
under section 401(a)(9) to receive a minimum distribution for a calendar 
year of $4,000 and the employee receives a $4,800 distribution, of which 
$1,000 is excludible from income as a return of basis. First, the $1,000 
return of basis is allocated toward satisfying the required minimum 
distribution. Then, the remaining $3,000 of the required minimum 
distribution is satisfied from the $3,800 of the distribution that is 
includible in gross income, so that the remaining balance of the 
distribution, $800, is an eligible rollover distribution if it otherwise 
qualifies.
    Q-9: What is a distribution of a plan loan offset amount, and is it 
an eligible rollover distribution?
    A-9: (a) General rule. A distribution of a plan loan offset amount, 
as defined in paragraph (b) of this Q&A, is an eligible rollover 
distribution if it satisfies Q&A-3 of this section. Thus, an amount 
equal to the plan loan offset amount

[[Page 421]]

can be rolled over by the employee (or spousal distributee) to an 
eligible retirement plan within the 60-day period under section 
402(c)(3), unless the plan loan offset amount fails to be an eligible 
rollover distribution for another reason. See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-
16 for guidance concerning the offering of a direct rollover of a plan 
loan offset amount. See Sec. 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-11 of this chapter for 
guidance concerning special withholding rules with respect to plan loan 
offset amounts.
    (b) Definition of plan loan offset amount. For purposes of section 
402(c), a distribution of a plan loan offset amount is a distribution 
that occurs when, under the plan terms governing a plan loan, the 
participant's accrued benefit is reduced (offset) in order to repay the 
loan (including the enforcement of the plan's security interest in a 
participant's accrued benefit). A distribution of a plan loan offset 
amount can occur in a variety of circumstances, e.g., where the terms 
governing a plan loan require that, in the event of the employee's 
termination of employment or request for a distribution, the loan be 
repaid immediately or treated as in default. A distribution of a plan 
loan offset amount also occurs when, under the terms governing the plan 
loan, the loan is cancelled, accelerated, or treated as if it were in 
default (e.g., where the plan treats a loan as in default upon an 
employee's termination of employment or within a specified period 
thereafter). A distribution of a plan loan offset amount is an actual 
distribution, not a deemed distribution under section 72(p).
    (c) Examples. The rules with respect to a plan loan offset amount in 
this Q&A-9, Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-16 and Sec. 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-11 
of this chapter are illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (a) In 1996, Employee A has an account balance of $10,000 
in Plan Y, of which $3,000 is invested in a plan loan to Employee A that 
is secured by Employee A's account balance in Plan Y. Employee A has 
made no after-tax employee contributions to Plan Y. Plan Y does not 
provide any direct rollover option with respect to plan loans. Upon 
termination of employment in 1996, Employee A, who is under age 70\1/2\ 
, elects a distribution of Employee A's entire account balance in Plan 
Y, and Employee A's outstanding loan is offset against the account 
balance on distribution. Employee A elects a direct rollover of the 
distribution.
    (b) In order to satisfy section 401(a)(31), Plan Y must pay $7,000 
directly to the eligible retirement plan chosen by Employee A in a 
direct rollover. When Employee A's account balance was offset by the 
amount of the $3,000 unpaid loan balance, Employee A received a plan 
loan offset amount (equivalent to $3,000) that is an eligible rollover 
distribution. However, under Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-16 Plan Y 
satisfies section 401(a)(31), even though a direct rollover option was 
not provided with respect to the $3,000 plan loan offset amount.
    (c) No withholding is required under section 3405(c) on account of 
the distribution of the $3,000 plan loan offset amount because no cash 
or other property (other than the plan loan offset amount) is received 
by Employee A from which to satisfy the withholding. Employee A may roll 
over $3,000 to an eligible retirement plan within the 60 day period 
provided in section 402(c)(3).
    Example 2. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
the terms governing the plan loan to Employee A provide that, upon 
termination of employment, Employee A's account balance is automatically 
offset by the amount of any unpaid loan balance to repay the loan. 
Employee A terminates employment but does not request a distribution 
from Plan Y. Nevertheless, pursuant to the terms governing the plan 
loan, Employee A's account balance is automatically offset by the amount 
of the $3,000 unpaid loan balance.
    (b) The $3,000 plan loan offset amount attributable to the plan loan 
in this example is treated in the same manner as the $3,000 plan loan 
offset amount in Example 1.
    Example 3. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that, 
instead of providing for an automatic offset upon termination of 
employment to repay the plan loan, the terms governing the plan loan 
require full repayment of the loan by Employee A within 30 days of 
termination of employment. Employee A terminates employment, does not 
elect a distribution from Plan Y, and also fails to repay the plan loan 
within 30 days. The plan administrator of Plan Y declares the plan loan 
to Employee A in default and executes on the loan by offsetting Employee 
A's account balance by the amount of the $3,000 unpaid loan balance.
    (b) The $3,000 plan loan offset amount attributable to the plan loan 
in this example is treated in the same manner as the $3,000 plan loan 
offset amount in Example 1 and in Example 2. The result in this Example 
3 is the same even though the plan administrator treats the loan as in 
default before offsetting Employee A's accrued benefit by the amount of 
the unpaid loan.
    Example 4. (a) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Employee A elects to

[[Page 422]]

receive the distribution of the account balance that remains after the 
$3,000 offset to repay the plan loan, instead of electing a direct 
rollover of the remaining account balance.
    (b) In this case, the amount of the distribution received by 
Employee A is $10,000, not $3,000. Because the amount of the $3,000 
offset attributable to the loan is included in determining the amount 
that equals 20 percent of the eligible rollover distribution received by 
Employee A, withholding in the amount of $2,000 (20 percent of $10,000) 
is required under section 3405(c). The $2,000 is required to be withheld 
from the $7,000 to be distributed to Employee A in cash, so that 
Employee A actually receives a check for $5,000.
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except that the 
$7,000 distribution to Employee A after the offset to repay the loan 
consists solely of employer securities within the meaning of section 
402(e)(4)(E). In this case, no withholding is required under section 
3405(c) because the distribution consists solely of the $3,000 plan loan 
offset amount and the $7,000 distribution of employer securities. This 
is the result because the total amount required to be withheld does not 
exceed the sum of the cash and the fair market value of other property 
distributed, excluding plan loan offset amounts and employer securities. 
Employee A may roll over the employer securities and $3,000 to an 
eligible retirement plan within the 60-day period provided in section 
402(c)(3).
    Example 6. Employee B, who is age 40, has an account balance in Plan 
Z, a profit sharing plan qualified under section 401(a) that includes a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement described in section 401(k). Plan 
Z provides for no after-tax employee contributions. In 1990, Employee B 
receives a loan from Plan Z, the terms of which satisfy section 
72(p)(2), and which is secured by elective contributions subject to the 
distribution restrictions in section 401(k)(2)(B). In 1996, the loan 
fails to satisfy section 72(p)(2) because Employee B stops repayment. In 
that year, pursuant to section 72(p), Employee B is taxed on a deemed 
distribution equal to the amount of the unpaid loan balance. Under Q&A-4 
of this section, the deemed distribution is not an eligible rollover 
distribution. Because Employee B has not separated from service or 
experienced any other event that permits the distribution under section 
401(k)(2)(B) of the elective contributions that secure the loan, Plan Z 
is prohibited from executing on the loan. Accordingly, Employee B's 
account balance is not offset by the amount of the unpaid loan balance 
at the time Employee B stops repayment on the loan. Thus, there is no 
distribution of an offset amount that is an eligible rollover 
distribution in 1996.

    Q-10: What is a qualified plan distributed annuity contract, and is 
an amount paid under such a contract a distribution of the balance to 
the credit of the employee in a qualified plan for purposes of section 
402(c)?
    A-10: (a) Definition of a qualified plan distributed annuity 
contract. A qualified plan distributed annuity contract is an annuity 
contract purchased for a participant, and distributed to the 
participant, by a qualified plan.
    (b) Treatment of amounts paid as eligible rollover distributions. 
Amounts paid under a qualified plan distributed annuity contract are 
payments of the balance to the credit of the employee for purposes of 
section 402(c) and are eligible rollover distributions, if they 
otherwise qualify. Thus, for example, if the employee surrenders the 
contract for a single sum payment of its cash surrender value, the 
payment would be an eligible rollover distribution to the extent it is 
includible in gross income and not a required minimum distribution under 
section 401(a)(9). This rule applies even if the annuity contract is 
distributed in connection with a plan termination. See Sec. 
1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-17 and Sec. 31.3405(c)-1, Q&A-13 of this chapter 
concerning the direct rollover requirements and 20-percent withholding 
requirements, respectively, that apply to eligible rollover 
distributions from such an annuity contract.
    Q-11: If an eligible rollover distribution is paid to an employee, 
and the employee contributes all or part of the eligible rollover 
distribution to an eligible retirement plan within 60 days, is the 
amount contributed not currently includible in gross income?
    A-11: Yes, the amount contributed is not currently includible in 
gross income, provided that it is contributed to the eligible retirement 
plan no later than the 60th day following the day on which the employee 
received the distribution. If more than one distribution is received by 
an employee from a qualified plan during a taxable year, the 60-day rule 
applies separately to each distribution. Because the amount withheld as 
income tax under section 3405(c) is considered an amount distributed 
under section 402(c), an amount equal to all or any portion of the 
amount withheld can be contributed as

[[Page 423]]

a rollover to an eligible retirement plan within the 60-day period, in 
addition to the net amount of the eligible rollover distribution 
actually received by the employee. However, if all or any portion of an 
amount equal to the amount withheld is not contributed as a rollover, it 
is included in the employee's gross income to the extent required under 
section 402(a), and also may be subject to the 10-percent additional 
income tax under section 72(t). See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-14, for 
guidance concerning the qualification of a plan that accepts a rollover 
contribution.
    Q-12: How does section 402(c) apply to a distributee who is not the 
employee?
    A-12: (a) Spousal distributee. If any distribution attributable to 
an employee is paid to the employee's surviving spouse, section 402(c) 
applies to the distribution in the same manner as if the spouse were the 
employee. The same rule applies if any distribution attributable to an 
employee is paid in accordance with a qualified domestic relations order 
(as defined in section 414(p)) to the employee's spouse or former spouse 
who is an alternate payee. Therefore, a distribution to the surviving 
spouse of an employee (or to a spouse or former spouse who is an 
alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order), including a 
distribution of ancillary death benefits attributable to the employee, 
is an eligible rollover distribution if it meets the requirements of 
section 402(c)(2) and (4) and Q&A-3 through Q&A-10 and Q&A-14 of this 
section. However, a qualified plan (as defined in Q&A-2 of this section) 
is not treated as an eligible retirement plan with respect to a 
surviving spouse. Only an individual retirement plan is treated as an 
eligible retirement plan with respect to an eligible rollover 
distribution to a surviving spouse.
    (b) Non-spousal distributee. A distributee other than the employee 
or the employee's surviving spouse (or a spouse or former spouse who is 
an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order) is not 
permitted to roll over distributions from a qualified plan. Therefore, 
those distributions do not constitute eligible rollover distributions 
under section 402(c)(4) and are not subject to the 20-percent income tax 
withholding under section 3405(c).
    Q-13: Must an employee's (or spousal distributee's) election to 
treat a contribution of an eligible rollover distribution to an 
individual retirement plan as a rollover contribution be irrevocable?
    A-13: (a) In general. Yes. In order for a contribution of an 
eligible rollover distribution to an individual retirement plan to 
constitute a rollover and, thus, to qualify for current exclusion from 
gross income, a distributee must elect, at the time the contribution is 
made, to treat the contribution as a rollover contribution. An election 
is made by designating to the trustee, issuer, or custodian of the 
eligible retirement plan that the contribution is a rollover 
contribution. This election is irrevocable. Once any portion of an 
eligible rollover distribution has been contributed to an individual 
retirement plan and designated as a rollover distribution, taxation of 
the withdrawal of the contribution from the individual retirement plan 
is determined under section 408(d) rather than under section 402 or 403. 
Therefore, the eligible rollover distribution is not eligible for 
capital gains treatment, five-year or ten-year averaging, or the 
exclusion from gross income for net unrealized appreciation on employer 
stock.
    (b) Direct rollover. If an eligible rollover distribution is paid to 
an individual retirement plan in a direct rollover at the election of 
the distributee, the distributee is deemed to have irrevocably 
designated that the direct rollover is a rollover contribution.
    Q-14: How is the $5,000 death benefit exclusion under section 101(b) 
treated for purposes of determining the amount that is an eligible 
rollover distribution?
    A-14: To the extent that a death benefit is a distribution from a 
qualified plan, the portion of the distribution that is excluded from 
gross income under section 101(b) is not an eligible rollover 
distribution. See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-18 for guidance concerning 
assumptions that a plan administrator may make with respect to whether 
and

[[Page 424]]

to what extent a distribution of a survivor benefit is excludible from 
gross income under section 101(b).
    Q-15: May an employee (or spousal distributee) roll over more than 
the plan administrator determines to be an eligible rollover 
distribution using an assumption described in Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-
18?
    A-15: Yes. The portion of any distribution that an employee (or 
spousal distributee) may roll over as an eligible rollover distribution 
under section 402(c) is determined based on the actual application of 
section 402 and other relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. 
The actual application of these provisions may produce different results 
than any assumption described in Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-18 that is 
used by the plan administrator. Thus, for example, even though the plan 
administrator calculates the portion of a distribution that is a 
required minimum distribution (and thus is not made eligible for direct 
rollover under section 401(a)(31)), by assuming that there is no 
designated beneficiary, the portion of the distribution that is actually 
a required minimum distribution and thus not an eligible rollover 
distribution is determined by taking into account the designated 
beneficiary, if any. If, by taking into account the designated 
beneficiary, a greater portion of the distribution is an eligible 
rollover distribution, the distributee may rollover the additional 
amount. Similarly, even though a plan administrator assumes that a 
distribution from a qualified plan is the only death benefit with 
respect to an employee that qualifies for the $5,000 death benefit 
exclusion under section 101(b), to the extent that the death benefit 
exclusion is allocated to a different death benefit, a greater portion 
of the distribution may actually be includible in gross income and, 
thus, be an eligible rollover distribution, and the surviving spouse may 
roll over the additional amount if it otherwise qualifies.
    Q-16: Is a rollover from a qualified plan to an individual 
retirement account or individual retirement annuity treated as a 
rollover contribution for purposes of the one-year look-back rollover 
limitation of section 408(d)(3)(B)?
    A-16: No. A distribution from a qualified plan that is rolled over 
to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity is 
not treated for purposes of section 408(d)(3)(B) as an amount received 
by an individual from an individual retirement account or individual 
retirement annuity which is not includible in gross income because of 
the application of section 408(d)(3).

[T.D. 8619, 60 FR 49208, Sept. 22, 1995, as amended by T.D. 8880, 65 FR 
21315, Apr. 21, 2000; T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78153, Dec. 29, 2004; T.D. 9302, 
71 FR 76137, Dec. 20, 2006; T.D. 9319, 72 FR 16894, Apr. 5, 2007; T.D. 
9340, 72 FR 41159, July 26, 2007; T.D. 9447, 74 FR 8211, Feb. 24, 2009; 
T.D. 9665, 79 FR 26843, May 12, 2014]



Sec. 1.402(d)-1  Effect of section 402(d).

    (a) If the requirements of section 402(d) are met, a contribution 
made by an employer on behalf of an employee to a trust which is not 
exempt under section 501(a) shall not be included in the income of the 
employee in the year in which the contribution is made. Such 
contribution will be taxable to the employee, when received in later 
years, as provided in section 72 (relating to annuities). For taxable 
years beginning before January 1, 1964, section 72(e)(3) (relating to 
the treatment of certain lump sums), as in effect before such date, 
shall not apply to such contributions. For taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1963, such contributions, when received, may be taken into 
account in computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to 
income averaging). See paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.403(c)-1. The intent and 
purpose of section 402(d) is to give those employees, covered under 
certain non-exempt trusts to which such section applies, essentially the 
same tax treatment as those covered by trusts described in section 
401(a) and exempt under section 501(a), except that the capital gains 
treatment referred to in section 402(a)(2) does not apply.
    (b) Every person claiming the benefit of section 402(d) must be able 
to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that all of the 
provisions of such section are met. The taxpayer must produce sufficient 
evidence to prove:

[[Page 425]]

    (1) That, before October 21, 1942, he was employed by the particular 
employer making the contribution in question and was at such time 
definitely covered by a written agreement, entered into before October 
21, 1942, between himself and the employer, or between the employer and 
the trustee of a trust established by the employer before October 21, 
1942, and that the contribution by the employer was made pursuant to 
such agreement. The fact that an employee may have been potentially 
covered is not sufficient. Evidence that the employment was entered 
into, or the agreement executed, ``as of'' a date before October 21, 
1942, or that the agreement or trust instrument which did not 
theretofore meet the requirements of section 402(d) was modified or 
amended after October 20, 1942, so as to come within the provisions of 
such section, will not satisfy the requirements of section 402(d).
    (2) That such contribution, pursuant to the terms of such agreement, 
was to be applied for the purchase of an annuity contract for the 
taxpayer. In the case of a contribution by the employer of an annuity 
contract purchased by such employer and transferred by him to the 
trustee of the trust, evidence should be presented to prove that such 
contract was purchased for the taxpayer by the employer pursuant to the 
terms of a written agreement between the employer and the employee or 
between the employer and the trustee, entered into before October 21, 
1942.
    (3) That under the written terms of the trust agreement the taxpayer 
is not entitled during his lifetime, except with the consent of the 
trustee, to any payments other than annuity payments under the annuity 
contract or contracts purchased by the trustee or by the employer and 
transferred to the trustee, and that the trustee may grant or withhold 
such consent free from control by the taxpayer, the employer, or any 
other person. However, such control will not be presumed from the fact 
that the trustee is himself an officer or employee of the employer. As 
used in section 402(d) the phrase ``if * * * under the terms of the 
trust agreement the employee is not entitled'' means that the trust 
instrument must make it impossible for the prohibited distribution to 
occur whether by operation or natural termination of the trust, whether 
by power of revocation or amendment, other than with the consent of the 
trustee, whether by the happening of a contingency, by collateral 
arrangement, or any other means. It is not essential that the employer 
relinquish all power to modify or terminate the trust but it must be 
impossible, except with the consent of the trustee, to be received by 
the taxpayer contracts purchased by the trustee, or by the employer and 
transferred to the trustee, to be received by the taxpayer directly or 
indirectly, other than as annuity payments.
    (4) The nature and amount of such contribution and the extent to 
which income taxes have been paid thereon before January 1, 1949, and 
not credited or refunded.
    (5) If it is claimed that section 402(d) applies to amounts 
contributed to a trust after June 1, 1949, the taxpayer must prove to 
the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the trust did not, on June 1, 
1949, qualify for exemption under section 165(a) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1939. Where an employer buys an annuity contract which is 
transferred to the trustee, the date of the purchase of the annuity 
contract and not the date of the transfer to the trustee is the 
controlling date in determining whether or not the contribution was made 
to the trust after June 1, 1949.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11679, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6885, 31 FR 
7801, June 2, 1966]



Sec. 1.402(e)-1  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.402(f)-1  Required explanation of eligible rollover 
distributions; questions and answers.

    The following questions and answers concern the written explanation 
requirement imposed by section 402(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 relating to distributions eligible for rollover treatment. Section 
402(f) was amended by section 521(a) of the Unemployment Compensation 
Amendments of 1992, Public Law 102-318, 106 Stat. 290 (UCA). For 
additional UCA guidance under sections 401(a)(31), 402(c), 403(b)(8) and 
(10), and 3405(c), see

[[Page 426]]

Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, 1.402(c)-2, 1.403(b)-7(b), and 31.3405(c)-1 
of this chapter, respectively.

                            List of Questions

    Q-1: What are the requirements for a written explanation under 
section 402(f)?
    Q-2: When must the plan administrator provide the section 402(f) 
notice to a distributee?
    Q-3: Must the plan administrator provide a separate section 402(f) 
notice for each distribution in a series of periodic payments that are 
eligible rollover distributions?
    Q-4: May a plan administrator post the section 402(f) notice as a 
means of providing it to distributees?

                          Questions and Answers

    Q-1: What are the requirements for a written explanation under 
section 402(f)?
    A-1: (a) General rule. Under section 402(f), as amended by UCA, the 
plan administrator of a qualified plan is required, within a reasonable 
period of time before making an eligible rollover distribution, to 
provide the distributee with the written explanation described in 
section 402(f) (section 402(f) notice). The section 402(f) notice must 
be designed to be easily understood and must explain the following: the 
rules under which the distributee may elect that the distribution be 
paid in the form of a direct rollover to an eligible retirement plan; 
the rules that require the withholding of tax on the distribution if it 
is not paid in a direct rollover; the rules under which the distributee 
may defer tax on the distribution if it is contributed in a rollover to 
an eligible retirement plan within 60 days of the distribution; and if 
applicable, certain special rules regarding the taxation of the 
distribution as described in section 402(d) (averaging with respect to 
lump sum distributions) and (e) (other rules including treatment of net 
unrealized appreciation). See Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-7 for additional 
information that must be provided if a plan provides a default procedure 
regarding the election of a direct rollover.
    (b) Model section 402(f) notice. The plan administrator will be 
deemed to have complied with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
Q&A-1 relating to the contents of the section 402(f) notice if the plan 
administrator provides the applicable model section 402(f) notice 
published by the Internal Revenue Service for this purpose in a revenue 
ruling, notice, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin. See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (c) Delegation to Commissioner. The Commissioner, in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance, published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin, may modify, or provide any additional guidance with respect 
to, the notice requirement of this section. See Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (d) Effective date--(1) Statutory effective date. Section 402(f) 
applies to eligible rollover distributions made after December 31, 1992.
    (2) Regulatory effective date. This section applies to eligible 
rollover distributions made on or after October 19, 1995. For eligible 
rollover distributions made on or after January 1, 1993 and before 
October 19, 1995, Sec. 1.402(c)-2T, Q&A-11 through 15 (as it appeared 
in the April 1, 1995 edition of 26 CFR part 1), apply. However, for any 
distribution made on or after January 1, 1993 but before October 19, 
1995, a plan administrator or payor may satisfy the requirements of 
section 402(f) by substituting any or all provisions of this section for 
the corresponding provisions of Sec. 1.402(c)-1T, Q&A-11 through 15, if 
any.
    Q-2: When must the plan administrator provide the section 402(f) 
notice to a distributee?
    A-2: The plan administrator must provide the section 402(f) notice 
to a distributee at a time that satisfies either paragraph (a) or (b) of 
this Q&A-2.
    (a) This paragraph (a) is satisfied if the plan administrator 
provides a distributee with the section 402(f) notice no less than 30 
days and no more than 90 days before the date of a distribution. 
However, if the distributee, after having received the section 402(f) 
notice, affirmatively elects a distribution, a plan will not fail to 
satisfy section 402(f) merely because the distribution is made less than 
30 days after the section 402(f) notice was provided to the distributee, 
provided the plan administrator clearly indicates to the distributee 
that the distributee has a

[[Page 427]]

right to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a direct 
rollover for at least 30 days after the notice is provided. The plan 
administrator may use any method to inform the distributee of the 
relevant time period, provided that the method is reasonably designed to 
attract the attention of the distributee. For example, this information 
could be either provided in the section 402(f) notice or stated in a 
separate document (e.g., attached to the election form) that is provided 
at the same time as the notice. For purposes of satisfying the 
requirement in the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this Q&A-2, the 
plan administrator may substitute the annuity starting date, within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.401(a)-20, Q&A-10, for the date of the distribution.
    (b) This paragraph (b) is satisfied if the plan administrator--
    (1) Provides a distributee with the section 402(f) notice;
    (2) Provides the distributee with a summary of the section 402(f) 
notice within the time period described in paragraph (a) of this Q&A-2 
and
    (3) If the distributee so requests after receiving the summary 
described in paragraph (b)(2) of this Q&A-2, provides the section 402(f) 
notice to the distributee without charge and no less than 30 days before 
the date of a distribution (or the annuity starting date), subject to 
the rules for the distributee's waiver of that 30-day period. The 
summary described in paragraph (b)(2) of this Q&A-2 must set forth a 
summary of the principal provisions of the section 402(f) notice, must 
refer the distributee to the most recent version of the section 402(f) 
notice (and, in the case of a notice provided in any document containing 
information in addition to the notice, must identify that document and 
must provide a reasonable indication of where the notice may be found in 
that document, such as by index reference or by section heading), and 
must advise the distributee that, upon request, a copy of the section 
402(f) notice will be provided without charge.
    Q-3: Must the plan administrator provide a separate section 402(f) 
notice for each distribution in a series of periodic payments that are 
eligible rollover distributions?
    A-3: No. In the case of a series of periodic payments that are 
eligible rollover distributions, the plan administrator is permitted to 
satisfy section 402(f) with respect to each payment in the series by 
providing the section 402(f) notice prior to the first payment in the 
series, in accordance with the rules in Q&A-1 and Q&A-2 of this section, 
and providing the notice at least once annually for as long as the 
payments continue. However, see Sec. 1.401(a)(31)-1, Q&A-12 for 
additional guidance if the plan administrator intends to treat a 
distributee's election to make or not make a direct rollover with 
respect to one payment in a series of periodic payments as applicable to 
all subsequent payments in the series (absent a subsequent change of 
election).
    Q-4: May a plan administrator post the section 402(f) notice as a 
means of providing it to distributees?
    A-4: No. The posting of the section 402(f) notice will not be 
considered provision of the notice. The written notice must be provided 
individually to any distributee of an eligible rollover distribution 
within the time period described in Q&A-2 and Q&A-3 of this section.
    Q-5: Will the requirements of section 402(f) be satisfied if a plan 
administrator provides a distributee with the section 402(f) notice or 
the summary of the notice described in paragraph (b)(2) of Q&A-2 of this 
section other than through a written paper document?
    A-5. Yes. See Sec. 1.401(a)-21 of this chapter for rules permitting 
the use of electronic media to provide applicable notices to recipients 
with respect to retirement plans.

    Example 1. (i) A qualified plan (Plan A) permits participants to 
request distributions by e-mail. Under Plan A's system for such 
transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number and 
personal identification number (PIN); this information must match that 
in Plan A's records in order for the transaction to proceed. If a 
participant requests a distribution from Plan A by e-mail and the 
distribution is an eligible rollover distribution, the plan 
administrator provides the participant with a section 402(f) notice by 
e-mail. The plan administrator also advises the participant that he or 
she may request the section 402(f) notice on a written paper document 
and that, if the participant requests the notice on a written

[[Page 428]]

paper document, it will be provided at no charge. To proceed with the 
distribution by e-mail, the participant must acknowledge receipt, 
review, and comprehension of the section 402(f) notice.
    (ii) In Example 1, Plan A does not fail to satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) merely because the notice is provided to 
the participant other than through a written paper document.
    Example 2. (i) A qualified plan (Plan B) permits participants to 
request distributions through the Plan B web site (Internet or 
intranet). Under Plan B's system for such transactions, a participant 
must enter his or her account number and personal identification number 
(PIN); this information must match that in Plan B's records in order for 
the transaction to proceed. A participant may request a distribution 
from Plan B by following the applicable instructions on the Plan B web 
site. After the participant has requested a distribution that is an 
eligible rollover distribution, the participant is automatically shown a 
page on the web site containing a section 402(f) notice. Although this 
page of the web site may be printed, the page also advises the 
participant that he or she may request the section 402(f) notice on a 
written paper document by calling a telephone number indicated on the 
web page and that, if the participant requests the notice on a written 
paper document, it will be provided at no charge. To proceed with the 
distribution by e-mail, the participant must acknowledge receipt, 
review, and comprehension of the section 402(f) notice.
    (ii) In this Example 2, Plan B does not fail to satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) merely because the notice is provided to 
the participant other than through a written paper document.
    Example 3. (i) A qualified plan (Plan C) permits participants to 
request distributions through Plan C's automated telephone system. Under 
Plan C's system for such transactions, a participant must enter his or 
her account number and personal identification number (PIN); this 
information must match that in Plan C's records in order for the 
transaction to proceed. Plan C provides the section 402(f) notice in the 
summary plan description, the most recent version of which was 
distributed to participants in 1997. A participant may request a 
distribution from Plan C by following the applicable instructions on the 
automated telephone system. In 1999, a participant, using Plan C's 
automated telephone system, requests a distribution that is an eligible 
rollover distribution. The automated telephone system refers the 
participant to the most recent version of the section 402(f) notice 
which was provided in the summary plan description, informs the 
participant where the section 402(f) notice may be located in the 
summary plan description, and provides an oral summary of the material 
provisions of the section 402(f) notice. The system also advises the 
participant that the participant may request the section 402(f) notice 
on a written paper document and that, if the participant requests the 
notice on a written paper document, it will be provided at no charge. 
Before proceeding with the distribution, the participant must 
acknowledge receipt, review, and comprehension of the summary. Under 
Plan C's system for processing such transactions, the participant's 
distribution will be made no more than 90 days and no fewer than 30 days 
after the participant requests the distribution and receives the summary 
of the section 402(f) notice (unless the participant waives the 30-day 
period).
    (ii) In this Example 3, Plan C does not fail to satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) merely because Plan C provides a summary 
of the section 402(f) notice or merely because the summary is provided 
to the participant other than through a written paper document.
    Example 4. (i) Same facts as Example 3, except that, pursuant to 
Plan C's system for processing such transactions, a participant who so 
requests is transferred to a customer service representative whose 
conversation with the participant is recorded. The customer service 
representative provides the summary of the section 402(f) notice by 
reading from a prepared text.
    (ii) In this Example 4, Plan C does not fail to satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) merely because Plan C provides a summary 
of the section 402(f) notice or merely because the summary of the 
section 402(f) notice is provided to the participant other than through 
a written paper document.
    Example 5. (i) Same facts as Example 3, except that Plan C does not 
provide the section 402(f) notice in the summary plan description. 
Instead, the automated telephone system reads the section 402(f) notice 
to the participant.
    (ii) In this Example 5, Plan C does not satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) because oral delivery alone of the section 
402(f) notice through the automated telephone system is not sufficient.
    Example 6. (i) The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that 
Participant D requested a distribution by e-mail, then terminated 
employment, and, following the termination, no longer has reasonable 
access to Plan A e-mail.
    (ii) In this Example 6, Plan A does not satisfy the notice 
requirement of section 402(f) because the electronic medium through 
which the notice is provided is not reasonably accessible to Participant 
D. Plan A must provide the section 402(f) notice to Participant D in a 
written paper document or by

[[Page 429]]

an electronic means that is reasonably accessible to Participant D.

[T.D. 8619, 60 FR 49213, Sept. 22, 1995, as amended by T.D. 8873, 65 FR 
6005, Feb. 8, 2000; T.D. 9294, 71 FR 61887, Oct. 20, 2006; T.D. 9340, 72 
FR 41159, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.402(g)-0  Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals,
table of contents.

    This section contains the captions that appear in Sec. 1.402(g)-1.

    Sec. 1.402(g)-1 Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals.

    (a) In general.
    (b) Elective deferrals.
    (c) Certain one-time irrevocable elections.
    (d) Applicable limit.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Special adjustment for elective deferrals with respect to a 
section 403(b) annuity contract.
    (3) Special adjustment for elective deferrals with respect to a 
section 403(b) annuity contract for certain long-term employees.
    (4) Example.
    (e) Treatment of excess deferrals.
    (1) Plan qualification.
    (i) Effect of excess deferrals.
    (ii) Treatment of excess deferrals as employer contributions.
    (iii) Definition of excess deferrals.
    (2) Correction of excess deferrals after the taxable year.
    (3) Correction of excess deferrals during taxable year.
    (4) Plan provisions.
    (5) Income allocable to excess deferrals.
    (i) General rule.
    (ii) Method of allocating income.
    (iii) Alternative method of allocating income.
    (iv) Safe harbor method of allocating gap period income.
    (6) Coordination with distribution or recharacterization of excess 
contributions.
    (7) No employee or spousal consent required.
    (8) Tax treatment.
    (i) Corrective distributions on or before April 15 after close of 
taxable year.
    (ii) Special rule for 1987 and 1988 excess deferrals.
    (iii) Distributions of excess deferrals after correction period.
    (9) No reduction of required minimum distribution.
    (10) Partial correction.
    (11) Examples.
    (f) Community property laws.
    (g) Effective date.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Deferrals under collective bargaining agreements.
    (3) Transition rule.
    (4) Partnership cash or deferred arrangements.

[T.D. 8357, 56 FR 40545, Aug. 15, 1991]



Sec. 1.402(g)-1  Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals.

    (a) In general. The excess of an individual's elective deferrals for 
any taxable year over the applicable limit for the year may not be 
excluded from gross income under sections 402(a)(8), 402(h)(1)(B), 
403(b), 408(k)(6), or 501(c)(18). Thus, an individual's elective 
deferrals in excess of the applicable limit for a taxable year (that is, 
the individual's excess deferrals for the year) must be included in 
gross income for the year, except to the extent the excess deferrals are 
comprised of designated Roth contributions, and thus, are already 
includible in gross income. A designated Roth contribution is treated as 
an excess deferral only to the extent that the total amount of 
designated Roth contributions for an individual exceeds the applicable 
limit for the taxable year or the designated Roth contributions are 
identified as excess deferrals and the individual receives a 
distribution of the excess deferrals and allocable income under 
paragraph (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this section.
    (b) Elective deferrals. An individual's elective deferrals for a 
taxable year are the sum of the following:
    (1) Any elective contribution under a qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement (as defined in section 401(k)) to the extent not includible 
in the individual's gross income for the taxable year on account of 
section 402(a)(8) (before applying the limits of section 402(g) or this 
section).
    (2) Any employer contribution to a simplified employee pension (as 
defined in section 408(k)) to the extent not includible in the 
individual's gross income for the taxable year on account of section 
402(h)(1)(B) (before applying the limits of section 402(g) or this 
section).
    (3) Any employer contribution to an annuity contract under section 
403(b) under a salary reduction agreement (within the meaning of section 
3121(a)(5)(D)) to the extent not includible in the individual's gross 
income

[[Page 430]]

for the taxable year on account of section 403(b) (before applying the 
limits of section 402(g) or this section).
    (4) Any employee contribution designated as deductible under a trust 
described in section 501(c)(18) to the extent deductible from the 
individual's income for the taxable year on account of section 
501(c)(18) (before appying the limits of section 402(g) or this 
section). For purposes of this section, the employee contribution is 
treated as though it were excluded from the individual's gross income.
    (5) Any designated Roth contributions described in section 402A 
(before applying the limits of section 402(g) or this section).
    (6) Any elective employer contributions to a SIMPLE retirement 
account, on behalf of an employee pursuant to a qualified salary 
reduction arrangement as described in section 408(p)(2) (before applying 
the limits of section 402(g) or this section).
    (c) Certain one-time irrevocable elections. An employer contribution 
is not treated as an elective deferral under paragraph (b) of this 
section if the contribution is made pursuant to a one-time irrevocable 
election made by the employee:
    (1) In the case of an annuity contract under section 403(b), at the 
time of initial eligibility to participate in the salary reduction 
agreement;
    (2) In the case of a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, at a 
time when, under Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)(v), the election is not treated 
as a cash or deferred election;
    (3) In the case of a trust described in section 501(c)(18), at the 
time of initial eligibility to have the employer contribute on the 
employee's behalf to the trust.
    (d) Applicable limit--(1) In general. Except as provided under 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the applicable limit for an 
individual's taxable year is the applicable dollar amount set forth in 
section 402(g)(1)(B). This applicable dollar amount is increased for the 
taxable year beginning in 2007 and later years in the same manner as the 
dollar amount under section 415(b)(1)(A) is adjusted pursuant to section 
415(d). See Sec. 1.402(g)-2 for the treatment of catch-up contributions 
described in section 414(v).
    (2) Special adjustment for elective deferrals with respect to 
section 403(b) annuity contracts for certain long-term employees. The 
applicable limit for an individual who is a qualified employee (as 
defined in section 402(g)(7)(C)) and has elective deferrals described in 
paragraph (b)(3) or (5) of this section for a taxable year is adjusted 
by increasing the applicable limit otherwise determined under paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section in accordance with section 402(g)(7).
    (e) Treatment of excess deferrals--(1) Plan qualification--(i) 
Effect of excess deferrals. For plan years beginning before January 1, 
1988, a plan, annuity contract, simplified employee pension, or trust 
does not fail to meet the requirements of section 401(a), section 
403(b), section 408(k), or section 501(c)(18), respectively, merely 
because excess deferrals are made with respect to the plan, contract, 
pension, or trust. For plan years beginning after December 3l, 1987, see 
section 401(a)(30) and Sec. 1.401(a)-30 for the effect of excess 
deferrals on the qualification of a plan or trust under section 401(a). 
For purposes of determining whether a plan or trust complies in 
operation with section 401(a)(30), excess deferrals that are distributed 
under paragraph (e)(2) or (3) of this section are disregarded. Similar 
rules apply to annuity contracts under section 403(b), simplified 
employee pensions under section 408(k), and plans or trusts under 
section 501(c)(28).
    (ii) Treatment of excess deferrals as employer contributions. For 
other purposes of the Code, including sections 401(a)(4), 401(k)(3), 
404, 409, 411, 412, and 416, excess deferrals must be treated as 
employer contributions even if they are distributed in accordance with 
paragraph (e)(2) or (3) of this section. However, excess deferrals of a 
nonhighly compensated employee are not taken into account under section 
401(k)(3) (the actual deferral percentage test) to the extent the excess 
deferrals are prohibited under section 401(a)(30). Excess deferrals are 
also treated as employer contributions for purposes of section 415 
unless distributed under paragraph (e)(2) or (3) of this section.

[[Page 431]]

    (iii) Definition of excess deferrals. The term ``excess deferrals'' 
means the excess of an individual's elective deferrals for any taxable 
year, as defined in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(b), over the applicable limit under 
section 402(g)(1) for the taxable year.
    (2) Correction of excess deferrals after the taxable year. A plan 
may provide that if any amount is an excess deferral under paragraph (a) 
of this section:
    (i) Not later than the first April 15 (or such earlier date 
specified in the plan) following the close of the individual's taxable 
year, the individual may notify each plan under which elective deferrals 
were made of the amount of the excess deferrals received by the plan. If 
any designated Roth contributions were made to a plan, the notification 
must also identify the extent, if any, to which the excess deferrals are 
comprised of designated Roth contributions. A plan may provide that an 
individual is deemed to have notified the plan of excess deferrals 
(including the portion of excess deferrals that are comprised of 
designated Roth contributions) to the extent the individual has excess 
deferrals for the taxable year calculated by taking into account only 
elective deferrals under the plan and other plans of the same employer 
and the plan may provide the extent to which such excess deferrals are 
comprised of designated Roth contributions. A plan may instead provide 
that the employer may notify the plan on behalf of the individual under 
these circumstances.
    (ii) Not later than the first April 15 following the close of the 
taxable year, the plan may distribute to the individual the amount 
designated under paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section (and any income 
allocable to that amount).
    (3) Correction of excess deferrals during taxable year--(i) A plan 
may provide that an individual who has excess deferrals for a taxable 
year may receive a corrective distribution of excess deferrals during 
the same year. This corrective distribution may be made only if all of 
the following conditions are satisfied:
    (A) The individual designates the distribution as an excess 
deferral. A plan may provide that an individual is deemed to have 
designated the distribution to the extent the individual has excess 
deferrals for the taxable year calculated by taking into account only 
elective deferrals under the plan and other plans of the same employer. 
If any designated Roth contributions were made to a plan, the 
notification must identify the extent to which, if any, the excess 
deferrals are comprised of designated Roth contributions. A plan may 
provide that an individual is deemed to have notified the plan of excess 
deferrals (including the portion of excess deferrals that are comprised 
of designated Roth contributions) for the taxable year calculated by 
taking into account only elective deferrals under the plan and other 
plans of the same employer and the plan may provide the extent to which 
such excess deferrals are comprised of designated Roth contributions.
    (B) The correcting distribution is made after the date on which the 
plan received the excess deferral.
    (C) The plan designates the distribution as a distribution of excess 
deferrals.
    (ii) The provisions of this paragraph (e)(3) are illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. S is a 62 year old individual who participates in Employer 
Y's qualified cash or deferred arrangement. In January 1991, S withdraws 
$5,000 from Y's cash or deferred arrangement. From February through 
September, S defers $900 per month. On October 1, S leaves Employer Y 
and becomes employed by Employer Z (unrelated to Y). During the 
remainder of 1991, S defers $1,800 under Z's qualified cash or deferred 
arrangement. In January 1992, S realizes that S has deferred a total of 
$9,000 in 1991, and therefore has a $525 excess deferral ($9,000 minus 
$8,475, the applicable limit for 1991). An additional $525 must be 
distributed to S before April 15, 1992, to correct the excess deferral. 
The $5,000 withdrawal did not correct the excess deferral because it 
occurred before the excess deferral was made.

    (4) Plan provisions. In order to distribute excess deferrals 
pursuant to paragraphs (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this section, a plan must 
contain language permitting distribution of excess deferrals. A plan may 
require the notification in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this section 
to be in writing and may require that the employee certify or otherwise 
establish that the designated

[[Page 432]]

amount is an excess deferral. A plan need not permit distribution of 
excess deferrals.
    (5) Income allocable to excess deferrals--(i) General rule. The 
income allocable to excess deferrals for a taxable year that begins on 
or after January 1, 2007 is equal to the sum of the allocable gain or 
loss for the taxable year of the individual and, to the extent the 
excess deferrals are or will be credited with gain or loss for the 
period after the close of the taxable year and prior to the distribution 
(the gap period) if the total account were to be distributed, the 
allocable gain or loss during that period. The income allocable to 
excess deferrals for a taxable year that begins before 2007 is 
determined using the 1.402(g)-1(e)(5) (as it appeared in the April 1, 
2006 edition of 26 CFR Part 1).
    (ii) Method of allocating income. A plan may use any reasonable 
method for computing the income allocable to excess deferrals, provided 
that the method does not violate section 401(a)(4), is used consistently 
for all participants and for all corrective distributions under a plan 
for the plan year, and is used by the plan for allocating income to 
participants' accounts. See Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-1(c)(8). A plan will not 
fail to use a reasonable method for computing the income allocable to 
excess deferrals merely because the income allocable to excess deferrals 
is determined on a date that is no more than 7 days before the 
distribution.
    (iii) Alternative method of allocating taxable year income. A plan 
may determine the income allocable to excess deferrals for the taxable 
year by multiplying the income for the taxable year allocable to 
elective deferrals by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the 
excess deferrals by the employee for the taxable year. The denominator 
of the fraction is equal to the sum of:
    (A) The total account balance of the employee attributable to 
elective deferrals as of the beginning of the taxable year, plus
    (B) The employee's elective deferrals for the taxable year.
    (iv) Safe harbor method of allocating gap period income. Under the 
safe harbor method, income on excess deferrals for the gap period is 
equal to 10 percent of the income allocable to excess deferrals for the 
taxable year (calculated under the method described in paragraph 
(e)(5)(iii) of this section), multiplied by the number of calendar 
months that have elapsed since the end of the taxable year. For purposes 
of calculating the number of calendar months that have elapsed under the 
safe harbor method, a corrective distribution that is made on or before 
the fifteenth day of the month is treated as made on the last day of the 
preceding month. A distribution made after the fifteenth day of the 
month is treated as made on the first day of the next month.
    (v) Alternative method for allocating taxable year and gap period 
income. A plan may determine the allocable gain or loss for the 
aggregate of the taxable year and the gap period by applying the 
alternative method provided by paragraph (e)(5)(iii) of this section to 
this aggregate period. This is accomplished by substituting the income 
for the taxable year and the gap period for the income for the taxable 
year and by substituting the elective deferrals for the taxable year and 
the gap period for the elective deferrals for the taxable year in 
determining the fraction that is multiplied by that income.
    (6) Coordination with distribution or recharacterization of excess 
contributions. The amount of excess deferrals that may be distributed 
under this paragraph (e) with respect to an employee for a taxable year 
is reduced by any excess contributions previously distributed or 
recharacterized with respect to the employee for the plan year beginning 
with or within the taxable year. In the event of a reduction under this 
paragraph (e)(6), the amount of excess contributions includible in the 
gross income of the employee and reported by the employer as a 
distribution of excess contributions is reduced by the amount of the 
reduction under this paragraph (e)(6). See Sec. 1.401(k)-2(b)(4)(i). In 
no case may an individual receive from a plan as a corrective 
distribution for a taxable year under paragraph (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this 
section an amount in excess of the individual's total elective deferrals 
under the plan for the taxable year.

[[Page 433]]

    (7) No employee or spousal consent required. A corrective 
distribution of excess deferrals (and income) may be made under the 
terms of the plan without regard to any notice or consent otherwise 
required under sections 411(a)(11) or 417.
    (8) Tax treatment--(i) Corrective distributions on or before April 
15 after close of taxable year. A corrective distribution of excess 
deferrals within the period described in paragraph (e)(2) or (e)(3) of 
this section is excludable from the employee's gross income. However, 
the income allocable to excess deferrals is includible in the employee's 
gross income for the taxable year in which the allocable income is 
distributed. The corrective distribution of excess deferrals (and 
income) is not subject to the early distribution tax of section 72(t) 
and is not treated as a distribution for purposes of applying the excise 
tax under section 4980A.
    (ii) Special rule for 1987 and 1988 excess deferrals. Income on 
excess deferrals for 1987 or 1988 that were timely distributed on or 
before April 17, 1989, may be reported by the recipient either in the 
year described in paragraph (e)(8)(i) of this section, or in the year in 
which the employee would have received the elective deferrals had the 
employee originally elected to receive the amounts in cash.
    (iii) Distributions of excess deferrals after correction period. If 
excess deferrals (and income) for a taxable year are not distributed 
within the period described in paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this 
section, they may only be distributed when permitted under section 
401(k)(2)(B). These amounts are includible in gross income when 
distributed, and are treated for purposes of the distribution rules 
otherwise applicable to the plan as elective deferrals (and income) that 
were excludable from the individual's gross income under section 402(g). 
Thus, any amount includible in gross income for any taxable year under 
this section that is not distributed by April 15 of the following 
taxable year is not treated as an investment in the contract for 
purposes of section 72 and is includible in the employee's gross income 
when distributed from the plan. Excess deferrals that are distributed 
under this paragraph (e)(8)(iii) are treated as employer contributions 
for purposes of section 415 when they are contributed to the plan.
    (iv) Distributions of excess deferrals from a designated Roth 
account. The rules of paragraph (e)(8)(iii) of this section generally 
apply to distributions of excess deferrals that are designated Roth 
contributions and the attributable income. Thus, if a designated Roth 
account described in section 402A includes any excess deferrals, any 
distribution of amounts attributable to those excess deferrals are 
includible in gross income (without adjustment for any return of 
investment in the contract under section 72(e)(8)). In addition, such 
distributions cannot be qualified distributions described in section 
402A(d)(2) and are not eligible rollover distributions within the 
meaning of section 402(c)(4). For this purpose, if a designated Roth 
account includes any excess deferrals, any distributions from the 
account are treated as attributable to those excess deferrals until the 
total amount distributed from the designated Roth account equals the 
total of such deferrals and attributable income.
    (9) No reduction of required minimum distribution. A distribution of 
excess deferrals (and income) under paragraphs (e)(2) and (e)(3) of this 
section is not treated as a distribution for purposes of determining 
whether the plan meets the minimum distribution requirements of section 
401(a)(9).
    (10) Partial correction. Any distribution under paragraphs (e)(2) or 
(e)(3) of this section of less than the entire amount of excess 
deferrals (and income) is treated as a pro rata distribution of excess 
deferrals and income.
    (11) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph are illustrated by 
the following examples. Assume in Examples 1 and 2 that there is no 
income or loss allocable to the elective deferrals.

    Example 1. Employee A is a 60-year old highly compensated employee 
who participates in Employer M's cash or deferred arrangement. During 
the period of January through September of 1988, A contributed $7,000 to 
the arrangement in elective deferrals. During the same period A also 
contributed $813 in elective deferrals under a plan of an unrelated 
employer. In December of 1988, A made a withdrawal of $1,000 from 
Employer M's plan but did not designate this as

[[Page 434]]

a withdrawal of an excess deferral. In January of 1989, A notifies 
Employer M of an excess deferral, specifying a distribution of $500 for 
1988. To correct the excess deferrals, A must receive this additional 
$500 even though A has already withdrawn $1,000 for 1988. A may exclude 
from income in 1988 only $7,313. However, if the $500 is distributed by 
April 25, 1989, the distribution is excludable from A's gross income in 
1989. Even if A withdraws the $500, M must take into account the entire 
$7,000 in computing A's actual deferral percentage for 1988.
    Example 2. (i) Corporation X maintains a cash or deferred 
arrangement. The plan year is the calendar year. For plan year 1989, all 
10 of X's employees are eligible to participate in the plan. The 
employees' compensation, contributions, and actual deferral ratios are 
shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Actual
                                                                deferral
           Employee             Compensation    Contribution     ratio
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A............................        $140,000          $7,000        5.0
B............................          70,000           7,000       10.0
C............................          70,000           7,000       10.0
D............................          45,000           2,250        5.0
E............................          40,000           4,000       10.0
F............................          35,000           1,750        5.0
G............................          35,000             350        1.0
H............................          30,000           3,000       10.0
I............................          17,500               0          0
J............................          17,500               0        0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Employees A, B, and C are highly compensated employees within 
the meaning of section 414(q). Employees D, E, F, G, H, I, and J are 
nonhighly compensated employees. The actual deferral percentages for the 
highly compensated employees and nonhighly compensated employees are 
8.33 percent and 4.43 percent, respectively. These percentages do not 
satisfy the requirements of section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii). The actual 
deferral percentage for the highly compensated employees may not exceed 
6.43 percent.
    (iii) The plan reduces the actual deferral ratios of B and C to 7.14 
percent by distributing $2,002 ($7,000-.0714 x $70,000) to each in 
January 1990. Section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii) is therefore satisfied.
    (iv) In February 1990, B notifies X that B made elective deferrals 
of $2,000 under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement maintained by 
an unrelated employer in 1989, and requests distribution of $2,000 from 
X's plan. However, since B has already received a distribution of $2,002 
to meet the ADP test, no additional amounts are required or are 
permitted to be distributed as excess deferrals by this plan, and the 
prior distribution of excess contributions has corrected the excess 
deferrals. But X must report $2,000 as a distribution of an excess 
deferral and $2 as a distribution of an excess contribution.
    Example 3. Employee T has excess deferrals of $1,000. The income 
attributable to excess deferrals is $100. T properly notifies the 
employer, and requests a distribution of the excess deferral (and 
income) on February 1. The plan distributes $1,000 to T by April 15. 
Because the plan did not distribute any additional amount as income, 
$909 is treated as a distribution of excess deferrals, and $91 is 
treated as a distribution of earnings. With respect to amounts remaining 
in the account, $91 is treated as an elective deferral and is not 
included in T's investment in the contract. Because it was not 
distributed by the required date, the $91 is includible in gross income 
upon distribution as well as in the year of deferral.

    (f) Community property laws. This section is applied without regard 
to community property laws.
    (g) Effective date--(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided, 
the provisions of this section are effective for taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 1986.
    (2) Deferrals under collective bargaining agreements. In the case of 
a plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining 
agreements between employee representatives and one or more employers 
ratified before March 1, 1986, the provisions of this section do not 
apply to contributions made pursuant to the collective bargaining 
agreement for taxable years beginning before the earlier of January 1, 
1989, or the date on which the agreement terminates (determined without 
regard to any extension thereof after February 28, 1986). These 
contributions under a collective bargaining agreement are taken into 
account for purposes of applying this section to elective deferrals 
under plans not described in this paragraph (g)(2).
    (3) Transition rule. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 
1992, a plan or an individual may rely on a reasonable interpretation of 
the rules set forth in section 402(g), as in effect during those years.
    (4) Partnership cash or deferred arrangements. For purposes of 
section 402(g), employer contributions for any plan year beginning after 
December 31, 1986, and before January 1, 1989, under an arrangement that 
directly or indirectly permits individual partners to vary the amount of 
contributions made

[[Page 435]]

on their behalf will be treated as elective contributions only if the 
arrangement was intended to satisfy and did satisfy the 
nondiscrimination test of section 401(k)(3) and Sec. 1.401(k)-1(b) for 
the plan year.

[T.D. 8357, 56 FR 40546, Aug. 15, 1991, as amended by T.D. 8581, 59 FR 
66180, Dec. 23, 1994; T.D. 9169, 69 FR 78153, Dec. 29, 2004; T.D. 9324, 
72 FR 21110, Apr. 30, 2007]



Sec. 1.402(g)-2  Increased limit for catch-up contributions.

    (a) General rule. Under section 402(g)(1)(C), in determining the 
amount of elective deferrals that are includible in gross income under 
section 402(g) for a catch-up eligible participant (within the meaning 
of Sec. 1.414(v)-1(g)), the otherwise applicable dollar limit under 
section 402(g)(1)(B) (as increased under section 402(g)(7), to the 
extent applicable) shall be further increased by the applicable dollar 
catch-up limit as set forth under Sec. 1.414(v)-1(c)(2).
    (b) Participants in multiple plans. Paragraph (a) of this section 
applies without regard to whether the applicable employer plans (within 
the meaning of section 414(v)(6)) treat the elective deferrals as catch-
up contributions. Thus, a catch-up eligible participant who makes 
elective deferrals under applicable employer plans of two or more 
employers that in total exceed the applicable dollar amount under 
section 402(g)(1) by an amount that does not exceed the applicable 
dollar catch-up limit under either plan may exclude the elective 
deferrals from gross income, even if neither applicable employer plan 
treats those elective deferrals as catch-up contributions.
    (c) Effective date--(1) Statutory effective date. Section 
402(g)(1)(C) applies to contributions in taxable years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2002.
    (2) Regulatory effective date. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section apply to contributions in taxable years beginning on or after 
January 1, 2004.

[T.D. 9072, 68 FR 40515, July 8, 2003]



Sec. 1.402(g)(3)-1  Employer contributions to purchase a section 
403(b) contract under a salary reduction agreement.

    (a) General rule. With respect to an annuity contract under section 
403(b), except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an elective 
deferral means an employer contribution to purchase an annuity contract 
under section 403(b) under a salary reduction agreement within the 
meaning of section 3121(a)(5)(D).
    (b) Special rule. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, for 
purposes of section 403(b), an elective deferral only includes a 
contribution that is made pursuant to a cash or deferred election (as 
defined at Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)). Thus, for purposes of section 
402(g)(3)(C), an elective deferral does not include a contribution that 
is made pursuant to an employee's one-time irrevocable election made on 
or before the employee's first becoming eligible to participate under 
the employer's plans or a contribution made as a condition of employment 
that reduces the employee's compensation.
    (c) Applicable date. This section is applicable for taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 2008.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41140, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.402A-1  Designated Roth Accounts.

    Q-1. What is a designated Roth account?
    A-1. A designated Roth account is a separate account under a 
qualified cash or deferred arrangement under a section 401(a) plan, or 
under a section 403(b) plan, to which designated Roth contributions are 
permitted to be made in lieu of elective contributions and that 
satisfies the requirements of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(f) (in the case of a 
section 401(a) plan) or Sec. 1.403(b)-3(c) (in the case of a section 
403(b) plan).
    Q-2. How is a distribution from a designated Roth account taxed?
    A-2. (a) The taxation of a distribution from a designated Roth 
account depends on whether or not the distribution is a qualified 
distribution. A qualified distribution from a designated Roth account is 
not includible in the distributee's gross income.
    (b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of this A-2, a 
qualified distribution is a distribution that is both--
    (1) Made after the 5-taxable-year period of participation defined in 
A-4 of this section has been completed; and

[[Page 436]]

    (2) Made on or after the date the employee attains age 59\1/2\, made 
to a beneficiary or the estate of the employee on or after the 
employee's death, or attributable to the employee's being disabled 
within the meaning of section 72(m)(7).
    (c) A distribution from a designated Roth account is not a qualified 
distribution to the extent it consists of a distribution of excess 
deferrals and attributable income described in Sec. 1.402(g)-1(e). See 
A-11 of this section for other amounts that are not treated as qualified 
distributions, including excess contributions described in section 
401(k)(8), and excess aggregate contributions described in section 
401(m)(8), and income, on any of these excess amounts.
    Q-3. How is a distribution from a designated Roth account taxed if 
it is not a qualified distribution?
    A-3. Except as provided in A-11 of this section, a distribution from 
a designated Roth account that is not a qualified distribution is 
taxable to the distributee under section 402 in the case of a plan 
qualified under section 401(a) and under section 403(b)(1) in the case 
of a section 403(b) plan. For this purpose, a designated Roth account is 
treated as a separate contract under section 72. Thus, except as 
otherwise provided in A-5 of this section for a rollover, if a 
distribution is before the annuity starting date, the portion of any 
distribution that is includible in gross income as an amount allocable 
to income on the contract and the portion not includible in gross income 
as an amount allocable to investment in the contract is determined under 
section 72(e)(8), treating the designated Roth account as a separate 
contract. Similarly, in the case of any amount received as an annuity, 
if a distribution is on or after the annuity starting date, the portion 
of any annuity payment that is includible in gross income as an amount 
allocable to income on the contract and the portion not includible in 
gross income as an amount allocable to investment in the contract is 
determined under section 72(b) or (d), as applicable, treating the 
designated Roth account as a separate contract. For purposes of section 
72, designated Roth contributions are described in section 72(f)(1) or 
72(f)(2), to the extent applicable.
    Q-4. What is the 5-taxable-year period of participation described in 
A-2 of this section?
    A-4. (a) The 5-taxable-year period of participation described in A-2 
of this section for a plan is the period of 5 consecutive taxable years 
that begins with the first day of the first taxable year in which the 
employee makes a designated Roth contribution to any designated Roth 
account established for the employee under the same plan and ends when 5 
consecutive taxable years have been completed. For this purpose, the 
first taxable year in which an employee makes a designated Roth 
contribution is the year in which the amount is includible in the 
employee's gross income. Notwithstanding the preceding, however, a 
contribution that is returned as an excess deferral or excess 
contribution does not begin the 5 taxable-year period of participation. 
Similarly, a contribution returned as a permissible withdrawal under 
section 414(w) does not begin the 5 taxable-year period of 
participation.
    (b) Generally, an employee's 5-taxable-year period of participation 
is determined separately for each plan (within the meaning of section 
414(l)) in which the employee participates. Thus, if an employee has 
elective deferrals made to designated Roth accounts under two or more 
plans, the employee may have two or more different 5-taxable-year 
periods of participation, depending on when the employee first had 
contributions made to a designated Roth account under each plan. 
However, if a direct rollover contribution of a distribution from a 
designated Roth account under another plan is made by the employee to 
the plan, the 5-taxable-year period of participation begins on the first 
day of the employee's taxable year in which the employee first had 
designated Roth contributions made to such other designated Roth 
account, if earlier than the first taxable year in which a designated 
Roth contribution is made to the plan. See A-5(c) of this section for 
additional rules on determining the start of the 5-taxable-year of 
participation in the case of an indirect rollover.

[[Page 437]]

    (c) The beginning of the 5-taxable-year period of participation is 
not redetermined for any portion of an employee's designated Roth 
account. This is true even if the entire designated Roth account is 
distributed during the 5-taxable-year period of participation and the 
employee subsequently makes additional designated Roth contributions 
under the plan.
    (d) The rule in paragraph (c) of this section applies if the 
employee dies or the account is divided pursuant to a qualified domestic 
relations order (QDRO), and thus, a portion of the account is not 
payable to the employee and is payable to the employee's beneficiary or 
an alternate payee. In the case of distribution to an alternate payee or 
beneficiary, generally, the age, death, or disability of the employee is 
used to determine whether the distribution to an alternate payee or 
beneficiary is qualified. However, if an alternate payee or a spousal 
beneficiary rolls the distribution into a designated Roth account in a 
plan maintained by his or her own employer, such individual's age, 
disability, or death is used to determine whether a distribution from 
the recipient plan is qualified. In addition, if the rollover is a 
direct rollover contribution to the alternate payee's or spousal 
beneficiary's own designated Roth account, the 5-taxable-year period of 
participation under the recipient plan begins on the earlier of the date 
the employee's 5-taxable-year period of participation began under the 
distributing plan or the date the 5-taxable-year period of participation 
applicable to the alternate payee's or spousal beneficiary's designated 
Roth account began under the recipient plan.
    (e) If a designated Roth contribution is made by a reemployed 
veteran for a year of qualified military service pursuant to section 
414(u) that is before the year in which the contribution is actually 
made, the contribution is treated as having been made in the year of 
qualified military service to which the contribution relates, as 
designated by the reemployed veteran. Reemployed veterans may identify 
the year of qualified military service for which a contribution is made 
for other purposes, such as for entitlement to a match, and the 
treatment for the 5-taxable-year period of participation rule follows 
that identification. In the absence of such designation, for purposes of 
determining the first year of the five years of participation under 
section 402A(d)(2)(B), the contribution is treated as relating to the 
first year of qualified military service for which the reemployed 
veteran could have made designated Roth contributions under the plan, or 
if later the first taxable year in which designated Roth contributions 
could be made under the plan.
    Q-5. How do the taxation rules apply to a distribution from a 
designated Roth account that is rolled over?
    A-5. (a) An eligible rollover distribution from a designated Roth 
account is permitted to be rolled over into another designated Roth 
account or a Roth IRA, and the amount rolled over is not currently 
includible in gross income. In accordance with section 402(c)(2), to the 
extent that a portion of a distribution from a designated Roth account 
is not includible in income (determined without regard to the rollover), 
if that portion of the distribution is to be rolled over into a 
designated Roth account, the rollover must be accomplished through a 
direct rollover (i.e., a 60-day rollover to another designated Roth 
account is not available for this portion of the distribution). If a 
distribution from a designated Roth account is instead made to the 
employee, the employee would still be able to roll over the entire 
amount (or any portion thereof) into a Roth IRA within the 60-day period 
described in section 402(c)(3). For distributions made prior to January 
1, 2016, any amount paid in a direct rollover is treated as a separate 
distribution from any amount paid directly to the employee, except that 
taxpayers may choose not to apply this sentence to distributions made on 
or after September 18, 2014, and before January 1, 2016.
    (b) In the case of an eligible rollover distribution from a 
designated Roth account that is not a qualified distribution and not 
paid as a direct rollover contribution, if less than the entire amount 
of the distribution is rolled over, the part that is rolled over is 
deemed to consist first of the portion

[[Page 438]]

of the distribution that is attributable to income under section 
72(e)(8).
    (c) If an employee receives a distribution from a designated Roth 
account, the portion of the distribution that would be includible in 
gross income is permitted to be rolled over into a designated Roth 
account under another plan. In such a case, Sec. 1.402A-2, A-3, 
provides for additional reporting by the recipient plan. In addition, 
the employee's period of participation under the distributing plan is 
not carried over to the recipient plan for purposes of satisfying the 5-
taxable-year period of participation requirement under the recipient 
plan. Generally, the taxable year in which the recipient plan accepts 
such rollover contribution is the taxable year that begins the 
participant's new 5-taxable-year period of participation. However, if 
the participant is rolling over to a plan in which the participant 
already has a pre-existing designated Roth account with a longer period 
of participation, the starting date of the recipient account is used to 
measure the participant's 5-taxable-year period of participation.
    (d) The following example illustrates the application of this A-5:

    Example. Employee B receives a $14,000 eligible rollover 
distribution that is not a qualified distribution from B's designated 
Roth account, consisting of $11,000 of investment in the contract and 
$3,000 of income. Within 60 days of receipt, Employee B rolls over 
$7,000 of the distribution into a Roth IRA. The $7,000 is deemed to 
consist of $3,000 of income and $4,000 of investment in the contract. 
Because the only portion of the distribution that could be includible in 
gross income (the income) is rolled over, none of the distribution is 
includible in Employee B's gross income.

    (e) This A-5 applies for taxable years beginning on or after January 
1, 2006.
    Q-6. In the case of a rollover contribution to a designated Roth 
account, how is the amount that is treated as investment in the contract 
under section 72 determined?
    A-6. (a) If a distribution from a designated Roth account is rolled 
over to another designated Roth account in a direct rollover, the amount 
of the rollover contribution allocated to investment in the contract in 
the recipient designated Roth account is the amount that would not have 
been includible in gross income (determined without regard to section 
402(e)(4)) if the distribution had not been rolled over. Thus, if an 
amount that is a qualified distribution is rolled over, the entire 
amount of the rollover contribution is allocated to investment in the 
contract.
    (b) If the entire account balance of a designated Roth account is 
rolled over to another designated Roth account in a direct rollover, 
and, at the time of the distribution, the investment in the contract 
exceeds the balance in the designated Roth account, the investment in 
the contract in the distributing plan is included in the investment in 
the contract of the recipient plan.
    Q-7. After a qualified distribution from a designated Roth account 
has been made, how is the remaining investment in the contract of the 
designated Roth account determined under section 72?
    A-7. (a) The portion of any qualified distribution that is treated 
as a recovery of investment in the contract is determined in the same 
manner as if the distribution were not a qualified distribution. (See A-
3 of this section) Thus, the remaining investment in the contract in a 
designated Roth account after a qualified distribution is determined in 
the same manner after a qualified distribution as it would be determined 
if the distribution were not a qualified distribution.
    (b) The following example illustrates the application of this A-7:

    Example. Employee C receives a $12,000 distribution, which is a 
qualified distribution that is attributable to the employee being 
disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7), from C's designated 
Roth account. Immediately prior to the distribution, the account 
consisted of $21,850 of investment in the contract (i.e., designated 
Roth contributions) and $1,150 of income. For purposes of determining 
recovery of investment in the contract under section 72, the 
distribution is deemed to consist of $11,400 of investment in the 
contract [$12,000 x 21,850/(1,150 + 21,850)], and $600 of income 
[$12,000 x 1,150/(1,150 + 21,850)]. Immediately after the distribution, 
C's designated Roth account consists of $10,450 of investment in the 
contract and $550 of income. This determination of the remaining 
investment in the contract will be needed if C subsequently is no longer 
disabled and takes a nonqualified distribution from the designated Roth 
account.


[[Page 439]]


    Q-8. What is the relationship between the accounting for designated 
Roth contributions as investment in the contract for purposes of section 
72 and their treatment as elective deferrals available for a hardship 
distribution under section 401(k)(2)(B)?
    A-8. (a) There is no relationship between the accounting for 
designated Roth contributions as investment in the contract for purposes 
of section 72 and their treatment as elective deferrals available for a 
hardship distribution under section 401(k)(2)(B). A plan that makes a 
hardship distribution under section 401(k)(2)(B) from elective deferrals 
that includes designated Roth contributions must separately determine 
the amount of elective deferrals available for hardship and the amount 
of investment in the contract attributable to designated Roth 
contributions for purposes of section 72. Thus, the entire amount of a 
hardship distribution is treated as reducing the otherwise maximum 
distributable amount for purposes of applying the rule in section 
401(k)(2)(B) and Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(ii) that generally limits 
hardship distributions to the principal amount of elective deferrals 
made less the amount of elective deferrals previously distributed from 
the plan, even if a portion of the distribution is treated as income 
under section 72(e)(8).
    (b) The following example illustrates the application of this A-8:

    Example. The facts are the same as in the Example in A-7 of this 
section, except that instead of being disabled, Employee C is receiving 
a hardship distribution. In addition, Employee C has made elective 
deferrals that are not designated Roth contributions totaling $20,000 
and has received no previous distributions of elective deferrals from 
the plan. The adjustment to the investment in the contract is the same 
as in A-7 of this section, but for purposes of determining the amount of 
elective deferrals available for future hardship distribution, the 
entire amount of the distribution is subtracted from the maximum 
distributable amount. Thus, Employee C has only $29,850 ($41,850-
$12,000) available for hardship distribution from C's designated Roth 
account.

    Q-9. Can an employee have more than one separate contract for 
designated Roth contributions under a plan qualified under section 
401(a) or a section 403(b) plan?
    A-9. (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this A-9, 
for purposes of section 72, there is only one separate contract for an 
employee with respect to the designated Roth contributions under a plan. 
Thus, if a plan maintains one separate account for designated Roth 
contributions made under the plan and another separate account for 
rollover contributions received from a designated Roth account under 
another plan (so that the rollover account is not required to be subject 
to the distribution restrictions otherwise applicable to the account 
consisting of designated Roth contributions made under the plan), both 
separate accounts are considered to be one contract for purposes of 
applying section 72 to the distributions from either account.
    (b) If a separate account with respect to an employee's accrued 
benefit consisting of designated Roth contributions is established and 
maintained for an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified domestic 
relations order and another designated Roth account is maintained for 
the employee, each account is treated as a separate contract for 
purposes of section 72. The alternate payee's designated Roth account is 
also a separate contract for purposes of section 72 with respect to any 
other account maintained for that alternate payee. Similarly, if 
separate accounts are established and maintained for different 
beneficiaries after the death of an employee, the separate account for 
each beneficiary is treated as a separate contract under section 72 and 
is also a separate contract with respect to any other account maintained 
for that beneficiary under the plan that is not a designated Roth 
account. When the separate account is established for an alternate payee 
or for a beneficiary (after an employee's death), each separate account 
must receive a proportionate amount attributable to investment in the 
contract.
    Q-10. What is the tax treatment of employer securities distributed 
from a designated Roth account?
    A-10. (a) If a distribution of employer securities from a designated 
Roth account is not a qualified distribution,

[[Page 440]]

section 402(e)(4)(B) applies. Thus, in the case of a lump-sum 
distribution that includes employer securities, unless the taxpayer 
elects otherwise, net unrealized appreciation attributable to the 
employer securities is not includible in gross income; and such net 
unrealized appreciation is not included in the basis of the distributed 
securities and is capital gain to the extent such appreciation is 
realized in a subsequent taxable transaction.
    (b) In the case of a qualified distribution of employer securities 
from a designated Roth account, the distributee's basis in the 
distributed securities for purposes of subsequent disposition is their 
fair market value at the time of distribution.
    Q-11. Can an amount described in A-4 of Sec. 1.402(c)-2 with 
respect to a designated Roth account be a qualified distribution?
    A-11. No. An amount described in A-4 of Sec. 1.402(c)-2 with 
respect to a designated Roth account cannot be a qualified distribution. 
Such an amount is taxable under the rules of Sec. Sec. 1.72-16(b), 
1.72(p)-1, A-11 through A-13, 1.402(g)-1(e)(8), 1.401(k)-2(b)(2)(vi), 
1.401(m)-2(b)(2)(vi), or 1.404(k)-1T. Thus, for example, loans that are 
treated as deemed distributions pursuant to section 72(p), or dividends 
paid on employer securities as described in section 404(k) are not 
qualified distributions even if the deemed distributions occur or the 
dividends are paid after the employee attains age 59\1/2\ and the 5-
taxable-year period of participation defined in A-4 of this section has 
been satisfied. However, if a dividend is reinvested in accordance with 
section 404(k)(2)(A)(iii)(II), the amount of such a dividend is not 
precluded from being a qualified distribution if later distributed. 
Further, an amount is not precluded from being a qualified distribution 
merely because it is described in section 402(c)(4) as an amount not 
eligible for rollover. Thus, a hardship distribution is not precluded 
from being a qualified distribution.
    Q-12. If any amount from a designated Roth account is included in a 
loan to an employee, do the plan aggregation rules of section 
72(p)(2)(D) apply for purposes of determining the total amount an 
employee is permitted to borrow from the plan, even though the 
designated Roth account generally is treated as a separate contract 
under section 72?
    A-12. Yes. If any amount from a designated Roth account is included 
in a loan to an employee, notwithstanding the general rule that the 
designated Roth account is treated as a separate contract under section 
72, the plan aggregation rules of section 72(p)(2)(D) apply for purposes 
of determining the maximum amount the employee is permitted to borrow 
from the plan and such amount is based on the total of the designated 
Roth contribution amounts and the other amounts under the plan. To the 
extent a loan is from a designated Roth account, the repayment 
requirement of section 72(p)(2)(C) must be satisfied separately with 
respect to that portion of the loan and with respect to the portion of 
the loan from other accounts under the plan.
    Q-13. Does a transaction or accounting methodology involving an 
employee's designated Roth account and any other accounts under the plan 
or plans of an employer that has the effect of transferring value from 
the other accounts into the designated Roth account violate the separate 
accounting requirement of section 402A?
    A-13. (a) Yes. Any transaction or accounting methodology involving 
an employee's designated Roth account and any other accounts under the 
plan or plans of an employer that has the effect of directly or 
indirectly transferring value from another account into the designated 
Roth account violates the separate accounting requirement under section 
402A. However, any transaction that merely exchanges investments between 
accounts at fair market value will not violate the separate accounting 
requirement.
    (b) In the case of an annuity contract which contains both a 
designated Roth account and any other accounts, the Commissioner may 
prescribe additional guidance of general applicability, published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin (see 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter), to 
provide additional rules for allocation of income, expenses, gains and 
losses among the accounts under the contract.

[[Page 441]]

    (c) This A-13 applies to designated Roth accounts for taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2006.
    Q-14. How is an annuity contract that is distributed from a 
designated Roth account treated for purposes of section 402A?
    A-14. A qualified plan distributed annuity contract within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.402(c)-2, A-10(a) that is distributed from a 
designated Roth account is not treated as a distribution for purposes of 
section 402 or 402A. Instead, the amounts paid under the annuity 
contract are treated as distributions for purposes of sections 402 and 
402A. Thus, the period after the annuity contract is distributed and 
before a payment from the annuity contract is made is included in 
determining whether the five-year period of participation is satisfied. 
Further, for purposes of determining if a distribution is a qualified 
distribution, the determination of whether a distribution is made on or 
after the date the employee attains age 59\1/2\, made to a beneficiary 
or the estate of the employee on or after the employee's death, or 
attributable to the employee's being disabled within the meaning of 
section 72(m)(7) is made based on the facts at the time the distribution 
is made from the annuity contract. Thus for example, if an employee 
first makes a designated Roth contribution to a designated Roth account 
in 2006 at age 56, receives a distributed annuity contract within the 
meaning of Sec. 1.402(c)-2, A-10(a) in 2007 purchased only with assets 
from the designated Roth account, and then receives a distribution from 
the contract in 2011 at age 60, the distribution is a qualified 
distribution.
    Q-15. When are section 402A and this Sec. 1.402A-1 applicable?
    A-15. Section 402A is applicable for taxable years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2006. Except as otherwise provided in A-5 and A-13 of 
this section, the rules of this Sec. 1.402A-1 apply for taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

[T.D. 9324, 72 FR 21111, Apr. 30, 2007; 72 FR 30974, June 5, 2007, as 
amended by T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41140, July 26, 2007; T.D. 9769, 81 FR 
31166, May 18, 2016]



Sec. 1.402A-2  Reporting and recordkeeping requirements with respect
to designated Roth accounts.

    Q-1. Who is responsible for keeping track of the 5-taxable-year 
period of participation and the investment in the contract, i.e., the 
amount of unrecovered designated Roth contributions for the employee?
    A-1. The plan administrator or other responsible party with respect 
to a plan with a designated Roth account is responsible for keeping 
track of the 5-taxable-year period of participation for each employee 
and the amount of investment in the contract (unrecovered designated 
Roth contributions) on behalf of such employee. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, in the absence of actual knowledge to the contrary, 
the plan administrator or other responsible party is permitted to assume 
that an employee's taxable year is the calendar year. In the case of a 
direct rollover from another designated Roth account, the plan 
administrator or other responsible party of the recipient plan can rely 
on reasonable representations made by the plan administrator or 
responsible party with respect to the plan with the other designated 
Roth account. See A-2 of this section for statements required in the 
case of rollovers.
    Q-2. In the case of an eligible rollover distribution from a 
designated Roth account, what additional information must be provided 
with respect to such distribution?
    A-2. (a) Pursuant to section 6047(f), if an amount is distributed 
from a designated Roth account, the plan administrator or other 
responsible party with respect to the plan must provide a statement as 
described below in the following situations--
    (1) In the case of a direct rollover of a distribution from a 
designated Roth account under a plan to a designated Roth account under 
another plan, the plan administrator or other responsible party must 
provide to the plan administrator or responsible party of the recipient 
plan either a statement indicating the first year of the 5-taxable-year 
period described in A-1 of this section and the portion of the 
distribution that is attributable to investment in the contract under 
section 72, or a

[[Page 442]]

statement that the distribution is a qualified distribution.
    (2) If the distribution is not a direct rollover to a designated 
Roth account under another plan, the plan administrator or responsible 
party must provide to the employee, upon request, the same information 
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this A-2, except the statement need not 
indicate the first year of the 5-taxable-year period described in A-1 of 
this section.
    (b) The statement described in paragraph (a) of this A-2 must be 
provided within a reasonable period following the direct rollover or 
distributee request but in no event later than 30 days following the 
direct rollover or distributee request.
    Q-3. If a plan qualified under section 401(a) or a section 403(b) 
plan accepts a 60-day rollover of earnings from a designated Roth 
account, what report to the IRS must be provided with respect to such 
rollover contribution?
    A-3. To the extent required in Forms and Instructions, if a plan 
qualified under section 401(a), or a section 403(b) plan, accepts a 
rollover contribution (other than a direct rollover contribution) under 
section 402(c)(2), or section 403(b)(8)(B), of the portion of a 
distribution from a designated Roth account that would have been 
includable in gross income, the plan administrator or other responsible 
party for the recipient plan must notify the Commissioner of its 
acceptance of the rollover contribution no later than the due date for 
filing Form 1099-R, `` Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, 
Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.,.'' 
The Forms and Instructions will specify the address to which the 
notification is required to be sent and will require inclusion of the 
employee's name and social security number, the amount rolled over, the 
year in which the rollover contribution was made, and such other 
information as the Commissioner may prescribe in order to determine that 
the amount rolled over is a valid rollover contribution.
    Q-4. When is this Sec. 1.402A-2 applicable?
    A-4. The rules of this Sec. 1.402A-2 are applicable for taxable 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

[T.D. 9324, 72 FR 21111, Apr. 30, 2007; 72 FR 30974, June 5, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(a)-1  Taxability of beneficiary under a qualified annuity
plan.

    (a) An employee or retired or former employee for whom an annuity 
contract is purchased by his employer is not required to include in his 
gross income the amount paid for the contract at the time such amount is 
paid, whether or not his rights to the contract are forfeitable, if the 
annuity contract is purchased under a plan which meets the requirements 
of section 404(a)(2). For purposes of the preceding sentence, it is 
immaterial whether the employer deducts the amounts paid for the 
contract under such section 404(a)(2). See Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 
1.403(b)-10 for rules relating to annuity contracts which are not 
purchased under qualified plans but which are purchased by organizations 
described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt under section 501(a) or which 
are purchased for employees who perform services for certain public 
schools.
    (b) The amounts received by or made available to any employee 
referred to in paragraph (a) of this section under such annuity contract 
shall be included in gross income of the employee for the taxable year 
in which received or made available, as provided in section 72 (relating 
to annuities), except that certain total distributions described in 
section 403(a)(2) are taxable as long-term capital gains. For the 
treatment of such total distributions, see Sec. 1.403(a)-2. However, 
for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1964, section 72(e)(3) 
(relating to the treatment of certain lump sums), as in effect before 
such date, shall not apply to such amounts. For taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 1963, such amounts may be taken into account in 
computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to income 
averaging).
    (c) If upon the death of an employee or of a retired employee, the 
widow or other beneficiary of such employee is paid, in accordance with 
the terms of the annuity contract relating to the deceased employee, an 
annuity or other

[[Page 443]]

death benefit, the extent to which the amounts received by or made 
available to the beneficiary must be included in the beneficiary's 
income under section 403(a) shall be determined in accordance with the 
rules presented in paragraph (a)(5) of Sec. 1.402(a)-1.
    (d) An individual contract issued after December 31, 1962, or a 
group contract, which provides incidental life insurance protection may 
be purchased under a qualified annuity plan. For the rules as to 
nontransferability of such contracts issued after December 31, 1962, see 
Sec. 1.401-9. For the rules relating to the taxation of the cost of the 
life insurance protection and the proceeds thereunder, see Sec. 1.72-
16. Section 403(a) is not applicable to premiums paid after October 26, 
1956, for individual contracts which were issued prior to January 1, 
1963, and which provide life insurance protection.
    (e) As to inclusion of full-time life insurance salesmen within the 
class of persons considered to be employees, see section 7701(a)(20).
    (f) For purposes of this section and Sec. 1.403(a)-2, the term 
``employee'' includes a self-employed individual who is treated as an 
employee under section 401(c)(1) and paragraph (b) of Sec. 1.401-10, 
and the term ``employer'' means the person treated as the employer of 
such individual under section 401(c)(4). For the rules relating to 
annuity plans covering self-employed individuals, see section 404(a)(2) 
and Sec. Sec. 1.404(a)-8 and 1.401-10.
    (g) The rules of Sec. 1.402(a)-1(e) apply for purposes of 
determining the treatment of amounts paid to provide accident and health 
insurance benefits.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11680, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6676, 28 FR 
10143, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 6722, 29 FR 5073, Apr. 14, 1964; T.D. 6783, 
29 FR 18359, Dec. 24, 1964; T.D. 6885, 31 FR 7801, June 2, 1966; T.D. 
9340, 72 FR 41159, July 26, 2007; T.D. 9665, 79 FR 26843, May 12, 2014; 
T.D. 9849, 84 FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.403(a)-2  Capital gains treatment for certain distributions.

    (a) If the total amounts payable with respect to any employee for 
whom an annuity contract has been purchased by an employer under a plan 
which--
    (1) Is a plan described in section 403(a)(1) and Sec. 1.403(a)-1, 
and
    (2) Requires that refunds of contributions with respect to annuity 
contracts purchased under such plan be used to reduce subsequent 
premiums on the contracts under the plan,

are paid to, or includible in gross income of, the payee within one 
taxable year of the payee by reason of the employee's death or other 
separation from the service, or death after such separation from the 
service, such total payments, to the extent they exceed the net amount 
contributed by the employee, shall be considered a gain from the sale or 
exchange of a capital asset held for more than six months. The ``net 
amount contributed by the employee'' is the amount actually contributed 
by the employee plus any amounts considered to be contributed by the 
employee under the rules of sections 72(f), 101(b), and paragraph (d) of 
Sec. 1.403(a)-1, reduced by any amounts theretofore distributed to him 
which were excludable from his gross income as a return of employee 
contributions. For example, if under an annuity contract purchased under 
a plan described in this section, the total distributions payable to the 
employee's widow are paid to her in the year in which the employee dies, 
in the amount of $8,000, and if $5,000 thereof is excludable under 
section 101(b), and if the employee made contributions of $600 and had 
received no payments, the remaining amount of $2,400 will be considered 
a gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset held for more than 
six months.
    (b)(1) The term ``total amounts'' means the balance to the credit of 
an employee with respect to all annuities under the annuity plan which 
becomes payable to the payee by reason of the employee's death or other 
separation from the service, or by reason of his death after separation 
from the service. If an employee commences to receive annuity payments 
on retirement and then a lump sum payment is made to his widow upon his 
death, the capital gains treatment applies to the lump sum payment, but 
it does not apply to amounts received before the time the ``total 
amounts'' become payable. However, if the total amount to the credit of 
the employee at the time of his death or other separation from

[[Page 444]]

the service or death after separation from the service is paid or 
includible in the gross income of the payee within one taxable year of 
the payee, such amount is entitled to the capital gains treatment 
notwithstanding that in a later taxable year an additional amount is 
credited to the employee and paid to the payee.
    (2) If more than one annuity contract is received under the plan, 
the capital gains treatment does not apply to any amount received on the 
surrender thereof unless all contracts under the plan with respect to a 
particular employee are surrendered either at the time of the employee's 
death or other separation from the service or death after separation 
from the service. Thus, if an employee receives two contracts on 
separation from the service and surrenders one of them in the year of 
separation and receives payments under the other until his death, the 
capital gains treatment is applicable to the balance paid to his 
beneficiary on his death if paid within one taxable year of the 
beneficiary. The amount received by the employee on surrender of the 
contract in the year of his separation from the service, however, would 
not receive capital gains treatment since the balance to the credit of 
the employee with respect to all amounts under the plan did not become 
payable at that time.
    (3) If an employee retires and commences to receive an annuity but 
subsequently in some succeeding taxable year, he is paid a lump sum in 
settlement of all future annuity payments, the capital gains treatment 
does not apply to such lump sum settlement paid during the lifetime of 
the employee since it is not a payment on account of separation from the 
service, or death after separation, but is on account of the settlement 
of future annuity payments.
    (4) If the ``total amounts'' payable under all annuity contracts 
under the plan with respect to a particular employee are paid or 
includible in the gross income of several payees within one taxable year 
on account of the employee's death or other separation from the service 
or on account of his death after separation from the service, the 
capital gains treatment is applicable. Thus, if the balance to the 
credit of a deceased employee under all annuity contracts provided under 
an annuity plan becomes payable to two payees, the capital gains 
treatment is applicable provided the ``total amounts'' payable are 
received by or includible in the gross income of both payees within the 
same taxable year. However, if the ``total amounts'' payable are made 
available to each payee and one elects to receive his share in cash 
while the other makes a timely election under section 72(h) to receive 
his share as an annuity, the capital gains treatment does not apply to 
either payee.
    (5) For purposes of determining whether the total amounts payable to 
an employee have been paid within one taxable year, the term ``total 
amounts'' includes amounts under a plan which are attributable to 
contributions on behalf of an individual while he was self-employed in 
the business with respect to which the plan was established. Thus, the 
``total amounts'' payable are not paid within one taxable year if 
amounts remain payable which are so attributable.
    (6) The term ``total amounts'' does not include any amount which has 
been placed in a separate account for the funding of benefits described 
in section 401(h). Thus, a distribution under a qualified annuity plan 
may constitute a distribution of the total amounts payable with respect 
to an employee even though amounts attributable to the funding of 
section 401(h) medical benefits as defined in paragraph (a) of Sec. 
1.401-14 are not so distributed.
    (c) The provisions of this section are not applicable to any amounts 
paid to a payee to the extent such amounts are attributable to 
contributions made on behalf of an employee while he was a self-employed 
individual in the business with respect to which the plan was 
established. For the taxation of such amounts, see Sec. 1.72-18. For 
the rules for determining the amount attributable to contributions on 
behalf of an employee while he was self-employed, see paragraphs (b)(4) 
and (c)(2) of such section.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11681, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6676, 28 FR 
10143, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 6722, 29 FR 5073, Apr. 14, 1964]

[[Page 445]]



Sec. 1.403(b)-0  Taxability under an annuity purchased by a section 
501(c)(3) organization or a public school.

    This section lists the headings that appear in Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 
through 1.403(b)-11.

    Sec. 1.403(b)-1 General overview of taxability under an annuity 
   contract purchased by a section 501(c)(3) organization or a public 
                                 school.

                      Sec. 1.403(b)-2 Definitions.

    (a) Application of definitions.
    (b) Definitions.

Sec. 1.403(b)-3 Exclusion for contributions to purchase section 403(b) 
                               contracts.

    (a) Exclusion for section 403(b) contracts.
    (b) Application of requirements.
    (c) Special rules for designated Roth section 403(b) contributions.
    (d) Effect of failure.

               Sec. 1.403(b)-4 Contribution limitations.

    (a) Treatment of contributions in excess of limitations.
    (b) Maximum annual contribution.
    (c) Section 403(b) elective deferrals.
    (d) Employer contributions for former employees.
    (e) Special rules for determining years of service.
    (f) Excess contributions of deferrals.

                Sec. 1.403(b)-5 Nondiscrimination rules.

    (a) Nondiscrimination rules for contributions other than section 
403(b) elective deferrals.
    (b) Universal availability required for section 403(b) elective 
deferrals.
    (c) Plan required.
    (d) Church plans exception.
    (e) Other rules.

         Sec. 1.403(b)-6 Timing of distributions and benefits.

    (a) Distributions generally.
    (b) Distributions from contracts other than custodial accounts or 
amounts attributable to section 403(b) elective deferrals.
    (c) Distributions from custodial accounts that are not attributable 
to section 403(b) elective deferrals.
    (d) Distribution of section 403(b) elective deferrals.
    (e) Minimum required distributions for eligible plans.
    (f) Loans.
    (g) Death benefits and other incidental benefits.
    (h) Special rule regarding severance from employment.

        Sec. 1.403(b)-7 Taxation of distributions and benefits.

    (a) General rules for when amounts are included in gross income.
    (b) Rollovers to individual retirement arrangements and other 
eligible retirement plans.
    (c) Special rules for certain corrective distributions.
    (d) Amounts taxable under section 72(p)(1).
    (e) Special rules relating to distributions from a designated Roth 
account.
    (f) Certain rules relating to employment taxes.

                        Sec. 1.403(b)-8 Funding.

    (a) Investments.
    (b) Contributions to the plan.
    (c) Annuity contracts.
    (d) Custodial accounts.
    (e) Retirement income accounts.
    (f) Combining assets.

            Sec. 1.403(b)-9 Special rules for church plans.

    (a) Retirement income accounts.
    (b) Retirement income account defined.
    (c) Special deduction rule for self-employed ministers.

               Sec. 1.403(b)-10 Miscellaneous provisions.

    (a) Plan terminations and frozen plans.
    (b) Contract exchanges and plan-to-plan transfers.
    (c) Qualified domestic relations orders.
    (d) Rollovers to a section 403(b) contract.
    (e) Deemed IRAs.
    (f) Defined benefit plans.
    (g) Other rules relating to section 501(c)(3) organizations.

                   Sec. 1.403(b)-11 Applicable date.

    (a) General rule.
    (b) Collective bargaining agreements.
    (c) Church conventions.
    (d) Special rules for plans that exclude certain types of employees 
from elective deferrals.
    (e) Special rules for plans that permit in-service distributions.
    (f) Special rule for life insurance contracts.
    (g) Special rule for contracts received in an exchange.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41140, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-1  General overview of taxability under an annuity
contract purchased by a section 501(c)(3) organization or
a public school.

    Section 403(b) and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-2 through 1.403(b)-10 provide 
rules for the Federal income tax treatment of an annuity purchased for 
an employee by an employer that is either a tax-exempt entity under 
section 501(c)(3) (relating

[[Page 446]]

to certain religious, charitable, scientific, or other types of 
organizations) or a public school, or for a minister described in 
section 414(e)(5)(A). See section 403(a) (relating to qualified 
annuities) for rules regarding the taxation of an annuity purchased 
under a qualified annuity plan that meets the requirements of section 
404(a)(2), and see section 403(c) (relating to nonqualified annuities) 
for rules regarding the taxation of other types of annuities.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41141, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-2  Definitions.

    (a) Application of definitions. The definitions set forth in this 
section are applicable for purposes of Sec. 1.403(b)-1, this section 
and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-3 through 1.403(b)-11.
    (b) Definitions--(1) Accumulated benefit means the total benefit to 
which a participant or beneficiary is entitled under a section 403(b) 
contract, including all contributions made to the contract and all 
earnings thereon.
    (2) Annuity contract means a contract that is issued by an insurance 
company qualified to issue annuities in a State and that includes 
payment in the form of an annuity. See Sec. 1.401(f)-1(d)(2) and (e) 
for the definition of an annuity, and see Sec. 1.403(b)-8(c)(3) for a 
special rule for certain State plans. See also Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-8(d) 
and 1.403(b)-9(a) for additional rules regarding the treatment of 
custodial accounts and retirement income accounts as annuity contracts.
    (3) Beneficiary means a person who is entitled to benefits in 
respect of a participant following the participant's death or an 
alternate payee pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, as 
described in Sec. 1.403(b)-10(c).
    (4) Catch-up amount or catch-up limitation for a participant for a 
taxable year means a section 403(b) elective deferral permitted under 
section 414(v) (as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-4(c)(2)) or section 
402(g)(7) (as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-4(c)(3)).
    (5) Church means a church as defined in section 3121(w)(3)(A) and a 
qualified church-controlled organization as defined in section 
3121(w)(3)(B).
    (6) Church-related organization means a church or a convention or 
association of churches, including an organization described in section 
414(e)(3)(A).
    (7) Elective deferral means an elective deferral under Sec. 
1.402(g)-1 (with respect to an employer contribution to a section 403(b) 
contract) and any other amount that constitutes an elective deferral 
under section 402(g)(3).
    (8) (i) Eligible employer means--
    (A) A State, but only with respect to an employee of the State 
performing services for a public school;
    (B) A section 501(c)(3) organization with respect to any employee of 
the section 501(c)(3) organization;
    (C) Any employer of a minister described in section 414(e)(5)(A), 
but only with respect to the minister; or
    (D) A minister described in section 414(e)(5)(A), but only with 
respect to a retirement income account established for the minister.
    (ii) An entity is not an eligible employer under paragraph 
(a)(8)(i)(A) of this section if it treats itself as not being a State 
for any other purpose of the Internal Revenue Code, and a subsidiary or 
other affiliate of an eligible employer is not an eligible employer 
under paragraph (a)(8)(i) of this section if the subsidiary or other 
affiliate is not an entity described in paragraph (a)(8)(i) of this 
section.
    (9) Employee means a common-law employee performing services for the 
employer, and does not include a former employee or an independent 
contractor. Subject to any rules in Sec. 1.403(b)-1, this section, and 
Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-3 through 1.403(b)-11 that are specifically 
applicable to ministers, an employee also includes a minister described 
in section 414(e)(5)(A) when performing services in the exercise of his 
or her ministry.
    (10) Employee performing services for a public school means an 
employee performing services as an employee for a public school of a 
State. This definition is not applicable unless the employee's 
compensation for performing services for a public school is paid by the 
State. Further, a person occupying an elective or appointive public 
office is not an employee performing services for a public school unless 
such office is one to which an individual is elected or appointed only 
if the individual has received training, or is experienced, in the field 
of education. The term public

[[Page 447]]

office includes any elective or appointive office of a State.
    (11) Includible compensation means the employee's compensation 
received from an eligible employer that is includible in the 
participant's gross income for Federal income tax purposes (computed 
without regard to section 911) for the most recent period that is a year 
of service. Includible compensation for a minister who is self-employed 
means the minister's earned income as defined in section 401(c)(2) 
(computed without regard to section 911) for the most recent period that 
is a year of service. Includible compensation does not include any 
compensation received during a period when the employer is not an 
eligible employer. Includible compensation also includes any elective 
deferral or other amount contributed or deferred by the eligible 
employer at the election of the employee that would be includible in the 
gross income of the employee but for the rules of sections 125, 
132(f)(4), 402(e)(2), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k), or 457(b). The amount of 
includible compensation is determined without regard to any community 
property laws. See section 415(c)(3)(A) through (D) for additional 
rules, and see Sec. 1.403(b)-4(d) for a special rule regarding former 
employees.
    (12) Participant means an employee for whom a section 403(b) 
contract is currently being purchased, or an employee or former employee 
for whom a section 403(b) contract has previously been purchased and who 
has not received a distribution of his or her entire accumulated benefit 
under the contract.
    (13) Plan means a plan as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-3(b)(3).
    (14) Public school means a State-sponsored educational organization 
described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) (relating to educational 
organizations that normally maintain a regular faculty and curriculum 
and normally have a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in 
attendance at the place where educational activities are regularly 
carried on).
    (15) Retirement income account means a defined contribution program 
established or maintained by a church-related organization to provide 
benefits under section 403(b) for its employees or their beneficiaries 
as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-9.
    (16) Section 403(b) contract; section 403(b) plan--(i) Section 
403(b) contract means a contract that satisfies the requirements of 
Sec. 1.403(b)-3. If for any taxable year an employer contributes to 
more than one section 403(b) contract for a participant or beneficiary, 
then, under section 403(b)(5), all such contracts are treated as one 
contract for purposes of section 403(b) and Sec. 1.403(b)-1, this 
section, and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-3 through 1.403(b)-11. See also Sec. 
1.403(b)-3(b)(1).
    (ii) Section 403(b) plan means the plan of the employer under which 
the section 403(b) contracts for its employees are maintained.
    (17) Section 403(b) elective deferral; designated Roth 
contribution--(i) Section 403(b) elective deferral means an elective 
deferral that is an employer contribution to a section 403(b) plan for 
an employee. See Sec. 1.403(b)-5(b) for additional rules with respect 
to a section 403(b) elective deferral.
    (ii) Designated Roth contribution under a section 403(b) plan means 
a section 403(b) elective deferral that satisfies Sec. 1.403(b)-3(c).
    (18) Section 501(c)(3) organization means an organization that is 
described in section 501(c)(3) (relating to certain religious, 
charitable, scientific, or other types of organizations) and exempt from 
tax under section 501(a).
    (19) Severance from employment means that the employee ceases to be 
employed by the employer maintaining the plan. See Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d) 
for additional guidance concerning severance from employment. See also 
Sec. 1.403(b)-6(h) for a special rule under which severance from 
employment is determined by reference to employment with the eligible 
employer.
    (20) State means a State, a political subdivision of a State, or any 
agency or instrumentality of a State. For this purpose, the District of 
Columbia is treated as a State. In addition, for purposes of determining 
whether an individual is an employee performing services for a public 
school, an Indian tribal government is treated as a State, as provided 
under section 7871(a)(6)(B). See also section 1450(b) of the Small

[[Page 448]]

Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 1755, 1814) for special 
rules treating certain contracts purchased in a plan year beginning 
before January 1, 1995, that include contributions by an Indian tribal 
government as section 403(b) contracts, whether or not those 
contributions are for employees performing services for a public school.
    (21) Year of service means each full year during which an individual 
is a full-time employee of an eligible employer, plus fractional credit 
for each part of a year during which the individual is either a full-
time employee of an eligible employer for a part of the year or a part-
time employee of an eligible employer. See Sec. 1.403(b)-4(e) for rules 
for determining years of service.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41141, July 26, 2007; 72 FR 54351, Sept. 25, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-3  Exclusion for contributions to purchase section 
403(b) contracts.

    (a) Exclusion for section 403(b) contracts. Amounts contributed by 
an eligible employer for the purchase of an annuity contract for an 
employee are excluded from the gross income of the employee under 
section 403(b) only if each of the requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) 
through (9) of this section is satisfied. In addition, amounts 
contributed by an eligible employer for the purchase of an annuity 
contract for an employee pursuant to a cash or deferred election (as 
defined at Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)) are not includible in an employee's 
gross income at the time the cash would have been includible in the 
employee's gross income (but for the cash or deferred election) if each 
of the requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) through (9) of this section is 
satisfied. However, the preceding two sentences generally do not apply 
to designated Roth contributions; see paragraph (c) of this section and 
Sec. 1.403(b)-7(e) for special taxation rules that apply with respect 
to designated Roth contributions under a section 403(b) plan.
    (1) Not a contract issued under qualified plan or eligible 
governmental plan. The annuity contract is not purchased under a 
qualified plan (under section 401(a) or 403(a)) or an eligible 
governmental plan under section 457(b).
    (2) Nonforfeitability. The rights of the employee under the annuity 
contract (disregarding rights to future premiums) are nonforfeitable. An 
employee's rights under a contract fail to be nonforfeitable unless the 
employee for whom the contract is purchased has at all times a fully 
vested and nonforfeitable right (as defined in regulations under section 
411) to all benefits provided under the contract. See paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section for additional rules regarding the nonforfeitability 
requirement of this paragraph (a)(2).
    (3) Nondiscrimination. In the case of an annuity contract purchased 
by an eligible employer other than a church, the contract is purchased 
under a plan that satisfies section 403(b)(12) (relating to 
nondiscrimination requirements, including universal availability). See 
Sec. 1.403(b)-5.
    (4) Limitations on elective deferrals. In the case of an elective 
deferral, the contract satisfies section 401(a)(30) (relating to 
limitations on elective deferrals). A contract does not satisfy section 
401(a)(30) as required under this paragraph (a)(4) unless the contract 
requires that all elective deferrals for an employee not exceed the 
limits of section 402(g)(1), including elective deferrals for the 
employee under the contract and any other elective deferrals under the 
plan under which the contract is purchased and under all other plans, 
contracts, or arrangements of the employer. See Sec. 1.401(a)-30.
    (5) Nontransferability. The contract is not transferable. This 
paragraph (a)(5) does not apply to a contract issued before January 1, 
1963. See section 401(g).
    (6) Minimum required distributions. The contract satisfies the 
requirements of section 401(a)(9) (relating to minimum required 
distributions). See Sec. 1.403(b)-6(e).
    (7) Rollover distributions. The contract provides that, if the 
distributee of an eligible rollover distribution elects to have the 
distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan, as defined in 
section 402(c)(8)(B), and specifies the eligible retirement plan to 
which the distribution is to be paid, then the distribution will be paid 
to that eligible retirement plan in a direct rollover. See Sec. 
1.403(b)-7(b)(2).

[[Page 449]]

    (8) Limitation on incidental benefits. The contract satisfies the 
incidental benefit requirements of section 401(a). See Sec. 1.403(b)-
6(g).
    (9) Maximum annual additions. The annual additions to the contract 
do not exceed the applicable limitations of section 415(c) (treating 
contributions and other additions as annual additions). See paragraph 
(b) of this section and Sec. 1.403(b)-4(b) and (f).
    (b) Application of requirements--(1) Aggregation of contracts. In 
accordance with section 403(b)(5), for purposes of determining whether 
this section is satisfied, all section 403(b) contracts purchased for an 
individual by an employer are treated as purchased under a single 
contract. Additional aggregation rules apply under section 402(g) for 
purposes of satisfying paragraph (a)(4) of this section and under 
section 415 for purposes of satisfying paragraph (a)(9) of this section.
    (2) Disaggregation for excess annual additions. In accordance with 
the last sentence of section 415(a)(2), if an excess annual addition is 
made to a contract that otherwise satisfies the requirements of this 
section, then the portion of the contract that includes such excess 
annual addition fails to be a section 403(b) contract (as further 
described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section) and the remaining portion 
of the contract is a section 403(b) contract. This paragraph (b)(2) is 
not satisfied unless, for the year of the excess and each year 
thereafter, the issuer of the contract maintains separate accounts for 
each such portion. Thus, the entire contract fails to be a section 
403(b) contract if an excess annual addition is made and a separate 
account is not maintained with respect to the excess.
    (3) Plan in form and operation. (i) A contract does not satisfy 
paragraph (a) of this section unless it is maintained pursuant to a 
plan. For this purpose, a plan is a written defined contribution plan, 
which, in both form and operation, satisfies the requirements of Sec. 
1.403(b)-1, Sec. 1.403(b)-2, this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-4 
through 1.403(b)-11. For purposes of Sec. 1.403(b)-1, Sec. 1.403(b)-2, 
this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-4 through 1.403(b)-11, the plan 
must contain all the material terms and conditions for eligibility, 
benefits, applicable limitations, the contracts available under the 
plan, and the time and form under which benefit distributions would be 
made. For purposes of Sec. 1.403(b)-1, Sec. 1.403(b)-2, this section, 
and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-4 through 1.403(b)-11, a plan may contain 
certain optional features that are consistent with but not required 
under section 403(b), such as hardship withdrawal distributions, loans, 
plan-to-plan or annuity contract-to-annuity contract transfers, and 
acceptance of rollovers to the plan. However, if a plan contains any 
optional provisions, the optional provisions must meet, in both form and 
operation, the relevant requirements under section 403(b), this section, 
and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-4 through 1.403(b)-11.
    (ii) The plan may allocate responsibility for performing 
administrative functions, including functions to comply with the 
requirements of section 403(b) and other tax requirements. Any such 
allocation must identify responsibility for compliance with the 
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code that apply on the basis of the 
aggregated contracts issued to a participant under a plan, including 
loans under section 72(p) and the conditions for obtaining a hardship 
withdrawal under Sec. 1.403(b)-6. A plan is permitted to assign such 
responsibilities to parties other than the eligible employer, but not to 
participants (other than employees of the employer a substantial portion 
of whose duties are administration of the plan), and may incorporate by 
reference other documents, including the insurance policy or custodial 
account, which thereupon become part of the plan.
    (iii) This paragraph (b)(3) applies to contributions to an annuity 
contract by a church only if the annuity is part of a retirement income 
account, as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-9.
    (4) Exclusion limited for former employees--(i) General rule. Except 
as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section and in Sec. 
1.403(b)-4(d), the exclusion from gross income provided by section 
403(b) does not apply to contributions made for former employees. For 
this purpose, a contribution is not made for a former employee if the 
contribution is with respect to compensation that would otherwise be 
paid for a payroll period that

[[Page 450]]

begins before severance from employment.
    (ii) Exceptions. The exclusion from gross income provided by section 
403(b) applies to contributions made for former employees with respect 
to compensation described in Sec. 1.415(c)-2(e)(3)(i) (relating to 
certain compensation paid by the later of 2\1/2\ months after severance 
from employment or the end of the limitation year that includes the date 
of severance from employment), and compensation described in Sec. 
1.415(c)-2(e)(4), Sec. 1.415(c)-2(g)(4), or Sec. 1.415(c)-2(g)(7) 
(relating to compensation paid to participants who are permanently and 
totally disabled or relating to qualified military service under section 
414(u)).
    (c) Special rules for designated Roth section 403(b) contributions. 
(1) The rules of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(f)(1) and (2) for designated Roth 
contributions under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement apply to 
designated Roth contributions under a section 403(b) plan. Thus, a 
designated Roth contribution under a section 403(b) plan is a section 
403(b) elective deferral that is designated irrevocably by the employee 
at the time of the cash or deferred election as a designated Roth 
contribution that is being made in lieu of all or a portion of the 
section 403(b) elective deferrals the employee is otherwise eligible to 
make under the plan; that is treated by the employer as includible in 
the employee's gross income at the time the employee would have received 
the amount in cash if the employee had not made the cash or deferred 
election (such as by treating the contributions as wages subject to 
applicable withholding requirements); and that is maintained in a 
separate account (within the meaning of Sec. 1.401(k)-1(f)(2)).
    (2) A designated Roth contribution under a section 403(b) plan must 
satisfy the requirements applicable to section 403(b) elective 
deferrals. Thus, for example, designated Roth contributions under a 
section 403(b) plan must satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.403(b)-
6(d). Similarly, a designated Roth account under a section 403(b) plan 
is subject to the rules of sections 401(a)(9)(A) and (B) and Sec. 
1.403(b)-6(e).
    (d) Effect of failure--(1) General rules. (i) If a contract includes 
any amount that fails to satisfy the requirements of section 403(b), 
Sec. 1.403(b)-1, Sec. 1.403(b)-2, this section, or Sec. Sec. 
1.403(b)-4 through 1.403(b)-11, then, except as otherwise provided in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section (relating to failure to satisfy 
nonforfeitability requirements) or Sec. 1.403(b)-4(f) (relating to 
excess contributions under section 415 and excess deferrals under 
section 402(g)), the contract is not a section 403(b) contract. In 
addition, section 403(b)(5) and paragraph (b)(1) of this section provide 
that, for purposes of determining whether a contract satisfies section 
403(b), all section 403(b) contracts purchased for an individual by an 
employer are treated as purchased under a single contract. Thus, except 
as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section or as otherwise provided 
in this paragraph (d), a failure to satisfy section 403(b) with respect 
to any contract issued to an individual by an employer adversely affects 
all contracts issued to that individual by that employer.
    (ii) In accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, a failure 
to operate in accordance with the terms of a plan adversely affects all 
of the contracts issued by the employer to the employee or employees 
with respect to whom the operational failure occurred. Such a failure 
does not adversely affect any other contract if the failure is neither a 
failure to satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements of Sec. 1.403(b)-
5 (a nondiscrimination failure) nor a failure of the employer to be an 
eligible employer as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-2 (an employer 
eligibility failure). However, any failure that is not an operational 
failure adversely affects all contracts issued under the plan, 
including: a failure to have contracts issued pursuant to a written 
defined contribution plan which, in form, satisfies the requirements of 
Sec. 1.403(b)-1, Sec. 1.403(b)-2, this section, and Sec. Sec. 
1.403(b)-4 through 1.403(b)-11 (a written plan failure); a 
nondiscrimination failure; or an employer eligibility failure.
    (iii) See other applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions for the 
treatment of a contract that is not a section 403(b) contract, such as 
sections 61, 83, 402(b), and 403(c). Thus, for example, section 403(c) 
(relating to nonqualified

[[Page 451]]

annuities) applies if any annuity contract issued by an insurance 
company fails to satisfy section 403(b), based on the value of the 
contract at the time of the failure. However, see paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section for special rules with respect to the nonforfeitability 
requirement of paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
    (2) Failure to satisfy nonforfeitability requirement--(i) Treatment 
before contract becomes nonforfeitable. If an annuity contract issued by 
an insurance company would qualify as a section 403(b) contract but for 
the failure to satisfy the nonforfeitability requirement of paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, then the contract is treated as a contract to 
which section 403(c) applies. See Sec. 1.403(b)-8(d)(4) for a rule 
under which a custodial account that fails to satisfy the 
nonforfeitability requirement of paragraph (a)(2) of this section is 
treated as a section 401(a) qualified plan for certain purposes.
    (ii) Treatment when contract becomes nonforfeitable--(A) In general. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, on or after the 
date on which the participant's interest in a contract described in 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section becomes nonforfeitable, the contract 
may be treated as a section 403(b) contract if no election has been made 
under section 83(b) with respect to the contract, the participant's 
interest in the contract has been subject to a substantial risk of 
forfeiture (as defined in section 83) before becoming nonforfeitable, 
each contribution under the contract that is subject to a different 
vesting schedule is maintained in a separate account, and the contract 
has at all times satisfied the requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section other than the nonforfeitability requirement of paragraph (a)(2) 
of this section. Thus, for example, for the current year and each prior 
year, no contribution can have been made to the contract that would 
cause the contract to fail to be a section 403(b) contract as a result 
of contributions exceeding the limitations of section 415 (except to the 
extent permitted under paragraph (b)(2) of this section) or to fail to 
satisfy the nondiscrimination rules described in Sec. 1.403(b)-5. See 
also Sec. 1.403(b)-10(a)(1) for a special rule in connection with 
termination of a section 403(b) plan.
    (B) Partial vesting. For purposes of applying this paragraph (d), if 
only a portion of a participant's interest in a contract becomes 
nonforfeitable in a year, then the portion that is nonforfeitable and 
the portion that fails to be nonforfeitable are each treated as separate 
contracts. In addition, for purposes of applying this paragraph (d), if 
a contribution is made to an annuity contract in excess of the 
limitations of section 415(c) and the excess is maintained in a separate 
account, then the portion of the contract that includes the excess 
contributions account and the remainder are each treated as separate 
contracts. Thus, if an annuity contract that includes an excess 
contributions account changes from forfeitable to nonforfeitable during 
a year, then the portion that is not attributable to the excess 
contributions account constitutes a section 403(b) contract (assuming it 
otherwise satisfies the requirements to be a section 403(b) contract) 
and is not included in gross income, and the portion that is 
attributable to the excess contributions account is included in gross 
income in accordance with section 403(c). See Sec. 1.403(b)-4(f) for 
additional rules.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41141, July 26, 2007; 72 FR 54352, Sept. 25, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-4  Contribution limitations.

    (a) Treatment of contributions in excess of limitations. The 
exclusion provided under Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a) applies to a participant 
only if the amounts contributed by the employer for the purchase of an 
annuity contract for the participant do not exceed the applicable limit 
under sections 415 and 402(g), as described in this section. Under Sec. 
1.403(b)-3(a)(4), a section 403(b) contract is required to include the 
limits on elective deferrals imposed by section 402(g), as described in 
paragraph (c) of this section. See paragraph (f) of this section for 
special rules concerning excess contributions and deferrals. Rollover 
contributions made to a section 403(b) contract, as described in Sec. 
1.403(b)-10(d), are not taken into account for purposes of the limits 
imposed by section 415, Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(9), section 402(g), Sec. 
1.403(b)-3(a)(4),

[[Page 452]]

and this section, but after-tax employee contributions are taken into 
account under section 415, Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(9), and paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (b) Maximum annual contribution--(1) General rule. In accordance 
with section 415(a)(2) and Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(9), the contributions for 
any participant under a section 403(b) contract (namely, employer 
nonelective contributions (including matching contributions), section 
403(b) elective deferrals, and after-tax employee contributions) are not 
permitted to exceed the limitations imposed by section 415. Under 
section 415(c), contributions are permitted to be made for participants 
in a defined contribution plan, subject to the limitations set forth 
therein (which are generally the lesser of a dollar limit for a year or 
the participant's compensation for the year). For purposes of section 
415, contributions made for a participant are aggregated to the extent 
applicable under sections 414(b), (c), (m), (n), and (o). For purposes 
of section 415(a)(2), Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-3, this 
section, and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-5 through 1.403(b)-11, a contribution 
means any annual addition, as defined in section 415(c).
    (2) Special rules. See section 415(k)(4) for a special rule under 
which contributions to section 403(b) contracts are generally aggregated 
with contributions under other arrangements in applying section 415. For 
purposes of applying section 415(c)(1)(B) (relating to compensation) 
with respect to a section 403(b) contract, except as provided in section 
415(c)(3)(C), a participant's includible compensation (as defined in 
Sec. 1.403(b)-2) is substituted for the participant's compensation, as 
described in section 415(c)(3)(E). Any age 50 catch-up contributions 
under paragraph (c)(2) of this section are disregarded in applying 
section 415.
    (c) Section 403(b) elective deferrals--(1) Basic limit under section 
402(g)(1). In accordance with section 402(g)(1)(A), the section 403(b) 
elective deferrals for any individual are included in the individual's 
gross income to the extent the amount of such deferrals, plus all other 
elective deferrals for the individual, for the taxable year exceeds the 
applicable dollar amount under section 402(g)(1)(B). The applicable 
annual dollar amount under section 402(g)(1)(B) is $15,000, adjusted for 
cost-of-living after 2006 in the manner described in section 402(g)(4). 
See Sec. 1.403(b)-5(b) for a universal availability rule that applies 
if any employee is permitted to have any section 403(b) elective 
deferrals made on his or her behalf.
    (2) Age 50 catch-up--(i) In general. In accordance with section 
414(v) and the regulations thereunder, a section 403(b) contract may 
provide for catch-up contributions for a participant who is age 50 by 
the end of the year, provided that such age 50 catch-up contributions do 
not exceed the catch-up limit under section 414(v)(2) for the taxable 
year. The maximum amount of additional age 50 catch-up contributions for 
a taxable year under section 414(v) is $5,000, adjusted for cost-of-
living after 2006 in the manner described in section 414(v)(2)(C). For 
additional requirements, see regulations under section 414(v).
    (ii) Coordination with special section 403(b) catch-up. In 
accordance with sections 414(v)(6)(A)(ii) and 402(g)(7)(A), the age 50 
catch-up described in this paragraph (c)(2) may apply for any taxable 
year in which a participant also qualifies for the special section 
403(b) catch-up under paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (3) Special section 403(b) catch-up for certain organizations--(i) 
Amount of the special section 403(b) catch-up. In the case of a 
qualified employee of a qualified organization for whom the basic 
section 403(b) elective deferrals for any year are not less than the 
applicable dollar amount under section 402(g)(1)(B), the section 403(b) 
elective deferral limitation of section 402(g)(1) for the taxable year 
of the qualified employee is increased by the least of--
    (A) $3,000;
    (B) The excess of--
    (1) $15,000, over
    (2) The total elective deferrals described in section 
402(g)(7)(A)(ii) made for the qualified employee by the qualified 
organization for prior years; or
    (C) The excess of--
    (1) $5,000 multiplied by the number of years of service of the 
employee with the qualified organization, over

[[Page 453]]

    (2) The total elective deferrals (as defined at Sec. 1.403(b)-2) 
made for the employee by the qualified organization for prior years.
    (ii) Qualified organization. (A) For purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(3), qualified organization means an eligible employer that is--
    (1) An educational organization described in section 
170(b)(1)(A)(ii);
    (2) A hospital;
    (3) A health and welfare service agency (including a home health 
service agency);
    (4) A church-related organization; or
    (5) Any organization described in section 414(e)(3)(B)(ii).
    (B) All entities that are in a church-related organization or an 
organization controlled by a church-related organization under section 
414(e)(3)(B)(ii) are treated as a single qualified organization (so that 
years of service and any special section 403(b) catch-up elective 
deferrals previously made for a qualified employee for a church or other 
entity within a church-related organization or an organization 
controlled by the church-related organization are taken into account for 
purposes of applying this paragraph (c)(3) to the employee with respect 
to any other entity within the same church-related organization or 
organization controlled by a church-related organization).
    (C) For purposes of this paragraph (c)(3)(ii), a health and welfare 
service agency means--
    (1) An organization whose primary activity is to provide services 
that constitute medical care as defined in section 213(d)(1) (such as a 
hospice);
    (2) A section 501(c)(3) organization whose primary activity is the 
prevention of cruelty to individuals or animals;
    (3) An adoption agency; or
    (4) An agency that provides substantial personal services to the 
needy as part of its primary activity (such as a section 501(c)(3) 
organization that either provides meals to needy individuals, is a home 
health service agency, provides services to help individuals who have 
substance abuse, or provides help to the disabled).
    (iii) Qualified employee. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(3), 
qualified employee means an employee who has completed at least 15 years 
of service (as defined under paragraph (e) of this section) taking into 
account only employment with the qualified organization. Thus, an 
employee who has not completed at least 15 years of service (as defined 
under paragraph (e) of this section) taking into account only employment 
with the qualified organization is not a qualified employee.
    (iv) Coordination with age 50 catch-up. In accordance with sections 
402(g)(1)(C) and 402(g)(7), any catch-up amount contributed by an 
employee who is eligible for both an age 50 catch-up and a special 
section 403(b) catch-up is treated first as an amount contributed as a 
special section 403(b) catch-up to the extent a special section 403(b) 
catch-up is permitted, and then as an amount contributed as an age 50 
catch-up (to the extent the catch-up amount exceeds the maximum special 
section 403(b) catch-up after taking into account sections 402(g) and 
415(c), this paragraph (c)(3), and any limitations on the special 
section 403(b) catch-up that are imposed by the terms of the plan).
    (4) Coordination with designated Roth contributions. See regulations 
under section 402A for rules for determining whether an elective 
deferral is a pre-tax elective deferral or a designated Roth 
contribution.
    (5) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (c) are illustrated 
by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts illustrating application of the basic dollar 
limit. Participant B, who is 45, is eligible to participate in a State 
university section 403(b) plan in 2006. B is not a qualified employee, 
as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section. The plan permits 
section 403(b) elective deferrals, but no other employer contributions 
are made under the plan. The plan provides limitations on section 403(b) 
elective deferrals up to the maximum permitted under paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (3) of this section and the additional age 50 catch-up amount 
described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. For 2006, B will receive 
includible compensation of $42,000 from the eligible employer. B desires 
to elect to have the maximum section 403(b) elective deferral possible 
contributed in 2006. For 2006, the basic dollar limit for section 403(b) 
elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is $15,000 and 
the additional dollar amount permitted under the age 50 catch-up is 
$5,000.

[[Page 454]]

    (ii) Conclusion. B is not eligible for the age 50 catch-up in 2006 
because B is 45 in 2006. B is also not eligible for the special section 
403(b) catch-up under paragraph (c)(3) of this section because B is not 
a qualified employee. Accordingly, the maximum section 403(b) elective 
deferral that B may elect for 2006 is $15,000.
    Example 2. (i) Facts illustrating application of the includible 
compensation limitation. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except 
B's includible compensation is $14,000.
    (ii) Conclusion. Under section 415(c), contributions may not exceed 
100 percent of includible compensation. Accordingly, the maximum section 
403(b) elective deferral that B may elect for 2006 is $14,000.
    Example 3. (i) Facts illustrating application of the age 50 catch-
up. Participant C, who is 55, is eligible to participate in a State 
university section 403(b) plan in 2006. The plan permits section 403(b) 
elective deferrals, but no other employer contributions are made under 
the plan. The plan provides limitations on section 403(b) elective 
deferrals up to the maximum permitted under paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(3) 
of this section and the additional age 50 catch-up amount described in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section. For 2006, C will receive includible 
compensation of $48,000 from the eligible employer. C desires to elect 
to have the maximum section 403(b) elective deferral possible 
contributed in 2006. For 2006, the basic dollar limit for section 403(b) 
elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is $15,000 and 
the additional dollar amount permitted under the age 50 catch-up is 
$5,000. C does not have 15 years of service and thus is not a qualified 
employee, as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Conclusion. C is eligible for the age 50 catch-up in 2006 
because C is 55 in 2006. C is not eligible for the special section 
403(b) catch-up under paragraph (c)(3) of this section because C is not 
a qualified employee (as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this 
section). Accordingly, the maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that 
C may elect for 2006 is $20,000 ($15,000 plus $5,000).
    Example 4. (i) Facts illustrating application of both the age 50 and 
the special section 403(b) catch-up. The facts are the same as in 
Example 3, except that C is a qualified employee for purposes of the 
special section 403(b) catch-up provisions in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section. For 2006, the maximum additional section 403(b) elective 
deferral for which C qualifies under the special section 403(b) catch-up 
under paragraph (c)(3) of this section is $3,000.
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferrals that 
C may elect for 2006 is $23,000. This is the sum of the basic limit on 
section 403(b) elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
equal to $15,000, plus the $3,000 additional special section 403(b) 
catch-up amount for which C qualifies under paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, plus the additional age 50 catch-up amount of $5,000.
    Example 5. (i) Facts illustrating calculation of years of service 
with a predecessor organization for purposes of the special section 
403(b) catch-up. Participant A is an employee of hospital H and is 
eligible to participate in a section 403(b) plan of H in 2006. A does 
not have 15 years of service with H, but A has previously made special 
section 403(b) catch-up deferrals to a section 403(b) plan maintained by 
hospital P which has since been acquired by H.
    (ii) Conclusion. The special section 403(b) catch-up amount for 
which A qualifies under paragraph (c)(3) of this section must be 
calculated taking into account A's prior years of service and section 
403(b) elective deferrals with the predecessor hospital if and only if A 
did not have any severance from service in connection with the 
acquisition.
    Example 6. (i) Facts illustrating application of the age 50 catch-up 
and the section 415(c) dollar limitation. The facts are the same as in 
Example 4, except that the employer makes a nonelective contribution for 
each employee equal to 20 percent of C's compensation (which is 
$48,000). Thus, the employer makes a nonelective contribution for C for 
2006 equal to $9,600. The plan provides that a participant is not 
permitted to make section 403(b) elective deferrals to the extent the 
section 403(b) elective deferrals would result in contributions in 
excess of the maximum permitted under section 415 and provides that 
contributions are reduced in the following order: the special section 
403(b) catch-up elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section are reduced first; the age 50 catch-up elective deferrals under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section are reduced second; and then the basic 
section 403(b) elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
are reduced. For 2006, the applicable dollar limit under section 
415(c)(1)(A) is $44,000.
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that C 
may elect for 2006 is $23,000. This is the sum of the basic limit on 
section 403(b) elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
equal to $15,000, plus the $3,000 additional special section 403(b) 
catch-up amount for which C qualifies under paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, plus the additional age 50 catch-up amount of $5,000. The limit 
in paragraph (b) of this section would not be exceeded because the sum 
of the $9,600 nonelective contribution and the $23,000 section 403(b) 
elective deferrals does not exceed the lesser of $49,000 (which is the 
sum of $44,000 plus the $5,000 additional age 50 catch-up amount) or 
$53,000 (which is the sum of C's includible compensation for 2006 
($48,000) plus the $5,000 additional age 50 catch-up amount).

[[Page 455]]

    Example 7. (i) Facts further illustrating application of the age 50 
catch-up and the section 415(c) dollar limitation. The facts are the 
same as in Example 6, except that C's includible compensation for 2006 
is $58,000 and the plan provides for a nonelective contribution equal to 
50 percent of includible compensation, so that the employer nonelective 
contribution for C for 2006 is $29,000 (50 percent of $58,000).
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that C 
may elect for 2006 is $20,000. A section 403(b) elective deferral in 
excess of this amount would exceed the sum of the limit in section 
415(c)(1)(A) plus the additional age 50 catch-up amount, because the sum 
of the employer's nonelective contribution of $29,000 plus a section 
403(b) elective deferral in excess of $20,000 would exceed $49,000 (the 
sum of the $44,000 limit in section 415(c)(1)(A) plus the $5,000 
additional age 50 catch-up amount). (Note that a section 403(b) elective 
deferral in excess of $20,000 would also exceed the limitations of 
section 402(g) unless a special section 403(b) catch-up were permitted.)
    Example 8. (i) Facts further illustrating application of the age 50 
catch-up and the section 415(c) dollar limitation. The facts are the 
same as in Example 7, except that the plan provides for a nonelective 
contribution for C equal to $44,000 (which is the limit in section 
415(c)(1)(A)).
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that C 
may elect for 2006 is $5,000. A section 403(b) elective deferral in 
excess of this amount would exceed the sum of the limit in section 
415(c)(1)(A) plus the additional age 50 catch-up amount ($5,000), 
because the sum of the employer's nonelective contribution of $44,000 
plus a section 403(b) elective deferral in excess of $5,000 would exceed 
$49,000 (the sum of the $44,000 limit in section 415(c)(1)(A) plus the 
$5,000 additional age 50 catch-up amount).
    Example 9. (i) Facts illustrating application of the age 50 catch-up 
and the section 415(c) includible compensation limitation. The facts are 
the same as in Example 7, except that C's includible compensation for 
2006 is $28,000, so that the employer nonelective contribution for C for 
2006 is $14,000 (50 percent of $28,000).
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that C 
may elect for 2006 is $19,000. A section 403(b) elective deferral in 
excess of this amount would exceed the sum of the limit in section 
415(c)(1)(B) plus the additional age 50 catch-up amount, because C's 
includible compensation is $28,000 and the sum of the employer's 
nonelective contribution of $14,000 plus a section 403(b) elective 
deferral in excess of $19,000 would exceed $33,000 (which is the sum of 
100 percent of C's includible compensation plus the $5,000 additional 
age 50 catch-up amount).
    Example 10. (i) Facts illustrating that section 403(b) elective 
deferrals cannot exceed compensation otherwise payable. Employee D is 
age 60, has includible compensation of $14,000, and wishes to contribute 
section 403(b) elective deferrals of $20,000 for the year. No 
nonelective contributions are made for Employee D.
    (ii) Conclusion. Because a contribution is a section 403(b) elective 
deferral only if it relates to an amount that would otherwise be 
included in the participant's compensation, the effective limitation on 
section 403(b) elective deferrals for a participant whose compensation 
is less than the basic dollar limit for section 403(b) elective 
deferrals is the participant's compensation. Thus, D cannot make section 
403(b) elective deferrals in excess of D's actual compensation, which is 
$14,000, even though the basic dollar limit exceeds that amount.
    Example 11. (i) Facts illustrating calculation of the special 
section 403(b) catch-up. For 2006, employee E, who is age 53, is 
eligible to participate in a section 403(b) plan of hospital H, which is 
a section 501(c)(3) organization. H's plan permits section 403(b) 
elective deferrals and provides for an employer contribution of 10 
percent of a participant's compensation. The plan provides limitations 
on section 403(b) elective deferrals up to the maximum permitted under 
paragraphs (c)(1), (2), and (3) of this section. For 2006, E's 
includible compensation is $50,000. E wishes to elect to have the 
maximum section 403(b) elective deferral possible contributed in 2006. E 
has previously made $62,000 of section 403(b) elective deferrals under 
the plan, but has never made an election for a special section 403(b) 
catch-up elective deferral. For 2006, the basic dollar limit for section 
403(b) elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is 
$15,000, the additional dollar amount permitted under the age 50 catch-
up is $5,000, E's employer will make a nonelective contribution of 
$5,000 (10% of $50,000 compensation), and E is a qualified employee of a 
qualified employer as defined in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferrals that 
E may elect under H's section 403(b) plan for 2006 is $23,000. This is 
the sum of the basic limit on section 403(b) elective deferrals for 2006 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section equal to $15,000, plus the $3,000 
maximum additional special section 403(b) catch-up amount for which D 
qualifies in 2006 under paragraph (c)(3) of this section, plus the 
additional age 50 catch-up amount of $5,000. The limitation on the 
additional special section 403(b) catch-up amount is not less than 
$3,000 because the limitation at paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this section 
is $15,000 ($15,000 minus zero) and the limitation at paragraph 
(c)(3)(i)(C) of this section is $13,000 ($5,000 times 15, minus $62,000 
of total deferrals in prior years). These conclusions would be 
unaffected if H were an eligible governmental employer under section 
457(b) that has a section 457(b)

[[Page 456]]

eligible governmental plan and E were in the past to have made annual 
deferrals to that plan, because contributions to a section 457(b) 
eligible governmental plan do not constitute elective deferrals; and 
these conclusions would also be the same if H had a section 401(k) plan 
and E were in the past to have made elective deferrals to that plan, 
assuming that those elective deferrals did not exceed $10,000 ($5,000 
times 15, minus the sum of $62,000 plus $10,000, equals $3,000), so as 
to result in the limitation at paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this section 
being less than $3,000.
    Example 12. (i) Facts illustrating calculation of the special 
section 403(b) catch-up in the next calendar year. The facts are the 
same as in Example 11, except that, for 2007, E has includible 
compensation of $60,000. For 2007, E now has previously made $85,000 of 
section 403(b) elective deferrals ($62,000 deferred before 2006, plus 
the $15,000 in basic section 403(b) elective deferrals in 2006, the 
$3,000 maximum additional special section 403(b) catch-up amount in 
2006, plus the $5,000 age 50 catch-up amount in 2006). However, the 
$5,000 age 50 catch-up amount deferred in 2006 is disregarded for 
purposes of applying the limitation at paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this 
section to determine the special section 403(b) catch-up amount. Thus, 
for 2007, only $80,000 of section 403(b) elective deferrals are taken 
into account in applying the limitation at paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of 
this section. For 2007, the basic dollar limit for section 403(b) 
elective deferrals under paragraph (c)(1) of this section is assumed to 
be $16,000, the additional dollar amount permitted under the age 50 
catch-up is assumed to be $5,000, and E's employer contributes $6,000 
(10% of $60,000) as a non-elective contribution.
    (ii) Conclusion. The maximum section 403(b) elective deferral that D 
may elect under H's section 403(b) plan for 2007 is $21,000. This is the 
sum of the basic limit on section 403(b) elective deferrals under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section equal to $16,000, plus the additional 
age 50 catch-up amount of $5,000. E is not entitled to any additional 
special section 403(b) catch-up amount for 2007 under paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section due to the limitation at paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this 
section (16 times $5,000 equals $80,000, minus D's total prior section 
403(b) elective deferrals of $80,000 equals zero).

    (d) Employer contributions for former employees--(1) Includible 
compensation deemed to continue for nonelective contributions. For 
purposes of applying paragraph (b) of this section, a former employee is 
deemed to have monthly includible compensation for the period through 
the end of the taxable year of the employee in which he or she ceases to 
be an employee and through the end of each of the next five taxable 
years. The amount of the monthly includible compensation is equal to one 
twelfth of the former employee's includible compensation during the 
former employee's most recent year of service. Accordingly, nonelective 
employer contributions for a former employee must not exceed the 
limitation of section 415(c)(1) up to the lesser of the dollar amount in 
section 415(c)(1)(A) or the former employee's annual includible 
compensation based on the former employee's average monthly compensation 
during his or her most recent year of service.
    (2) Examples. The provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section are 
illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. Private college M is a section 501(c)(3) 
organization operated on the basis of a June 30 fiscal year that 
maintains a section 403(b) plan for its employees. In 2004, M amends the 
plan to provide for a temporary early retirement incentive under which 
the college will make a nonelective contribution for any participant who 
satisfies certain minimum age and service conditions and who retires 
before June 30, 2006. The contribution will equal 110 percent of the 
participant's rate of pay for one year and will be payable over a period 
ending no later than the end of the fifth fiscal year that begins after 
retirement. It is assumed for purposes of this Example 1 that, in 
accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-10(b) and under the facts and 
circumstances, the post-retirement contributions made for participants 
who satisfy the minimum age and service conditions and retire before 
June 30, 2006, do not discriminate in favor of former employees who are 
highly compensated employees. Employee A retires under the early 
retirement incentive on March 12, 2006, and A's annual includible 
compensation for the period from March 1, 2005, through February 28, 
2006 (which is A's most recent one year of service) is $30,000. The 
applicable dollar limit under section 415(c)(1)(A) is assumed to be 
$44,000 for 2006 and $45,000 for 2007. The college contributes $30,000 
for A for 2006 and $3,000 for A for 2007 (totaling $33,000 or 110 
percent of $30,000). No other contributions are made to a section 403(b) 
contract for A for those years.
    (ii) Conclusion. The contributions made for A do not exceed A's 
includible compensation for 2006 or 2007.
    Example 2. (i) Facts. Private college N is a section 501(c)(3) 
organization that maintains a section 403(b) plan for its employees. The 
plan provides for N to make monthly nonelective contributions equal to 
20 percent of the monthly includible compensation for

[[Page 457]]

each eligible employee. In addition, the plan provides for contributions 
to continue for 5 years following the retirement of any employee after 
age 64 and completion of at least 20 years of service (based on the 
employee's average annual rate of base salary in the preceding 3 
calendar years ended before the date of retirement). It is assumed for 
purposes of this Example 2 that, in accordance with Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-
10(b) and under the facts and circumstances, the post-retirement 
contributions made for participants who satisfy the minimum age and 
service conditions do not discriminate in favor of former employees who 
are highly compensated employees. Employee B retires on July 1, 2006, at 
age 64 after completion of 20 or more years of service. At that date, 
B's annual includible compensation for the most recently ended fiscal 
year of N is $72,000 and B's average monthly rate of base salary for 
2003 through 2005 is $5,000. N contributes $1,200 per month (20 percent 
of 1/12th of $72,000) from January of 2006 through June of 2006 and 
contributes $1,000 (20 percent of $5,000) per month for B from July of 
2006 through June of 2011. The applicable dollar limit under section 
415(c)(1)(A) is $44,000 for 2006 through 2011. No other contributions 
are made to a section 403(b) contract for B for those years.
    (ii) Conclusion. The contributions made for B do not exceed B's 
includible compensation for any of the years from 2006 through 2010.
    Example 3. (i) Facts. A public university maintains a section 403(b) 
under which it contributes annually 10% of compensation for 
participants, including for the first 5 calendar years following the 
date on which the participant ceases to be an employee. The plan 
provides that if a participant who is a former employee dies during the 
first 5 calendar years following the date on which the participant 
ceases to be an employee, a contribution is made that is equal to the 
lesser of--
    (A) The excess of the individual's includible compensation for that 
year over the contributions previously made for the individual for that 
year; or
    (B) The total contributions that would have been made on the 
individual's behalf thereafter if he or she had survived to the end of 
the 5-year period.
    (ii) Individual C's annual includible compensation is $72,000 (so 
that C's monthly includible compensation is $6,000). A $600 contribution 
is made for C for January of the first taxable year following retirement 
(10% of individual C's monthly includible compensation of $6,000). 
Individual C dies during February of that year. The university makes a 
contribution for individual C for February equal to $11,400 (C's monthly 
includible compensation for January and February, reduced by $600).
    (iii) Conclusion. The contribution does not exceed the amount of 
individual C's includible compensation for the taxable year for purposes 
of section 415(c), but any additional contributions would exceed C's 
includible compensation for purposes of section 415(c).

    (3) Disabled employees. See also section 415(c)(3)(C) which sets 
forth a special rule under which compensation may be treated as 
continuing for purposes of section 415 for certain former employees who 
are disabled.
    (e) Special rules for determining years of service--(1) In general. 
For purposes of determining a participant's includible compensation 
under paragraph (b)(2) of this section and a participant's years of 
service under paragraphs (c)(3) (special section 403(b) catch-up for 
qualified employees of certain organizations) and (d) (employer 
contributions for former employees) of this section, an employee must be 
credited with a full year of service for each year during which the 
individual is a full-time employee of the eligible employer for the 
entire work period, and a fraction of a year for each part of a work 
period during which the individual is a full-time or part-time employee 
of the eligible employer. An individual's number of years of service 
equals the aggregate of the annual work periods during which the 
individual is employed by the eligible employer.
    (2) Work period. A year of service is based on the employer's annual 
work period, not the employee's taxable year. For example, in 
determining whether a university professor is employed full time, the 
annual work period is the school's academic year. However, in no case 
may an employee accumulate more than one year of service in a twelve-
month period.
    (3) Service with more than one eligible employer--(i) General rule. 
With respect to any section 403(b) contract of an eligible employer, 
except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, any period 
during which an individual is not an employee of that eligible employer 
is disregarded for purposes of this paragraph (e).
    (ii) Special rule for church employees. With respect to any section 
403(b) contract of an eligible employer that is a church-related 
organization, any period during which an individual is an employee of 
that eligible employer and any other eligible employer that is a

[[Page 458]]

church-related organization that has an association (as defined in 
section 414(e)(3)(D)) with that eligible employer is taken into account 
on an aggregated basis, but any period during which an individual is not 
an employee of a church-related organization or is an employee of a 
church-related organization that does not have an association with that 
eligible employer is disregarded for purposes of this paragraph (e).
    (4) Full-time employee for full year. Each annual work period during 
which an individual is employed full time by the eligible employer 
constitutes one year of service. In determining whether an individual is 
employed full-time, the amount of work which he or she actually performs 
is compared with the amount of work that is normally required of 
individuals performing similar services from which substantially all of 
their annual compensation is derived.
    (5) Other employees. (i) An individual is treated as performing a 
fraction of a year of service for each annual work period during which 
he or she is a full-time employee for part of the annual work period and 
for each annual work period during which he or she is a part-time 
employee either for the entire annual work period or for a part of the 
annual work period.
    (ii) In determining the fraction that represents the fractional year 
of service for an individual employed full time for part of an annual 
work period, the numerator is the period of time (such as weeks or 
months) during which the individual is a full-time employee during that 
annual work period, and the denominator is the period of time that is 
the annual work period.
    (iii) In determining the fraction that represents the fractional 
year of service of an individual who is employed part time for the 
entire annual work period, the numerator is the amount of work performed 
by the individual, and the denominator is the amount of work normally 
required of individuals who perform similar services and who are 
employed full time for the entire annual work period.
    (iv) In determining the fraction representing the fractional year of 
service of an individual who is employed part time for part of an annual 
work period, the fractional year of service that would apply if the 
individual were a part-time employee for a full annual work period is 
multiplied by the fractional year of service that would apply if the 
individual were a full-time employee for the part of an annual work 
period.
    (6) Work performed. For purposes of this paragraph (e), in measuring 
the amount of work of an individual performing particular services, the 
work performed is determined based on the individual's hours of service 
(as defined under section 410(a)(3)(C)), except that a plan may use a 
different measure of work if appropriate under the facts and 
circumstances. For example, a plan may provide for a university 
professor's work to be measured by the number of courses taught during 
an annual work period in any case in which that individual's work 
assignment is generally based on a specified number of courses to be 
taught.
    (7) Most recent one-year period of service. For purposes of 
paragraph (d) of this section, in the case of a part-time employee or a 
full-time employee who is employed for only part of the year determined 
on the basis of the employer's annual work period, the employee's most 
recent periods of service are aggregated to determine his or her most 
recent one-year period of service. In such a case, there is first taken 
into account his or her service during the annual work period for which 
the last year of service's includible compensation is being determined; 
then there is taken into account his or her service during his or her 
next preceding annual work period based on whole months; and so forth 
until the employee's service equals, in the aggregate, one year of 
service.
    (8) Less than one year of service considered as one year. If, at the 
close of a taxable year, an employee has, after application of all of 
the other rules in this paragraph (e), some portion of one year of 
service (but has accumulated less than one year of service), the 
employee is deemed to have one year of service. Except as provided in 
the previous sentence, fractional years of service are not rounded up.

[[Page 459]]

    (9) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (e) are illustrated 
by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. Individual G is employed half-time in 2004 and 
2005 as a clerk by H, a hospital which is a section 501(c)(3) 
organization. G earns $20,000 from H in each of those years, and retires 
on December 31, 2005.
    (ii) Conclusion. For purposes of determining G's includible 
compensation during G's last year of service under paragraph (d) of this 
section, G's most recent periods of service are aggregated to determine 
G's most recent one-year period of service. In this case, since D worked 
half-time in 2004 and 2005, the compensation D earned in those two years 
are aggregated to produce D's includible compensation for D's last full 
year in service. Thus, in this case, the $20,000 that D earned in 2004 
and 2005 for D's half-time work are aggregated, so that D has $40,000 of 
includible compensation for D's most recent one-year of service for 
purposes of applying paragraphs (b)(2), (c)(3), and (d) of this section.
    Example 2. (i) Facts. Individual H is employed as a part-time 
professor by public University U during the first semester of its two-
semester 2004-2005 academic year. While H teaches one course generally 
for 3 hours a week during the first semester of the academic year, U's 
full-time faculty members generally teach for 9 hours a week during the 
full academic year.
    (ii) Conclusion. For purposes of calculating how much of a year of 
service H performs in the 2004-2005 academic year (before application of 
the special rules of paragraphs (e)(7) and (8) of this section 
concerning less than one year of service), paragraph (e)(5)(iv) of this 
section is applied as follows: since H teaches one course at U for 3 
hours per week for 1 semester and other faculty members at U teach 9 
hours per week for 2 semesters, H is considered to have completed \3/18\ 
or \1/6\ of a year of service during the 2004-2005 academic year, 
determined as follows:
    (A) The fractional year of service if H were a part-time employee 
for a full year is 3/9 (number of hours employed divided by the usual 
number of hours of work required for that position).
    (B) The fractional year of service if H were a full-time employee 
for half of a year is \1/2\ (one semester, divided by the usual 2-
semester annual work period).
    (C) These fractions are multiplied to obtain the fractional year of 
service: \3/9\ times \1/2\, or \3/18\, equals \1/6\ of a year of 
service.

    (f) Excess contributions or deferrals--(1) Inclusion in gross 
income. Any contribution made for a participant to a section 403(b) 
contract for the taxable year that exceeds either the maximum annual 
contribution limit set forth in paragraph (b) of this section or the 
maximum annual section 403(b) elective deferral limit set forth in 
paragraph (c) of this section constitutes an excess contribution that is 
included in gross income for that taxable year. See Sec. 1.403(b)-
3(d)(1)(iii) and (2)(i) for additional rules, including special rules 
relating to contracts that fail to be nonforfeitable. See also section 
4973 for an excise tax applicable with respect to excess contributions 
to a custodial account and section 4979(f)(2)(B) for a special rule 
applicable if excess matching contributions, excess after-tax employee 
contributions, and excess section 403(b) elective deferrals do not 
exceed $100.
    (2) Separate account required for certain excess contributions; 
distribution of excess elective deferrals. A contract to which a 
contribution is made that exceeds the maximum annual contribution limit 
set forth in paragraph (b) of this section is not a section 403(b) 
contract unless the excess contribution is held in a separate account 
which constitutes a separate account for purposes of section 72. See 
also Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(4) and paragraph (f)(4) of this section for 
additional rules with respect to the requirements of section 401(a)(30) 
and any excess deferral.
    (3) Ability to distribute excess contributions. A contract does not 
fail to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.403(b)-3, the distribution 
rules of Sec. 1.403(b)-6 or 1.403(b)-9, or the funding rules of Sec. 
1.403(b)-8 solely by reason of a distribution made from a separate 
account under paragraph (f)(2) of this section or made under paragraph 
(f)(4) of this section.
    (4) Excess section 403(b) elective deferrals. A section 403(b) 
contract may provide that any excess deferral as a result of a failure 
to comply with the limitation under paragraph (c) of this section for a 
taxable year with respect to any section 403(b) elective deferral made 
for a participant by the employer will be distributed to the 
participant, with allocable net income, no later than April 15 of the 
following taxable year or otherwise in accordance with section 402(g). 
See section 402(g)(2)(A) for rules permitting the participant to 
allocate excess deferrals among the plans in which the participant has 
made elective deferrals, and see section

[[Page 460]]

402(g)(2)(C) for special rules to determine the tax treatment of such a 
distribution.
    (5) Examples. The provisions of this paragraph (f) are illustrated 
by the following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. Individual D's employer makes a $46,000 
contribution for 2006 to an individual annuity insurance policy for 
Individual D that would otherwise be a section 403(b) contract. The 
contribution does not include any elective deferrals and the applicable 
limit under section 415(c) is $44,000 for 2006. The $2,000 section 
415(c) excess is put into a separate account under the policy. Employer 
includes $2,000 in D's gross income as wages for 2006 and, to the extent 
of the amount held in the separate account for the section 415(c) excess 
contribution, does not treat the account as a contract to which section 
403(b) applies.
    (ii) Conclusion. The separate account for the section 415(c) excess 
contribution is a contract to which section 403(c) applies, but the 
excess contribution does not cause the rest of the contract to fail 
section 403(b).
    Example 2. (i) Facts. Same facts as Example 1, except that the 
contribution is made to purchase mutual funds that are held in a 
custodial account, instead of an individual annuity insurance policy.
    (ii) Conclusion. The conclusion is the same as in Example 1, except 
that the purchase constitutes a transfer described in section 83.
    Example 3. (i) Facts. Same facts as Example 1, except that the 
amount held in the separate account for the section 415(c) excess 
contribution is subsequently distributed to D.
    (ii) Conclusion. The distribution is included in gross income to the 
extent provided under section 72 relating to distributions from a 
section 403(c) contract.
    Example 4. (i) Facts. Individual E makes section 403(b) elective 
deferrals totaling $15,500 for 2006, when E is age 45 and the applicable 
limit on section 403(b) elective deferrals is $15,000. On April 14, 
2007, the plan refunds the $500 excess along with applicable earnings of 
$65.
    (ii) Conclusion. The $565 payment constitutes a distribution of an 
excess deferral under paragraph (f)(4) of this section. Under section 
402(g), the $500 excess deferral is included in E's gross income for 
2006. The additional $65 is included in E's gross income for 2007 and, 
because the distribution is made by April 15, 2007 (as provided in 
section 402(g)(2)), the $65 is not subject to the additional 10 percent 
income tax on early distributions under section 72(t).

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007, as amended by 72 FR 54352, Sept. 
25, 2007; 75 FR 65566, Oct. 26, 2010]



Sec. 1.403(b)-5  Nondiscrimination rules.

    (a) Nondiscrimination rules for contributions other than section 
403(b) elective deferrals--(1) General rule. Under section 
403(b)(12)(A)(i), employer contributions and after-tax employee 
contributions to a section 403(b) plan must satisfy all of the following 
requirements (the nondiscrimination requirements) in the same manner as 
a qualified plan under section 401(a):
    (i) Section 401(a)(4) (relating to nondiscrimination in 
contributions and benefits), taking section 401(a)(5) into account.
    (ii) Section 401(a)(17) (limiting the amount of compensation that 
can be taken into account).
    (iii) Section 401(m) (relating to matching and after-tax employee 
contributions).
    (iv) Section 410(b) (relating to minimum coverage).
    (2) Nonapplication to section 403(b) elective deferrals. The 
requirements of this paragraph (a) do not apply to section 403(b) 
elective deferrals.
    (3) Compensation for testing. Except as may otherwise be 
specifically permitted under the provisions referenced in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section, compliance with those provisions is tested using 
compensation as defined in section 414(s) (and without regard to section 
415(c)(3)(E)). In addition, for purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, there may be excluded employees who are permitted to be 
excluded under paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(D) and (E) of this section. However, 
as provided in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, the exclusion of any 
employee listed in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(D) or (E) of this section is 
subject to the conditions applicable under section 410(b)(4).
    (4) Employer aggregation rules. See regulations under section 
414(b), (c), (m), and (o) for rules treating entities as a single 
employer for purposes of the nondiscrimination requirements.
    (5) Special rules for governmental plans. Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 
(iii), and (iv) of this section do not apply to a governmental plan as 
defined in section 414(d) (but contributions to a governmental plan must 
comply with paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (b) of this section).

[[Page 461]]

    (b) Universal availability required for section 403(b) elective 
deferrals--(1) General rule. Under section 403(b)(12)(A)(ii), all 
employees of the eligible employer must be permitted to have section 
403(b) elective deferrals contributed on their behalf if any employee of 
the eligible employer may elect to have the organization make section 
403(b) elective deferrals. Further, the employee's right to make 
elective deferrals also includes the right to designate section 403(b) 
elective deferrals as designated Roth contributions.
    (2) Effective opportunity required. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section, an employee is not treated as being permitted to have 
section 403(b) elective deferrals contributed on the employee's behalf 
unless the employee is provided an effective opportunity that satisfies 
the requirements of this paragraph (b)(2). Whether an employee has an 
effective opportunity is determined based on all the relevant facts and 
circumstances, including notice of the availability of the election, the 
period of time during which an election may be made, and any other 
conditions on elections. A section 403(b) plan satisfies the effective 
opportunity requirement of this paragraph (b)(2) only if, at least once 
during each plan year, the plan provides an employee with an effective 
opportunity to make (or change) a cash or deferred election (as defined 
at Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)) between cash or a contribution to the plan. 
Further, an effective opportunity includes the right to have section 
403(b) elective deferrals made on his or her behalf up to the lesser of 
the applicable limits in Sec. 1.403(b)-4(c) (including any permissible 
catch-up elective deferrals under Sec. 1.403(b)-4(c)(2) and (3)) or the 
applicable limits under the contract with the largest limitation, and 
applies to part-time employees as well as full-time employees. An 
effective opportunity is not considered to exist if there are any other 
rights or benefits (other than rights or benefits listed in Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(e)(6)(i)(A), (B), or (D)) that are conditioned (directly or 
indirectly) upon a participant making or failing to make a cash or 
deferred election with respect to a contribution to a section 403(b) 
contract.
    (3) Special rules. (i) In the case of a section 403(b) plan that 
covers the employees of more than one section 501(c)(3) organization, 
the universal availability requirement of this paragraph (b) applies 
separately to each common law entity (that is, applies separately to 
each section 501(c)(3) organization). In the case of a section 403(b) 
plan that covers the employees of more than one State entity, this 
requirement applies separately to each entity that is not part of a 
common payroll. An eligible employer may condition the employee's right 
to have section 403(b) elective deferrals made on his or her behalf on 
the employee electing a section 403(b) elective deferral of more than 
$200 for a year.
    (ii) For purposes of this paragraph (b)(3), an employer that 
historically has treated one or more of its various geographically 
distinct units as separate for employee benefit purposes may treat each 
unit as a separate organization if the unit is operated independently on 
a day-to-day basis. Units are not geographically distinct if such units 
are located within the same Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area 
(SMSA).
    (4) Exclusions--(i) Exclusions for special types of employees. A 
plan does not fail to satisfy the universal availability requirement of 
this paragraph (b) merely because it excludes one or more of the types 
of employees listed in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section. However, 
the exclusion of any employee listed in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(D) or (E) 
of this section is subject to the conditions applicable under section 
410(b)(4). Thus, if any employee listed in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(D) of 
this section has the right to have section 403(b) elective deferrals 
made on his or her behalf, then no employee listed in that paragraph 
(b)(4)(ii)(D) of this section may be excluded under this paragraph 
(b)(4) and, if any employee listed in paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(E) of this 
section has the right to have section 403(b) elective deferrals made on 
his or her behalf, then no employee listed in that paragraph 
(b)(4)(ii)(E) of this section may be excluded under this paragraph 
(b)(4).

[[Page 462]]

    (ii) List of special types of excludible employees. The following 
types of employees are listed in this paragraph (b)(4)(ii):
    (A) Employees who are eligible under another section 403(b) plan, or 
a section 457(b) eligible governmental plan, of the employer which 
permits an amount to be contributed or deferred at the election of the 
employee.
    (B) Employees who are eligible to make a cash or deferred election 
(as defined at Sec. 1.401(k)-1(a)(3)) under a section 401(k) plan of 
the employer.
    (C) Employees who are non-resident aliens described in section 
410(b)(3)(C).
    (D) Subject to the conditions applicable under section 410(b)(4) 
(including section 410(b)(4)(B) permitting separate testing for 
employees not meeting minimum age and service requirements), employees 
who are students performing services described in section 3121(b)(10).
    (E) Subject to the conditions applicable under section 410(b)(4), 
employees who normally work fewer than 20 hours per week (or such lower 
number of hours per week as may be set forth in the plan).
    (iii) Special rules. (A) A section 403(b) plan is permitted to take 
into account coverage under another plan, as permitted in paragraphs 
(b)(4)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, only if the rights to make 
elective deferrals with respect to that coverage would satisfy 
paragraphs (b)(2) and (4)(i) of this section if that coverage were 
provided under the section 403(b) plan.
    (B) For purposes of paragraph (b)(4)(ii)(E) of this section, an 
employee normally works fewer than 20 hours per week if and only if--
    (1) For the 12-month period beginning on the date the employee's 
employment commenced, the employer reasonably expects the employee to 
work fewer than 1,000 hours of service (as defined in section 
410(a)(3)(C)) in such period; and
    (2) For each plan year ending after the close of the 12-month period 
beginning on the date the employee's employment commenced (or, if the 
plan so provides, each subsequent 12-month period), the employee worked 
fewer than 1,000 hours of service in the preceding 12-month period. 
(See, however, section 202(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (88 Stat. 829) Public Law 93-406, and 
regulations under section 410(a) of the Internal Revenue Code applicable 
with respect to plans that are subject to title I of ERISA.)
    (c) Plan required. Contributions to an annuity contract do not 
satisfy the requirements of this section unless the contributions are 
made pursuant to a plan, as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-3(b)(3), and the 
terms of the plan satisfy this section.
    (d) Church plans exception. This section does not apply to a section 
403(b) contract purchased by a church (as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-2).
    (e) Other rules. This section only reflects requirements of the 
Internal Revenue Code applicable for purposes of section 403(b) and does 
not include other requirements. Specifically, this section does not 
reflect the requirements of ERISA that may apply with respect to section 
403(b) arrangements, such as the vesting requirements at 29 U.S.C. 1053.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-6  Timing of distributions and benefits.

    (a) Distributions generally. This section provides special rules 
regarding the timing of distributions from, and the benefits that may be 
provided under, a section 403(b) contract, including limitations on when 
early distributions can be made (in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this 
section), required minimum distributions (in paragraph (e) of this 
section), and special rules relating to loans (in paragraph (f) of this 
section) and incidental benefits (in paragraph (g) of this section).
    (b) Distributions from contracts other than custodial accounts or 
amounts attributable to section 403(b) elective deferrals. Except as 
provided in paragraph (c) of this section relating to distributions from 
custodial accounts, paragraph (d) of this section relating to 
distributions attributable to section 403(b) elective deferrals, Sec. 
1.403(b)-4(f) (relating to correction of excess deferrals), or Sec. 
1.403(b)-10(a) (relating to plan termination), a section 403(b) contract 
is permitted to distribute retirement benefits to the participant no 
earlier than upon the earlier of the participant's

[[Page 463]]

severance from employment or upon the prior occurrence of some event, 
such as after a fixed number of years, the attainment of a stated age, 
or disability. See Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii) for additional guidance. This 
paragraph (b) does not apply to after-tax employee contributions or 
earnings thereon.
    (c) Distributions from custodial accounts that are not attributable 
to section 403(b) elective deferrals. Except as provided in Sec. 
1.403(b)-4(f) (relating to correction of excess deferrals) or Sec. 
1.403(b)-10(a) (relating to plan termination), distributions from a 
custodial account, as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-8(d)(2), may not be paid 
to a participant before the participant has a severance from employment, 
dies, becomes disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)), or 
attains age 59\1/2\. Any amounts transferred out of a custodial account 
to an annuity contract or retirement income account, including earnings 
thereon, continue to be subject to this paragraph (c). This paragraph 
(c) does not apply to distributions that are attributable to section 
403(b) elective deferrals.
    (d) Distribution of section 403(b) elective deferrals--(1) 
Limitation on distributions--(i) General rule. Except as provided in 
Sec. 1.403(b)-4(f) (relating to correction of excess deferrals) or 
Sec. 1.403(b)-10(a) (relating to plan termination), distributions of 
amounts attributable to section 403(b) elective deferrals may not be 
paid to a participant earlier than the earliest of the date on which the 
participant has a severance from employment, dies, has a hardship, 
becomes disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)), or attains 
age 59\1/2\.
    (ii) Special rule for pre-1989 section 403(b) elective deferrals. 
For special rules relating to amounts held as of the close of the 
taxable year beginning before January 1, 1989 (which does not apply to 
earnings thereon), see section 1123(e)(3) of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 
(100 Stat. 2085, 2475) Public Law 99-514, and section 1011A(c)(11) of 
the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (102 Stat. 3342, 
3476) Public Law 100-647.
    (2) Hardship rules. A hardship distribution under this paragraph (d) 
has the same meaning as a distribution on account of hardship under 
Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3) and is subject to the rules and restrictions set 
forth in Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3) (including limiting the amount of a 
distribution in the case of hardship to the amount necessary to satisfy 
the hardship). In addition, a hardship distribution is limited to the 
aggregate dollar amount of the participant's section 403(b) elective 
deferrals under the contract (and may not include any income thereon), 
reduced by the aggregate dollar amount of the distributions previously 
made to the participant from the contract.
    (3) Failure to keep separate accounts. If a section 403(b) contract 
includes both section 403(b) elective deferrals and other contributions 
and the section 403(b) elective deferrals are not maintained in a 
separate account, then distributions may not be made earlier than the 
later of--
    (i) Any date permitted under paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and
    (ii) Any date permitted under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section 
with respect to contributions that are not section 403(b) elective 
deferrals (whichever applies to the contributions that are not section 
403(b) elective deferrals).
    (e) Minimum required distributions for eligible plans--(1) In 
general. Under section 403(b)(10), a section 403(b) contract must meet 
the minimum distribution requirements of section 401(a)(9) (in both form 
and operation). See section 401(a)(9) for these requirements.
    (2) Treatment as IRAs. For purposes of applying the distribution 
rules of section 401(a)(9) to section 403(b) contracts, the minimum 
distribution rules applicable to individual retirement annuities 
described in section 408(b) and individual retirement accounts described 
in section 408(a) apply to section 403(b) contracts. Consequently, 
except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (e), the distribution 
rules in section 401(a)(9) are applied to section 403(b) contracts in 
accordance with the provisions in Sec. 1.408-8 for purposes of 
determining required minimum distributions.
    (3) Required beginning date. The required beginning date for 
purposes of section 403(b)(10) is April 1 of the calendar year following 
the later of the calendar year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\ 
or the calendar year in

[[Page 464]]

which the employee retires from employment with the employer maintaining 
the plan. However, for any section 403(b) contract that is not part of a 
governmental plan or church plan, the required beginning date for a 5-
percent owner is April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar 
year in which the employee attains age 70\1/2\.
    (4) Surviving spouse rule does not apply. The special rule in Sec. 
1.408-8, A-5 (relating to spousal beneficiaries), does not apply to a 
section 403(b) contract. Thus, the surviving spouse of a participant is 
not permitted to treat a section 403(b) contract as the spouse's own 
section 403(b) contract, even if the spouse is the sole beneficiary.
    (5) Retirement income accounts. For purposes of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, 
A-4 (relating to annuity contracts), annuity payments provided with 
respect to retirement income accounts do not fail to satisfy the 
requirements of section 401(a)(9) merely because the payments are not 
made under an annuity contract purchased from an insurance company, 
provided that the relationship between the annuity payments and the 
retirement income accounts is not inconsistent with any rules prescribed 
by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter). See also Sec. 1.403(b)-9(a)(5) 
for additional rules relating to annuities payable from a retirement 
income account.
    (6) Special rules for benefits accruing before December 31, 1986. 
(i) The distribution rules provided in section 401(a)(9) do not apply to 
the undistributed portion of the account balance under the section 
403(b) contract valued as of December 31, 1986, exclusive of subsequent 
earnings (pre-'87 account balance). The distribution rules provided in 
section 401(a)(9) apply to all benefits under section 403(b) contracts 
accruing after December 31, 1986 (post-'86 account balance), including 
earnings after December 31, 1986. Consequently, the post-'86 account 
balance includes earnings after December 31, 1986, on contributions made 
before January 1, 1987, in addition to the contributions made after 
December 31, 1986, and earnings thereon.
    (ii) The issuer or custodian of the section 403(b) contract must 
keep records that enable it to identify the pre-'87 account balance and 
subsequent changes as set forth in paragraph (d)(6)(iii) of this section 
and provide such information upon request to the relevant employee or 
beneficiaries with respect to the contract. If the issuer or custodian 
does not keep such records, the entire account balance is treated as 
subject to section 401(a)(9).
    (iii) In applying the distribution rules in section 401(a)(9), only 
the post-'86 account balance is used to calculate the required minimum 
distribution for a calendar year. The amount of any distribution from a 
contract is treated as being paid from the post-'86 account balance to 
the extent the distribution is required to satisfy the minimum 
distribution requirement with respect to that contract for a calendar 
year. Any amount distributed in a calendar year from a contract in 
excess of the required minimum distribution for a calendar year with 
respect to that contract is treated as paid from the pre-'87 account 
balance, if any, of that contract.
    (iv) If an amount is distributed from the pre-'87 account balance 
and rolled over to another section 403(b) contract, the amount is 
treated as part of the post-'86 account balance in that second contract. 
However, if the pre-'87 account balance under a section 403(b) contract 
is directly transferred to another section 403(b) contract (as permitted 
under Sec. 1.403(b)-10(b)), the amount transferred retains its 
character as a pre-'87 account balance, provided the issuer of the 
transferee contract satisfies the recordkeeping requirements of 
paragraph (e)(6)(ii) of this section.
    (v) The distinction between the pre-'87 account balance and the 
post-'86 account balance provided for under this paragraph (e)(6) of 
this section has no relevance for purposes of determining the portion of 
a distribution that is includible in income under section 72.
    (vi) The pre-'87 account balance must be distributed in accordance 
with the incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(i). 
Distributions attributable to the pre-'87 account balance

[[Page 465]]

are treated as satisfying this requirement if all distributions from the 
section 403(b) contract (including distributions attributable to the 
post-'86 account balance) satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401-
1(b)(1)(i) without regard to this section, and distributions 
attributable to the post-'86 account balance satisfy the rules of this 
paragraph (e) (without regard to this paragraph (e)(6)). Distributions 
attributable to the pre-'87 account balance are treated as satisfying 
the incidental benefit requirement if all distributions from the section 
403(b) contract (including distributions attributable to both the pre-
'87 account balance and the post-'86 account balance) satisfy the rules 
of this paragraph (e) (without regard to this paragraph (e)(6)).
    (7) Application to multiple contracts for an employee. The required 
minimum distribution must be separately determined for each section 
403(b) contract of an employee. However, because, as provided in 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section, the distribution rules in section 
401(a)(9) apply to section 403(b) contracts in accordance with the 
provisions in Sec. 1.408-8, the required minimum distribution from one 
section 403(b) contract of an employee is permitted to be distributed 
from another section 403(b) contract in order to satisfy section 
401(a)(9). Thus, as provided in Sec. 1.408-8, A-9, with respect to 
IRAs, the required minimum distribution amount from each contract is 
then totaled and the total minimum distribution taken from any one or 
more of the individual section 403(b) contracts. However, consistent 
with the rules in Sec. 1.408-8, A-9, only amounts in section 403(b) 
contracts that an individual holds as an employee may be aggregated. 
Amounts in section 403(b) contracts that an individual holds as a 
beneficiary of the same decedent may be aggregated, but such amounts may 
not be aggregated with amounts held in section 403(b) contracts that the 
individual holds as the employee or as the beneficiary of another 
decedent. Distributions from section 403(b) contracts do not satisfy the 
minimum distribution requirements for IRAs, nor do distributions from 
IRAs satisfy the minimum distribution requirements for section 403(b) 
contracts.
    (8) Special rule for governmental plans. A section 403(b) contract 
that is part of a governmental plan (within the meaning of section 
414(d)) is treated as having complied with section 401(a)(9) for all 
years to which section 401(a)(9) applies to the contract, if the 
contract complies with a reasonable and good faith interpretation of 
section 401(a)(9).
    (9) Special rule for qualifying longevity annuity contracts. The 
rules in A-17(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 (relating to limitations on 
premiums for a qualifying longevity annuity contract (QLAC), defined in 
A-17 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6) and A-17(d)(1) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 
(relating to reliance on representations with respect to a QLAC) apply 
to the purchase of a QLAC under a section 403(b) plan (rather than the 
rules in A-12(b) and (c) of Sec. 1.408-8).
    (f) Loans. The determination of whether the availability of a loan, 
the making of a loan, or a failure to repay a loan made from an issuer 
of a section 403(b) contract to a participant or beneficiary is treated 
as a distribution (directly or indirectly) for purposes of this section, 
and the determination of whether the availability of the loan, the 
making of the loan, or a failure to repay the loan is in any other 
respect a violation of the requirements of section 403(b) and Sec. Sec. 
1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-5, this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-7 
through 1.403(b)-11, depends on the facts and circumstances. Among the 
facts and circumstances are whether the loan has a fixed repayment 
schedule and bears a reasonable rate of interest, and whether there are 
repayment safeguards to which a prudent lender would adhere. Thus, for 
example, a loan must bear a reasonable rate of interest in order to be 
treated as not being a distribution. However, a plan loan offset is a 
distribution for purposes of this section. See Sec. 1.72(p)-1, Q&A-13. 
See also Sec. 1.403(b)-7(d) relating to the application of section 
72(p) with respect to the taxation of a loan made under a section 403(b) 
contract. (Further, see section 408(b)(1) of title I of ERISA and 29 CFR 
2550.408b-1 of the Department of Labor regulations concerning additional 
requirements applicable with respect to plans that are subject to title 
I of ERISA.)

[[Page 466]]

    (g) Death benefits and other incidental benefits. An annuity is not 
a section 403(b) contract if it fails to satisfy the incidental benefit 
requirement of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii) (in form or in operation). For 
purposes of this paragraph (g), to the extent the incidental benefit 
requirement of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii) requires a distribution of the 
participant's or beneficiary's accumulated benefit, that requirement is 
deemed to be satisfied if distributions satisfy the minimum distribution 
requirements of section 401(a)(9). In addition, if a contract issued by 
an insurance company qualified to issue annuities in a State includes 
provisions under which, in the event a participant becomes disabled, 
benefits will be provided by the insurance carrier as if employer 
contributions were continued until benefit distribution commences, then 
that benefit is treated as an incidental benefit (as insurance for a 
deferred annuity benefit in the event of disability) that must satisfy 
the incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(ii) (taking 
into account any other incidental benefits provided under the plan). The 
rules of Sec. 1.402(a)-1(e) apply for purposes of determining when 
certain incidental benefits are treated as distributed and included in 
gross income. See Sec. Sec. 1.72-15 and 1.72-16.
    (h) Special rule regarding severance from employment. For purposes 
of this section, severance from employment occurs on any date on which 
an employee ceases to be an employee of an eligible employer, even 
though the employee may continue to be employed either by another entity 
that is treated as the same employer where either that other entity is 
not an entity that can be an eligible employer (such as transferring 
from a section 501(c)(3) organization to a for-profit subsidiary of the 
section 501(c)(3) organization) or in a capacity that is not employment 
with an eligible employer (for example, ceasing to be an employee 
performing services for a public school but continuing to work for the 
same State employer). Thus, this paragraph (h) does not apply if an 
employee transfers from one section 501(c)(3) organization to another 
section 501(c)(3) organization that is treated as the same employer or 
if an employee transfers from one public school to another public school 
of the same State employer.
    (i) Certain limitations do not apply to rollover contributions. The 
limitations on distributions in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this 
section do not apply to amounts held in a separate account for eligible 
rollover distributions as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-10(d).

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007, as amended by 72 FR 54352, Sept. 
25, 2007; T.D. 9459, 74 FR 45994, Sept. 8, 2009; 75 FR 65566, Oct. 26, 
2010; T.D. 9665, 79 FR 26843, May 12, 2014; T.D. 9673, 79 FR 37642, July 
2, 2014]



Sec. 1.403(b)-7  Taxation of distributions and benefits.

    (a) General rules for when amounts are included in gross income. 
Except as provided in this section (or in Sec. 1.403(b)-10(c) relating 
to payments pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order), amounts 
actually distributed from a section 403(b) contract are includible in 
the gross income of the recipient participant or beneficiary (in the 
year in which so distributed) under section 72 (relating to annuities). 
For an additional income tax that may apply to certain early 
distributions that are includible in gross income, see section 72(t).
    (b) Rollovers to individual retirement arrangements and other 
eligible retirement plans--(1) Timing of taxation of rollovers. In 
accordance with sections 402(c), 403(b)(8), and 403(b)(10), a direct 
rollover in accordance with section 401(a)(31) is not includible in the 
gross income of a participant or beneficiary in the year rolled over. In 
addition, any payment made in the form of an eligible rollover 
distribution (as defined in section 402(c)(4)) is not includible in 
gross income in the year paid to the extent the payment is contributed 
to an eligible retirement plan (as defined in section 402(c)(8)(B)) 
within 60 days, including the contribution to the eligible retirement 
plan of any property distributed. For this purpose, the rules of section 
402(c)(2) through (7) and (c)(9) apply. Thus, to the extent that a 
portion of a distribution (including a distribution from a designated 
Roth account) would be excluded from gross income if it were not rolled 
over, if that portion of the distribution is to be rolled over into an 
eligible retirement

[[Page 467]]

plan that is not an IRA, the rollover must be accomplished through a 
direct rollover of the entire distribution to a plan qualified under 
section 401(a) or a section 403(b) plan and that plan must agree to 
separately account for the amount not includible in income (so that a 
60-day rollover to a plan qualified under section 401(a) or another 
section 403(b) plan is not available for this portion of the 
distribution).
    (2) Requirement that contract provide rollover options for eligible 
rollover distributions. As required in Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(7), an 
annuity contract is not a section 403(b) contract unless the contract 
provides that if the distributee of an eligible rollover distribution 
elects to have the distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement 
plan (as defined in section 402(c)(8)(B)) and specifies the eligible 
retirement plan to which the distribution is to be paid, then the 
distribution will be paid to that eligible retirement plan in a direct 
rollover. For purposes of determining whether a contract satisfies this 
requirement, the provisions of section 401(a)(31) apply to the annuity 
as though it were a plan qualified under section 401(a) unless otherwise 
provided in section 401(a)(31). Thus, the special rule in Sec. 
1.401(k)-1(f)(3)(ii) with respect to distributions from a designated 
Roth account that are expected to total less than $200 during a year 
applies to designated Roth accounts under a section 403(b) plan. In 
applying the provisions of this paragraph (b)(2), the payor of the 
eligible rollover distribution from the contract is treated as the plan 
administrator.
    (3) Requirement that contract payor provide notice of rollover 
option to distributees. To ensure that the distributee of an eligible 
rollover distribution from a section 403(b) contract has a meaningful 
right to elect a direct rollover, section 402(f) requires that the 
distributee be informed of the option. Thus, within a reasonable time 
period before making the initial eligible rollover distribution, the 
payor must provide an explanation to the distributee of his or her right 
to elect a direct rollover and the income tax withholding consequences 
of not electing a direct rollover. For purposes of satisfying the 
reasonable time period requirement, the plan timing rule provided in 
section 402(f)(1) and Sec. 1.402(f)-1 applies to section 403(b) 
contracts.
    (4) Mandatory withholding upon certain eligible rollover 
distributions from contracts. If a distributee of an eligible rollover 
distribution from a section 403(b) contract does not elect to have the 
eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement 
plan in a direct rollover, the eligible rollover distribution is subject 
to 20-percent income tax withholding imposed under section 3405(c). See 
section 3405(c) and Sec. 31.3405(c)-1 of this chapter for provisions 
regarding the withholding requirements relating to eligible rollover 
distributions.
    (5) Automatic rollover for certain mandatory distributions under 
section 401(a)(31). In accordance with section 403(b)(10), a section 
403(b) plan is required to comply with section 401(a)(31) (including 
automatic rollover for certain mandatory distributions) in the same 
manner as a qualified plan.
    (c) Special rules. See section 402(g)(2)(C) for special rules to 
determine the tax treatment of a distribution of excess deferrals, and 
see Sec. 1.401(m)-1(e)(3)(v) for the tax treatment of corrective 
distributions of after-tax employee contributions and matching 
contributions to comply with section 401(m). See sections 402(l) and 
403(b)(2) for a special rule regarding distributions for certain retired 
public safety officers made from a governmental plan for the direct 
payment of certain premiums.
    (d) Amounts taxable under section 72(p)(1). In accordance with 
section 72(p), the amount of any loan from a section 403(b) contract to 
a participant or beneficiary (including any pledge or assignment treated 
as a loan under section 72(p)(1)(B)) is treated as having been received 
as a distribution from the contract under section 72(p)(1), except to 
the extent set forth in section 72(p)(2) (relating to loans that do not 
exceed a maximum amount and that are repayable in accordance with 
certain terms) and Sec. 1.72(p)-1. See generally Sec. 1.72(p)-1. Thus, 
except to the extent a loan satisfies section 72(p)(2), any amount 
loaned from a section

[[Page 468]]

403(b) contract to a participant or beneficiary (including any pledge or 
assignment treated as a loan under section 72(p)(1)(B)) is includible in 
the gross income of the participant or beneficiary for the taxable year 
in which the loan is made. A deemed distribution is not an actual 
distribution for purposes of Sec. 1.403(b)-6, as provided at Sec. 
1.72(p)-1, Q&A-12 and Q&A-13. (Further, see section 408(b)(1) of title I 
of ERISA concerning the effect of noncompliance with title I loan 
requirements for plans that are subject to title I of ERISA.)
    (e) Special rules relating to distributions from a designated Roth 
account. If an amount is distributed from a designated Roth account 
under a section 403(b) plan, the amount, if any, that is includible in 
gross income and the amount, if any, that may be rolled over to another 
section 403(b) plan is determined under Sec. 1.402A-1. Thus, the 
designated Roth account is treated as a separate contract for purposes 
of section 72. For example, the rules of section 72(b) must be applied 
separately to annuity payments with respect to a designated Roth account 
under a section 403(b) plan and separately to annuity payments with 
respect to amounts attributable to any other contributions to the 
section 403(b) plan.
    (f) Aggregation of contracts. In accordance with section 403(b)(5), 
the rules of this section are applied as if all annuity contracts for 
the employee by the employer are treated as a single contract.
    (g) Certain rules relating to employment taxes. With respect to 
contributions under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) under 
Chapter 21, see section 3121(a)(5)(D) for a special rule relating to 
section 403(b) contracts. With respect to income tax withholding on 
distributions from section 403(b) contracts, see section 3405 generally. 
However, see section 3401 for income tax withholding applicable to 
annuity contracts or custodial accounts that are not section 403(b) 
contracts or for cases in which an annuity contract or custodial account 
ceases to be a section 403(b) contract. See also Sec. 1.72(p)-1, Q&A-
15, and Sec. 35.3405(c)-1, Q&A-11 of this chapter, for special rules 
relating to income tax withholding for loans made from certain employer 
plans, including section 403(b) contracts.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007, as amended by 75 FR 65566, Oct. 
26, 2010]



Sec. 1.403(b)-8  Funding.

    (a) Investments. Section 403(b) and Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a) only apply 
to amounts held in an annuity contract (as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-2), 
including a custodial account that is treated as an annuity contract 
under paragraph (d) of this section, or a retirement income account that 
is treated as an annuity contract under Sec. 1.403(b)-9.
    (b) Contributions to the plan. Contributions to a section 403(b) 
plan must be transferred to the insurance company issuing the annuity 
contract (or the entity holding assets of any custodial or retirement 
income account that is treated as an annuity contract) within a period 
that is not longer than is reasonable for the proper administration of 
the plan. For purposes of this requirement, the plan may provide for 
section 403(b) elective deferrals for a participant under the plan to be 
transferred to the annuity contract within a specified period after the 
date the amounts would otherwise have been paid to the participant. For 
example, the plan could provide for section 403(b) elective deferrals 
under the plan to be contributed within 15 business days following the 
month in which these amounts would otherwise have been paid to the 
participant.
    (c) Annuity contracts--(1) Generally. As defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-
2, and except as otherwise permitted under this section, an annuity 
contract means a contract that is issued by an insurance company 
qualified to issue annuities in a State and that includes payment in the 
form of an annuity. This paragraph (c) sets forth additional rules 
regarding annuity contracts.
    (2) Certain insurance contracts. Neither a life insurance contract, 
as defined in section 7702, an endowment contract, a health or accident 
insurance contract, nor a property, casualty, or liability insurance 
contract meets the definition of an annuity contract. See Sec. 
1.401(f)-4(e). If a contract

[[Page 469]]

issued by an insurance company qualified to issue annuities in a State 
provides death benefits as part of the contract, then that coverage is 
permitted, assuming that those death benefits do not cause the contract 
to fail to satisfy any requirement applicable to section 403(b) 
contracts, for example, assuming that those benefits satisfy the 
incidental benefit requirement of Sec. 1.401-1(b)(1)(i), as required by 
Sec. 1.403(b)-6(g).
    (3) Special rule for certain contracts. This paragraph (c)(3) 
applies in the case of a contract issued under a State section 403(b) 
plan established on or before May 17, 1982, or for an employee who 
becomes covered for the first time under the plan after May 17, 1982, 
unless the Commissioner had before that date issued any written 
communication (either to the employer or financial institution) to the 
effect that the arrangement under which the contract was issued did not 
meet the requirements of section 403(b). The requirement that the 
contract be issued by an insurance company qualified to issue annuities 
in a State does not apply to a contract described in the preceding 
sentence if one of the following two conditions is satisfied and that 
condition has been satisfied continuously since May 17, 1982--
    (i) Benefits under the contract are provided from a separately 
funded retirement reserve that is subject to supervision of the State 
insurance department; or
    (ii) Benefits under the contract are provided from a fund that is 
separate from the fund used to provide statutory benefits payable under 
a state retirement system and that is part of a State teachers 
retirement system (including a state university retirement system) to 
purchase benefits that are unrelated to the basic benefits provided 
under the retirement system, and the death benefit provided under the 
contract does not at any time exceed the larger of the reserve or the 
contribution made for the employee.
    (d) Custodial accounts--(1) Treatment as a section 403(b) contract. 
Under section 403(b)(7), a custodial account is treated as an annuity 
contract for purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-7, this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-9 through 1.403(b)-11. See section 
403(b)(7)(B) for special rules regarding the tax treatment of custodial 
accounts and section 4973(c) for an excise tax that applies to excess 
contributions to a custodial account.
    (2) Custodial account defined. A custodial account means a plan, or 
a separate account under a plan, in which an amount attributable to 
section 403(b) contributions (or amounts rolled over to a section 403(b) 
contract, as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-10(d)) is held by a bank or a 
person who satisfies the conditions in section 401(f)(2), if--
    (i) All of the amounts held in the account are invested in stock of 
a regulated investment company (as defined in section 851(a) relating to 
mutual funds);
    (ii) The requirements of Sec. 1.403(b)-6(c) (imposing restrictions 
on distributions with respect to a custodial account) are satisfied with 
respect to the amounts held in the account;
    (iii) The assets held in the account cannot be used for, or diverted 
to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of plan participants 
or their beneficiaries (for which purpose, assets are treated as 
diverted to the employer if the employer borrows assets from the 
account); and
    (iv) The account is not part of a retirement income account.
    (3) Effect of definition. The requirement in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of 
this section is not satisfied if the account includes any assets other 
than stock of a regulated investment company.
    (4) Treatment of custodial account. A custodial account is treated 
as a section 401 qualified plan solely for purposes of subchapter F of 
subtitle A and subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to 
amounts received by it (and income from investment thereof). This 
treatment only applies to a custodial account that constitutes a section 
403(b) contract under Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-7, this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-9 through 1.403(b)-11 or that would 
constitute a section 403(b) contract under Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 
1.403(b)-7, this section and Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-9 through 1.403(b)-11 
if the amounts held in the account were to satisfy the nonforfeitability 
requirement of Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a)(2).

[[Page 470]]

    (e) Retirement income accounts. See Sec. 1.403(b)-9 for special 
rules under which a retirement income account for employees of a church-
related organization is treated as a section 403(b) contract for 
purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-7, this section and 
Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-9 through 1.403(b)-11.
    (f) Combining assets. To the extent permitted by the Commissioner in 
revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), trust 
assets held under a custodial account and trust assets held under a 
retirement income account, as described in Sec. 1.403(b)-9(a)(6), may 
be invested in a group trust with trust assets held under a qualified 
plan or individual retirement plan. For this purpose, a trust includes a 
custodial account that is treated as a trust under section 401(f).

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-9  Special rules for church plans.

    (a) Retirement income accounts--(1) Treatment as a section 403(b) 
contract. Under section 403(b)(9), a retirement income account for 
employees of a church-related organization (as defined in Sec. 
1.403(b)-2) is treated as an annuity contract for purposes of Sec. Sec. 
1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-8, this section, Sec. 1.403(b)-10 and Sec. 
1.403(b)-11.
    (2) Retirement income account defined--(i) In general. A retirement 
income account means a defined contribution program established or 
maintained by a church-related organization under which--
    (A) There is separate accounting for the retirement income account's 
interest in the underlying assets (namely, there must be sufficient 
separate accounting in order for it to be possible at all times to 
determine the retirement income account's interest in the underlying 
assets and to distinguish that interest from any interest that is not 
part of the retirement income account);
    (B) Investment performance is based on gains and losses on those 
assets; and
    (C) The assets held in the account cannot be used for, or diverted 
to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of plan participants 
or their beneficiaries (and for this purpose, assets are treated as 
diverted to the employer if there is a loan or other extension of credit 
from assets in the account to the employer).
    (ii) Plan required. A retirement income account must be maintained 
pursuant to a program which is a plan (as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-
3(b)(3)) and the plan document must state (or otherwise evidence in a 
similarly clear manner) the intent to constitute a retirement income 
account.
    (3) Ownership or use constitutes distribution. Any asset of a 
retirement income account that is owned or used by a participant or 
beneficiary is treated as having been distributed to that participant or 
beneficiary. See Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-6 and 1.403(b)-7 for rules relating 
to distributions.
    (4) Coordination of retirement income account with custodial account 
rules. A retirement income account that is treated as an annuity 
contract is not a custodial account (as defined in Sec. 1.403(b)-
8(d)(2)), even if it is invested solely in stock of a regulated 
investment company.
    (5) Life annuities. A retirement income account may distribute 
benefits in a form that includes a life annuity only if--
    (i) The amount of the distribution form has an actuarial present 
value, at the annuity starting date, equal to the participant's or 
beneficiary's accumulated benefit, based on reasonable actuarial 
assumptions, including regarding interest and mortality; and
    (ii) The plan sponsor guarantees benefits in the event that a 
payment is due that exceeds the participant's or beneficiary's 
accumulated benefit.
    (6) Combining retirement income account assets with other assets. 
For purposes of Sec. 1.403(b)-8(f) relating to combining assets, 
retirement income account assets held in trust (including a custodial 
account that is treated as a trust under section 401(f)) are subject to 
the same rules regarding combining of assets as custodial account 
assets. In addition, retirement income account assets are permitted to 
be commingled in a common fund with amounts devoted exclusively to 
church purposes (such as a fund from which unfunded pension payments are 
made to former

[[Page 471]]

employees of the church). However, unless otherwise permitted by the 
Commissioner, no assets of the plan sponsor, other than retirement 
income account assets, may be combined with custodial account assets or 
any other assets permitted to be combined under Sec. 1.403(b)-8(f). 
This paragraph (a)(6) is subject to any additional rules issued by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this 
chapter).
    (7) Trust treated as tax exempt. A trust (including a custodial 
account that is treated as a trust under section 401(f)) that includes 
no assets other than assets of a retirement income account is treated as 
an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a).
    (b) No compensation limitation up to $10,000. See section 415(c)(7) 
for special rules regarding certain annual additions not exceeding 
$10,000.
    (c) Special deduction rule for self-employed ministers. See section 
404(a)(10) for a special rule regarding the deductibility of a 
contribution made by a self-employed minister.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(b)-10  Miscellaneous provisions.

    (a) Plan terminations and frozen plans--(1) In general. An employer 
is permitted to amend its section 403(b) plan to eliminate future 
contributions for existing participants or to limit participation to 
existing participants and employees (to the extent consistent with Sec. 
1.403(b)-5). A section 403(b) plan is permitted to contain provisions 
that provide for plan termination and that allow accumulated benefits to 
be distributed on termination. However, in the case of a section 403(b) 
contract that is subject to the distribution restrictions in Sec. 
1.403(b)-6(c) or (d) (relating to custodial accounts and section 403(b) 
elective deferrals), termination of the plan and the distribution of 
accumulated benefits is permitted only if the employer (taking into 
account all entities that are treated as the same employer under section 
414(b), (c), (m), or (o) on the date of the termination) does not make 
contributions to any section 403(b) contract that is not part of the 
plan during the period beginning on the date of plan termination and 
ending 12 months after distribution of all assets from the terminated 
plan. However, if at all times during the period beginning 12 months 
before the termination and ending 12 months after distribution of all 
assets from the terminated plan, fewer than 2 percent of the employees 
who were eligible under the section 403(b) plan as of the date of plan 
termination are eligible under the alternative section 403(b) contract, 
the alternative section 403(b) contract is disregarded. To the extent a 
contract fails to satisfy the nonforfeitability requirement of Sec. 
1.403(b)-3(a)(2) at the date of plan termination, the contact is not, 
and cannot later become, a section 403(b) contract. In order for a 
section 403(b) plan to be considered terminated, all accumulated 
benefits under the plan must be distributed to all participants and 
beneficiaries as soon as administratively practicable after termination 
of the plan. For this purpose, delivery of a fully paid individual 
insurance annuity contract is treated as a distribution. The mere 
provision for, and making of, distributions to participants or 
beneficiaries upon plan termination does not cause a contract to cease 
to be a section 403(b) contract. See Sec. 1.403(b)-7 for rules 
regarding the tax treatment of distributions, including Sec. 1.403(b)-
7(b)(1) under which an eligible rollover distribution is not included in 
gross income if paid in a direct rollover to an eligible retirement plan 
or if transferred to an eligible retirement plan within 60 days.
    (2) Employers that cease to be eligible employers. An employer that 
ceases to be an eligible employer may no longer contribute to a section 
403(b) contract for any subsequent period, and the contract will fail to 
satisfy Sec. 1.403(b)-3(a) if any further contributions are made with 
respect to a period after the employer ceases to be an eligible 
employer.
    (b) Contract exchanges and plan-to-plan transfers--(1) Contract 
exchanges and transfers--(i) General rule. If the conditions in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section are met, a section 403(b) contract held 
under a section 403(b) plan is permitted to be exchanged for another 
section 403(b) contract held under that

[[Page 472]]

section 403(b) plan. Further, if the conditions in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section are met, a section 403(b) plan is permitted to provide for 
the transfer of its assets (including any assets held in a custodial 
account or retirement income account that are treated as section 403(b) 
contracts) to another section 403(b) plan. In addition, if the 
conditions in paragraph (b)(4) of this section (relating to permissive 
service credit and repayments under section 415) are met, a section 
403(b) plan is permitted to provide for the transfer of its assets to a 
qualified plan under section 401(a). However, neither a qualified plan 
nor an eligible governmental plan under section 457(b) may transfer 
assets to a section 403(b) plan, and a section 403(b) plan may not 
accept such a transfer. In addition, a section 403(b) contract may not 
be exchanged for an annuity contract that is not a section 403(b) 
contract. Neither a plan-to-plan transfer nor a contract exchange 
permitted under this paragraph (b) is treated as a distribution for 
purposes of the distribution restrictions at Sec. 1.403(b)-6. 
Therefore, such a transfer or exchange may be made before severance from 
employment or another distribution event. Further, no amount is 
includible in gross income by reason of such a transfer or exchange.
    (ii) ERISA rules. See Sec. 1.414(l)-1 for other rules that are 
applicable to section 403(b) plans that are subject to section 208 of 
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 829, 865).
    (2) Requirements for contract exchange within the same plan--(i) 
General rule. A section 403(b) contract of a participant or beneficiary 
may be exchanged under paragraph (b)(1) of this section for another 
section 403(b) contract of that participant or beneficiary under the 
same section 403(b) plan if each of the following conditions are met:
    (A) The plan under which the contract is issued provides for the 
exchange.
    (B) The participant or beneficiary has an accumulated benefit 
immediately after the exchange that is at least equal to the accumulated 
benefit of that participant or beneficiary immediately before the 
exchange (taking into account the accumulated benefit of that 
participant or beneficiary under both section 403(b) contracts 
immediately before the exchange).
    (C) The other contract is subject to distribution restrictions with 
respect to the participant that are not less stringent than those 
imposed on the contract being exchanged, and the employer enters into an 
agreement with the issuer of the other contract under which the employer 
and the issuer will from time to time in the future provide each other 
with the following information:
    (1) Information necessary for the resulting contract, or any other 
contract to which contributions have been made by the employer, to 
satisfy section 403(b), including information concerning the 
participant's employment and information that takes into account other 
section 403(b) contracts or qualified employer plans (such as whether a 
severance from employment has occurred for purposes of the distribution 
restrictions in Sec. 1.403(b)-6 and whether the hardship withdrawal 
rules of Sec. 1.403(b)-6(d)(2) are satisfied).
    (2) Information necessary for the resulting contract, or any other 
contract to which contributions have been made by the employer, to 
satisfy other tax requirements (such as whether a plan loan satisfies 
the conditions in section 72(p)(2) so that the loan is not a deemed 
distribution under section 72(p)(1)).
    (ii) Accumulated benefit. The condition in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) of 
this section is satisfied if the exchange would satisfy section 
414(l)(1) if the exchange were a transfer of assets.
    (iii) Authority for future guidance. Subject to such conditions as 
the Commissioner determines to be appropriate, the Commissioner may 
issue rules of general applicability, in revenue rulings, notices, or 
other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), permitting an exchange of one 
section 403(b) contract for another section 403(b) contract for an 
exchange that does not satisfy paragraph (b)(2)(i)(C) of this section. 
Any such rules must require the resulting contract to set forth 
procedures that the Commissioner determines are reasonably designed to 
ensure compliance with those requirements of section

[[Page 473]]

403(b) or other tax provisions that depend on either information 
concerning the participant's employment or information that takes into 
account other section 403(b) contracts or other employer plans (such as 
whether a severance from employment has occurred for purposes of the 
distribution restrictions in Sec. 1.403(b)-6, whether the hardship 
withdrawal rules of Sec. 1.403(b)-6(d)(2) are satisfied, and whether a 
plan loan constitutes a deemed distribution under section 72(p)).
    (3) Requirements for plan-to-plan transfers--(i) In general. A plan-
to-plan transfer under paragraph (b)(1) of this section from a section 
403(b) plan to another section 403(b) plan is permitted if each of the 
following conditions are met--
    (A) In the case of a transfer for a participant, the participant is 
an employee or former employee of the employer (or the business of the 
employer) for the receiving plan.
    (B) In the case of a transfer for a beneficiary of a deceased 
participant, the participant was an employee or former employee of the 
employer (or business of the employer) for the receiving plan.
    (C) The transferor plan provides for transfers.
    (D) The receiving plan provides for the receipt of transfers.
    (E) The participant or beneficiary whose assets are being 
transferred has an accumulated benefit immediately after the transfer 
that is at least equal to the accumulated benefit of that participant or 
beneficiary immediately before the transfer.
    (F) The receiving plan provides that, to the extent any amount 
transferred is subject to any distribution restrictions under Sec. 
1.403(b)-6, the receiving plan imposes restrictions on distributions to 
the participant or beneficiary whose assets are being transferred that 
are not less stringent than those imposed on the transferor plan.
    (G) If a plan-to-plan transfer does not constitute a complete 
transfer of the participant's or beneficiary's interest in the section 
403(b) plan, the transferee plan treats the amount transferred as a 
continuation of a pro rata portion of the participant's or beneficiary's 
interest in the section 403(b) plan (for example, a pro rata portion of 
the participant's or beneficiary's interest in any after-tax employee 
contributions).
    (ii) Accumulated benefit. The condition in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(D) of 
this section is satisfied if the transfer would satisfy section 
414(l)(1).
    (4) Purchases of permissive service credit by contract-to-plan 
transfers from a section 403(b) contract to a qualified plan--(i) 
General rule. If the conditions in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section 
are met, a section 403(b) plan may provide for the transfer of assets 
held in the plan to a qualified defined benefit plan that is a 
governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d)).
    (ii) Conditions for plan-to-plan transfers. A transfer may be made 
under this paragraph (b)(4) only if the transfer is either--
    (A) For the purchase of permissive service credit (as defined in 
section 415(n)(3)(A)) under the receiving defined benefit plan; or
    (B) A repayment to which section 415 does not apply by reason of 
section 415(k)(3).
    (c) Qualified domestic relations orders. In accordance with the 
second sentence of section 414(p)(9), any distribution from an annuity 
contract under section 403(b) (including a distribution from a custodial 
account or retirement income account that is treated as a section 403(b) 
contract) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order is treated in 
the same manner as a distribution from a plan to which section 
401(a)(13) applies. Thus, for example, a section 403(b) plan does not 
fail to satisfy the distribution restrictions set forth in Sec. 
1.403(b)-6(b), (c), or (d) merely as a result of distribution made 
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order under section 414(p), 
so that such a distribution is permitted without regard to whether the 
employee from whose contract the distribution is made has had a 
severance from employment or another event permitting a distribution to 
be made under section 403(b). In the case of a plan that is subject to 
title I of ERISA, see also section 206(d)(3) of ERISA under which the 
prohibition against assignment or alienation of plan benefits under 
section 206(d)(1) of ERISA does not apply

[[Page 474]]

to an order that is determined to be a qualified domestic relations 
order.
    (d) Rollovers to a section 403(b) contract--(1) General rule. A 
section 403(b) contract may accept a contribution that is an eligible 
rollover distribution (as defined in section 402(c)(4)) made from 
another eligible retirement plan (as defined in section 402(c)(8)(B)). 
Any amount contributed to a section 403(b) contract as an eligible 
rollover distribution is not taken into account for purposes of the 
limits in Sec. 1.403(b)-4, but, except as otherwise specifically 
provided (for example, at Sec. 1.403(b)-6(i)), is otherwise treated in 
the same manner as an amount held under a section 403(b) contract for 
purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-3 through 1.403(b)-9 and this section.
    (2) Special rules relating to after-tax employee contributions and 
designated Roth contributions. A section 403(b) plan that receives an 
eligible rollover distribution that includes after-tax employee 
contributions or designated Roth contributions is required to obtain 
information regarding the employee's section 72 basis in the amount 
rolled over. A section 403(b) plan is permitted to receive an eligible 
rollover distribution that includes designated Roth contributions only 
if the plan permits employees to make elective deferrals that are 
designated Roth contributions.
    (e) Deemed IRAs. See regulations under section 408(q) for special 
rules relating to deemed IRAs.
    (f) Defined benefit plans--(1) Defined benefit plans generally. 
Except for a TEFRA church defined benefit plan as defined in paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section, section 403(b) does not apply to any 
contributions or accrual under a defined benefit plan.
    (2) TEFRA church defined benefit plans. See section 251(e)(5) of the 
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, Public Law 97-248, for 
a provision permitting certain arrangements established by a church-
related organization and in effect on September 3, 1982 (a TEFRA church 
defined benefit plan) to be treated as section 403(b) contract even 
though it is a defined benefit arrangement. In accordance with section 
403(b)(1), for purposes of applying section 415 to a TEFRA church 
defined benefit plan, the accruals under the plan are limited to the 
maximum amount permitted under section 415(c) when expressed as an 
annual addition, and, for this purpose, the rules at Sec. 1.402(b)-
1(a)(2) for determining the present value of an accrual under a 
nonqualified defined benefit plan also apply for purposes of converting 
the accrual under a TEFRA church defined benefit plan to an annual 
addition. See section 415(b) for additional limits applicable to TEFRA 
church defined benefit plans.
    (g) Other rules relating to section 501(c)(3) organizations. See 
section 501(c)(3) and regulations thereunder for the substantive 
standards for tax-exemption under that section, including the 
requirement that no part of the organization's net earnings inure to the 
benefit of any private shareholder or individual. See also sections 4941 
(self dealing), 4945 (taxable expenditures), and 4958 (excess benefit 
transactions), and the regulations thereunder, for rules relating to 
excise taxes imposed on certain transactions involving organizations 
described in section 501(c)(3).

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007, as amended by 75 FR 65566, Oct. 
26, 2010]



Sec. 1.403(b)-11  Applicable dates.

    (a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-10 apply for taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 2008.
    (b) Collective bargaining agreements. In the case of a section 
403(b) plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining 
agreements that have been ratified and in effect on July 26, 2007, 
Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 1.403(b)-10 do not apply before the 
earlier of--
    (1) The date on which the last of the collective bargaining 
agreements terminates (determined without regard to any extension 
thereof after July 26, 2007); or
    (2) July 26, 2010.
    (c) Church conventions; retirement income account. (1) In the case 
of a section 403(b) plan maintained by a church-related organization for 
which the authority to amend the plan is held by a church convention 
(within the meaning of section 414(e)), Sec. Sec. 1.403(b)-1 through 
1.403(b)-10 do not apply before

[[Page 475]]

the first day of the first plan year that begins after December 31, 
2009.
    (2) In the case of a loan or other extension of credit to the 
employer that was entered into under a retirement income account before 
July 26, 2007, the plan does not fail to satisfy Sec. 1.403(b)-
9(a)(2)(i)(C) on account of the loan or other extension of credit if the 
plan takes reasonable steps to eliminate the loan or other extension of 
credit to the employer before the applicable date for Sec. 1.403(b)-
9(a)(2) or as promptly as practical thereafter (including taking steps 
after July 26, 2007 and before the applicable date).
    (d) Special rules for plans that exclude certain types of employees 
from elective deferrals. (1) If, on July 26, 2007, a plan excludes any 
of the following categories of employees, then the plan does not fail to 
satisfy Sec. 1.403(b)-5(b) as a result of that exclusion before the 
first day of the first taxable year that begins after December 31, 2009:
    (i) Employees who make a one-time election to participate in a 
governmental plan described in section 414(d) that is not a section 
403(b) plan.
    (ii) Professors who are providing services on a temporary basis to 
another educational organization (as defined under section 
170(b)(1)(A)(ii)) for up to one year and for whom section 403(b) 
contributions are being made at a rate no greater than the rate each 
such professor would receive under the section 403(b) plan of the 
original educational organization.
    (iii) Employees who are affiliated with a religious order and who 
have taken a vow of poverty where the religious order provides for the 
support of such employees in their retirement from eligibility to make 
elective deferrals.
    (2) If, on July 26, 2007, a plan excludes employees who are covered 
by a collective bargaining agreement from eligibility to make elective 
deferrals, the plan does not fail to satisfy Sec. 1.403(b)-5(b) 
(relating to universal availability) as a result of that exclusion 
before the later of--
    (i) The first day of the first taxable year that begins after 
December 31, 2008; or
    (ii) The earlier of--
    (A) The date on which the related collective bargaining agreement 
terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof after 
July 26, 2007); or
    (B) July 26, 2010.
    (3) In the case of a governmental plan (as defined in section 
414(d)) for which the authority to amend the plan is held by a 
legislative body that meets in legislative session, the plan does not 
fail to satisfy Sec. 1.403(b)-5(b) as a result of any exclusion in 
paragraph (d)(1)(i), (d)(1)(ii),(d)(1)(iii), or (d)(2) of this section 
before the earlier of --
    (i) The close of the first regular legislative session of the 
legislative body with the authority to amend the plan that begins on or 
after January 1, 2009; or
    (ii) January 1, 2011.
    (e) Special rules for plans that permit in-service distributions. 
(1) Section 1.403(b)-6(b) does not apply to a contract issued by an 
insurance company before January 1, 2009.
    (2) Any amendment to comply with the requirements of Sec. 1.403(b)-
6 (disregarding paragraph (e)(1) of this section) that is adopted before 
January 1, 2009, or such later date as may be permitted under guidance 
issued by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), does not violate section 204(g) 
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to the extent the 
amendment eliminates or reduces a right to receive benefit distributions 
during employment.
    (f) Special rule for life insurance contracts. Section 1.403(b)-
8(c)(2) does not apply to a contract issued before September 24, 2007.
    (g) Special rule for contracts received in an exchange. Section 
1.403(b)-10(b)(2) does not apply to a contract received in an exchange 
that occurred on or before September 24, 2007 if the exchange (including 
the contract received in the exchange) satisfies such rules as the 
Commissioner has prescribed in guidance of general applicability at the 
time of the exchange.
    (h) Special rule for coordination with regulations under section 
415. Section

[[Page 476]]

1.403(b)-3(b)(4)(ii) is applicable for taxable years beginning on or 
after July 1, 2007.
    (i) Special rule for coordination with regulations under section 
402A. Sections 1.403(b)-3(c), 1.403(b)-7(e), and 1.403(b)-10(d)(2) are 
applicable with respect to taxable years beginning on or after January 
1, 2007.

[T.D. 9340, 72 FR 41144, July 26, 2007; 72 FR 54352, Sept. 25, 2007]



Sec. 1.403(c)-1  Taxability of beneficiary under a nonqualified 
annuity.

    (a) Taxability of vested interest in premiums. If after August 1, 
1969, an employer (whether or not exempt under section 501(a)) pays 
premiums for an annuity contract for the benefit of an employee, the 
amount of such premiums shall be included as compensation in the gross 
income of the employee for the taxable year during which such premiums 
are paid, but only to the extent that the employees's rights in such 
premiums are substantially vested (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) at the 
time such premiums are paid. The preceding sentence shall not apply to 
contracts referred to in the transitional rule of paragraph (d) (1), 
(ii), or (iii) of this section, or to premiums subject to Sec. 
1.403(a)-1(a) or excludible under Sec. 1.403(b)-3. If any employer has 
purchased annuity contracts and transfered them to a trust (other than 
one described in section 401(a)) that is to provide annuity contracts or 
benefits for his employees, the amounts so paid shall be treated as 
contributions to a trust described in section 402(b). For the rules 
relating to the taxation of the cost of life insurance protection when 
rights in a life insurance contract are substantially nonvested, see 
Sec. 1.83-1(a)(2).
    (b) Taxability of employee when rights under annuity contract change 
from nonvested to vested--(1) In general. If, during a taxable year of 
an employee ending after August 1, 1969, the rights of such employee 
under an annuity contract purchased for him by an employer (whether or 
not exempt under section 501(a) or 521(a)) become substantially vested, 
the value of the annuity contract on the date of such change shall be 
included in the employee's gross income for such year, to the extent 
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The preceding sentence 
shall not apply, however, to an annuiity contract purchased and held as 
part of a plan which met at the time of such purchase, and continues to 
meet, the requirements of section 404(a)(2) or an annuity contract 
referred to in paragraph (d) (ii) or (iii) of this section. For purposes 
of this section, the value of an annuity contract on the date the 
employee's rights become substantially vested means the cash surrender 
value of such contract on such date.
    (2) Extent to which value of annuity contract is includible in 
employee's gross income. For purposes of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, the only amount includible in the gross income of the employee 
is that the portion of the value of the contract on the date of the 
change that is attributable to premiums which were paid by the employer 
after August 1, 1969, and which were not excludible from the employer's 
gross income under Sec. 1.403(b)-3. However, the includible portion 
does not include--
    (i) The value attributable to a premium paid on the date of such 
change, and
    (ii) The value attributable to premiums described in the 
transitional rule of paragraph (d)(1) (ii) or (iii) of this section.

See Sec. 1.403(b)-3(c) for the treatment of an amount otherwise 
includible in gross income under section 403(c) as an employer 
contribution for purposes of the exclusion under section 403(b).
    (3) Partial vesting. If, during any taxable year of an employee, 
only part of his beneficial interest in an annuity contract becomes 
substantially vested, then only the corresponding part of the value of 
the annuity contract on the date of such change is includible in the 
employee's gross income for such taxable year. In such a case, it is 
first necessary to compute, under the rules in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) 
of this section but without regard to any exclusion allowable under 
Sec. 1.403(b)-3, the amount which would be includible in the employee's 
gross income for the taxable year if his entire beneficial interest in 
the annuity contract had changed to a substantially vested interest 
during

[[Page 477]]

such year. The amount that is includible under this (3) (without regard 
to the section 403(b) exclusion) is equal to the amount determined under 
the preceding sentence multiplied by the percent of the employee's 
beneficial interest which became substantially vested during the taxable 
year.
    (c) Amounts paid or made available under an annuity contract. The 
amounts paid or made available to the employee under an annuity contract 
subject to this section shall be included in the gross income of the 
employee for the taxable year in which paid or made available, as 
provided in section 72 (relating to annuities). Such amounts may be 
taken into account in computations under sections 1301 through 1305 
(relating to income averaging). For rules relating to the treatment of 
employer contributions as part of the consideration paid by the 
employee, see section 72(f). See also section 101(b)(2)(D) for rules 
relating to the treatment of the limited exclusion provided thereunder 
as part of the consideration paid by the employee.
    (d) Taxability of beneficiary under a nonqualified annuity on or 
before August 1, 1969. (1) Except as provided in section 402(d) 
(relating to taxable years beginning before Janaury 1, 1977), if an 
employer purchases an annuity contract and if the amounts paid for the 
contract.
    (i) On or before August 1, 1969, or
    (ii) After such date, if pursuant to a binding written contract (as 
defined in Sec. 1.83-8(b)(2)) entered into before April 22, 1969, or
    (iii) After August 1, 1969, pursuant to a written plan in which the 
employee participated on April 22, 1969 and under which the obligation 
of the employer is essentially the same as under a binding written 
contract, are not subject to paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.403(a)-1 or 
paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.403-1, the amount of such contribution shall, 
to the extent it is not excludible under paragraph (b) of Sec. 
1.403(b)-1, be included in the income of the employee for the taxable 
year during which such contribution is made if, at at the time the 
contribution is made, the employee's rights under the annuity contract 
are nonforfeitable, except for failure to pay future premiums. If the 
annuity contract was purchased by an employer which is not exempt from 
tax under section 501(a) or section 521(a), and if the employee's rights 
under the annuity contract in such a case were forfeitable at the time 
the employer's contribution was made for the annuity contract, even 
though they become nonforfeitable later the amount of such contribution 
is not required to be included in the income of the employee at the time 
his rights under the contract become nonforfeitable. On the other hand, 
if the annuity contract is purchased by an employer which is exempt from 
tax under section 501(a) or section 521(a), all or part of the value of 
the contract may be includible in the employee's gross income at the 
time his rights under the contract become nonforfeitable (see section 
403(d) prior to the repeal thereof by the Tax Reform Act of 1969 and the 
regulations thereunder). As to what constitutes nonforfeitable rights of 
an employee, see Sec. 1.402(b)-1(d)(2). The amounts received by or made 
available to the employee under the annuity contract shall be included 
in the gross income of the employee for the taxable year in which 
received or made available, as provided in section 72 (relating to 
annuities). For taxable years beginning before Janaury 1, 1964, sections 
72(e)(3) (relating to the treatment of certain lump sums), as in effect 
before such date, shall not apply to such amounts. For taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 1963, such amounts may be taken into 
account in computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to 
income averaging). For rules relating to the treatment of employer 
contributions as part of the consideration paid by the employee, see 
section 72(f). See also section 101(b)(2)(D) for rules relating to the 
treatment of the limited exclusion provided thereunder as part of the 
consideration paid by the employee.
    (2) If an employer has purchased annuity contracts and transferred 
them to a trust, or if an employer has made contributions to a trust for 
the purpose of providing annuity contracts for his employees as provided 
in section 402(d) (see paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.402(D)-1, the amount so 
paid or contributed is not required to be included in the income

[[Page 478]]

of the employee, but any amount received by or made available to the 
employee under the annuity contract shall be includible in the gross 
income of the employee for the taxable year in which received or made 
available, as provided in section 72 (relating to annuities). For 
taxable years beginning before January 1, 1964, section 72(e)(3) 
(relating to the treatment of certain lump sums), as in effect before 
such date, shall not apply to any amount received by or made available 
to the employee under the annuity contract. For taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 1963, amounts received by or made available to the 
employee under the annuity contract may be taken into account in 
computations under sections 1301 through 1305 (relating to income 
averaging). In such case the amount paid or contributed by the employer 
shall not constitute consideration paid by the employee for such annuity 
contract in determining the amount of annuity payments required to be 
included in his gross income under section 72 unless the employee has 
paid income tax for any taxable year beginning before January 1, 1949, 
with respect to such payment or contribution by the employer for such 
year and such tax is not credited or refunded to the employee. In the 
event such tax has been paid and not creditid or refunded the amount 
paid or contributed by the employer for such year shall constitute 
consideration paid by the employee for the annuity contract in 
determining the amount of the annuity required to be included in the 
income of the employee under section 72.
    (3) For taxable years beginning before January 1, 1958, the 
provisions contained in section 403(c) prior to the amendment made 
thereto by the Tax Reform Act of 1969 were included in section 403(b) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Therefore, the regulations contained 
in this paragraph shall, for such taxable years, be considered as the 
regulations under section 403(b) as in effect for such taxable years. 
For the rules with respect to contributions paid after August 1, 1969, 
see paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section.

(Secs. 83 and 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (83 Stat. 588; 
68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 83 and 7805))

[T.D. 7554, 43 FR 31924, July 24, 1978, as amended by T.D. 9340, 72 FR 
41159, July 26, 2007]



Sec. 1.404(a)-1  Contributions of an employer to an employees' trust
or annuity plan and compensation under a deferred payment plan;
general rule.

    (a)(1) Section 404(a) prescribes limitations upon deductions for 
amounts contributed by an employer under a pension, annuity, stock 
bonus, or profit-sharing plan, or under any plan of deferred 
compensation. It is immaterial whether the plan covers present employees 
only, or present and former employees, or only former employees. Section 
404(a) also governs the deductibility of unfunded pensions and death 
benefits paid directly to former employees or their beneficiaries (see 
Sec. 1.404(a)-12). For taxable years beginning after 1962, certain 
self-employed individuals may be covered by pension, annuity, or profit-
sharing plans. For the rules relating to the deduction of contributions 
on behalf of such individuals, see paragraph (a)(2) of Sec. 1.404(a)-8.
    (2) Section 404(a) does not apply to a plan which does not defer the 
receipt of compensation. Furthermore, section 404(a) does not apply to 
deductions for contributions under a plan which is solely a dismissal 
wage or unemployment benefit plan, or a sickness, accident, 
hospitalization, medical expense, recreation, welfare, or similar 
benefit plan, or a combination thereof. For example, if under a plan an 
employer contributes 5 percent of each employee's compensation per month 
to a fund out of which employees who are laid off will be paid benefits 
for temporary periods, but employees who are not laid off have no rights 
to the funds, such a plan is an unemployment benefit plan, and the 
deductibility of the contributions to it is determined under section 
162. As to the deductibility of such contributions, see Sec. 1.162-9.
    (3) If, however, the contributions to a pension, profit-sharing, 
stock bonus, or other plan of deferred compensation

[[Page 479]]

can be used to provide any of the benefits referred to in subparagraph 
(2) of this paragraph, then, except as provided in section 404(c), 
section 404(a) applies to the entire contribution to the plan. Thus, if 
in the example described in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, the 
employer's contribution on behalf of each employee is set up as a 
separate account, and if any amount which remains in an employee's 
account at the time of retirement is paid to him at such time, the 
deductibility of the contributions to the plan is determined under 
section 404(a). For the regulations for determining whether the benefits 
referred to in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph can be included in a 
qualified pension or profit-sharing plan, see Sec. 1.401-1(b).
    (4) As to inclusion of full-time life insurance salesmen within the 
class of persons considered to be employees, see section 7701(a)(20).
    (b) In order to be deductible under section 404(a), contributions 
must be expenses which would be deductible under section 162 (relating 
to trade or business expenses) or 212 (relating to expenses for 
production of income) if it were not for the provision in section 404(a) 
that they are deductible, if at all, only under section 404(a). 
Contributions may therefore be deducted under section 404(a) only to the 
extent that they are ordinary and necessary expenses during the taxable 
year in carrying on the trade or business or for the production of 
income and are compensation for personal services actually rendered. In 
no case is a deduction allowable under section 404(a) for the amount of 
any contribution for the benefit of an employee in excess of the amount 
which, together with other deductions allowed for compensation for such 
employee's services, constitutes a reasonable allowance for compensation 
for the services actually rendered. What constitutes a reasonable 
allowance depends upon the facts in the particular case. Among the 
elements to be considered in determining this are the personal services 
actually rendered in prior years as well as the current year and all 
compensation and contributions paid to or for such employee in prior 
years as well as in the current year. Thus, a contribution which is in 
the nature of additional compensation for services performed in prior 
years may be deductible, even if the total of such contributions and 
other compensation for the current year would be in excess of reasonable 
compensation for services performed in the current year, provided that 
such total plus all compensation and contributions paid to or for such 
employee in prior years represents a reasonable allowance for all 
services rendered by the employee by the end of the current year. A 
contribution under a plan which is primarily for the benefit of 
shareholders of the employer is not deductible. Such a contribution may 
constitute a dividend within the meaning of section 316. See also 
Sec. Sec. 1.162-6 and 1.162-8. In addition to the limitations referred 
to above, deductions under section 404(a) are also subject to further 
conditions and limitations particularly provided therein.
    (c) Deductions under section 404(a) are generally allowable only for 
the year in which the contribution or compensation is paid, regardless 
of the fact that the taxpayer may make his returns on the accrual method 
of accounting. Exceptions are made in the case of overpayments as 
provided in paragraphs (1), (3), and (7) of section 404(a), and, as 
provided by section 404(a)(6), in the case of payments made by a 
taxpayer on the accrual method of accounting not later than the time 
prescribed by law for filing the return for the taxable year of accrual 
(including extensions thereof). This latter provision is intended to 
permit a taxpayer on the accrual method to deduct such accrued 
contribution or compensation in the year of accrual, provided payment is 
actually made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the 
return for the taxable year of accrual (including extensions thereof), 
but this provision is not applicable unless, during the taxable year on 
account of which the contribution is made, the taxpayer incurs a 
liability to make the contribution, the amount of which is accruable 
under section 461 for such taxable year. See section 461 and the 
regulations thereunder. There is another exception in the case of 
certain taxpayers who are required to

[[Page 480]]

make additional contributions as a result of the Act of June 15, 1955 
(Public Law 74, 84th Cong., 69 Stat. 134), and the regulations 
thereunder.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11682, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6676, 28 FR 
10144, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 9849, 84 FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(a)-1T  Questions and answers relating to deductibility
of deferred compensation and deferred benefits for employees.
(Temporary)

    Q-1: How does the amendment of section 404(b) by the Tax Reform Act 
of 1984 affect the deduction of contributions or compensation under 
section 404(a)?
    A-1: As amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1984, section 404(b) 
clarifies that section 404(a) shall govern the deduction of 
contributions paid and compensation paid or incurred by the employer 
under a plan, or method or arrangement, deferring the receipt of 
compensation or providing for deferred benefits to employees, their 
spouses, or their dependents. See section 404(b) and Sec. 1.404(b)-1T. 
Section 404 (a) and (d) requires that such a contribution or 
compensation be paid or incurred for purposes of section 162 or 212 and 
satisfy the requirements for deductibility under either of those 
sections. However, notwithstanding the above, section 404 does not apply 
to contributions paid or accrued with respect to a ``welfare benefit 
fund'' (as defined in section 419(e)) after July 18, 1984, in taxable 
years of employers (and payors) ending after that date. Also, section 
463 shall govern the deduction of vacation pay by a taxpayer that has 
elected the application of such section. For rules relating to the 
deduction of contributions paid or accured with respect to a welfare 
benefit fund, see section 419, Sec. 1.419-1T and Sec. 1.419A-2T. For 
rules relating to the deduction of vacation pay for which an election is 
made under section 463, see Sec. 301.9100-16T of this chapter and Sec. 
1.463-1T.

[T.D. 8073, 51 FR 4320, Feb. 4, 1986, as amended by T.D. 8435, 57 FR 
43896, Sept. 23, 1992]



Sec. 1.404(a)-2  Information to be furnished by employer claiming 
deductions; taxable years ending before December 31, 1971.

    (a) For the first taxable year for which a deduction from gross 
income is claimed under section 404(a) (1), (2), (3), or (7), the 
employer must file the following information (unless such information 
has been previously filed in accordance with the regulations under 
section 23(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939) for each plan 
involved to establish that it meets the requirements of section 401(a) 
or 404(a)(2), and that deductions claimed do not exceed the amount 
allowable under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (7) of section 404(a), as 
the case may be:
    (1) Verified copies of all the instruments constituting or 
evidencing the plan, including trust indentures, group annuity 
contracts, specimen copy of each type of individual contract, and 
specimen copy of formal announcement and comprehensive detailed 
description to employees, with all amendments to any such instruments.
    (2) A statement describing the plan which identifies it and which 
sets forth the name or names of the employers, the effective date of the 
plan and of any amendments thereto, the method of distribution or of 
disbursing benefits (whether by trustee, insurance company, or 
otherwise), the dates when the instruments or amendments were executed, 
the date of formal announcement and the dates when comprehensive 
detailed description of the plan and of each amendment thereto were made 
available to employees generally, the dates when the plan and when the 
trust or the contract evidencing the plan and of any amendments thereto 
were put into effect so that contributions thereunder were irrevocable 
and a summary of the provisions and rules relating to--
    (i) Employee eligibility requirements for participation in the plan,
    (ii) Employee contributions,
    (iii) Employer contributions,
    (iv) The basis or formula for determining the amount of each type of 
benefit and the requirements for obtaining such benefits and the vesting 
conditions,

[[Page 481]]

    (v) The medium of funding (e. g., self-insured, unit purchase group 
annuity contract, individual level annual premium retirement endowment 
insurance contracts, etc.) and, if not wholly insured, the medium of 
contributions and the kind of investments, and
    (vi) The discontinuance or modification of the plan and 
distributions or benefit payments upon liquidation or termination.
    (3) A tabulation in columnar form showing the information specified 
below with respect to each of the 25 highest paid employees covered by 
the plan in the taxable year, listed in order of their nondeferred 
compensation (where there are several plans of deferred compensation, 
the information for each of the plans may be shown on a single 
tabulation without repetition of the information common to the several 
plans):
    (i) Name.
    (ii) Whether an officer.
    (iii) Percentage of each class of stock owned directly or indirectly 
by the employee or members of his family.
    (iv) Whether the principal duties consist in supervising the work of 
other employees.
    (v) Year of birth.
    (vi) Length of service for employer to the close of the year.
    (vii) Total nondeferred compensation paid or accrued during the 
taxable year with a breakdown of such compensation into the following 
components:
    (A) Basic compensation and overtime pay,
    (B) Other direct payments, such as bonuses and commissions,
    (C) Compensation paid other than in cash, such as goods, services, 
insurance not directly related to the benefits or provided from funds 
under the plan, etc.
    (viii) Amount allocated during the year for the benefit of the 
employee or his beneficiary (including any insurance provided thereby or 
directly related thereto), less the employee's contributions during the 
year, under each other plan of deferred compensation.
    (ix) Amount allocated during the year for the benefit of the 
employee or his beneficiary (including any insurance provided thereby or 
directly related thereto), less the employee's contributions during the 
year, under the plan. If a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan, also a 
breakdown of such amounts into the following components:
    (A) Amounts originally allocated in the year, and
    (B) Amounts reallocated in the year.
    (x) Amounts of employee contributions during the year under the 
plan,
    (xi) If a pension or annuity plan,
    (A) The retirement age and date and the form of the retirement 
benefit,
    (B) The annual rate or amount of the retirement benefit, and
    (C) The aggregate of all of the employee's contributions under the 
plan,

all based, in the case of an employee who is not on retirement benefit 
under the plan, upon the assumption of his continued employment at his 
current rate of compensation until his normal retirement age (or the end 
of the current year if later) and retirement on such date with the 
normal form of retirement benefit under the plan.
    (4) The following totals:
    (i) Total nondeferred compensation paid or accrued during the 
taxable year for all employees covered under the plan and also for all 
employees of the employer.
    (ii) Total amount allocated during the year for the benefit of 
employees, former or retired employees, or their beneficiaries 
(including any insurance provided thereby or directly related thereto), 
less employee contributions during the year under the plan and, if a 
profit-sharing or stock bonus plan, also a breakdown of such total into 
the following components:
    (A) Amount originally allocated in the year, and
    (B) Amount reallocated in the year.
    (5) A schedule showing the total number of employees as of the close 
of the year for each of the following groups, based on reasonable 
estimates:
    (i) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan because of 
requirements as to employment classification, specifying the reasons 
applicable to the group (as, for example, temporary, seasonal, part 
time, hourly pay basis, etc.).
    (ii) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan because of 
requirements as to length of service and

[[Page 482]]

not included in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.
    (iii) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan because 
of requirements as to minimum age and not included in subdivision (i) or 
(ii) of this subparagraph.
    (iv) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan solely 
because of requirements as to minimum rate of compensation.
    (v) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan other than 
those employees included in subdivision (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of 
this subparagraph, specifying the reason applicable to the group.
    (vi) All employees ineligible for coverage under the plan for any 
reasons, which should be the sum of subdivisions (i) to (v), inclusive, 
of this subparagraph.
    (vii) All employees eligible for coverage but not covered under the 
plan.
    (viii) All employees covered under the plan.
    (ix) All employees of the employer, which should be the sum of 
subdivisions (vi), (vii), and (viii) of this subparagraph.

If it is claimed that the requirements of section 401(a)(3)(A) are 
satisfied, also the data and computations necessary to show that such 
requirements are satisfied.
    (6) In the case of a trust, a detailed balance sheet and a detailed 
statement of receipts and disbursements during the year; in the case of 
a nontrusteed annuity plan, a detailed statement of the names of the 
insurers, the contributions paid by the employer and by the employees, 
and a statement as to the amounts and kinds of premium refunds or 
similar credits made available and the disposition of such credits in 
the year.
    (7) If a pension or annuity plan, a detailed description of all the 
methods, factors, and assumptions used in determining costs and in 
adjusting the costs for actual experience under the plan (including any 
loadings, contingency reserves, or special factors and the basis of any 
insured costs or liabilities involved therein) explaining their source 
and application in sufficient detail to permit ready analysis and 
verification thereof, and, in the case of a trust, a detailed 
description of the basis used in valuing the investments held.
    (8) A statement of the applicable limitations under section 404(a) 
(1), (2), (3), or (7) and an explanation of the method of determining 
such limitations, a summary of the data, and a statement of computations 
necessary to determine the allowable deductions for the taxable year. 
Also, in the case of a pension or annuity plan, a summary of the costs 
or liabilities and adjustments for the year under the plan based on the 
application of the methods, factors, and assumptions used under the 
plan, in sufficient detail to permit ready verification of the 
reasonableness thereof.
    (9) A statement of the contributions paid under the plan for the 
taxable year showing the date and amount of each payment. Also, a 
summary of the deductions claimed for the taxable year for the plan with 
a breakdown of the deductions claimed into the following components:
    (i) For contributions paid in the taxable year before giving effect 
to the provisions of paragraph (7) of section 404(a).
    (ii) For contributions paid in prior taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 1941, in accordance with the carryover provisions of 
paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 404(a), before giving effect to the 
provisions of paragraph (7) thereof, and in accordance with the 
carryover provisions of section 404(d).
    (iii) Any reductions or increases in the deductions in accordance 
with the provisions of paragraph (7) of section 404(a). However, if the 
information in this subdivision is filed prior to the filing of the 
information required by subparagraph (8) of this paragraph, then, in 
determining the limit of deduction under paragraph (7) of section 
404(a), the applicable percentage of the compensation otherwise paid or 
accrued during the year may be used.
    (b) For taxable years subsequent to the year for which all of the 
applicable information under paragraph (a) of this section (or 
corresponding provisions of prior regulations) has been filed, 
information is to be filed only to the following extent:

[[Page 483]]

    (1) If there is any change in the plan, instruments, methods, 
factors, or assumptions upon which the data and information specified in 
paragraph (a) (1), (2), or (7) of this section are based, a detailed 
statement explaining the change and its effect is to be filed only for 
the taxable year in which the change is put into effect. However, if 
there is no such change, unless otherwise requested by the district 
director, merely a statement that there is no such change is to be 
filed.
    (2) The information specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
which has been filed for a taxable year, unless otherwise requested by 
the district director and so long as the plan and the method and basis 
of allocations are not changed, is to be filed for subsequent years only 
to the extent of showing in the tabulation such information with respect 
to employees who, at any time in the taxable year, own, directly or 
indirectly, more than 5 percent of the voting stock, considering stock 
so owned by an individual's spouse or minor lineal descendant as owned 
by the individual for this purpose.
    (3) The information specified in paragraph (a) (4), (5), (6), (8), 
and (9) of this section.

In the case of corporate employers, the information required to be 
submitted by this paragraph shall, except as otherwise provided by the 
Commissioner, be filed on Form 2950 for taxable years ending on or after 
December 31, 1961. In the case of other employers, the information 
required to be submitted by this paragraph shall, except as otherwise 
provided by the Commissioner, be filed on Form 2950 for taxable years 
ending on or after December 31, 1962.
    (c) If a deduction is claimed under section 404(a)(5) for the 
taxable year, the taxpayer shall furnish such information as is 
necessary to show that the deduction is not allowable under the other 
paragraphs of section 404(a), that the amount paid is an ordinary and 
necessary expense or an expense for the production of income, and that 
the employees' rights to, or derived from, such employer's contribution 
or such compensation were nonforfeitable at the time the contribution or 
compensation was paid. In the case of corporate employers, the 
information required to be submitted by this paragraph shall, except as 
otherwise provided by the Commissioner, be filed on Form 2950 for 
taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1961. In the case of other 
employers, the information required to be submitted by this paragraph 
shall, except as otherwise provided by the Commissioner, be filed on 
Form 2950 for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1962.
    (d) For the purpose of the information required by this section, 
contributions paid in a taxable year shall include those deemed to be so 
paid in accordance with the provisions of section 404(a)(6) and shall 
exclude those deemed to be paid in the prior taxable year in accordance 
with such provisions. As used in this section, ``taxable year'' refers 
to the taxable year of the employer and, unless otherwise requested by 
the district director, a ``year'' which is not specified as a ``taxable 
year'' may be taken as the taxable year of the employer or as the plan, 
trust, valuation, or group contract year with respect to which 
deductions are being claimed provided the same rule is followed 
consistently so that there is no gap or overlap in the information 
furnished for each item. In any case the date or period to which each 
item of information furnished relates should be clearly shown. All the 
information required by this section should be filed with the tax return 
for the taxable year in which the deduction is claimed, except that, 
unless sooner requested by the district director, such information, 
other than that specified in paragraph (a)(4)(i) and (9) of this 
section, may be filed within 12 months after the close of the taxable 
year provided there is filed with the tax return a statement that the 
information cannot reasonably be filed therewith, setting forth the 
reasons therefor.
    (e) In any case all the information and data required by this 
section must be filed in the office of the district director in which 
the employer files his tax returns and must be filed independently of 
any information and data otherwise submitted in connection with a 
determination of the qualification of the trust or plan under section 
401(a). The district director may, in addition,

[[Page 484]]

require any further information that he considers necessary to determine 
allowable deductions under section 404 or qualification under section 
401. For taxable years ending on or before December 31, 1961, the 
district director may waive the filing of such information required by 
this section which he finds unnecessary in a particular case. For 
taxable years ending after December 31, 1961, the Commissioner may waive 
the filing of such information.
    (f) Records substantiating all data and information required by this 
section to be filed must be kept at all times available for inspection 
by internal revenue officers at the main office or place of business of 
the employer.
    (g) In the case of a plan which covers employees, some or all of 
whom are self-employed individuals and with respect to which a deduction 
is claimed under section 404(a) (1), (2), (3), or (7), paragraphs (a) 
and (b) of this section, and the provision of paragraph (d) of this 
section relating to the time for filing the information required by this 
section, shall not apply, but in lieu of the information required to be 
submitted by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the employer shall, 
with the return for the taxable year in which the deduction is claimed, 
submit the information required by the form provided by the Internal 
Revenue Service for such purpose.
    (h) When a custodial account forms a part of a plan for which a 
deduction is claimed under section 404(a) (1), (2), (3), or (7), the 
information which under this section is to be submitted with respect to 
a qualified trust must be submitted with respect to such custodial 
account. Thus, for purposes of this section--
    (1) The term ``trust'' includes custodial account,
    (2) The term ``trustee'' includes custodian, and
    (3) The term ``trust indenture'' includes custodial agreement.
    (i) Except as provided under Sec. 1.503(d)-1(a) and Sec. 601.201 
of this chapter (Statement of Procedural Rules) in the case of a request 
for the determination of qualification of a trust under section 401 and 
exemption under section 501, paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section 
shall not apply for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 1971. 
For information to be furnished for taxable years ending on or after 
December 31, 1971, and before December 31, 1975, see Sec. 1.404(a)-2A 
of the Treasury Regulations in effect on April 1, 2017.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11683, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6599, 27 FR 
4475, May 10, 1962; T.D. 6676, 28 FR 10144, Sept. 17, 1963; T.D. 7165, 
37 FR 5025, Mar. 9, 1972; T.D. 7168, 37 FR 5491, Mar. 16, 1972; T.D. 
9849, 84 FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(a)-3  Contributions of an employer to or under an 
employees' pension trust or annuity plan that meets the requirements
of section 401(a); application of section 404(a)(1).
          

    (a) If contributions are paid by an employer to or under a pension 
trust or annuity plan for employees and the general conditions and 
limitations applicable to deductions for such contributions are 
satisfied (see Sec. 1.404(a)-1), the contributions are deductible under 
section 404(a) (1) or (2) if the further conditions provided therein are 
also satisfied. As used in this section, a ``pension trust'' means a 
trust forming part of a pension plan and an ``annuity plan'' means a 
pension plan under which retirement benefits are provided under annuity 
or insurance contracts without a trust. This section is also applicable 
to contributions to a foreign situs pension trust which could qualify 
for exemption under section 501(a) except that it is not created or 
organized and maintained in the United States. For the meaning of 
``pension plan'' as used in this section, see paragraph (b)(1)(i) of 
Sec. 1.401-1. Where disability pensions, insurance, or survivorship 
benefits incidental and directly related to the retirement benefits 
under a pension or annuity plan are provided for the employees or their 
beneficiaries by contributions under the plan, deductions on account of 
such incidental benefits are also covered under section 404(a) (1) or 
(2). See paragraph (b)(2) of Sec. 1.72-16 as to taxability to employees 
of cost of incidental life insurance protection. Similarly, where 
medical benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in paragraph (a) 
of Sec. 1.401-14 are provided for retired employees, their spouses, or 
their dependents under the plan, deductions on account of such

[[Page 485]]

subordinate benefits are also covered under section 404(a) (1) or (2). 
In order to be deductible under section 404(a)(1), contributions to a 
pension trust must be paid in a taxable year of the employer which ends 
with or within a year of the trust for which it is exempt under section 
501(a). Contributions paid in such a taxable year of the employer may be 
carried over and deducted in a succeeding taxable year of the employer 
in accordance with section 404(a)(1)(D), whether or not such succeeding 
taxable year ends with or within a taxable year of the trust for which 
it is exempt under section 501(a). See Sec. 1.404(a)-8 as to conditions 
for deductions under section 404(a)(2) in the case of an annuity plan. 
In either case, the deductions are also subject to further limitations 
provided in section 404(a)(1). The limitations provided in section 
404(a)(1) are, with an exception provided for certain years under 
subparagraph (A) thereof, based on the actuarial costs of the plan.
    (b) In determining costs for the purpose of limitations under 
section 404(a)(1), the effects of expected mortality and interest must 
be discounted and the effects of expected withdrawals, changes in 
compensation, retirements at various ages, and other pertinent factors 
may be discounted or otherwise reasonably recognized. A properly 
weighted retirement age based on adequate analyses of representative 
experience may be used as an assumed retirement age. Different basic 
assumptions or rates may be used for different classes of risks or 
different groups where justified by conditions or required by contract. 
In no event shall costs for the purpose of section 404(a)(1) exceed 
costs based on assumptions and methods which are reasonable in view of 
the provisions and coverage of the plan, the funding medium, reasonable 
expectations as to the effects of mortality and interest, reasonable and 
adequate regard for other factors such as withdrawal and deferred 
retirement (whether or not discounted) which can be expected to reduce 
costs materially, reasonable expenses of operation, and all other 
relevant conditions and circumstances. In any case, in determining the 
costs and limitations, an adjustment shall be made on account of any 
experience more favorable than that assumed in the basis of limitations 
for prior years. Unless such adjustments are consistently made every 
year by reducing the limitations otherwise determined by any decrease in 
liability or cost arising from experience in the next preceding taxable 
year which was more favorable than the assumptions on which the costs 
and limitations were based, the adjustment shall be made by some other 
method approved by the Commissioner.
    (c) The amount of a contribution to a pension or annuity plan that 
is deductible under section 404(a) (1) or (2) depends upon the methods, 
factors, and assumptions which are used to compute the costs of the plan 
and the limitation of section 404(a)(1) which is applied. Since the 
amount that is deductible for one taxable year may affect the amount 
that is deductible for other taxable years, the methods, factors, and 
assumptions used in determining costs and the method of determining the 
limitation which have been used for determining the deduction for a 
taxable year for which the return has been filed shall not be changed 
for such taxable year, except when the Commissioner determines that the 
methods, factors, assumptions, or limitations were not proper, or except 
when a change is necessitated by reason of the use of different methods, 
factors, assumptions, or limitations for another taxable year. However, 
different methods, factors, and assumptions, or a different method of 
determining the limitation, if they are proper, may be used in 
determining the deduction for a subsequent taxable year.
    (d) Any expenses incurred by the employer in connection with the 
plan, such as trustee's and actuary's fees, which are not provided for 
by contributions under the plan are deductible by the employer under 
section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses), or 212 (relating 
to expenses for production of income) to the extent that they are 
ordinary and necessary.
    (e) In case deductions are allowable under section 404(a)(3), as 
well as under section 404(a) (1) or (2), the limitations under section 
404(a) (1) and (3) are determined and applied without giving effect to 
the provisions of section

[[Page 486]]

404(a)(7) but the amounts allowable as deductions are subject to the 
further limitations provided in section 404(a)(7). See Sec. 1.404(a)-
13.
    (f)(1) Amounts contributed by an employer under the plan for the 
funding of medical benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in 
paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-14 must satisfy the general requirements 
which are applicable to deductions allowable under section 404 and which 
are set forth in Sec. 1.404(a)-1 including, for example, the 
requirements described in paragraph (b) of such section. Accordingly, 
such amounts must constitute an ordinary and necessary expense relating 
to either the trade or business or the production of income and must 
not, when added to all other compensation paid by the employer to the 
employee on whose behalf such a contribution is made, constitute more 
than reasonable compensation. However, in determining the amount which 
is deductible with respect to contributions to provide retirement 
benefits under the plan, amounts contributed for the funding of medical 
benefits described in section 401(h) shall not be taken into 
consideration.
    (2) The amounts deductible with respect to employer contributions to 
fund medical benefits described in section 401(h) shall not exceed the 
total cost of providing such benefits. The total cost of providing such 
benefits shall be determined in accordance with any generally accepted 
actuarial method which is reasonable in view of the provisions and 
coverage of the plan, the funding medium, and other applicable 
considerations. The amount deductible for any taxable year with respect 
to such cost shall not exceed the greater of--
    (i) An amount determined by distributing the remaining unfunded 
costs of past and current service credits as a level amount, or as a 
level percentage of compensation, over the remaining future service of 
each employee, or
    (ii) 10 percent of the cost which would be required to completely 
fund or purchase such medical benefits.

In determining the amount deductible, an employer must apply either 
subdivision (i) of this subparagraph for all employees or subdivision 
(ii) of this subparagraph for all employees. If contributions paid by an 
employer in a taxable year to fund such medical benefits under a pension 
or annuity plan exceed the limitations of this subparagraph but 
otherwise satisfy the conditions for deduction under section 404, then 
the excess contributions are carried over and are deductible in 
succeeding taxable years of the employer which end with or within 
taxable years of the trust for which it is exempt under section 501(a) 
in order of time to the extent of the difference between the amount paid 
and deductible in each succeeding year and the limitation applicable to 
such year under this subparagraph. For purposes of subdivision (i) of 
this subparagraph, if the remaining future service of an employee is one 
year or less, it shall be treated as one year.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11685, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6722, 29 FR 
5073, Apr. 14, 1964; T.D. 7165, 37 FR 5025, Mar. 9, 1972; T.D. 9849, 84 
FR 9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(a)-4-1.404(a)-7  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.404(a)-8  Contributions of an employer under an employees'
annuity plan which meets the requirements of section 401(a); 
application of section 404(a)(2).
          

    (a) If contributions are paid by an employer under an annuity plan 
for employees and the general conditions and limitations applicable to 
deductions for such contributions are satisfied (see Sec. 1.404(a)-1), 
the contributions are deductible under section 404(a)(2) if the further 
conditions provided therein are satisfied. For the meaning of ``annuity 
plan'' as used here, see Sec. 1.404(a)-3. In order that contributions 
by the employer may be deducted under section 404(a)(2), all of the 
following conditions must be satisfied:
    (1) The contributions must be paid toward the purchase of retirement 
annuities (or for disability, severance, insurance, survivorship 
benefits incidental and directly related to such annuities, or medical 
benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in paragraph (a) of 
Sec. 1.404(h)-1) under an annuity plan for the exclusive benefit of the 
employer's employees or their beneficiaries.

[[Page 487]]

    (2) The contributions must be paid in a taxable year of the employer 
which ends with or within a year of the plan for which it meets the 
applicable requirements set forth in section 401(a) (3), (4), (5), (6), 
(7), (8), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), and (19). In the case of a 
plan which covers a self-employed individual, the contributions must be 
paid in a taxable year of the employer which ends with or within a year 
of the plan for which it also meets the requrements of section 401(a), 
(9), (10), (17), and (18) and of section 401(d) (other than paragraph 
(1)). In the case of a plan which covers a shareholder-employee within 
the meaning of section 1379(d), the contributions must be paid in a 
taxable year of the employer which ends with or within a year of the 
plan for which it also meets the requirements of section 401(a) (17) and 
(18). See section 401(a) and the regulations thereunder for the 
requirements and the applicable effective dates of the respective 
paragraphs set forth in section 401(a). Any contributions of an employer 
which are paid in a taxable year of the employer ending with or within a 
year of the plan for which it meets the applicable requirements of 
section 401 may be carried over and deducted in a succeeding taxable 
year of the employer in accordance with section 404(a)(1)(D), whether or 
not such succeeding taxable year ends with or within a taxable year of 
the plan for which it meets the requirements set out in section 401 (a) 
and (d). See section 401(b) and the regulations thereunder for special 
rules allowing certain plan amendments to be given retroactive effect. 
See section 404(a)(6) for a special rule for determining the time when a 
contribution is deemed to have been made.
    (3) There must be a definite written arrangement between the 
employer and the insurer that refunds of premiums, if any, shall be 
applied within the taxable year of the employer in which received or 
within the next succeeding taxable year toward the purchase of 
retirement annuities (or for disability, severance, insurance, 
survivorship benefits incidental and directly related to such annuities, 
or medical benefits described in section 401(h) as defined in paragraph 
(a) of Sec. 1.401(h)-1 under the plan. For the purpose of this 
condition, ``refunds of premiums'' means payments by the insurer on 
account of credits such as dividends, experience rating credits, or 
surrender or cancellation credits. The arrangement may be in the form of 
contract provisions or written directions of the employer or partly in 
one form and partly in another. This condition will be considered 
satisfied where--
    (i) All credits are applied regularly, as they are determined, 
toward the premiums next due under the contracts before any further 
employer contributions are so applied, and
    (ii) Under the arrangement,
    (A) No refund of premiums may be made during continuance of the plan 
unless applied as aforesaid, and
    (B) If refunds of premiums may be made after discontinuance or 
termination, whichever is applicable, of the plan on account of 
surrenders or cancellations before all retirement annuities provided 
under the plan with respect to service before its discontinuance or 
termination have been purchased, such refunds will be applied in the 
taxable year of the employer in which received, or in the next 
succeeding taxable year, to purchase retirement annuities for employees 
by a procedure which does not contravene the conditions of section 
401(a)(4). If the plan also includes medical benefits described in 
section 401(h) as defined in paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401(h)-1, any 
refund of premiums attributable to such benefits must, in accordance 
with these rules, be applied toward the purchase of medical benefits 
described in section 401(h).
    (4) Any amounts described in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph 
which are attributable to contributions on behalf of a self-employed 
individual must be applied toward the purchase of retirement benefits. 
Amounts which are so applied are not contributions and thus are not 
taken into consideration in determining--
    (i) The amount deductible with respect to contributions on his 
behalf, nor
    (ii) In the case of an owner-employee, the maximum amount of 
contributions that may be made on his behalf.

[[Page 488]]

    (b) Where the above conditions are satisfied, the amounts deductible 
under section 404(a)(2) are governed by the limitations provided in 
section 404(a)(1).

(Sec. 411 Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 901; 26 U.S.C. 411))

[T.D. 7501, 42 FR 42321, Aug. 23, 1977, as amended by T.D. 9849, 84 FR 
9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(a)-9  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.404(a)-10  Profit-sharing plan of an affiliated group;
application of section 404(a)(3)(B).

    (a) Section 404(a)(3)(B) allows a corporation a deduction to the 
extent provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section for a 
contribution which it makes for another corporation to a profit-sharing 
plan or a stock bonus plan under which contributions are determined by 
reference to profits, provided the following tests are met:
    (1) The corporation for which the contribution is made and the 
contributing corporation are members of an affiliated group of 
corporations as defined in section 1504, relating to the filing of 
consolidated returns, and both such corporations participate in the 
plan. However, it is immaterial whether all the members of such group 
participate in the plan.
    (2) The corporation for which the contribution is made is required 
under the plan to make the contribution, but such corporation is 
prevented from making such contribution because it has neither current 
nor accumulated earnings or profits, or because its current and 
accumulated earnings or profits are insufficient to make the required 
contribution. To the extent that such a corporation has any current or 
accumulated earnings or profits, it is not considered to be prevented 
from making its required contribution to the plan.
    (3) The contribution is made out of the current or accumulated 
earnings or profits of the contributing corporation.
    (b) The amount that is deductible under section 404(a)(3)(B) is 
determined by applying the rules of section 404(a)(3)(A) and as if the 
contribution were made by the corporation for which it is made. The 
contributing corporation may deduct the amount so determined subject to 
the limitations contained in paragraph (c) of this section. The 
contributing corporation shall not treat such amount as a contribution 
made by it in applying the rules of section 404(a)(3)(A) and either for 
the taxable year for which the contribution is made or for succeeding 
taxable years. The corporation for which the contribution is made shall 
treat the contribution as having been made by it in applying the rules 
of section 404(a)(3)(A) for succeeding taxable years.
    (c) The allowance of the deduction under section 404(a)(3)(B) does 
not depend upon whether the affiliated group does or does not file a 
consolidated return. If a consolidated return is filed, it is immaterial 
which of the participating corporations makes the contribution and takes 
the deduction or how the contribution or the deduction is allocated 
among them. However, if a consolidated return is not filed, the 
contribution which is deductible under section 404(a)(3)(B) by each 
contributing corporation shall be limited to that portion of its total 
current and accumulated earnings or profits (adjusted for its 
contribution deductible without regard to section 404(a)(3)(B)) which 
the prevented contribution bears to the total current and accumulated 
earnings or profits of all the participating members of the group having 
such earnings or profits (adjusted for all contributions deductible 
without regard to section 404(a)(3)(B)). For the purpose of this 
section, current earnings or profits shall be computed as of the close 
of the taxable year without diminution by reason of any dividends during 
the taxable year, and accumulated earnings or profits shall be computed 
as of the beginning of the taxable year.
    (d) The application of section 404(a)(3)(B) may be illustrated by 
the following example in which the affiliated group does not file a 
consolidated return:

[[Page 489]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       (1)                           (2)         (3)         (4)        (5)      (6)      (7)       (8)       (9)      (10)       (11)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...............................................  ($10,000)  ($140,000)  ($150,000)   $200,000  \1/5\    $6,000
B...............................................    (5,000)     105,000     100,000    300,000    \3/     9,000    $9,000   $91,000   6/326 x  $1,674.85
                                                                                                  10\
                                                  .........  ..........  ..........  .........  .....  ........  ........  ........    91,000
C...............................................     75,000     175,000     250,000    500,000  \1/2\    15,000    15,000   235,000   6/326 x   4,325.15
                                                  .........  ..........  ..........  .........  .....  ........  ........  ........   235,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total.........................................     60,000     140,000     200,000  1,000,000  .....    30,000    24,000   326,000  ........   6,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Column:
(1) Member.
(2) Earnings and profits of the taxable year.
(3) Accumulated earnings and profits at beginning of taxable year.
(4) Total current and accumulated earnings and profits (column 2 plus column 3).
(5) Compensation of participating employees.
(6) Contribution formula: 50 percent of consolidated earnings and profits, allocated among participating member in proportion of covered payroll of each
  to covered payroll of consolidated group.
(7) Individual contribution had it not been prevented.
(8) Individual contribution made by each employer for its own employees.
(9) Balance of accumulated earnings and profits (column 4 minus column 8).
(10) Proportion of make-up contribution.
(11) Make-up contribution.


[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11688, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 9849, 84 FR 
9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(a)-11  Trusts created or organized outside the
United States; application of section 404(a)(4).

    In order that a trust may constitute a qualified trust under section 
401(a) and be exempt under section 501(a), it must be created or 
organized in the United States and maintained at all times as a domestic 
trust. See paragraph (a) of Sec. 1.401-1. Paragraph (4) of section 
404(a) provides, however, that an employer which is a resident, a 
corporation, or other entity of the United States, making contributions 
to a foreign stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing trust, shall be 
allowed deductions for such contributions, under the applicable 
conditions and within the prescribed limits of section 404(a), if such 
foreign trust would qualify for exemption under section 501(a) except 
for the fact that it is a trust created, organized, or maintained 
outside the United States. Moreover, if a nonresident alien individual, 
foreign corporation, or other entity is engaged in trade or business 
within the United States and makes contributions to a foreign stock 
bonus, pension, or profit-sharing trust, which would qualify under 
section 401(a) and be exempt under section 501(a) except that it is 
created, organized, or maintained outside the United States, such 
contributions are deductible subject to the conditions and limitations 
of section 404(a) and to the extent allowed by section 873 or 882(c).

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11689, Nov. 26, 1960]



Sec. 1.404(a)-12  Contributions of an employer under a plan that
does not meet the requirements of section 401(a); application 
of section 404(a)(5).

    (a) In general. Section 404(a)(5) covers all cases for which 
deductions are allowable under section 404(a) (for contributions paid by 
an employer under a stock bonus, pension, profit sharing, or annuity 
plan or for any compensation paid on account of any employee under a 
plan deferring the receipt of such compensation) but not allowable under 
paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (7) of such section. For the rules with 
respect to the taxability of an employee when rights under a nonexempt 
trust become substantially vested, see section 402(b) and the 
regulations thereunder.
    (b) Contributions made after August 1, 1969--(1) In general. A 
deduction is allowable for a contribution paid after August 1, 1969, 
under section 404(a)(5) only in the taxable year of the employer in 
which or with which ends the taxable year of an employee in which an 
amount attributable to such contribution is includible in his gross 
income as compensation, and then only to the extent allowable under 
section 404(a). See Sec. 1.404(a)-1. For example, if an employer A 
contributes $1,000 to the account of its employee E for its taxable 
(calendar) year 1977, but the amount in the account attributable to that 
contribution is not includible in

[[Page 490]]

E's gross income until his taxable (calendar) year 1980 (at which time 
the includible amount is $1,150), A's deduction for that contribution is 
$1,000 in 1980 (if allowable under section 404(a)). For purposes of this 
(1), a contribution is considered to be so includible where the employee 
or his beneficiary excludes it from his gross income under section 
101(b) or subchapter N. To the extent that property of the employer is 
transferred in connection with such a contribution, such transfer will 
constitute a disposition of such property by the employer upon which 
gain or loss is recognized, except as provided in section 1032 and the 
regulations thereunder. The amount of gain or loss recognized from such 
disposition shall be the difference between the value of such property 
used to measure the deduction allowable under this section and the 
employer's adjusted basis in such property.
    (2) Special rule for unfunded pensions and certain death benefits. 
If unfunded pensions are paid directly to former employees, such 
payments are includible in their gross income when paid, and 
accordingly, such amounts are deductible under section 404(a)(5) when 
paid. Similarly, if amounts are paid as a death benefit to the 
beneficiaries of an employee (for example, by continuing his salary for 
a reasonable period), and if such amounts meet the requirements of 
section 162 or 212, such amounts are deductible under section 404(a)(5) 
in any case when they are not includible under the other paragraphs of 
section 404(a).
    (3) Separate accounts for funded plans with more than one employee. 
In the case of a funded plan under which more than one employee 
participates, no deduction is allowable under section 404(a)(5) for any 
contribution unless separate accounts are maintained for each employee. 
The requirement of separate accounts does not require that a separate 
trust be maintained for each employee. However, a separate account must 
be maintained for each employee to which employer contributions under 
the plan are allocated, along with any income earned thereon. In 
addition, such accounts must be sufficiently separate and independent to 
qualify as separate shares under section 663(c). Nothing shall preclude 
a trust which loses its exemption under section 501(a) from setting up 
such acounts and meeting the separate account requirement of section 
404(a)(5) with respect to the taxable years in which such accounts are 
set up and maintained.
    (c) Contributions paid on or before August 1, 1969. No deduction is 
allowable under section 404(a)(5) for any contribution paid on or before 
August 1, 1969, by an employer under a stock bonus, pension, profit-
sharing, or annuity plan, or for any compensation paid on account of any 
employee under plan deferring the receipt of such compensation, except 
in the year when paid, and then only to the extent allowable under 
section 404(a). See Sec. 1.404(a)-1. If payments are made under such a 
plan and the amounts are not deductible under the other paragraphs of 
section 404(a), they are deductible under section 404(a)(5) to the 
extent that the rights of individual employees to, or derived from, such 
employer's contribution or such compensation are nonforfeitable at the 
time the contribution or compensation is paid. If unfunded pensions are 
paid directly to former employees, their rights to such payments are 
nonforfeitable, and accordingly, such amounts are deductible under 
section 404(a)(5) when paid. Similarly, if amounts are paid as a death 
benefit to the beneficiaries of an employee (for example, by continuing 
his salary for a reasonable period), and if such amounts meet the 
requirements of section 162 or 212, such amounts are deductible under 
section 404(a)(5) in any case where they are not deductible under the 
other paragraphs of section 404(a). As to what constitutes 
nonforfeitable rights of an employee in other cases, see Sec. 1.402(b)-
1(d)(2). If an amount is accrued but not paid during the taxable year, 
no deduction is allowable for such amount for such year. If an amount is 
paid during the taxable year to a trust or under a plan and the 
employee's rights to such amount are forfeitable at the time the amount 
is paid, no deduction is allowable for such amount for any taxable year.

(Secs. 83 and 7805 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (83 Stat. 588; 
68A Stat. 917; 26 U.S.C. 83 and 7805))

[T.D. 7554, 43 FR 31926, July 24, 1978]

[[Page 491]]



Sec. 1.404(a)-13  Contributions of an employer where deductions
are allowable under section 404(a) (1) or (2) and also under
section 404(a)(3); application of section 404(a)(7).
          

    (a) Where deductions are allowable under section 404(a) (1) or (2) 
on account of contributions under a pension or annuity plan and 
deductions are also allowable under section 404(a)(3) for the same 
taxable year on account of contributions to a profit-sharing or stock 
bonus trust, the total deductions under these sections are subject to 
the provisions of section 404(a)(7) unless no employee who is a 
beneficiary under the trusts or plans for which deductions are allowable 
under section 404(a) (1) or (2) is also a beneficiary under the trusts 
for which deductions are allowable under section 404(a)(3). The 
provisions of section 404(a)(7) apply only to deductions for overlapping 
trusts or plans, i.e., for all trusts or plans for which deductions are 
allowable under section 404(a) (1), (2), or (3) except (1) any trust or 
plan for which deductions are allowable under section 404(a) (1) or (2) 
and which does not cover any employee who is also covered under a trust 
for which deductions are allowable under section 404(a) (3), and (2) any 
trust for which deductions are allowable under section 404(a)(3) and 
which does not cover any employee who is also covered under a trust or 
plan for which deductions are allowable under section 404(a) (1) or (2). 
The limitations under section 404(a)(7) for any taxable year of the 
employer are based on the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during 
the year by the employer to all employees who, in such year, are 
beneficiaries of the funds accumulated under one or more of the 
overlapping trusts or plans. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if 
the taxable year of the employer with respect to which the limitation is 
being computed ends with or within a taxable year of any of the 
overlapping trusts or plans during which any such trust is not exempt 
under section 501(a) or, in the case of a plan, during which it does not 
meet the requirements of section 404(a)(2), or if such taxable year of 
the employer ends after any such trust or plan has terminated, then, 
with respect to such trust or plan, those employees, and only those 
employees, who, at any time during the one-year period ending on the 
last day of the last calendar month during which the trust was exempt 
under section 501(a), or the plan met the requirements of section 
404(a)(2), were beneficiaries of the funds accumulated under such trust 
or plan shall be considered the beneficiaries of such trust or plan in 
the taxable year of the employer with respect to which the limitation is 
being computed. For purposes of this paragraph, ``compensation otherwise 
paid or accrued'' means all of the compensation paid or accrued except 
that for which a deduction is allowable under a plan that qualifies 
under section 401(a), including a plan that qualifies under section 
404(a)(2).
    (b) Under section 404(a)(7), any excess of the total amount 
otherwise deductible for the taxable year under section 404(a) (1), (2), 
or (3) as contributions to overlapping trusts or plans over 25 percent 
of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during the year to all the 
employees who are beneficiaries under such trusts or plans, is not 
deductible for such year but is deductible for succeeding taxable years, 
in order of time, so that the total deduction for contributions to such 
trusts or plans for a succeeding taxable year is equal to the lesser 
of--
    (1) 30 percent of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during 
the taxable year to all the employees who are beneficiaries under such 
trusts or plans in the year, or
    (2) The sum of (i) the smaller of (a) 25 percent of the compensation 
otherwise paid or accrued during the taxable year to all employees who 
are beneficiaries under such trusts or plans in the year, or (b) the 
total of the amounts otherwise deductible under section 404(a) (1), (2), 
or (3) for the year for such trusts or plans and (ii) any carryover to 
the year from prior years under section 404(a)(7), i.e., any excess 
otherwise deductible under section 404(a) (1), (2), or (3), but not 
deducted for a prior taxable year because of the limitations under 
section 404(a)(7).
    (c) The limitations under section 404(a)(7) are determined and 
applied after all the limitations, deductions otherwise allowable, and 
carryovers under section 404(a) (1), (2), and (3) have

[[Page 492]]

been determined and applied, and, in particular, after effect has been 
given to the carryover provision in section 404(a)(1)(D) and in the 
second and third sentences of section 404(a)(3)(A). Where the 
limitations under section 404(a)(7) reduce the total amount deductible, 
the excess deductible in succeeding years is treated as a carryover 
which is distinct from, and additional to, any excess contributions 
carried over and deductible in succeeding years under the provisions in 
section 404(a)(1)(D) or in the third sentence of section 404(a)(3)(A). 
The application of the provisions of section 404(a)(7) and the treatment 
of carryovers for a case where the taxable years are calendar years and 
the overlapping trusts or plans consist of a pension trust and a profit-
sharing trust put into effect in 1954 and covering the same employees 
may be illustrated as follows:

  Illustration of Application of Provisions of Section 404(a)(7) and of
   Treatment of Carryovers for Overlapping Pension and Profit-Sharing
   Trusts Put Into Effect in 1954 and Covering the Same Employees (All
 Figures Represent Thousands of Dollars and all Taxable (Calendar) Years
of the Employer are Years Which End With or Within A Taxable Year of the
           Trust for Which it is Exempt Under Section 501(a))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Taxable calendar years
                                     -----------------------------------
                                        1954     1955     1956     1957
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   before giving effect to section
              404(a)(7)
Pension trust contributions and
 limitations, deductions, and
 carryovers under section 404(a)(1):
  1. Contributions paid in year.....     $215      $85     $140      $60
  2. Contributions carried over from        0        5        0       20
   prior years......................
                                     -----------------------------------
  3. Total deductible for year            215       90      140       80
   subject to limitation............
  4. Limitation applicable to year..      210      175      120       85
  5. Amount deductible for year.....      210       90      120       80
                                     -----------------------------------
  6. Contributions carried over to          5        0       20        0
   succeeding years.................
                                     ===================================
Profit-sharing trust contributions
 and limitations, deductions, and
 carryovers under section 404(a)(3):
  7. Contributions paid in year.....      200      125      105       65
  8. Contributions carried over from        0       35       10        0
   prior years......................
                                     -----------------------------------
  9. Total deductible for year            200      160      115       65
   subject to limitation............
  10. Limitation applicable to year.      165      150      135  \1\ 110
  11. Amount deductible for year....      165      150      115       65
                                     -----------------------------------
  12. Contributions carried over to        35       10        0        0
   succeeding years.................
                                     ===================================
  application of section 404(a)(7)
Totals for pension and profit-
 sharing trust:
  13. Amount deductible for year
   under section 404(a)(7):
    (1) 30 percent of compensation     (\3\ )      300      270      180
     covered in year \2\............
    (2) (i) (a) 25 percent of             275      250      225      150
     compensation covered in year
     \2\............................
      (b) Total amount otherwise          375      240      235      145
       deductible for year: item 5
       plus item 11.................
                                     ===================================
      (c) Smaller of (a) or (b).....      275      240      225      145
    (ii) Carryover from prior years         0      100       40       10
     under section 404(a)(7)........
                                     -----------------------------------
    (iii) Sum of (i)(c) and (ii)....      275      340      265      155
    (3) Amount deductible: Lesser of      275      300      265      155
     (1) or (2)(iii)................
14. Carryover to succeeding years         100       40       10        0
 under section 404(a)(7): item
 13(2)(ii) plus item 3(2)(i)(b)
 minus item 13(3)...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes carryover of 20 from 1956.
\2\ Compensation otherwise paid or accrued during the year to the
  employees who are beneficiaries under the trusts in the year.
\3\ 30 percent limitation not applicable to first year of plan.


[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11689, Nov. 26, 1960, as amended by T.D. 6534, 26 FR 
517, Jan. 20, 1961]

[[Page 493]]



Sec. 1.404(a)-14  Special rules in connection with the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

    (a) Purpose of this section. This section provides rules for 
determining the deductible limit under section 404(a)(1)(A) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for defined benefit plans.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section--
    (1) Section 404(a). The term ``old section 404(a)'' means section 
404(a) as in effect on September 1, 1974. Any reference to section 404 
without the designation ``old'' is a reference to section 404 as amended 
by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
    (2) Ten-year amortization base. The term ``10-year amortization 
base'' means either the past service and other supplementary pension and 
annuity credits described in section 404(a)(1)(A)(iii) or any base 
established in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. A plan may 
have several 10-year amortization bases to reflect different plan 
amendments, changes in actuarial assumptions, changes in funding method, 
and experience gains and losses of previous years.
    (3) Limit adjustment. The term ``limit adjustment'' with respect to 
any 10-year amortization base is the lesser of--
    (i) The level annual amount necessary to amortize the base over 10 
years using the valuation rate, or
    (ii) The unamortized balance of the base,

in each case using absolute values (solely for the purpose of 
determining which is the lesser). To compute the level amortization 
amount, the base may be divided by the present value of an annuity of 
one dollar, obtained from standard annuity tables on the basis of a 
given interest rate (the valuation rate) and a known period (the 
amortization period).
    (4) Absolute value. The term ``absolute value'' for any number is 
the value of that number, treating negative numbers as if they were 
positive numbers. For example, the absolute value of 5 is 5 and the 
absolute value of minus 3 is 3. On the other hand, the true value of 
minus 3 is minus 3. This term is relevant to the computation of the 
limit adjustment described in paragraph (b)(3) and the remaining 
amortization period of combined bases described in paragraph (i)(3) of 
this section.
    (5) Valuation rate. The term ``valuation rate'' means the assumed 
interest rate used to value plan liabilities.
    (c) Use of plan in determining deductible limit for employer's 
taxable year. Although the deductible limit applies for an employer's 
taxable year, the deductible limit is determined on the basis of a plan 
year. If the employer's taxable year coincides with the plan year, the 
deductible limit for the taxable year is the deductible limit for the 
plan year that coincides with that year. If the employer's taxable year 
does not coincide with the plan year, the deductible limit under section 
404(a)(1)(A) (i), (ii), or (iii) for a given taxable year of the 
employer is one of the following alternatives:
    (1) The deductible limit determined for the plan year commencing 
within the taxable year.
    (2) The deductible limit determined for the plan year ending within 
the taxable year, or
    (3) A weighted average of alternatives (1) and (2). Such an average 
may be based, for example, upon the number of months of each plan year 
falling within the taxable year.

The employer must use the same alternative for each taxable year unless 
consent to change is obtained from the Commissioner under section 446 
(e).
    (d) Computation of deductible limit for a plan year--(1) General 
rules. The computation of the deductible limit for a plan year is based 
on the funding methods, actuarial assumptions, and benefit structure 
used for purposes of section 412, determined without regard to section 
412(g) (relating to the alternative minimum funding standard), for the 
plan year. The method of valuing assets for purposes of section 404 must 
be the same method of valuing assets used for purposes of section 412.
    (2) Special adjustments of computations under section 412. To apply 
the rules of this section (i.e., rules regarding the computation of 
normal cost with aggregate type funding methods, unfunded liabilities, 
and the full funding limitation described in paragraph (k) of the 
section, where applicable) with

[[Page 494]]

respect to a given plan year in computing deductible limits under 
section 404 (a)(1)(A), the following adjustments must be made:
    (i) There must be excluded from the total assets of the plan the 
amount of any plan contribution for a plan year for which the plan was 
qualified under section 401(a), 403(a) or 405(a) that has not been 
previously deducted, even though that amount may have been credited to 
the funding standard account under section 412(b)(3). In the case of a 
plan using a spread gain funding method which maintains an unfunded 
liability (e.g., the frozen initial liability method, but not the 
aggregate method), the amount described in the preceding sentence must 
be included in the unfunded liability of the plan.
    (ii) There must be included in the total assets of the plan for a 
plan year the amount of any plan contribution that has been deducted 
with respect to a prior plan year, even though that amount is considered 
under section 412 to be contributed in a plan year subsequent to that 
prior plan year. In the case of a plan using a spread gain funding 
method which does not maintain an unfunded liability, the amount 
described in the preceding sentence must be excluded from the unfunded 
liability of the plan.

The special adjustments described in paragraph (d)(2) (i) and (ii) of 
this section apply on a year-by-year basis for purposes of section 
404(a)(1)(A) only. Thus, the adjustments have no effect on the 
computation of the minimum funding requirement under section 412.
    (e) Special computation rules under section 404(a)(1)(A)(i)--(1) In 
general. For purposes of determining the deductible limit under section 
404(a)(1)(A)(i), the deductible limit with respect to a plan year is the 
sum of--
    (i) The amount required to satisfy the minimum funding standard of 
section 412(a) (determined without regard to section 412(g)) for the 
plan year and
    (ii) An amount equal to the includible employer contributions. The 
term ``includible employer contributions'' means employer contributions 
which were required by section 412 for the plan year immediately 
preceding such plan year, and which were not deductible under section 
404(a) for the prior taxable year of the employer solely because they 
were not contributed during the prior taxable year (determine with 
regard to section 404(a)(6)).
    (2) Rule for an employer using alternative minimum funding standard 
account and computing its deduction under section 404(a)(1)(A)(i). This 
paragraph (e)(2) applies if the minimum funding requirements for the 
plan are determined under the alternative minimum funding standard 
described in section 412(g) for both the current plan year and the 
immediately preceding plan year. In that case, the deductible limit 
under section 404(a)(1)(A)(i) (regarding the minimum funding requirement 
of section 412) for the current year is the sum of the amount determined 
under the rules of paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
    (i) Plus the charge under section 412(b)(2)(D), and
    (ii) Less the credit under section 412(b)(3)(D),

that would be required if in the current plan year the use of the 
alternative method were discontinued.
    (f) Special computation rules under section 404(a)(1)(A) (ii) and 
(iii)--(1) In general. Subject to the full funding limitation described 
in paragraph (k) of this section, the deductible limit under section 
404(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (iii) is the normal cost of the plan (determined in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section).
    (2) Adjustments in calculating limit under section 404 
(a)(1)(A)(iii). In calculating the deductible limit under section 
404(a)(1)(A)(iii), the normal cost of the plan is--
    (i) Decreased by the limit adjustments to any unamortized bases 
required by paragraph (g) of this section, for example, bases that are 
due to a net experience gain, a change in actuarial assumptions, a 
change in funding method, or a plan provision or amendment which 
decreases the accrued liability of the plan, and
    (ii) Increased by the limit adjustments of any unamortized 10-year 
amortization bases required by paragraph (g) or (j) of this section, for 
example, bases that are due to a net experience loss, a change in 
actuarial assumptions, a change in funding method, or a

[[Page 495]]

plan provision or amendment which increases the accrued liability.
    (3) Timing for computations and interest adjustments under section 
404(a)(1)(A) (ii) and (iii). Regardless of the actual time when 
contributions are made to a plan, in computing the deductible limit 
under section 404(a)(1)(A) (ii) and (iii) the normal cost and limit 
adjustments shall be computed as of the date when contributions are 
assumed to be made (``the computation date'') and adjusted for interest 
at the valuation rate from the computation date to the earlier of--
    (i) The last day of the plan year used to compute the deductible 
limit for the taxable year, or
    (ii) The last day of that taxable year. For additional provisions 
relating to the timing of computations and interest adjustments, see 
paragraph (h)(6) of this section (relating to the timing of computations 
and interest adjustments in the maintenance of 10-year amortization 
bases). For taxable years beginning before April 22, 1981, computations 
under the preceding sentence may, as an alternative, be based on prior 
published positions of the Internal Revenue Service under section 
404(a).
    (4) Special limit under section 404(a)(1)(A)(ii). If the deduction 
for the plan year is determined solely on the basis of section 
404(a)(1)(A)(ii) (that is, without regard to clauses (i) or (iii)), the 
special limitation contained in section 404(a)(1)(A)(ii), regarding the 
unfunded cost with respect to any three individuals, applies, 
notwithstanding the rules contained in paragraphs (d)(2) and (f)(1) of 
this section.
    (g) Establishment of a 10-year amortization base--(1) Experience 
gains and losses. In the case of a plan valued by the use of a funding 
method which is an immediate gain type of funding method (and therefore 
separately amortizes rather than includes experience gains and losses as 
a part of the normal cost of the plan), a 10-year amortization base must 
be established in any plan year equal to the net experience gain or loss 
required under section 412 to be determined with respect to that plan 
year. The base is to be maintained in accordance with paragraph (h) of 
this section. Such a base must not be established if the deductible 
limit is determined by use of a funding method which is a spread gain 
type of funding method (under which experience gains and losses are 
spread over future periods as a part of the plan's normal cost). 
Examples of the immediate gain type of funding method are the unit 
credit method, entry age normal cost method, and the individual level 
premium cost method. Examples of the spread gain type of funding method 
are the aggregate cost method, frozen initial liability cost method, and 
the attained age normal cost method.
    (2) Change in actuarial assumptions. (i) If the creation of an 
amortization base is required under the rules of section 412(b) 
(2)(B)(v) or (3)(B)(iii) (as applied to the funding method used by the 
plan), a 10-year amortization base must be established at the time of a 
change in actuarial assumptions used to value plan liabilities. The 
amount of the base is the difference between the accrued liability 
calculated on the basis of the new assumptions and the accrued liability 
calculated on the basis of the old assumptions. Both computations of 
accrued liability are made as of the date of the change in assumptions.
    (ii) A plan using a funding method of the spread gain type does not 
directly determine an accrued liability. If a plan using such a method 
is required under section 412(b) (2)(B)(v) or (3)(B)(iii) to create an 
amortization base, it must establish a base as described in paragraph 
(g)(2)(i) of this section for a change in actuarial assumptions by 
determining an accrued liability on the basis of another funding method 
(of the immediate gain type) that does determine an accrued liability. 
(The aggregate method is an example of a funding method that is not 
required under section 412(b) (2)(B)(v) or (3)(B)(iii) to create an 
amortization base.) The funding method chosen to determine the accrued 
liability of the plan in these cases must be the same method used to 
establish all other 10-year amortization bases maintained by the plan, 
if any. These bases must be maintained in accordance with paragraph (h) 
of this section.
    (3) Past service or supplemental credits. A 10-year base must be 
established when a plan is established or amended, if the creation of an 
amortizable base

[[Page 496]]

is required under the rules of section 412(b)(2)(B) (ii) or (iii), or 
(b)(3)(B)(i) (as applied to the funding method used by the plan). The 
amount of the base is the accrued liability arising from, or the 
decrease in accrued liability resulting from, the establishment or 
amendment of the plan. The base must be maintained in accordance with 
paragraph (h) of this section.
    (4) Change in funding method. If a change in funding method results 
in an increase or decrease in an unfunded liability required to be 
amortized under section 412, a 10-year base must be established equal to 
the increase or decrease in unfunded liability resulting from the change 
in funding method. The base must be maintained in accordance with 
paragraph (h) of this section.
    (h) Maintenance of 10-year amortization base--(1) In general. Each 
time a 10-year amortization base is established, whether by a change in 
funding method, by plan amendment, by change in actuarial assumptions, 
or by experience gains and losses, the base must, except as provided in 
paragraph (i) of this section, be separately maintained in order to 
determine when the unamortized amount of the base is zero. The sum of 
the unamortized balances of all of the 10-year bases must equal the 
plan's unfunded liability with the adjustments described in paragraph 
(d) of this section, if applicable. When the unamortized amount of a 
base is zero, the deductible limit is no longer adjusted to reflect the 
amortization of the base.
    (2) First year's base. See either paragraph (g) or paragraph (i) of 
this section for rules applicable with respect to the first year of a 
base.
    (3) Succeeding year's base. For any plan year after the first year 
of a base, the unamortized amount of the base is equal to--
    (i) The unamortized amount of the base as of the valuation date in 
the prior plan year, plus
    (ii) Interest at the valuation rate from the valuation date in the 
prior plan year to the valuation date in the current plan year on the 
amount described in subdivision (i), minus
    (iii) The contribution described in paragraph (h)(4) of this section 
with respect to the base for the prior plan year.

The valuation date is the date as of which plan liabilities are valued 
under section 412(c)(9). If such a valuation is performed less often 
than annually for purposes of section 412, bases must be adjusted for 
purposes of section 404 each year as of the date on which a section 412 
valuation would be performed were it required on an annual basis. See 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section for the definition of valuation rate.
    (4) Contribution allocation with respect to each base. A portion of 
the total contribution for the prior plan year is allocated to each 
base. Generally, this portion equals the product of--
    (i) The total contribution described in paragraph (h)(6) of this 
section with respect to all bases, and
    (ii) The ratio of the amount described in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of 
this section with respect to the base to the sum (using true rather than 
absolute values) of such amounts with respect to all remaining bases.

However, if the result of this computation with respect to a particular 
base exceeds the amount necessary to amortize such base fully, the 
smaller amount shall be deemed the contribution made with respect to 
such base. The unallocated excess with respect to a now fully amortized 
base shall be allocated among the other bases as indicated above.
    (5) Other allocation methods. The Commissioner may authorize the use 
of methods other than the method described in paragraph (h)(4) of this 
section for allocating contributions to bases.
    (6) Total contribution for all bases. The contribution with respect 
to all bases for the prior plan year (see paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this 
section) is the difference between--
    (i) The sum of (A) the total deduction (including a carryover 
deduction) for the prior year, (B) interest on the actual contributions 
for the prior year (whether or not deductible) at the valuation rate for 
the period between the dates as of which the contributions are credited 
under section 412 and the valuation date in the current plan year, and 
(C) interest on the carryover described in section 404(a)(1)(D) that is

[[Page 497]]

available at the beginning of the prior taxable year at the valuation 
rate for the period between the current and prior valuation dates, and
    (ii) The normal cost for the prior plan year and interest on it at 
the valuation rate from the date as of which the normal cost is 
calculated to the current valuation date.
    (7) Effect of failure to contribute normal cost plus interest on 
unamortized amounts. The failure to make a contribution at least equal 
to the sum of the normal cost plus interest on the unamortized amounts 
has the following effects under the preceding rules of this section--
    (i) It does not create a new base.
    (ii) It results in an increase in the unamortized amount of each 
base and consequently extends the time before the base is fully 
amortized.
    (iii) The limit adjustment for any base is not increased (in 
absolute terms) even if the unamortized amount computed under paragraph 
(h) of this section exceeds the initial 10-year amortization base. Thus, 
if the total unamortized amount of the plan's bases at the beginning of 
the plan year is $100,000 (which is also the unfunded liability of the 
plan), and a required $50,000 normal cost contribution is not made for 
the plan year, the following effects occur. The total unamortized 
balance of the plan's bases increases by the $50,000 normal cost for the 
year (adjusted for interest), plus interest on the $100,000 balance of 
the bases; and, because of that increase, it will take a longer period 
to amortize the remaining balance of the bases. (The annual amortization 
amount does not change.)
    (8) Required adjustment to a 10-year base limit adjustment if 
valuation rate changed. If there is a change in the valuation rate, the 
limit adjustment for all unamortized 10-year amortization bases must be 
changed, in addition to establishing a new base as provided in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this section. The new limit adjustment for any base is the 
level amount necessary to amortize the unamortized amount of the base 
over the remaining amortization period using the new valuation rate. The 
remaining amortization period of the base is the number of years at the 
end of which the unamortized amount of the base would be zero if the 
contribution made with respect to that base equaled the limit adjustment 
each year. This calculation of the remaining period is made on the basis 
of the valuation rate used before the change. Both the remaining 
amortization period and the revised limit adjustment may be determined 
through the use of standard annuity tables. The remaining period may be 
computed in terms of fractional years, or it may be rounded off to a 
full year. The unamortized amount of the base as of the valuation date 
and the remaining amortization period of that base shall not be changed 
by any change in the valuation rate.
    (i) Combining bases--(1) General method. For purposes of section 404 
only, and not for purposes of section 412, different 10-year 
amortization bases may be combined into a single 10-year amortization 
base if such single base satisfies all of the requirements of paragraph 
(i) (2), (3), and (4) of this section at the time of the combining of 
the different bases.
    (2) Unamortized amount. The unamortized amount of the single base 
equals the sum, as of the date the combination is made, of the 
unamortized amount of the bases being combined (treating negative bases 
as having negative unamortized amounts).
    (3) Remaining amortization period. The remaining amortization period 
of the single base is equal to (i) the sum of the separate products of 
(A) the unamortized amount of each of these bases (using absolute 
values) and (B) its remaining amortization period, divided by (ii) the 
sum of the unamortized amounts of each of the bases (using absolute 
values). For purposes of this paragraph (i)(3), the remaining 
amortization period of each base being combined is that number of years 
at the end of which the unamortized amount of the base would be zero if 
the contribution made with respect to that base equaled the limit 
adjustment of that base in each year. This number may be determined 
through the use of standard annuity tables. The remaining amortization 
period described in this paragraph may be computed in terms of 
fractional years, or it may be rounded off to a whole year.

[[Page 498]]

    (4) Limit adjustment. The limit adjustment for the single base is 
the level amount necessary to amortize the unamortized amount of the 
combined base over the remaining amortization period described in 
paragraph (i)(3) of this section, using the valuation rate. This amount 
may be determined through the use of standard annuity tables.
    (5) Fresh start alternative. In lieu of combining different 10-year 
amortization bases, a plan may replace all existing bases with one new 
10-year amortization base equal to the unfunded liability of the plan as 
of the time the new base is being established. This unfunded liability 
must be determined in accordance with the general rules of paragraphs 
(d) and (f) of this section. The unamortized amount of the base and the 
limit adjustment for the base will be determined as though the base were 
newly established.
    (j) Initial 10-year amortization base for existing plan--(1) In 
general. In the case of a plan in existence before the effective date of 
section 404(a), the 10-year amortization base on the effective date of 
section 404(a) is the sum of all 10 percent bases existing immediately 
before section 404(a) became effective for the plan, determined under 
the rules of old section 404(a).
    (2) Limit adjustment. The limit adjustment for the initial base is 
the lesser of the unamortized amount of such base or the sum of the 
amounts determined under paragraph (b)(3) of this section using the 
original balances of the remaining bases (under old section 404(a) 
rules) as the amount to be amortized.
    (3) Unamortized amount. The employer may choose either to establish 
a single initial base reflecting both all prior 10-percent bases and the 
experience gain or loss for the immediately preceding actuarial period, 
or to establish a separate base for the prior 10-percent bases and 
another for the experience gain or loss for the immediately preceding 
period. If the initial 10-year amortization base reflects the net 
experience gain or loss from the immediately preceding actuarial period, 
the unamortized amount of the initial base shall equal the total 
unfunded liability on the effective date of section 404(a) determined in 
accordance with the general rules of paragraphs (d) and (f) of this 
section. If, however, a separate base will be used to reflect that gain 
or loss, the unamortized amount of the initial base shall equal such 
unfunded liability on the effective date of section 404(a), reduced by 
the net experience loss or increased by the net experience gain for the 
immediately preceding actuarial period. In this case, a separate 10-year 
amortization base must be established on the effective date equal to the 
net experience gain or loss. Thus, if the effective date unfunded 
liability is $100,000 and an experience loss of $15,000 is recognized on 
that date, and if the loss is to be treated as a separate base, the 
unamortized balances of the two bases would be $85,000 and $15,000. If 
the unfunded liability were the same $100,000, but a gain of $15,000 
instead of a loss were recognized on that date, the unamortized balances 
of the two bases would be $115,000 and a credit base of $15,000. In both 
cases, if only one 10-year base is to be established on the effective 
date, its unamortized balance would be $100,000 (the unfunded liability 
of the plan). See paragraphs (d) and (f) for rules for determining the 
unfunded liability of the plan.
    (k) Effect of full funding limit on 10-year-amortization bases. The 
amount deductible under section 404(a)(1)(A) (i), (ii), or (iii) for a 
plan year may not exceed the full funding limitation for that year. See 
section 412 and paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section for rules 
to be used in the computation of the full funding limitation. If the 
total deductible contribution (including carryover) for a plan year 
equals or exceeds the full funding limitation for the year, all 10-year 
amortization bases maintained by the plan will be considered fully 
amortized, and the deductible limit for subsequent plan years will not 
be adjusted to reflect the amortization of these bases.
    (l) Transitional rules--(1) Plan years beginning before April 22, 
1981. In determining the deductible limit for plan years beginning 
before April 22, 1981, a contribution will be deductible under section 
404(a)(1)(A) if the computation of the deductible limit is based on an 
interpretation of section 404(a)(1)(A) that is reasonable when 
considered with prior published positions of the

[[Page 499]]

Internal Revenue Service. A computation of the deductible limit may 
satisfy the preceding sentence even if it does not satisfy the rules 
contained in paragraphs (c) through (i) of this section.
    (2) Transitional approaches. The deductible limit determined for the 
first plan year with respect to which a plan applies the rules contained 
in paragraphs (c) through (i) of this section must be computed using one 
of the following approaches--
    (i) The plan (whether or not in existence before the effective date 
of section 404(a)) may apply the rules of paragraph (j) for establishing 
the initial base for an existing plan, treating 10-year bases (if any) 
as 10 percent bases in adding bases.
    (ii) The plan may apply the fresh start alternative for combining 
bases under paragraph (i)(5).
    (iii) The plan may retroactively establish 10-year amortization 
bases for years with respect to which section 404(a)(1)(A) and the rules 
of this section would have applied but for the transition rule contained 
in paragraph (l)(1) of this section. Contributions actually deducted are 
used in retroactively establishing and maintaining these bases under 
paragraph (h). However, a deduction already taken shall not be 
recomputed because of the retroactive establishment of a base.
    (m) Effective date of section 404(a). In the case of a plan which 
was in existence on January 1, 1974, section 404(a) generally applies 
for contributions on account of taxable years of an employer ending with 
or within plan years beginning after December 31, 1974. In the case of a 
plan not in existence on January 1, 1974, section 404(a) generally 
applies for contributions on account of taxable years of an employer 
ending with or within plan years beginning after September 4, 1974. See 
Sec. 1.410(a)-2(c) for rules concerning the time of plan existence. See 
also Sec. 1.410(a)-2(d), which provides that a plan in existence on 
January 1, 1974, may elect to have certain provisions, including the 
amendments to section 404(a) contained in section 1013 of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, apply to a plan year beginning 
after September 2, 1974, and before the otherwise applicable effective 
date contained in that section.

[T.D. 7760, 46 FR 6914, Jan. 22, 1981; 46 FR 15685, Mar. 9, 1981]



Sec. 1.404(b)-1  Method of contribution, etc., having the effect 
of a plan; effect of section 404(b).

    Section 404(a) is not confined to formal stock bonus, pension, 
profit- sharing, and annuity plans, or deferred compensation plans, but 
it includes any method of contributions or compensation having the 
effect of a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan, or 
similar plan deferring the receipt of compensation. Thus, where a 
corporation pays pensions to a retired employee or employees or to their 
beneficiaries in such amounts as may be determined from time to time by 
the board of directors or responsible officers of the company, or where 
a corporation is under an obligation, whether funded or unfunded, to pay 
a pension or other deferred compensation to an employee or his 
beneficiaries, there is a method having the effect of a plan deferring 
the receipt of compensation for which deductions are governed by section 
404(a). If an employer on the accrual basis defers paying any 
compensation to an employee until a later year or years under an 
arrangement having the effect of a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, 
or annuity plan, or similar plan deferring the receipt of compensation, 
he shall not be allowed a deduction until the year in which the 
compensation is paid. This provision is not intended to cover the case 
where an employer on the accrual basis defers payment of compensation 
after the year of accrual merely because of inability to pay such 
compensation in the year of accrual, as, for example, where the funds of 
the company are not sufficient to enable payment of the compensation 
without jeopardizing the solvency of the company, or where the liability 
accrues in the earlier year, but the amount payable cannot be exactly 
determined until the later year.

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11690, Nov. 26, 1960]

[[Page 500]]



Sec. 1.404(b)-1T  Method or arrangement of contributions, etc., 
deferring the receipt of compensation or providing for deferred 
benefits. (Temporary)

    Q-1: As amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1984, what does section 
404(b) of the Internal Revenue Code provide?
    A-1: As amended, section 404(b) clarifies that any plan, or method 
or arrangement, deferring the receipt of compensation or providing for 
deferred benefits (other than compensation) is to be treated as a plan 
deferring the receipt of compensation for purposes of section 404 (a) 
and (d). Accordingly, section 404 (a) and (d) (in the case of employees 
and nonemployees; respectively) shall govern the deduction of 
contributions paid or compensation paid or incurred with respect to such 
a plan, or method or arrangement. Section 404 (a) and (d) requires that 
such a contribution or compensation be paid or incurred for purposes of 
section 162 or 212 and satisfy the requirements for deductibility under 
either of those sections. Thus, for example, under section 404 (a)(5) 
and (b), if otherwise deductible under section 162 or 212, a 
contribution paid or incurred with respect to a nonqualified plan, or 
method or arragement, providing for deferred benefits is deductible in 
the taxable year of the employer in which or with which ends the taxable 
year of the employee in which the amount attributable to the 
contribution is includible in the gross income of the employee (without 
regard to any applicable exclusion under Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the 
Internal Revenue Code). Section 404 (a) and (d) applies to all 
compensation and benefit plans, or methods or arrangements, however 
denominated, which defer the receipt of any amount of compensation or 
benefit, including fees or other payments. Thus, a limited partnership 
(using the accrual method of accounting) may not accrue deductions for a 
fee owed to an unrelated person (using the cash method of accounting) 
who performs services for the partnership until the partnership taxable 
year in which or with which ends the taxable year of the service 
provider in which the fee is included in income. However, 
notwithstanding the above, section 404 does not apply to contributions 
paid or accrued with respect to a ``welfare benefit fund'' (as defined 
in section 419(e)) after July 18, 1984, in taxable years of employers 
(and payors) ending after that date. Also, section 463 shall govern the 
deduction of vacation pay by a taxpayer that has elected the application 
of such section. For rules relating to the deduction of contributions 
paid or accrued with respect to a welfare benefit fund, see section 419, 
Sec. 1.419-1T and Sec. 1.419A-2T. For rules relating to the deduction 
of vacation pay for which an election is made under section 463, see 
Sec. 301.9100-16T of this chapter and Sec. 1.463-1T.
    Q-2: When does a plan, or method or arrangement, defer the receipt 
of compensation or benefits for purposes of section 404 (a), (b), and 
(d)?
    A-2: (a) For purposes of section 404 (a), (b), and (d), a plan, or 
method or arrangement, defers the receipt of compensation or benefits to 
the extent it is one under which an employee receives compensation or 
benefits more than a brief period of time after the end of the 
employer's taxable year in which the services creating the right to such 
compensation or benefits are performed. The determination of whether a 
plan, or method or arrangement, defers the receipts of compensation or 
benefits is made separately with respect to each employee and each 
amount of compensation or benefit. Compensation or benefits received by 
an employee's spouse or dependent or any other person, but taxable to 
the employee, are treated as received by the employee for purposes of 
section 404. An employee is determined to receive compensation or 
benefits within or beyond a brief period of time after the end of the 
employer's taxable year under the rules provided in this Q&A. For the 
treatment of expenses with respect to transactions between related 
taxpayers, see section 267.
    (b)(1) A plan, or method or arrangement, shall be presumed to be one 
deferring the receipt of compensation for more than a brief period of 
time after the end of an employer's taxable year to the extent that 
compensation is received after the 15th day of the 3rd calendar month 
after the end of the employer's taxable year in which the related 
services are rendered (``the 2\1/2\

[[Page 501]]

month period''). Thus, for example, salary under an employment contract 
or a bonus under a year-end bonus declaration is presumed to be paid 
under a plan, or method or arrangement, deferring the receipt of 
compensation, to the extent that the salary or bonus is received beyond 
the applicable 2\1/2\ month period. Further, salary or a year-end bonus 
received beyond the applicable 2\1/2\ month period by one employee shall 
be presumed to constitute payment under a plan, or method or 
arrangement, deferring the receipt of compensation for such employee 
even though salary or bonus payments to all other employees are not 
similarly treated because they are received within the 2\1/2\ month 
period. Benefits are ``deferred benefits'' if, assuming the benefits 
were cash compensation, such benefits would be considered deferred 
compensation. Thus, a plan, or method or arrangement, shall be presumed 
to be one providing for deferred benefits to the extent benefits for 
services are received by an employee after the 2\1/2\ month period 
following the end of the employer's taxable year in which the related 
services are rendered.
    (2) The taxpayer may rebut the presumption established under the 
previous subparagraph with respect to an amount of compensation or 
benefits only by setting forth facts and circumstances the preponderance 
of which demonstrates that it was impracticable, either administratively 
or economically, to avoid the deferral of the receipt by an employee of 
the amount of compensation or benefits beyond the applicable 2\1/2\ 
month period and that, as of the end of the employer's taxable year such 
impracticability was unforeseeable. For example, the presumption may be 
rebutted with respect to an amount of compensation to the extent that 
receipt of such amount is deferred beyond the applicable 2\1/2\ month 
period (i) either because the funds of the employer were not sufficient 
to make the payment within the 2\1/2\ month period without jeopardizing 
the solvency of the employer or because it was not reasonably possible 
to determine within the 2\1/2\ month period whether payment of such 
amount was to be made, and (ii) the circumstance causing the deferral 
described in (i) was unforeseeable as of the close of the employer's 
taxable year. Thus, the presumption with respect to the receipt of an 
amount of compensation or benefit is not rebutted to the extent it was 
foreseeable, as of the end of the employer's taxable year, that the 
amount would be received after the applicable 2\1/2\ month period. For 
example, if, as of the end of the employer's taxable year, it is 
foreseeable that calculation of a year-end bonus to be paid to an 
employee under a given formula will not be completed and thus the bonus 
will not be received (and is in fact not received) by the end of the 
applicable 2\1/2\ month period, the presumption that the bonus is 
deferred compensation is not rebutted.
    (c) A plan, or method or arrangement, shall not be considered as 
deferring the receipt of compensation or benefits for more than a brief 
period of time after the end of the employer's taxable year to the 
extent that compensation or benefits are received by the employee on or 
before the end of the applicable 2\1/2\ month period. Thus, for example, 
salary under an employment contract or a bonus under a year-end bonus 
declaration is not considered paid under a plan, or method or 
arrangement, deferring the receipt of compensation to the extent that 
such salary or bonus is received by the employee on or before the end of 
the applicable 2\1/2\ month period.
    (d) Solely for purposes of applying the rules of paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this Q&A, in the case of an employer's taxable year ending on or 
after July 18, 1984, and on or before March 21, 1986, compensation or 
benefits that relate to services rendered in such taxable year shall be 
deemed to have been received within the applicable 2\1/2\ month period 
if such receipt actually occurs after such 2\1/2\ month period but on or 
before March 21, 1986.
    Q-3: When does section 404(b), as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 
1984, become effective?
    A-3: With the exceptions discussed below, section 404(b), as 
amended, and the rules under Q&A-2 are effective with respect to amounts 
paid or incurred after July 18, 1984, in taxable years of employers (and 
payors) ending after that date. In the case of an extended vacation pay 
plan maintained

[[Page 502]]

pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement (a) between employee 
representatives and one or more employers, and (b) in effect on June 22, 
1984, section 404(b) is not effective before the date on which such 
collective bargaining agreement terminates (determined without regard to 
any extension thereof agreed to after June 22, 1984). For purposes of 
the preceding sentence, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective 
bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely 
to conform to any requirement added under section 512 of the Tax Reform 
Act of 1984 shall not be treated as a termination of such collective 
bargaining agreement. For purposes of this section, an ``extended 
vacation pay plan'' is one under which covered employees gradually over 
a specified period of years earn the right to additional vacation 
benefits, no part of which, under the terms of the plan, can be taken 
until the end of the specified period.

[T.D. 8073, 51 FR 4321, Feb. 4, 1986; 51 FR 7262, Mar. 3, 1986; 51 FR 
11303, Apr. 2, 1986, as amended by T.D. 8435, 57 FR 43896, Sept. 23, 
1992]



Sec. 1.404(c)-1  Certain negotiated plans; effect of section 404(c).

    (a) Section 404(a) does not apply to deductions for contributions 
paid by an employer under a negotiated plan which meets the following 
conditions:
    (1) The contributions under the plan are held in trust for the 
purpose of paying, either from principal or income or both, for the 
benefit of employees and their families, at least medical or hospital 
care, and pensions on retirement or death of employees; and
    (2) Such plan was established before January 1, 1954, as a result of 
an agreement between employee representatives and the Government of the 
United States during a period of Government operation, under seizure 
powers, of a major part of the productive facilities of the industry in 
which such employer is engaged.


If these conditions are met, such contributions shall be deductible 
under section 162, to the extent that they constitute ordinary and 
necessary business expenses.
    (b) The term ``as a result of an agreement'' is intended primarily 
to cover a trust established under the terms of an agreement referred to 
in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. It will also include a trust 
established under a plan of an employer, or group of employers, who are 
in competition with the employers whose facilities were seized by reason 
of producing the same commodity, and who would therefore be expected to 
establish such a trust as a reasonable measure to maintain a sound 
position in the labor market producing the commodity. Thus, for example, 
if a trust was established under such an agreement in the bituminous 
coal industry, a similar trust established about the same time in the 
anthracite coal industry would be covered by this provision.
    (c) If any such trust becomes qualified for exemption under section 
501(a), the deductibility of contributions by an employer to such trust 
on or after the date of such qualification would no longer be governed 
by section 404(c), even though the trust may later lose its exemption 
under section 501(a).

[T.D. 6500, 25 FR 11690, Nov. 26, 1960]



Sec. 1.404(d)-1T  Questions and answers relating to deductibility 
of deferred compensation and deferred benefits for independent 
contractors. (Temporary)

    Q-1: How does the amendment of section 404(b) by the Tax Reform Act 
of 1984 affect the deduction of contributions or compensation under 
section 404(d)?
    A-1: As amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1984, section 404(b) 
clarifies that section 404(d) shall govern the deduction of 
contributions paid and compensation paid or incurred by a payor under a 
plan, or method or arrangement, deferring the receipt of compensation or 
providing for deferred benefits for service providers with respect to 
which there is no employer-employee relationship. In such a case, 
section 404 (a) and (b) and the regulations thereunder apply as if the 
person providing the services were the employee and the person to whom 
the services are provided were the employer. Section 404(a) requires 
that such a contribution or compensation be paid or

[[Page 503]]

incurred for purposes of section 162 or 212 and satisfy the requirements 
for deductibility under either of those sections. However, 
notwithstanding the above, section 404 does not apply to contributions 
paid or accrued with respect to a ``welfare benefit fund'' (as defined 
in section 419(e)) after June 18, 1984, in taxable years of employers 
(and payors) ending after that date. Also, section 463 shall govern the 
deduction of vacation pay by a taxpayer that has elected under such 
section. For rules relating to the deduction of contributions paid or 
accrued with respect to a welfare benefit fund, see section 419, Sec. 
1.419-1T and Sec. 1.419A-2T. For rules relating to the deduction of 
vacation pay for which an election is made under section 463, see Sec. 
301.9100-16T of this chapter and Sec. 1.463-1T.

[T.D. 8073, 51 FR 4322, Feb. 4, 1986, as amended by T.D. 8435, 57 FR 
43896, Sept. 23, 1992]



Sec. 1.404(e)-1  [Reserved]



Sec. 1.404(e)-1A  Contributions on behalf of a self-employed 
individual to or under a qualified pension, annuity, 
or profit-sharing plan.

    (a) In general. This section provides rules relating to employer 
contributions to qualified plans on behalf of self-employed individuals 
described in subsections (a) (8) and (9), (e), and (f) of section 404. 
Unless otherwise specifically provided, this section applies to taxable 
years of an employer beginning after December 31, 1973. Paragraph (b) of 
this section provides general rules of deductibility, paragraph (c) 
provides rules relating to defined contribution plans, paragraph (d) 
provides rules relating to defined benefit plans, paragraph (e) provides 
rules relating to combinations of plans, paragraph (f) provides rules 
for partnerships, paragraph (g) provides rules for insurance, paragraph 
(h) provides rules for loans, and paragraph (i) provides definitions.
    (b) Determination of the amount deductible. (1) If a defined 
contribution plan covers employees, some of whom are self-employed 
individuals, the determination of the amount deductible is made on the 
basis of independent consideration of the common-law employees and of 
the self-employed individuals. See subparagraphs (2) and (3) of this 
paragraph. For purposes of determining the amount deductible with 
respect to contributions on behalf of a self-employed individual, such 
contributions shall be considered to satisfy the conditions of section 
162 (relating to trade or business expenses) or 212 (relating to 
expenses for the production of income), but only to the extent that such 
contributions do not exceed the earned income of such individual derived 
from the trade or business with respect to which the plan is 
established. However, the portion of such contribution, if any, 
attributable to the purchase of life, accident, health, or other 
insurance protection shall be considered payment of a personal expense 
which does not satisfy the requirements of section 162 or 212. See 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (2)(i) If contributions are made on behalf of employees, some of 
whom are self-employed individuals, to a defined contribution plan 
described in section 414(i) and included in section 404(a) (1), (2), or 
(3), the amount deductible with respect to contributions on behalf of 
the common-law employees covered under the plan shall be determined as 
if such employees were the only employees for whom contributions and 
benefits are provided under the plan. Accordingly, for purposes of such 
determination, the percentage of compensation limitations of section 
404(a) (3) and (7) are applicable only with respect to the compensation 
otherwise paid or accrued during the taxable year by the employer with 
respect to the common-law employees. Similarly, the costs referred to in 
section 404(a)(1) (A) and (B) shall be the costs of funding the benefits 
of the common-law employees. Also, the provisions of section 
404(a)(1)(D), (3), and (7), relating to certain carryover deductions, 
shall be applicable only to amounts contributed or to the amounts 
deductible on behalf of such employees.
    (ii) The amount deductible, by reason of contributions on behalf of 
employees to a defined benefit plan, shall be determined without regard 
to the self-employed or common law status of each employee.
    (3)(i) If contributions are made on behalf of individuals, some or 
all of whom

[[Page 504]]

are self-employed individuals, to a defined contribution plan described 
in section 414(i) and included in section 404(a) (1), (2), or (3), the 
amount deductible in any taxable year with respect to contributions on 
behalf of such individuals shall be determined as follows:
    (A) The provisions of section 404(a) (1), (2), (3), and (7) shall be 
applied as if such individuals were the only participants for whom 
contributions and benefits are provided under the plan. Thus, the costs 
referred to in such provisions shall be the costs of funding the 
benefits of the self-employed individuals. If such costs are less than 
an amount equal to the amount determined under paragraph (c) of this 
section, the maximum amount deductible with respect to such individuals 
shall be the cost of their benefits.
    (B) The provisions of section 404(a) (1), (D), the third sentence of 
section 404(a) (3), (A), and the second sentence of section 404(a)(7), 
relating to certain carryover deductions are applicable to contributions 
on behalf of self-employed individuals made in taxable years of an 
employer beginning after December 31, 1975.
    (C) For any employer taxable year in applying the 15 percent limit 
on deductible contributions set forth section in 404(a)(3) and the 25 
percent limit in section 404(a)(7) for any taxable year of the employer, 
the amount deductible under section 404(e)(4) and paragraph (c)(4) of 
this section (relating to the minimum deduction of $750 or 100 percent 
of earned income) shall be substituted for such limits with respect to 
the self-employed individuals on whose behalf contributions are 
deductible under section 404(e)(4) for the taxable year of the employer. 
In addition, although the limitations of section 415 are applicable to 
the plan for plan years beginning after December 31, 1975, the defined 
contribution compensation limitation described in section 415(c)(1)(B) 
shall not be less than the amount deductible under section 404(e)(4) and 
paragraph (c)(4) of this section with respect to any self-employed 
individual for the taxable year of the employer wnding with or within 
the limitation year. The special rule in the second sentence of 
paragraph (3)(A) of section 404(a) is not applicable in determining the 
amounts deductible on behalf of self-employed individuals.
    (ii) The limitations of this subparagraph are not applicable to a 
defined benefit plan for self-employed individuals.
    (c) Defined contribution plans. (1) Under section 404(e)(1) in the 
case of a defined contribution plan, as defined in section 414(i), the 
amount deductible for the taxable year of the employer with respect to 
contributions on behalf of a self-employed individual shall not exceed 
the lesser of $7,500 or 15 percent of the earned income derived by such 
individual for such taxable year from the trade or business with respect 
to which the plan is established.
    (2) Under section 404(e)(2)(A) if a self-employed individual 
receives in any taxable year earned income with respect to which 
deductions are allowable to two or more employers under two or more 
defined contribution plans the aggregate amounts deductible shall not 
exceed the lesser of $7,500 or 15 percent of such earned income. This 
limitation does not apply to contributions made under a plan on behalf 
of an employee who is not self-employed in the trade or business with 
respect to which the plan is established.
    (3) Under section 404(e)(2)(B) in any case in which the applicable 
limitation of subparagraph (2) of this paragraph reduces the amount 
otherwise deductible with respect to contributions on behalf of any 
employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), the amount deductible 
by each employer for such employee shall be that amount which bears the 
same ratio to the aggregate amount deductible for such employee with 
respect to all trades or businesses (as determined in subparagraph (1) 
of this paragraph) as his earned income derived from the employer bears 
to the aggregate of his earned income derived from all of the trades or 
businesses with respect to which plans are established.
    Under section 404(e)(4), notwithstanding the provisions of 
subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph, the limitations on the 
amount deductible for the taxable year of the employer with respect to 
contributions on behalf of a self-employed individual shall not

[[Page 505]]

be less than the lesser of $750 or 100 percent of the earned income 
derived by such individual for such taxable year from the trade or 
business with respect to which the plan is established. If such 
individual receives in any taxable year earned income with respect to 
which deductions are allowable to two or more employers, 100 percent of 
such earned income shall be taken into account for purposes of the 
limitations determined under this subparagraph. This subparagraph does 
not apply to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 1975, to any 
employee whose adjusted gross income for that taxable year is greater 
than $15,000. In applying the preceding sentence, the adjusted gross 
income of an employee for a taxable year is determined separately for 
each individual, without regard to any community property laws, and 
without regard to the deduction allowable under section 404(a).
    (d) Defined benefit plans. In the case of a defined benefit plan, as 
defined in section 401(j), the special limitations provided by section 
404(e) and paragraph (c) of this section do not apply. See section 
401(j) for requirements applicable to defined benefit plans.
    (e) Combination of plans. For special rules applied if a self-
employed individual in any taxable year is a paraticipant in both a 
defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan, see section 401(j) 
and the regulations thereunder.
    (f) Partner's distributive share of contributions and deductions. 
(1) For purposes of sections 702(a)(8) and 704 in the case of a defined 
contribution plan, a partner's distributive share of contributions on 
behalf of self-employed individuals under such a plan is the 
contribution made on his behalf, and his distributive share of 
deductions allowed the partnership under section 404 for contributions 
on behalf of a self-employed individual is that portion of the deduction 
which is attributable to contributions made on his behalf under the 
plan. The contribution on behalf of a partner and the deduction with 
respect thereto must be accounted for separately by such partner, for 
his taxable year with or within which the partnership's taxable year 
ends, as an item described in section 702(a)(8).
    (2) In the case of a defined benefit plan, a partner's distributive 
share of contributions on behalf of self-employed individuals and his 
distributive share of deductions allowed the partnership under section 
404 for such contributions is determined in the same manner as his 
distributive share of partnership taxable income. See section 704, 
relating to the determination of the distributive share and the 
regulations thereunder.
    (g) Contributions allocable to insurance protection. Under Section 
404(e)(3), for purposes of determining the amount deductible with 
respect to contributions on behalf of a self-employed individual, 
amounts allocable to the purchase of life, accident, health, or other 
insurance protection shall not be taken into account. Such amounts are 
neither deductible nor considered as contributions for purposes of 
determining the maximum amount of contributions that may be made on 
behalf of an owner-employee. The amount of a contribution allocable to 
insurance shall be an amount equal to a reasonable net premium cost, as 
determined by the Commissioner, for such amount of insurance for the 
appropriate period. See paragraph (b)(5) of Sec. 1.72-16.
    (h) Rules applicable to loans. Under section 404(f), for purposes of 
section 404, any amount paid, directly or indirectly, by an owner-
employee in repayment of any loan which under section 72(m)(4)(B) was 
treated as an amount received from a qualified trust or plan shall be 
treated as a contribution to such trust or under such plan on behalf of 
such owner-employee.
    (i) Definitions. Under section 404(a)(8), for purposes of section 
404 and the regulations thereunder--
    (1) The term ``employee'' includes an employee as defined in section 
401(c)(1) and the term ``employer'' means the person treated as the 
employer of such individual under section 401(c)(4);
    (2) The term ``owner-employee'' means an owner-employee as defined 
in section 401(c)(3);
    (3) The term ``earned income'' means earned income as defined in 
section 401(c)(2); and
    (4) The term ``compensation'' when used with respect to an 
individual who

[[Page 506]]

is an employee described in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph shall be 
considered to be a reference to the earned income of such individual 
derived from the trade or business with respect to which the plan is 
established.

[T.D. 7636, 44 FR 47056, Aug. 10, 1979, as amended by T.D. 9849, 84 FR 
9234, Mar. 14, 2019]



Sec. 1.404(g)-1  Deduction of employer liability payments.

    (a) General rule. Employer liability payments shall be treated as 
contributions to a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan 
to which section 404 applies. Such payments that satisfy the limitations 
of this section shall be deductible under section 404 when paid without 
regard to any other limitations in section 404.
    (b) Employer liability payments. For purposes of this section, 
employer liability payments mean:
    (1) Any payment to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) 
for termination or withdrawal liability imposed under section 4062 
(without regard to section 4062(b)(2)), 4063, or 4064 of the Employee 
Retirement Insurance Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Any bond or escrow 
payment furnished under section 4063 of ERISA shall not be considered as 
a payment of liability until applied against the liability of the 
employer.
    (2) Any payment to a non-multiemployer plan pursuant to a commitment 
to the PBGC made in accordance with PBGC Determination of Plan 
Sufficiency and Termination of Sufficient Plans. See PBGC regulations, 
29 CFR 2617.13(b) for rules concerning these commitments. Such payments 
shall not exceed an amount necessary to provide for, and used to fund, 
the benefits guaranteed under section 4022 of ERISA.
    (3) Any payment to a multiemployer plan for withdrawal liability 
imposed under part 1 of subtitle E of title IV of ERISA. Any bond or 
escrow payment furnished under such part shall not be considered as a 
payment of liability until applied against the liability of the 
employer.
    (c) Limitations, etc.--(1) Permissible expenses. A payment shall be 
deductible under section 404(g) and this section only if the payment 
satisfies the conditions of section 162 or section 212. Payments made by 
an entity which is liable for such payments because it is a member of a 
commonly controlled group of corporations, or trades or businesses, 
within the meaning of section 414 (b) or (c), shall not fail to satisfy 
such conditions merely because the entity did not directly employ 
participants in the plan with respect to which the liability payments 
were made.
    (2) Qualified plan. A payment shall be deductible under section 
404(g) and this section only if the payment is made in a taxable year of 
the employer ending within or with a taxable year of the trust for which 
the trust is exempt under section 501(a). For purposes of this 
paragraph, the payment timing rules of section 404(a)(6) shall apply.
    (3) Full funding limitation. (i) If the employer liability payment 
is to a plan, the total amount deductible for such payment and for other 
plan contributions may not exceed an amount equal to the full funding 
limitation as defined in section 412(c)(7) for the taxable year with 
respect to which the contributions are deemed made under section 404.
    (ii) If the total contributions to the plan for the taxable year 
including the employer liability payment exceed the amount equal to this 
full funding limitation, the employer liability payment shall be 
deductible first.
    (iii) Any amount paid in a taxable year in excess of the amount 
deductible in such year under the full funding limitation shall be 
treated as a liability payment and be deductible in the succeeding 
taxable years in order of time to the extent of the difference between 
the employer liability payments made in each succeeding year and the 
maximum amount deductible for such year under the full funding 
limitation.
    (4) Maximum deduction allowable under section 404. The amount 
deductible under section 404 is limited to the higher of the maximum 
amount deductible by the employer under section 404(a) or the amount 
otherwise deductible under section 404(g). If the contributions are to a 
plan to which more than one employer contributes, this limit shall

[[Page 507]]

apply to each employer separately rather than all employers in the 
aggregate. Thus, each employer may deduct the greater of its allocable 
share of the deduction determined under sections 404(a) and 413(b)(7) or 
413(c)(6) or its allocable share of the amount deductible under section 
404(g). However, pursuant to the rule in subdivision (ii) of 
subparagraph (3), in determining each employer's allocable share under 
section 404(a), the total amount deductible under section 404(a) by all 
employers shall not exceed the difference between the full funding 
limitation and the total amount deductible by all employers under 
section 404(g).
    (5) Example. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by 
the following example:

    Example. In the 1983 taxable year, Employer A makes a withdrawal 
liability payment of $700,000 to multiemployer Plan X to which Employer 
A and Employer B are required to contribute. Employer A's allocable 
share of the deduction allowable under sections 404(a) and 413(b)(7) in 
the 1983 taxable year is $600,000. Employer B's allocable share of the 
deduction allowable under section 404(a) and 413(b)(7) in the 1983 
taxable year is $400,000.
    The full funding limitation for the 1983 taxable year is $1,000,000. 
Based on paragraph (c)(4) of this section, Employer A may deduct 
$700,000, the amount of the withdrawal liability payment. However, the 
deduction of Employer B is limited to $300,000, the difference between 
the full funding limitation and the amount deductible under section 
404(g).

    (d) Effective date, etc.--(1) General rule. This section is 
effective for employer payments made after September 25, 1980.
    (2) Transitional rule. For employer payments made before September 
26, 1980, for purposes of section 404, any amount paid by an employer 
under section 4062, 4063, or 4064 of the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974 shall be treated as a contribution to which section 
404 applies by such employer to or under a stock bonus, pension, profit-
sharing, or annuity plan.

[T.D. 8085, 51 FR 16297, May 2, 1986]



Sec. 1.404(k)-1T  Questions and answers relating to the deductibility
of certain dividend distributions. (Temporary)

    Q-1: What does section 404(k) provide?
    A-1: Section 404(k) allows a corporation a deduction for dividends 
actually paid in accordance with section 404(k)(2) with respect to stock 
of such corporation held by an employee stock ownership plan (as defined 
in section 4975(e)(7)) maintained by the corporation (or by any other 
corporation that is a member of a ``controlled group of corporations'' 
within the meaning of section 409(l)(4) that includes the corporation), 
but only if such dividends may be immediately distributed under the 
terms of the plan and all of the applicable qualification and 
distribution rules. The deduction is allowed under section 404(k) for 
the taxable year of the corporation during which the dividends are 
received by the participants.
    Q-2: Is the deductibility of dividends paid to plan participants 
under section 404(k) affected by a plan provision which permits 
participants to elect to receive or not receive payment of dividends?
    A-2: No. Dividends actually paid in cash to plan participants in 
accordance with section 404(k) are deductible under section 404(k) 
despite such an election provision.
    Q-3: Are dividends paid in cash directly to plan participants by the 
corporation and dividends paid to the plan and then distributed in cash 
to plan participants under section 404(k) treated as distributions under 
the plan holding stock to which the dividends relate for purposes of 
sections 72, 401 and 402?
    A-3: Generally, yes. However, a deductible dividend under section 
404(k) is treated for purposes of section 72 as paid under a contract 
separate from any other contract that is part of the plan. Thus, a 
deductible dividend is treated as a plan distribution and as paid under 
a separate contract providing only for payment of deductible dividends. 
Therefore, a deductible dividend under section 404(k) is a taxable plan 
distribution even though an employee has unrecovered employee 
contributions or basis in the plan.

[T.D. 8073, 51 FR 4322, Feb. 4, 1986]

[[Page 508]]



Sec. 1.404(k)-3  Disallowance of deduction for reacquisition payments.

    Q-1: Are payments to reacquire stock held by an ESOP applicable 
dividends that are deductible under section 404(k)(1)?
    A-1: (a) Payments to reacquire stock held by an ESOP, including 
reacquisition payments that are used to make benefit distributions to 
participants or beneficiaries, are not deductible under section 404(k) 
because--
    (1) Those payments do not constitute applicable dividends under 
section 404(k)(2); and
    (2) The treatment of those payments as applicable dividends would 
constitute, in substance, an avoidance or evasion of taxation within the 
meaning of section 404(k)(5).
    (b) See also Sec. 1.162(k)-1 concerning the disallowance of 
deductions for amounts paid or incurred by a corporation in connection 
with the reacquisition of its stock from an ESOP.
    Q-2: What is the effective date of this section?
    A-2: This section applies with respect to payments to reacquire 
stock that are made on or after August 30, 2006.

[T.D. 9282, 71 FR 51474, Aug. 30, 2006]



Sec. 1.406-1  Treatment of certain employees of foreign subsidiaries 
as employees of the domestic corporation.

    (a) Scope--(1) General rule. For purposes of applying the rules in 
part 1 of subchapter D of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code and the 
regulations thereunder with respect to a pension, profit-sharing, or 
stock bonus plan described in section 401(a), an annuity plan described 
in section 403(a), or a bond purchase plan described in section 405(a), 
of a domestic corporation, an individual who is a citizen of the United 
States and who is an employee of a foreign subsidiary (as defined in 
section 3121(1)(8) and the regulations thereunder) of such domestic 
corporation shall be treated as an employee of such domestic corporation 
if the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section are satisfied.
    (2) Cross-references. For rules relating to nondiscrimination 
requirements and the determination of compensation, see paragraph (c) of 
this section. For rules under which termination of the status of an 
individual as an employe of the domestic corporation in certain 
instances will not be considered as separation from service for certain 
purposes, see paragraph (d) of this section. For rules regarding 
deductibility of contribution, see paragraph (e) of this section. For 
rules regarding treatment of such individual as an employee of the 
domestic corporation under related provisions, see paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (b) Application of this section--(1) Requirements. This section 
shall apply and the employee of the foreign subsidiary shall be treated 
as an employee of domestic corporation for the purposes set forth in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section only if each of the following 
requirements is satisfied:
    (i) The domestic corporation must have entered into an agreement 
under section 3121(l) to provide social security coverage which applies 
to the foreign subsidiary of which such individual is an employee and 
which has not been terminated under section 3121(l)(3) or (4).
    (ii) The plan, referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, must 
expressly provide for contributions or benefits for individuals who are 
citizens of the United States and who are employees of one or more of 
its foreign subsidiaries to which an agreement entered into by such 
domestic corporation under section 3121(l) applies. The plan must apply 
to all of the foreign subsidiaries to which such agreement applies.
    (iii) Contributions under a funded plan of deferred compensation 
(whether or not a plan described in section 401(a), 403(a), or 405(a)) 
must not be provided by any other person with respect to the 
remuneration paid to such individual by the foreign subsidiary.
    (2) Supplementary rules. Subparagraph (l)(ii) of this paragraph does 
not modify the requirements for qualification of a plan described in 
section 401(a), 403(a), or 405(a) and the regulations thereunder. It is 
not necessary that the plan provide benefits or contributions for all 
United States citizens who are employees of such foreign subsidiaries. 
If the plan is amended to cover individuals who are employees by reason 
of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the plan

[[Page 509]]

will not qualify unless it meets the coverage requirements of section 
410(b)(1) (section 401(a)(3), as in effect on September 1, 1974, for 
plan years to which section 410 does not apply; see Sec. 1.410(a)-2 for 
the effective dates of section 401) and the nondiscrimination 
requirements of section 401(a)(4). In addition, the administrative rules 
contained in Sec. 1.401(a)-3(e) (relating to the determination of the 
contributions or benefits provided by the employer under the Social 
Security Act) will also apply for purposes of determining whether the 
plan meets the requirements of section 401. For purposes of subparagraph 
(1)(iii) of this paragraph, contributions will not be considered as 
provided under a funded plan merely because the foreign subsidiary is 
required under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction to pay social 
insurance taxes or to make similar payments with respect to the wages 
paid to the employee.
    (c) Special rules--(1) Nondiscrimination requirements. For purposes 
of applying sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b)(1)(B) (section 401(a)(3)(B), 
as in effect on September 1, 1974, for plan years to which section 410 
does not apply) and the regulations thereunder (relating to 
nondiscrimination concerning benefits and contributions and coverage of 
employees) with respect to an employee of the foreign subsidiary who is 
treated as an employee of the domestic corporation under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section--
    (i) If the employee is an officer, shareholder, or (with respect to 
plan years to which section 410 does not apply) person whose principal 
duties consist in supervising the work of other employees of the foreign 
subsidiary of the domestic corporation, he shall be treated as having 
such capacity with respect to the domestic corporation; and
    (ii) The determination as to whether the employee is a highly 
compensated employee shall be made by comparing his total compensation 
(determined under subparagraph (2) of this paragraph) with the 
compensation of all the employees of the domestic corporation (including 
individuals treated as employees of the domestic corporation pursuant to 
section 406 and this section).
    (2) Determination of compensation. For purposes of applying section 
401(a)(5) and the regulations thereunder, relating to classifications 
that will not be considered discriminatory, with respect to an employee 
of the foreign subsidiary who is treated as an employee of the domestic 
corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section--
    (i) The total compensation of the employee shall be the remuneration 
of the employee from the foreign subsidiary (including any allowances 
that are paid to the employee because of his employment in a foreign 
country) which would constitute his total compensation if his services 
had been performed for the domestic corporation;
    (ii) The basic or regular rate of compensation of the employee shall 
be determined for the employee in the same manner as it is determined 
under section 401 for other employees of the domestic corporation; and
    (iii) The amount paid by the domestic corporation which is 
equivalent to the tax imposed with respect to the employee by section 
3101 (relating to the tax on employees under the Federal Insurance 
Contributions Act) shall be treated as having been paid by the employee 
and shall be included in his compensation.
    (d) Termination of status as deemed employee not to be treated as 
separation from service for purposes of capital gain provisions and 
limitation of tax. For purposes of applying the rules, relating to the 
treatment of certain distributions which are made after an employee's 
separation from service, set forth in section 72(n) as in effect on 
September 1, 1974 (with respect to taxable years ending after December 
31, 1969, and to which section 402(e) does not apply), and in sections 
402(a)(2) and (e) and 403(a)(2) with respect to distributions or 
payments made after December 31, 1973, and in taxable years beginning 
after December 31, 1973) with respect to an employee of a foreign 
subsidiary who is treated as an employee of a domestic corporation under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the employee shall not be considered 
as separated from the service of the domestic corporation solely by 
reason of the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

[[Page 510]]

    (1) The termination, under the provisions of section 3121(l), of the 
agreement entered into by the domestic corporation under that section 
which covers the employment of the employee;
    (2) The employee's becoming an employee of another foreign 
subsidiary of the domestic corporation with respect to which such 
agreement does not apply,
    (3) The employee's ceasing to be an employee of the foreign 
subsidiary by reason of which employment he was treated as an employee 
of such domestic corporation, if he becomes an employee of another 
corporation controlled by such domestic corporation; or
    (4) The termination of the provision of the plan described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, for coverage of United States 
citizens who are employees of foreign subsidiaries covered by an 
agreement under section 3121(l).

For purposes of subparagraph (3) of this paragraph, a corporation is 
considered to be controlled by a domestic corporation if such domestic 
corporation owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent of the 
voting stock of the corporation.
    (e) Deductibility of contributions--(1) In general. For purposes of 
applying sections 404 and 405(c) with respect to the deduction for 
contributions made to or under a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus 
plan described in section 401(a), an annuity plan described in section 
403(a), or a bond purchase plan described in section 405(a), by a 
domestic corporation, or by another corporation which is entitled to 
deduct its contributions under section 404(a)(3)(B), on behalf of an 
employee of a foreign subsidiary treated as an employee of the domestic 
corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section--
    (i) Except as provided in subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, no 
deduction shall be allowed to such domestic corporation or to any other 
corporation which would otherwise be entitled to deduct its 
contributions on behalf of such employee under one of such sections;
    (ii) There shall be allowed as a deduction from the gross income of 
the foreign subsidiary which is effectively connected with the conduct 
of a trade or business within the United States (within the meaning of 
section 882 and the regulations thereunder) an amount which is allocable 
and apportionable to such gross income under the rules of Sec. 1.861-8 
and which in no event may exceed the amount which (but for subdivision 
(i) of this subparagraph) would be deductible under section 404 or 
section 405(c) by the domestic corporation if the individual were an 
employee of the domestic corporation and if his compensation were paid 
by the domestic corporation; and
    (iii) Any reference to compensation shall be considered to be a 
reference to the total compensation of such individual (determined by 
applying paragraph (c)(2) of this section).
    (2) Year of deduction. Any amount deductible by the foreign 
subsidiary under section 406(d) and this paragraph shall be deductible 
for its taxable year with or within which ends the taxable year of the 
domestic corporation for which the contribution was made.
    (3) Special rules. Whether contributions to a plan on behalf of an 
employee of the foreign subsidiary who is treated as an employee of the 
domestic corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or whether 
forfeitures with regard to such employee, will require an inclusion in 
the income of the domestic corporation or an adjustment in the basis of 
its stock in the foreign subsidiary, shall be determined in accordance 
with the rules of general application of subtitle A of chapter 1 of the 
Code (relating to income taxes). For example, an unreimbursed 
contribution by the domestic corporation to a plan which meets the 
requirements of section 401(a) will be treated, to the extent each 
employee's rights to the contribution are nonforfeitable, as a 
contribution of capital to the foreign subsidiary to the extent that 
such contributions are made on behalf of the employees of such 
subsidiary.
    (f) Treatment as an employee of the domestic corporation under 
related provisions. An individual who is treated as an employee of a 
domestic corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall also 
be treated as an employee of such domestic corporation, with respect to 
the plan having the provision described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this

[[Page 511]]

section, for purposes of applying section 72(d) (relating to employees' 
annuities), section 72(f) (relating to special rules for computing 
employees' contributions), section 101(b) (relating to employees' death 
benefits), section 2039 (relating to annuities), and section 2517 
(relating to certain annuities under qualified plans) and the 
regulations thereunder.
    (g) Nonexempt trust. If the plan of the domestic corporation is a 
qualified plan described under section 401(a), the fact that a trust 
which forms a part of such plan is not exempt from tax under section 
501(a) shall not affect the treatment of an employee of a foreign 
subsidiary as an employee of a domestic corporation under section 406(a) 
and paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(Sec. 411 Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 901; 26 U.S.C. 411))

[T.D. 7501, 42 FR 42321, Aug. 23, 1978]



Sec. 1.407-1  Treatment of certain employees of domestic subsidiaries 
engaged in business outside the United States as employees of the 
domestic parent corporation.
          

    (a) Scope--(1) General rule. For purposes of applying the rules in 
part 1 of subchapter D of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code and the 
regulations thereunder with respect to a pension, profit-sharing, or 
stock bonus plan described in section 401(a), an annuity plan described 
in section 403(a), or a bond purchase plan described in section 405(a), 
of a domestic parent corporation (as defined in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of 
this section), an individual who is a citizen of the United States and 
who is an employee of a domestic subsidiary (as defined in paragraph 
(b)(3)(i) of this section) of such domestic parent corporation shall be 
treated as an employee of such domestic parent corporation if the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section are satisfied.
    (2) Cross-references. For rules relating to nondiscrimination 
requirements and the determination of compensation, see paragraph (c) of 
this section. For rules under which termination of the status of an 
individual as an employee of the domestic parent corporation in certain 
instances will not be considered as separation from service for certain 
purposes, see paragraph (d) of this section. For rules regarding 
deductibility of contributions, see paragraph (e) of this section. For 
rules regarding treatment of such individual as an employee of the 
domestic parent corporation under related provisions, see paragraph (f) 
of this section.
    (b) Application of this section--(1) Requirements. This section 
shall apply and the employee of the domestic subsidiary shall be treated 
as an employee of the domestic parent corporation for the purposes set 
forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section only if each of the following 
requirements is satisfied:
    (i) The plan, referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, must 
expressly provide for contributions of benefits for individuals who are 
citizens of the United States and who are employees of one or more of 
the domestic subsidiaries of the domestic parent corporation. The plan 
must apply to every domestic subsidiary.
    (ii) Contributions under a funded plan of deferred compensation 
(whether or not a plan described in section 401(a), 403(a), or 405(a)) 
must not be provided by any other person with respect to the 
remuneration paid to such individual by the domestic subsidiary.
    (2) Supplementary rules. Subparagraph (1)(i) of this paragraph does 
not modify the requirements for qualification of a plan described in 
section 401(a), 403(a), or 405(a) and the regulations thereunder. It is 
not necessary that the plan provide benefits or contributions for all 
United States citizens who are employees of such domestic subsidiaries. 
It the plan is amended to cover individuals who are employees by reason 
of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the plan will not qualify unless it 
meets the coverage requirements of section 410(b)(1) (section 401(a)(3), 
as in effect on September 1, 1974, for plan years to which section 410 
does not apply; see Sec. 1.410 (a)-2 for the effective dates of section 
401) and the nondiscrimination requirements of section 410(a)(4). The 
administrative rules contained in Sec. 1.401 (a)-3(e) (relating to the 
determination of the contributions or benefits provided by the employer 
under the Social Security Act) will also apply for purposes of 
determining whether the plan meets the requirements of section 401. For 
purposes of subparagraph (1)(ii)

[[Page 512]]

of this paragraph, contributions will not be considered as provided 
under a funded plan merely because the domestic subsidiary employer pays 
the tax imposed by section 3111 (relating to tax on employers under the 
Federal Insurance Contributions Act) with respect to such employee or is 
required under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction to pay social 
insurance taxes or to make similar payments with respect to the wages 
paid to the employee.
    (3) Definitions--(i) Domestic subsidiary. For purposes of this 
section, a corporation shall be treated as a domestic subsidiary for any 
taxable year only if each of the following requirements is satisfied:
    (A) It is a domestic corporation 80 percent or more of the 
outstanding voting stock of which is owned by another domestic 
corporation;
    (B) 95 percent of more of its gross income for the three-year period 
immediately preceding the close of its taxable year which ends on or 
before the close of the taxable year of such other domestic corporation 
(or for such part of such period during which it was in existence) was 
derived from sources without the United States, determined pursuant to 
sections 861 through 864 and the regulations thereunder; and
    (C) 90 percent or more of its gross income for such period (or such 
part) was derived from the active conduct of a trade or business.

If for the period (or part thereof) referred to in (B) and (C) of this 
subdivision such corporation has no gross income, the provisions of (B) 
and (C) shall be treated as satisfied if it is reasonable to anticipate 
that, with respect to the first taxable year thereafter for which such 
corporation has gross income, such provisions will be satisfied.
    (ii) Domestic parent corporation. The domestic parent corporation of 
any domestic subsidiary is the domestic corporation which owns 80 
percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of such domestic 
subsidiary.
    (c) Special rules--(1) Nondiscrimination requirements. For purposes 
of applying sections 401(a)(4) and 410(b)(1)(B) (section 401(a)(3)(B), 
as in effect on Septemeber 1, 1974, for plan years to which section 410 
does not apply) and the regulation thereunder (relating to 
nondiscrimination concerning benefits and contributions and coverage of 
employees) with respect to an employee of the domestic subsidiary who is 
treated as an employee of the domestic parent corporation under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section--
    (i) If the employee is an officer, shareholder, or (with respect to 
plan years to which section 410 does not apply) a person whose principal 
duties consist in supervising the work of other employees of the 
domestic subsidiary of the domestic parent corporation, he shall be 
treated as having such capacity with respect to the domestic parent 
corporation; and
    (ii) The determination as to whether the employee is a highly 
compensated employee shall be made by comparing his total compensation 
determined under subparagraph (2) of this paragraph with the 
compensation of all the employees of the domestic parent corporation 
(including individuals treated as employees of the domestic parent 
corporation pursuant to section 407 and this section).
    (2) Determination of compensation. For purposes of applying section 
401(a) (5) and the regulations thereunder, relating to classifications 
that will not be considered discriminatory, with respect to an employee 
of the domestic subsidiary who is treated as an employee of the domestic 
parent corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section--
    (i) The total compensation of the employee shall be the remuneration 
of the employee from the domestic subsidiary (including any allowances 
that are paid to the employee because of his employment in a foreign 
country) which would constitute his total compensation if his services 
had been performed for such domestic parent corporation; and
    (ii) The basic or regular rate of compensation of the employee shall 
be determined for the employee in the same manner as it is determined 
under section 401 for other employees of the domestic parent 
corporation.
    (d) Termination of status as deemed employee not to be treated as 
separation from service for purposes of captial gain provisions and 
limitation of tax. For purposes of applying the rules, relating to 
treatment of certain distributions

[[Page 513]]

which are made after an employee's separation from service, set forth in 
section 72(n) as in effect on September 1, 1974 (with respect to taxable 
years ending after December 31, 1969, and to which section 402(e) does 
not apply), and in sections 402 (a)(2) and (e) and 403(a)(2) (with 
respect to distributions or payments made after December 31, 1973, and 
in taxable years beginning after December 31, 1973) with respect to an 
employee of a domestic subsidiary who is treated as an employee of a 
domestic parent corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the 
employee shall not be considered as separated from the service of the 
domestic parent corporation solely by reason of the occurrence of any 
one or more of the following events:
    (1) The fact that the corporation of which such individual is an 
employee ceases, for any taxable year, to be a domestic subsidiary 
within the mean of paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section;
    (2) The employee' ceasing to be an employee of the domestic 
subsidiary of such domestic parent corporation, if he becomes an 
employee of another corporation controlled by such domestic parent 
corporation; or
    (3) The termination of the provision of the plan described in 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, requiring coverage of the United 
States citizens who are employees of domestic subsidiaries of the 
domestic parent corporation.

For purposes of subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, a corporation is 
considered to be controlled by a domestic parent corporation if the 
domestic parent corporation owns directly or indirectly more than 50 
percent of the voting stock of the corporation.
    (e) Deductibility of contributions--(1) In general. For purposes of 
applying sections 404 and 405(c) with respect to the deduction for 
contributions made to or under a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus 
plan described in section 401(a), and annuity plan described in section 
403(a), or a bond purchase plan described in section 405(a), by a 
domestic parent corporation, or by another corporation which is entitled 
to deduct its contributions under section 404(a)(3)(B), on behalf of an 
employee of a domestic subsidiary treated as an employee of the domestic 
parent corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section--
    (i) Except as provided in subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, no 
deduction shall be allowed to the domestic parent corporation which 
would otherwise be entitled to deduct its contributions on behalf of 
such employee under one of such sections;
    (ii) There shall be allowed as a deduction to the domestic 
subsidiary of which such individual is an employee an amount equal to 
the amount which (but for subdivision (i) of this subparagraph) would be 
deductible under section 404 or section 405(c) by the domestic parent 
corporation if the individual were an employee of the domestic parent 
corporation and if his compensation were paid by the domestic 
corporation; and
    (iii) Any reference to compensation shall be considered to be a 
reference to the total compensation of such individual determined by 
applying paragraph (c)(2) of this section).
    (2) Year of deduction. Any amount deductible by the domestic 
subsidiary under section 407(d) and this paragraph shall be deductible 
for its taxable year with or within which ends the taxable year of the 
domestic parent corporation for which the contribution was made.
    (3) Special rules. Whether contributions to a plan on behalf of an 
employee of the domestic subsidiary who is treated as an employee of the 
domestic parent corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or 
whether forfeitures with regard to such employee, will require an 
inclusion in the income of the domestic parent corporation or an 
adjustment in the basis of its stock in the domestic subsidiary, shall 
be determined in accordance with the rules of general application of 
subtitle A of chapter 1 of the Code (relating to income taxes). For an 
example, and unreimbursed contribution by the domestic parent 
corporation to a plan which meets the requirements of section 401(a) 
will be treated, to the extent each employee's rights to the 
contribution are nonforfeitable, as a contribution of capital to the 
domestic subsidiary to the extent that such contributions are made on 
behalf of the employees of such subsidiary.

[[Page 514]]

    (f) Treatment as an employee of the domestic parent corporation 
under related provisions. An individual who is treated as an employee of 
a domestic parent corporation under paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
shall also be treated as an employee of such domestic corporation, with 
respect to the plan having the provision described in paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, for purposes of applying section 72(d) 
(relating to special rules for computing employees' contributions), 
section 72(f) (relating to special rules for computing employees' 
contributions), section 101(b) (relating to employees' section 101(b) 
(relating to employees' death benefits), section 2039 (relating to 
annuities), and section 2517 (relating to certain annuities under 
qualified plans) and the regulations thereunder.
    (g) Nonexempt trust. If the plan of the domestic parent corporation 
is a qualified plan described under section 401(a), the fact that a 
trust which forms a part of such plan is not exempt from tax under 
section 501(a) shall not affect the treatment of an employee of a 
domestic subsidiary as an employee of a domestic parent corporation 
under section 407(a) and paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(Sec. 411 Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (88 Stat. 901; 26 U.S.C. 411))

[T.D. 7501, 42 FR 42323, Aug. 23, 1977]



Sec. 1.408-1  General rules.

    (a) In general. Section 408 prescribes rules relating to individual 
retirement accounts and individual retirement annuities. In addition to 
the rules set forth in Sec. Sec. 1.408-2 and 1.408-3, relating 
respectively to individual retirement accounts and individual retirement 
annuities, the rules set forth in this section shall also apply.
    (b) Exemption from tax. The individual retirement account or 
individual retirement annuity is exempt from all taxes under subtitle A 
of the Code other than the taxes imposed under section 511, relating to 
tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc., organizations.
    (c) Sanctions--(1) Excess contributions. If an individual retirement 
account or individual retirement annuity accepts and retains excess 
contributions, the individual on whose behalf the account is established 
or who is the owner of the annuity will be subject to the excise tax 
imposed by section 4973.
    (2) Prohibited transactions by owner or beneficiary of individual 
retirement account--(i) Under section 408(e)(2), if, during any taxable 
year of the individual for whose benefit any individual retirement 
account is established, that individual or the individual's beneficiary 
engages in any transaction prohibited by section 4975 with respect to 
such account, such account ceases to be an individual retirement account 
as of the first day of such taxable year. In any case in which any 
individual retirement account ceases to be an individual retirement 
account by reason of the preceding sentence as of the first day of any 
taxable year, section 408(d)(1) applies as if there were a distribution 
on such first day in an amount equal to the fair market value (on such 
first day) of all assets in the account (on such first day). The 
preceding sentence applies even though part of the fair market value of 
the individual retirement account as of the first day of the taxable 
year is attributable to excess contributions which may be returned tax-
free under section 408(d)(4) or 408(d)(5).
    (ii) If the trust with which the individual engages in any 
transaction described in subdivision (i) of this subparagraph is 
established by an employer or employee association under section 408(c), 
only the employee who engages in the prohibited transaction is subject 
to disqualification of his separate account.
    (3) Prohibited transaction by person other than owner or beneficiary 
of account. If any person other than the individual on whose behalf an 
individual retirement account is established or the individual's 
beneficiary engages in any transaction prohibited by section 4975 with 
respect to such account, such person shall be subject to the taxes 
imposed by section 4975.
    (4) Pledging account as security. Under section 408(e)(4), if, 
during any taxable year of the individual for whose benefit an 
individual retirement account is established, that individual uses the 
account or any portion thereof as security for a loan, the portion so 
used is

[[Page 515]]

treated as distributed to that individual.
    (5) Borrowing on annuity contract. Under section 408(e)(3), if 
during any taxable year the owner of an individual retirement annuity 
borrows any money under or by use of such contract, the contract ceases 
to be an individual retirement annuity as of the first day of such 
taxable year. See Sec. 1.408-3(c).
    (6) Premature distributions. If a distribution (whether a deemed 
distribution or an actual distribution) is made from an individual 
retirement account, or individual retirement annuity, to the individual 
for whose benefit the account was established, or who is the owner of 
the annuity, before the individual attains age 59\1/2\ (unless the 
individual has become disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)), 
the tax under Chapter 1 of the Code for the taxable year in which such 
distribution is received is increased under section 408(f)(1) or (f)(2). 
The increase equals 10 percent of the amount of the distribution which 
is includible in gross income for the taxable year. Except in the case 
of the credits allowable under section 31, 39, or 42, no credit can be 
used to offset the increased tax described in this subparagraph. See, 
however, Sec. 1.408-4(c)(3).
    (d) Limitation on contributions and benefits. An individual 
retirement account or individual retirement annuity is subject to the 
limitation on contributions and benefits imposed by section 415 for 
years beginning after December 31, 1975.
    (e) Community property laws. Section 408 shall be applied without 
regard to any community property laws.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52790, Aug. 8, 1980]



Sec. 1.408-2  Individual retirement accounts.

    (a) In general. An individual retirement account must be a trust or 
a custodial account (see paragraph (d) of this section). It must satisfy 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section in order to qualify as 
an individual retirement account. It may be established and maintained 
by an individual, by an employer for the benefit of his employees (see 
paragraph (c) of this section), or by an employee association for the 
benefit of its members (see paragraph (c) of this section).
    (b) Requirements. An individual retirement account must be a trust 
created or organized in the United States (as defined in section 
7701(a)(9)) for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his 
beneficiaries. Such trust must be maintained at all times as a domestic 
trust in the United States. The instrument creating the trust must be in 
writing and the following requirements must be satisfied.
    (1) Amount of acceptable contributions. Except in the case of a 
contribution to a simplified employee pension described in section 
408(k) and a rollover contribution described in section 408(d)(3), 
402(a)(5), 402(a)(7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8) or 409(b)(3)(C), the trust 
instrument must provide that contributions may not be accepted by the 
trustee for the taxable year in excess of $1,500 on behalf of any 
individual for whom the trust is maintained. An individual retirement 
account maintained as a simplified employee pension may provide for the 
receipt of up to $7,500 for a calendar year.
    (2) Trustee. (i) The trustee must be a bank (as defined in section 
408(n) and the regulations thereunder) or another person who 
demonstrates, in the manner described in paragraph (e) of this section, 
to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, that the manner in which the 
trust will be administered will be consistent with the requirements of 
section 408 and this section.
    (ii) Section 11.408(a)(2)-1 of the Temporary Income Tax Regulations 
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is superseded 
by this subparagraph (2).
    (3) Life insurance contracts. No part of the trust funds may be 
invested in life insurance contracts. An individual retirement account 
may invest in annuity contracts which provide, in the case of death 
prior to the time distributions commence, for a payment equal to the sum 
of the premiums paid or, if greater, the cash value of the contract.
    (4) Nonforfeitability. The interest of any individual on whose 
behalf the trust is maintained in the balance of his account must be 
nonforfeitable.
    (5) Prohibition against commingling. (i) The assets of the trust 
must not be

[[Page 516]]

commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common 
investment fund.
    (ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term ``common investment 
fund'' means a group trust created for the purpose of providing a 
satisfactory diversification or investments or a reduction of 
administrative expenses for the individual participating trusts, and 
which group trust satisfies the requirements of section 408(c) (except 
that it need not be established by an employer or an association of 
employees) and the requirements of section 401(a) in the case of a group 
trust in which one of the individual participating trusts is an 
employees' trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt from tax 
under section 501(a).
    (iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term ``individual 
participating trust'' means an employees' trust described in section 
401(a) which is exempt from tax under section 501(a) or a trust which 
satisfies the requirements of section 408(a) provided that in the case 
of such an employees' trust, such trust would be permitted to 
participate in such a group trust if all the other individual 
participating trusts were employees' trusts described in section 401(a) 
which are exempt from tax under section 501(a).
    (6) Distribution of interest. (i) The trust instrument must provide 
that the entire interest of the individual for whose benefit the trust 
is maintained must be distributed to him in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(6)(ii) or (iii) of this section.
    (ii) Unless the provisions of paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this section 
apply, the entire interest of the individual must be actually 
distributed to him not later than the close of his taxable year in which 
he attains age 70\1/2\.
    (iii) In lieu of distributing the individual's entire interest as 
provided in paragraph (b)(6)(ii) of this section, the interest may be 
distributed commencing not later than the taxable year described in such 
paragraph (b)(6)(ii). In such case, the trust must expressly provide 
that the entire interest of the individual will be distributed to the 
individual and the individual's beneficiaries, in a manner which 
satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b)(6)(v) of this section, over 
any of the following periods (or any combination thereof)--
    (A) The life of the individual,
    (B) The lives of the individual and spouse,
    (C) A period certain not extending beyond the life expectancy of the 
individual, or
    (D) A period certain not extending beyond the joint life and last 
survivor expectancy of the individual and spouse.
    (iv) The life expectancy of the individual or the joint life and 
last survivor expectancy of the individual and spouse cannot exceed the 
period computed by use of the expected return multiples in Sec. 1.72-9, 
or, in the case of payments under a contract issued by an insurance 
company, the period computed by use of the mortality tables of such 
company.
    (v) If an individual's entire interest is to be distributed over a 
period described in paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of this section, beginning in 
the year the individual attains 70\1/2\ the amount to be distributed 
each year must be not less than the lesser of the balance of the 
individual's entire interest or an amount equal to the quotient obtained 
by dividing the entire interest of the individual in the trust at the 
beginning of such year (including amounts not in the individual 
retirement account at the beginning of the year because they have been 
withdrawn for the purpose of making a rollover contribution to another 
individual retirement plan) by the life expectancy of the individual (or 
the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the individual and spouse 
(whichever is applicable)), determined in either case as of the date the 
individual attains age 70 in accordance with paragraph (b)(6)(iv) of 
this section, reduced by one for each taxable year commencing after the 
individual's attainment of age 70\1/2\. An annuity or endowment contract 
issued by an insurance company which provides for non-increasing 
payments over one of the periods described in paragraph (b)(6)(iii) of 
this section beginning not later than the close of the taxable year in 
which the individual attains age 70\1/2\ satisfies this provision. 
However, no distribution need be made in any year,

[[Page 517]]

or a lesser amount may be distributed, if beginning with the year the 
individual attains age 70\1/2\ the aggregate amounts distributed by the 
end of any year are at least equal to the aggregate of the minimum 
amounts required by this subdivision to have been distributed by the end 
of such year.
    (vi) If an individual's entire interest is distributed in the form 
of an annuity contract, then the requirements of section 408(a)(6) are 
satisfied if the distribution of such contract takes place before the 
close of the taxable year described in subdivision (ii) of this 
subparagraph, and if the individual's interest will be paid over a 
period described in subdivision (iii) of this subparagraph and at a rate 
which satisfies the requirements of subdivision (v) of this 
subparagraph.
    (vii) In determining whether paragraph (b)(6)(v) of this section is 
satisfied, all individual retirement plans maintained for an 
individual's benefit (except those under which he is a beneficiary 
described in section 408(a)(7)) at the close of the taxable year in 
which he reaches age 70\1/2\ must be aggregated. Thus, the total 
payments which such individual receives in any taxable year must be at 
least equal to the amount he would have been required to receive had all 
the plans been one plan at the close of the taxable year in which he 
attained age 70\1/2\.
    (7) Distribution upon death. (i) The trust instrument must provide 
that if the individual for whose benefit the trust is maintained dies 
before the entire interest in the trust has been distributed to him, or 
if distribution has been commenced as provided in paragraph (b)(6) of 
this section to the surviving spouse and such spouse dies before the 
entire interest has been distributed to such spouse, the entire interest 
(or the remaining part of such interest if distribution thereof has 
commenced) must, within 5 years after the individual's death (or the 
death of the surviving spouse) be distributed or applied to the purchase 
of an immediate annuity for this beneficiary or beneficiaries (or the 
beneficiary or beneficiaries of the surviving spouse) which will be 
payable for the life of such beneficiary or beneficiaries (or for a term 
certain not extending beyond the life expectancy of such beneficiary or 
beneficiaries) and which annuity contract will be immediately 
distributed to such beneficiary or beneficiaries. A contract described 
in the preceding sentence is not includible in gross income upon 
distribution. Section 1.408-4(e) provides rules applicable to the 
taxation of such contracts. The first sentence of this paragraph (b)(7) 
shall have no application if distributions over a term certain commenced 
before the death of the individual for whose benefit the trust was 
maintained and the term certain is for a period permitted under 
paragraph (b)(6)(iii) (C) or (D) of this section.
    (ii) Each such beneficiary (or beneficiary of a surviving spouse) 
may elect to treat the entire interest in the trust (or the remaining 
part of such interest if distribution thereof has commenced) as an 
account subject to the distribution requirements of section 408(a)(6) 
and paragraph (b)(6) of this section instead of those of section 
408(a)(7) and paragraph (b)(7) of this section. Such an election will be 
deemed to have been made if such beneficiary treats the account in 
accordance with the requirements of section 408(a)(6) and paragraph 
(b)(6) of this section. An election will be considered to have been made 
by such beneficiary if either of the following occurs: (A) any amounts 
in the account (including any amounts that have been rolled over, in 
accordance with the requirements of section 408(d)(3)(A)(i), into an 
individual retirement account, individual retirement annuity, or 
retirement bond for the benefit of such individual) have not been 
distributed within the appropriate time period required by section 
408(a)(7) and paragraph (b)(7) of this section; or (B) any additional 
amounts are contributed to the account (or to the account, annuity, or 
bond to which the beneficiary has rolled such amounts over, as described 
in (1) above) which are subject, or deemed to be subject, to the 
distribution requirements of section 408(a)(6) and paragraph (b)(6) of 
this section.
    (8) Definition of beneficiaries. The term ``beneficiaries'' on whose 
behalf an individual retirement account is established includes (except 
where the context indicates otherwise) the estate of

[[Page 518]]

the individual, dependents of the individual, and any person designated 
by the individual to share in the benefits of the account after the 
death of the individual.
    (c) Accounts established by employers and certain association of 
employees--(1) In general. A trust created or organized in the United 
States (as defined in section 7701(a)(9)) by an employer for the 
exclusive benefit of his employees or their beneficiaries, or by an 
association of employees for the exclusive benefit of its members or 
their beneficiaries, is treated as an individual retirement account if 
the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section are 
satisfied under the written governing instrument creating the trust. A 
trust described in the preceding sentence is for the exclusive benefit 
of employees or members even though it may maintain an account for 
former employees or members and employees who are temporarily on leave.
    (2) General requirements. The trust must satisfy the requirements of 
paragraphs (b) (1) through (7) of this section.
    (3) Special requirement. There must be a separate accounting for the 
interest of each employee or member.
    (4) Definitions--(i) Separate accounting. For purposes of paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, the term ``separate accounting'' means that 
separate records must be maintained with respect to the interest of each 
individual for whose benefit the trust is maintained. The assets of the 
trust may be held in a common trust fund, common investment fund, or 
common fund for the account of all individuals who have an interest in 
the trust.
    (ii) Employee association. For purposes of this paragraph and 
section 408(c), the term ``employee association'' means any organization 
composed of two or more employees, including but not limited to, an 
employee association described in section 501(c)(4). Such association 
may include employees within the meaning of section 401(c)(1). There 
must be, however, some nexus between the employees (e.g., employees of 
same employer, employees in the same industry, etc.) in order to qualify 
as an employee association described in this subdivision (ii).
    (d) Custodial accounts. For purposes of this section and section 
408(a), a custodial account is treated as a trust described in section 
408(a) if such account satisfies the requirements of section 408(a) 
except that it is not a trust and if the assets of such account are held 
by a bank (as defined in section 401(d)(1) and the regulations 
thereunder) or such other person who satisfies the requirements of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section. For purposes of this chapter, in 
the case of a custodial account treated as a trust by reason of the 
preceding sentence, the custodian of such account will be treated as the 
trustee thereof.
    (e)(1) In general. The trustee of a trust described in paragraph (b) 
of this section may be a person other than a bank if the person 
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the manner in 
which the person will administer trusts will be consistent with the 
requirements of section 408. The person must demonstrate by written 
application that the requirements of paragraph (e)(2) to (e)(6) of this 
section will be met. The written application must be sent to address 
prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, and other 
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter). For procedural and administrative 
rules, see paragraph (e)(7) of this section.
    (2) Fiduciary ability. The applicant must demonstrate in detail its 
ability to act within the accepted rules of fiduciary conduct. Such 
demonstration must include the following elements of proof:
    (i) Continuity. (A) The applicant must assure the uninterrupted 
performance of its fiduciary duties nonwithstanding the death or change 
of its owners. Thus, for example, there must be sufficient diversity in 
the ownership of the applicant to ensure that the death or change of its 
owners will not interrupt the conduct of its business. Therefore, the 
applicant cannot be an individual.
    (B) Sufficient diversity in the ownership of an incorporated 
applicant is demonstrated in the following circumstances:
    (1) Individuals each of whom owns more than 20 percent of the voting

[[Page 519]]

stock in the applicant own, in the aggregate, no more than 50 percent of 
such stock;
    (2) The applicant has issued securities registered under section 12 
(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l (b)) or 
required to be registered under section 12(g) (1) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 
78l (g)(1)); or
    (3) The applicant has a parent corporation within the meaning of 
section 1563 (a) (1) that has issued securities registered under section 
12 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l (b)) or 
required to be registered under Section 12 (g) (1) of that Act (15 
U.S.C. 78l (g)(1)).
    (C) Sufficient diversity in the ownership of an applicant that is a 
partnership means that--
    (1) Individuals each of whom owns more than 20 percent of the 
profits interest in the partnership own, in the aggregate, no more than 
50 percent of such profits interest, and
    (2) Individuals each of whom owns more than 20 percent of the 
capital interest in the partnership own, in the aggregate, no more than 
50 percent of such capital interest.
    (D) For purposes of this subdivision, the ownership of stock and of 
capital and profits interests shall be determined in accordance with the 
rules for constructive ownership of stock provided in section 1563 (e) 
and (f) (2). For this purpose, the rules for constructive ownership of 
stock provided in section 1563(e) and (f) (2) shall apply to a capital 
or profits interest in a partnership as if it were a stock interest.
    (ii) Established location. The applicant must have an established 
place of business in the United States where it is accessible during 
every business day.
    (iii) Fiduciary experience. The applicant must have fiduciary 
experience or expertise sufficient to ensure that it will be able to 
perform its fiduciary duties. Evidence of fiduciary experience must 
include proof that a significant part of the business of the applicant 
consists of exercising fiduciary powers similar to those it will 
exercise if its application is approved. Evidence of fiduciary expertise 
must include proof that the applicant employs personnel experienced in 
the administration of fiduciary powers similar to those the applicant 
will exercise if its application is approved.
    (iv) Fiduciary responsibility. The applicant must assure compliance 
with the rules of fiduciary conduct set out in paragraph (e)(5) of this 
section.
    (v) Financial responsibility. The applicant must exhibit a high 
degree of solvency commensurate with the obligations imposed by this 
paragraph. Among the factors to be taken into account are the 
applicant's net worth, its liquidity, and its ability to pay its debts 
as they come due.
    (3) Capacity to account. The applicant must demonstrate in detail 
its experience and competence with respect to accounting for the 
interests of a large number of individuals (including calculating and 
allocating income earned and paying out distributions to payees). 
Examples of accounting for the interests of a large number of 
individuals include accounting for the interests of a large number of 
shareholders in a regulated investment company and accounting for the 
interests of a large number of variable annuity contract holders.
    (4) Fitness to handle funds--(i) In general. The applicant must 
demonstrate in detail its experience and competence with respect to 
other activities normally associated with the handling of retirement 
funds.
    (ii) Examples. Examples of activities normally associated with the 
handling of retirement funds include:
    (A) To Receive, issue receipts for, and safely keep securities;
    (B) To collect income;
    (C) To execute such ownership certificates, to keep such records, 
make such returns, and render such statements as are required for 
Federal tax purposes;
    (D) To give proper notification regarding all collections;
    (E) To collect matured or called principal and properly report all 
such collections;
    (F) To exchange temporary for definitive securities;
    (G) To give proper notification of calls, subscription rights, 
defaults in principal or interest, and the formation of protective 
committees;
    (H) To buy, sell, receive, or deliver securities on specific 
directions.

[[Page 520]]

    (5) Rules of fiduciary conduct. The applicant must demonstrate that 
under applicable regulatory requirements, corporate or other governing 
instruments, or its established operating procedures:
    (i) Administration of fiduciary powers. (A)(1) The owners or 
directors of the applicant will be responsible for the proper exercise 
of fiduciary powers by the applicant. Thus, all matters pertinent 
thereto, including the determination of policies, the investment and 
disposition of property held in a fiduciary capacity, and the direction 
and review of the actions of all employees utilized by the applicant in 
the exercise of its fiduciary powers, will be the responsibility of the 
owners or directors. In discharging this responsibility, the owners or 
directors may assign to designated employees, by action duly recorded, 
the administration of such of the applicant's fiduciary powers as may be 
proper to assign.
    (2) A written record will be made of the acceptance and of the 
relinquishment or closing out of all fiduciary accounts, and of the 
assets held for each account.
    (3) If the applicant has the authority or the responsibility to 
render any investment advice with regard to the assets held in or for 
each fiduciary account, the advisability of retaining or disposing of 
the assets will be determined at least once during each period of 12 
months.
    (B) All employees taking part in the performance of the applicant's 
fiduciary duties will be adequately bonded. Nothing in this subdivision 
(i)(B) shall require any person to be bonded in contravention of section 
412(d) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 
1112(d)).
    (C) The applicant will employ or retain legal counsel who will be 
readily available to pass upon fiduciary matters and to advise the 
applicant.
    (D) In order to segregate the performance of its fiduciary duties 
from other business activities, the applicant will maintain a separate 
trust division under the immediate supervision of an individual 
designated for that purpose. The trust division may utilize the 
personnel and facilities of other divisions of the applicant, and other 
divisions of the applicant may utilize the personnel and facilities of 
the trust division, as long as the separate identity of the trust 
division is preserved.
    (ii) Adequacy of net worth--(A) Initial net worth requirement. In 
the case of applications received after January 5, 1995, no initial 
application will be accepted by the Commissioner unless the applicant 
has a net worth of not less than $250,000 (determined as of the end of 
the most recent taxable year). Thereafter, the applicant must satisfy 
the adequacy of net worth requirements of paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(B) and 
(C) of this section.
    (B) No fiduciary account will be accepted by the applicant unless 
the applicant's net worth (determined as of the end of the most recent 
taxable year) exceeds the greater of--
    (1) $100,000, or
    (2) Four percent (or, in the case of a passive trustee described in 
paragraph (e)(6)(i)(A) of this section, two percent) of the value of all 
of the assets held by the applicant in fiduciary accounts (determined as 
of the most recent valuation date).
    (C) The applicant will take whatever lawful steps are necessary 
(including the relinquishment of fiduciary accounts) to ensure that its 
net worth (determined as of the close of each taxable year) exceeds the 
greater of--
    (1) $50,000, or
    (2) Two percent (or, in the case of a passive trustee described in 
paragraph (e)(6)(i)(A) of this section, one percent) of the value of all 
of the assets held by the applicant in fiduciary accounts (determined as 
of the most recent valuation date).
    (D) Assets held by members of SIPC--(1) For purposes of satisfying 
the adequacy-of-net-worth requirement of this paragraph, a special rule 
is provided for nonbank trustees that are members of the Securities 
Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) created under the Securities 
Investor Protection Act of 1970 (SIPA)(15 U.S.C. 78aaa et seq., as 
amended). The amount that the net worth of a nonbank trustee that is a 
member of SIPC must exceed is reduced by two percent for purposes of 
paragraph (e)(5)(ii)(B)(2), and one percent for purposes of paragraph 
(e)(5)(ii)(C)(2), of the value of assets

[[Page 521]]

(determined on an account-by-account basis) held for the benefit of 
customers (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 78fff-2(e)(4)) in fiduciary accounts 
by the nonbank trustee to the extent of the portion of each account that 
does not exceed the dollar limit on advances described in 15 U.S.C. 
78fff-3(a), as amended, that would apply to the assets in that account 
in the event of a liquidation proceeding under the SIPA.
    (2) The provisions of this special rule for assets held in fiduciary 
accounts by members of SIPC are illustrated in the following example.

    Example: (a) Trustee X is a broker-dealer and is a member of the 
Securities Investment Protection Corporation. Trustee X also has been 
approved as a nonbank trustee for individual retirement accounts (IRAs) 
by the Commissioner but not as a passive nonbank trustee. Trustee X is 
the trustee for four IRAs. The total assets of each IRA (for which 
Trustee X is the trustee) as of the most recent valuation date before 
the last day of Trustee X's taxable year ending in 1995 are as follows: 
the total assets for IRA-1 is $3,000,000 (all of which is invested in 
securities); the value of the total assets for IRA-2 is $500,000 
($200,000 of which is cash and $300,000 of which is invested in 
securities), the value of the total assets for IRA-3 is $400,000 (all of 
which is invested in securities); and the value of the total assets of 
IRA-4 is $200,000 (all of which is cash). The value of all assets held 
in fiduciary accounts, as defined in Sec. 1.408-2(e)(6)(viii)(A), is 
$4,100,000.
    (b) The dollar limit on advances described in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 78fff-
3(a) that would apply to the assets in each account in the event of a 
liquidation proceeding under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 
1970 in effect as of the last day of Trustee X's taxable year ending in 
1995 is $500,000 per account (no more than $100,000 of which is 
permitted to be cash). Thus, the dollar limit that would apply to IRA-1 
is $500,000; the dollar limit for IRA-2 is $400,000 ($100,000 of the 
cash and the $300,000 of the value of the securities); the dollar limit 
for IRA-3 is $400,000 (the full value of the account because the value 
of the account is less than $500,000 and no portion of the account is 
cash); and the dollar limit for IRA-4 is $100,000 (the entire account is 
cash and the dollar limit per account for cash is $100,000). The 
aggregate dollar limits of the four IRAs is $1,400,000.
    (c) For 1996, the amount determined under Sec. 1.408-2(e)(5)(ii)(B) 
is determined as follows for Trustee X: (1) four percent of $4,100,000 
equals $164,000; (2) two percent of $1,400,000 equals $28,000; and (3) 
$164,000 minus $28,000 equals $136,000. Thus, because $136,000 exceeds 
$100,000, the minimum net worth necessary for Trustee X to accept new 
accounts for 1996 is $136,000.
    (d) For 1996, the amount determined under Sec. 1.408-2(e)(5)(ii)(C) 
for Trustee X is determined as follows: (1) two percent of $4,100,000 
equals $82,000; (2) one percent of $1,400,000 equals $14,000; and (3) 
$82,000 minus $14,000 equals $68,000. Thus, because $68,000 exceeds 
$50,000, the minimum net worth necessary for Trustee X to avoid a 
mandatory relinquishment of accounts for 1996 is $68,000.

    (E) The applicant will determine the value of the assets held by it 
in trust at least once in each calendar year and no more than 18 months 
after the preceding valuation. The assets will be valued at their fair 
market value, except that the assets of an employee pension benefit plan 
to which section 103(b)(3)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1023(b)(3)(A)) applies will be considered to have 
the value stated in the most recent annual report of the plan.
    (iii) Audits. (A) At least once during each period of 12 months, the 
applicant will cause detailed audits of the fiduciary books and records 
to be made by a qualified public accountant. At that time, the applicant 
will ascertain whether the fiduciary accounts have been administered in 
accordance with law, this paragraph, and sound fiduciary principles. The 
audits shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, and shall involve whatever tests of the fiduciary books and 
records of the applicant are considered necessary by the qualified 
public accountant.
    (B) In the case of an applicant which is regulated, supervised, and 
subject to periodic examination by a State or Federal agency, such 
applicant may adopt an adequate continuous audit system in lieu of the 
periodic audits required by paragraph (e)(5)(iii)(A) of this section.
    (C) A report of the audits and examinations required under this 
subdivision, together with the action taken thereon, will be noted in 
the fiduciary records of the applicant.
    (iv) Funds awaiting investment or distribution. Funds held in a 
fiduciary capacity by the applicant awaiting investment or distribution 
will not be held uninvested or undistributed any

[[Page 522]]

longer than is reasonable for the proper management of the account.
    (v) Custody of investments. (A) Except for investments pooled in a 
common investment fund in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 
(e)(5)(vi) of this section and for investments of accounts established 
under section 408(q) on or after August 1, 2003, the investments of each 
account will not be commingled with any other property.
    (B) Assets of accounts requiring safekeeping will be deposited in an 
adequate vault. A permanent record will be kept of assets deposited in 
or withdrawn from the vault.
    (vi) Common investment funds. The assets of an account may be pooled 
in a common investment fund (as defined in paragraph (e)(5)(viii)(C) of 
this section) if the applicant is authorized under applicable law to 
administer a common investment fund and if pooling the assets in a 
common investment fund is not in contravention of the plan documents or 
applicable law. The common investment fund must be administered as 
follows:
    (A) Each common investment fund must be established and maintained 
in accordance with a written agreement, containing appropriate 
provisions as to the manner in which the fund is to be operated, 
including provisions relating to the investment powers and a general 
statement of the investment policy of the applicant with respect to the 
fund; the allocation of income, profits and losses; the terms and 
conditions governing the admission or withdrawal of participations in 
the funds; the auditing of accounts of the applicant with respect to the 
fund; the basis and method of valuing assets held by the fund, setting 
forth specific criteria for each type of asset; the minimum frequency 
for valuation of assets of the fund; the period following each such 
valuation date during which the valuation may be made (which period in 
usual circumstances may not exceed 10 business days); the basis upon 
which the fund may be terminated; and such other matters as may be 
necessary to define clearly the rights of participants in the fund. A 
copy of the agreement must be available at the principal office of the 
applicant for inspection during all business hours, and upon request a 
copy of the agreement must be furnished to the employer, the plan 
administrator, any participant or beneficiary of an account, or the 
individual for whose benefit the account is established or that 
individual's beneficiary.
    (B) All participations in the common investment fund must be on the 
basis of a proportionate interest in all of the investments.
    (C) Not less frequently than once during each period of 3 months the 
applicant must determine the value of the assets in the fund as of the 
date set for the valuation of assets. No participation may be admitted 
to or withdrawn from the fund except (1) on the basis of such valuation 
and (2) as of such valuation date. No participation may be admitted to 
or withdrawn from the fund unless a written request for or notice of 
intention of taking such action has been entered on or before the 
valuation date in the fiduciary records of the applicant. No request or 
notice may be canceled or countermanded after the valuation date.
    (D)(1) The applicant must at least once during each period of 12 
months cause an adequate audit to be made of the common investment fund 
by a qualified public accountant.
    (2) The applicant must at least once during each period of 12 months 
prepare a financial report of the fund which, based upon the above 
audit, must contain a list of investments in the fund showing the cost 
and current value of each investment; a statement for the period since 
the previous report showing purchases, with cost; sales, with profit or 
loss; any other investment changes; income and disbursements; and an 
appropriate notation as to any investments in default.
    (3) The applicant must transmit and certify the accuracy of the 
financial report to the administrator of each plan participating in the 
common investment fund within 120 days after the end of the plan year.
    (E) When participations are withdrawn from a common investment fund, 
distributions may be made in cash or ratably in kind, or partly in cash 
and partly in kind: Provided, That all distributions as of any one 
valuation date must be made on the same basis.

[[Page 523]]

    (F) If for any reason an investment is withdrawn in kind from a 
common investment fund for the benefit of all participants in the fund 
at the time of such withdrawal and such investment is not distributed 
ratably in kind, it must be segregated and administered or realized upon 
for the benefit ratably of all participants in the common investment 
fund at the time of withdrawal.
    (vii) Books and records. (A) The applicant must keep its fiduciary 
records separate and distinct from other records. All fiduciary records 
must be so kept and retained for as long as the contents thereof may 
become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. The 
fiduciary records must contain full information relative to each 
account.
    (B) The applicant must keep an adequate record of all pending 
litigation to which it is a party in connection with the exercise of 
fiduciary powers.
    (viii) Definitions. For purposes of this paragraph (e)(5), and 
paragraph (e)(2)(v), and paragraph (e)(7) of this section--
    (A) The term ``account'' or ``fiduciary account'' means a trust 
described in section 401(a) (including a custodial account described in 
section 401(f)), a custodial account described in section 403(b)(7), or 
an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) (including 
a custodial account described in section 408(h)).
    (B) The term ``plan administrator'' means an administrator as 
defined in Sec. 1.414(g)-1.
    (C) The term ``common investment fund'' means a trust that satisfies 
the following requirements:
    (1) The trust consists of all or part of the assets of several 
accounts that have been established with the applicant, and
    (2) The trust is described in section 401(a) and is exempt from tax 
under section 501(a), or is a trust that is created for the purpose of 
providing a satisfactory diversification of investments or a reduction 
of administrative expenses for the participating accounts and that 
satisfies the requirements of section 408(c).
    (D) The term ``fiduciary records'' means all matters which are 
written, transcribed, recorded, received or otherwise come into the 
possession of the applicant and are necessary to preserve information 
concerning the acts and events relevant to the fiduciary activities of 
the applicant.
    (E) The term ``qualified public accountant'' means a qualified 
public accountant, as defined in section 103(a)(3)(D) of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. 1023(a)(3)(D), who is 
independent of the applicant.
    (F) The term ``net worth'' means the amount of the applicant's 
assets less the amount of its liabilities, as determined in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles.
    (6) Special rules--(i) Passive trustee. (A) An applicant that 
undertakes to act only as a passive trustee may be relieved of one or 
more of the requirements of this paragraph upon clear and convincing 
proof that such requirements are not germane, under all the facts and 
circumstances, to the manner in which the applicant will administer any 
trust. A trustee is a passive trustee only if under the written trust 
instrument the trustee has no discretion to direct the investment of the 
trust funds or any other aspect of the business administration of the 
trust, but is merely authorized to acquire and hold particular 
investments specified by the trust instrument. Thus, for example, in the 
case of an applicant that undertakes merely to acquire and hold the 
stock of regulated investment companies, the requirements of paragraph 
(e)(5)(i)(A)(3) in its place, and (i)(D), and (vi) of this section shall 
not apply and no negative inference shall be drawn from the applicant's 
failure to demonstrate its experience of competence with respect to the 
activities described in paragraph (e)(4)(ii)(E) to (H) of this section.
    (B) The notice of approval issued to an applicant that is approved 
by reason of this subdivision shall state that the applicant is 
authorized to act only as a passive trustee.
    (ii) Federal or State regulation. Evidence that an applicant is 
subject to Federal or State regulation with respect to one or more 
relevant factors shall be given weight in proportion to

[[Page 524]]

the extent that such regulatory standards are consonant with the 
requirements of section 401. Such evidence may be submitted in addition 
to, or in lieu of, the specific proofs required by this paragraph.
    (iii) Savings account. (A) An applicant will be approved to act as 
trustee under this subdivision if the following requirements are 
satisfied:
    (1) The applicant is a credit union, industrial loan company, or 
other financial institution designated by the Commissioner;
    (2) The investment of the trust assets will be solely in deposits in 
the applicant;
    (3) Deposits in the applicant are insured (up to the dollar limit 
prescribed by applicable law) by an agency or instrumentality of the 
United States, or by an organization established under a special statute 
the business of which is limited to insuring deposits in financial 
institutions and providing related services.
    (B) Any applicant that satisfies the requirements of this 
subdivision is hereby approved, and (notwithstanding subparagraph (2) of 
this paragraph) is not required to submit a written application. This 
approval takes effect on the first day after December 22, 1976, on which 
the applicant satisfies the requirements of this subdivision, and 
continues in effect for so long as the applicant continues to satisfy 
those requirements.
    (C) If deposits are insured, but not in the manner provided in 
paragraph (e)(6)(iii)(A)(3) of this section, the applicant must submit 
an application. The application, notwithstanding subparagraph (2) of 
this paragraph, will be limited to a complete description of the 
insurance of applicant's deposits. The applicant will be approved if the 
Commissioner approves of the applicant's insurance.
    (iv) Notification of Commissioner. The applicant must notify the 
Commissioner in writing of any change that affects the continuing 
accuracy of any representation made in the application required by this 
paragraph, whether the change occurs before or after the applicant 
receives a notice of approval. The notification must be addressed to 
address prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, and 
other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    (v) Substitution of trustee. No applicant will be approved unless 
the applicant undertakes to act as trustee only under trust instruments 
which contain a provision to the effect that the grantor is to 
substitute another trustee upon notification by the Commissioner that 
such substitution is required because the applicant has failed to comply 
with the requirements of this paragraph or is not keeping such records, 
or making such returns, or rendering such statements as are required by 
forms or regulations.
    (7) Procedure and administration--(i) Notice of approval. If the 
applicant is approved, a written notice of approval will be issued to 
the applicant. The notice of approval will state the day on which it 
becomes effective, and (except as otherwise provided therein) will 
remain effective until revoked. This paragraph does not authorize the 
applicant to accept any fiduciary account before such notice of approval 
becomes effective.
    (ii) Notice of disapproval. If the applicant is not approved, a 
written notice will be furnished to the applicant containing a statement 
of the reasons why the applicant has not been approved.
    (iii) Copy to be furnished. The applicant must not accept a 
fiduciary account until after the plan administrator or the person for 
whose benefit the account is to be established is furnished with a copy 
of the written notice of approval issued to the applicant. This 
provision is effective six months after April 20, 1979 for new accounts 
accepted thereafter. For accounts accepted before that date, the 
administrator must be notified before the later of the effective date of 
this provision or six months after acceptance of the account.
    (iv) Grounds for revocation. The notice of approval issued to an 
applicant will be revoked if the Commissioner determines that the 
applicant is unwilling or unable to administer fiduciary accounts in a 
manner consistent with the requirements of this paragraph. Generally, 
the notice will not be revoked unless the Commissioner determines

[[Page 525]]

that the applicant has knowingly, willfully, or repeatedly failed to 
administer fiduciary accounts in a manner consistent with the 
requirements of this paragraph, or has administered a fiduciary account 
in a grossly negligent manner.
    (v) Procedures for revocation. The notice of approval issued to an 
applicant may be revoked in accordance with the following procedures:
    (A) If the Commissioner proposes to revoke the notice of approval 
issued to an applicant, the Commissioner will advise the applicant in 
writing of the proposed revocation and of the reasons therefor.
    (B) Within 60 days after the receipt of such written advice, the 
applicant may protest the proposed revocation by submitting a written 
statement of facts, law, and arguments opposing such revocation to 
address prescribed by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, and 
other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter. In addition, the applicant may 
request a conference in the National Office.
    (C) If the applicant consents to the proposed revocation, either 
before or after a National Office conference, or if the applicant fails 
to file a timely protest, the Commissioner will revoke the notice of 
approval that was issued to the applicant.
    (D) If, after considering the applicant's protest and any 
information developed in conference, the Commissioner determines that 
the applicant is unwilling or unable to administer fiduciary accounts in 
a manner consistent with the requirements of this paragraph, the 
Commissioner will revoke the notice of approval that was issued to the 
applicant and will furnish the applicant with a written statement of 
findings on which the revocation is based.
    (E) If at any time the Commissioner determines that immediate action 
is necessary to protect the interest of the Internal Revenue Service or 
of any fiduciary account, the notice of approval issued to the applicant 
will be suspended at once, pending a final decision to be based on the 
applicant's protest and any information developed in conference.
    (8) Special rules for governmental units--(i) In general. A 
governmental unit that seeks to qualify as a nonbank trustee of a deemed 
IRA that is part of its qualified employer plan must demonstrate to the 
satisfaction of the Commissioner that it is able to administer the trust 
in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of section 408. The 
demonstration must be made by written application to the Commissioner. 
Notwithstanding the requirement of paragraph (e)(1) of this section that 
a person must demonstrate by written application that the requirements 
of paragraphs (e)(2) through (e)(6) of this section will be met in order 
to qualify as a nonbank trustee, a governmental unit that maintains a 
plan qualified under section 401(a), 403(a), 403(b) or 457 need not 
demonstrate that all of these requirements will be met with respect to 
any individual retirement accounts maintained by that governmental unit 
pursuant to section 408(q). For example, a governmental unit need not 
demonstrate that it satisfies the net worth requirements of paragraph 
(e)(3)(ii) of this section if it demonstrates instead that it possesses 
taxing authority under applicable law. The Commissioner, in his 
discretion, may exempt a governmental unit from certain other 
requirements upon a showing that the governmental unit is able to 
administer the deemed IRAs in the best interest of the participants. 
Moreover, in determining whether a governmental unit satisfies the other 
requirements of paragraphs (e)(2) through (e)(6) of this section, the 
Commissioner may apply the requirements in a manner that is consistent 
with the applicant's status as a governmental unit.
    (ii) Governmental unit. For purposes of this special rule, the term 
governmental unit means a state, political subdivision of a state, and 
any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a 
state.
    (iii) Additional rules. The Commissioner may in revenue rulings, 
notices, or other guidance of general applicability provide additional 
rules for governmental units seeking approval as nonbank trustees.

[[Page 526]]

    (iv) Effective/applicability date. This section is applicable for 
written applications made on or after June 18, 2007. The rules in this 
section also may be relied on for applications submitted on or after 
August 1, 2003 (or such earlier application as the Commissioner deems 
appropriate) and before June 18, 2007.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52791, Aug. 8, 1980, as amended by T.D. 8635, 60 FR 
65549, Dec. 20, 1995; 61 FR 11307, Mar. 20, 1996; T.D. 9142, 69 FR 
43739, July 22, 2004; T.D. 9331, 72 FR 33388, June 18, 2007]



Sec. 1.408-3  Individual retirement annuities.

    (a) In general. An individual retirement annuity is an annuity 
contract or endowment contract (described in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section) issued by an insurance company which is qualified to do 
business under the law of the jurisdiction in which the contract is sold 
and which satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. A 
participation certificate in a group contract issued by an insurance 
company described in this paragraph will be treated as an individual 
retirement annuity if the contract satisfies the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section; the certificate of participation sets 
forth the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 408 (b); 
the contract provides for a separate accounting of the benefit allocable 
to each participant-owner; and the group contract is for the exclusive 
benefit of the participant owners and their beneficiaries. For purposes 
of this title, a participant-owner of a group contract described in this 
paragraph shall be treated as the owner of an individual retirement 
annuity. A contract will not be treated as other than an individual 
retirement annuity merely because it provides for waiver of premium on 
disability. An individual retirement annuity contract which satisfies 
the requirements of section 408 (b) need not be purchased under a trust 
if the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section are satisfied. An 
individual retirement endowment contract may not be held under a trust 
which satisfies the requirements of section 408 (a). Distribution of the 
contract is not a taxable event. Distributions under the contract are 
includible in gross income in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 
1.408-4 (e).
    (b) Requirements--(1) Transferability. The annuity or the endowment 
contract must not be transferable by the owner. An annuity or endowment 
contract is transferable if the owner can transfer any portion of his 
interest in the contract to any person other than the issuer thereof. 
Accordingly, such a contract is transferable if the owner can sell, 
assign, discount, or pledge as collateral for a loan or as security for 
the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose his interest 
in the contract to any person other than the issuer thereof. On the 
other hand, a contract is not to be considered transferable merely 
because the contract contains: a provision permitting the individual to 
designate a beneficiary to receive the proceeds in the event of his 
death, a provision permitting the individual to elect a joint and 
survivor annuity, or other similar provisions.
    (2) Annual premium. Except in the case of a contribution to a 
simplified employee pension described in section 408 (k), the annual 
premium on behalf of any individual for the annuity or the endowment 
contract cannot exceed $1,500. Any refund of premiums must be applied 
before the close of the calendar year following the year of the refund 
toward the payment of future premiums or the purchase of additional 
benefits.
    (3) Distribution. The entire interest of the owner must be 
distributed to him in the same manner and over the same period as 
described in Sec. 1.408-2 (b) (6).
    (4) Distribution upon death. If the owner dies before the entire 
interest has been distributed to him, or if distribution has commenced 
to the surviving spouse, the remaining interest must be distributed in 
the same manner, over the same period, and to the same beneficiaries as 
described in Sec. 1.408-2 (b) (7).
    (5) Nonforfeitability. The entire interest of the owner in the 
annuity or endowment contract must be nonforfeitable.
    (6) Flexible premium. [Reserved]
    (c) Disqualification. If during any taxable year the owner of an 
annuity borrows any money under the annuity or endowment contract or by 
use of such

[[Page 527]]

contract (including, but not limited to, pledging the contract as 
security for any loan), such contract will cease to be an individual 
retirement annuity as of the first day of such taxable year, and will 
not be an individual retirement annuity at any time thereafter. If an 
annuity or endowment contract which constitutes an individual retirement 
annuity is disqualified as a result of the preceding sentence, an amount 
equal to the fair market value of the contract as of the first day of 
the taxable year of the owner in which such contract is disqualified is 
deemed to be distributed to the owner. Such owner shall include in gross 
income for such year an amount equal to the fair market value of such 
contract as of such first day. The preceding sentence applies even 
though part of the fair market value of the individual retirement 
annuity as of the first day of the taxable year is attributable to 
excess contributions which may be returned tax-free under section 
408(d)(4) or 408(d)(5).
    (d) Premature distribution tax on deemed distribution. If the 
individual has not attained age 59\1/2\ before the beginning of the year 
in which the disqualification described in paragraph (c) of this section 
occurs, see section 408(f)(2) for additional tax on premature 
distributions.
    (e) Endowment contracts--(1) Additional requirement for endowment 
contracts. No contract providing life insurance protection issued by a 
company described in paragraph (a) of this section shall be treated as 
an endowment contract for purposes of this section if--
    (i) Such contract matures later than the taxable year in which the 
individual in whose name the contract is purchased attains the age of 
70\1/2\;
    (ii) Such contract is not for the exclusive benefit of such 
individual or his beneficiaries;
    (iii) Premiums under the contract may increase over the term of the 
contract;
    (iv) When all premiums are paid when due, the case value of such 
contract at maturity is less than the death benefit payable under the 
contract at any time before maturity;
    (v) The death benefit does not, at some time before maturity, exceed 
the greater of the cash value or the sum of premiums paid under the 
contract;
    (vi) Such contract does not provide for a cash value;
    (vii) Such contract provides that the life insurance element of such 
contract may increase over the term of such contract, unless such 
increase is merely because such contract provides for the purchase of 
additional benefits;
    (viii) Such contract provides insurance other than life insurance 
and waiver of premiums upon disability; or
    (ix) Such contract is issued after November 6, 1978.
    (2) Treatment of proceeds under endowment contract upon death of 
individual. In the case of the payment of a death benefit under an 
endowment contract upon the death of the individual in whose name the 
contract is purchased, the portion of such payment which is equal to the 
cash value immediately before the death of such individual is not 
excludable from gross income under section 101(a) and is treated as a 
distribution from an individual retirement annuity. The remaining 
portion, if any, of such payment constitutes current life insurance 
protection and is excludable under section 101(a). If a death benefit is 
paid under an endowment contract at a date or dates later than the death 
of the individual, section 101(d) is applicable only to the portion of 
the benefit which is attributable to the amount excludable under section 
101(a).

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52792, Aug. 8, 1980]



Sec. 1.408-4  Treatment of distributions from individual retirement
arrangements.

    (a) General rule--(1) Inclusion in income. Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, any amount actually paid or distributed or 
deemed paid or distributed from an individual retirement account or 
individual retirement annuity shall be included in the gross income of 
the payee or distributee for the taxable year in which the payment or 
distribution is received.
    (2) Zero basis. Notwithstanding section 1015(d) or any other 
provision of the Code, the basis (or investment in the contract) of any 
person in such an account or annuity is zero. For purposes of this 
section, an assignment of

[[Page 528]]

an individual's rights under an individual retirement account or an 
individual retirement annuity shall, except as provided in Sec. 1.408-
4(g) (relating to transfer incident to divorce), be deemed a 
distribution to such individual from such account or annuity of the 
amount assigned.
    (b) Rollover contribution--(1) To individual retirement arrangement. 
Paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to any amount paid or 
distributed from an individual retirement account or individual 
retirement annuity to the individual for whose benefit the account was 
established or who is the owner of the annuity if the entire amount 
received (including the same amount of money and any other property) is 
paid into an individual retirement account, annuity (other than an 
endowment contract), or bond created for the benefit of such individual 
not later than the 60th day after the day on which he receives the 
payment or distribution.
    (2) To qualified plan. Paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not 
apply to any amount paid or distributed from an individual retirement 
account or individual retirement annuity to the individual for whose 
benefit the account was established or who is the owner of the annuity 
if--
    (i) No amount in the account or no part of the value of the annuity 
is attributable to any source other than a rollover contribution from an 
employees' trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt from tax 
under section 501(a) or a rollover contribution from an annuity plan 
described in section 403(a) and the earnings on such sums, and
    (ii) The entire amount received (including the same amount of money 
and any other property) represents the entire amount in the account and 
is paid into another such trust or plan (for the benefit of such 
individual) not later than the 60th day after the day on which the 
payment or distribution is received.

This subparagraph does not apply if any portion of the rollover 
contribution described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section is 
attributable to an employees' trust forming part of a plan or an annuity 
under which the individual was an employee within the meaning of section 
401(c)(1) at the time contributions were made on his behalf under the 
plan.
    (3) To section 403(b) contract. [Reserved]
    (4) Frequency limitation. (i) For taxable years beginning on or 
before December 31, 1977, paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not 
apply to any amount received by an individual from an individual 
retirement account, annuity or bond if at any time during the 3-year 
period ending on the day of receipt, the individual received any other 
amount from an individual retirement account, annuity or bond which was 
not includible in his gross income because of the application of 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (c) Excess contributions returned before due date of return--(1) 
Excess contribution. The rules in this paragraph (c) apply for purposes 
of determining net income attributable to IRA contributions made before 
January 1, 2004, and returned pursuant to section 408(d)(4). The rules 
in Sec. 1.408-11 apply for purposes of determining net income 
attributable to IRA contributions made on or after January 1, 2004, and 
returned pursuant to section 408(d)(4). For purposes of this paragraph, 
excess contributions are the excess of the amounts contributed to an 
individual retirement account or paid for an individual retirement 
annuity during the taxable year over the amount allowable as a deduction 
under section 219 or 220 for the taxable year.
    (2) General rule. (i) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not 
apply to the distribution of any excess contribution paid during a 
taxable year to an account or annuity if: the distribution is received 
on or before the date prescribed by law (including extensions) for 
filing the individual's return for such taxable year; no deduction is 
allowed under section 219 or section 220 with respect to the excess 
contribution; and the distribution is accompanied by the amount of net 
income attributable to the excess contribution as of the date of the 
distribution as determined under subdivision (ii).
    (ii) The amount of net income attributable to the excess 
contributions is an

[[Page 529]]

amount which bears the same ratio to the net income earned by the 
account during the computation period as the excess contribution bears 
to the sum of the balance of the account as of the first day of the 
taxable year in which the excess contribution is made and the total 
contribution made for such taxable year. For purposes of this paragraph, 
the term ``computation period'' means the period beginning on the first 
day of the taxable year in which the excess contribution is made and 
ending on the date of the distribution from the account.
    (iii) For purposes of paragraph (c)(2)(ii), the net income earned by 
the account during the computation period is the fair market value of 
the balance of the account immediately after the distribution increased 
by the amount of distributions from the account during the computation 
period, and reduced (but not below zero) by the sum of: (A) the fair 
market value of the balance of the account as of the first day of the 
taxable year in which the excess contribution is made and (B) the 
contributions to the account made during the computation period.
    (3) Time of inclusion. (i) For taxable years beginning before 
January 1, 1977, the amount of net income determined under subparagraph 
(2) is includible in the gross income of the individual for the taxable 
year in which it is received. The amount of net income thus distributed 
is subject to the tax imposed by section 408(f)(1) for the year 
includible in gross income.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Example. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by 
the following example:

    Example. On January 1, 1975, A, age 55, who is a calendar-year 
taxpayer, contributes $1,500 to an individual retirement account 
established for his benefit. For 1975, A is entitled to a deduction of 
$1,400 under section 219. For 1975, A does not claim as deductions any 
other items listed in section 62. A's gross income for 1975 is $9,334. 
On April 1, 1976, $107 is distributed to A from his individual 
retirement account. As of such date, the balance of the account is 
$1,498 [$1,605 - $107]. There were no other distributions from the 
account as of such date. The net amount of income earned by the account 
is $105 [$1,498 + $107 - (0 + $1,500)]. The net income attributable to 
the excess contribution is $7. [$105 x ($100/$1,500)]. A's adjusted 
gross income for 1975 is his gross income for 1975 ($9,334) reduced by 
the amount allowable to A as a deduction under section 219 ($1,400), or 
$7,934. A will include the $7 of the $107 distributed on April 1, 1976, 
in his gross income for 1976. Further, A will pay an additional income 
tax of $.70 for 1976 under section 408(f)(1).

    (d) Deemed distribution--(1) General rule. In any case in which an 
individual retirement account ceases to be an individual retirement 
account by reason of the application of section 408(e)(2), paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section shall apply as if there were a distribution on 
the first day of the taxable year in which such account ceases to be an 
individual retirement account of an amount equal to the fair market 
value on such day of all of the assets in the account on such day. In 
the case of a deemed distribution from an individual retirement annuity, 
see Sec. 1.408-3(d).
    (2) Using account as security. In any case in which an individual 
for whose benefit an individual retirement account is established uses, 
directly or indirectly, all or any portion of the account as security 
for a loan, paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall apply as if there 
were distributed on the first day of the taxable year in which the loan 
was made an amount equal to that portion of the account used as security 
for such loan.
    (e) Distribution of annuity contracts. Paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section does not apply to any annuity contract which is distributed from 
an individual retirement account and which satisfies the requirements of 
paragraphs (b) (1), (3), (4) and (5) of section 408. Amounts distributed 
under such contracts will be taxable to the distributee under section 
72. For purposes of applying section 72 to a distribution from such a 
contract, the investment in such contract is zero.
    (f) Treatment of assets distributed from an individual retirement 
account for the purchase of an endowment contract. Under section 
408(e)(5), if all, or any portion, of the assets of an individual 
retirement account are used to purchase an endowment contract described 
in Sec. 1.408-3(e) for the benefit of the individual for whose benefit 
the account is established--
    (1) The excess, if any, of the total amount of assets used to 
purchase such contract over the portion of the assets

[[Page 530]]

attributable to life insurance protection shall be treated as a rollover 
contribution described in section 408(d)(3), and
    (2) The portion of the assets attributable to life insurance 
protection shall be treated as a distribution described in paragraph 
(a)(91) of this section, except that the provisions of section 408(f) 
shall not apply to such amount.
    (g) Transfer incident to divorce--(1) General rule. The transfer of 
an individual's interest, in whole or in part, in an individual 
retirement account, individual retirement annuity, or a retirement bond, 
to his former spouse under a valid divorce decree or a written 
instrument incident to such divorce shall not be considered to be a 
distribution from such an account or annuity to such individual or his 
former spouse; nor shall it be considered a taxable transfer by such 
individual to his former spouse notwithstanding any other provision of 
Subtitle A of the Code.
    (2) Spousal account. The interest described in this paragraph (g) 
which is transferred to the former spouse shall be treated as an 
individual retirement account of such spouse if the interest is an 
individual retirement account; an individual retirement annuity of such 
spouse if such interest is an individual retirement annuity; and a 
retirement bond of such spouse if such interest is a retirement bond.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52793, Aug. 8, 1980, as amended by T.D. 9056, 68 FR 
23588, May 5, 2003]



Sec. 1.408-5  Annual reports by trustees or issuers.

    (a) In general. The trustee of an individual retirement account or 
the issuer of an individual retirement annuity shall make annual 
calendar year reports concerning the status of the account or annuity. 
The report shall contain the information required in paragraph (b) and 
be furnished or filed in the manner and time specified in paragraph (c).
    (b) Information required to be included in the annual reports. The 
annual calendar year report shall contain the following information for 
transactions occurring during the calendar year--
    (1) The amount of contributions;
    (2) The amount of distributions;
    (3) In the case of an endowment contract, the amount of the premium 
paid allocable to the cost of life insurance;
    (4) The name and address of the trustee or issuer; and
    (5) Such other information as the Commissioner may require.
    (c) Manner and time for filing. (1) The annual report shall be 
furnished to the individual on whose behalf the account is established 
or in whose name the annuity is purchased (or the beneficiary of the 
individual or owner). The report shall be furnished on or before the 
30th day of June following the calendar year for which the report is 
required.
    (2) The Commissioner may require the annual report to be filed with 
the Service at the time the Commissioner specifies.
    (d) Penalties. Section 6693 prescribes penalties for failure to file 
the annual report.
    (e) Effective date. This section shall apply to reports for calendar 
years after 1978.
    (f) Reports for years prior to 1979. For years prior to 1979, a 
trustee or issuer shall make reports in the time and manner as the 
Commissioner requires.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52795, Aug. 8, 1980]



Sec. 1.408-6  Disclosure statements for individual retirement
arrangements.

    (a) In general--(1) General rule. Trustees and issuers of individual 
retirement accounts and annuities are, under the authority of section 
408(i), required to provide disclosure statements. This section sets 
forth these requirements.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b)-(c) [Reserved]
    (d) Requirements. (1)-(3) [Reserved]
    (4) Disclosure statements--(i) Under the authority contained in 
section 408(i), a disclosure statement shall be furnished in accordance 
with the provisions of this subparagraph by the trustee of an individual 
retirement account described in section 408(a) or the issuer of an 
individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) or of an 
endowment contract described in section 408(b) to the individual 
(hereinafter referred to as the ``benefited individual'') for whom such 
an account, annuity, or contract is, or is to be, established.

[[Page 531]]

    (ii)(A)(1) The trustee or issuer shall furnish, or cause to be 
furnished, to the benefited individual, a disclosure statement 
satisfying the requirements of subdivisions (iii) through (viii) of this 
subparagraph, as applicable, and a copy of the governing instrument to 
be used in establishing the account, annuity, or endowment contract. The 
copy of such governing instrument need not be filled in with financial 
and other data pertaining to the benefited individual; however, such 
copy must be complete in all other respects. The disclosure statement 
and copy of the governing instrument must be received by the benefited 
individual at least seven days preceding the earlier of the date of 
establishment or purchase of the account, annuity, or endowment 
contract. A disclosure statement or copy of the governing instrument 
required by this subparagraph may be received by the benefited 
individual less than seven days preceding, but no later than, the 
earlier of the date of establishment or purchase, if the benefited 
individual is permitted to revoke the account, annuity, or endowment 
contract pursuant to a procedure which satisfies the requirements of 
subdivision (ii)(A)(2) of this subparagraph.
    (2) A procedure for revocation satisfies the requirements of this 
subdivision (ii)(A)(2) of this subparagraph if the benefited individual 
is permitted to revoke the account, or endowment contract by mailing or 
delivering, at his option, a notice of revocation on or before a day not 
less than seven days after the earlier of the date of establishment or 
purchase and, upon revocation, is entitled to a return of the entire 
amount of the consideration paid by him for the account, annuity, or 
endowment contract without adjustment for such items as sales 
commissions, administrative expenses or fluctuation in market value. The 
procedure may require that the notice be in writing or that it be oral, 
or it may require both a written and an oral notice. If an oral notice 
is required or permitted, the procedure must permit it to be delivered 
by telephone call during normal business hours. If a written notice is 
required or permitted, the procedure must provide that, if mailed, it 
shall be deemed mailed on the date of the postmark (or if sent by 
certified or registered mail, the date of certification or registration) 
if it is deposited in the mail in the United States in an envelope, or 
other appropriate wrapper, first class postage prepaid, properly 
addressed.
    (B) If after a disclosure statement has been furnished, or caused to 
be furnished, to the benefited individual pursuant to paragraph 
(d)(4)(ii)(A) of this section and--
    (1) On or before the earlier of the date of establishment or 
purchase, or
    (2) On or before the last day on which the benefited individual is 
permitted to revoke the account, annuity, or endowment contract (if the 
benefited individual has a right to revoke the account, annuity, or 
endowment contract pursuant to the rules of subdivision (ii)(A) of this 
subparagraph).

there becomes effective a material adverse change in the information set 
forth in such disclosure statement or a material change in the governing 
instrument to be used in establishing the account, annuity, or contract, 
the trustee or issuer shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the 
benefited individual such amendments to any previously furnished 
disclosure statement or governing instrument as may be necessary to 
adequately inform the benefited individual of such change. The trustee 
or issuer shall be treated as satisfying this subdivision (ii)(B) of 
this subparagraph only if material required to be furnished by this 
subdivision is received by the benefited individual at least seven days 
preceding the earlier of the date of establishment or purchase of the 
account, annuity, or endowment contract or if the benefited individual 
is permitted to revoke the account, annuity, or endowment contract on or 
before a date not less than seven days after the date on which such 
material is received, pursuant to a procedure for revocation otherwise 
satisfying the provisions of subdivision (ii)(A)(2) of this 
subparagraph.
    (C) If the governing instrument is amended after the account, 
annuity, or endowment contract is no longer subject to revocation 
pursuant to subdivision (ii)(A) or (B) of this subparagraph, the trustee 
or issuer shall not later than the 30th day after the later of the

[[Page 532]]

date on which the amendment is adopted or becomes effective, deliver or 
mail to the last known address of the benefited individual a copy of 
such amendment and, if such amendment affects a matter described in 
subdivisions (iii) through (viii) of this subparagraph, a disclosure 
statement with respect to such matter meeting the requirements of 
subdivision (iv) of this subparagraph.
    (D) For purposes of subdivision (ii) (A) and (B) of this 
subparagraph, if a disclosure statement, governing instrument, or an 
amendment to either, is mailed to the benefited individual, it shall be 
deemed (in the absence of evidence to the contrary) to be received by 
the benefited individual seven days after the date of mailing.
    (E) In the case of a trust described in section 408(c) (relating to 
certain retirement savings arrangements for employees or members of 
associations of employees), the following special rules shall be 
applied:
    (1) For purposes of this subparagraph, references to the benefited 
individual's account, annuity, or endowment contract shall refer to the 
benefited individual's interest in such trust, and
    (2) The provisions of subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph shall be 
applied by substituting ``the date on which the benefited individual's 
interest in such trust commences'' for ``the earlier of the date of 
establishment or purchase'' wherever it appear therein.
    Thus, for example, if an employer establishes a trust described in 
section 408(c) for the benefit of employees, and the trustee furnishes 
an employee with a disclosure statement and a copy of the governing 
instrument (as required by this subparagraph) on the date such 
employee's interest in the trust commences, such employee must be given 
a right to revoke such interest within a period of at least seven days. 
If any contribution has been made within such period (whether by the 
employee or by the employer), the full amount of such contribution must 
be paid to such employee pursuant to subdivision (ii)(A)(2) of this 
subparagraph.
    (iii) The disclosure statement required by this subparagraph shall 
set forth in nontechnical language the following matters as such matters 
relate to the account, annuity, or endowment contract (as the case may 
be);
    (A) Concise explanations of--
    (1) The statutory requirements prescribed in section 408(a) 
(relating to an individual retirement account) or section 408(b) 
(relating to an individual retirement annuity and an endowment 
contract), and any additional requirements (whether or not required by 
law) that pertain to the particular retirement savings arrangement.
    (2) The income tax consequences of establishing an account, annuity, 
or endowment contract (as the case may be) which meets the requirements 
of section 408(a) relating to an individual retirement account) or 
section 408(b) (relating to an individual retirement annuity and an 
endowment contract), including the deductibility of contributions to, 
the tax treatment of distributions (other than premature distributions) 
from, the availability of income tax free rollovers to and from, and the 
tax status of such account, annuity, or endowment contract.
    (3) The limitations and restrictions on the deduction for retirement 
savings under section 219, including the ineligibility of certain 
individuals who are active participants in a plan described in section 
219(b)(2)(A) or for whom amounts are contributed under a contract 
described in section 219(b)(2)(B) to make deductible contributions to an 
account or for an annuity or endowment contract.
    (4) The circumstances under which the benefited individual may 
revoke the account, annuity, or endowment contract, and the procedure 
therefor (including the name, address, and telephone number of the 
person designated to receive notice of such revocation). Such 
explanation shall be prominently displayed at the beginning of the 
disclosure statement.
    (B) Statements to the effect that--
    (1) If the benefited individual or his beneficiary engages in a 
prohibited transaction, described in section 4975(c) with respect to an 
individual retirement account, the account will lose its exemption from 
tax by reason of section 408(e)(2)(A), and the benefited individual must 
include in gross income, for the taxable year during which the benefited 
individual or his beneficiary

[[Page 533]]

engages in the prohibited transaction the fair market value of the 
account.
    (2) If the owner of an individual retirement annuity or endowment 
contract described in section 408(b) borrows any money under, or by use 
of, such annuity or endowment contract, then, under section 408(e)(3), 
such annuity or endowment contract loses its section 408(b) 
classification, and the owner must include in gross income, for the 
taxable year during which the owner borrows any money under, or by use 
of, such annuity or endowment contract, the fair market value of the 
annuity or endowment contract.
    (3) If a benefited individual uses all or any portion of an 
individual retirement account as security for a loan, then, under 
section 408(e)(4), the portion so used is treated as distributed to such 
individual and the benefited individual must include such distribution 
in gross income for the taxable year during which he so uses such 
account.
    (4) An additional tax of 10 percent is imposed by section 408(f) on 
distributions (including amounts deemed distributed as the result of a 
prohibited loan or use as security for a loan) made before the benefited 
individual has attained age 59\1/2\, unless such distribution is made on 
account of death or disability, or unless a rollover contribution is 
made with such distribution.
    (5) Sections 2039(e) (relating to exemption from estate tax of 
annuities under certain trusts and plans) and 2517 (relating to 
exemption from gift tax of specified transfers of certain annuities 
under qualified plans) apply (including the manner in which such 
sections apply) to the account, annuity, or endowment contract.
    (6) Section 402(a)(2) and (e) (relating to tax on lump sum 
distributions) is not applicable to distributions from an account, 
annuity, or endowment contract.
    (7) A minimum distribution is required under section 408(a) (6) or 
(7) and 408(b) (3) or (4) (including a brief explanation of the amount 
of minimum distribution) and that if the amount distributed from an 
account, annuity, or endowment contract during the taxable year of the 
payee is less than the minimum required during such year, an excise tax, 
which shall be paid by the payee, is imposed under section 4974, in an 
amount equal to 50 percent of the excess of the minimum required to be 
distributed over the amount actually distributed during the year.
    (8) An excise tax is imposed under section 4973 on excess 
contributions (including a brief explanation of an excess contribution).
    (9) The benefited individual must file Form 5329 (Return for 
Individual Retirement Savings Arrangement) with the Internal Revenue for 
each taxable year during which the account, annuity, or endowment 
contract is maintained.
    (10) The account or contract has or has not (as the case may be) 
been approved as to form for use as an account, annuity, or endowment 
contract by the Internal Revenue Service. For purposes of this 
subdivision, if a favorable opinion or determination letter with respect 
to the form of a prototype trust, custodial account, annuity, or 
endowment contract has been issued by the Internal Revenue Service, or 
the instrument which establishes an individual retirement trust account 
or an individual retirement custodial account utilizes the precise 
language of a form currently provided by the Internal Revenue Service 
(including any additional language permitted by such form), such account 
or contract may be treated as approved as to form.
    (11) The Internal Revenue Service approval is a determination only 
as to the form of the account, annuity, or endowment contract, and does 
not represent a determination of the merits of such account, annuity, or 
endowment contract.
    (12) The proceeds from the account, annuity or endowment contract 
may be used by the benefited individual as a rollover contribution to 
another account or annuity or retirement bond in accordance with the 
provisions of section 408(d)(3).
    (13) In the case of an endowment contract described in section 
408(b), no deduction is allowed under section 219 for that portion of 
the amounts paid under the contract for the taxable year properly 
allocable to the cost of life insurance.
    (14) If applicable, in the event that the benefited individual 
revokes the

[[Page 534]]

account, annuity, or endowment contract, pursuant to the procedure 
described in the disclosure statement (see subdivision (A)(4) of this 
subdivision (iii)), the benefited individual is entitled to a return of 
the entire amount of the consideration paid by him for the account, 
annuity, or endowment contract without adjustment for such items as 
sales commissions, administrative expenses or fluctuation in market 
value.
    (15) Further information can be obtained from any district office of 
the Internal Revenue Service.
    To the extent that information on the matters described in 
subdivisions (iii) (A) and (B) of this subparagraph is provided in a 
publication of the Internal Revenue Service relating to individual 
retirement savings arrangements, such publication may be furnished by 
the trustee or issuer in lieu of providing information relating to such 
matters in a disclosure statement.
    (C) The financial disclosure required by paragraph (d)(4) (v), (vi), 
and (vii) of this section.
    (iv) In the case of an amendment to the terms of an account, 
annuity, or endowment contract described in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this 
section, the disclosure statement required by this subparagraph need not 
repeat material contained in the statement furnished pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this section, but it must set forth in 
nontechnical language those matters described in paragraph (d)(4)(iii) 
of this section which are affected by such amendment.
    (v) With respect to an account, annuity, or endowment contract 
described in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section (other than an account 
or annuity which is to receive only a rollover contribution described in 
paragraph (d)(4)(vi) of this section and to which no deductible 
contributions will be made), the disclosure statement must set forth in 
cases where either an amount is guaranteed over period of time (such as 
in the case of a nonparticipating endowment or annuity contract), or a 
projection of growth of the value of the account, annuity, or endowment 
contract can reasonably be made (such as in the case of a participating 
endowment or annuity contract (other than a variable annuity) or 
passbook savings account), the following:
    (A) To the extent that an amount is guaranteed,
    (1) The amount, determined without regard to any portion of a 
contribution which is not deductible, that would be guaranteed to be 
available to the benefited individual if (i) level annual contributions 
in the amount of $1,000 were to be made on the first day of each year, 
and (ii) the benefited individual were to withdraw in a single sum the 
entire amount of such account, annuity, or endowment contract at the end 
of each of the first five years during which contributions are to be 
made, at the end of the year in which the benefited individual attains 
the ages of 60, 65, and 70, and at the end of any other year during 
which the increase of the guaranteed available amount is less than the 
increase of the guaranteed available amount during any preceding year 
for any reason other than decrease of cessation of contributions, and
    (2) A statement that the amount described in subdivision (v)(A)(1) 
of this subparagraph is guaranteed, and the period for which guaranteed;
    (B) To the extent a projection of growth of the value of the 
account, annuity, or endowment contract can reasonably be made but the 
amounts are not guaranteed.
    (1) The amount, determined without regard to any portion of a 
contribution which is not deductible, and upon the basis of an earnings 
rate no greater than, and terms no different from, those currently in 
effect, that would be available to the benefited individual if (i) level 
annual contributions in the amount of $1,000 were to be made on the 
first day of each year, and (ii) the benefited individual were to 
withdraw in a single sum the entire amount of such account, annuity, or 
endowment contract at the end of each of the first five years during 
which contributions are to be made, at the end of each of the years in 
which the benefited individual attains the ages of 60, 65, and 70, and 
at the end of any other year during which the increase of the available 
amount is less than the increase of the available amount during any 
preceding

[[Page 535]]

year for any reason other than decrease or cessation of contributions, 
and
    (2) A statement that the amount described in paragraph 
(d)(4)(v)(B)(1) of this section is a projection and is not guaranteed 
and a statement of the earnings rate and terms on the basis of which the 
projection is made;
    (C) The portion of each $1,000 contribution attributable to the cost 
of life insurance, which would not be deductible, for each year during 
which contributions are to be made; and
    (D) The sales commission (including any commission attributable to 
the sale of life insurance), if any, to be charged in each year, 
expressed as a percentage of gross annual contributions (including any 
portion attributable to the cost of life insurance) to be made for each 
year.
    (vi) With respect to an account or annuity described in paragraph 
(d)(4)(i) of this section to which a rollover contribution described in 
section 402(a)(5)(A), 403(a)(4)(A), 408(d)(3)(A) or 409(b)(3)(C) will be 
made, the disclosure statement must set forth, in cases where an amount 
is guaranteed over a period of time (such as in the case of a non-
participating annuity contract, or a projection of growth of the value 
of the account or annuity can reasonably be made (such as in the case of 
a participating annuity contract (other than a variable annuity) or a 
passbook savings account), the following:
    (A) To the extent guaranteed,
    (1) The amount that would be guaranteed to be available to the 
benefited individual if (i) Such a rollover contribution in the amount 
of $1,000 were to be made on the first day of the year, (ii) No other 
contribution were to be made, and (iii) The benefited individual were to 
withdraw in a single sum the entire amount of such account or annuity at 
the end of each of the first five years after the contribution is made, 
at the end of the year in which the benefited individual attains the 
ages of 60, 65, and 70, and at the end of any other year during which 
the increase of the guaranteed available amount is less than the 
increase of the guaranteed available amount during any preceding year, 
and
    (2) A statement that the amount described in paragraph (d)(vi)(A)(1) 
of this section is guaranteed;
    (B) To the extent that a projection of growth of the value of the 
account or annuity can reasonably be made but the amounts are not 
guaranteed,
    (1) The amount, determined upon the basis of an earnings rate no 
greater than, and terms no different from, those currently in effect, 
that would be available to the benefited individual if (i) such a 
rollover contribution in the amount of $1,000 were to be made on the 
first day of the year, (ii) no other contribution were to be made, and 
(iii) the benefited individual were to withdraw in a single sum the 
entire amount of such account or annuity at the end of each of the first 
five years after the contribution is made, at the end of each of the 
years in which the benefited individual attains the ages 60, 65, 70, and 
at the end of any other year during which the increase of the available 
amount is less than the increase of the available amount during any 
preceding year, and
    (2) A statement that the amount described in paragraph 
(d)(4)(vi)(B)(1) of this section is a projection and is not guaranteed 
and a statement of the earnings rate and terms on the basis of which the 
projection is made; and
    (C) The sales commission, if any, to be charged in each year, 
expressed as a percentage of the assumed $1,000 contribution.
    (vii) With respect to an account, annuity, or endowment contract 
described in paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section, in all cases not 
subject to paragraph (d)(4) (v) or (vi) of this section (such as in the 
case of a mutual fund or variable annuity), the disclosure statement 
must set forth information described in subdivisions (A) through (C) of 
this subdivisions (vii) based (as applicable with respect to the type or 
types of contributions to be received by the account, annuity, or 
endowment contract) upon the assumption of (1) level annual 
contributions of $1,000 on the first day of each year, (2) a rollover 
contribution of $1,000 on the first day of the year and no other 
contributions, or (3) a rollover contribution of $1,000 on the first day 
of the

[[Page 536]]

year plus level annual contributions of $1,000 on the first day of each 
year.
    (A) A description (in nontechnical language) with respect to the 
benefited individual's interest in the account, annuity, or endowment 
contract, of:
    (1) Each type of charge, and the amount thereof, which may be made 
against a contribution,
    (2) The method for computing and allocating annual earnings, and
    (3) Each charge (other than those described in complying with 
paragraph (d)(4)(vii)(A)(1) of this section) which may be applied to 
such interest in determining the net amount of money available to the 
benefited individual and the method of computing each such charge;
    (B) A statement that growth in value of the account, annuity, or 
endowment contract is neither guaranteed nor projected; and
    (C) The portion of each $1,000 contribution attributable to the cost 
of life insurance, which would not be deductible, for every year during 
which contributions are to be made.
    (viii) A disclosure statement, or an amendment thereto, furnished 
pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph may contain information 
in addition to that required by paragraph (d)(4)(iii) through (vii) of 
this section. However, such disclosure statement will not be considered 
to comply with the provisions of this subparagraph if the substance of 
such additional material or the form in which it is presented causes 
such disclosure statement to be false or misleading with respect to the 
information required to be disclosed by this paragraph.
    (ix) The provisions of section 6693, relating to failure to provide 
reports on individual retirement accounts or annuities, shall apply to 
any trustee or issuer who fails to furnish, or cause to be furnished, a 
disclosure statement, a copy of the governing instrument, or an 
amendment to either, as required by this paragraph.
    (x) This section shall be effective for disclosure statements and 
copies of governing instruments mailed, or delivered without mailing, 
after February 14, 1977.
    (xi) This section does not reflect the amendments made by section 
1501 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1734) relating to 
retirement savings for certain married individuals.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52795, Aug. 8, 1980; 45 FR 56802, Aug. 26, 1980]



Sec. 1.408-7  Reports on distributions from individual retirement
plans.

    (a) Requirement of report. The trustee of an individual retirement 
account or the issuer of an individual retirement annuity who makes a 
distribution during any calendar year to an individual from such account 
or under such annuity shall make a report on Form W-2P (in the case of 
distributions that are not total distributions) or Form 1099R (in the 
case of total distributions), and their related transmittal forms, for 
such year. The return must show the name and address of the person to 
whom the distribution was made, the aggregate amount of such 
distribution, and such other information as is required by the forms.
    (b) Amount subject to this section. The amounts subject to reporting 
under paragraph (a) include all amounts distributed or made available to 
which section 408(d) applies.
    (c) Time and place for filing. The report required under this 
section for any calendar year shall be filed after the close of that 
year and on or before February 28 of the following year with the 
appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center.
    (d) Statement to recipients. (1) Each trustee or issuer required to 
file Form 1099R or Form W-2P under this section shall furnish to the 
person whose identifying number is (or should be) shown on the forms a 
copy of the form.
    (2) Each statement required by this paragraph to be furnished to 
recipients shall be furnished to such person after November 30 of the 
year of the distribution and on or before January 31 of the following 
year. However, for a distribution after December 31, 2008, the February 
15 due date under section 6045 applies to the statement if the statement 
is furnished in a consolidated reporting statement under section 6045. 
See Sec. Sec. 1.6045-1(k)(3), 1.6045-2(d)(2), 1.6045-3(e)(2), 1.6045-
4(m)(3), and 1.6045-5(a)(3)(ii).

[[Page 537]]

    (e) Effective date. This section is effective for calendar years 
beginning after December 31, 1977.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52798, Aug. 8, 1980, as amended by T.D. 9504, 75 FR 
64084, Oct. 18, 2010]



Sec. 1.408-8  Distribution requirements for individual retirement
plans.

    The following questions and answers relate to the distribution rules 
for IRAs provided in sections 408(a)(6) and 408(b)(3).
    Q-1. Is an IRA subject to the distribution rules provided in section 
401(a)(9) for qualified plans?
    A-1. (a) Yes, an IRA is subject to the required minimum distribution 
rules provided in section 401(a)(9). In order to satisfy section 
401(a)(9) for purposes of determining required minimum distributions for 
calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2003, the rules of 
Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-1 through 1.401(a)(9)-9 and 1.401(a)(9)-6 for 
defined contribution plans must be applied, except as otherwise provided 
in this section. For example, whether the 5-year rule or the life 
expectancy rule applies to distributions after death occurring before 
the IRA owner's required beginning date is determined in accordance with 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-3 and the rules of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-4 apply for 
purposes of determining an IRA owner's designated beneficiary. 
Similarly, the amount of the minimum distribution required for each 
calendar year from an individual account is determined in accordance 
with Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5. For purposes of this section, the term IRA 
means an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 
408(a) or (b). The IRA owner is the individual for whom an IRA is 
originally established by contributions for the benefit of that 
individual and that individual's beneficiaries.
    (b) For purposes of applying the required minimum distribution rules 
in Sec. Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-1 through 1.401(a)(9)-9 and 1.401(a)(9)-6 for 
qualified plans, the IRA trustee, custodian, or issuer is treated as the 
plan administrator, and the IRA owner is substituted for the employee.
    (c) See A-14 and A-15 of Sec. 1.408A-6 for rules under section 
401(a)(9) that apply to a Roth IRA.
    Q-2. Are IRAs that receive employer contributions under a simplified 
employee pension (defined in section 408(k)) or a SIMPLE IRA (defined in 
section 408(p)) treated as IRAs for purposes of section 401(a)(9)?
    A-2. Yes, IRAs that receive employer contributions under a 
simplified employee pension (defined in section 408(k)) or a SIMPLE plan 
(defined in section 408(p)) are treated as IRAs, rather than employer 
plans, for purposes of section 401(a)(9) and are, therefore, subject to 
the distribution rules in this section.
    Q-3. In the case of distributions from an IRA, what does the term 
required beginning date mean?
    A-3. In the case of distributions from an IRA, the term required 
beginning date means April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar 
year in which the individual attains age 70\1/2\.
    Q-4. What portion of a distribution from an IRA is not eligible for 
rollover because the amount is a required minimum distribution?
    A-4. The portion of a distribution that is a required minimum 
distribution from an IRA and thus not eligible for rollover is 
determined in the same manner as provided in A-7 of Sec. 1.402(c)-2 for 
distributions from qualified plans. For example, if a minimum 
distribution is required under section 401(a)(9) for a calendar year, an 
amount distributed during a calendar year from an IRA is treated as a 
required minimum distribution under section 401(a)(9) to the extent that 
the total required minimum distribution for the year under section 
401(a)(9) for that IRA has not been satisfied. This requirement may be 
satisfied by a distribution from the IRA or, as permitted under A-9 of 
this section, from another IRA.
    Q-5. May an individual's surviving spouse elect to treat such 
spouse's entire interest as a beneficiary in an individual's IRA upon 
the death of the individual (or the remaining part of such interest if 
distribution to the spouse has commenced) as the spouse's own account?
    A-5. (a) The surviving spouse of an individual may elect, in the 
manner described in paragraph (b) of this A-5, to treat the spouse's 
entire interest as a beneficiary in an individual's IRA (or the 
remaining part of such interest if distribution thereof has commenced to

[[Page 538]]

the spouse) as the spouse's own IRA. This election is permitted to be 
made at any time after the individual's date of death. In order to make 
this election, the spouse must be the sole beneficiary of the IRA and 
have an unlimited right to withdraw amounts from the IRA. If a trust is 
named as beneficiary of the IRA, this requirement is not satisfied even 
if the spouse is the sole beneficiary of the trust. If the surviving 
spouse makes the election, the required minimum distribution for the 
calendar year of the election and each subsequent calendar year is 
determined under section 401(a)(9)(A) with the spouse as IRA owner and 
not section 401(a)(9)(B) with the surviving spouse as the deceased IRA 
owner's beneficiary. However, if the election is made in the calendar 
year containing the IRA owner's death, the spouse is not required to 
take a required minimum distribution as the IRA owner for that calendar 
year. Instead, the spouse is required to take a required minimum 
distribution for that year, determined with respect to the deceased IRA 
owner under the rules of A-4(a) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5, to the extent 
such a distribution was not made to the IRA owner before death.
    (b) The election described in paragraph (a) of this A-5 is made by 
the surviving spouse redesignating the account as an account in the name 
of the surviving spouse as IRA owner rather than as beneficiary. 
Alternatively, a surviving spouse eligible to make the election is 
deemed to have made the election if, at any time, either of the 
following occurs--
    (1) Any amount in the IRA that would be required to be distributed 
to the surviving spouse as beneficiary under section 401(a)(9)(B) is not 
distributed within the time period required under section 401(a)(9)(B); 
or
    (2) Any additional amount is contributed to the IRA which is 
subject, or deemed to be subject, to the lifetime distribution 
requirements of section 401(a)(9)(A).
    (c) The result of an election described in paragraph (b) of this A-5 
is that the surviving spouse shall then be considered the IRA owner for 
whose benefit the trust is maintained for all purposes under the 
Internal Revenue Code (e.g., section 72(t)).
    Q-6. How is the benefit determined for purposes of calculating the 
required minimum distribution from an IRA?
    A-6. For purposes of determining the minimum distribution required 
to be made from an IRA in any calendar year, the account balance of the 
IRA as of December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the 
calendar year for which distributions are required to be made is 
substituted in A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for the account balance of the 
employee. Except as provided in A-7 and A-8 of this section, no 
adjustments are made for contributions or distributions after that date.
    Q-7. What rules apply in the case of a rollover to an IRA of an 
amount distributed by a qualified plan or another IRA?
    A-7. If the surviving spouse of an employee rolls over a 
distribution from a qualified plan, such surviving spouse may elect to 
treat the IRA as the spouse's own IRA in accordance with the provisions 
in A-5 of this section. In the event of any other rollover to an IRA of 
an amount distributed by a qualified plan or another IRA, the rules in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-7 will apply for purposes of determining the account 
balance for the receiving IRA and the required minimum distribution from 
the receiving IRA. However, because the value of the account balance is 
determined as of December 31 of the year preceding the year for which 
the required minimum distribution is being determined and not as of a 
valuation date in the preceding year, the account balance of the 
receiving IRA is only adjusted if the amount is not received in the 
calendar year in which the amount rolled over is distributed. In that 
case, for purposes of determining the required minimum distribution for 
the calendar year in which such amount is actually received, the account 
balance of the receiving IRA as of December 31 of the preceding year 
must be adjusted by the amount received in accordance with A-2 of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-7.
    Q-8. What rules apply in the case of a transfer (including a 
recharacterization) from one IRA to another?
    A-8. (a) General rule. In the case of a trustee-to-trustee transfer 
from one

[[Page 539]]

IRA to another IRA that is not a distribution and rollover, the transfer 
is not treated as a distribution by the transferor IRA for purposes of 
section 401(a)(9). Accordingly, the minimum distribution requirement 
with respect to the transferor IRA must still be satisfied. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b) of this A-8 for recharacterizations, after the 
transfer the employee's account balance and the required minimum 
distribution under the transferee IRA are determined in the same manner 
as an account balance and required minimum distribution are determined 
under an IRA receiving a rollover contribution under A-7 of this 
section.
    (b) Recharacterizations. If an amount is contributed to a Roth IRA 
that is a conversion contribution or failed conversion contribution and 
that amount (plus net income allocable to that amount) is transferred to 
another IRA (transferee IRA) in a subsequent year as a recharacterized 
contribution, the recharacterized contribution (plus allocable net 
income) must be added to the December 31 account balance of the 
transferee IRA for the year in which the conversion or failed conversion 
occurred.
    Q-9. Is the required minimum distribution from one IRA of an owner 
permitted to be distributed from another IRA in order to satisfy section 
401(a)(9)?
    A-9. Yes, the required minimum distribution must be calculated 
separately for each IRA. The separately calculated amounts may then be 
totaled and the total distribution taken from any one or more of the 
individual's IRAs under the rules set forth in this A-9. Generally, only 
amounts in IRAs that an individual holds as the IRA owner may be 
aggregated. However, amounts in IRAs that an individual holds as a 
beneficiary of the same decedent and which are being distributed under 
the life expectancy rule in section 401(a)(9)(B)(iii) or (iv) may be 
aggregated, but such amounts may not be aggregated with amounts held in 
IRAs that the individual holds as the IRA owner or as the beneficiary of 
another decedent. Distributions from section 403(b) contracts or 
accounts will not satisfy the distribution requirements from IRAs, nor 
will distributions from IRAs satisfy the distribution requirements from 
section 403(b) contracts or accounts. Distributions from Roth IRAs 
(defined in section 408A) will not satisfy the distribution requirements 
applicable to IRAs or section 403(b) accounts or contracts and 
distributions from IRAs or section 403(b) contracts or accounts will not 
satisfy the distribution requirements from Roth IRAs.
    Q-10. Is any reporting required by the trustee, custodian, or issuer 
of an IRA with respect to the minimum amount that is required to be 
distributed from that IRA?
    A-10. Yes, the trustee, custodian, or issuer of an IRA is required 
to report information with respect to the minimum amount required to be 
distributed from the IRA for each calendar year to individuals or 
entities, at the time, and in the manner, prescribed by the Commissioner 
in revenue rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this 
chapter) as well as the applicable Federal tax forms and accompanying 
instructions.
    Q-11. Which amounts distributed from an IRA are taken into account 
in determining whether section 401(a)(9) is satisfied?
    A-11. (a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
A-11, all amounts distributed from an IRA are taken into account in 
determining whether section 401(a)(9) is satisfied, regardless of 
whether the amount is includible in income.
    (b) Amounts not taken into account. The following amounts are not 
taken into account in determining whether the required minimum amount 
with respect to an IRA for a calendar year has been distributed--
    (1) Contributions returned pursuant to section 408(d)(4), together 
with the income allocable to these contributions;
    (2) Contributions returned pursuant to section 408(d)(5);
    (3) Corrective distributions of excess simplified employee pension 
contributions under section 408(k)(6)(C), together with the income 
allocable to these distributions; and

[[Page 540]]

    (4) Similar items designated by the Commissioner in revenue rulings, 
notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. 
See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter.
    Q-12. How does the special rule in A-3(d) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 for 
a qualifying longevity annuity contract (QLAC) apply to an IRA?
    A-12. (a) General rule. The special rule in A-3(d) of Sec. 
1.401(a)(9)-5 for a QLAC, defined in A-17 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, 
applies to an IRA, subject to the exceptions set forth in this A-12. See 
A-14(d) of Sec. 1.408A-6 for special rules relating to Roth IRAs.
    (b) Limitations on premiums--(1) In general. In lieu of the 
limitations described in A-17(b) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, the premiums 
paid with respect to the contract on a date are not permitted to exceed 
the lesser of the dollar limitation in paragraph (b)(2) of this A-12 or 
the percentage limitation in paragraph (b)(3) of this A-12.
    (2) Dollar limitation. The dollar limitation is an amount equal to 
the excess of--
    (i) $125,000 (as adjusted under A-17(d)(2) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6), 
over
    (ii) The sum of--
    (A) The premiums paid before that date with respect to the contract, 
and
    (B) The premiums paid on or before that date with respect to any 
other contract that is intended to be a QLAC and that is purchased for 
the IRA owner under the IRA, or any other plan, annuity, or account 
described in section 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), or 408 or eligible 
governmental plan under section 457(b).
    (3) Percentage limitation. The percentage limitation is an amount 
equal to the excess of--
    (i) 25 percent of the total account balances of the IRAs (other than 
Roth IRAs) that an individual holds as the IRA owner (including the 
value of any QLAC held under those IRAs) as of December 31 of the 
calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which a premium 
is paid, over
    (ii) The sum of--
    (A) The premiums paid before that date with respect to the contract, 
and
    (B) The premiums paid on or before that date with respect to any 
other contract that is intended to be a QLAC and that is held or was 
purchased for the individual under those IRAs.
    (c) Reliance on representations. For purposes of the limitations 
described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this A-12, unless the trustee, 
custodian, or issuer of an IRA has actual knowledge to the contrary, the 
trustee, custodian, or issuer may rely on the IRA owner's representation 
(made in writing or such other form as may be prescribed by the 
Commissioner) of--
    (1) The amount of the premiums described in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii)(B) 
and (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this A-12 that are not paid under the IRA, and
    (2) The amount of the account balances described in paragraph 
(b)(3)(i) of this A-12 (other than the account balance under the IRA).
    (d) Permitted delay in setting beneficiary designation. In case of a 
contract that is rolled over from a plan to an IRA before the required 
beginning date under the plan, the contract will not violate the rule in 
A-17(c)(2)(v) of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6 that a non-spouse beneficiary must 
be irrevocably selected on or before the later of the date of purchase 
or the required beginning date under the IRA, provided that the contract 
requires a beneficiary to be irrevocably selected by the end of the year 
following the year of the rollover.
    (e) Roth IRAs. A contract that is purchased under a Roth IRA is not 
treated as a contract that is intended to be a QLAC for purposes of 
applying the dollar and percentage limitation rules in paragraphs 
(b)(2)(ii)(B) and (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this A-12. See A-14(d) of Sec. 
1.408A-6. If a QLAC is purchased or held under a plan, annuity, account, 
or traditional IRA, and that contract is later rolled over or converted 
to a Roth IRA, the contract is not treated as a contract that is 
intended to be a QLAC after the date of the rollover or conversion. 
Thus, premiums paid with respect to the contract will not be taken into 
account under paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B) or paragraph (b)(3)(ii)(B) of this 
A-12 after the date of the rollover or conversion.
    (f) Effective/applicability date. This A-12 applies to contracts 
purchased on or after July 2, 2014.

[T.D. 8987, 67 FR 19024, Apr. 17, 2002, as amended by T.D. 9130, 69 FR 
33293, June 15, 2004; T.D. 9673, 79 FR 37642, July 2, 2014]

[[Page 541]]



Sec. 1.408-11  Net income calculation for returned or recharacterized
IRA contributions.

    (a) Net income calculation for returned IRA contributions--(1) 
General rule. For purposes of returned contributions under section 
408(d)(4), the net income attributable to a contribution made to an IRA 
is determined by allocating to the contribution a pro rata portion of 
the earnings on the assets in the IRA during the period the IRA held the 
contribution. This attributable net income is calculated by using the 
following formula:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05MY03.002

    (2) Special rule. If an IRA is established with a contribution and 
no other contributions, distributions or transfers are made to or from 
that IRA, then the subsequent distribution of the entire account balance 
of the IRA pursuant to section 408(d)(4) will satisfy the requirement of 
that Internal Revenue Code section that the return of a contribution be 
accompanied by the amount of net income attributable to the 
contribution.
    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this section the following 
definitions apply:
    (1) Adjusted opening balance. The term adjusted opening balance 
means the fair market value of the IRA at the beginning of the 
computation period plus the amount of any contributions or transfers 
(including the contribution that is distributed as a returned 
contribution pursuant to section 408(d)(4) and recharacterizations of 
contributions pursuant to section 408A(d)(6)) made to the IRA during the 
computation period.
    (2) Adjusted closing balance. The term adjusted closing balance 
means the fair market value of the IRA at the end of the computation 
period plus the amount of any distributions or transfers (including 
recharacterizations of contributions pursuant to section 408A(d)(6)) 
made from the IRA during the computation period.
    (3) Computation period. The term computation period means the period 
beginning immediately prior to the time that the contribution being 
returned was made to the IRA and ending immediately prior to the removal 
of the contribution. If more than one contribution was made as a regular 
contribution and is being returned from the IRA, the computation period 
begins immediately prior to the time the first contribution being 
returned was contributed.
    (4) Regular contribution. The term regular contribution means an IRA 
contribution made by the IRA owner that is neither a trustee-to-trustee 
transfer from another IRA nor a rollover from another IRA or retirement 
plan.
    (c) Additional rules. (1) When an IRA asset is not normally valued 
on a daily basis, the fair market value of the asset at the beginning of 
the computation period is deemed to be the most recent, regularly 
determined, fair market value of the asset, determined as of a date that 
coincides with or precedes the first day of the computation period. In 
addition, solely for purposes of this section, notwithstanding A-3 of 
Sec. 1.408A-5, recharacterized contributions are taken into account for 
the period they are actually held in a particular IRA.
    (2) In the case of an IRA that has received more than one regular 
contribution for a particular taxable year, the last regular 
contribution made to the IRA for the year is deemed to be the 
contribution that is distributed as a returned contribution under 
section 408(d)(4), up to the amount of the contribution identified by 
the IRA owner as the amount distributed as a returned contribution.
    (3) In the case of an individual who owns multiple IRAs, the net 
income calculation is performed only on the IRA containing the 
contribution being returned, and that IRA is the IRA that must 
distribute the contribution.

[[Page 542]]

    (d) Examples. The following examples illustrate the net income 
calculation under section 408(d)(4) and this section:

    Example 1. (i) On May 1, 2004, when her IRA is worth $4,800, 
Taxpayer A makes a $1,600 regular contribution to her IRA. Taxpayer A 
requests that $400 of the May 1, 2004, contribution be returned to her 
pursuant to section 408(d)(4). Pursuant to this request, on February 1, 
2005, when the IRA is worth $7,600, the IRA trustee distributes to 
Taxpayer A the $400 plus attributable net income. During this time, no 
other contributions have been made to the IRA and no distributions have 
been made.
    (ii) The adjusted opening balance is $6,400 [$4,800 + $1,600] and 
the adjusted closing balance is $7,600. Thus, the net income 
attributable to the $400 May 1, 2004, contribution is $75 [$400 x 
($7,600-$6,400) / $6,400]. Therefore, the total to be distributed on 
February 1, 2005, pursuant to Sec. 408(d)(4) is $475.
    Example 2. (i) Beginning in January 2004, Taxpayer B contributes 
$300 on the 15th of each month to an IRA for 2004, resulting in an 
excess regular contribution of $600 for that year. Taxpayer B requests 
that the $600 excess regular contribution be returned to her pursuant to 
section 408(d)(4). Pursuant to this request, on March 1, 2005, when the 
IRA is worth $16,000, the IRA trustee distributes to Taxpayer B the $600 
plus attributable net income. The excess regular contributions to be 
returned are deemed to be the last two made in 2004: the $300 December 
15 contribution and the $300 November 15 contribution. On November 15 
the IRA was worth $11,000 immediately prior to the contribution. No 
distributions or transfers have been made from the IRA and no 
contributions or transfers, other than the monthly contributions 
(including $300 in January and February 2005), have been made.
    (ii) As of the beginning of the computation period (November 15), 
the adjusted opening balance is $12,200 [$11,000 + $300 + $300 + $300 + 
$300] and the adjusted closing balance is $16,000. Thus, the net income 
attributable to the excess regular contributions is $187 [$600 x 
($16,000 - $12,200) / $12,200]. Therefore, the total to be distributed 
as returned contributions on March 1, 2005, to correct the excess 
regular contribution is $787 [$600 + $187].

[T.D. 9056, 68 FR 23588, May 5, 2003]



Sec. 1.408(q)-1  Deemed IRAs in qualified employer plans.

    (a) In general. Under section 408(q), a qualified employer plan may 
permit employees to make voluntary employee contributions to a separate 
account or annuity established under the plan. If the requirements of 
section 408(q) and this section are met, such account or annuity is 
treated in the same manner as an individual retirement plan under 
section 408 or 408A (and contributions to such an account or annuity are 
treated as contributions to an individual retirement plan and not to the 
qualified employer plan). The account or annuity is referred to as a 
deemed IRA.
    (b) Types of IRAs. If the account or annuity meets the requirements 
applicable to traditional IRAs under section 408, the account or annuity 
is deemed to be a traditional IRA, and if the account or annuity meets 
the requirements applicable to Roth IRAs under section 408A, the account 
or annuity is deemed to be a Roth IRA. Simplified employee pensions 
(SEPs) under section 408(k) and SIMPLE IRAs under section 408(p) may not 
be used as deemed IRAs.
    (c) Separate entities. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (g) 
of this section, the qualified employer plan and the deemed IRA are 
treated as separate entities under the Internal Revenue Code and are 
subject to the separate rules applicable to qualified employer plans and 
IRAs, respectively. Issues regarding eligibility, participation, 
disclosure, nondiscrimination, contributions, distributions, 
investments, and plan administration are generally to be resolved under 
the separate rules (if any) applicable to each entity under the Internal 
Revenue Code.
    (d) Exceptions. The following exceptions to treatment of a deemed 
IRA and the qualified employer plan as separate entities apply:
    (1) The plan document of the qualified employer plan must contain 
the deemed IRA provisions and a deemed IRA must be in effect at the time 
the deemed IRA contributions are accepted. Notwithstanding the preceding 
sentence, employers that provided deemed IRAs for plan years beginning 
before January 1, 2004, (but after December 31, 2002) are not required 
to have such provisions in their plan documents before the end of such 
plan years.
    (2) The requirements of section 408(a)(5) regarding commingling of 
assets do not apply to deemed IRAs. Accordingly, the assets of a deemed 
IRA may be commingled for investment

[[Page 543]]

purposes with those of the qualified employer plan. However, the 
restrictions on the commingling of plan and IRA assets with other assets 
apply to the assets of the qualified employer plan and the deemed IRA.
    (e) Application of distribution rules. (1) Rules applicable to 
distributions from qualified employer plans under the Internal Revenue 
Code and regulations do not apply to distributions from deemed IRAs. 
Instead, the rules applicable to distributions from IRAs apply to 
distributions from deemed IRAs. Also, any restrictions that a trustee, 
custodian, or insurance company is permitted to impose on distributions 
from traditional and Roth IRAs may be imposed on distributions from 
deemed IRAs (for example, early withdrawal penalties on annuities).
    (2) The required minimum distribution rules of section 401(a)(9) 
must be met separately with respect to the qualified employer plan and 
the deemed IRA. The determination of whether a qualified employer plan 
satisfies the required minimum distribution rules of section 401(a)(9) 
is made without regard to whether a participant satisfies the required 
minimum distribution requirements with respect to the deemed IRA that is 
established under such plan.
    (f) Additional rules--(1) Trustee. The trustee or custodian of an 
individual retirement account must be a bank, as required by section 
408(a)(2), or, if the trustee is not a bank, as defined in section 
408(n), the trustee must have received approval from the Commissioner to 
serve as a nonbank trustee or nonbank custodian pursuant to Sec. 1.408-
2(e). For further guidance regarding governmental units serving as 
nonbank trustees of deemed IRAs established under section 408(q), see 
Sec. 1.408-2T(e)(8).
    (2) Trusts. (i) General rule. Deemed IRAs that are individual 
retirement accounts may be held in separate individual trusts, a single 
trust separate from a trust maintained by the qualified employer plan, 
or in a single trust that includes the qualified employer plan. A deemed 
IRA trust must be created or organized in the United States for the 
exclusive benefit of the participants. If deemed IRAs are held in a 
single trust that includes the qualified employer plan, the trustee must 
maintain a separate account for each deemed IRA. In addition, the 
written governing instrument creating the trust must satisfy the 
requirements of section 408(a) (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6).
    (ii) Application of section 408(a)(3). If deemed IRAs are held in a 
single trust that includes the qualified employer plan, section 
408(a)(3) is treated as satisfied if no part of the separate accounts of 
any of the deemed IRAs is invested in life insurance contracts, 
regardless of whether the separate account for the qualified employer 
plan invests in life insurance contracts.
    (iii) Separate accounts for traditional and Roth deemed IRAs. The 
rules of section 408A(b) and the regulations thereunder, requiring each 
Roth IRA to be clearly designated as a Roth IRA, will not fail to be 
satisfied solely because Roth deemed IRAs and traditional deemed IRAs 
are held in a single trust, provided that the trustee maintains separate 
accounts for the Roth deemed IRAs and traditional deemed IRAs of each 
participant, and each of those accounts is clearly designated as such.
    (3) Annuity contracts. Deemed IRAs that are individual retirement 
annuities may be held under a single annuity contract or under separate 
annuity contracts. However, the contract must be separate from any 
annuity contract or annuity contracts of the qualified employer plan. In 
addition, the contract must satisfy the requirements of section 408(b) 
and there must be separate accounting for the interest of each 
participant in those cases where the individual retirement annuities are 
held under a single annuity contract.
    (4) Deductibility. The deductibility of voluntary employee 
contributions to a traditional deemed IRA is determined in the same 
manner as if they were made to any other traditional IRA. Thus, for 
example, taxpayers with compensation that exceeds the limits imposed by 
section 219(g) may not be able to make contributions to deemed IRAs, or 
the deductibility of such contributions may be limited in accordance 
with sections 408 and 219(g). However, section 219(f)(5), regarding the 
taxable year in which amounts paid by an employer to an individual 
retirement plan

[[Page 544]]

are includible in the employee's income, is not applicable to deemed 
IRAs.
    (5) Rollovers and transfers. The same rules apply to rollovers and 
transfers to and from deemed IRAs as apply to rollovers and transfers to 
and from other IRAs. Thus, for example, the plan may provide that an 
employee may request and receive a distribution of his or her deemed IRA 
account balance and may roll it over to an eligible retirement plan in 
accordance with section 408(d)(3), regardless of whether that employee 
may receive a distribution of any other plan benefits.
    (6) Nondiscrimination. The availability of a deemed IRA is not a 
benefit, right or feature of the qualified employer plan under Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4.
    (7) IRA assets and benefits not taken into account in determining 
benefits under or funding of qualified employer plan. Neither the assets 
held in the deemed IRA portion of the qualified employer plan, nor any 
benefits attributable thereto, shall be taken into account for purposes 
of:
    (i) Determining the benefits of employees and their beneficiaries 
under the plan (within the meaning of section 401(a)(2)); or
    (ii) Determining the plan's assets or liabilities for purposes of 
section 404 or 412.
    (g) Disqualifying defects--(1) Single trust. If the qualified 
employer plan fails to satisfy the qualification requirements applicable 
to it, either in form or operation, any deemed IRA that is an individual 
retirement account and that is included as part of the trust of that 
qualified employer plan does not satisfy section 408(q). Accordingly, 
any account maintained under such a plan as a deemed IRA ceases to be a 
deemed IRA at the time of the disqualifying event. In addition, the 
deemed IRA also ceases to satisfy the requirements of sections 408(a) 
and 408A. Also, if any one of the deemed IRAs fails to satisfy the 
applicable requirements of sections 408 or 408A, and the assets of that 
deemed IRA are included as part of the trust of the qualified employer 
plan, section 408(q) does not apply and the plan will fail to satisfy 
the plan's qualification requirements.
    (2) Separate trusts and annuities. If the qualified employer plan 
fails to satisfy its qualification requirements, either in form or 
operation, but the assets of a deemed IRA are held in a separate trust 
(or where a deemed IRA is an individual retirement annuity), then the 
deemed IRA does not automatically fail to satisfy the applicable 
requirements of section 408 or 408A. Instead, its status as an IRA will 
be determined by considering whether the account or the annuity 
satisfies the applicable requirements of sections 408 and 408A 
(including, in the case of individual retirement accounts, the 
prohibition against the commingling of assets under section 408(a)(5)). 
Also, if a deemed IRA fails to satisfy the requirements of a qualified 
IRA and the assets of the deemed IRA are held in a separate trust (or 
where the deemed IRA is an individual retirement annuity), the qualified 
employer plan will not fail the qualification requirements applicable to 
it under the Code solely because of the failure of the deemed IRA.
    (h) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
this section:
    (1) Qualified employer plan. A qualified employer plan is a plan 
described in section 401(a), an annuity plan described in section 
403(a), a section 403(b) plan, or a governmental plan under section 
457(b).
    (2) Voluntary employee contribution. A voluntary employee 
contribution is any contribution (other than a mandatory contribution 
within the meaning of section 411(c)(2)(C)) which is made by an 
individual as an employee under a qualified employer plan that allows 
employees to elect to make contributions to deemed IRAs and with respect 
to which the individual has designated the contribution as a 
contribution to which section 408(q) applies.
    (3) Employee. An employee includes any individual who is an employee 
under the rules applicable to the qualified employer plan under which 
the deemed IRA is established.
    (i) Effective date. This section applies to accounts or annuities 
established under section 408(q) on or after August 1, 2003.

[T.D. 9142, 69 FR 43739, July 22, 2004]

[[Page 545]]



Sec. 1.408A-0  Roth IRAs; table of contents.

    This table of contents lists the regulations relating to Roth IRAs 
under section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code as follows:

Sec. 1.408A-1 Roth IRAs in general.
Sec. 1.408A-2 Establishing Roth IRAs.
Sec. 1.408A-3 Contributions to Roth IRAs.
Sec. 1.408A-4 Converting amounts to Roth IRAs.
Sec. 1.408A-5 Recharacterized contributions.
Sec. 1.408A-6 Distributions.
Sec. 1.408A-7 Reporting.
Sec. 1.408A-8 Definitions.
Sec. 1.408A-9 Effective date.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5601, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-1  Roth IRAs in general.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
discuss the background and general features of Roth IRAs:
    Q-1. What is a Roth IRA?
    A-1. (a) A Roth IRA is a new type of individual retirement plan that 
individuals can use, beginning in 1998. Roth IRAs are described in 
section 408A, which was added by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA 
97), Public Law 105-34 (111 Stat. 788).
    (b) Roth IRAs are treated like traditional IRAs except where the 
Internal Revenue Code specifies different treatment. For example, 
aggregate contributions (other than by a conversion or other rollover) 
to all an individual's Roth IRAs are not permitted to exceed $2,000 for 
a taxable year. Further, income earned on funds held in a Roth IRA is 
generally not taxable. Similarly, the rules of section 408(e), such as 
the loss of exemption of the account where the owner engages in a 
prohibited transaction, apply to Roth IRAs in the same manner as to 
traditional IRAs.
    Q-2. What are the significant differences between traditional IRAs 
and Roth IRAs?
    A-2. There are several significant differences between traditional 
IRAs and Roth IRAs under the Internal Revenue Code. For example, 
eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA is subject to special modified 
AGI (adjusted gross income) limits; contributions to a Roth IRA are 
never deductible; qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are not 
includible in gross income; the required minimum distribution rules 
under section 408(a)(6) and (b)(3) (which generally incorporate the 
provisions of section 401(a)(9)) do not apply to a Roth IRA during the 
lifetime of the owner; and contributions to a Roth IRA can be made after 
the owner has attained age 70\1/2\.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5601, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-2  Establishing Roth IRAs.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
provide rules applicable to establishing Roth IRAs:
    Q-1. Who can establish a Roth IRA?
    A-1. Except as provided in A-3 of this section, only an individual 
can establish a Roth IRA. In addition, in order to be eligible to 
contribute to a Roth IRA for a particular year, an individual must 
satisfy certain compensation requirements and adjusted gross income 
limits (see Sec. 1.408A-3 A-3).
    Q-2. How is a Roth IRA established?
    A-2. A Roth IRA can be established with any bank, insurance company, 
or other person authorized in accordance with Sec. 1.408-2(e) to serve 
as a trustee with respect to IRAs. The document establishing the Roth 
IRA must clearly designate the IRA as a Roth IRA, and this designation 
cannot be changed at a later date. Thus, an IRA that is designated as a 
Roth IRA cannot later be treated as a traditional IRA. However, see 
Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1(b)(3) for certain rules for converting a traditional 
IRA to a Roth IRA with the same trustee by redesignating the traditional 
IRA as a Roth IRA, and see Sec. 1.408A-5 for rules for recharacterizing 
certain IRA contributions.
    Q-3. Can an employer or an association of employees establish a Roth 
IRA to hold contributions of employees or members?
    A-3. Yes. Pursuant to section 408(c), an employer or an association 
of employees can establish a trust to hold contributions of employees or 
members made under a Roth IRA. Each employee's or member's account in 
the trust is treated as a separate Roth IRA that is subject to the 
generally applicable Roth IRA rules. The employer or association of 
employees may do certain

[[Page 546]]

acts otherwise required by an individual, for example, establishing and 
designating a trust as a Roth IRA.
    Q-4. What is the effect of a surviving spouse of a Roth IRA owner 
treating an IRA as his or her own?
    A-4. If the surviving spouse of a Roth IRA owner treats a Roth IRA 
as his or her own as of a date, the Roth IRA is treated from that date 
forward as though it were established for the benefit of the surviving 
spouse and not the original Roth IRA owner. Thus, for example, the 
surviving spouse is treated as the Roth IRA owner for purposes of 
applying the minimum distribution requirements under section 408(a)(6) 
and (b)(3). Similarly, the surviving spouse is treated as the Roth IRA 
owner rather than a beneficiary for purposes of determining the amount 
of any distribution from the Roth IRA that is includible in gross income 
and whether the distribution is subject to the 10-percent additional tax 
under section 72(t).

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5601, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-3  Contributions to Roth IRAs.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
provide rules regarding contributions to Roth IRAs:
    Q-1. What types of contributions are permitted to be made to a Roth 
IRA?
    A-1. There are two types of contributions that are permitted to be 
made to a Roth IRA: regular contributions and qualified rollover 
contributions (including conversion contributions). The term regular 
contributions means contributions other than qualified rollover 
contributions.
    Q-2. When are contributions permitted to be made to a Roth IRA?
    A-2. (a) The provisions of section 408A are effective for taxable 
years beginning on or after January 1, 1998. Thus, the first taxable 
year for which contributions are permitted to be made to a Roth IRA by 
an individual is the individual's taxable year beginning in 1998.
    (b) Regular contributions for a particular taxable year must 
generally be contributed by the due date (not including extensions) for 
filing a Federal income tax return for that taxable year. (See Sec. 
1.408A-5 regarding recharacterization of certain contributions.)
    Q-3. What is the maximum aggregate amount of regular contributions 
an individual is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA for a taxable 
year?
    A-3. (a) The maximum aggregate amount that an individual is eligible 
to contribute to all his or her Roth IRAs as a regular contribution for 
a taxable year is the same as the maximum for traditional IRAs: $2,000 
or, if less, that individual's compensation for the year.
    (b) For Roth IRAs, the maximum amount described in paragraph (a) of 
this A-3 is phased out between certain levels of modified AGI. For an 
individual who is not married, the dollar amount is phased out ratably 
between modified AGI of $95,000 and $110,000; for a married individual 
filing a joint return, between modified AGI of $150,000 and $160,000; 
and for a married individual filing separately, between modified AGI of 
$0 and $10,000. For this purpose, a married individual who has lived 
apart from his or her spouse for the entire taxable year and who files 
separately is treated as not married. Under section 408A(c)(3)(A), in 
applying the phase-out, the maximum amount is rounded up to the next 
higher multiple of $10 and is not reduced below $200 until completely 
phased out.
    (c) If an individual makes regular contributions to both traditional 
IRAs and Roth IRAs for a taxable year, the maximum limit for the Roth 
IRA is the lesser of--
    (1) The amount described in paragraph (a) of this A-3 reduced by the 
amount contributed to traditional IRAs for the taxable year; and
    (2) The amount described in paragraph (b) of this A-3. Employer 
contributions, including elective deferrals, made under a SEP or SIMPLE 
IRA Plan on behalf of an individual (including a self-employed 
individual) do not reduce the amount of the individual's maximum regular 
contribution.
    (d) The rules in this A-3 are illustrated by the following examples:

    Example 1. In 1998, unmarried, calendar-year taxpayer B, age 60, has 
modified AGI of $40,000 and compensation of $5,000. For 1998, B can 
contribute a maximum of $2,000 to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA or a 
combination of traditional and Roth IRAs.

[[Page 547]]

    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1. However, assume 
that B violates the maximum regular contribution limit by contributing 
$2,000 to a traditional IRA and $2,000 to a Roth IRA for 1998. The 
$2,000 to B's Roth IRA would be an excess contribution to B's Roth IRA 
for 1998 because an individual's contributions are applied first to a 
traditional IRA, then to a Roth IRA.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that B's 
compensation is $900. The maximum amount B can contribute to either a 
traditional IRA or a Roth (or a combination of the two) for 1998 is 
$900.
    Example 4. In 1998, unmarried, calendar-year taxpayer C, age 60, has 
modified AGI of $100,000 and compensation of $5,000. For 1998, C 
contributes $800 to a traditional IRA and $1,200 to a Roth IRA. Because 
C's $1,200 Roth IRA contribution does not exceed the phased-out maximum 
Roth IRA contribution of $1,340 and because C's total IRA contributions 
do not exceed $2,000, C's Roth IRA contribution does not exceed the 
maximum permissible contribution.

    Q-4. How is compensation defined for purposes of the Roth IRA 
contribution limit?
    A-4. For purposes of the contribution limit described in A-3 of this 
section, an individual's compensation is the same as that used to 
determine the maximum contribution an individual can make to a 
traditional IRA. This amount is defined in section 219(f)(1) to include 
wages, commissions, professional fees, tips, and other amounts received 
for personal services, as well as taxable alimony and separate 
maintenance payments received under a decree of divorce or separate 
maintenance. Compensation also includes earned income as defined in 
section 401(c)(2), but does not include any amount received as a pension 
or annuity or as deferred compensation. In addition, under section 
219(c), a married individual filing a joint return is permitted to make 
an IRA contribution by treating his or her spouse's higher compensation 
as his or her own, but only to the extent that the spouse's compensation 
is not being used for purposes of the spouse making a contribution to a 
Roth IRA or a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA.
    Q-5. What is the significance of modified AGI and how is it 
determined?
    A-5. Modified AGI is used for purposes of the phase-out rules 
described in A-3 of this section and for purposes of the $100,000 
modified AGI limitation described in Sec. 1.408A-4 A-2(a) (relating to 
eligibility for conversion). As defined in section 408A(c)(3)(C)(i), 
modified AGI is the same as adjusted gross income under section 
219(g)(3)(A) (used to determine the amount of deductible contributions 
that can be made to a traditional IRA by an individual who is an active 
participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan), except that any 
conversion is disregarded in determining modified AGI. For example, the 
deduction for contributions to an IRA is not taken into account for 
purposes of determining adjusted gross income under section 219 and thus 
does not apply in determining modified AGI for Roth IRA purposes.
    Q-6. Is a required minimum distribution from an IRA for a year 
included in income for purposes of determining modified AGI?
    A-6. (a) Yes. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2005, 
any required minimum distribution from an IRA under section 408(a)(6) 
and (b)(3) (which generally incorporate the provisions of section 
401(a)(9)) is included in income for purposes of determining modified 
AGI.
    (b) For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, and solely 
for purposes of the $100,000 limitation applicable to conversions, 
modified AGI does not include any required minimum distributions from an 
IRA under section 408(a)(6) and (b)(3).
    Q-7. Does an excise tax apply if an individual exceeds the aggregate 
regular contribution limits for Roth IRAs?
    A-7. Yes. Section 4973 imposes an annual 6-percent excise tax on 
aggregate amounts contributed to Roth IRAs that exceed the maximum 
contribution limits described in A-3 of this section. Any contribution 
that is distributed, together with net income, from a Roth IRA on or 
before the tax return due date (plus extensions) for the taxable year of 
the contribution is treated as not contributed. Net income described in 
the previous sentence is includible in gross income for the taxable year 
in which the contribution is made. Aggregate excess contributions that 
are not distributed from a Roth IRA on or before the tax return due date 
(with extensions) for the taxable year of the contributions are reduced 
as a deemed

[[Page 548]]

Roth IRA contribution for each subsequent taxable year to the extent 
that the Roth IRA owner does not actually make regular IRA contributions 
for such years. Section 4973 applies separately to an individual's Roth 
IRAs and other types of IRAs.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5601, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-4  Converting amounts to Roth IRAs.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
provide rules applicable to Roth IRA conversions:
    Q-1. Can an individual convert an amount in his or her traditional 
IRA to a Roth IRA?
    A-1. (a) Yes. An amount in a traditional IRA may be converted to an 
amount in a Roth IRA if two requirements are satisfied. First, the IRA 
owner must satisfy the modified AGI limitation described in A-2(a) of 
this section and, if married, the joint filing requirement described in 
A-2(b) of this section. Second, the amount contributed to the Roth IRA 
must satisfy the definition of a qualified rollover contribution in 
section 408A(e) (i.e., it must satisfy the requirements for a rollover 
contribution as defined in section 408(d)(3), except that the one-
rollover-per-year limitation in section 408(d)(3)(B) does not apply).
    (b) An amount can be converted by any of three methods--
    (1) An amount distributed from a traditional IRA is contributed 
(rolled over) to a Roth IRA within the 60-day period described in 
section 408(d)(3)(A)(i);
    (2) An amount in a traditional IRA is transferred in a trustee-to-
trustee transfer from the trustee of the traditional IRA to the trustee 
of the Roth IRA; or
    (3) An amount in a traditional IRA is transferred to a Roth IRA 
maintained by the same trustee. For purposes of sections 408 and 408A, 
redesignating a traditional IRA as a Roth IRA is treated as a transfer 
of the entire account balance from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.
    (c) Any converted amount is treated as a distribution from the 
traditional IRA and a qualified rollover contribution to the Roth IRA 
for purposes of section 408 and section 408A, even if the conversion is 
accomplished by means of a trustee-to-trustee transfer or a transfer 
between IRAs of the same trustee.
    (d) A transaction that is treated as a failed conversion under Sec. 
1.408A-5 A-9(a)(1) is not a conversion.
    Q-2. What are the modified AGI limitation and joint filing 
requirements for conversions?
    A-2. (a) An individual with modified AGI in excess of $100,000 for a 
taxable year is not permitted to convert an amount to a Roth IRA during 
that taxable year. This $100,000 limitation applies to the taxable year 
that the funds are paid from the traditional IRA, rather than the year 
they are contributed to the Roth IRA.
    (b) If the individual is married, he or she is permitted to convert 
an amount to a Roth IRA during a taxable year only if the individual and 
the individual's spouse file a joint return for the taxable year that 
the funds are paid from the traditional IRA. In this case, the modified 
AGI subject to the $100,000 limit is the modified AGI derived from the 
joint return using the couple's combined income. The only exception to 
this joint filing requirement is for an individual who has lived apart 
from his or her spouse for the entire taxable year. If the married 
individual has lived apart from his or her spouse for the entire taxable 
year, then such individual can treat himself or herself as not married 
for purposes of this paragraph, file a separate return and be subject to 
the $100,000 limit on his or her separate modified AGI. In all other 
cases, a married individual filing a separate return is not permitted to 
convert an amount to a Roth IRA, regardless of the individual's modified 
AGI.
    Q-3. Is a remedy available to an individual who makes a failed 
conversion?
    A-3. (a) Yes. See Sec. 1.408A-5 for rules permitting a failed 
conversion amount to be recharacterized as a contribution to a 
traditional IRA. If the requirements in Sec. 1.408A-5 are satisfied, 
the failed conversion amount will be treated as having been contributed 
to the traditional IRA and not to the Roth IRA.
    (b) If the contribution is not recharacterized in accordance with

[[Page 549]]

Sec. 1.408A-5, the contribution will be treated as a regular 
contribution to the Roth IRA and, thus, an excess contribution subject 
to the excise tax under section 4973 to the extent that it exceeds the 
individual's regular contribution limit. This is the result regardless 
of which of the three methods described in A-1(b) of this section 
applies to this transaction. Additionally, the distribution from the 
traditional IRA will not be eligible for the 4-year spread and will be 
subject to the additional tax under section 72(t) (unless an exception 
under that section applies).
    Q-4. Do any special rules apply to a conversion of an amount in an 
individual's SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA?
    A-4. (a) An amount in an individual's SEP IRA can be converted to a 
Roth IRA on the same terms as an amount in any other traditional IRA.
    (b) An amount in an individual's SIMPLE IRA can be converted to a 
Roth IRA on the same terms as a conversion from a traditional IRA, 
except that an amount distributed from a SIMPLE IRA during the 2-year 
period described in section 72(t)(6), which begins on the date that the 
individual first participated in any SIMPLE IRA Plan maintained by the 
individual's employer, cannot be converted to a Roth IRA. Pursuant to 
section 408(d)(3)(G), a distribution of an amount from an individual's 
SIMPLE IRA during this 2-year period is not eligible to be rolled over 
into an IRA that is not a SIMPLE IRA and thus cannot be a qualified 
rollover contribution. This 2-year period of section 408(d)(3)(G) 
applies separately to the contributions of each of an individual's 
employers maintaining a SIMPLE IRA Plan.
    (c) Once an amount in a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA has been converted to 
a Roth IRA, it is treated as a contribution to a Roth IRA for all 
purposes. Future contributions under the SEP or under the SIMPLE IRA 
Plan may not be made to the Roth IRA.
    Q-5. Can amounts in other kinds of retirement plans be converted to 
a Roth IRA?
    A-5. No. Only amounts in another IRA can be converted to a Roth IRA. 
For example, amounts in a qualified plan or annuity plan described in 
section 401(a) or 403(a) cannot be converted directly to a Roth IRA. 
Also, amounts held in an annuity contract or account described in 
section 403(b) cannot be converted directly to a Roth IRA.
    Q-6. Can an individual who has attained at least age 70\1/2\ by the 
end of a calendar year convert an amount distributed from a traditional 
IRA during that year to a Roth IRA before receiving his or her required 
minimum distribution with respect to the traditional IRA for the year of 
the conversion?
    A-6. (a) No. In order to be eligible for a conversion, an amount 
first must be eligible to be rolled over. Section 408(d)(3) prohibits 
the rollover of a required minimum distribution. If a minimum 
distribution is required for a year with respect to an IRA, the first 
dollars distributed during that year are treated as consisting of the 
required minimum distribution until an amount equal to the required 
minimum distribution for that year has been distributed.
    (b) As provided in A-1(c) of this section, any amount converted is 
treated as a distribution from a traditional IRA and a rollover 
contribution to a Roth IRA and not as a trustee-to-trustee transfer for 
purposes of section 408 and section 408A. Thus, in a year for which a 
minimum distribution is required (including the calendar year in which 
the individual attains age 70\1/2\), an individual may not convert the 
assets of an IRA (or any portion of those assets) to a Roth IRA to the 
extent that the required minimum distribution for the traditional IRA 
for the year has not been distributed.
    (c) If a required minimum distribution is contributed to a Roth IRA, 
it is treated as having been distributed, subject to the normal rules 
under section 408(d)(1) and (2), and then contributed as a regular 
contribution to a Roth IRA. The amount of the required minimum 
distribution is not a conversion contribution.
    Q-7. What are the tax consequences when an amount is converted to a 
Roth IRA?
    A-7. (a) Any amount that is converted to a Roth IRA is includible in

[[Page 550]]

gross income as a distribution according to the rules of section 
408(d)(1) and (2) for the taxable year in which the amount is 
distributed or transferred from the traditional IRA. Thus, any portion 
of the distribution or transfer that is treated as a return of basis 
under section 408(d)(1) and (2) is not includible in gross income as a 
result of the conversion.
    (b) The 10-percent additional tax under section 72(t) generally does 
not apply to the taxable conversion amount. But see Sec. 1.408A-6 A-5 
for circumstances under which the taxable conversion amount would be 
subject to the additional tax under section 72(t).
    (c) Pursuant to section 408A(e), a conversion is not treated as a 
rollover for purposes of the one-rollover-per-year rule of section 
408(d)(3)(B).
    Q-8. Is there an exception to the income-inclusion rule described in 
A-7 of this section for 1998 conversions?
    A-8. Yes. In the case of a distribution (including a trustee-to-
trustee transfer) from a traditional IRA on or before December 31, 1998, 
that is converted to a Roth IRA, instead of having the entire taxable 
conversion amount includible in income in 1998, an individual includes 
in gross income for 1998 only one quarter of that amount and one quarter 
of that amount for each of the next 3 years. This 4-year spread also 
applies if the conversion amount was distributed in 1998 and contributed 
to the Roth IRA within the 60-day period described in section 
408(d)(3)(A)(i), but after December 31, 1998. However, see Sec. 1.408A-
6 A-6 for special rules requiring acceleration of inclusion if an amount 
subject to the 4-year spread is distributed from the Roth IRA before 
2001.
    Q-9. Is the taxable conversion amount included in income for all 
purposes?
    A-9. Except as provided below, any taxable conversion amount 
includible in gross income for a year as a result of the conversion 
(regardless of whether the individual is using a 4-year spread) is 
included in income for all purposes. Thus, for example, it is counted 
for purposes of determining the taxable portion of social security 
payments under section 86 and for purposes of determining the phase-out 
of the $25,000 exemption under section 469(i) relating to the 
disallowance of passive activity losses from rental real estate 
activities. However, as provided in Sec. 1.408A-3 A-5, the taxable 
conversion amount (and any resulting change in other elements of 
adjusted gross income) is disregarded for purposes of determining 
modified AGI for section 408A.
    Q-10. Can an individual who makes a 1998 conversion elect not to 
have the 4-year spread apply and instead have the full taxable 
conversion amount includible in gross income for 1998?
    A-10. Yes. Instead of having the taxable conversion amount for a 
1998 conversion included over 4 years as provided under A-8 of this 
section, an individual can elect to include the full taxable conversion 
amount in income for 1998. The election is made on Form 8606 and cannot 
be made or changed after the due date (including extensions) for filing 
the 1998 Federal income tax return.
    Q-11. What happens when an individual who is using the 4-year spread 
dies, files separately, or divorces before the full taxable conversion 
amount has been included in gross income?
    A-11. (a) If an individual who is using the 4-year spread described 
in A-8 of this section dies before the full taxable conversion amount 
has been included in gross income, then the remainder must be included 
in the individual's gross income for the taxable year that includes the 
date of death.
    (b) However, if the sole beneficiary of all the decedent's Roth IRAs 
is the decedent's spouse, then the spouse can elect to continue the 4-
year spread. Thus, the spouse can elect to include in gross income the 
same amount that the decedent would have included in each of the 
remaining years of the 4-year period. Where the spouse makes such an 
election, the amount includible under the 4-year spread for the taxable 
year that includes the date of the decedent's death remains includible 
in the decedent's gross income and is reported on the decedent's final 
Federal income tax return. The election is made on either Form 8606 or 
Form 1040, in accordance with the instructions to the applicable form, 
for the taxable year that includes the decedent's date of death and 
cannot be changed after the due date (including extensions) for filing

[[Page 551]]

the Federal income tax return for the spouse's taxable year that 
includes the decedent's date of death.
    (c) If a Roth IRA owner who is using the 4-year spread and who was 
married in 1998 subsequently files separately or divorces before the 
full taxable conversion amount has been included in gross income, the 
remainder of the taxable conversion amount must be included in the Roth 
IRA owner's gross income over the remaining years in the 4-year period 
(unless accelerated because of distribution or death).
    Q-12. Can an individual convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA if 
he or she is receiving substantially equal periodic payments within the 
meaning of section 72(t)(2)(A)(iv) from that traditional IRA?
    A-12. Yes. Not only is the conversion amount itself not subject to 
the early distribution tax under section 72(t), but the conversion 
amount is also not treated as a distribution for purposes of determining 
whether a modification within the meaning of section 72(t)(4)(A) has 
occurred. Distributions from the Roth IRA that are part of the original 
series of substantially equal periodic payments will be nonqualified 
distributions from the Roth IRA until they meet the requirements for 
being a qualified distribution, described in Sec. 1.408A-6 A-1(b). The 
additional 10-percent tax under section 72(t) will not apply to the 
extent that these nonqualified distributions are part of a series of 
substantially equal periodic payments. Nevertheless, to the extent that 
such distributions are allocable to a 1998 conversion contribution with 
respect to which the 4-year spread for the resultant income inclusion 
applies (see A-8 of this section) and are received during 1998, 1999, or 
2000, the special acceleration rules of Sec. 1.408A-6 A-6 apply. 
However, if the original series of substantially equal periodic payments 
does not continue to be distributed in substantially equal periodic 
payments from the Roth IRA after the conversion, the series of payments 
will have been modified and, if this modification occurs within 5 years 
of the first payment or prior to the individual becoming disabled or 
attaining age 59\1/2\, the taxpayer will be subject to the recapture tax 
of section 72(t)(4)(A).
    Q-13. Can a 1997 distribution from a traditional IRA be converted to 
a Roth IRA in 1998?
    A-13. No. An amount distributed from a traditional IRA in 1997 that 
is contributed to a Roth IRA in 1998 would not be a conversion 
contribution. See A-3 of this section regarding the remedy for a failed 
conversion.
    Q-14. What is the amount that is treated as a distribution, for 
purposes of determining income inclusion, when a conversion involves an 
annuity contract?
    A-14. (a) In general--(1) Distribution of Fair Market Value Upon 
Conversion. Notwithstanding Sec. 1.408-4(e), when part or all of a 
traditional IRA that is an individual retirement annuity described in 
section 408(b) is converted to a Roth IRA, for purposes of determining 
the amount includible in gross income as a distribution under Sec. 
1.408A-4, A-7, the amount that is treated as distributed is the fair 
market value of the annuity contract on the date the annuity contract is 
converted. Similarly, when a traditional IRA that is an individual 
retirement account described in section 408(a) holds an annuity contract 
as an account asset and the traditional IRA is converted to a Roth IRA, 
for purposes of determining the amount includible in gross income as a 
distribution under Sec. 1.408A-4, A-7, the amount that is treated as 
distributed with respect to the annuity contract is the fair market 
value of the annuity contract on the date that the annuity contract is 
distributed or treated as distributed from the traditional IRA. The 
rules in this A-14 also apply to conversions from SIMPLE IRAs.
    (2) Annuity contract surrendered. Paragraph (a)(1) of this paragraph 
A-14 does not apply to a conversion of a traditional IRA to the extent 
the conversion is accomplished by the complete surrender of an annuity 
contract for its cash value and the reinvestment of the cash proceeds in 
a Roth IRA, but only if the surrender extinguishes all benefits and 
other characteristics of the contract. In such a case, the cash from the 
surrendered contract is the amount reinvested in the Roth IRA.
    (3) Definitions. The definitions set forth in Sec. 1.408A-8 apply 
for purposes of this paragraph A-14.

[[Page 552]]

    (b) Determination of fair market value--(1) Overview--(i) Use of 
alternative methods. This paragraph (b) sets forth methods which may be 
used to determine the fair market value of an individual retirement 
annuity for purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this paragraph A-14. 
However, if, because of the unusual nature of the contract, the value 
determined under one of these methods does not reflect the full value of 
the contract, that method may not be used.
    (ii) Additional guidance. Additional guidance regarding the fair 
market value of an individual retirement annuity, including formulas to 
be used for determining fair market value, may be issued by the 
Commissioner in revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in 
the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)).
    (2) Gift tax method--(i) Cost of contract or comparable contract. If 
with respect to an annuity, there is a comparable contract issued by the 
company which sold the annuity, the fair market value of the annuity may 
be established by the price of the comparable contract. If the 
conversion occurs soon after the annuity was sold, the comparable 
contract may be the annuity itself, and thus, the fair market value of 
the annuity may be established through the sale of the particular 
contract by the company (that is, the actual premiums paid for such 
contract).
    (ii) Use of reserves where no comparable contract available. If with 
respect to an annuity, there is no comparable contract available in 
order to make the comparison described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
paragraph A-14, the fair market value may be established through an 
approximation that is based on the interpolated terminal reserve at the 
date of the conversion, plus the proportionate part of the gross premium 
last paid before the date of the conversion which covers the period 
extending beyond that date.
    (3) Accumulation method. As an alternative to the gift tax method 
described in paragraph (b)(2) of this paragraph A-14, this paragraph 
(b)(3) provides a method that may be used for an annuity contract which 
has not been annuitized. The fair market value of such an annuity 
contract is permitted to be determined using the methodology provided in 
Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, A-12, with the following modifications:
    (i) All front-end loads and other non-recurring charges assessed in 
the twelve months immediately preceding the conversion must be added to 
the account value.
    (ii) Future distributions are not to be assumed in the determination 
of the actuarial present value of additional benefits.
    (iii) The exclusions provided under Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, A-12(c)(1) 
and (c)(2), are not to be taken into account.
    (c) Effective/applicability date. The provisions of this paragraph 
A-14 are applicable to any conversion in which an annuity contract is 
distributed or treated as distributed from a traditional IRA on or after 
August 19, 2005. However, for annuity contracts distributed or treated 
as distributed from a traditional IRA on or before December 31, 2008, 
taxpayers may instead apply the valuation methods in Sec. 1.408A-4T (as 
it appeared in the April 1, 2008, edition of 26 CFR part 1) and Revenue 
Procedure 2006-13 (2006-1 CB 315) (See Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)).

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5603, Feb. 4, 1999, as amended by T.D. 9220, 70 FR 
48871, Aug. 22, 2005; T.D. 9418, 73 FR 43862, July 29, 2008]



Sec. 1.408A-5  Recharacterized contributions.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
provide rules regarding recharacterizing IRA contributions:
    Q-1. Can an IRA owner recharacterize certain contributions (i.e., 
treat a contribution made to one type of IRA as made to a different type 
of IRA) for a taxable year?
    A-1. (a) Yes. In accordance with section 408A(d)(6), except as 
otherwise provided in this section, if an individual makes a 
contribution to an IRA (the FIRST IRA) for a taxable year and then 
transfers the contribution (or a portion of the contribution) in a 
trustee-to-trustee transfer from the trustee of the FIRST IRA to the 
trustee of another IRA (the SECOND IRA), the individual can elect to 
treat the contribution as having been made to the SECOND IRA, instead of 
to the FIRST IRA, for Federal tax purposes. A transfer between the FIRST 
IRA and the SECOND

[[Page 553]]

IRA will not fail to be a trustee-to-trustee transfer merely because 
both IRAs are maintained by the same trustee. For purposes of section 
408A(d)(6), redesignating the FIRST IRA as the SECOND IRA will be 
treated as a transfer of the entire account balance from the FIRST IRA 
to the SECOND IRA.
    (b) This recharacterization election can be made only if the 
trustee-to-trustee transfer from the FIRST IRA to the SECOND IRA is made 
on or before the due date (including extensions) for filing the 
individual's Federal income tax return for the taxable year for which 
the contribution was made to the FIRST IRA. For purposes of this 
section, a conversion that is accomplished through a rollover of a 
distribution from a traditional IRA in a taxable year that, 60 days 
after the distribution (as described in section 408(d)(3)(A)(i)), is 
contributed to a Roth IRA in the next taxable year is treated as a 
contribution for the earlier taxable year.
    Q-2. What is the proper treatment of the net income attributable to 
the amount of a contribution that is being recharacterized?
    A-2. (a) The net income attributable to the amount of a contribution 
that is being recharacterized must be transferred to the SECOND IRA 
along with the contribution.
    (b) If the amount of the contribution being recharacterized was 
contributed to a separate IRA and no distributions or additional 
contributions have been made from or to that IRA at any time, then the 
contribution is recharacterized by the trustee of the FIRST IRA 
transferring the entire account balance of the FIRST IRA to the trustee 
of the SECOND IRA. In this case, the net income (or loss) attributable 
to the contribution being recharacterized is the difference between the 
amount of the original contribution and the amount transferred.
    (c)(1) If paragraph (b) of this A-2 does not apply, then, for 
purposes of determining net income attributable to IRA contributions, 
the net income attributable to the amount of a contribution is 
determined by allocating to the contribution a pro rata portion of the 
earnings on the assets in the IRA during the period the IRA held the 
contribution. This attributable net income is calculated by using the 
following formula:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05MY03.003

    (2) For purposes of this paragraph (c), the following definitions 
apply:
    (i) The term adjusted opening balance means the fair market value of 
the IRA at the beginning of the computation period plus the amount of 
any contributions or transfers (including the contribution that is being 
recharacterized pursuant to section 408A(d)(6) and any other 
recharacterizations) made to the IRA during the computation period.
    (ii) The term adjusted closing balance means the fair market value 
of the IRA at the end of the computation period plus the amount of any 
distributions or transfers (including contributions returned pursuant to 
section 408(d)(4) and recharacterizations of contributions pursuant to 
section 408A(d)(6)) made from the IRA during the computation period.
    (iii) The term computation period means the period beginning 
immediately prior to the time the particular contribution being 
recharacterized is made to the IRA and ending immediately prior to the 
recharacterizing transfer of the contribution. If a series of regular 
contributions was made to the IRA, and consecutive contributions in that 
series are being recharacterized, the computation period begins 
immediately prior to the time the first of the regular contributions 
being recharacterized was made.
    (3) When an IRA asset is not normally valued on a daily basis, the 
fair market value of the asset at the beginning of the computation 
period is

[[Page 554]]

deemed to be the most recent, regularly determined, fair market value of 
the asset, determined as of a date that coincides with or precedes the 
first day of the computation period. In addition, solely for purposes of 
this paragraph (c), notwithstanding A-3 of this section, recharacterized 
contributions are taken into account for the period they are actually 
held in a particular IRA.
    (4) In the case of an individual with multiple IRAs, the net income 
calculation is performed only on the IRA containing the particular 
contribution to be recharacterized, and that IRA is the IRA from which 
the recharacterizing transfer must be made.
    (5) In the case of multiple contributions made to an IRA for a 
particular year that are eligible for recharacterization, the IRA owner 
can choose (by date and by dollar amount, not by specific assets 
acquired with those dollars) which contribution, or portion thereof, is 
to be recharacterized.
    (6) The following examples illustrate the net income calculation 
under section 408A(d)(6) and this paragraph:

    Example 1. (i) On March 1, 2004, when her Roth IRA is worth $80,000, 
Taxpayer A makes a $160,000 conversion contribution to the Roth IRA. 
Subsequently, Taxpayer A discovers that she was ineligible to make a 
Roth conversion contribution in 2004 and so she requests that the 
$160,000 be recharacterized to a traditional IRA pursuant to section 
408A(d)(6). Pursuant to this request, on March 1, 2005, when the IRA is 
worth $225,000, the Roth IRA trustee transfers to a traditional IRA the 
$160,000 plus allocable net income. No other contributions have been 
made to the Roth IRA and no distributions have been made.
    (ii) The adjusted opening balance is $240,000 [$80,000 + $160,000] 
and the adjusted closing balance is $225,000. Thus the net income 
allocable to the $160,000 is - $10,000 [$160,000 x ($225,000 - $240,000) 
/ $240,000]. Therefore, in order to recharacterize the March 1, 2004, 
$160,000 conversion contribution on March 1, 2005, the Roth IRA trustee 
must transfer from Taxpayer A's Roth IRA to her traditional IRA $150,000 
[$160,000 - $10,000].
    Example 2. (i) On April 1, 2004, when her traditional IRA is worth 
$100,000, Taxpayer B converts the entire amount, consisting of 100 
shares of stock in ABC Corp. and 100 shares of stock in XYZ Corp., by 
transferring the shares to a Roth IRA. At the time of the conversion, 
the 100 shares of stock in ABC Corp. are worth $50,000 and the 100 
shares of stock in XYZ Corp. are also worth $50,000. Taxpayer B decides 
that she would like to recharacterize the ABC Corp. shares back to a 
traditional IRA. However, B may choose only by dollar amount the 
contribution or portion thereof that is to be recharacterized. On the 
date of transfer, November 1, 2004, the 100 shares of stock in ABC Corp. 
are worth $40,000 and the 100 shares of stock in XYZ Corp. are worth 
$70,000. No other contributions have been made to the Roth IRA and no 
distributions have been made.
    (ii) If B requests that $50,000 (which was the value of the ABC 
Corp. shares at the time of conversion) be recharacterized, the net 
income allocable to the $50,000 is $5,000 [$50,000 x ($110,000 - 
$100,000) / $100,000]. Therefore, in order to recharacterize $50,000 of 
the April 1, 2004, conversion contribution on November 1, 2004, the Roth 
IRA trustee must transfer from Taxpayer B's Roth IRA to a traditional 
IRA assets with a value of $55,000 [$50,000 + $5,000].
    (iii) If, on the other hand, B requests that $40,000 (which was the 
value of the ABC Corp. shares on November 1) be recharacterized, the net 
income allocable to the $40,000 is $4,000 [$40,000 x ($110,000 - 
$100,000) / $100,000]. Therefore, in order to recharacterize $40,000 of 
the April 1, 2004, conversion contribution on November 1, 2004, the Roth 
IRA trustee must transfer from Taxpayer B's Roth IRA to a traditional 
IRA assets with a value of $44,000 [$40,000 + $4,000].
    (iv) Regardless of the amount of the contribution recharacterized, 
the determination of that amount (or of the net income allocable 
thereto) is not affected by whether the recharacterization is 
accomplished by the transfer of shares of ABC Corp. or of shares of XYZ 
Corp.

    (7) This paragraph (c) applies for purposes of determining net 
income attributable to IRA contributions, made on or after January 1, 
2004. For purposes of determining net income attributable to IRA 
contributions made before January 1, 2004, see paragraph (c) of this A-2 
of Sec. 1.408A-5 (as it appeared in the April 1, 2003, edition of 26 
CFR part 1).
    Q-3. What is the effect of recharacterizing a contribution made to 
the FIRST IRA as a contribution made to the SECOND IRA?
    A-3. The contribution that is being recharacterized as a 
contribution to the SECOND IRA is treated as having been originally 
contributed to the SECOND IRA on the same date and (in the case of a 
regular contribution) for the same taxable year that the contribution 
was made to the FIRST IRA. Thus, for example, no deduction would be 
allowed for a contribution to the

[[Page 555]]

FIRST IRA, and any net income transferred with the recharacterized 
contribution is treated as earned in the SECOND IRA, and not the FIRST 
IRA.
    Q-4. Can an amount contributed to an IRA in a tax-free transfer be 
recharacterized under A-1 of this section?
    A-4. No. If an amount is contributed to the FIRST IRA in a tax-free 
transfer, the amount cannot be recharacterized as a contribution to the 
SECOND IRA under A-1 of this section. However, if an amount is 
erroneously rolled over or transferred from a traditional IRA to a 
SIMPLE IRA, the contribution can subsequently be recharacterized as a 
contribution to another traditional IRA.
    Q-5. Can an amount contributed by an employer under a SIMPLE IRA 
Plan or a SEP be recharacterized under A-1 of this section?
    A-5. No. Employer contributions (including elective deferrals) under 
a SIMPLE IRA Plan or a SEP cannot be recharacterized as contributions to 
another IRA under A-1 of this section. However, an amount converted from 
a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA may be recharacterized under A-1 
of this section as a contribution to a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA, including 
the original SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA.
    Q-6. How does a taxpayer make the election to recharacterize a 
contribution to an IRA for a taxable year?
    A-6. (a) An individual makes the election described in this section 
by notifying, on or before the date of the transfer, both the trustee of 
the FIRST IRA and the trustee of the SECOND IRA, that the individual has 
elected to treat the contribution as having been made to the SECOND IRA, 
instead of the FIRST IRA, for Federal tax purposes. The notification of 
the election must include the following information: the type and amount 
of the contribution to the FIRST IRA that is to be recharacterized; the 
date on which the contribution was made to the FIRST IRA and the year 
for which it was made; a direction to the trustee of the FIRST IRA to 
transfer, in a trustee-to-trustee transfer, the amount of the 
contribution and net income allocable to the contribution to the trustee 
of the SECOND IRA; and the name of the trustee of the FIRST IRA and the 
trustee of the SECOND IRA and any additional information needed to make 
the transfer.
    (b) The election and the trustee-to-trustee transfer must occur on 
or before the due date (including extensions) for filing the 
individual's Federal income tax return for the taxable year for which 
the recharacterized contribution was made to the FIRST IRA, and the 
election cannot be revoked after the transfer. An individual who makes 
this election must report the recharacterization, and must treat the 
contribution as having been made to the SECOND IRA, instead of the FIRST 
IRA, on the individual's Federal income tax return for the taxable year 
described in the preceding sentence in accordance with the applicable 
Federal tax forms and instructions.
    (c) The election to recharacterize a contribution described in this 
A-6 may be made on behalf of a deceased IRA owner by his or her 
executor, administrator, or other person responsible for filing the 
final Federal income tax return of the decedent under section 
6012(b)(1).
    Q-7. If an amount is initially contributed to an IRA for a taxable 
year, then is moved (with net income attributable to the contribution) 
in a tax-free transfer to another IRA (the FIRST IRA for purposes of A-1 
of this section), can the tax-free transfer be disregarded, so that the 
initial contribution that is transferred from the FIRST IRA to the 
SECOND IRA is treated as a recharacterization of that initial 
contribution?
    A-7. Yes. In applying section 408A(d)(6), tax-free transfers between 
IRAs are disregarded. Thus, if a contribution to an IRA for a year is 
followed by one or more tax-free transfers between IRAs prior to the 
recharacterization, then for purposes of section 408A(d)(6), the 
contribution is treated as if it remained in the initial IRA. 
Consequently, an individual may elect to recharacterize an initial 
contribution made to the initial IRA that was involved in a series of 
tax-free transfers by making a trustee-to-trustee transfer from the last 
IRA in the series to the SECOND IRA. In this case the contribution to 
the SECOND IRA is

[[Page 556]]

treated as made on the same date (and for the same taxable year) as the 
date the contribution being recharacterized was made to the initial IRA.
    Q-8. If a contribution is recharacterized, is the recharacterization 
treated as a rollover for purposes of the one-rollover-per-year 
limitation of section 408(d)(3)(B)?
    A-8. No, recharacterizing a contribution under A-1 of this section 
is never treated as a rollover for purposes of the one-rollover-per-year 
limitation of section 408(d)(3)(B), even if the contribution would have 
been treated as a rollover contribution by the SECOND IRA if it had been 
made directly to the SECOND IRA, rather than as a result of a 
recharacterization of a contribution to the FIRST IRA.
    Q-9. If an IRA owner converts an amount from a traditional IRA to a 
Roth IRA and then transfers that amount back to a traditional IRA in a 
recharacterization, may the IRA owner subsequently reconvert that amount 
from the traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?
    A-9. (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this A-
9, an IRA owner who converts an amount from a traditional IRA to a Roth 
IRA during any taxable year and then transfers that amount back to a 
traditional IRA by means of a recharacterization may not reconvert that 
amount from the traditional IRA to a Roth IRA before the beginning of 
the taxable year following the taxable year in which the amount was 
converted to a Roth IRA or, if later, the end of the 30-day period 
beginning on the day on which the IRA owner transfers the amount from 
the Roth IRA back to a traditional IRA by means of a recharacterization 
(regardless of whether the recharacterization occurs during the taxable 
year in which the amount was converted to a Roth IRA or the following 
taxable year). Thus, any attempted reconversion of an amount prior to 
the time permitted under this paragraph (a)(1) is a failed conversion of 
that amount. However, see Sec. 1.408A-4 A-3 for a remedy available to 
an individual who makes a failed conversion.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this A-9, a failed 
conversion of an amount resulting from a failure to satisfy the 
requirements of Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1(a) is treated as a conversion in 
determining whether an IRA owner has previously converted that amount.
    (b)(1) An IRA owner who converts an amount from a traditional IRA to 
a Roth IRA during taxable year 1998 and then transfers that amount back 
to a traditional IRA by means of a recharacterization may reconvert that 
amount once (but no more than once) on or after November 1, 1998 and on 
or before December 31, 1998; the IRA owner may also reconvert that 
amount once (but no more than once) during 1999. The rule set forth in 
the preceding sentence applies without regard to whether the IRA owner's 
initial conversion or recharacterization of the amount occurred before, 
on, or after November 1, 1998. An IRA owner who converts an amount from 
a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA during taxable year 1999 that has not 
been converted previously and then transfers that amount back to a 
traditional IRA by means of a recharacterization may reconvert that 
amount once (but no more than once) on or before December 31, 1999. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), a failed conversion of an amount 
resulting from a failure to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.408A-4 
A-1(a) is not treated as a conversion in determining whether an IRA 
owner has previously converted that amount.
    (2) A reconversion by an IRA owner during 1998 or 1999 for which the 
IRA owner is not eligible under paragraph (b)(1) of this A-9 will be 
deemed an excess reconversion (rather than a failed conversion) and will 
not change the IRA owner's taxable conversion amount. Instead, the 
excess reconversion and the last preceding recharacterization will not 
be taken into account for purposes of determining the IRA owner's 
taxable conversion amount, and the IRA owner's taxable conversion amount 
will be based on the last reconversion that was not an excess 
reconversion (unless, after the excess reconversion, the amount is 
transferred back to a traditional IRA by means of a recharacterization). 
An excess reconversion will otherwise be treated as a valid 
reconversion.
    (3) For purposes of this paragraph (b), any reconversion that an IRA 
owner

[[Page 557]]

made before November 1, 1998 will not be treated as an excess 
reconversion and will not be taken into account in determining whether 
any later reconversion is an excess reconversion.
    (c) In determining the portion of any amount held in a Roth IRA or a 
traditional IRA that an IRA owner may not reconvert under this A-9, any 
amount previously converted (or reconverted) is adjusted for subsequent 
net income thereon.
    Q-10. Are there examples to illustrate the rules in this section?
    A-10. The rules in this section are illustrated by the following 
examples:

    Example 1. In 1998, Individual C converts the entire amount in his 
traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Individual C thereafter determines that 
his modified AGI for 1998 exceeded $100,000 so that he was ineligible to 
have made a conversion in that year. Accordingly, prior to the due date 
(plus extensions) for filing the individual's Federal income tax return 
for 1998, he decides to recharacterize the conversion contribution. He 
instructs the trustee of the Roth IRA (FIRST IRA) to transfer in a 
trustee-to-trustee transfer the amount of the contribution, plus net 
income, to the trustee of a new traditional IRA (SECOND IRA). The 
individual notifies the trustee of the FIRST IRA and the trustee of the 
SECOND IRA that he is recharacterizing his IRA contribution (and 
provides the other information described in A-6 of this section). On the 
individual's Federal income tax return for 1998, he treats the original 
amount of the conversion as having been contributed to the SECOND IRA 
and not the Roth IRA. As a result, for Federal tax purposes, the 
contribution is treated as having been made to the SECOND IRA and not to 
the Roth IRA. The result would be the same if the conversion amount had 
been transferred in a tax-free transfer to another Roth IRA prior to the 
recharacterization.
    Example 2. In 1998, an individual makes a $2,000 regular 
contribution for 1998 to his traditional IRA (FIRST IRA). Prior to the 
due date (plus extensions) for filing the individual's Federal income 
tax return for 1998, he decides that he would prefer to contribute to a 
Roth IRA instead. The individual instructs the trustee of the FIRST IRA 
to transfer in a trustee-to-trustee transfer the amount of the 
contribution, plus attributable net income, to the trustee of a Roth IRA 
(SECOND IRA). The individual notifies the trustee of the FIRST IRA and 
the trustee of the SECOND IRA that he is recharacterizing his $2,000 
contribution for 1998 (and provides the other information described in 
A-6 of this section). On the individual's Federal income tax return for 
1998, he treats the $2,000 as having been contributed to the Roth IRA 
for 1998 and not to the traditional IRA. As a result, for Federal tax 
purposes, the contribution is treated as having been made to the Roth 
IRA for 1998 and not to the traditional IRA. The result would be the 
same if the conversion amount had been transferred in a tax-free 
transfer to another traditional IRA prior to the recharacterization.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that the 
$2,000 regular contribution is initially made to a Roth IRA and the 
recharacterizing transfer is made to a traditional IRA. On the 
individual's Federal income tax return for 1998, he treats the $2,000 as 
having been contributed to the traditional IRA for 1998 and not the Roth 
IRA. As a result, for Federal tax purposes, the contribution is treated 
as having been made to the traditional IRA for 1998 and not the Roth 
IRA. The result would be the same if the contribution had been 
transferred in a tax-free transfer to another Roth IRA prior to the 
recharacterization, except that the only Roth IRA trustee the individual 
must notify is the one actually making the recharacterization transfer.
    Example 4. In 1998, an individual receives a distribution from 
traditional IRA 1 and contributes the entire amount to traditional IRA 2 
in a rollover contribution described in section 408(d)(3). In this case, 
the individual cannot elect to recharacterize the contribution by 
transferring the contribution amount, plus net income, to a Roth IRA, 
because an amount contributed to an IRA in a tax-free transfer cannot be 
recharacterized. However, the individual may convert (other than by 
recharacterization) the amount in traditional IRA 2 to a Roth IRA at any 
time, provided the requirements of Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1 are satisfied.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5605, Feb. 4, 1999, as amended by T.D. 9056, 68 FR 
23589, May 5, 2003]



Sec. 1.408A-6  Distributions.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
provide rules regarding distributions from Roth IRAs:
    Q-1. How are distributions from Roth IRAs taxed?
    A-1. (a) The taxability of a distribution from a Roth IRA generally 
depends on whether or not the distribution is a qualified distribution. 
This A-1 provides rules for qualified distributions and certain other 
nontaxable distributions. A-4 of this section provides rules for the 
taxability of distributions that are not qualified distributions.
    (b) A distribution from a Roth IRA is not includible in the owner's 
gross income if it is a qualified distribution or

[[Page 558]]

to the extent that it is a return of the owner's contributions to the 
Roth IRA (determined in accordance with A-8 of this section). A 
qualified distribution is one that is both--
    (1) Made after a 5-taxable-year period (defined in A-2 of this 
section); and
    (2) Made on or after the date on which the owner attains age 59\1/
2\, made to a beneficiary or the estate of the owner on or after the 
date of the owner's death, attributable to the owner's being disabled 
within the meaning of section 72(m)(7), or to which section 72(t)(2)(F) 
applies (exception for first-time home purchase).
    (c) An amount distributed from a Roth IRA will not be included in 
gross income to the extent it is rolled over to another Roth IRA on a 
tax-free basis under the rules of sections 408(d)(3) and 408A(e).
    (d) Contributions that are returned to the Roth IRA owner in 
accordance with section 408(d)(4) (corrective distributions) are not 
includible in gross income, but any net income required to be 
distributed under section 408(d)(4) together with the contributions is 
includible in gross income for the taxable year in which the 
contributions were made.
    Q-2. When does the 5-taxable-year period described in A-1 of this 
section (relating to qualified distributions) begin and end?
    A-2. The 5-taxable-year period described in A-1 of this section 
begins on the first day of the individual's taxable year for which the 
first regular contribution is made to any Roth IRA of the individual or, 
if earlier, the first day of the individual's taxable year in which the 
first conversion contribution is made to any Roth IRA of the individual. 
The 5-taxable-year period ends on the last day of the individual's fifth 
consecutive taxable year beginning with the taxable year described in 
the preceding sentence. For example, if an individual whose taxable year 
is the calendar year makes a first-time regular Roth IRA contribution 
any time between January 1, 1998, and April 15, 1999, for 1998, the 5-
taxable-year period begins on January 1, 1998. Thus, each Roth IRA owner 
has only one 5-taxable-year period described in A-1 of this section for 
all the Roth IRAs of which he or she is the owner. Further, because of 
the requirement of the 5-taxable-year period, no qualified distributions 
can occur before taxable years beginning in 2003. For purposes of this 
A-2, the amount of any contribution distributed as a corrective 
distribution under A-1(d) of this section is treated as if it was never 
contributed.
    Q-3. If a distribution is made to an individual who is the sole 
beneficiary of his or her deceased spouse's Roth IRA and the individual 
is treating the Roth IRA as his or her own, can the distribution be a 
qualified distribution based on being made to a beneficiary on or after 
the owner's death?
    A-3. No. If a distribution is made to an individual who is the sole 
beneficiary of his or her deceased spouse's Roth IRA and the individual 
is treating the Roth IRA as his or her own, then, in accordance with 
Sec. 1.408A-2 A-4, the distribution is treated as coming from the 
individual's own Roth IRA and not the deceased spouse's Roth IRA. 
Therefore, for purposes of determining whether the distribution is a 
qualified distribution, it is not treated as made to a beneficiary on or 
after the owner's death.
    Q-4. How is a distribution from a Roth IRA taxed if it is not a 
qualified distribution?
    A-4. A distribution that is not a qualified distribution, and is 
neither contributed to another Roth IRA in a qualified rollover 
contribution nor constitutes a corrective distribution, is includible in 
the owner's gross income to the extent that the amount of the 
distribution, when added to the amount of all prior distributions from 
the owner's Roth IRAs (whether or not they were qualified distributions) 
and reduced by the amount of those prior distributions previously 
includible in gross income, exceeds the owner's contributions to all his 
or her Roth IRAs. For purposes of this A-4, any amount distributed as a 
corrective distribution is treated as if it was never contributed.
    Q-5. Will the additional tax under 72(t) apply to the amount of a 
distribution that is not a qualified distribution?
    A-5. (a) The 10-percent additional tax under section 72(t) will 
apply (unless

[[Page 559]]

the distribution is excepted under section 72(t)) to any distribution 
from a Roth IRA includible in gross income.
    (b) The 10-percent additional tax under section 72(t) also applies 
to a nonqualified distribution, even if it is not then includible in 
gross income, to the extent it is allocable to a conversion 
contribution, if the distribution is made within the 5-taxable-year 
period beginning with the first day of the individual's taxable year in 
which the conversion contribution was made. The 5-taxable-year period 
ends on the last day of the individual's fifth consecutive taxable year 
beginning with the taxable year described in the preceding sentence. For 
purposes of applying the tax, only the amount of the conversion 
contribution includible in gross income as a result of the conversion is 
taken into account. The exceptions under section 72(t) also apply to 
such a distribution.
    (c) The 5-taxable-year period described in this A-5 for purposes of 
determining whether section 72(t) applies to a distribution allocable to 
a conversion contribution is separately determined for each conversion 
contribution, and need not be the same as the 5-taxable-year period used 
for purposes of determining whether a distribution is a qualified 
distribution under A-1(b) of this section. For example, if a calendar-
year taxpayer who received a distribution from a traditional IRA on 
December 31, 1998, makes a conversion contribution by contributing the 
distributed amount to a Roth IRA on February 25, 1999 in a qualifying 
rollover contribution and makes a regular contribution for 1998 on the 
same date, the 5-taxable-year period for purposes of this A-5 begins on 
January 1, 1999, while the 5-taxable-year period for purposes of A-1(b) 
of this section begins on January 1, 1998.
    Q-6. Is there a special rule for taxing distributions allocable to a 
1998 conversion?
    A-6. Yes. In the case of a distribution from a Roth IRA in 1998, 
1999 or 2000 of amounts allocable to a 1998 conversion with respect to 
which the 4-year spread for the resultant income inclusion applies (see 
Sec. 1.408A-4 A-8), any income deferred as a result of the election to 
years after the year of the distribution is accelerated so that it is 
includible in gross income in the year of the distribution up to the 
amount of the distribution allocable to the 1998 conversion (determined 
under A-8 of this section). This amount is in addition to the amount 
otherwise includible in the owner's gross income for that taxable year 
as a result of the conversion. However, this rule will not require the 
inclusion of any amount to the extent it exceeds the total amount of 
income required to be included over the 4-year period. The acceleration 
of income inclusion described in this A-6 applies in the case of a 
surviving spouse who elects to continue the 4-year spread in accordance 
with Sec. 1.408A-4 A-11(b).
    Q-7. Is the 5-taxable-year period described in A-1 of this section 
redetermined when a Roth IRA owner dies?
    A-7. (a) No. The beginning of the 5-taxable-year period described in 
A-1 of this section is not redetermined when the Roth IRA owner dies. 
Thus, in determining the 5-taxable-year period, the period the Roth IRA 
is held in the name of a beneficiary, or in the name of a surviving 
spouse who treats the decedent's Roth IRA as his or her own, includes 
the period it was held by the decedent.
    (b) The 5-taxable-year period for a Roth IRA held by an individual 
as a beneficiary of a deceased Roth IRA owner is determined 
independently of the 5-taxable-year period for the beneficiary's own 
Roth IRA. However, if a surviving spouse treats the Roth IRA as his or 
her own, the 5-taxable-year period with respect to any of the surviving 
spouse's Roth IRAs (including the one that the surviving spouse treats 
as his or her own) ends at the earlier of the end of either the 5-
taxable-year period for the decedent or the 5-taxable-year period 
applicable to the spouse's own Roth IRAs.
    Q-8. How is it determined whether an amount distributed from a Roth 
IRA is allocated to regular contributions, conversion contributions, or 
earnings?
    A-8. (a) Any amount distributed from an individual's Roth IRA is 
treated as made in the following order (determined as of the end of a 
taxable year and exhausting each category before moving to the following 
category)--
    (1) From regular contributions;

[[Page 560]]

    (2) From conversion contributions, on a first-in-first-out basis; 
and
    (3) From earnings.
    (b) To the extent a distribution is treated as made from a 
particular conversion contribution, it is treated as made first from the 
portion, if any, that was includible in gross income as a result of the 
conversion.
    Q-9. Are there special rules for determining the source of 
distributions under A-8 of this section?
    A-9. Yes. For purposes of determining the source of distributions, 
the following rules apply:
    (a) All distributions from all an individual's Roth IRAs made during 
a taxable year are aggregated.
    (b) All regular contributions made for the same taxable year to all 
the individual's Roth IRAs are aggregated and added to the undistributed 
total regular contributions for prior taxable years. Regular 
contributions for a taxable year include contributions made in the 
following taxable year that are identified as made for the taxable year 
in accordance with Sec. 1.408A-3 A-2. For example, a regular 
contribution made in 1999 for 1998 is aggregated with the contributions 
made in 1998 for 1998.
    (c) All conversion contributions received during the same taxable 
year by all the individual's Roth IRAs are aggregated. Notwithstanding 
the preceding sentence, all conversion contributions made by an 
individual during 1999 that were distributed from a traditional IRA in 
1998 and with respect to which the 4-year spread applies are treated for 
purposes of A-8(b) of this section as contributed to the individual's 
Roth IRAs prior to any other conversion contributions made by the 
individual during 1999.
    (d) A distribution from an individual's Roth IRA that is rolled over 
to another Roth IRA of the individual in accordance with section 408A(e) 
is disregarded for purposes of determining the amount of both 
contributions and distributions.
    (e) Any amount distributed as a corrective distribution (including 
net income), as described in A-1(d) of this section, is disregarded in 
determining the amount of contributions, earnings, and distributions.
    (f) If an individual recharacterizes a contribution made to a 
traditional IRA (FIRST IRA) by transferring the contribution to a Roth 
IRA (SECOND IRA) in accordance with Sec. 1.408A-5, then, pursuant to 
Sec. 1.408A-5 A-3, the contribution to the Roth IRA is taken into 
account for the same taxable year for which it would have been taken 
into account if the contribution had originally been made to the Roth 
IRA and had never been contributed to the traditional IRA. Thus, the 
contribution to the Roth IRA is treated as contributed to the Roth IRA 
on the same date and for the same taxable year that the contribution was 
made to the traditional IRA.
    (g) If an individual recharacterizes a regular or conversion 
contribution made to a Roth IRA (FIRST IRA) by transferring the 
contribution to a traditional IRA (SECOND IRA) in accordance with Sec. 
1.408A-5, then pursuant to Sec. 1.408A-5 A-3, the contribution to the 
Roth IRA and the recharacterizing transfer are disregarded in 
determining the amount of both contributions and distributions for the 
taxable year with respect to which the original contribution was made to 
the Roth IRA.
    (h) Pursuant to Sec. 1.408A-5 A-3, the effect of income or loss 
(determined in accordance with Sec. 1.408A-5 A-2) occurring after the 
contribution to the FIRST IRA is disregarded in determining the amounts 
described in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this A-9. Thus, for purposes of 
paragraphs (f) and (g), the amount of the contribution is determined 
based on the original contribution.
    Q-10. Are there examples to illustrate the ordering rules described 
in A-8 and A-9 of this section?
    A-10. Yes. The following examples illustrate these ordering rules:

    Example 1. In 1998, individual B converts $80,000 in his traditional 
IRA to a Roth IRA. B has a basis of $20,000 in the conversion amount and 
so must include the remaining $60,000 in gross income. He decides to 
spread the $60,000 income by including $15,000 in each of the 4 years 
1998-2001, under the rules of Sec. 1.408A-4 A-8. B also makes a regular 
contribution of $2,000 in 1998. If a distribution of $2,000 is made to B 
anytime in 1998, it will be treated as made entirely from the regular

[[Page 561]]

contributions, so there will be no Federal income tax consequences as a 
result of the distribution.
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
distribution made in 1998 is $5,000. The distribution is treated as made 
from $2,000 of regular contributions and $3,000 of conversion 
contributions that were includible in gross income. As a result, B must 
include $18,000 in gross income for 1998: $3,000 as a result of the 
acceleration of amounts that otherwise would have been included in later 
years under the 4-year-spread rule and $15,000 includible under the 
regular 4-year-spread rule. In addition, because the $3,000 is allocable 
to a conversion made within the previous 5 taxable years, the 10-percent 
additional tax under section 72(t) would apply to this $3,000 
distribution for 1998, unless an exception applies. Under the 4-year-
spread rule, B would now include in gross income $15,000 for 1999 and 
2000, but only $12,000 for 2001, because of the accelerated inclusion of 
the $3,000 distribution.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that B 
makes an additional $2,000 regular contribution in 1999 and he does not 
take a distribution in 1998. In 1999, the entire balance in the account, 
$90,000 ($84,000 of contributions and $6,000 of earnings), is 
distributed to B. The distribution is treated as made from $4,000 of 
regular contributions, $60,000 of conversion contributions that were 
includible in gross income, $20,000 of conversion contributions that 
were not includible in gross income, and $6,000 of earnings. Because a 
distribution has been made within the 4-year-spread period, B must 
accelerate the income inclusion under the 4-year-spread rule and must 
include in gross income the $45,000 remaining under the 4-year-spread 
rule in addition to the $6,000 of earnings. Because $60,000 of the 
distribution is allocable to a conversion made within the previous 5 
taxable years, it is subject to the 10-percent additional tax under 
section 72(t) as if it were includible in gross income for 1999, unless 
an exception applies. The $6,000 allocable to earnings would be subject 
to the tax under section 72(t), unless an exception applies. Under the 
4-year-spread rule, no amount would be includible in gross income for 
2000 or 2001 because the entire amount of the conversion that was 
includible in gross income has already been included.
    Example 4. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that B 
also makes a $2,000 regular contribution in each year 1999 through 2002 
and he does not take a distribution in 1998. A distribution of $85,000 
is made to B in 2002. The distribution is treated as made from the 
$10,000 of regular contributions (the total regular contributions made 
in the years 1998-2002), $60,000 of conversion contributions that were 
includible in gross income, and $15,000 of conversion contributions that 
were not includible in gross income. As a result, no amount of the 
distribution is includible in gross income; however, because the 
distribution is allocable to a conversion made within the previous 5 
years, the $60,000 is subject to the 10-percent additional tax under 
section 72(t) as if it were includible in gross income for 2002, unless 
an exception applies.
    Example 5. The facts are the same as in Example 4, except no 
distribution occurs in 2002. In 2003, the entire balance in the account, 
$170,000 ($90,000 of contributions and $80,000 of earnings), is 
distributed to B. The distribution is treated as made from $10,000 of 
regular contributions, $60,000 of conversion contributions that were 
includible in gross income, $20,000 of conversion contributions that 
were not includible in gross income, and $80,000 of earnings. As a 
result, for 2003, B must include in gross income the $80,000 allocable 
to earnings, unless the distribution is a qualified distribution; and if 
it is not a qualified distribution, the $80,000 would be subject to the 
10-percent additional tax under section 72(t), unless an exception 
applies.
    Example 6. Individual C converts $20,000 to a Roth IRA in 1998 and 
$15,000 (in which amount C had a basis of $2,000) to another Roth IRA in 
1999. No other contributions are made. In 2003, a $30,000 distribution, 
that is not a qualified distribution, is made to C. The distribution is 
treated as made from $20,000 of the 1998 conversion contribution and 
$10,000 of the 1999 conversion contribution that was includible in gross 
income. As a result, for 2003, no amount is includible in gross income; 
however, because $10,000 is allocable to a conversion contribution made 
within the previous 5 taxable years, that amount is subject to the 10-
percent additional tax under section 72(t) as if the amount were 
includible in gross income for 2003, unless an exception applies. The 
result would be the same whichever of C's Roth IRAs made the 
distribution.
    Example 7. The facts are the same as in Example 6, except that the 
distribution is a qualified distribution. The result is the same as in 
Example 6, except that no amount would be subject to the 10-percent 
additional tax under section 72(t), because, to be a qualified 
distribution, the distribution must be made on or after the date on 
which the owner attains age 59\1/2\, made to a beneficiary or the estate 
of the owner on or after the date of the owner's death, attributable to 
the owner's being disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7), or to 
which section 72(t)(2)(F) applies (exception for a first-time home 
purchase). Under section 72(t)(2), each of these conditions is also an 
exception to the tax under section 72(t).
    Example 8. Individual D makes a $2,000 regular contribution to a 
traditional IRA on January 1, 1999, for 1998. On April 15, 1999,

[[Page 562]]

when the $2,000 has increased to $2,500, D recharacterizes the 
contribution by transferring the $2,500 to a Roth IRA (pursuant to Sec. 
1.408A-5 A-1). In this case, D's regular contribution to the Roth IRA 
for 1998 is $2,000. The $500 of earnings is not treated as a 
contribution to the Roth IRA. The results would be the same if the 
$2,000 had decreased to $1,500 prior to the recharacterization.
    Example 9. In December 1998, individual E receives a distribution 
from his traditional IRA of $300,000 and in January 1999 he contributes 
the $300,000 to a Roth IRA as a conversion contribution. In April 1999, 
when the $300,000 has increased to $350,000, E recharacterizes the 
conversion contribution by transferring the $350,000 to a traditional 
IRA. In this case, E's conversion contribution for 1998 is $0, because 
the $300,000 conversion contribution and the earnings of $50,000 are 
disregarded. The results would be the same if the $300,000 had decreased 
to $250,000 prior to the recharacterization. Further, since the 
conversion is disregarded, the $300,000 is not includible in gross 
income in 1998.

    Q-11. If the owner of a Roth IRA dies prior to the end of the 5-
taxable-year period described in A-1 of this section (relating to 
qualified distributions) or prior to the end of the 5-taxable-year 
period described in A-5 of this section (relating to conversions), how 
are different types of contributions in the Roth IRA allocated to 
multiple beneficiaries?
    A-11. Each type of contribution is allocated to each beneficiary on 
a pro-rata basis. Thus, for example, if a Roth IRA owner dies in 1999, 
when the Roth IRA contains a regular contribution of $2,000, a 
conversion contribution of $6,000 and earnings of $1,000, and the owner 
leaves his Roth IRA equally to four children, each child will receive 
one quarter of each type of contribution. Pursuant to the ordering rules 
in A-8 of this section, an immediate distribution of $2,000 to one of 
the children will be deemed to consist of $500 of regular contributions 
and $1,500 of conversion contributions. A beneficiary's inherited Roth 
IRA may not be aggregated with any other Roth IRA maintained by such 
beneficiary (except for other Roth IRAs the beneficiary inherited from 
the same decedent), unless the beneficiary, as the spouse of the 
decedent and sole beneficiary of the Roth IRA, elects to treat the Roth 
IRA as his or her own (see A-7 and A-14 of this section).
    Q-12. How do the withholding rules under section 3405 apply to Roth 
IRAs?
    A-12. Distributions from a Roth IRA are distributions from an 
individual retirement plan for purposes of section 3405 and thus are 
designated distributions unless one of the exceptions in section 
3405(e)(1) applies. Pursuant to section 3405(a) and (b), nonperiodic 
distributions from a Roth IRA are subject to 10-percent withholding by 
the payor and periodic payments are subject to withholding as if the 
payments were wages. However, an individual can elect to have no amount 
withheld in accordance with section 3405(a)(2) and (b)(2).
    Q-13. Do the withholding rules under section 3405 apply to 
conversions?
    A-13. Yes. A conversion by any method described in Sec. 1.408A-4 A-
1 is considered a designated distribution subject to section 3405. 
However, a conversion occurring in 1998 by means of a trustee-to-trustee 
transfer of an amount from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA established 
with the same or a different trustee is not required to be treated as a 
designated distribution for purposes of section 3405. Consequently, no 
withholding is required with respect to such a conversion (without 
regard to whether or not the individual elected to have no withholding).
    Q-14. What minimum distribution rules apply to a Roth IRA?
    A-14. (a) No minimum distributions are required to be made from a 
Roth IRA under section 408(a)(6) and (b)(3) (which generally incorporate 
the provisions of section 401(a)(9)) while the owner is alive. The post-
death minimum distribution rules under section 401(a)(9)(B) that apply 
to traditional IRAs, with the exception of the at-least-as-rapidly rule 
described in section 401(a)(9)(B)(i), also apply to Roth IRAs.
    (b) The minimum distribution rules apply to the Roth IRA as though 
the Roth IRA owner died before his or her required beginning date. Thus, 
generally, the entire interest in the Roth IRA must be distributed by 
the end of the fifth calendar year after the year of the owner's death 
unless the interest is payable to a designated beneficiary over a period 
not greater than that

[[Page 563]]

beneficiary's life expectancy and distribution commences before the end 
of the calendar year following the year of death. If the sole 
beneficiary is the decedent's spouse, such spouse may delay 
distributions until the decedent would have attained age 70\1/2\ or may 
treat the Roth IRA as his or her own.
    (c) Distributions to a beneficiary that are not qualified 
distributions will be includible in the beneficiary's gross income 
according to the rules in A-4 of this section.
    (d) The special rules in A-3 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-5 and A-12 of 
Sec. 1.408-8 for a qualifying longevity annuity contract (QLAC), 
defined in A-17 of Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, do not apply to a Roth IRA.
    Q-15. Does section 401(a)(9) apply separately to Roth IRAs and 
individual retirement plans that are not Roth IRAs?
    A-15. Yes. An individual required to receive minimum distributions 
from his or her own traditional or SIMPLE IRA cannot choose to take the 
amount of the minimum distributions from any Roth IRA. Similarly, an 
individual required to receive minimum distributions from a Roth IRA 
cannot choose to take the amount of the minimum distributions from a 
traditional or SIMPLE IRA. In addition, an individual required to 
receive minimum distributions as a beneficiary under a Roth IRA can only 
satisfy the minimum distributions for one Roth IRA by distributing from 
another Roth IRA if the Roth IRAs were inherited from the same decedent.
    Q-16. How is the basis of property distributed from a Roth IRA 
determined for purposes of a subsequent disposition?
    A-16. The basis of property distributed from a Roth IRA is its fair 
market value (FMV) on the date of distribution, whether or not the 
distribution is a qualified distribution. Thus, for example, if a 
distribution consists of a share of stock in XYZ Corp. with an FMV of 
$40.00 on the date of distribution, for purposes of determining gain or 
loss on the subsequent sale of the share of XYZ Corp. stock, it has a 
basis of $40.00.
    Q-17. What is the effect of distributing an amount from a Roth IRA 
and contributing it to another type of retirement plan other than a Roth 
IRA?
    A-17. Any amount distributed from a Roth IRA and contributed to 
another type of retirement plan (other than a Roth IRA) is treated as a 
distribution from the Roth IRA that is neither a rollover contribution 
for purposes of section 408(d)(3) nor a qualified rollover contribution 
within the meaning of section 408A(e) to the other type of retirement 
plan. This treatment also applies to any amount transferred from a Roth 
IRA to any other type of retirement plan unless the transfer is a 
recharacterization described in Sec. 1.408A-5.
    Q-18. Can an amount be transferred directly from an education IRA to 
a Roth IRA (or distributed from an education IRA and rolled over to a 
Roth IRA)?
    A-18. No amount may be transferred directly from an education IRA to 
a Roth IRA. A transfer of funds (or distribution and rollover) from an 
education IRA to a Roth IRA constitutes a distribution from the 
education IRA and a regular contribution to the Roth IRA (rather than a 
qualified rollover contribution to the Roth IRA).
    Q-19. What are the Federal income tax consequences of a Roth IRA 
owner transferring his or her Roth IRA to another individual by gift?
    A-19. A Roth IRA owner's transfer of his or her Roth IRA to another 
individual by gift constitutes an assignment of the owner's rights under 
the Roth IRA. At the time of the gift, the assets of the Roth IRA are 
deemed to be distributed to the owner and, accordingly, are treated as 
no longer held in a Roth IRA. In the case of any such gift of a Roth IRA 
made prior to October 1, 1998, if the entire interest in the Roth IRA is 
reconveyed to the Roth IRA owner prior to January 1, 1999, the Internal 
Revenue Service will treat the gift and reconveyance as never having 
occurred for estate tax, gift tax, and generation-skipping tax purposes 
and for purposes of this A-19.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5607, Feb. 4, 1999, as amended by T.D. 9673, 79 FR 
37643, July 2, 2014]



Sec. 1.408A-7  Reporting.

    This section sets forth the following questions and answers that 
relate to the reporting requirements applicable to Roth IRAs:

[[Page 564]]

    Q-1. What reporting requirements apply to Roth IRAs?
    A-1. Generally, the reporting requirements applicable to IRAs other 
than Roth IRAs also apply to Roth IRAs, except that, pursuant to section 
408A(d)(3)(D), the trustee of a Roth IRA must include on Forms 1099-R 
and 5498 additional information as described in the instructions 
thereto. Any conversion of amounts from an IRA other than a Roth IRA to 
a Roth IRA is treated as a distribution for which a Form 1099-R must be 
filed by the trustee maintaining the non-Roth IRA. In addition, the 
owner of such IRAs must report the conversion by completing Form 8606. 
In the case of a recharacterization described in Sec. 1.408A-5 A-1, IRA 
owners must report such transactions in the manner prescribed in the 
instructions to the applicable Federal tax forms.
    Q-2. Can a trustee rely on reasonable representations of a Roth IRA 
contributor or distributee for purposes of fulfilling reporting 
obligations?
    A-2. A trustee maintaining a Roth IRA is permitted to rely on 
reasonable representations of a Roth IRA contributor or distributee for 
purposes of fulfilling reporting obligations.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5610, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-8  Definitions.

    This section sets forth the following question and answer that 
provides definitions of terms used in the provisions of Sec. Sec. 
1.408A-1 through 1.408A-7 and this section:
    Q-1. Are there any special definitions that govern in applying the 
provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.408A-1 through 1.408A-7 and this section?
    A-1. Yes, the following definitions govern in applying the 
provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.408A-1 through 1.408A-7 and this section. 
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the use of a particular term 
excludes the use of the other terms.
    (a) Different types of IRAs--(1) IRA. Sections 408(a) and (b), 
respectively, describe an individual retirement account and an 
individual retirement annuity. The term IRA means an IRA described in 
either section 408(a) or (b), including each IRA described in paragraphs 
(a)(2) through (5) of this A-1. However, the term IRA does not include 
an education IRA described in section 530.
    (2) Traditional IRA. The term traditional IRA means an individual 
retirement account or individual retirement annuity described in section 
408(a) or (b), respectively. This term includes a SEP IRA but does not 
include a SIMPLE IRA or a Roth IRA.
    (3) SEP IRA. Section 408(k) describes a simplified employee pension 
(SEP) as an employer-sponsored plan under which an employer can make 
contributions to IRAs established for its employees. The term SEP IRA 
means an IRA that receives contributions made under a SEP. The term SEP 
includes a salary reduction SEP (SARSEP) described in section 408(k)(6).
    (4) SIMPLE IRA. Section 408(p) describes a SIMPLE IRA Plan as an 
employer-sponsored plan under which an employer can make contributions 
to SIMPLE IRAs established for its employees. The term SIMPLE IRA means 
an IRA to which the only contributions that can be made are 
contributions under a SIMPLE IRA Plan or rollovers or transfers from 
another SIMPLE IRA.
    (5) Roth IRA. The term Roth IRA means an IRA that meets the 
requirements of section 408A.
    (b) Other defined terms or phrases--(1) 4-year spread. The term 4-
year spread is described in Sec. 1.408A-4 A-8.
    (2) Conversion. The term conversion means a transaction satisfying 
the requirements of Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1.
    (3) Conversion amount or conversion contribution. The term 
conversion amount or conversion contribution is the amount of a 
distribution and contribution with respect to which a conversion 
described in Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1 is made.
    (4) Failed conversion. The term failed conversion means a 
transaction in which an individual contributes to a Roth IRA an amount 
transferred or distributed from a traditional IRA or Simple IRA 
(including a transfer by redesignation) in a transaction that does not 
constitute a conversion under Sec. 1.408A-4 A-1.
    (5) Modified AGI. The term modified AGI is defined in Sec. 1.408A-3 
A-5.

[[Page 565]]

    (6) Recharacterization. The term recharacterization means a 
transaction described in Sec. 1.408A-5 A-1.
    (7) Recharacterized amount or recharacterized contribution.The term 
recharacterized amount or recharacterized contribution means an amount 
or contribution treated as contributed to an IRA other than the one to 
which it was originally contributed pursuant to a recharacterization 
described in Sec. 1.408A-5 A-1.
    (8) Taxable conversion amount. The term taxable conversion amount 
means the portion of a conversion amount includible in income on account 
of a conversion, determined under the rules of section 408(d)(1) and 
(2).
    (9) Tax-free transfer. The term tax-free transfer means a tax-free 
rollover described in section 402(c), 402(e)(6), 403(a)(4), 403(a)(5), 
403(b)(8), 403(b)(10) or 408(d)(3), or a tax-free trustee-to-trustee 
transfer.
    (10) Treat an IRA as his or her own. The phrase treat an IRA as his 
or her own means to treat an IRA for which a surviving spouse is the 
sole beneficiary as his or her own IRA after the death of the IRA owner 
in accordance with the terms of the IRA instrument or in the manner 
provided in the regulations under section 408(a)(6) or (b)(3).
    (11) Trustee. The term trustee includes a custodian or issuer (in 
the case of an annuity) of an IRA (except where the context clearly 
indicates otherwise).

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5610, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-9  Effective date.

    This section contains the following question and answer providing 
the effective date of Sec. Sec. 1.408A-1 through 1.408A-8:
    Q-1. To what taxable years do Sec. Sec. 1.408A-1 through 1.408A-8 
apply?
    A-1 Sections 1.408A-1 through 1.408A-8 apply to taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 1998.

[T.D. 8816, 64 FR 5611, Feb. 4, 1999]



Sec. 1.408A-10  Coordination between designated Roth accounts and Roth IRAs.

    Q-1. Can an eligible rollover distribution, within the meaning of 
section 402(c)(4), from a designated Roth account, as defined in A-1 of 
Sec. 1.402A-1, be rolled over to a Roth IRA?
    A-1. Yes. An eligible rollover distribution, within the meaning of 
section 402(c)(4), from a designated Roth account may be rolled over to 
a Roth IRA. For purposes of this section, a designated Roth account 
means a designated Roth account as defined in A-1 of Sec. 1.402A-1.
    Q-2. Can an eligible rollover distribution from a designated Roth 
account be rolled over to a Roth IRA even if the distributee is not 
otherwise eligible to make regular or conversion contributions to a Roth 
IRA?
    A-2. Yes. An individual may establish a Roth IRA and roll over an 
eligible rollover distribution from a designated Roth account to that 
Roth IRA even if such individual is not eligible to make regular 
contributions or conversion contributions (as described in section 
408A(c)(2) and (d)(3), respectively) because of the modified adjusted 
gross income limits in section 408A(b)(3).
    Q-3. For purposes of the ordering rules on distributions from Roth 
IRAs, what portion of a distribution from a rollover contribution from a 
designated Roth account is treated as contributions?
    A-3. (a) Under section 408A(d)(4), distributions from Roth IRAs are 
deemed to consist first of regular contributions, then of conversion 
contributions, and finally, of earnings. For purposes of section 
408A(d)(4), the amount of a rollover contribution that is treated as a 
regular contribution is the portion of the distribution that is treated 
as investment in the contract under A-6 of Sec. 1.402A-1, and the 
remainder of the rollover contribution is treated as earnings. Thus, the 
entire amount of any qualified distribution from a designated Roth 
account that is rolled over into a Roth IRA is treated as a regular 
contribution to the Roth IRA. Accordingly, a subsequent distribution 
from the Roth IRA in the amount of that rollover contribution is not 
includible in gross income under the rules of A-8 of Sec. 1.408A-6.
    (b) If the entire account balance of a designated Roth account is 
distributed to an employee and only a portion of the distribution is 
rolled over to a

[[Page 566]]

Roth IRA within the 60-day period described in section 402(c)(3), and at 
the time of the distribution, the investment in the contract exceeds the 
balance in the designated Roth account, the portion of investment in the 
contract that exceeds the amount used to determine the taxable amount of 
the distribution is treated as a regular contribution for purposes of 
section 408A(d)(4).
    Q-4. In the case of a rollover from a designated Roth account to a 
Roth IRA, when does the 5-taxable-year period (described in section 
408A(d)(2)(B) and A-1 of Sec. 1.408A-6) for determining qualified 
distributions from a Roth IRA begin?
    A-4. (a) The 5-taxable-year period for determining a qualified 
distribution from a Roth IRA (described in section 408A(d)(2)(B) and A-1 
of Sec. 1.408A-6) begins with the earlier of the taxable year described 
in A-2 of Sec. 1.408A-6 or the taxable year in which a rollover 
contribution from a designated Roth account is made to a Roth IRA. The 
5-taxable-year period described in this A-4 and the 5-taxable-year 
period of participation described in A-4 of Sec. 1.402A-1 are 
determined independently.
    (b) The following examples illustrate the application of this A-4:

    Example 1. Employee D began making designated Roth contributions 
under his employer's 401(k) plan in 2006. Employee D, who is over age 
59\1/2\, takes a distribution from D's designated Roth account in 2008, 
prior to the end of the 5-taxable-year period of participation used to 
determine qualified distributions from a designated Roth account. The 
distribution is an eligible rollover distribution and D rolls it over in 
accordance with sections 402(c) and 402A(c)(3) to D's Roth IRA, which 
was established in 2003. Any subsequent distribution from the Roth IRA 
of the amount rolled in, plus earnings thereon, would not be includible 
in gross income (because it would be a qualified distribution within the 
meaning of section 408A(d)(2)).
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1, except that the 
Roth IRA is D's first Roth IRA and is established with the rollover in 
2008, which is the only contribution made to the Roth IRA. If a 
distribution is made from the Roth IRA prior to the end of the 5-
taxable-year period used to determine qualified distributions from a 
Roth IRA (which begins in 2008, the year of the rollover which 
established the Roth IRA) the distribution would not be a qualified 
distribution within the meaning of section 408A(d)(2), and any amount of 
the distribution that exceeded the portion of the rollover contribution 
that consisted of investment in the contract is includible in D's gross 
income.
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2, except that the 
distribution from the designated Roth account and the rollover to the 
Roth IRA occur in 2011 (after the end of the 5-taxable-year period of 
participation used to determine qualified distributions from a 
designated Roth account). If a distribution is made from the Roth IRA 
prior to the expiration of the 5-taxable-year period used to determine 
qualified distributions from a Roth IRA, the distribution would not be a 
qualified distribution within the meaning of section 408A(d)(2), and any 
amount of the distribution that exceeded the amount rolled in is 
includible in D's gross income.

    Q-5. Can amounts distributed from a Roth IRA be rolled over to a 
designated Roth account as defined in A-1 of Sec. 1.402A-1?
    A-5. No. Amounts distributed from a Roth IRA may be rolled over or 
transferred only to another Roth IRA and are not permitted to be rolled 
over to a designated Roth account under a section 401(a) or section 
403(b) plan. The same rule applies even if all the amounts in the Roth 
IRA are attributable to a rollover distribution from a designated Roth 
account in a plan.
    Q-6. When is this Sec. 1.408A-10 applicable?
    A-6. The rules of this Sec. 1.408A-10 apply for taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2006.

[T.D. 9324, 72 FR 21115, Apr. 30, 2007]



Sec. 1.409-1  Retirement bonds.

    (a) In general. Section 409 authorizes the issuance of bonds under 
the Second Liberty Bond Act the purchase price of which would be 
deductible under section 219. Section 409 also prescribes the tax 
treatment of such bonds. See paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Income tax treatment of bonds--(1) General rule. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the entire proceeds upon 
redemption of a retirement bond described in section 409(a) shall be 
included in the gross income of the taxpayer entitled to such proceeds. 
If a bond has not been tendered for redemption by the registered owner 
before the close of the taxable year in which he attains age 70\1/2\, he

[[Page 567]]

must include in his gross income for such taxable year the amount of the 
proceeds he would have received if the bond had been redeemed at age 
70\1/2\. The provisions of sections 72 and 1232 do not apply to a 
retirement bond.
    (2) Exceptions. (i) If a retirement bond is redeemed within 12 
months after the issue date, the proceeds are excluded from gross income 
if no deduction is allowed under section 219 on account of the purchase 
of such bond. For definition of issue date, see 31 CFR 346.1(c).
    (ii) If a retirement bond is redeemed after the close of the taxable 
year in which the registered owner attains age 70\1/2\ the proceeds from 
the redemption of the bond are excludable from the gross income of the 
registered owner or his beneficiary to the extent that such proceeds 
were includible in the gross income of the registered owner for such 
taxable year.
    (iii) If a retirement bond is surrendered for reissuance in the same 
or lesser face amount, the difference between current redemption value 
of the bond surrendered for reissuance and the current surrender value 
of the bond reissued is includible in the gross income of the registered 
owner.
    (3) Basis. The basis of a retirement bond is zero.
    (c) Rollover. The first sentence of paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
shall not apply in any case in which a retirement bond is redeemed by 
the registered owner before the close of the taxable year in which he 
attains the age of 70\1/2\ if he transfers the entire amount of the 
proceeds of such redemption to--
    (1) An individual retirement account described in section 408(a) or 
an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) (other than 
an endowment contract described in Sec. 1.408-3(e)), or
    (2) An employees' trust which is described in section 401(a) which 
is exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an annuity plan described in 
section 403(a), for the benefit of the registered owner, on or before 
the 60th day after the day on which he received the proceeds of such 
redemption. This subparagraph shall not apply in the case of a transfer 
to a trust or plan described in (c)(2) of this section unless no part of 
the purchase price of the retirement bond redeemed is attributable to 
any source other than a rollover contribution from such an employees' 
trust or annuity plan (other than an annuity plan or employees' trust 
forming part of a plan under which the individual was an employee within 
the meaning of section 401(c)(1) at the time contributions were made on 
his behalf under the plan).
    (d) Additional tax--(1) Early redemption. Except as provided in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section, under section 409(c) if a retirement 
bond is redeemed by the registered owner before he attains age 59\1/2\, 
his tax under chapter 1 of the Code is increased by an amount equal to 
10 percent of the proceeds of the redemption includible in his gross 
income for the taxable year. Except in the case of the credits allowable 
under sections 31, 39, or 42, no credit can be used to offset the tax 
described in the preceding sentence.
    (2) Limitations. Paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not apply 
if--
    (i) During the taxable year of the registered owner in which a 
retirement bond is redeemed, the registered owner becomes disabled 
within the meaning of section 72(m)(7), or
    (ii) A retirement bond is tendered for redemption in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section.

[T.D. 7714, 45 FR 52799, Aug. 8, 1980]



Sec. 1.409A-0  Table of contents.

    This section lists captions contained in Sec. Sec. 1.409A-1, 
1.409A-2, 1.409A-3, 1.409A-4, 1.409A-5 and 1.409A-6.

              Sec. 1.409A-1 Definitions and covered plans.

    (a) Nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Qualified employer plans.
    (3) Certain foreign plans.
    (i) Participation addressed by treaty.
    (ii) Participation by nonresident aliens, certain resident aliens, 
and bona fide residents of possessions.
    (iii) Participation by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
    (iv) Plans subject to a totalization agreement and similar plans.
    (v) Broad-based foreign retirement plan.
    (4) Section 457 plans.
    (5) Certain welfare benefits.
    (b) Deferral of compensation
    (1) In general.

[[Page 568]]

    (2) Earnings.
    (3) Compensation payable pursuant to the service recipient's 
customary payment timing arrangement.
    (4) Short-term deferrals.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Certain delayed payments.
    (iii) Examples.
    (5) Stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other equity-based 
compensation.
    (i) Stock rights.
    (A) Nonstatutory stock options not providing for the deferral of 
compensation.
    (B) Stock appreciation rights not providing for the deferral of 
compensation.
    (C) Stock rights that may provide for the deferral of compensation.
    (D) Feature for the deferral of compensation.
    (E) Rights to dividends.
    (ii) Statutory stock options.
    (iii) Service recipient stock.
    (A) In general.
    (B) American depositary receipts.
    (C) Mutual company units.
    (D) Other entities.
    (E) Eligible issuer of service recipient stock.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Investment vehicles.
    (3) Corporate structures established or transactions undertaken for 
purposes of avoiding coverage under section 409A.
    (4) Substitutions and assumptions by reason of a corporate 
transaction.
    (iv) Determination of the fair market value of service recipient 
stock.
    (A) Stock readily tradable on an established securities market.
    (B) Stock not readily tradable on an established securities market.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Presumption of reasonableness.
    (3) Use of alternative methods.
    (v) Modifications, extensions, substitutions, and assumptions of 
stock rights.
    (A) Treatment of modified and extended stock rights.
    (B) Modification in general.
    (C) Extensions.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Certain extensions before April 10, 2007.
    (3) Examples.
    (D) Substitutions and assumptions of stock rights by reason of a 
corporate transaction.
    (E) Acceleration of date when exercisable.
    (F) Discretionary added benefits.
    (G) Change in underlying stock increasing value.
    (H) Change in the number of shares purchasable.
    (I) Rescission of changes.
    (J) Successive modifications and extensions.
    (K) Modifications and extensions in effect on October 23, 2004.
    (vi) Meaning and use of certain terms.
    (A) Option.
    (B) Date of grant of option.
    (C) Stock.
    (D) Exercise price.
    (E) Exercise.
    (F) Transfer.
    (G) Readily tradable.
    (H) Application to stock appreciation rights.
    (6) Restricted property, section 402(b) trusts, and section 403(c) 
annuities.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Promises to transfer property.
    (7) Arrangements between partnerships and partners. [Reserved]
    (8) Certain foreign plans.
    (i) Plans with respect to compensation covered by treaty or other 
international agreement.
    (ii) Plans with respect to certain other compensation.
    (iii) Tax equalization agreements.
    (iv) Certain limited deferrals of a nonresident alien.
    (v) Additional foreign plans.
    (vi) Earnings.
    (9) Separation pay plans.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Collectively bargained separation pay plans.
    (iii) Separation pay due to involuntary separation from service or 
participation in a window program.
    (iv) Foreign separation pay plans.
    (v) Reimbursements and certain other separation payments.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Medical benefits.
    (C) In-kind benefits and direct service recipient payments.
    (D) Limited payments.
    (E) Limited period of time.
    (vi) Window programs--definition.
    (10) Certain indemnification and liability insurance plans.
    (11) Legal settlements.
    (12) Certain educational benefits.
    (c) Plan.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Plan aggregation rules.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Dual status.
    (3) Establishment of plan.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Initial deferral election provisions.
    (iii) Subsequent deferral election provisions.
    (iv) Payment accelerations.
    (v) Six-month delay for specified employees.
    (vi) Plan amendments.
    (vii) Transition rule for written plan requirement.
    (viii) Plan aggregation rules.
    (d) Substantial risk of forfeiture.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Stock rights.

[[Page 569]]

    (3) Enforcement of forfeiture condition.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Examples.
    (e) Performance-based compensation.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Payments based upon subjective performance criteria.
    (3) Equity-based compensation.
    (f) Service provider.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Independent contractors.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Related person.
    (iii) Significant services.
    (iv) Management services.
    (v) Services provided to related persons.
    (g) Service recipient.
    (h) Separation from service.
    (1) Employees.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Termination of employment.
    (2) Independent contractors.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Special rule.
    (3) Definition of service recipient and employer.
    (4) Asset purchase transactions.
    (5) Dual status.
    (6) Collectively bargained plans covering multiple employers.
    (i) Specified employee.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Definition of compensation.
    (3) Specified employee identification date.
    (4) Specified employee effective date.
    (5) Alternative methods of satisfying the six-month delay rule.
    (6) Corporate transactions.
    (i) Mergers and acquisitions of public service recipients.
    (ii) Mergers and acquisitions of nonpublic service recipients.
    (iii) Spinoffs.
    (iv) Public offerings and other corporate transactions.
    (v) Alternative methods of compliance.
    (7) Nonresident alien employees.
    (8) Elections affecting the identification of specified employees.
    (j) Nonresident alien.
    (k) Established securities market.
    (l) Stock right.
    (m) Separation pay plan.
    (n) Involuntary separation from service.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Separations from service for good reason.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Safe harbor.
    (3) Special rule for certain collectively bargained plans.
    (o) Earnings.
    (p) In-kind benefits.
    (q) Application of definitions and rules.

                   Sec. 1.409A-2 Deferral elections.

    (a) Initial elections as to the time and form of payment.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Service recipient elections.
    (3) General rule.
    (4) Initial deferral election with respect to short-term deferrals.
    (5) Initial deferral election with respect to certain forfeitable 
rights.
    (6) Initial deferral election with respect to fiscal year 
compensation.
    (7) First year of eligibility.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Eligibility to participate.
    (iii) Application to excess benefit plans.
    (8) Initial deferral election with respect to performance-based 
compensation.
    (9) Nonqualified deferred compensation plans linked to qualified 
employer plans or certain other arrangements.
    (10) Changes in elections under a cafeteria plan.
    (11) Initial deferral election with respect to certain separation 
pay.
    (12) Initial deferral election with respect to certain commissions.
    (i) Sales commission compensation.
    (ii) Investment commission compensation.
    (iii) Commission compensation and related persons.
    (13) Initial deferral election with respect to compensation paid for 
final payroll period.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Transition rule.
    (14) Elections to annualize recurring part-year compensation.
    (15) USERRA rights.
    (b) Subsequent changes in time and form of payment.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Definition of payments for purposes of subsequent changes in the 
time and form of payment.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Life annuities.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Certain features disregarded.
    (C) Subsidized joint and survivor annuities.
    (D) Actuarial assumptions and methods.
    (iii) Installment payments.
    (iv) Transition rule.
    (3) Beneficiaries.
    (4) Domestic relations orders.
    (5) Coordination with prohibition against acceleration of payments.
    (6) Application to multiple payment events.
    (7) Delay of payments under certain circumstances.
    (i) Payments subject to section 162(m).
    (ii) Payments that would violate Federal securities laws or other 
applicable law.
    (iii) Other events and conditions.
    (8) USERRA rights.
    (9) Examples.

[[Page 570]]

    (c) Special rules for certain resident aliens.

                   Sec. 1.409A-3 Permissible payments

    (a) In general.
    (b) Designation of payment upon a permissible payment event.
    (c) Designation of alternative specified dates or payment schedules 
based upon date of permissible event.
    (d) When a payment is treated as made upon the designated payment 
date.
    (e) Designation of time and form of payment with respect to 
earnings.
    (f) Substitutions.
    (g) Disputed payments and refusals to pay.
    (h) Special rule for certain resident aliens.
    (i) Definitions and special rules.
    (1) Specified time or fixed schedule.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Payment schedules with formula and fixed limitations.
    (A) Individual limitations.
    (B) Limitations on aggregate payments to all participants in 
substantially identical plans.
    (iii) Payment schedules determined by timing of payments received by 
the service recipient.
    (iv) Reimbursement or in-kind benefit plans.
    (A) General rule.
    (B) Medical reimbursement arrangements.
    (v) Tax gross-up payments.
    (vi) Examples.
    (2) Separation from service--required delay in payment to a 
specified employee pursuant to a separation from service.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Application of payment rules to delayed payments.
    (3) Unforeseeable emergency.
    (i) Definition.
    (ii) Amount of payment permitted upon an unforeseeable emergency.
    (iii) Payments due to an unforeseeable emergency.
    (4) Disability.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Limited plan definition of disability.
    (iii) Determination of disability.
    (5) Change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, 
or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a 
corporation.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Identification of relevant corporation.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Majority shareholder.
    (C) Example.
    (iii) Attribution of stock ownership.
    (iv) Special rules for certain delayed payments pursuant to a change 
in control event.
    (A) Certain transaction-based compensation.
    (B) Certain nonvested compensation.
    (v) Change in the ownership of a corporation.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Persons acting as a group.
    (vi) Change in the effective control of a corporation.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Multiple change in control events.
    (C) Acquisition of additional control.
    (D) Persons acting as a group.
    (vii) Change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a 
corporation's assets.
    (A) In general.
    (B) Transfers to a related person.
    (C) Persons acting as a group.
    (6) Certain back-to-back arrangements.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Example.
    (j) Prohibition on acceleration of payments.
    (1) In general.
    (2) Application to multiple payment events.
    (3) Beneficiaries.
    (4) Exceptions.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Domestic relations order.
    (iii) Conflicts of interest.
    (A) Compliance with ethics agreements with the Federal government.
    (B) Compliance with ethics laws or conflicts of interest laws.
    (iv) Section 457 plans.
    (v) Limited cashouts.
    (vi) Payment of employment taxes.
    (vii) Payment upon income inclusion under section 409A.
    (viii) Cancellation of deferrals following an unforeseeable 
emergency or hardship distribution.
    (ix) Plan terminations and liquidations.
    (x) Certain distributions to avoid a nonallocation year under 
section 409(p).
    (xi) Payment of state, local, or foreign taxes.
    (xii) Cancellation of deferral elections due to disability.
    (xiii) Certain offsets.
    (xiv) Bona fide disputes as to a right to a payment.
    (5) Nonqualified deferred compensation plans linked to qualified 
employer plans or certain other arrangements.
    (6) Changes in elections under a cafeteria plan.

       Sec. 1.409A-4 Calculation of income inclusion. [Reserved]

                   Sec. 1.409A-5 Funding. [Reserved]

     Sec. 1.409A-6 Application of section 409A and effective dates.

    (a) Statutory application and effective dates
    (1) Application to amounts deferred.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Collectively bargained plans.

[[Page 571]]

    (2) Identification of date of deferral for statutory effective date 
purposes.
    (3) Calculation of amount of compensation deferred for statutory 
effective date purposes.
    (i) Nonaccount balance plans.
    (ii) Account balance plans.
    (iii) Equity-based compensation plans.
    (iv) Earnings.
    (v) Definition of plan.
    (4) Material modifications.
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Adoptions of new plans.
    (iii) Suspension or termination of a plan.
    (iv) Changes to investment measures--account balance plans.
    (v) Stock rights.
    (vi) Rescission of modifications.
    (vii) Definition of plan.
    (b) Regulatory applicability date.

[T.D. 9321, 72 FR 19276, Apr. 17, 2007]



Sec. 1.409A-1  Definitions and covered plans.

    (a) Nonqualified deferred compensation plan--(1) In general. Except 
as otherwise provided in this paragraph (a), the term nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan means any plan (within the meaning of 
paragraph (c) of this section) that provides for the deferral of 
compensation (within the meaning of paragraph (b) of this section). 
Whether a plan provides for the deferral of compensation generally is 
determined at the time the service provider obtains a legally binding 
right to the compensation under the plan, and is not affected by any 
retroactive change to the plan to characterize the right as one that 
does not provide for the deferral of compensation. For example, amounts 
deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan do not become 
an excluded death benefit if the plan is amended so that the amounts are 
payable only upon the death of the service provider. If a principal 
purpose of a plan is to achieve a result with respect to a deferral of 
compensation that is inconsistent with the purposes of section 409A, the 
Commissioner may treat the plan as a nonqualified deferred compensation 
plan for purposes of section 409A and the regulations thereunder.
    (2) Qualified employer plans. The term nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan does not include a qualified employer plan. The term 
qualified employer plan means any of the following plans:
    (i) Any plan described in section 401(a) and a trust exempt from tax 
under section 501(a) or that is described in section 402(d).
    (ii) Any annuity plan described in section 403(a).
    (iii) Any annuity contract described in section 403(b).
    (iv) Any simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 
408(k)).
    (v) Any simple retirement account (within the meaning of section 
408(p)).
    (vi) Any plan under which an active participant makes deductible 
contributions to a trust described in section 501(c)(18).
    (vii) Any eligible deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of 
section 457(b)).
    (viii) Any plan described in section 415(m).
    (ix) Any plan described in Sec. 1022(i)(2) of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Public Law 93-406 (88 Stat. 829, 
942) (Sept. 2, 1974) (ERISA).
    (3) Certain foreign plans--(i) Participation addressed by treaty. 
With respect to an individual for a taxable year, the term nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan does not include any scheme, trust, 
arrangement, or plan maintained with respect to such individual, to the 
extent contributions made by or on behalf of such individual to such 
scheme, trust, arrangement, or plan, or credited allocations, accrued 
benefits, earnings, or other amounts constituting income, of such 
individual under such scheme, trust, arrangement, or plan, are 
excludable by such individual for Federal income tax purposes pursuant 
to any bilateral income tax convention, or other bilateral or 
multilateral agreement, to which the United States is a party.
    (ii) Participation by nonresident aliens, certain resident aliens, 
and bona fide residents of possessions. With respect to an alien 
individual for a taxable year during which such individual is a 
nonresident alien, a resident alien classified as a resident alien 
solely under section 7701(b)(1)(A)(ii) (and not section 
7701(b)(1)(A)(i)), or a bona fide resident of a possession (within the 
meaning of section 937(a)), the term nonqualified

[[Page 572]]

deferred compensation plan does not include any broad-based foreign 
retirement plan (within the meaning of paragraph (a)(3)(v) of this 
section).
    (iii) Participation by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. 
With respect to an individual for a given taxable year during which such 
individual is a U.S. citizen or a resident alien classified as a 
resident alien under section 7701(b)(1)(A)(i), other than an individual 
who is also a bona fide resident of a possession (within the meaning of 
section 937(a)), the term nonqualified deferred compensation plan does 
not include a broad-based foreign retirement plan (within the meaning of 
paragraph (a)(3)(v) of this section), but only with respect to a plan, 
or a portion of a plan where such portion may be distinguished, 
providing for nonelective deferrals of modified foreign earned income, 
and earnings with respect to such nonelective deferrals, and only to the 
extent that the amounts deferred under all such plans of the service 
recipient, or all portions of such plans, in which the service provider 
participates in such taxable year, do not exceed the applicable limits 
under section 415(b) (applied to nonaccount balance plans as defined in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(C) of this section) and section 415(c) (applied to 
account balance plans as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this 
section) that would be applicable if such plans were plans subject to 
section 415 and the modified foreign earned income of such individual 
were treated as compensation for purposes of applying section 415(b) and 
(c). For purposes of this paragraph (a)(3)(iii), the term modified 
foreign earned income means foreign earned income as defined in section 
911(b)(1) without regard to section 911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without regard 
to the requirement that the income be attributable to services performed 
during the period described in section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B). The 
provisions of this paragraph (a)(3)(iii) do not apply to any individual 
with respect to any taxable year in which the individual is 
simultaneously eligible to participate in a broad-based foreign 
retirement plan and a qualified employer plan described in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(3)(iii), an 
individual is eligible to participate in a qualified employer plan if 
under the terms of the plan and without further amendment or action by 
the plan sponsor, the individual is eligible to make or receive 
contributions or accrue benefits under the plan (regardless of whether 
the individual has elected to participate in the plan).
    (iv) Plans subject to a totalization agreement and similar plans. 
The term nonqualified deferred compensation plan does not include any 
social security system of a jurisdiction to the extent that benefits 
provided under or contributions made to the system are subject to an 
agreement entered into pursuant to section 233 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 433) with any foreign jurisdiction. In addition, the term 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan does not include a social 
security system of a foreign jurisdiction to the extent that benefits 
are provided under or contributions are made to a government-mandated 
plan as part of that foreign jurisdiction's social security system.
    (v) Broad-based foreign retirement plan. The term broad-based 
foreign retirement plan means a scheme, trust, arrangement, or plan 
(regardless of whether sponsored by a U.S. person) that is written and 
that, in the case of an employer-maintained plan, satisfies the 
following conditions:
    (A) The plan is nondiscriminatory insofar as the employees who, 
under the terms of the plan (alone or in combination with other 
comparable plans) and without further amendment or action by the 
employer, are eligible to make or receive contributions or accrue 
benefits under the plan other than earnings (regardless of whether the 
employee has elected to participate in the plan), are a wide range of 
employees, substantially all of whom are nonresident aliens, resident 
aliens classified as resident aliens solely under section 
7701(b)(1)(A)(ii) (and not section 7701(b)(1)(A)(i)), or bona fide 
residents of a possession (within the meaning of section 937(a)), 
including rank and file employees.
    (B) The plan (alone or in combination with other comparable plans) 
actually provides significant benefits for a substantial majority of 
such covered employees.

[[Page 573]]

    (C) The benefits actually provided under the plan to such covered 
employees are nondiscriminatory.
    (D) The plan contains provisions or is the subject of tax law 
provisions or other legal restrictions that generally discourage 
employees from using plan benefits for purposes other than retirement or 
restrict access to plan benefits before separation from service, 
including (but not limited to), restricting in-service distributions 
except in events similar to an unforeseeable emergency (as defined in 
Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(3)(i)) or hardship (as defined for purposes of section 
401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV)), or for educational purposes or the purchase of a 
primary residence.
    (4) Section 457 plans. A nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
under section 457(f) may constitute a nonqualified deferred compensation 
plan for purposes of this paragraph (a). The rules of section 409A apply 
to nonqualified deferred compensation plans separately and in addition 
to any requirements applicable to such plans under section 457(f). In 
addition, nonelective deferred compensation of non-employees described 
in section 457(e)(12) and a grandfathered plan or arrangement described 
in Sec. 1.457-2(k)(4) may constitute a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan for purposes of this paragraph (a). The term 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan does not include a length of 
service award to a bona fide volunteer under section 457(e)(11)(A)(ii). 
For purposes of the application of section 409A to a plan to which 
section 457 applies, a payment under the plan generally means the 
provision of cash or property to the service provider, provided that for 
purposes of the application of the short-term deferral rule set forth in 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the inclusion in income of an amount 
under section 457(f) is treated as a payment of the amount.
    (5) Certain welfare benefits. The term nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan does not include a plan, or a portion of a plan, to 
the extent that the plan provides bona fide vacation leave, sick leave, 
compensatory time, disability pay, or death benefits. For these 
purposes, the terms ``disability pay'' and ``death benefits'' have the 
same meanings as provided in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(b)(4)(iv)(C) of this 
chapter, provided that for purposes of this paragraph, such disability 
pay and death benefits may be provided through insurance and the 
lifetime benefits payable under the plan are not treated as including 
the value of any taxable term life insurance coverage or taxable 
disability insurance coverage provided under the plan. The term 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan also does not include any Archer 
Medical Savings Account as described in section 220, any Health Savings 
Account as described in section 223, or any other medical reimbursement 
arrangement, including a health reimbursement arrangement, that 
satisfies the requirements of section 105 and section 106 such that the 
benefits or reimbursements provided under such arrangement are not 
includible in income.
    (b) Deferral of compensation--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraphs (b)(3) through (b)(12) of this section, a plan 
provides for the deferral of compensation if, under the terms of the 
plan and the relevant facts and circumstances, the service provider has 
a legally binding right during a taxable year to compensation that, 
pursuant to the terms of the plan, is or may be payable to (or on behalf 
of) the service provider in a later taxable year. Such compensation is 
deferred compensation for purposes of section 409A, this section and 
Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6. A legally binding right to an 
amount that will be excluded from income when and if received does not 
constitute a deferral of compensation, unless the service provider has 
received the right in exchange for, or has the right to exchange the 
right for, an amount that will be includible in income (other than due 
to participation in a cafeteria plan described in section 125). A 
service provider does not have a legally binding right to compensation 
to the extent that compensation may be reduced unilaterally or 
eliminated by the service recipient or other person after the services 
creating the right to the compensation have been performed.

[[Page 574]]

However, if the facts and circumstances indicate that the discretion to 
reduce or eliminate the compensation is available or exercisable only 
upon a condition, or the discretion to reduce or eliminate the 
compensation lacks substantive significance, a service provider will be 
considered to have a legally binding right to the compensation. Whether 
the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation lacks substantive 
significance depends on all the relevant facts and circumstances. 
However, where the service provider to whom the compensation may be paid 
has effective control of the person retaining the discretion to reduce 
or eliminate the compensation, or has effective control over any portion 
of the compensation of the person retaining the discretion to reduce or 
eliminate the compensation, or is a member of the family (as defined in 
section 267(c)(4) applied as if the family of an individual includes the 
spouse of any member of the family) of the person retaining the 
discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation, the discretion to 
reduce or eliminate the compensation will not be treated as having 
substantive significance. For this purpose, compensation is not 
considered subject to unilateral reduction or elimination merely because 
it may be reduced or eliminated by operation of the objective terms of 
the plan, such as the application of a nondiscretionary, objective 
provision creating a substantial risk of forfeiture. Similarly, a 
service provider does not fail to have a legally binding right to 
compensation merely because the amount of compensation is determined 
under a formula that provides for benefits to be offset by benefits 
provided under another plan (including a plan that is qualified under 
section 401(a)), or because benefits are reduced due to actual or 
notional investment losses, or, in a final average pay plan, subsequent 
decreases in compensation.
    (2) Earnings. References to the deferral of compensation or deferred 
compensation include references to earnings. When the right to earnings 
is specified under the terms of the plan, the legally binding right to 
earnings arises at the time of the deferral of the compensation to which 
the earnings relate. A plan may provide that the time and form of 
payment of earnings is treated separately from the time and form of 
payment of the underlying compensation, so that, provided that the rules 
of section 409A are otherwise met, a plan may provide that earnings will 
be paid at a separate time or in a separate form from the payment of the 
underlying compensation. For the application of the deferral election 
rules to current payments of earnings and dividend equivalents, see 
Sec. 1.409A-3(e).
    (3) Compensation payable pursuant to the service recipient's 
customary payment timing arrangement. A deferral of compensation does 
not occur solely because compensation is paid after the last day of the 
service provider's taxable year pursuant to the timing arrangement under 
which the service recipient normally compensates service providers for 
services performed during a payroll period described in section 3401(b), 
or with respect to a non-employee service provider, a period not longer 
than the payroll period described in section 3401(b) or if no such 
payroll period exists, a period not longer than the earlier of the 
normal timing arrangement under which the service provider normally 
compensates non-employee service providers or 30 days after the end of 
the service provider's taxable year.
    (4) Short-term deferrals--(i) In general. A deferral of compensation 
does not occur under a plan with respect to any payment (as defined in 
Sec. 1.409A-2(b)(2)) that is not a deferred payment, provided that the 
service provider actually or constructively receives such payment on or 
before the last day of the applicable 2\1/2\ month period. The following 
rules apply for purposes of this paragraph (b)(4)(i):
    (A) The applicable 2\1/2\ month period is the period ending on the 
later of the 15th day of the third month following the end of the 
service provider's first taxable year in which the right to the payment 
is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or the 15th day 
of the third month following the end of the service recipient's first 
taxable year in which the right to the payment is no longer subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture.

[[Page 575]]

    (B) A payment is treated as actually or constructively received if 
the payment is includible in income, including if the payment is 
includible in income under section 83, the economic benefit doctrine, 
section 402(b), or section 457(f).
    (C) A right to a payment that is never subject to a substantial risk 
of forfeiture is considered to be no longer subject to a substantial 
risk of forfeiture on the first date the service provider has a legally 
binding right to the payment.
    (D) A payment is a deferred payment if it is made pursuant to a 
provision of a plan that provides for the payment to be made or 
completed on or after any date, or upon or after the occurrence of any 
event, that will or may occur later than the end of the applicable 2\1/
2\ month period, such as a separation from service, death, disability, 
change in control event, specified time or schedule of payment, or 
unforeseeable emergency, regardless of whether an amount is actually 
paid as a result of the occurrence of such a payment date or event 
during the applicable 2\1/2\ month period. If a plan provides that the 
service provider or service recipient may make an election under the 
plan (including an election under Sec. 1.409A-2(a)(4)) of a different 
payment date, schedule, or event, such right is disregarded for this 
purpose. In such cases, whether a plan provides for a deferred payment 
is determined based on the payment date, schedule, or event that would 
apply if no such election were made, except that if the plan would not 
provide for a deferred payment absent such an election, and the service 
provider or service recipient makes such an election, whether the plan 
provides for a deferred payment is determined based upon the payment 
date, schedule, or event that the service provider or service recipient 
in fact elected.
    (E) A stock right provides for a deferred payment if such right 
includes any provision pursuant to which the holder of the stock right 
will or may have the right to exercise the stock right after the 
applicable 2\1/2\ month period.
    (F) This paragraph (b)(4)(i) is applied separately to each payment 
(as defined in Sec. 1.409A-2(b)(2)) required to be made under a plan.
    (G) If a plan provides for a deferred payment with respect to part 
of a payment (for example a life annuity or a series of installment 
amounts treated as a single payment), the plan provides for a deferred 
payment with respect to the entire payment.
    (ii) Certain delayed payments. A payment that otherwise qualifies as 
a short-term deferral under paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section but is 
made after the applicable 2\1/2\ month period may continue to qualify as 
a short-term deferral if the taxpayer establishes that it was 
administratively impracticable to make the payment by the end of the 
applicable 2\1/2\ month period and, as of the date upon which the 
legally binding right to the compensation arose, such impracticability 
was unforeseeable, or the taxpayer establishes that making the payment 
by the end of the applicable 2\1/2\ month period would have jeopardized 
the ability of the service recipient to continue as a going concern, and 
provided further that the payment is made as soon as administratively 
practicable or as soon as the payment would no longer have such effect. 
For purposes of this paragraph (b)(4)(ii), an action or failure to act 
of the service provider or a person under the service provider's 
control, such as a failure to provide necessary information or 
documentation, is not an unforeseeable event. In addition, a payment 
that otherwise qualifies as a short-term deferral under paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) of this section but is made after the applicable 2\1/2\ month 
period may continue to qualify as a short-term deferral if the taxpayer 
establishes that the service recipient reasonably anticipated that the 
service recipient's deduction with respect to such payment otherwise 
would not be permitted by application of section 162(m), and, as of the 
date the legally binding right to the payment arose, a reasonable person 
would not have anticipated the application of section 162(m) at the time 
of the payment, and provided further that the payment is made as soon as 
reasonably practicable following the first date on which the

[[Page 576]]

service recipient anticipates or reasonably should anticipate that, if 
the payment were made on such date, the service recipient's deduction 
with respect to such payment would no longer be restricted due to the 
application of section 162(m). For additional rules applicable to 
certain transaction-based compensation, see Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv)(A).
    (iii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this paragraph (b)(4). In these examples, except as otherwise noted, 
each employee and each employer has a calendar year taxable year and 
each employee is an individual who is employed by the specified 
employer.

    Example 1. On November 1, 2008, Employer Z awards a bonus to 
Employee A such that Employee A has a legally binding right to the 
payment as of November 1, 2008, that is not subject to a substantial 
risk of forfeiture. The bonus plan does not provide for a payment date 
or a deferred payment. The bonus plan will not be considered to have 
provided for a deferral of compensation if the bonus is paid or made 
available to Employee A on or before March 15, 2009.
    Example 2. Employer Y has a taxable year ending August 31. On 
November 1, 2008, Employer Y awards a bonus to Employee B so that 
Employee B has a legally binding right to the payment as of November 1, 
2008, that is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The bonus 
plan does not provide for a payment date or a deferred payment. The 
bonus plan will not be considered to have provided for a deferral of 
compensation if the bonus is paid or made available to Employee B on or 
before November 15, 2009.
    Example 3. On November 1, 2008, Employer X awards a bonus to 
Employee C such that Employee C has a legally binding right to the 
payment as of November 1, 2008. Under the bonus plan, Employee C will 
forfeit the bonus unless Employee C continues performing services 
through December 31, 2010. The right to the payment is subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture through December 31, 2010. Employee C has 
the right to make a written election not later than December 31, 2009, 
to receive the bonus on or after December 31, 2015, but Employee C does 
not make such election. The bonus plan does not provide for a default 
payment date or a deferred payment in the absence of an election by 
Employee C. The bonus plan will not be considered to have provided for a 
deferral of compensation if the bonus is paid or made available to 
Employee C on or before March 15, 2011.
    Example 4. On November 1, 2008, Employer W awards a bonus to 
Employee D such that Employee D has a legally binding right to the 
payment as of November 1, 2008. Under the bonus plan, the bonus will be 
determined based on services performed during the period from January 1, 
2009 through December 31, 2010. The bonus is scheduled to be paid as a 
lump sum payment on February 15, 2011. Under the bonus plan, Employee D 
will forfeit the bonus unless Employee D continues performing services 
through the scheduled payment date (February 15, 2011). Provided that at 
all times before the scheduled payment date Employee D is required to 
continue to perform services to retain the right to the bonus, and the 
bonus is paid on or before March 15, 2012, the bonus plan will not be 
considered to have provided for a deferral of compensation.
    Example 5. On November 1, 2008, Employer V awards a bonus to 
Employee E such that Employee E has a legally binding right to the 
payment as of November 1, 2008. Under the bonus plan, Employee E will 
forfeit the bonus unless Employee E continues performing services 
through December 31, 2010. Under the bonus plan, the bonus is scheduled 
to be paid as a lump sum payment on July 1, 2011. By specifying a 
payment date after the applicable 2\1/2\ month period, the bonus plan 
provides for a deferred payment. The bonus plan provides for a deferral 
of compensation, and will not qualify as a short-term deferral 
regardless of whether the bonus is paid or made available on or before 
March 15, 2011 (and generally any payment before June 1, 2011 would 
constitute an impermissible acceleration of a payment).
    Example 6. On November 1, 2008, Employer U awards a bonus to 
Employee F such that Employee F has a legally binding right to the 
payment as of November 1, 2008, that is not subject to a substantial 
risk of forfeiture. The bonus plan provides for a lump sum payment upon 
Employee F's separation from service. Because the separation from 
service is an event that may occur after the applicable 2\1/2\ month 
period, the bonus plan provides for a deferred payment and therefore 
provides for a deferral of compensation. Accordingly, the bonus plan 
will not qualify as a short-term deferral regardless of whether Employee 
F separates from service and the bonus is paid or made available on or 
before March 15, 2009.
    Example 7. On November 1, 2008, Employer T grants Employee G a 
legally binding right to the payment of a life annuity with the first 
annuity payment on November 1, 2013, provided that Employee G continues 
performing services for Employer T continuously through November 1, 
2013. Because the life annuity is treated as a single payment, and 
because all payments of the life annuity may not occur during the 
applicable 2\1/2\ month period, the plan provides for a deferred payment 
and none of the amounts payable under the annuity will qualify as a

[[Page 577]]

short-term deferral, so that section 409A applies to all amounts that 
are payable under the plan.
    Example 8. On November 1, 2008, Employer S grants Employee H a stock 
right providing for an exercise price less than the fair market value of 
the underlying stock on November 1, 2008. The stock right is subject to 
a substantial risk of forfeiture requiring services through November 1, 
2010. The stock right becomes exercisable when the substantial risk of 
forfeiture lapses and expires on November 1, 2013. Employee H continues 
providing services through November 1, 2010, at which time the 
substantial risk of forfeiture lapses. The stock right provides for a 
deferred payment and will not qualify as a short-term deferral 
regardless of whether Employee H exercises the stock right on or before 
March 15, 2011.

    (5) Stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other equity-based 
compensation--(i) Stock rights--(A) Nonstatutory stock options not 
providing for the deferral of compensation. An option to purchase 
service recipient stock does not provide for a deferral of compensation 
if--
    (1) The exercise price may never be less than the fair market value 
of the underlying stock (disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in 
Sec. 1.83-3(i)) on the date the option is granted and the number of 
shares subject to the option is fixed on the original date of grant of 
the option;
    (2) The transfer or exercise of the option is subject to taxation 
under section 83 and Sec. 1.83-7; and
    (3) The option does not include any feature for the deferral of 
compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the 
later of the following:
    (i) The exercise or disposition of the option under Sec. 1.83-7.
    (ii) The time the stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of the 
option first becomes substantially vested (as defined in Sec. 1.83-
3(b)).
    (B) Stock appreciation rights not providing for the deferral of 
compensation. A right to compensation based on the appreciation in value 
of a specified number of shares of service recipient stock occurring 
between the date of grant and the date of exercise of such right (a 
stock appreciation right) does not provide for a deferral of 
compensation if--
    (1) Compensation payable under the stock appreciation right cannot 
be greater than the excess of the fair market value of the stock 
(disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(i)) on the 
date the stock appreciation right is exercised over an amount specified 
on the date of grant of the stock appreciation right (the stock 
appreciation right exercise price), with respect to a number of shares 
fixed on or before the date of grant of the right;
    (2) The stock appreciation right exercise price may never be less 
than the fair market value of the underlying stock (disregarding lapse 
restrictions as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(i)) on the date the right is 
granted; and
    (3) The stock appreciation right does not include any feature for 
the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of 
income until the exercise of the stock appreciation right.
    (C) Stock rights that may provide for the deferral of compensation. 
An option to purchase stock other than service recipient stock, or a 
stock appreciation right with respect to stock other than service 
recipient stock, generally will provide for the deferral of compensation 
within the meaning of this paragraph (b). If under the terms of an 
option to purchase service recipient stock (other than an incentive 
stock option described in section 422 or a stock option granted under an 
employee stock purchase plan described in section 423), the exercise 
price is or could become less than the fair market value of the stock 
(disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(i)) on the 
date of grant, the grant of the option generally will provide for the 
deferral of compensation within the meaning of this paragraph (b). If 
under the terms of a stock appreciation right with respect to service 
recipient stock, the compensation payable under the stock appreciation 
right is or could be any amount greater than, with respect to a 
predetermined number of shares, the excess of the fair market value of 
the stock (disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Sec. 1.83-
3(i)) on the date the stock appreciation right is exercised over the 
fair market value of the stock (disregarding lapse restrictions as 
defined in Sec. 1.83-3(i)) on the date of grant of the stock 
appreciation right, the grant of the stock appreciation right

[[Page 578]]

generally will provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning 
of this paragraph (b).
    (D) Feature for the deferral of compensation. To the extent a stock 
right provides a right other than the right to receive cash or stock on 
the date of exercise and such additional right would otherwise allow 
compensation to be deferred beyond the date of exercise, the entire 
arrangement (including the underlying stock right) provides for the 
deferral of compensation. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(i), 
neither the right to receive substantially nonvested stock (as defined 
in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) upon the exercise of a stock right, nor the right to 
pay the exercise price with previously acquired shares, constitutes a 
feature for the deferral of compensation.
    (E) Rights to dividends. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(i), 
the right, directly or indirectly contingent upon the exercise of a 
stock right, to receive an amount equal to all or part of the dividends 
or other distributions (other than stock dividends described in 
paragraph (b)(5)(v)(H) of this section) declared and paid on the number 
of shares underlying the stock right between the date of grant and the 
date of exercise of the stock right constitutes an offset to the 
exercise price of the stock option or an increase in the amount payable 
under the stock appreciation right (generally causing such stock right 
to be subject to section 409A). A plan providing a right to dividends or 
other distributions declared and paid on the number of shares underlying 
a stock right, the payment of which is not contingent upon, or otherwise 
payable on, the exercise of the stock right, may provide for a deferral 
of compensation, but the existence of the right to receive such an 
amount will not be treated as a reduction to the exercise price of (or 
an increase to the compensation payable under) the stock right. Thus, a 
right to such dividends or distributions that is not contingent, 
directly or indirectly, upon the exercise of a stock right will not 
cause the related stock right to fail to satisfy the requirements of the 
exclusion from the definition of a deferral of compensation provided in 
paragraphs (b)(5)(i)(A) and (B) of this section.
    (ii) Statutory stock options. The grant of an incentive stock option 
as described in section 422, or the grant of an option under an employee 
stock purchase plan described in section 423 (including the grant of an 
option with an exercise price discounted in accordance with section 
423(b)(6) and the accompanying regulations), does not constitute a 
deferral of compensation. However, the exclusion for statutory stock 
options under this paragraph (b)(5)(ii) does not apply to a 
modification, extension, or renewal of a statutory option that is 
treated as the grant of a new option that is not a statutory option. See 
Sec. 1.424-1(e). In such event, the option is treated for purposes of 
this paragraph (b) as if it had been a nonstatutory stock option from 
the date of the original grant. Accordingly, if such modification, 
extension, or renewal of the stock option would have been treated as the 
grant of a new option or as causing the option to have had a deferral 
feature from the date of grant under paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this 
section, the modification, extension, or renewal of the stock option is 
treated as the grant of a new option or as causing the option to have 
had a deferral feature from the date of grant for purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(5).
    (iii) Service recipient stock--(A) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraphs (b)(5)(iii)(B), (C), and (D) of this section, the 
term service recipient stock means a class of stock that, as of the date 
of grant, is common stock for purposes of section 305 and the 
regulations thereunder of a corporation that is an eligible issuer of 
service recipient stock (as defined in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(E) of this 
section). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term service recipient 
stock does not include a class of stock that has any preference as to 
distributions other than distributions of service recipient stock and 
distributions in liquidation of the issuer. The term service recipient 
stock also does not include any stock that is subject to a mandatory 
repurchase obligation (other than a right of first refusal), or a put or 
call right that is not a lapse restriction as defined in Sec. 1.83-
3(i), if the stock price under such right or obligation is based on a 
measure other

[[Page 579]]

than the fair market value (disregarding lapse restrictions as defined 
in Sec. 1.83-3(i)) of the equity interest in the corporation 
represented by the stock.
    (B) American depositary receipts. An American depositary receipt or 
American depositary share may constitute service recipient stock, to the 
extent that the stock traded on a foreign securities market to which the 
American depositary receipt or American depositary share relates 
qualifies as service recipient stock.
    (C) Mutual company units. Mutual company units may constitute 
service recipient stock. For this purpose, the term mutual company unit 
means a fixed percentage of the overall value of a non-stock mutual 
company or association. For purposes of determining the value of the 
mutual company unit, the unit may be valued in accordance with the rules 
set forth in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B) of this section governing valuation 
of service recipient stock the shares of which are not traded on an 
established securities market, applied as if the mutual company were a 
stock corporation with one class of common stock and the number of 
shares of such stock determined according to such fixed percentage. For 
example, an appreciation right based on the appreciation of 10 mutual 
company units, where each unit is defined as one percent of the overall 
value of the mutual company, would be valued as if the appreciation 
right were based upon 10 shares of a corporation, with 100 shares of 
common stock (and no other class of stock), the shares of which are not 
readily tradable on an established securities market.
    (D) Other entities. An interest in an entity other than a 
corporation or non-stock mutual company or association may constitute 
service recipient stock to the extent designated by the Commissioner in 
revenue procedures, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).
    (E) Eligible issuer of service recipient stock--(1) In general. The 
term eligible issuer of service recipient stock means only the 
corporation for which the service provider provides direct services on 
the date of grant of the stock right (if the entity receiving such 
services is a corporation), and any corporation in a chain of 
corporations or other entities in which each corporation or other entity 
has a controlling interest in another corporation or other entity in the 
chain, ending with the corporation or other entity that has a 
controlling interest in the corporation or other entity for which the 
service provider provides direct services on the date of grant of the 
stock right. For this purpose, the term controlling interest has the 
same meaning as provided in Sec. 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), provided that the 
language ``at least 50 percent'' is used instead of ``at least 80 
percent'' each place it appears in Sec. 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i). In 
addition, where the use of such stock with respect to the grant of a 
stock right to such service provider is based upon legitimate business 
criteria, the term controlling interest has the same meaning as provided 
in Sec. 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), provided that the language ``at least 20 
percent'' is used instead of ``at least 80 percent'' each place it 
appears in Sec. 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i). For purposes of determining 
ownership of an interest in an organization, the rules of Sec. Sec. 
1.414(c)-3 and 1.414(c)-4 apply. The determination of whether a grant is 
based on legitimate business criteria is based on the facts and 
circumstances, focusing primarily on whether there is a sufficient nexus 
between the service provider and the issuer of the stock right so that 
the grant serves a legitimate non-tax business purpose other than simply 
providing compensation to the service provider that is excluded from the 
requirements of section 409A. For example, stock of a corporation that 
owns an interest in a joint venture involving an operating business, 
used with respect to stock rights granted to service providers of the 
joint venture who are former service providers of such corporation, 
generally will constitute use of service recipient stock based upon 
legitimate business criteria, and therefore could constitute service 
recipient stock with respect to such service providers if the 
corporation owns at least 20 percent of the joint venture and the other 
requirements of this paragraph (b)(5)(iii) are met. Similarly, the 
legitimate business criteria requirement

[[Page 580]]

generally would be met if the corporate venturer issued such a right to 
an employee of the joint venture who it reasonably expected would in the 
future become an employee of the corporate venturer. However, where a 
service provider has no real nexus with a corporate venturer, such as 
generally happens when the corporate venturer is a passive investor in 
the service recipient joint venture, a stock right issued to that 
employee on the investor corporation's stock generally would not be 
based upon legitimate business criteria. Similarly, where a corporation 
holds only a minority interest in an entity that in turn holds a 
minority interest in the entity for which the service provider performs 
services, such that the corporation holds only an insubstantial indirect 
interest in the entity receiving the services, legitimate business 
criteria generally would not exist for issuing a stock right on the 
corporation's stock to the service provider.
    (2) Investment vehicles. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 
(b)(5)(iii)(E)(1) of this section, except as to a service provider 
providing services directly to such corporation, for purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(5), an eligible issuer of service recipient stock does not 
include any corporation whose primary purpose is to serve as an 
investment vehicle with respect to the corporation's minority ownership 
interests in entities other than the service recipient.
    (3) Corporate structures established or transactions undertaken for 
purposes of avoiding coverage under section 409A. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(E)(1) of this section, an eligible 
issuer of service recipient stock does not include any corporation 
within a group of entities treated as a single service recipient if a 
purpose of the establishment of the structure of the ownership, or a 
purpose of a significant transaction between or among two or more 
entities comprising a single service recipient, is to provide deferred 
compensation not subject to the application of section 409A. If an 
entity becomes a member of a group of corporations or other entities 
treated as a single service recipient, and the primary source of income 
or value of such entity arises from the provision of management services 
to other members of the service recipient group, it is presumed that 
such structure was established for purposes of avoiding the application 
of section 409A if any stock rights are issued with respect to such 
entity.
    (4) Substitutions and assumptions by reason of a corporate 
transaction. If the requirements of paragraph (b)(5)(v)(D) of this 
section are met such that the substitution of a new stock right pursuant 
to a corporate transaction for an outstanding stock right, or the 
assumption of an outstanding stock right pursuant to a corporate 
transaction, would not be treated as the grant of a new stock right or a 
change in the form of payment for purposes of this section and 
Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6, the stock underlying the stock 
right that replaced the stock right that is substituted or assumed will 
be treated as service recipient stock for purposes of applying this 
paragraph (b)(5) to the replacement stock rights if such underlying 
stock otherwise satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(A) 
of this section. For example, if by reason of a spinoff transaction 
(under which the stock of a subsidiary corporation is distributed to the 
stockholders of a distributing corporation), a stock option to purchase 
distributing corporation stock is replaced with a stock option to 
purchase distributing corporation stock and a stock option to purchase 
the spun off subsidiary corporation's stock (each otherwise satisfying 
the requirements of paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(A) of this section), and where 
such substitution is not treated as a modification of the original stock 
option pursuant to paragraph (b)(5)(v)(D) of this section, both the 
distributing corporation stock and the subsidiary corporation stock are 
treated as service recipient stock for purposes of applying this 
paragraph (b)(5) to the replacement stock options.
    (iv) Determination of the fair market value of service recipient 
stock--(A) Stock readily tradable on an established securities market. 
For purposes of paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section, in the case of 
service recipient stock that is readily tradable on an established 
securities market, the fair market value of the

[[Page 581]]

stock may be determined based upon the last sale before or the first 
sale after the grant, the closing price on the trading day before or the 
trading day of the grant, the arithmetic mean of the high and low prices 
on the trading day before or the trading day of the grant, or any other 
reasonable method using actual transactions in such stock as reported by 
such market. The determination of fair market value also may be 
determined using an average selling price during a specified period that 
is within 30 days before or 30 days after the applicable valuation date, 
provided that the program under which the stock right is granted, 
including a program with a single participant, must irrevocably specify 
the commitment to grant the stock right with an exercise price set using 
such an average selling price before the beginning of the specified 
period. For this purpose, the term average selling price refers to the 
arithmetic mean of such selling prices on all trading days during the 
specified period, or the average of such prices over the specified 
period weighted based on the volume of trading of such stock on each 
trading day during such specified period. To satisfy this requirement, 
the service recipient must designate the recipient of the stock right, 
the number and class of shares of stock that are subject to the stock 
right, and the method for determining the exercise price including the 
period over which the averaging will occur, before the beginning of the 
specified averaging period. Notwithstanding the forgoing provisions of 
this paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(A), where applicable foreign law requires that 
a compensatory stock right be priced based upon a specific price 
averaging method and period, a stock right granted in accordance with 
such applicable foreign law will be treated as meeting the requirements 
of this paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(A), provided that the averaging period does 
not exceed 30 days.
    (B) Stock not readily tradable on an established securities market--
(1) In general. For purposes of paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section, in 
the case of service recipient stock that is not readily tradable on an 
established securities market, the fair market value of the stock as of 
a valuation date means a value determined by the reasonable application 
of a reasonable valuation method. The determination whether a valuation 
method is reasonable, or whether an application of a valuation method is 
reasonable, is made based on the facts and circumstances as of the 
valuation date. Factors to be considered under a reasonable valuation 
method include, as applicable, the value of tangible and intangible 
assets of the corporation, the present value of anticipated future cash-
flows of the corporation, the market value of stock or equity interests 
in similar corporations and other entities engaged in trades or 
businesses substantially similar to those engaged in by the corporation 
the stock of which is to be valued, the value of which can be readily 
determined through nondiscretionary, objective means (such as through 
trading prices on an established securities market or an amount paid in 
an arm's length private transaction), recent arm's length transactions 
involving the sale or transfer of such stock or equity interests, and 
other relevant factors such as control premiums or discounts for lack of 
marketability and whether the valuation method is used for other 
purposes that have a material economic effect on the service recipient, 
its stockholders, or its creditors. The use of a valuation method is not 
reasonable if such valuation method does not take into consideration in 
applying its methodology all available information material to the value 
of the corporation. Similarly, the use of a value previously calculated 
under a valuation method is not reasonable as of a later date if such 
calculation fails to reflect information available after the date of the 
calculation that may materially affect the value of the corporation (for 
example, the resolution of material litigation or the issuance of a 
patent) or the value was calculated with respect to a date that is more 
than 12 months earlier than the date for which the valuation is being 
used. The service recipient's consistent use of a valuation method to 
determine the value of its stock or assets for other purposes, including 
for purposes unrelated to compensation of service providers, is also a 
factor supporting the

[[Page 582]]

reasonableness of such valuation method.
    (2) Presumption of reasonableness. For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(5)(iv)(B), the use of any of the following methods of valuation is 
presumed to result in a reasonable valuation, provided that the 
Commissioner may rebut such a presumption upon a showing that either the 
valuation method or the application of such method was grossly 
unreasonable:
    (i) A valuation of a class of stock determined by an independent 
appraisal that meets the requirements of section 401(a)(28)(C) and the 
regulations as of a date that is no more than 12 months before the 
relevant transaction to which the valuation is applied (for example, the 
date of grant of a stock option).
    (ii) A valuation based upon a formula that, if used as part of a 
nonlapse restriction (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(h)) with respect to the 
stock, would be considered to be the fair market value of the stock 
pursuant to Sec. 1.83-5, provided that such stock is valued in the same 
manner for purposes of any transfer of any shares of such class of stock 
(or any substantially similar class of stock) to the issuer or any 
person that owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total 
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the issuer (applying 
the stock attribution rules of Sec. 1.424-1(d)), other than an arm's 
length transaction involving the sale of all or substantially all of the 
outstanding stock of the issuer, and such valuation method is used 
consistently for all such purposes, and provided further that this 
paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B)(2)(ii) does not apply with respect to stock 
subject to a stock right payable in stock, where the stock acquired 
pursuant to the exercise of the stock right is transferable other than 
through the operation of a nonlapse restriction.
    (iii) A valuation, made reasonably and in good faith and evidenced 
by a written report that takes into account the relevant factors 
described in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B)(1) of this section, of illiquid 
stock of a start-up corporation. For this purpose, illiquid stock of a 
start-up corporation means service recipient stock of a corporation that 
has no material trade or business that it or any predecessor to it has 
conducted for a period of 10 years or more and has no class of equity 
securities that are traded on an established securities market (as 
defined in paragraph (k) of this section), where such stock is not 
subject to any put, call, or other right or obligation of the service 
recipient or other person to purchase such stock (other than a right of 
first refusal upon an offer to purchase by a third party that is 
unrelated to the service recipient or service provider and other than a 
right or obligation that constitutes a lapse restriction as defined in 
Sec. 1.83-3(i)), and provided that this paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B)(2)(iii) 
does not apply to the valuation of any stock if the service recipient or 
service provider may reasonably anticipate, as of the time the valuation 
is applied, that the service recipient will undergo a change in control 
event as described in Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v) or Sec. 1.409A-
3(i)(5)(vii) within the 90 days following the action to which the 
valuation is applied, or make a public offering of securities within the 
180 days following the action to which the valuation is applied. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(B)(2)(iii), a valuation will not 
be treated as made reasonably and in good faith unless the valuation is 
performed by a person or persons that the corporation reasonably 
determines is qualified to perform such a valuation based on the 
person's or persons'' significant knowledge, experience, education, or 
training. Generally, a person will be qualified to perform such a 
valuation if a reasonable individual, upon being apprised of such 
knowledge, experience, education, and training, would reasonably rely on 
the advice of such person with respect to valuation in deciding whether 
to accept an offer to purchase or sell the stock being valued. For this 
purpose, significant experience generally means at least five years of 
relevant experience in business valuation or appraisal, financial 
accounting, investment banking, private equity, secured lending, or 
other comparable experience in the line of business or industry in which 
the service recipient operates.
    (3) Use of alternative methods. For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(5), a different valuation method may be used

[[Page 583]]

for each separate action for which a valuation is relevant, provided 
that a single valuation method is used for each separate action and, 
once used, may not retroactively be altered. For example, one valuation 
method may be used to establish the exercise price of a stock option, 
and a different valuation method may be used to determine the value at 
the date of the repurchase of stock pursuant to a put or call right. 
However, once an exercise price or amount to be paid has been 
established, the exercise price or amount to be paid may not be changed 
through the retroactive use of another valuation method. In addition, 
notwithstanding the foregoing, where after the date of grant, but before 
the date of exercise or transfer, of the stock right, the service 
recipient stock to which the stock right relates becomes readily 
tradable on an established securities market, the service recipient must 
use the valuation method set forth in paragraph (b)(5)(iv)(A) of this 
section for purposes of determining the payment at the date of exercise 
or the purchase of the stock, as applicable.
    (v) Modifications, extensions, substitutions, and assumptions of 
stock rights--(A) Treatment of modified and extended stock rights. A 
modification of the terms of a stock right within the meaning of 
paragraph (b)(5)(v)(B) of this section is considered to be the grant of 
a new stock right. The new stock right may or may not constitute a 
deferral of compensation under paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section, 
determined at the date of grant of the new stock right. If there is an 
extension of a stock right (within the meaning of paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C) 
of this section), the stock right is treated as having had an additional 
deferral feature from the original date of grant of the stock right, and 
therefore will be treated as a plan providing for the deferral of 
compensation from the original grant date for purposes of this paragraph 
(b).
    (B) Modification in general. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraph (b)(5)(v) of this section, the term modification means any 
change in the terms of the stock right (or change in the terms of the 
plan pursuant to which the stock right was granted or in the terms of 
any other agreement governing the stock right) that may provide the 
holder of the stock right with a direct or indirect reduction in the 
exercise price of the stock right regardless of whether the holder in 
fact benefits from the change in terms. A change in the terms of the 
stock right shortening the period during which the stock right is 
exercisable is not a modification. It is not a modification to add a 
feature providing the ability to tender previously acquired stock for 
the stock purchasable under the stock right, or to withhold or have 
withheld shares of stock to facilitate the payment of the exercise price 
or the employment taxes or required withholding taxes resulting from the 
exercise of the stock right. In addition, it is not a modification for 
the grantor to exercise discretion specifically reserved under a stock 
right with respect to the transferability of the stock right.
    (C) Extensions--(1) In general. An extension of a stock right refers 
to the provision to the holder of an additional period of time within 
which to exercise the stock right beyond the time originally prescribed 
under the terms of the stock right, the conversion or exchange of a 
stock right for a legally binding right to compensation in a future 
taxable year, or the addition of any feature for the deferral of 
compensation not permitted in paragraph (b)(5)(i)(A)(3) of this section 
(in the case of a stock option) or not permitted in paragraph 
(b)(5)(i)(B)(3) of this section (in the case of a stock appreciation 
right) to the terms of the stock right, other than at a time when the 
exercise price of the stock right equals or exceeds the fair market 
value of the service recipient stock that could be purchased (in the 
case of an option) or the fair market value of the service recipient 
stock used to determine the payment to the service provider (in the case 
of a stock appreciation right), and includes a renewal of such right 
that has such effect. It is not an extension if the exercise period of a 
stock right is extended to a date no later than the earlier of the 
latest date upon which the stock right could have expired by its 
original terms under any circumstances or the 10th anniversary of the 
original date of

[[Page 584]]

grant of the stock right. If the exercise period of a stock right is 
extended at a time when the exercise price of the stock right equals or 
exceeds the fair market value of the service recipient stock that could 
be purchased (in the case of an option) or the fair market value of the 
service recipient stock used to determine the payment to the service 
provider (in the case of a stock appreciation right), it is not an 
extension of the original stock right. Instead, in such a case, the 
original stock right is treated as modified rather than extended and a 
new stock right is treated as having been granted for purposes of this 
section. In addition, it is not an extension of a stock right if the 
expiration of the stock right is tolled while the holder cannot exercise 
the stock right because such an exercise would violate an applicable 
Federal, state, local, or foreign law, or would jeopardize the ability 
of the service recipient to continue as a going concern, provided that 
the period during which the stock right may be exercised is not extended 
more than 30 days after the exercise of the stock right first would no 
longer violate an applicable Federal, state, local, and foreign laws or 
would first no longer jeopardize the ability of the service recipient to 
continue as a going concern. For this purpose, a provision of foreign 
law shall be considered applicable only to foreign earned income (as 
defined under section 911(b)(1) without regard to section 
911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without regard to the requirement that the income 
be attributable to services performed during the period described in 
section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B)) from sources within the foreign country 
that promulgated such law.
    (2) Certain extensions before April 10, 2007. An extension of a 
stock right before April 10, 2007 solely in order to provide the holder 
of such stock right an additional period of time beyond the time 
originally prescribed under the terms of such stock right within which 
to exercise the stock right is disregarded for purposes of applying the 
rules contained in paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this section. For 
purposes of applying the rules contained in paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C)(1) of 
this section on and after April 10, 2007, such a stock right is treated 
as having specified at the date of grant the time within which to 
exercise such stock right that was prescribed under the terms of such 
stock right in effect on April 10, 2007. Nothing in this paragraph 
(b)(5)(v)(C)(2) affects any other action treated as the extension of a 
stock right, including the addition of a deferral feature.
    (3) Examples. The following examples illustrate the provisions of 
this paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C). In the examples, each employee is an 
individual employed by the specified employer, and each employee and 
each employer has a calendar year taxable year.

    Example 1. On July 1, 2009, Employer Z grants Employee A a 
nonstatutory stock option that does not provide for the deferral of 
compensation in accordance with paragraph (b)(5)(i)(A) of this section. 
The terms of the nonstatutory stock option provide that the exercise 
period of the stock option expires on the earlier of July 1, 2019, or 3 
months after Employee A's separation from service. On July 1, 2011, 
Employee A separates from service. On the same day, Employee A and 
Employer Z change the exercise period of the option so that it expires 
on July 1, 2013. Because the exercise period of the stock right is not 
extended beyond July 1, 2019, the change is not an extension for 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C).
    Example 2. The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that 
Employee A separates from service on July 1, 2018, and on the same day, 
Employee A and Employer Z change the exercise period of the option so 
that it expires on July 1, 2020. As of July 1, 2018, the fair market 
value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. Because the 
exercise period of the stock right is extended beyond July 1, 2019, the 
change is an extension for purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C).
    Example 3. The facts are the same as in Example 2 except that as of 
July 1, 2018, the fair market value of the underlying stock is less than 
the exercise price of the option. Because the exercise period of the 
stock right is extended at a time when the fair market value of the 
underlying stock is less than the exercise price, the change is not an 
extension for purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C) and the change is 
treated as a modification of the option, resulting in the extension of 
the exercise period being treated as the grant of a new option on July 
1, 2018.
    Example 4. On July 1, 2009, Employer Y grants to Employee B a stock 
appreciation right with respect to 200 shares of Employer Y common stock 
that does not provide for the deferral of compensation in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(5)(i)(B) of this section.

[[Page 585]]

Upon exercise of the stock appreciation right, Employee B is entitled to 
receive the excess of the fair market value of a share of Employer Y 
common stock on the date of exercise over $100 (the fair market value of 
a share of Employer Y common stock on July 1, 2009), multiplied by the 
number of shares with respect to which Employee B is exercising the 
right. The exercise period of the right expires on the earlier of July 
1, 2019, or 3 months after Employee B separates from service. Employee B 
cannot exercise the stock appreciation right with respect to more than 
100 shares unless Employee B continues to be employed by Employer Y 
through June 30, 2014. On July 1, 2011, when the fair market value of a 
share of Employer Y common stock is $200, Employee B and Employer Y 
amend the stock appreciation right to provide that the right will be 
exercisable only during calendar year 2018, except that before January 
1, 2017, Employee B may elect to designate calendar year 2023 or any 
subsequent calendar year before 2033 as the year in which the right will 
be exercisable. The amendment constitutes an extension of the stock 
appreciation right under paragraph (b)(5)(v)(C)(1) of this section. 
Under paragraph (b)(5)(v)(A) of this section, the stock appreciation 
right is treated as having had an additional deferral feature from the 
original date of grant (July 1, 2009) of the right, and therefore is 
treated as a plan providing for the deferral of compensation from that 
date. During the period from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011, the 
provisions of the stock appreciation right relating to the time and form 
of payment did not satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.409A-3(a). 
Therefore, the stock appreciation right provides for a deferral of 
compensation that does not comply with section 409A.

    (D) Substitutions and assumptions of stock rights by reason of a 
corporate transaction. If the requirements of Sec. 1.424-1 (without 
regard to the requirement described in Sec. 1.424-1(a)(2) that an 
eligible corporation be the employer of the optionee) would be met if 
the stock right were a statutory option, the substitution of a new stock 
right pursuant to a corporate transaction (as defined in Sec. 1.424-
1(a)(3)) for an outstanding stock right or the assumption of an 
outstanding stock right pursuant to a corporate transaction will not be 
treated as the grant of a new stock right or a change in the form of 
payment for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 
1.409A-6. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the requirement of 
Sec. 1.424-1(a)(5)(iii) will be deemed to be satisfied if the ratio of 
the exercise price to the fair market value of the shares subject to the 
stock right immediately after the substitution or assumption is not 
greater than the ratio of the exercise price to the fair market value of 
the shares subject to the stock right immediately before the 
substitution or assumption. In the case of a transaction described in 
section 355 in which the stock of the distributing corporation and the 
stock distributed in the transaction are both readily tradable on an 
established securities market immediately after the transaction, for 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(5)(v), the requirements of Sec. 1.424-
1(a)(5) related to the fair market value of the stock may be satisfied 
by--
    (1) Using the last sale before or the first sale after the specified 
date as of which such valuation is being made, the closing price on the 
last trading day before or the trading day of a specified date, the 
arithmetic mean of the high and low prices on the last trading day 
before or the trading day of such specified date, or any other 
reasonable method using actual transactions in such stock as reported by 
such market on a specified date, for the stock of the distributing 
corporation and the stock distributed in the transaction, provided the 
specified date is designated before such specified date, and such 
specified date is not more than 60 days after the transaction;
    (2) Using the arithmetic mean of such market prices on trading days 
during a specified period designated before the beginning of such 
specified period, where such specified period is not longer than 30 days 
and ends no later than 60 days after the transaction; or
    (3) Using an average of such prices during such prespecified period 
weighted based on the volume of trading of such stock on each trading 
day during such prespecified period.
    (E) Acceleration of date when exercisable. Although with respect to 
a stock right not immediately exercisable in full, a change in the terms 
of the right solely to accelerate or delay, within the original term of 
the stock right, the time at which the stock right (or any portion of 
such stock right) may be exercised is not a modification for purposes of 
this section, with respect to a stock right subject to

[[Page 586]]

section 409A, such an acceleration may constitute an impermissible 
acceleration of a payment date under Sec. 1.409A-3(j) or a subsequent 
deferral under Sec. 1.409A-2(b).
    (F) Discretionary added benefits. If a change to a stock right 
provides, either by its terms or in substance, that the holder may 
receive an additional benefit under the stock right at the future 
discretion of the grantor, and the addition of such benefit would 
constitute a modification or extension, then the addition of such 
discretion is a modification or extension at the time that the stock 
right is changed to provide such discretion.
    (G) Change in underlying stock increasing value. A change in the 
terms of the stock subject to a stock right that increases the value of 
the stock is a modification of such stock right, except to the extent 
that a new stock right is substituted for such stock right by reason of 
the change in the terms of the stock in accordance with paragraph 
(b)(5)(v)(D) of this section.
    (H) Change in the number of shares purchasable. If a stock right is 
amended solely to increase the number of shares subject to the stock 
right, the increase is not considered a modification of the stock right 
but is treated as the grant of a new additional stock right to which the 
additional shares are subject. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if 
the exercise price and number of shares subject to a stock right are 
proportionally adjusted to reflect a stock split (including a reverse 
stock split) or stock dividend, and the only effect of the stock split 
or stock dividend is to increase (or decrease) on a pro rata basis the 
number of shares owned by each shareholder of the class of stock subject 
to the stock right, then there is no modification of the stock right if 
it is proportionally adjusted to reflect the stock split or stock 
dividend and the aggregate exercise price of the stock right is not less 
than the aggregate exercise price before the stock split or stock 
dividend.
    (I) Rescission of changes. A change to the terms of a stock right 
(or change in the terms of the plan pursuant to which the stock right 
was granted or in the terms of any other agreement governing the right) 
is not considered a modification or extension of the stock right to the 
extent the change in the terms of the stock right is rescinded by the 
earlier of the date the stock right is exercised or the last day of the 
service provider's taxable year during which such change occurred. Thus, 
for example, if the terms of a stock right granted to an individual 
employee with a calendar year taxable year are changed on March 1 in a 
manner that would result in an extension of the stock right, and the 
change is rescinded on November 1 of the same year, and the stock right 
is not exercised before the change is rescinded, the stock right is not 
considered extended under this paragraph (b)(5)(v).
    (J) Successive modifications and extensions. The rules of this 
paragraph (b)(5)(v) apply as well to successive modifications and 
extensions.
    (K) Modifications and extensions in effect on October 23, 2004. For 
purposes of the application of section 409A and these regulations to a 
stock right, if a legally binding right to a modification or extension 
of such stock right existed on October 23, 2004, such modification or 
extension is disregarded, and the stock right is treated as if granted 
with the terms and conditions in effect on October 23, 2004.
    (vi) Meaning and use of certain terms--(A) Option. The term option 
means the right or privilege of an individual to purchase stock from a 
corporation by virtue of an offer of the corporation continuing for a 
stated period of time, whether or not irrevocable, to sell such stock at 
a price determined under paragraph (b)(5)(vi)(D) of this section, such 
individual being under no obligation to purchase. While no particular 
form of words is necessary, the option must express an offer to sell at 
the option price, the maximum number of shares purchasable under the 
option, and the period of time during which the offer remains open. The 
term option includes a warrant that meets the requirements of this 
paragraph (b)(5)(vi)(A). An option may be granted as part of or in 
conjunction with an employee stock purchase plan or subscription 
contract. An option must be in writing (in paper or electronic form) 
provided that such

[[Page 587]]

writing is adequate to establish an option right or privilege that is 
enforceable under applicable law.
    (B) Date of grant of option. (1) The language the date of grant of 
the option, and similar phrases, refer to the date when the granting 
corporation completes the corporate action necessary to create the 
legally binding right constituting the option. A corporate action 
creating the legally binding right constituting the option is not 
considered complete until the date on which the maximum number of shares 
that can be purchased under the option and the minimum exercise price 
are fixed or determinable, and the class of underlying stock and the 
identity of the service provider is designated. Ordinarily, if the 
corporate action provides for an immediate offer of stock for sale to a 
service provider, or provides for a particular date on which such offer 
is to be made, the date of the granting of the option is the date of 
such corporate action if the offer is to be made immediately, or the 
date provided as the date of the offer, as the case may be. However, an 
unreasonable delay in the giving of notice of such offer to the service 
provider will be taken into account as indicating that the corporation 
provided that the offer was to be made at the subsequent date on which 
such notice is given.
    (2) If the corporation imposes a condition on the granting of an 
option (as distinguished from a condition governing the exercise of the 
option), such condition generally will be given effect in accordance 
with the intent of the corporation. However, if the grant of an option 
is subject to approval by stockholders, the date of grant of the option 
will be determined as if the option had not been subject to such 
approval. A condition that does not require corporate action, such as 
the approval of, or registration with, some regulatory or government 
agency, for example, a stock exchange or the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, is ordinarily considered a condition upon the exercise of 
the option unless the corporate action clearly indicates that the option 
is not to be granted until such condition has been satisfied.
    (3) In general, a condition imposed upon the exercise of an option 
will not operate to make ineffective the granting of the option. For 
example, on June 1, 2008, Corporation A grants to X, an employee, an 
option to purchase 5,000 shares of the corporation's common stock, 
exercisable by X on or after June 1, 2009, provided X is employed by the 
corporation on June 1, 2009, and provided that A's profits during the 
fiscal year preceding the year of exercise exceed $200,000. Such an 
option is granted to X on June 1, 2008, and will be treated as 
outstanding as of such date.
    (C) Stock. The term stock means capital stock of any class, 
including voting or nonvoting common or preferred stock. Except as 
otherwise provided, the term stock includes both treasury stock and 
stock of original issue. Special classes of stock authorized to be 
issued to and held by employees are within the scope of the term stock 
for this purpose, provided such stock otherwise possesses the rights and 
characteristics of capital stock.
    (D) Exercise price. The term exercise price means the consideration 
in cash or property that, pursuant to the terms of the option, is the 
price at which the stock subject to the option is purchased. The term 
exercise price does not include any amounts paid as interest under a 
deferred payment plan or treated as interest.
    (E) Exercise. The term exercise, when used in reference to an 
option, means the act of acceptance by the holder of the option of the 
offer to sell contained in the option. In general, the time of exercise 
is the time when there is a sale or a contract to sell between the 
corporation and the individual. A promise to pay the exercise price does 
not constitute an exercise of the option unless the holder of the option 
is subject to personal liability on such promise. An agreement or 
undertaking by the service provider to make payments under a stock 
purchase plan does not constitute the exercise of an option to the 
extent the payments made remain subject to withdrawal by or refund to 
the service provider.
    (F) Transfer. The term transfer, when used in reference to the 
transfer to an individual of a share of stock pursuant to the exercise 
of an option, means the transfer of ownership of such share, or

[[Page 588]]

the transfer of substantially all the rights of ownership. Such transfer 
must, within a reasonable time, be evidenced on the books of the 
corporation. A transfer may occur even if a share of stock is subject to 
a substantial risk of forfeiture or is not otherwise transferable 
immediately after the date of exercise. A transfer does not fail to 
occur merely because, under the terms of the arrangement, the individual 
may not dispose of the share for a specified period of time, or the 
share is subject to a right of first refusal or a right to acquire the 
share at the share's fair market value at the time of the sale.
    (G) Readily tradable. For purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 
1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6, stock is treated as readily tradable if it is 
regularly quoted by brokers or dealers making a market in such stock.
    (H) Application to stock appreciation rights. For purposes of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6, the definitions 
provided in paragraphs (b)(5)(vi)(A) through (G) of this section may be 
applied by analogy to the issuance of, exercise of, or payment upon the 
exercise of, a stock appreciation right.
    (6) Restricted property, section 402(b) trusts, and section 403(c) 
annuities--(i) In general. If a service provider receives property from, 
or pursuant to, a plan maintained by a service recipient, there is no 
deferral of compensation merely because the value of the property is not 
includible in income by reason of the property being substantially 
nonvested (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b)), or is includible in income 
solely due to a valid election under section 83(b). For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(6)(i), a transfer of property includes the transfer of a 
beneficial interest in a trust or annuity plan, or a transfer to or from 
a trust or under an annuity plan, to the extent such a transfer is 
subject to section 83, section 402(b) or section 403(c). In addition, 
for purposes of this paragraph (b), a right to compensation income that 
will be required to be included in income under section 402(b)(4)(A) is 
not a deferral of compensation.
    (ii) Promises to transfer property. A plan under which a service 
provider obtains a legally binding right to receive property in a future 
taxable year where the property will be substantially vested (as defined 
in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) at the time of transfer of the property may provide 
for the deferral of compensation and, accordingly, may constitute a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan. A legally binding right to 
receive property in a future taxable year where the property will be 
substantially nonvested (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) at the time of 
transfer of the property will not provide for the deferral of 
compensation and, accordingly, will not constitute a nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan unless offered in conjunction with another 
legally binding right that constitutes a deferral of compensation.
    (7) Arrangements between partnerships and partners. [Reserved]
    (8) Certain foreign plans--(i) Plans with respect to compensation 
covered by treaty or other international agreement. A plan in which a 
service provider participates does not provide for a deferral of 
compensation for purposes of this paragraph (b) to the extent that the 
compensation under the plan would have been excluded from gross income 
for Federal income tax purposes under the provisions of any bilateral 
income tax convention or other bilateral or multilateral agreement to 
which the United States is a party if the compensation had been paid to 
the service provider at the time that the legally binding right to the 
compensation first arose or, if later, the time that the legally binding 
right was no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
    (ii) Plans with respect to certain other compensation. A plan in 
which a service provider participates does not provide for a deferral of 
compensation for purposes of this paragraph (b) to the extent that 
compensation under the plan would not have been includible in gross 
income for Federal tax purposes if it had been paid to the service 
provider at the time that the legally binding right to the compensation 
first arose or, if later, the time that the legally binding right was no 
longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, due to one of the 
following:
    (A) The service provider was a nonresident alien at such time and 
the

[[Page 589]]

compensation would not have been includible in gross income under 
section 872.
    (B) The service provider was a qualified individual (as defined in 
section 911(d)(1)) at such time, the compensation would have been 
foreign earned income within the meaning of section 911(b)(1) (without 
regard to section 911(b)(1)(B)(iv)) if paid at such time, and the amount 
of such compensation was equal to or less than the excess (if any) of 
the maximum exclusion amount under section 911(b)(2)(D) for such taxable 
year over the amount of foreign earned income actually excluded from 
gross income by such qualified individual for such taxable year under 
section 911(a)(1).
    (C) The compensation would have been excludible from gross income 
under section 893.
    (D) The compensation would have been excludible from gross income 
under section 931 or section 933.
    (iii) Tax equalization agreements. A tax equalization agreement does 
not provide for a deferral of compensation if payments made under such 
tax equalization agreement are made no later than the end of the second 
taxable year of the service provider beginning after the taxable year of 
the service provider in which the service provider's U.S. Federal income 
tax return is required to be filed (including any extensions) for the 
year to which the compensation subject to the tax equalization payment 
relates, or, if later, the second taxable year of the service provider 
beginning after the latest such taxable year in which the service 
provider's foreign tax return or payment is required to be filed or made 
for the year to which the compensation subject to the tax equalization 
payment relates. Where such payments arise due to an audit, litigation 
or similar proceeding, the right to the payments will not be treated as 
resulting in a deferral of compensation if the payments are scheduled 
and made in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v) 
(timing of tax gross-up payments). For purposes of this paragraph 
(b)(8)(iii), the term tax equalization agreement refers to an agreement, 
method, program, or other arrangement that provides payments intended to 
compensate the service provider for some or all of the excess of the 
taxes actually imposed by a foreign jurisdiction on the compensation 
paid by the service recipient to the service provider over the taxes 
that would be imposed if the compensation were subject solely to United 
States Federal, state, and local income tax, or some or all of the 
excess of the United States Federal, state, and local income tax 
actually imposed on the compensation paid by the service to the service 
provider over the taxes that would be imposed if the compensation were 
subject solely to taxes in the foreign jurisdiction, provided that the 
payment made under such agreement, method, program, or other arrangement 
may not exceed such excess and the amount necessary to compensate for 
the additional taxes on the amount paid under the agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement.
    (iv) Certain limited deferrals of a nonresident alien. With respect 
to a nonresident alien, a foreign plan does not provide for a deferral 
of compensation if the amounts deferred under the foreign plan based 
upon services performed by the nonresident alien in the United States 
(including amounts deferred based upon service credits or compensation 
received due to services performed in the United States) do not exceed 
the applicable dollar amount under section 402(g)(1)(B) for the taxable 
year. If the amounts deferred under the foreign plan based upon the 
services performed by the nonresident alien in the United States exceed 
the applicable dollar amount, an amount of such deferrals equal to such 
amount is treated as not deferred under a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(8)(iv), the term 
foreign plan means a plan that, together with all substantially similar 
plans, is maintained by a service recipient for a substantial number of 
participants, substantially all of whom are nonresident aliens or 
resident aliens classified as resident aliens solely under section 
7701(b)(1)(A)(ii) (and not section 7701(b)(1)(A)(i)).
    (v) Additional foreign plans. A plan in which a service provider 
participates does not provide for a deferral of compensation for 
purposes of this paragraph (b) to the extent designated by

[[Page 590]]

the Commissioner in revenue procedures, notices, or other guidance 
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of 
this chapter).
    (vi) Earnings. Earnings on compensation excluded from the definition 
of deferral of compensation pursuant to this paragraph (b)(8) are also 
not treated as a deferral of compensation.
    (9) Separation pay plans--(i) In general. A plan that otherwise 
provides for a deferral of compensation under this paragraph (b) does 
not fail to provide a deferral of compensation merely because the right 
to payment of the compensation is conditioned upon a separation from 
service. However, paragraphs (b)(9)(ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this 
section provide rules concerning the extent to which certain separation 
pay plans do not provide for the deferral of compensation. The 
exceptions contained in paragraphs (b)(9)(ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of 
this section may be used in combination, such that compensation under a 
plan that would be excepted under one of those paragraphs may be treated 
as excepted under another of those paragraphs, so that other 
compensation under a plan may be treated as excepted under the first of 
such paragraphs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph 
(b)(9), any payment or benefit, or entitlement to a payment or benefit, 
that acts as a substitute for, or replacement of, amounts deferred by 
the service recipient under a separate nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan constitutes a payment or a deferral of compensation 
under the separate nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and does not 
constitute a payment or deferral of compensation under a separation pay 
plan. If a service provider receives a payment at separation from 
service and also has a legally binding right to an amount of deferred 
compensation that would be forfeited upon the separation from service, 
whether the payment acts as an acceleration of vesting and substitute 
payment for the amount of deferred compensation forfeited, or whether 
the deferred compensation is treated as forfeited and the amount paid is 
treated as a separate payment of current compensation, is determined 
based on the facts and circumstances, provided that, where the 
separation from service is voluntary, it is presumed that the payment 
results from an acceleration of vesting followed by a payment of the 
deferred compensation that is subject to section 409A. Accordingly, any 
change in the payment schedule to accelerate or defer the payments would 
be subject to the rules of section 409A. The presumption that a right to 
a payment is not a new right, but is instead a right substituted for a 
pre-existing forfeited right, may be rebutted by demonstrating that the 
service provider would have obtained the right to the payment regardless 
of the forfeiture of the nonvested right. A factor indicating that the 
service provider would have obtained a right to a payment regardless of 
the forfeiture of the nonvested right is that the amount to which the 
service provider obtains a right is materially less than an amount equal 
to the present value of the forfeited amount multiplied by a fraction, 
the numerator of which is the period of service the service provider 
actually completed, and the denominator of which is the full period of 
service the service provider would have been required to complete to 
receive the full amount of the payment. For example, where a service 
provider is entitled to a future payment only if the service provider 
completes three years of service and at the time of termination the 
service provider has completed one year of service, the presumption 
could be rebutted if the payment to the service provider is materially 
less than the present value of one-third of the nonvested amount. 
Another such factor is that the payment to the service provider is of a 
type customarily made to service providers who separate from service 
with the service recipient and do not forfeit nonvested rights to 
deferred compensation (for example, a payment of accrued but unused 
leave or a payment for a release of actual or potential claims).
    (ii) Collectively bargained separation pay plans. A separation pay 
plan does not provide for a deferral of compensation to the extent the 
plan is a collectively bargained separation pay plan that provides for 
separation pay only upon an involuntary separation from

[[Page 591]]

service or pursuant to a window program. Only the portion of the 
separation pay plan attributable to employees covered by a bona fide 
collective bargaining agreement is considered to be provided under a 
collectively bargained separation pay plan. A collectively bargained 
separation pay plan is a separation pay plan that meets the following 
conditions:
    (A) The separation pay plan is contained within an agreement that 
the Secretary of Labor determines to be a collective bargaining 
agreement.
    (B) The separation pay provided by the collective bargaining 
agreement was the subject of arm's length negotiations between employee 
representatives and one or more employers, and the agreement between 
employee representatives and one or more employers satisfies section 
7701(a)(46).
    (C) The circumstances surrounding the agreement evidence good faith 
bargaining between adverse parties over the separation pay to be 
provided under the agreement.
    (iii) Separation pay due to involuntary separation from service or 
participation in a window program. A separation pay plan that is not 
described in paragraph (b)(9)(ii) of this section and that provides for 
separation pay only upon an involuntary separation from service (as 
defined in paragraph (n) of this section) or pursuant to a window 
program does not provide for a deferral of compensation to the extent 
that the separation pay, or portion of the separation pay, provided 
under the plan meets the following requirements:
    (A) The separation pay (other than amounts described in paragraphs 
(b)(9)(iv) and (v) of this section) does not exceed two times the lesser 
of--
    (1) The sum of the service provider's annualized compensation based 
upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the service 
recipient for the taxable year of the service provider preceding the 
taxable year of the service provider in which the service provider has a 
separation from service with such service recipient (adjusted for any 
increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if 
the service provider had not separated from service); or
    (2) The maximum amount that may be taken into account under a 
qualified plan pursuant to section 401(a)(17) for the year in which the 
service provider has a separation from service.
    (B) The plan provides that the separation pay described in paragraph 
(b)(9)(iii)(A) of this section must be paid no later than the last day 
of the second taxable year of the service provider following the taxable 
year of the service provider in which occurs the separation from 
service.
    (iv) Foreign separation pay plans. A separation pay plan (including 
a plan providing payments upon a voluntary separation from service) does 
not provide for deferred compensation to the extent the plan provides 
for amounts of separation pay required to be provided under the 
applicable law of a foreign jurisdiction. For this purpose, a provision 
of foreign law shall be considered applicable only to foreign earned 
income (as defined under section 911(b)(1) without regard to section 
911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without regard to the requirement that the income 
be attributable to services performed during the period described in 
section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B)) from sources within the foreign country 
that promulgated such law.
    (v) Reimbursements and certain other separation payments--(A) In 
general. To the extent a separation pay plan (including a plan providing 
payments upon a voluntary separation from service) entitles a service 
provider to payment by the service recipient of reimbursements that are 
not otherwise excludible from gross income for expenses that the service 
provider could otherwise deduct under section 162 or section 167 as 
business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of 
services (ignoring any applicable limitation based on adjusted gross 
income), or of reasonable outplacement expenses and reasonable moving 
expenses actually incurred by the service provider and directly related 
to the termination of services for the service recipient, such plan does 
not provide for a deferral of compensation to the extent such rights 
apply during a limited period of time (regardless of whether such rights 
extend beyond the limited period of time). For purposes of

[[Page 592]]

this paragraph (b)(9)(v)(A), the reimbursement of reasonable moving 
expenses includes the reimbursement of all or part of any loss the 
service provider actually incurs due to the sale of a primary residence 
in connection with a separation from service.
    (B) Medical benefits. To the extent a separation pay plan (including 
a plan providing payments due to a voluntary separation from service) 
entitles a service provider to reimbursement by the service recipient of 
payments of medical expenses incurred and paid by the service provider 
but not reimbursed by a person other than the service recipient and 
allowable as a deduction under section 213 (disregarding the requirement 
of section 213(a) that the deduction is available only to the extent 
that such expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income), such 
plan does not provide for a deferral of compensation to the extent such 
rights apply during the period of time during which the service provider 
would be entitled (or would, but for such plan, be entitled) to 
continuation coverage under a group health plan of the service recipient 
under section 4980B (COBRA) if the service provider elected such 
coverage and paid the applicable premiums.
    (C) In-kind benefits and direct service recipient payments. A 
service provider's entitlement to in-kind benefits from the service 
recipient, or a payment by the service recipient directly to the person 
providing the goods or services to the service provider, is treated as 
not providing for a deferral of compensation for purposes of this 
paragraph (b), if a right to reimbursement by the service recipient for 
a payment for such benefits, goods, or services by the service provider 
would not be treated as providing for a deferral of compensation under 
this paragraph (b)(9)(v).
    (D) Limited payments. If not otherwise excluded, a taxpayer may 
treat a right or rights under a separation pay plan to a payment or 
payments as not providing for a deferral of compensation to the extent 
such payments in the aggregate do not exceed the applicable dollar 
amount under section 402(g)(1)(B) for the year of the separation from 
service.
    (E) Limited period of time. For purposes of paragraphs (b)(9)(v)(A) 
and (C) of this section, a limited period of time in which expenses may 
be incurred, or in which in-kind benefits may be provided by the service 
recipient or a third party that the service recipient will pay, does not 
include periods beyond the last day of the second taxable year of the 
service provider following the taxable year of the service provider in 
which the separation from service occurred, provided that the period 
during which the reimbursements for such expenses must be paid may not 
extend beyond the third taxable year of the service provider following 
the taxable year of the service provider in which the separation from 
service occurred.
    (vi) Window programs--definition. The term window program refers to 
a program established by a service recipient in connection with an 
impending separation from service to provide separation pay, where such 
program is made available by the service recipient for a limited period 
of time (no longer than 12 months) to service providers who separate 
from service during that period or to service providers who separate 
from service during that period under specified circumstances. A program 
will not be considered a window program if a service recipient 
establishes a pattern of repeatedly providing for similar separation pay 
in similar situations for substantially consecutive, limited periods of 
time. Whether the recurrence of these programs constitutes a pattern is 
determined based on the facts and circumstances. Although no one factor 
is determinative, relevant factors include whether the benefits are on 
account of a specific business event or condition, the degree to which 
the separation pay relates to the event or condition, and whether the 
event or condition is temporary or discrete or is a permanent aspect of 
the employer's business.
    (10) Certain indemnification and liability insurance plans. A plan 
in which a service provider participates does not provide for a deferral 
of compensation for purposes of this paragraph (b) to the extent that 
the plan provides (to the extent permissible under applicable law), for 
the indemnification of, or the

[[Page 593]]

purchase of an insurance policy providing for payments of, all or part 
of the expenses incurred or damages paid or payable by a service 
provider with respect to a bona fide claim against the service provider 
or service recipient, including amounts paid or payable by the service 
provider upon the settlement of a bona fide claim against the service 
provider or service recipient, where such claim is based on actions or 
failures to act by the service provider in his or her capacity as a 
service provider of the service recipient.
    (11) Legal settlements. An agreement to which a service provider is 
a party does not provide for a deferral of compensation for purposes of 
this paragraph (b) to the extent that the agreement provides for amounts 
paid as settlements or awards resolving bona fide legal claims based on 
wrongful termination, employment discrimination, the Fair Labor 
Standards Act, or worker's compensation statutes, including claims under 
applicable Federal, state, local, or foreign laws, or for reimbursements 
or payments of reasonable attorneys fees or other reasonable expenses 
incurred by the service provider related to such bona fide legal claims, 
regardless of whether such settlements, awards, or reimbursement or 
payment of expenses pursuant to such claims are treated as compensation 
or wages for Federal tax purposes. Whether the execution of a waiver of 
any or all of such types of claims indicates that the amounts are paid 
as an award or settlement of an actual bona fide claim for damages under 
applicable law is determined based on the facts and circumstances. This 
paragraph (b)(11) does not apply to any deferred amounts that did not 
arise as a result of an actual bona fide claim for damages under 
applicable law, such as amounts that would have been deferred or paid 
regardless of the existence of such claim, even if such amounts are paid 
or modified as part of a settlement or award resolving an actual bona 
fide claim. For this purpose, a provision of foreign law shall be 
considered applicable only to foreign earned income (as defined under 
section 911(b)(1) without regard to section 911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without 
regard to the requirement that the income be attributable to services 
performed during the period described in section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B)) 
from sources within the foreign country that promulgated such law.
    (12) Certain educational benefits. A plan in which a service 
provider participates does not provide for a deferral of compensation to 
the extent the plan provides for taxable educational benefits. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b)(12), the term educational benefits refers 
solely to benefits provided to a service provider, consisting solely of 
educational assistance for the education of the service provider, as 
defined in section 127(c) and the accompanying regulations, and does not 
refer to any benefits provided for the education of any other person, 
including any spouse, child, or other family member of the service 
provider.
    (c) Plan--(1) In general. The term plan includes any agreement, 
method, program, or other arrangement, including an agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement that applies to one person or individual. 
A plan may be adopted unilaterally by the service recipient or may be 
negotiated or agreed to by the service recipient and one or more service 
providers or service provider representatives. An agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement may constitute a plan regardless of 
whether it is an employee benefit plan under section 3(3) of ERISA, as 
amended (29 U.S.C. 1002(3)). The requirements of section 409A are 
applied as if a separate plan or plans is maintained for each service 
provider. For purposes of determining the terms of a plan, general 
provisions of the plan that purport to nullify noncompliant plan terms, 
or to supply any specific plan terms required by this section, Sec. 
1.409A-2 or Sec. 1.409A-3, are disregarded.
    (2) Plan aggregation rules--(i) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided, the following rules apply with respect to the application of 
this section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6 to deferrals of 
compensation with respect to a service provider:
    (A) All deferrals of compensation at the election of that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient that are account 
balance plans, except to the extent that the plan is described in 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(D), (E), (F), (G),

[[Page 594]]

or (H) of this section, are treated as deferred under a single plan. For 
purposes of this paragraph, the term account balance plan means--
    (1) An agreement, method, program, or other arrangement that is an 
account balance plan as defined in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(c)(1)(ii)(A) of 
this chapter, including mandatorily bifurcating the agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement in accordance with the rules provided in 
Sec. 31.3121(v)-1(c)(1)(iii)(B) of this chapter; or
    (2) An agreement, method, program, or other arrangement that would 
be described in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A)(1) of this section if the service 
provider were an employee.
    (B) All deferrals of compensation other than at the election of that 
service provider, including deferrals reflecting matching by the service 
recipient with respect to amounts a service provider elects to defer, 
under all plans of the service recipient that are account balance plans, 
except to the extent the plan is described in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(D), 
(E), (F), (G), or (H) of this section, are treated as deferred under a 
single plan. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B), the term 
``account balance plan'' has the same meaning as provided in paragraph 
(c)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
    (C) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient that are nonaccount 
balance plans, except to the extent such plan is described in paragraph 
(c)(2)(i)(D), (E), (F), (G), or (H) of this section, are treated as 
deferred under a single plan. For purposes of this paragraph 
(c)(2)(i)(C), the term nonaccount balance plan means--
    (1) An agreement, method, program, or other arrangement that is a 
nonaccount balance plan as defined in Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(c)(2)(i) of 
this chapter, including mandatorily bifurcating the agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement in accordance with the rules provided in 
Sec. 31.3121(v)-1(c)(1)(iii)(B) of this chapter; or
    (2) An agreement, method, program, or other arrangement that would 
be described in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(C)(1) of this section if the service 
provider were an employee.
    (D) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all separation pay plans (as defined in paragraph (m) of 
this section) of the service recipient to the extent an amount deferred 
under the plans is not described in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(E) of this 
section and is payable solely upon an involuntary separation from 
service within the meaning of paragraph (n) of this section or as a 
result of participation in a window program, are treated as deferred 
under a single plan.
    (E) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient to the extent such 
amounts deferred consist of rights to in-kind benefits or reimbursements 
of expenses, such as membership fees, or expenses related to aircraft or 
vehicle usage, to the extent that the right to the in-kind benefit or 
reimbursement, separately or in the aggregate, does not constitute a 
substantial portion of either the overall compensation earned by the 
service provider for performing services for the service recipient or 
the overall compensation received due to a separation from service, are 
treated as deferred under a single plan.
    (F) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient to the extent that the 
taxation of such compensation is governed by Sec. 1.61-22 or Sec. 
1.7872-15 (split-dollar life insurance arrangements), or the taxation of 
such compensation would be governed by Sec. 1.61-22 or Sec. 1.7872-15 
but for the operation of Sec. 1.61-22(j) (effective date provisions), 
are treated as deferred under a single plan.
    (G) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements 
of the service recipient to the extent the deferrals under the 
agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements are deferrals of 
amounts that would be treated as modified foreign earned income (meaning 
foreign earned income as defined under section 911(b)(1) without regard 
to section 911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without regard to the requirement that 
the income be attributable to services performed during the period

[[Page 595]]

described in section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B)) if paid to the service 
provider at the time the amount is first deferred, and provided further 
that substantially all the participants in such agreements, methods, 
programs, or other arrangements and any substantially similar 
agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements are nonresident 
aliens and that the service provider does not participate in a 
substantially identical agreement, method, program, or other arrangement 
that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph (c)(2)(i)(G) (a 
domestic arrangement), are treated as deferred under a single plan.
    (H) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient to the extent such 
plans are stock rights (as defined in paragraph (l) of this section) 
subject to section 409A, are treated as deferred under a single plan.
    (I) All deferrals of compensation with respect to that service 
provider under all plans of the service recipient to the extent such 
plans are not described in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), 
(F), (G), or (H) of this section are treated as deferred under a single 
plan.
    (ii) Dual status. Agreements, methods, programs, and other 
arrangements in which a service provider participates are not aggregated 
with other agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements to the 
extent the service provider participates in one set of agreements, 
methods, programs, and other arrangements due to status as an employee 
of the service recipient (employee arrangements) and another set of 
agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements due to status as 
an independent contractor of the service recipient (independent 
contractor arrangements). For example, where a service provider deferred 
amounts under an independent contractor arrangement while providing 
services as an independent contractor, and then becomes eligible for and 
defers amounts under a separate employee arrangement after being hired 
as an employee, the two arrangements will not be aggregated for purposes 
of this paragraph (c)(2). Where an employee also is a member of the 
board of directors of the service recipient (or a similar position with 
respect to a non-corporate service recipient), the arrangements under 
which the employee participates as a director (director arrangements) 
are not aggregated with employee arrangements, provided that the 
director arrangements are substantially similar to arrangements provided 
to service providers providing services only as directors (or similar 
positions with respect to non-corporate service recipients). For 
example, an employee director who participates in an employee 
arrangement and a director arrangement generally may treat the two 
arrangements as separate plans, provided that the director arrangement 
is substantially similar to arrangements providing benefits to non-
employee directors. To the extent a plan in which an employee director 
participates is not substantially similar to arrangements in which non-
employee directors participate, such plan is treated as an employee plan 
for purposes of this paragraph (c)(2). Director plans and independent 
contractor plans are aggregated for purposes of this paragraph (c)(2).
    (3) Establishment of plan--(i) In general. A plan does not satisfy 
the requirements of section 409A and this section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-
2 through 1.409A-3 and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-5 through 1.409A-6, unless the 
plan is established and maintained by a service recipient in accordance 
with the requirements of this section, Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 
1.409A-3 and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-5 through 1.409A-6. For purposes of this 
paragraph (c)(3), a plan is established on the latest of the date on 
which it is adopted, the date on which it is effective, and the date on 
which the material terms of the plan are set forth in writing. The 
material terms of the plan may be set forth in writing in one or more 
documents. For purposes of this paragraph (c)(3)(i), a plan will be 
deemed to be set forth in writing if it is set forth in any other form 
that is approved by the Commissioner. The material terms of the plan 
include the amount (or the method or formula for determining the amount) 
of deferred compensation to be provided under the plan and the time and 
form of payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a plan will be deemed to 
be established

[[Page 596]]

as of the date the participant obtains a legally binding right to a 
deferral of compensation, provided that the plan is otherwise 
established under the rules of this paragraph (c)(3)(i) by the end of 
the taxable year of the service provider in which the legally binding 
right arises, or with respect to an amount not payable in the year 
immediately following the taxable year of the service provider in which 
the legally binding right arises (the subsequent year), the 15th day of 
the third month of the subsequent year.
    (ii) Initial deferral election provisions. If a plan provides a 
service provider or a service recipient with an initial deferral 
election, the plan satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c)(3) 
if the plan sets forth in writing, on or before the date the applicable 
election is required to be irrevocable to satisfy the requirements of 
Sec. 1.409A-2(a), the conditions under which such election may be made.
    (iii) Subsequent deferral election provisions. If a plan permits a 
subsequent deferral election described in Sec. 1.409A-2(b), the plan 
satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (c)(3) if the plan sets 
forth in writing, on or before the date the election is required to be 
irrevocable to meet the requirements of Sec. 1.409A-2(b), the 
conditions under which such election may be made.
    (iv) Payment accelerations. Except as explicitly provided in Sec. 
1.409A-3, a plan is not required to set forth in writing the conditions 
under which a payment may be accelerated if such acceleration is 
permitted under Sec. 1.409A-3(j)(4).
    (v) Six-month delay for specified employees. A plan must provide 
that distributions to a specified employee may not be made before the 
date that is six months after the date of separation from service or, if 
earlier, the date of death (the six-month delay rule). The six-month 
delay rule, required for payments due to the separation from service of 
a specified employee, must be written in the plan. A plan does not fail 
to be established and maintained merely because it does not contain the 
six-month delay rule when the service provider who has a right to 
compensation deferred under such plan is not a specified employee. 
However, such provision must be set forth in writing on or before the 
date such service provider first becomes a specified employee. In 
general, this means the provision must be set forth in writing on or 
before the specified employee effective date (as defined in paragraph 
(i)(3) of this section) for the first list of specified employees that 
includes such service provider.
    (vi) Plan amendments. In the case of an amendment that increases the 
amount deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the 
plan is not considered established with respect to the additional amount 
deferred until the plan, as amended, is established in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.
    (vii) Transition rule for written plan requirement. For purposes of 
this paragraph (c)(3), a legally enforceable unwritten plan that was 
adopted and effective before December 31, 2007, is treated as 
established under this section as of the later of the date on which it 
was adopted or became effective, provided that the material terms of the 
plan are set forth in writing on or before December 31, 2007.
    (viii) Plan aggregation rules. The plan aggregation rules of 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section do not apply to the written plan 
requirements of this paragraph (c)(3). Accordingly, deferrals of 
compensation under an agreement, method, program, or other arrangement 
that fails to meet the requirements of section 409A solely due to a 
failure to meet the written plan requirements of this paragraph (c)(3) 
are not aggregated with deferrals of compensation under other 
agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements that meet such 
requirements.
    (d) Substantial risk of forfeiture--(1) In general. Compensation is 
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture if entitlement to the amount 
is conditioned on the performance of substantial future services by any 
person or the occurrence of a condition related to a purpose of the 
compensation, and the possibility of forfeiture is substantial. For 
purposes of this paragraph (d), a condition related to a purpose of the 
compensation must relate to the service provider's performance for the 
service recipient or the service recipient's business activities or 
organizational

[[Page 597]]

goals (for example, the attainment of a prescribed level of earnings or 
equity value or completion of an initial public offering). For purposes 
of this paragraph (d), if a service provider's entitlement to the amount 
is conditioned on the occurrence of the service provider's involuntary 
separation from service without cause, the right is subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture if the possibility of forfeiture is 
substantial. An amount is not subject to a substantial risk of 
forfeiture merely because the right to the amount is conditioned, 
directly or indirectly, upon the refraining from the performance of 
services. Except as provided with respect to certain transaction-based 
compensation under Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv), the addition of any risk of 
forfeiture after the legally binding right to the compensation arises, 
or any extension of a period during which compensation is subject to a 
risk of forfeiture, is disregarded for purposes of determining whether 
such compensation is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. An 
amount will not be considered subject to a substantial risk of 
forfeiture beyond the date or time at which the recipient otherwise 
could have elected to receive the amount of compensation, unless the 
present value of the amount subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture 
(disregarding, in determining the present value, the risk of forfeiture) 
is materially greater than the present value of the amount the recipient 
otherwise could have elected to receive absent such risk of forfeiture. 
For this purpose, compensation that the service provider would receive 
for continuing to perform services regardless of whether the service 
provider elected to receive the amount that is subject to a substantial 
risk of forfeiture is not taken into account in determining whether the 
present value of the right to the amount subject to a substantial risk 
of forfeiture is materially greater than the amount the recipient 
otherwise could have elected to receive absent such risk of forfeiture. 
For example, a salary deferral generally may not be made subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture. But, for example, where a bonus plan 
provides an election between a cash payment or restricted stock units 
with a present value that is materially greater (disregarding the risk 
of forfeiture) than the present value of such cash payment and that will 
be forfeited absent continued services for a period of years, the right 
to the restricted stock units generally will be treated as subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture.
    (2) Stock rights. A stock right is not subject to a substantial risk 
of forfeiture at the earlier of the first date the holder may exercise 
the stock right and receive cash or property that is substantially 
vested (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) or the first date that the stock 
right is not subject to a forfeiture condition that would constitute a 
substantial risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, a stock option that the 
service provider may exercise immediately and receive substantially 
vested stock is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, even if 
the stock option automatically terminates upon the service provider's 
separation from service.
    (3) Enforcement of forfeiture condition--(i) In general. In 
determining whether the possibility of forfeiture is substantial in the 
case of rights to compensation granted by a service recipient to a 
service provider that owns a significant amount of the total combined 
voting power or value of all classes of equity of the service recipient 
(where the service provider's ownership is determined with application 
of the attribution rules under section 318 if the service recipient is a 
corporation, or if the service recipient is an entity that is not a 
corporation, with application by analogy of the attribution rules under 
section 318), all relevant facts and circumstances will be taken into 
account in determining whether the probability of the service recipient 
enforcing such condition is substantial, including--
    (A) The service provider's relationship to other equity holders and 
the extent of their control, potential control and possible loss of 
control of the service recipient;
    (B) The position of the service provider in the service recipient 
and the extent to which the service provider is subordinate to other 
service providers;
    (C) The service provider's relationship to the officers and 
directors of the service recipient (or similar positions

[[Page 598]]

with respect to a noncorporate service recipient);
    (D) The person or persons who must approve the service provider's 
discharge; and
    (E) Past actions of the service recipient in enforcing the 
restrictions.
    (ii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of 
paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section:

    Example 1. A service provider would be considered as having deferred 
compensation subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, but for the 
fact that the service provider owns 20 percent of the single class of 
stock in the transferor corporation. If the remaining 80 percent of the 
class of stock is owned by an unrelated individual (or members of such 
an individual's family) so that the possibility of the corporation 
enforcing a restriction on such rights is substantial, then such rights 
are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
    Example 2. A service provider would be considered as having deferred 
compensation subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, but for the 
fact that the service provider, who is president of the corporation, 
also owns 4 percent of the voting power of all the stock of a 
corporation. If the remaining stock is so diversely held by the public 
that the president, in effect, controls the corporation, then the 
possibility of the corporation enforcing a restriction on the right to 
deferred compensation of the president is not substantial, and such 
rights are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

    (e) Performance-based compensation--(1) In general. The term 
performance-based compensation means compensation the amount of which, 
or the entitlement to which, is contingent on the satisfaction of 
preestablished organizational or individual performance criteria 
relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months. 
Organizational or individual performance criteria are considered 
preestablished if established in writing by not later than 90 days after 
the commencement of the period of service to which the criteria relates, 
provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the 
criteria are established. Performance-based compensation may include 
payments based on performance criteria that are not approved by a 
compensation committee of the board of directors (or similar entity in 
the case of a non-corporate service recipient) or by the stockholders or 
members of the service recipient. Performance-based compensation does 
not include any amount or portion of any amount that will be paid either 
regardless of performance, or based upon a level of performance that is 
substantially certain to be met at the time the criteria is established. 
In addition, except as provided in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, 
compensation is not performance-based compensation merely because the 
amount of such compensation is determined by reference to the value of 
the service recipient or the stock of the service recipient. Where a 
portion of an amount of compensation would qualify as performance-based 
compensation if the portion were the sole amount available under the 
plan, that portion of the award will not fail to qualify as performance-
based compensation if that portion is designated separately or otherwise 
separately identifiable under the terms of the plan, and the amount of 
each portion is determined independently of the other. Compensation may 
be performance-based compensation where the amount will be paid 
regardless of satisfaction of the performance criteria due to the 
service provider's death, disability, or a change in control event (as 
defined in Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i)), provided that a payment made under 
such circumstances without regard to the satisfaction of the performance 
criteria will not constitute performance-based compensation. For 
purposes of this paragraph (e)(1), a disability refers to any medically 
determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the service 
provider's inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any 
substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to 
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of 
not less than six months.
    (2) Payments based upon subjective performance criteria. The term 
performance-based compensation includes payments based upon subjective 
performance criteria, provided that--
    (i) The subjective performance criteria are bona fide and relate to 
the performance of the participant service provider, a group of service 
providers that includes the participant service provider, or a business 
unit for which

[[Page 599]]

the participant service provider provides services (which may include 
the entire organization); and
    (ii) The determination that any subjective performance criteria have 
been met is not made by the participant service provider or a family 
member of the participant service provider (as defined in section 
267(c)(4) applied as if the family of an individual includes the spouse 
of any member of the family), or a person under the effective control of 
the participant service provider or such a family member, and no amount 
of the compensation of the person making such determination is 
effectively controlled in whole or in part by the service provider or 
such a family member.
    (3) Equity-based compensation. Compensation is performance-based 
compensation if it is based solely on an increase in the value of the 
service recipient, or a share of stock in the service recipient, after 
the date of a grant or award. However, compensation payable for a 
service period that is equal to the value of a predetermined number of 
shares of stock, and is variable only to the extent that the value of 
such shares appreciates or depreciates, generally will not be 
performance-based compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 
attainment of a prescribed value for the service recipient (or a portion 
thereof), or a share of stock in the service recipient, may be used as a 
preestablished organizational criterion for purposes of providing 
performance-based compensation, provided that the other requirements of 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section are satisfied. In addition, an award of 
equity-based compensation may constitute performance-based compensation 
if entitlement to the compensation is subject to a condition that would 
cause the award to otherwise qualify as performance-based compensation, 
such as a performance-based vesting condition. A provision that allows a 
service provider to defer compensation that would be realized upon the 
exercise of a stock right generally constitutes an additional deferral 
feature for purposes of the definition of a deferral of compensation 
under paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
    (f) Service provider--(1) In general. The term service provider 
includes an individual, corporation, subchapter S corporation, 
partnership, personal service corporation (as defined in section 
269A(b)(1)), noncorporate entity that would be a personal service 
corporation if it were a corporation, qualified personal service 
corporation (as defined in section 448(d)(2)), and noncorporate entity 
that would be a qualified personal service corporation if it were a 
corporation, for any taxable year in which such individual, corporation, 
subchapter S corporation, partnership, or other entity accounts for 
gross income from the performance of services under the cash receipts 
and disbursements method of accounting. The term service provider 
generally includes a person who has separated from service (a former 
service provider).
    (2) Independent contractors--(i) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this section, section 409A does not 
apply to an amount deferred under a plan between a service provider and 
service recipient with respect to a particular trade or business in 
which the service provider participates, including earnings credited to 
such deferred amount, if during the service provider's taxable year in 
which the service provider obtains a legally binding right to the 
payment of the amount deferred each of the following applies:
    (A) The service provider is actively engaged in the trade or 
business of providing services, other than as an employee or as a member 
of the board of directors of a corporation (or similar position with 
respect to an entity that is not a corporation).
    (B) The service provider provides significant services to two or 
more service recipients to which the service provider is not related and 
that are not related to one another (as defined in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) 
of this section).
    (C) The service provider is not related to the service recipient, 
applying the definition of related person contained in paragraph 
(f)(2)(ii) of this section subject to the modification that the language 
``20 percent'' is not used instead of ``50 percent'' each place ``50 
percent'' appears in sections 267(b) and 707(b)(1).

[[Page 600]]

    (ii) Related person. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(2), a person 
is related to another person if the persons bear a relationship to each 
other that is specified in section 267(b) or 707(b)(1), subject to the 
modifications that the language ``20 percent'' is used instead of ``50 
percent'' each place it appears in sections 267(b) and 707(b)(1), and 
section 267(c)(4) is applied as if the family of an individual includes 
the spouse of any member of the family; or the persons are engaged in 
trades or businesses under common control (within the meaning of section 
52(a) and (b)). In addition, an individual is related to an entity if 
the individual is an officer of an entity that is a corporation, or 
holds a position substantially similar to an officer of a corporation 
with an entity that is not a corporation.
    (iii) Significant services. Whether a service provider is providing 
significant services depends on the facts and circumstances of each 
case. However, for purposes of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, a 
service provider who provides services to two or more service recipients 
to which the service provider is not related and that are not related to 
one another is deemed to be providing significant services to two or 
more of such service recipients for a given taxable year, if the 
revenues generated from the services provided to any service recipient 
or group of related service recipients during such taxable year do not 
exceed 70 percent of the total revenue generated by the service provider 
from the trade or business of providing such services. In addition, in 
the case of a service provider who has been providing services in a 
trade or business for a period of not less than three consecutive years, 
for purposes of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, a service provider 
who provides services to two or more service recipients to which the 
service provider is not related and that are not related to one another 
is deemed to be providing significant services to two or more of such 
service recipients for a given taxable year if in each of the prior 
three taxable years the revenues generated from the services provided to 
any service recipient or group of related service recipients during such 
prior taxable years did not exceed 70 percent of the total revenue 
generated by the service provider from the trade or business of 
providing such services and, at the time an amount is deferred, the 
service provider does not know or have reason to anticipate that the 
revenues generated from the services provided to any service recipient 
or group of related service recipients during the current year will 
exceed 70 percent of the total revenue generated by the service provider 
from the trade or business of providing such services.
    (iv) Management services. This paragraph (f)(2) does not apply to a 
service provider to the extent the service provider provides management 
services to a service recipient. For purposes of this paragraph 
(f)(2)(iv), the term management services means services that involve the 
actual or de facto direction or control of the financial or operational 
aspects of a trade or business of the service recipient, or investment 
management or advisory services provided to a service recipient whose 
primary trade or business includes the investment of financial assets 
(including investments in real estate), such as a hedge fund or a real 
estate investment trust.
    (v) Services provided to related persons. Section 409A does not 
apply to an amount deferred under a plan that is a bona fide agreement, 
method, program, or other arrangement between a service provider and a 
related service recipient arising in the ordinary course of a particular 
trade or business in which the service provider is engaged to the extent 
that--
    (A) The service provider provides services to the service recipient 
as an independent contractor;
    (B) During the service provider's taxable year in which the amount 
is deferred, the service provider qualifies for the safe harbor provided 
in paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section with respect to such trade or 
business; and
    (C) Such agreement, method, program, or other arrangement and the 
practices thereunder (including billing and collection practices), are 
substantially similar to the agreements, methods, programs, or other 
arrangements and practices applicable to one or more unrelated service 
recipients to whom

[[Page 601]]

the service provider provides substantial services and that produce a 
majority of the total revenue that the service provider earns from the 
trade or business of providing such services during the taxable year.
    (g) Service recipient. Except as otherwise specifically provided in 
these regulations, the term service recipient means the person for whom 
the services are performed and with respect to whom the legally binding 
right to compensation arises, and all persons with whom such person 
would be considered a single employer under section 414(b) (employees of 
controlled group of corporations), and all persons with whom such person 
would be considered a single employer under section 414(c) (employees of 
partnerships, proprietorships, etc., under common control). For example, 
if the service provider is an employee, the service recipient generally 
is the employer (including all persons treated as a single employer 
under section 414(b) or (c)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, section 
409A applies to a plan that provides for the deferral of compensation, 
even if the payment of the compensation is not made by the person for 
whom services are performed.
    (h) Separation from service--(1) Employees--(i) In general. An 
employee separates from service with the employer if the employee dies, 
retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment with the employer. 
However, for purposes of this paragraph (h)(1), the employment 
relationship is treated as continuing intact while the individual is on 
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the 
period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long 
as the individual retains a right to reemployment with the service 
recipient under an applicable statute or by contract. For purposes of 
this paragraph (h)(1), a leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave 
of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that the employee 
will return to perform services for the employer. If the period of leave 
exceeds six months and the individual does not retain a right to 
reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment 
relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately 
following such six-month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a 
leave of absence is due to any medically determinable physical or mental 
impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to 
last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such 
impairment causes the employee to be unable to perform the duties of his 
or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of 
employment, a 29-month period of absence may be substituted for such 
six-month period.
    (ii) Termination of employment. Whether a termination of employment 
has occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances 
indicate that the employer and employee reasonably anticipated that no 
further services would be performed after a certain date or that the 
level of bona fide services the employee would perform after such date 
(whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would 
permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the average level of 
bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent 
contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full 
period of services to the employer if the employee has been providing 
services to the employer less than 36 months). Facts and circumstances 
to be considered in making this determination include, but are not 
limited to, whether the employee continues to be treated as an employee 
for other purposes (such as continuation of salary and participation in 
employee benefit programs), whether similarly situated service providers 
have been treated consistently, and whether the employee is permitted, 
and realistically available, to perform services for other service 
recipients in the same line of business. An employee is presumed to have 
separated from service where the level of bona fide services performed 
decreases to a level equal to 20 percent or less of the average level of 
services performed by the employee during the immediately preceding 36-
month period. An employee will be presumed not to have separated from 
service where the level of bona fide services performed continues at a 
level that is

[[Page 602]]

50 percent or more of the average level of service performed by the 
employee during the immediately preceding 36-month period. No 
presumption applies to a decrease in the level of bona fide services 
performed to a level that is more than 20 percent and less than 50 
percent of the average level of bona fide services performed during the 
immediately preceding 36-month period. The presumption is rebuttable by 
demonstrating that the employer and the employee reasonably anticipated 
that as of a certain date the level of bona fide services would be 
reduced permanently to a level less than or equal to 20 percent of the 
average level of bona fide services provided during the immediately 
preceding 36-month period or full period of services provided to the 
employer if the employee has been providing services to the service 
recipient for a period of less than 36 months (or that the level of bona 
fide services would not be so reduced). For example, an employee may 
demonstrate that the employer and employee reasonably anticipated that 
the employee would cease providing services, but that, after the 
original cessation of services, business circumstances such as 
termination of the employee's replacement caused the employee to return 
to employment. Although the employee's return to employment may cause 
the employee to be presumed to have continued in employment because the 
employee is providing services at a rate equal to the rate at which the 
employee was providing services before the termination of employment, 
the facts and circumstances in this case would demonstrate that at the 
time the employee originally ceased to provide services, the employee 
and the service recipient reasonably anticipated that the employee would 
not provide services in the future. Notwithstanding the foregoing 
provisions of this paragraph (h)(1)(ii), a plan may treat another level 
of reasonably anticipated permanent reduction in the level of bona fide 
services as a separation from service, provided that the level of 
reduction required must be designated in writing as a specific 
percentage, and the reasonably anticipated reduced level of bona fide 
services must be greater than 20 percent but less that 50 percent of the 
average level of bona fide services provided in the immediately 
preceding 36 months. The plan must specify the definition of separation 
from service on or before the date on which a separation from service is 
designated as a time of payment of the applicable amount deferred, and 
once designated, any change to the definition of separation from service 
with respect to such amount deferred will be subject to the rules 
regarding subsequent deferrals and the acceleration of payments. For 
purposes of this paragraph (h)(1)(ii), for periods during which an 
employee is on a paid bona fide leave of absence (as defined in 
paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section) and has not otherwise terminated 
employment pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, the employee 
is treated as providing bona fide services at a level equal to the level 
of services that the employee would have been required to perform to 
receive the compensation paid with respect to such leave of absence. 
Periods during which an employee is on an unpaid bona fide leave of 
absence (as defined in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section) and has not 
otherwise terminated employment pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this 
section, are disregarded for purposes of this paragraph (h)(1)(ii) 
(including for purposes of determining the applicable 36-month (or 
shorter) period).
    (2) Independent contractors--(i) In general. An independent 
contractor is considered to have a separation from service with the 
service recipient upon the expiration of the contract (or in the case of 
more than one contract, all contracts) under which services are 
performed for the service recipient if the expiration constitutes a 
good-faith and complete termination of the contractual relationship. An 
expiration does not constitute a good faith and complete termination of 
the contractual relationship if the service recipient anticipates a 
renewal of a contractual relationship or the independent contractor 
becoming an employee. For this purpose, a service recipient is 
considered to anticipate the renewal of the contractual relationship 
with an independent contractor if it intends to contract again for the 
services provided under the expired contract, and neither

[[Page 603]]

the service recipient nor the independent contractor has eliminated the 
independent contractor as a possible provider of services under any such 
new contract. Further, a service recipient is considered to intend to 
contract again for the services provided under an expired contract if 
the service recipient's doing so is conditioned only upon incurring a 
need for the services, the availability of funds, or both.
    (ii) Special rule. Notwithstanding paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this 
section, a plan is considered to satisfy the requirement described in 
Sec. 1.409A-3(a)(1) with respect to an amount payable upon a separation 
from service if, with respect to amounts payable to a service provider 
who is an independent contractor, the plan provides that--
    (A) No amount will be paid to the service provider before a date at 
least 12 months after the day on which the contract expires under which 
the service provider performs services for the service recipient (or, in 
the case of more than one contract, all such contracts expire); and
    (B) No amount payable to the service provider on that date will be 
paid to the service provider if, after the expiration of the contract 
(or contracts) and before that date, the service provider performs 
services for the service recipient as an independent contractor or an 
employee.
    (3) Definition of service recipient and employer. For purposes of 
this paragraph (h), the term service recipient or employer means the 
service recipient as defined in paragraph (g) of this section, provided 
that in applying section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) for purposes of 
determining a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b), the 
language ``at least 50 percent'' is used instead of ``at least 80 
percent'' each place it appears in section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3), and 
in applying Sec. 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or 
businesses (whether or not incorporated) that are under common control 
for purposes of section 414(c), ``at least 50 percent'' is used instead 
of ``at least 80 percent'' each place it appears in Sec. 1.414(c)-2. A 
plan may provide with respect to a deferral of compensation under the 
plan that in applying sections 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) for purposes of 
determining a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b), 
another defined percentage greater than 50 percent, but not greater than 
80 percent, is used instead of ``at least 80 percent'' at each place it 
appears in sections 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3), and in applying Sec. 
1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or businesses (whether or 
not incorporated) that are under common control for purposes of section 
414(c), another defined percentage greater than 50 percent, but not 
greater than 80 percent, is used instead of ``at least 80 percent'' at 
each place it appears in Sec. 1.414(c)-2. In addition, where the use of 
such definition of service recipient for purposes of determining a 
separation from service is based upon legitimate business criteria, the 
plan may provide that for purposes of a deferral of compensation under 
the plan that in applying sections 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) for purposes 
of determining a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b), 
the language ``at least 20 percent'' or another defined percentage not 
less than 20 percent but not greater than 50 percent is used instead of 
``at least 80 percent'' at each place it appears in sections 1563(a)(1), 
(2), and (3), and in applying Sec. 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of 
determining trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) that are 
under common control for purposes of section 414(c), the language ``at 
least 20 percent'' or another defined percentage not less than 20 
percent but not greater than 50 percent is used instead of ``at least 80 
percent'' at each place it appears in Sec. 1.414(c)-2. Where a 
definition of service recipient or employer other than the definition 
provided in the first sentence of this paragraph (h)(3) (the 50 percent 
standard) is used, the plan must designate in writing the alternate 
definition no later than the last date at which the time and form of 
payment of the applicable amount deferred must be elected in accordance 
with Sec. 1.409A-2(a), and any change in the definition for such 
amounts deferred will constitute a change in the time and form of 
payment subject to the rules governing subsequent deferral elections 
under Sec. 1.409A-2(b) and the acceleration of payments under Sec. 
1.409A-3(j).
    (4) Asset purchase transactions. Where as part of a sale or other 
disposition of

[[Page 604]]

assets by one service recipient (seller) to an unrelated service 
recipient (buyer), a service provider of the seller would otherwise 
experience a separation from service with the seller, the seller and the 
buyer may retain the discretion to specify, and may specify, whether a 
service provider providing services to the seller immediately before the 
asset purchase transaction and providing services to the buyer after and 
in connection with the asset purchase transaction has experienced a 
separation from service for purposes of this paragraph (h), provided 
that the asset purchase transaction results from bona fide, arm's length 
negotiations, all service providers providing services to the seller 
immediately before the asset purchase transaction and providing services 
to the buyer after and in connection with the asset purchase transaction 
are treated consistently (regardless of position at the seller) for 
purposes of applying the provisions of any nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan, and such treatment is specified in writing no later 
than the closing date of the asset purchase transaction. For purposes of 
this paragraph (h)(4), references to a sale or other disposition of 
assets, or an asset purchase transaction, refer only to a transfer of 
substantial assets, such as a plant or division or substantially all the 
assets of a trade or business. For purposes of this paragraph (h)(4), 
whether a service recipient is related to another service recipient is 
determined under the rules provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this 
section.
    (5) Dual status. If a service provider provides services both as an 
employee of a service recipient and as an independent contractor of a 
service recipient, the service provider must separate from service both 
as an employee and as an independent contractor to be treated as having 
separated from service. If a service provider ceases providing services 
as an independent contractor and begins providing services as an 
employee, or ceases providing services as an employee and begins 
providing services as an independent contractor, the service provider 
will not be considered to have a separation from service until the 
service provider has ceased providing services in both capacities. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a service provider provides services 
both as an employee of a service recipient and a member of the board of 
directors of a corporate service recipient (or an analogous position 
with respect to a non-corporate service recipient), the services 
provided as a director are not taken into account in determining whether 
the service provider has a separation from service as an employee for 
purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which the 
service provider participates as an employee that is not aggregated with 
any plan in which the service provider participates as a director under 
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section. In addition, if a service provider 
provides services both as an employee of a service recipient and a 
member of the board of directors of a corporate service recipient (or an 
analogous position with respect to a non-corporate service recipient), 
the services provided as an employee are not taken into account in 
determining whether the service provider has a separation from service 
as a director for purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
in which the service provider participates as a director that is not 
aggregated with any plan in which the service provider participates as 
an employee under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (6) Collectively bargained plans covering multiple employers. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (h), to the 
extent a plan is established pursuant to a bona fide collective 
bargaining agreement covering services performed by employees for 
multiple employers, such plan may define a separation from service in a 
reasonable manner that treats the employee as not having separated from 
service during periods in which the employee is not providing services 
but is available to perform services covered by the collective 
bargaining agreement for one or more employers, provided that the 
definition also provides that the employee must be deemed to have 
separated from service at a specified date not later than the end of any 
period of at least 12 consecutive months during which the employee has 
not provided any services covered by the collective bargaining agreement 
to any

[[Page 605]]

participating employer. This paragraph (h)(6) applies only if the 
definition of separation from service provided by the collective 
bargaining agreement was the subject of arm's length negotiations 
between employee representatives and two or more employers, the 
agreement between employee representatives and such employers satisfies 
section 7701(a)(46), and the circumstances surrounding the agreement 
evidence good faith bargaining between adverse parties over such 
definition.
    (i) Specified employee--(1) In general. The term specified employee 
means a service provider who, as of the date of the service provider's 
separation from service, is a key employee of a service recipient any 
stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or 
otherwise. For purposes of this paragraph (i)(1), a service provider is 
a key employee if the service provider meets the requirements of section 
416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or (iii) (applied in accordance with the 
regulations thereunder and disregarding section 416(i)(5)) at any time 
during the 12-month period ending on a specified employee identification 
date. If a service provider is a key employee as of a specified employee 
identification date, the service provider is treated as a key employee 
for purposes of this paragraph (i) for the entire 12-month period 
beginning on the specified employee effective date.
    (2) Definition of compensation. For purposes of identifying a 
specified employee by applying the requirements of section 
416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), and (iii), the definition of compensation under 
Sec. 1.415(c)-2(a) is used, applied as if the service recipient were 
not using any safe harbor provided in Sec. 1.415(c)-2(d), were not 
using any of the elective special timing rules provided in Sec. 
1.415(c)-2(e), and were not using any of the elective special rules 
provided in Sec. 1.415(c)-2(g). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a 
service recipient may elect to use any available definition of 
compensation under section 415 and the regulations thereunder in 
accordance with the election requirements set forth in paragraph (i)(8) 
of this section, including any available safe harbor and any available 
election under the timing rules or special rules, provided that the 
definition is applied consistently to all employees of the service 
recipient for purposes of identifying specified employees. A service 
recipient may elect to use such an alternative definition regardless of 
whether another definition of compensation is being used for purposes of 
a qualified plan sponsored by the service recipient. However, once a 
list of specified employees has become effective, the service recipient 
cannot change the definition of compensation for purposes of identifying 
specified employees for the period with respect to which such list is 
effective.
    (3) Specified employee identification date. Unless another date is 
designated in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph (i)(3) 
and paragraph (i)(8) of this section, the specified employee 
identification date is December 31. A service recipient may designate in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (i)(8) of this section any 
other date as the specified employee identification date, provided that 
a service recipient must use the same specified employee identification 
date with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans, and 
any change to the specified employee identification date may not be 
effective for a period of at least 12 months. The service recipient may 
designate a specified employee identification date in each plan or in a 
separate document applicable to all plans, provided that the service 
recipient will not be treated as having designated a specified employee 
identification date before the designation is legally binding on the 
service recipient and all affected service providers. Any designation of 
a specified employee identification date made on or before December 31, 
2007, may be applied to any separation from service occurring on or 
after January 1, 2005, unless and until subsequently changed pursuant to 
this paragraph (i)(3).
    (4) Specified employee effective date. Unless another date is 
designated in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph (i)(4) 
and paragraph (i)(8) of this section, the specified employee effective 
date is the first day of the fourth month following the specified 
employee identification date. A

[[Page 606]]

service recipient may designate in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (i)(8) of this section any date following the specified 
employee identification date as the specified employee effective date, 
provided that such date may not be later than the first day of the 
fourth month following the specified employee identification date, and 
provided further that a service recipient must use the same specified 
employee effective date with respect to all nonqualified deferred 
compensation plans, and any change to the specified employee effective 
date may not be effective for a period of at least 12 months. The 
service recipient may designate a specified employee effective date 
through inclusion in each plan document or through a separate document 
applicable to all plans, provided that the service recipient will not be 
treated as having designated a specified employee effective date on any 
date before the designation is legally binding on the service recipient 
and all affected service providers. Any designation of a specified 
employee effective date made on or before December 31, 2007, may be 
applied to any separation from service occurring on or after January 1, 
2005, unless and until subsequently changed pursuant to this paragraph 
(i)(4).
    (5) Alternative methods of satisfying the six-month delay rule. A 
plan may provide, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 
(i)(8) of this section, for an alternative method to identify service 
providers who will be subject to the six-month delay rule provided in 
section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), provided that the alternative method is 
reasonably designed to include all specified employees (determined 
without respect to any available service recipient elections), the 
alternative method is an objectively determinable standard providing no 
direct or indirect election to any service provider regarding its 
application, and the alternative method results in either all service 
providers or no more than 200 service providers being identified in the 
class as of any date. Use of such an alternative method will not be 
treated as a change in the time and form of payment for purposes of 
Sec. 1.409A-2(b) (the subsequent deferral rules), even if the service 
provider is not a specified employee when the payment is delayed.
    (6) Corporate transactions--(i) Mergers and acquisitions of public 
service recipients. If as a result of a corporate transaction, two or 
more separate service recipients, more than one of which has stock 
outstanding that is publicly traded on an established securities market 
or otherwise immediately before the transaction, become one service 
recipient, any stock of which is publicly traded on an established 
securities market or otherwise immediately after the transaction 
(resulting public service recipient), the resulting public service 
recipient's next specified employee identification date and specified 
employee effective date following the corporate transaction are the 
specified employee identification date and specified employee effective 
date that the acquiring service recipient would have been required to 
use absent such transaction. For this purpose, in the case of a 
corporate merger, the acquiring service recipient is the service 
recipient that included the surviving corporation in such merger, in the 
case of an acquisition by a corporation of the stock of another 
corporation, the acquiring service recipient is the service recipient 
that included the corporation that acquired such stock, and in all other 
cases, the surviving service recipient is determined on the basis of all 
of the facts and circumstances. For the period between the transaction 
and the next specified employee effective date, the list of specified 
employees of the resulting public service recipient is determined by 
combining the lists of specified employees of all service recipients 
participating in the transaction that were in effect at the date of the 
corporate transaction, ranking such specified employees in order of the 
amount of compensation used to determine each specified employee's 
status as a specified employee, and treating the top 50 of such 
specified employees, plus any employees described in section 
416(i)(1)(ii) or section 416(i)(1)(iii) and the regulations thereunder 
(relating to 1-percent and 5-percent owners) who are not included in 
such top 50 specified employees, as specified employees for the period 
between the corporate transaction and

[[Page 607]]

the next specified employee effective date. Alternatively, the resulting 
service recipient may elect in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (i)(8) of this section to use any reasonable method to 
determine the specified employees of the resulting service recipient, 
including the use of an alternative method of compliance described in 
paragraph (i)(5) of this section, provided that such method is adopted 
no later than 90 days after the corporate transaction and applied 
prospectively from the date the method is adopted.
    (ii) Mergers and acquisitions of nonpublic service recipients. If as 
part of a corporate transaction a service recipient that does not have 
outstanding stock that is publicly traded on an established securities 
market or otherwise immediately before the transaction (initial private 
service recipient), and a service recipient with stock outstanding that 
is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise 
immediately before the transaction (initial public service recipient), 
become a single service recipient having stock that is publicly traded 
on an established securities market or otherwise immediately after the 
transaction (resulting public service recipient), the resulting public 
service recipient's next specified employee identification date and 
specified employee effective date following the corporate transaction 
are the specified employee identification date and specified employee 
effective date that the initial public service recipient would have been 
required to use absent such transaction. For the period after the date 
of the corporate transaction and before the next specified employee 
effective date, the specified employees of the initial public service 
recipient immediately before the transaction continue to be the 
specified employees of the resulting public service recipient, and no 
service providers of the initial private service recipient are required 
to be treated as specified employees.
    (iii) Spinoffs. If as part of a corporate transaction, a service 
recipient with stock outstanding that is publicly traded on an 
established securities market or otherwise immediately before the 
transaction (initial public service recipient), becomes two or more 
separate service recipients, each with stock outstanding that is 
publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise 
immediately after the transaction (post-transaction public service 
recipients), the next specified employee identification date of each of 
the post-transaction public service recipients is the specified employee 
identification date that the initial public service recipient would have 
been required to use absent such transaction. For the period after the 
date of the corporate transaction and before the next specified employee 
effective date, the specified employees of the initial public service 
recipient immediately before the transaction continue to be the 
specified employees of the post-transaction public service recipients.
    (iv) Public offerings and other corporate transactions. If as part 
of an initial public offering or corporate transaction not described in 
paragraph (i)(6)(ii) or (iii) of this section, a service recipient with 
no outstanding stock that is publicly traded on an established 
securities market or otherwise immediately before such offering or other 
transaction (initial private service recipient), becomes one or more 
service recipients with stock outstanding that is publicly traded on an 
established securities market or otherwise immediately after such 
offering or other transaction (post-transaction public service 
recipient), each post-transaction public service recipient has a 
specified employee identification date of December 31 and a specified 
employee effective date of April 1, effective retroactively to the 
December 31 and April 1 next preceding the offering or other transaction 
for purposes of identifying the specified employees between the 
corporation transaction and the next December 31. Alternatively, a post-
transaction public service recipient may elect in accordance with the 
requirements of paragraph (i)(8) of this section, a specified employee 
identification date and specified employee effective date on or before 
the date of the offering or other transaction. If a public service 
recipient makes such an election, for the period after the offering or 
other transaction and before the next specified employee effective date,

[[Page 608]]

the specified employees of the post-transaction public service recipient 
consist of the service providers that at the time of the offering or 
other transaction would have been classified as specified employees of 
the initial private service recipient, had the initial private service 
recipient elected the same specified employee identification date and 
specified employee effective date as selected by the post-transaction 
public service recipient, and had such initial private service recipient 
had stock publicly traded on an established securities market or 
otherwise as of the specified employee identification date preceding the 
transaction.
    (v) Alternative methods of compliance. For purposes of this 
paragraph (i)(6), references to specified employees as of a corporate 
transaction or offering include any specified employees identified 
through the use of an alternative method described in paragraph (i)(5) 
of this section, where the use of such alternative method was 
established and effective at the time of the corporate transaction or 
offering.
    (7) Nonresident alien employees. For purposes of determining whether 
an employee meets the requirements of section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii), or 
(iii) (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and 
disregarding section 416(i)(5)), and therefore is a key employee, the 
incorporation of the rules of Sec. 1.415(c)-2(g)(5) regarding the 
definition of compensation applies. Accordingly, the rule of Sec. 
1.415(c)-2(g)(5)(i), generally requiring the treatment as compensation 
of certain compensation excludible from an employee's gross income due 
to the location of the services or the identity of the employer, 
applies. In addition, a service recipient may elect in accordance with 
paragraph (i)(8) of this section to apply the rule of Sec. 1.415(c)-
2(g)(5)(ii) to not treat as compensation certain compensation excludible 
from an employee's gross income on account of the location of the 
services or the identity of the employer that is not effectively 
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United 
States. A service recipient may elect to apply the rule of Sec. 1.415-
2(g)(5)(ii) regardless of whether the service recipient has elected to 
apply the rule to a qualified plan sponsored by the service recipient; 
however, once a list of specified employees has become effective, any 
election of the rule for that period may not be changed. Notwithstanding 
the foregoing, any election of the rule made before January 1, 2008, may 
be effective with respect to any specified employee identification date 
on or before December 31, 2007.
    (8) Elections affecting the identification of specified employees. 
The elections described in paragraphs (i)(2) through (7) of this section 
are effective only as of the date that all necessary corporate action 
has been taken to make such elections binding for purposes of all 
affected nonqualified deferred compensation plans in which the service 
providers of the service recipient that would become a specified 
employee due to the application of such election participate. Where a 
taxpayer attempts to make an election under paragraph (i)(2), (3), (4), 
(5), (6), or (7) of this section but such election is not binding on all 
the affected nonqualified deferred compensation plans and applied 
consistently to all such service providers, the election is not 
effective and the rule under paragraph (i)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or 
(7) of this section, as applicable, that would apply absent an election 
is applicable for identifying specified employees.
    (j) Nonresident alien. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (j)(2) of 
this section, the term nonresident alien means an individual who is--
    (i) A nonresident alien within the meaning of section 7701(b)(1)(B); 
or
    (ii) A dual resident taxpayer within the meaning of Sec. 
301.7701(b)-7(a)(1) of this chapter with respect to any taxable year in 
which such individual is treated as a nonresident alien for purposes of 
computing the individual's U.S. income tax liability.
    (2) The term nonresident alien does not include--
    (i) A nonresident alien with respect to whom an election is in 
effect for the taxable year under section 6013(g) to be treated as a 
resident of the United States;
    (ii) A former citizen or long-term resident (within the meaning of 
section 877(e)(2)) who expatriated after June 3,

[[Page 609]]

2004, and has not complied with the requirements of section 7701(n); or
    (iii) An individual who is treated as a citizen or resident of the 
United States for the taxable year under section 877(g).
    (k) Established securities market. The term established securities 
market means an established securities market within the meaning of 
Sec. 1.897-1(m).
    (l) Stock right. The term stock right means a stock option (other 
than an incentive stock option described in section 422 or an option 
granted pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan described in section 
423) or a stock appreciation right.
    (m) Separation pay plan. The term separation pay plan means any plan 
that provides separation pay or, where a plan provides both amounts that 
are separation pay and that are not separation pay, that portion of the 
plan that provides separation pay. The term separation pay means any 
deferral of compensation (before the application of the exclusions from 
the definition of a deferral of compensation set forth in paragraph 
(b)(9) of this section) that will not be paid under any circumstances 
unless the service provider has had a separation from service, whether 
voluntary or involuntary, including payments in the form of 
reimbursements of expenses incurred, and the provision of in-kind 
benefits. A deferral of compensation that the service provider may 
receive without a separation from service does not become separation pay 
merely because the service provider elects to receive or receives the 
payment after or upon a separation from service. A deferral of 
compensation does not fail to be separation pay merely because the 
payment is conditioned upon the execution of a release of claims, 
noncompetition or nondisclosure provisions, or other similar 
requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amount, or entitlement 
to any amount, that acts as a substitute for, or replacement of, amounts 
deferred by the service recipient under a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan constitutes a payment of compensation or deferral of 
compensation under such nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
    (n) Involuntary separation from service--(1) In general. An 
involuntary separation from service means a separation from service due 
to the independent exercise of the unilateral authority of the service 
recipient to terminate the service provider's services, other than due 
to the service provider's implicit or explicit request, where the 
service provider was willing and able to continue performing services. 
An involuntary separation from service may include the service 
recipient's failure to renew a contract at the time such contract 
expires, provided that the service provider was willing and able to 
execute a new contract providing terms and conditions substantially 
similar to those in the expiring contract and to continue providing such 
services. The determination of whether a separation from service is 
involuntary is based on all the facts and circumstances. Any 
characterization of the separation from service as voluntary or 
involuntary by the service provider and the service recipient in the 
documentation of the separation from service is presumed to properly 
characterize the nature of the separation from service. However, the 
presumption may be rebutted where the facts and circumstances indicate 
otherwise. For example, if a separation from service is designated as a 
voluntary separation from service or resignation, but the facts and 
circumstances indicate that absent such voluntary separation from 
service the service recipient would have terminated the service 
provider's services, and that the service provider had knowledge that 
the service provider would be so terminated, the separation from service 
is involuntary.
    (2) Separations from service for good reason--(i) In general. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (n)(1) of this section, a service provider's 
voluntary separation from service will be treated for purposes of this 
section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6 as an involuntary 
separation from service if the separation from service occurs under 
certain limited bona fide conditions, where the avoidance of the 
requirements of section 409A is not a purpose of the inclusion of these 
conditions in the plan or of the actions by the service recipient in 
connection with the satisfaction of

[[Page 610]]

these conditions, and a voluntary separation from service under such 
conditions effectively constitutes an involuntary separation from 
service. Generally such conditions will be prespecified under an 
agreement to provide compensation upon a separation from service for 
good reason. Such a good reason (or a similar condition) must be defined 
to require actions taken by the service recipient resulting in a 
material negative change to the service provider in the service 
relationship, such as the duties to be performed, the conditions under 
which such duties are to be performed, or the compensation to be 
received for performing such services. Other factors taken into account 
in determining whether a separation from service for good reason 
effectively constitutes an involuntary separation from service include 
the extent to which the payments upon a separation from service for good 
reason are in the same amount and are to be made at the same time and in 
the same form as payments available upon an actual involuntary 
separation from service, and whether the service provider is required to 
give the service recipient notice of the existence of the condition that 
would result in treatment as a separation from service for good reason 
and a reasonable opportunity to remedy the condition.
    (ii) Safe harbor. For purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 
1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6, if a plan provides that a voluntary 
separation from service will be treated as an involuntary separation 
from service if the separation from service occurs under certain express 
conditions, a separation from service satisfying the conditions set 
forth in the plan will be treated as an involuntary separation from the 
service if the necessary conditions (or set of conditions) require the 
following:
    (A) The separation from service must occur during a pre-determined 
limited period of time not to exceed two years following the initial 
existence of one or more of the following conditions arising without the 
consent of the service provider:
    (1) A material diminution in the service provider's base 
compensation.
    (2) A material diminution in the service provider's authority, 
duties, or responsibilities.
    (3) A material diminution in the authority, duties, or 
responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the service provider is 
required to report, including a requirement that a service provider 
report to a corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly 
to the board of directors of a corporation (or similar governing body 
with respect to an entity other than a corporation).
    (4) A material diminution in the budget over which the service 
provider retains authority.
    (5) A material change in the geographic location at which the 
service provider must perform the services.
    (6) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach 
by the service recipient of the agreement under which the service 
provider provides services.
    (B) The amount, time, and form of payment upon the separation from 
service must be substantially identical to the amount, time and form of 
payment payable due to an actual involuntary separation from service, to 
the extent such a right exists.
    (C) The service provider must be required to provide notice to the 
service recipient of the existence of the condition described in 
paragraph (n)(2)(ii)(A) of this section within a period not to exceed 90 
days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which 
the service recipient must be provided a period of at least 30 days 
during which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay the 
amount.
    (3) Special rule for certain collectively bargained plans. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph (n), to 
the extent a plan is subject to a bona fide collective bargaining 
agreement covering services performed for multiple employers under which 
an employee must separate from service with all such employers in order 
to receive a payment, such plan may use any reasonable definition of 
involuntary separation from service,

[[Page 611]]

provided that such definition is consistent with any definition of a 
separation from service adopted under paragraph (h)(6) of this section, 
and provided further that the definition of an involuntary separation 
from service provided by the collective bargaining agreement was the 
subject of arm's length negotiations between employee representatives 
and two or more employers, the agreement between employee 
representatives and such employers satisfies section 7701(a)(46), and 
the circumstances surrounding the agreement evidence good faith 
bargaining between adverse parties over such definition.
    (o) Earnings. Whether a deferred amount constitutes earnings on an 
amount deferred, or actual or notional income attributable to an amount 
deferred, is determined under the principles defining income 
attributable to the amount taken into account under Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-
1(d)(2) of this chapter. Accordingly, with respect to an account balance 
plan, earnings on an amount deferred generally include an amount 
credited on behalf of a service provider under the terms of the plan 
that reflects a rate of return that does not exceed either the rate of 
return on a predetermined actual investment or, if the income does not 
reflect the rate of return on a predetermined actual investment, a 
reasonable rate of interest. With respect to nonaccount balance plans, 
earnings on an amount deferred generally include an increase, due solely 
to the passage of time, in the present value of the future payments to 
which the service provider has obtained a legally binding right, the 
present value of which constituted the amount deferred (determined as of 
the date such amount was deferred), but only if the amount deferred was 
determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods. A right 
to earnings on an amount deferred generally is treated as a right to a 
deferral of compensation for purposes of this section and Sec. Sec. 
1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6. However, for purposes of any provision of 
this section and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 1.409A-6 referring to 
earnings on deferred compensation (or similar terms), the use of an 
unreasonable rate of return, or unreasonable actuarial assumptions and 
methods, generally will result in the treatment of some or all of such a 
right to deferred compensation as a right only to deferred compensation, 
and not a right to earnings on deferred compensation, so that the 
provision will not be applicable. With respect to plans that are neither 
account balance plans nor nonaccount balance plans, these rules apply by 
analogy.
    (p) In-kind benefits. The term in-kind benefits refers to services 
provided to or on behalf of a service provider, such as financial 
planning services, or tangible personal or real property made available 
for use by or on behalf of the service provider, such as the use of an 
aircraft or vehicle, and does not refer to a transfer of property within 
the meaning of section 83 and the regulations thereunder, or a promise 
to transfer, or an option to purchase or receive, property in the 
future.
    (q) Application of definitions and rules. The definitions and rules 
set forth in paragraphs (a) through (p) of this section apply for 
purposes of section 409A, this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-2 through 
1.409A-6.

[T.D. 9321, 72 FR 19276, Apr. 17, 2007; 72 FR 41620, July 31, 2007]



Sec. 1.409A-2  Deferral elections.

    (a) Initial elections as to the time and form of payment--(1) In 
general. A plan that is, or constitutes part of, a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan meets the requirements of section 409A(a)(4)(B) only 
if under the terms of the plan, compensation for services performed 
during a service provider's taxable year (the service year) may be 
deferred at the service provider's election only if the election to 
defer such compensation is made and becomes irrevocable not later than 
the latest date permitted in this paragraph (a). An election will not be 
considered to be revocable merely because the service provider or 
service recipient may make an election to change the time and form of 
payment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, or the service 
recipient may accelerate the time of payment pursuant to Sec. 1.409A-
3(j)(4) (exceptions to prohibition on accelerated payments). Whether a 
plan provides a service provider an opportunity

[[Page 612]]

to elect the time or form of payment of compensation is determined based 
upon all the facts and circumstances surrounding the determination of 
the time and form of payment of the compensation. For purposes of this 
section, an election to defer includes an election as to the time of the 
payment, an election as to the form of the payment or an election as to 
both the time and the form of the payment, but does not include an 
election as to the medium of payment (for example, an election between a 
payment of cash or a payment of property). Except as otherwise expressly 
provided in this section, an election will not be considered made until 
such election becomes irrevocable under the terms of the applicable 
plan. Accordingly, a plan may provide that an election to defer may be 
changed at any time before the last permissible date for making such an 
election. Where a plan provides the service provider a right to make an 
initial deferral election, and further provides that the election 
remains in effect until terminated or modified by the service provider, 
the election will be treated as made as of the date such election 
becomes irrevocable as to compensation for services performed during the 
relevant service year. For example, where a plan provides that a service 
provider's election to defer a set percentage will remain in effect 
until changed or revoked, but that as of each December 31 the election 
becomes irrevocable with respect to salary payable in connection with 
services performed in the immediately following year, the initial 
deferral election with respect to salary payable with respect to 
services performed in the immediately following year will be deemed to 
have been made as of the December 31 upon which the election became 
irrevocable. For purposes of this paragraph (a), the reference to a 
service period or a performance period refers to the period of service 
for which the right to the compensation arises, and may include periods 
before the grant of a legally binding right to the compensation. For 
example, where a service recipient grants a bonus based upon services 
performed in the calendar year 2010, but retains the discretion to 
rescind the bonus until 2011 such that the promise of the bonus is not a 
legally binding right, the period of service or performance period to 
which the compensation relates is the calendar year 2010.
    (2) Service recipient elections. A plan that provides for a deferral 
of compensation for services performed during a service provider's 
taxable year that does not provide the service provider with an 
opportunity to elect the time or form of payment of such compensation 
must designate the time and form of payment by no later than the later 
of the time the service provider first has a legally binding right to 
the compensation or, if later, the time the service provider would be 
required under this section to make such an election if the service 
provider were provided such an election. Such designation is treated as 
an initial deferral election for purposes of this section. Where a plan 
permits a service recipient to exercise discretion to disregard a 
service provider election as to the time or form of a payment, any 
service provider election that is subject to such discretion will be 
treated as revocable so long as such discretion may be exercised.
    (3) General rule. A plan that is, or constitutes part of, a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan meets the requirements of 
section 409A(a)(4)(B) if under the terms of the plan, compensation for 
services performed during a service provider's taxable year (the service 
year) may be deferred at the service provider's election only if the 
election to defer such compensation is made not later than the close of 
the service provider's taxable year next preceding the service year.
    (4) Initial deferral election with respect to short-term deferrals. 
If a service provider has a legally binding right to a payment of 
compensation in a subsequent taxable year that, absent a deferral 
election, would be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning 
of Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(4), an election to defer such compensation may be 
made in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this 
section, applied as if the amount were a deferral of compensation and 
the scheduled payment date for the amount were the date the substantial 
risk of forfeiture lapses. Notwithstanding the requirements of

[[Page 613]]

paragraph (b) of this section, such a deferral election may provide that 
the deferred amounts will be payable upon a change in control event (as 
defined in Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)) without regard to the five-year 
additional deferral requirement in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (5) Initial deferral election with respect to certain forfeitable 
rights. If a service provider has a legally binding right to a payment 
in a subsequent year that is subject to a condition requiring the 
service provider to continue to provide services for a period of at 
least 12 months from the date the service provider obtains the legally 
binding right to avoid forfeiture of the payment, an election to defer 
such compensation may be made on or before the 30th day after the 
service provider obtains the legally binding right to the compensation, 
provided that the election is made at least 12 months in advance of the 
earliest date at which the forfeiture condition could lapse. For 
purposes of this paragraph (a)(5), a condition will not be treated as 
failing to require the service provider to continue to provide services 
for a period of at least 12 months from the date the service provider 
obtains the legally binding right merely because the condition 
immediately lapses upon the death or disability (as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-3(i)(4)) of the service provider, or upon a change in control 
event (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)), provided that if death, 
disability, or a change in control event occurs and the condition lapses 
before the end of such 12-month period, a deferral election may be given 
effect only if the deferral election is permitted under this section 
without regard to this paragraph (a)(5).
    (6) Initial deferral election with respect to fiscal year 
compensation. In the case of a service recipient with a taxable year 
that is not the same as the taxable year of the service provider, a plan 
may provide that fiscal year compensation may be deferred at the service 
provider's election if the election to defer such compensation is made 
not later than the close of the service recipient's taxable year 
immediately preceding the first taxable year of the service recipient in 
which any services are performed for which such compensation is payable. 
For purposes of this paragraph (a)(6), the term fiscal year compensation 
means compensation relating to a period of service coextensive with one 
or more consecutive taxable years of the service recipient, of which no 
amount is paid or payable during the service recipient's taxable year or 
years constituting the period of service. For example, fiscal year 
compensation generally would include a bonus to an individual employee 
with a calendar year taxable year that is based on a service period 
consisting of the service recipient's two consecutive taxable years 
ending September 30, 2011, where the amount will be paid after the end 
of the second of such taxable years, but would not include either a 
bonus based on a service period consisting of one or more calendar years 
or salary that would otherwise be paid during such taxable years of the 
service recipient.
    (7) First year of eligibility--(i) In general. In the case of the 
first year in which a service provider becomes eligible to participate 
in a plan, the service provider may make an initial deferral election 
within 30 days after the date the service provider becomes eligible to 
participate in such plan, with respect to compensation paid for services 
to be performed after the election. In the case of a plan that does not 
provide for service provider elections with respect to the time or form 
of a payment, the time and form of the payment must be specified on or 
before the date that is 30 days after the date the service provider 
first becomes eligible to participate in such plan. For compensation 
that is earned based upon a specified performance period (for example, 
an annual bonus), where a deferral election is made in the first year of 
eligibility but after the beginning of the performance period, the 
election must apply only to the compensation paid for services performed 
after the election. For this purpose, an election will be deemed to 
apply to compensation paid for services performed after the election if 
the election applies to no more than an amount equal to the total amount 
of the compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio 
of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the 
election over the total number of days in the performance period.

[[Page 614]]

    (ii) Eligibility to participate. For purposes of this paragraph 
(a)(7), a service provider is eligible to participate in a plan at any 
time during which, under the plan's terms and without further amendment 
or action by the service recipient, the service provider is eligible to 
accrue an amount of deferred compensation under the plan other than 
earnings on amounts previously deferred, even if the service provider 
has elected not to accrue (or has not elected to accrue) an amount of 
deferred compensation. Where a service provider has been paid all 
amounts deferred under a plan, and on and before the date of the last 
payment was not eligible to continue (or to elect to continue) to 
participate in the plan for periods after the last payment (other than 
through an election of a different time and form of payment with respect 
to the amounts paid), the service provider may be treated as initially 
eligible to participate in a plan as of the first date following such 
payment that the service provider becomes eligible to accrue an 
additional amount of deferred compensation. Where a service provider has 
ceased being eligible to participate in a plan (other than the accrual 
of earnings), regardless of whether all amounts deferred under the plan 
have been paid, and subsequently becomes eligible to participate in the 
plan again, the service provider may be treated as being initially 
eligible to participate in the plan if the service provider had not been 
eligible to participate in the plan (other than the accrual of earnings) 
at any time during the 24-month period ending on the date the service 
provider again becomes eligible to participate in the plan.
    (iii) Application to excess benefit plans. For purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(7), a service provider is treated as initially eligible to 
participate in an excess benefit plan as of the first day of the service 
provider's taxable year immediately following the first year the service 
provider accrues a benefit under the excess benefit plan; and any 
election made within 30 days following such date is treated as applying 
to benefits accrued under such plan for services performed before the 
election. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(7), the term excess benefit 
plan means all nonqualified deferred compensation plans in which a 
service provider participates, to the extent such plans do not provide 
for an election between current compensation (including a short-term 
deferral) and deferred compensation and solely provide deferred 
compensation equal to the excess of the benefits the service provider 
would have accrued under a qualified employer plan (as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-1(a)(2)) in which the service provider also participates, in the 
absence of one or more of the limits incorporated into the plan to 
reflect one or more of the limits on contributions or benefits 
applicable to the qualified employer plan under the Internal Revenue 
Code, over the benefits the service provider actually accrues under the 
qualified employer plan. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(7), once a 
service provider has accrued a benefit or deferred compensation under a 
plan in any year, the service provider will not become eligible for an 
initial deferral election based upon an accrual or deferral under an 
excess benefit plan in a subsequent year, even if the benefit or 
deferred compensation accrued in a previous year is forfeited or 
eliminated.
    (8) Initial deferral election with respect to performance-based 
compensation. In the case of any performance-based compensation (as 
defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(e)), an initial deferral election may be made 
with respect to such performance-based compensation on or before the 
date that is six months before the end of the performance period, 
provided that the service provider performs services continuously from 
the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the 
performance criteria are established through the date an election is 
made under this paragraph (a)(8), and provided further that in no event 
may an election to defer performance-based compensation be made after 
such compensation has become readily ascertainable. For purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(8), if the performance-based compensation is a specified 
or calculable amount, the compensation is readily ascertainable if and 
when the amount is first substantially certain to be paid. If the 
performance-based compensation is not a specified or calculable amount 
because,

[[Page 615]]

for example, the amount may vary based upon the level of performance, 
the compensation, or any portion of the compensation, is readily 
ascertainable when the amount is first both calculable and substantially 
certain to be paid. For this purpose, the performance-based compensation 
is bifurcated between the portion that is readily ascertainable and the 
amount that is not readily ascertainable. Accordingly, in general any 
minimum amount that is both calculable and substantially certain to be 
paid will be treated as readily ascertainable.
    (9) Nonqualified deferred compensation plans linked to qualified 
employer plans or certain other arrangements. If a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan provides that the amount deferred under the plan is 
determined under the formula for determining benefits under a qualified 
employer plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(2)) or a broad-based 
foreign retirement plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(3)(v)) 
maintained by the service recipient but applied without regard to one or 
more limitations applicable to the qualified employer plan under the 
Internal Revenue Code or to the broad-based foreign retirement plan 
under other applicable law, or that the amount deferred under the 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan is determined as an amount 
offset by some or all of the benefits provided under the qualified 
employer plan or the broad-based foreign retirement plan, an increase in 
amounts deferred under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan that 
results directly from the operation of the qualified employer plan or 
broad-based foreign retirement plan (other than service provider actions 
described in paragraphs (a)(9)(iii) and (iv) of this section) including 
changes in benefit limitations applicable to the qualified employer plan 
or the broad-based foreign retirement plan under the Internal Revenue 
Code or other applicable law does not constitute a deferral election 
under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, provided that such 
operation does not otherwise result in a change in the time or form of a 
payment under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and provided 
further that such change in the amounts deferred under the nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan does not exceed that change in the amounts 
deferred under the qualified employer plan or the broad-based foreign 
retirement plan, as applicable. In addition, with respect to such a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the following actions or 
failures to act will not constitute a deferral election under the 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan even if in accordance with the 
terms of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the actions or 
inactions result in an increase in the amounts deferred under the plan, 
provided that such actions or inactions do not otherwise affect the time 
or form of payment under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan and 
provided further that with respect to actions or inactions described in 
paragraphs (a)(9)(i) or (ii), the change in the amount deferred under 
the nonqualified deferred compensation plan does not exceed the change 
in the amounts deferred under the qualified employer plan or the broad-
based foreign retirement plan, as applicable:
    (i) A service provider's action or inaction under the qualified 
employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement plan with respect to 
whether to elect to receive a subsidized benefit or an ancillary benefit 
under the qualified employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement 
plan.
    (ii) The amendment of a qualified employer plan or broad-based 
foreign retirement plan to add or remove a subsidized benefit or an 
ancillary benefit, or to freeze or limit future accruals of benefits 
under the qualified plan or freeze or limit future accruals of benefits 
or reduce existing benefits under the broad-based foreign retirement 
plan.
    (iii) A service provider's action or inaction under a qualified 
employer plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-
tax contributions subject to the contribution restrictions under section 
401(a)(30) or section 402(g), including an adjustment to a deferral 
election under such qualified employer plan, provided that for any given 
taxable year, the service provider's action or inaction does not result 
in an increase in the amounts deferred under all nonqualified deferred

[[Page 616]]

compensation plans in which the service provider participates (other 
than amounts described in paragraph (a)(9)(iv) of this section) in 
excess of the limit with respect to elective deferrals under section 
402(g)(1)(A), (B), and (C) in effect for the taxable year in which such 
action or inaction occurs.
    (iv) A service provider's action or inaction under a qualified 
employer plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-
tax contributions subject to the contribution restrictions under section 
401(a)(30) or section 402(g), and after-tax contributions by the service 
provider to a qualified employer plan that provides for such 
contributions, that affects the amounts that are credited under one or 
more nonqualified deferred compensation plans as matching amounts or 
other similar amounts contingent on such elective deferrals, employee 
pre-tax contributions, or after-tax contributions, provided that the 
total of such matching or contingent amounts, as applicable, never 
exceeds 100 percent of the matching or contingent amounts that would be 
provided under the qualified employer plan absent any plan-based 
restrictions that reflect limits on qualified plan contributions under 
the Internal Revenue Code.
    (10) Changes in elections under a cafeteria plan. A change in an 
election under a cafeteria plan does not constitute a deferral election 
with respect to an amount deferred under a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan to the extent that the change in the amount deferred 
under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan results solely from 
the application of the change in amount eligible to be treated as 
compensation under the terms of the nonqualified deferred compensation 
plan resulting from the election change under the cafeteria plan, to a 
benefit formula under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan based 
upon the service provider's eligible compensation, and only to the 
extent that such change applies in the same manner as any other increase 
or decrease in compensation would apply to such benefit formula.
    (11) Initial deferral election with respect to certain separation 
pay. In the case of separation pay (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(m)), 
where such separation pay is the subject of bona fide, arm's length 
negotiations at the time of the separation from service, an initial 
deferral election may be made at any time up to the time the service 
provider obtains a legally binding right to the payment. This paragraph 
(a)(11) does not apply to any separation pay to which the service 
provider obtained a legally binding right before the negotiations at the 
time of the separation from service, including a right to a payment 
subject to a condition such as that the service provider separate from 
service other than for cause. In the case of separation pay due to 
participation in a window program (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-
1(b)(9)(vi)), an initial deferral election may be made at any time 
before the time the election to participate in the window program 
becomes irrevocable.
    (12) Initial deferral election with respect to certain commissions--
(i) Sales commission compensation. For purposes of this paragraph (a), a 
service provider earning sales commission compensation is treated as 
providing the services to which such compensation relates only in the 
service provider's taxable year in which the customer remits payment to 
the service recipient or, if applied consistently to all similarly 
situated service providers, the service provider's taxable year in which 
the sale occurs. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(12), the term sales 
commission compensation means compensation or portions of compensation 
earned by a service provider if a substantial portion of the services 
provided by such service provider to a service recipient consist of the 
direct sale of a product or service to an unrelated customer, the 
compensation paid by the service recipient to the service provider 
consists of either a portion of the purchase price for the product or 
service or an amount substantially all of which is calculated by 
reference to the volume of sales, and payment of the compensation is 
either contingent upon the service recipient receiving payment from an 
unrelated customer for the product or services or, if applied 
consistently to all similarly situated service providers, is contingent 
upon the closing of the sales

[[Page 617]]

transaction and such other requirements as may be specified by the 
service recipient before the closing of the sales transaction. For this 
purpose, a customer is treated as an unrelated customer only if the 
customer is not related to either the service provider or the service 
recipient. A person is treated as related to another person if the 
person would be treated as related to the other person under Sec. 
1.409A-1(f)(2)(ii) or the person would be treated as providing 
management services to the other person under Sec. 1.409A-1(f)(2)(iv).
    (ii) Investment commission compensation. For purposes of this 
paragraph (a), a service provider earning investment commission 
compensation is treated as providing the services to which such 
compensation relates over the 12 months preceding the date as of which 
the overall value of the assets or asset accounts is determined for 
purposes of the calculation of the investment commission compensation. 
For purposes of this paragraph (a)(12), the term investment commission 
compensation means the compensation or the portion of compensation 
earned by a service provider if a substantial portion of the services 
provided by such service provider to a service recipient to which such 
compensation relates consists of sales of financial products or other 
direct customer services to an unrelated customer with respect to 
customer assets or customer asset accounts, the customer retains the 
right to terminate the customer relationship and may move or liquidate 
the assets or asset accounts without undue delay (which may be subject 
to a reasonable notice period), such compensation consists of a portion 
of the value of the overall assets or asset account balance, an amount 
substantially all of which is calculated by reference to the increase in 
the value of the overall assets or account balance during a specified 
period, or both, and the value of the overall assets or account balance 
and investment commission compensation is determined at least annually. 
For this purpose, a customer is treated as an unrelated customer only if 
the customer is not related to either the service provider or the 
service recipient. A person is treated as related to another person if 
the person would be treated as related to the other person under Sec. 
1.409A-1(f)(2)(ii) or the person would be treated as providing 
management services to the other person under Sec. 1.409A-1(f)(2)(iv).
    (iii) Commission compensation and related persons. The rules of 
paragraphs (a)(12)(i) and (ii) of this section apply to sales commission 
compensation and investment commission compensation involving a related 
customer, provided that substantial sales from which commission 
compensation arises are made, or substantial services from which 
commission compensation arises are provided, to unrelated customers by 
the service recipient, the sales and service arrangement and the 
commission arrangement with respect to the related customer are bona 
fide, arise from the service recipient's ordinary course of business, 
and are substantially the same, both in terms and in practice, as the 
terms and practices applicable to unrelated customers (as defined in 
such paragraphs) to which individually or in the aggregate substantial 
sales are made or substantial services provided by the service 
recipient.
    (13) Initial deferral election with respect to compensation paid for 
final payroll period--(i) In general. Unless a plan provides otherwise, 
compensation payable after the last day of the service provider's 
taxable year solely for services performed during the final payroll 
period described in section 3401(b) containing the last day of the 
service provider's taxable year or, with respect to a non-employee 
service provider, a period not longer than the payroll period described 
in section 3401(b), where such amount is payable pursuant to the timing 
arrangement under which the service recipient normally compensates 
service providers for services performed during a payroll period 
described in section 3401(b), or with respect to a non-employee service 
provider, a period not longer than the payroll period described in 
section 3401(b), is treated as compensation for services performed in 
the subsequent taxable year in which the payment is made. The preceding 
sentence does not apply to any compensation paid during such period for 
services performed during

[[Page 618]]

any period other than such final payroll period, such as a payment of an 
annual bonus. Any amendment of a plan after December 31, 2007, to add a 
provision providing for a differing treatment of such compensation may 
not be effective for 12 months from the date the amendment is executed 
and enacted.
    (ii) Transition rule. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(13), a plan 
that was adopted and effective before December 31, 2007, whether written 
or unwritten, will be treated as designating such compensation for 
services performed in the taxable year in which the payroll period ends, 
unless otherwise set forth in writing before December 31, 2007.
    (14) Elections to annualize recurring part-year compensation. In the 
case of a service provider receiving recurring part-year compensation, 
an election to defer all or a portion of the recurring part-year 
compensation to be earned during a particular service period is 
considered to meet the requirements of this paragraph (a) if the 
election is made before the services for which the recurring part-year 
compensation is paid begin, and the election does not defer payment of 
any of the recurring part-year compensation to a date beyond the last 
day of the 13th month following the first date of the service period. 
For purposes of this paragraph (a)(14), the term recurring part-year 
compensation means compensation paid for services rendered in a position 
that the service recipient and service provider reasonably anticipate 
will continue on similar terms and conditions in subsequent years, and 
will require services to be provided during successive service periods 
each of which comprises less than 12 months (for example, a teacher 
providing services during a school year comprised of 10 consecutive 
months), and each of which periods begins in one taxable year of the 
service provider and ends in the next such taxable year. The rules of 
this paragraph (a)(14) apply to a particular amount of compensation only 
once, so that an amount deferred under this rule may not again be 
treated as recurring part-year compensation for purposes of this 
paragraph and subject to a second deferral election under this paragraph 
(a)(14).
    (15) USERRA rights. The requirements of this paragraph (a) are 
deemed satisfied to the extent an initial deferral election is provided 
to satisfy the requirements of the Uniformed Service Employment and 
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4301-4334.
    (b) Subsequent changes in time and form of payment--(1) In general. 
A plan that permits under a subsequent election a delay in a payment or 
a change in the form of payment (a subsequent deferral election), 
including a subsequent deferral election made by a service provider or a 
service recipient, satisfies the requirements of section 409A(a)(4)(C) 
only if the conditions of this paragraph (b) are met. For purposes of 
this paragraph (b), except as otherwise expressly provided in this 
section, a subsequent deferral election is not considered made until 
such election becomes irrevocable under the terms of the plan. 
Accordingly, a plan may provide that a subsequent deferral election may 
be changed at any time before the last permissible date for making such 
a subsequent deferral election. Where a plan permits a subsequent 
deferral election, the requirements of this paragraph are satisfied only 
if the following conditions are met:
    (i) The plan requires that such election not take effect until at 
least 12 months after the date on which the election is made.
    (ii) In the case of an election related to a payment not described 
in Sec. 1.409A-3(a)(2) (payment on account of disability), Sec. 
1.409A-3(a)(3) (payment on account of death), or Sec. 1.409A-3(a)(6) 
(payment on account of the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency), 
the plan requires that the payment with respect to which such election 
is made be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the 
date such payment would otherwise have been paid (or in the case of a 
life annuity or installment payments treated as a single payment, five 
years from the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).
    (iii) The plan requires that any election related to a payment 
described in Sec. 1.409A-3(a)(4) (payment at a specified time or 
pursuant to a fixed schedule) be made not less than 12 months before

[[Page 619]]

the date the payment is scheduled to be paid (or in the case of a life 
annuity or installment payments treated as a single payment, 12 months 
before the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).
    (2) Definition of payments for purposes of subsequent changes in the 
time or form of payment--(i) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section, the term payment refers 
to each separately identified amount to which a service provider is 
entitled to payment under a plan on a determinable date, and includes 
amounts applied for the benefit of the service provider. An amount is 
separately identified only if the amount may be objectively determined 
under a nondiscretionary formula. For example, an amount identified as 
10 percent of the account balance as of a specified payment date would 
be a separately identified amount. A payment includes the provision of 
any taxable benefit, including payment in cash or in kind. In addition, 
a payment includes, but is not limited to, the transfer, cancellation, 
or reduction of an amount of deferred compensation in exchange for 
benefits under a welfare benefit plan, a fringe benefit excludible under 
section 119 or section 132, or any other benefit that is excludible from 
gross income. For additional rules relating to the application of this 
paragraph (b) to amounts payable at a fixed time or pursuant to a fixed 
schedule, see Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(1).
    (ii) Life annuities--(A) In general. The entitlement to a life 
annuity is treated as the entitlement to a single payment. Accordingly, 
an election to delay payment of a life annuity, or to change the form of 
payment of a life annuity, must be made at least 12 months before the 
scheduled commencement of the life annuity, and must defer the payment 
for a period of not less than five years from the originally scheduled 
commencement of the life annuity. For purposes of Sec. 1.409A-1, this 
section, and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-3 through 1.409A-6, the term life annuity 
means a series of substantially equal periodic payments, payable not 
less frequently than annually, for the life (or life expectancy) of the 
service provider, or a series of substantially equal periodic payments, 
payable not less frequently than annually, for the life (or life 
expectancy) of the service provider, followed upon the death or end of 
the life expectancy of the service provider by a series of substantially 
equal periodic payments, payable not less frequently than annually, for 
the life (or life expectancy) of the service provider's designated 
beneficiary (if any). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a schedule of 
payments does not fail to be an annuity solely because such plan 
provides for an immediate payment of the actuarial present value of all 
remaining annuity payments if the actuarial present value of the 
remaining annuity payments falls below a predetermined amount, and the 
immediate payment of such amount does not constitute an accelerated 
payment for purposes of Sec. 1.409A-3(j), provided that such feature, 
including the predetermined amount, is established by no later than the 
time and form of payment is otherwise required to be established, and 
provided further that any change in such feature, including the 
predetermined amount, is a change in the time and form of payment. A 
change in designated beneficiary before any annuity payment has been 
made under the plan is not a change in the time or form of payment. A 
change in the form of a payment before any annuity payment has been made 
under the plan, from one type of life annuity to another type of life 
annuity with the same scheduled date for the first annuity payment, is 
not considered a change in the time and form of a payment, provided that 
the annuities are actuarially equivalent applying reasonable actuarial 
methods and assumptions. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(2)(ii), a 
requirement that a service provider obtain the consent of a spouse or 
other potential recipient of a survivor annuity to change a beneficiary 
or form of payment is disregarded, so that any annuity form that the 
service recipient could elect to receive with such consent is considered 
currently available.
    (B) Certain features disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing 
provisions of this paragraph (b)(2)(ii), the following features are 
disregarded for purposes of determining whether a payment form is a life 
annuity within the

[[Page 620]]

meaning of this paragraph (b)(2)(ii), but are not disregarded for 
purposes of determining whether a life annuity is the actuarial 
equivalent of another life annuity except as otherwise provided in this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii):
    (1) Term certain features under which annuity payments continue for 
the longer of the life of the annuitant or a fixed period of time.
    (2) Pop-up features under which payments increase upon the death of 
the beneficiary or another event that eliminates the right to a survivor 
annuity.
    (3) Cash refund features under which payment is provided upon the 
death of the last annuitant in an amount that is not greater than the 
excess of the present value of the annuity at the annuity starting date 
over the total of payments before the death of the last annuitant.
    (4) Features under which an annuity form of payment provides higher 
periodic payments before the expected commencement of benefits under the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. ch. 7) or the Railroad Retirement Act (45 
U.S.C. 231 et seq.) and lower periodic payments after such expected 
commencement date, so that the combined periodic payments under the 
arrangement and the Social Security Act or the Railroad Retirement Act, 
as applicable, are approximately level before and after such expected 
commencement date (Social Security or Railroad Retirement leveling 
features).
    (5) Features providing for an increase in the annuity payment in a 
manner described in Sec. 1.401(a)(9)-6, Q&A-14(a)(1) or (2) (eligible 
cost-of-living adjustments).
    (C) Subsidized joint and survivor annuities. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii), a joint and survivor annuity will not fail to be 
treated as actuarially equivalent to a single life annuity due solely to 
the value of a subsidized survivor annuity benefit, provided that the 
annual lifetime annuity benefit available to the service provider under 
the joint and survivor annuity is not greater than the annual lifetime 
annuity benefit available to the service provider under the single life 
annuity alternative, and provided that the annual survivor annuity 
benefit is not greater than the annual lifetime annuity benefit 
available to the service provider under the joint and survivor annuity.
    (D) Actuarial assumptions and methods. For purposes of this 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii), at any given time the same actuarial assumptions 
and methods must be used in valuing each annuity payment option, in 
determining whether the payments are actuarially equivalent and such 
assumptions must be reasonable. This requirement applies over the entire 
term of the service provider's participation in the plan, such that the 
annuity payment must be actuarially equivalent at all times for the 
annuity payment options to be treated as one time and form of payment. 
There is no requirement that the same actuarial methods and assumptions 
be used over the term of a service provider's participation in a plan. 
Accordingly, a plan may change the actuarial assumptions and methods 
used to determine the life annuity payments provided that all of the 
actuarial assumptions and methods are reasonable.
    (iii) Installment payments. The entitlement to a series of 
installment payments that is not a life annuity is treated as the 
entitlement to a single payment, unless the plan provides at all times 
with respect to the amount deferred that the right to the series of 
installment payments is to be treated as a right to a series of separate 
payments. For purposes of Sec. 1.409A-1, this section, and Sec. Sec. 
1.409A-3 through 1.409A-6, a series of installment payments refers to an 
entitlement to the payment of a series of substantially equal periodic 
amounts to be paid over a predetermined period of years, except to the 
extent any increase (or decrease) in the amount reflects reasonable 
earnings (or losses) through the date the amount is paid. For this 
purpose, a series of installment payments over a predetermined period 
and a series of installment payments over a shorter or longer period, or 
a series of installment payments over the same predetermined period but 
with a different commencement date, are different times and forms of 
payment. Accordingly, a change in the predetermined period or the 
commencement date is a change in the time and form of payment. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a schedule

[[Page 621]]

of payments does not fail to be an installment payment solely because 
such plan provides for an immediate payment of all remaining 
installments if the present value of the deferred amount to be paid in 
the remaining installment payments falls below a predetermined amount, 
and the immediate payment of such amount does not constitute an 
accelerated payment for purposes of Sec. 1.409A-3(j), provided that 
such feature including the predetermined amount is established by no 
later than the time and form of payment is otherwise required to be 
established, and provided further that any change in such feature 
including the predetermined amount is a change in the time and form of 
payment.
    (iv) Transition rule. For purposes of this section, a plan that was 
adopted and effective before December 31, 2007, whether written or 
unwritten, that fails to make a designation as to whether the 
entitlement to a series of payments is to be treated as an entitlement 
to a series of separate payments under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this 
section, may make such designation on or before December 31, 2007, 
provided such designation is set forth in writing on or before December 
31, 2007.
    (3) Beneficiaries. The rules of this paragraph (b) governing changes 
in the time and form of payment apply to elections by beneficiaries with 
respect to the time and form of payment, as well as elections by service 
providers or service recipients with respect to the time and form of 
payment to beneficiaries. An election to change the identity of a 
beneficiary does not constitute a change in the time and form of payment 
merely because the election changes the identity of the recipient of the 
payment, if the time and form of the payment is not otherwise changed. 
In addition, an election to change the identity of a beneficiary before 
the initial payment of a life annuity does not constitute a change in 
the time and form of payment if the change in the time of payments stems 
solely from the different life expectancy of the new beneficiary, such 
as in the case of a joint and survivor annuity.
    (4) Domestic relations orders. The rules of this paragraph (b) 
governing changes in the time and form of payment do not apply to 
elections by individuals other than a service provider, with respect to 
payments to a person other than the service provider, to the extent such 
elections are reflected in, or made in accordance with, the terms of a 
domestic relations order (as defined in section 414(p)(1)(B)).
    (5) Coordination with prohibition against acceleration of payments. 
For purposes of applying the prohibition against the acceleration of 
payments in Sec. 1.409A-3(j), the definition of payment is the same as 
the definition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Accordingly, a 
change in the form of a payment that results in a more rapid schedule 
for payments generally will not constitute an acceleration of a payment, 
if the change in the form of payment is made in compliance with the 
subsequent deferral rules. For example, a change in form from a 10-year 
installment payment treated as a single payment to a lump-sum payment 
would not constitute an acceleration if the change in the form of the 
payment is made in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) 
of this section, generally meaning that the election to change to a 
lump-sum payment must be made at least 12 months before the installment 
payments were scheduled to commence and the lump-sum payment could not 
be made until at least five years after the date the installment 
payments were scheduled to commence. See Sec. 1.409A-3(j)(4)(i) with 
respect to situations in which the failure to accelerate a payment or 
the modification of a plan term relating to certain accelerated payments 
will not be subject to the rules of this paragraph (b).
    (6) Application to multiple payment events. In the case of a plan 
that permits a payment upon each of a number of potential permissible 
payment events, such as the earlier of a fixed date or separation from 
service, the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this section are 
applied separately to each payment (as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section) due upon each payment event. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, the addition or deletion of a permissible payment event to a 
plan under

[[Page 622]]

which amounts were previously deferred is subject to the rules of this 
paragraph (b) where the addition or deletion of the permissible payment 
event may result in a change in the time or form of payment of the 
amount deferred. For application of the rules governing accelerations of 
payments to the addition of a permissible payment event to amounts 
deferred, see Sec. 1.409A-3(j).
    (7) Delay of payments under certain circumstances. A payment may be 
delayed to a date after the designated payment date under any of the 
circumstances described in this paragraph (b)(7), and the provision will 
not fail to meet the requirements of establishing a permissible payment 
event and the delay in the payment will not constitute a subsequent 
deferral election, so long as the service recipient treats all payments 
to similarly situated service providers on a reasonably consistent 
basis.
    (i) Payments subject to section 162(m). A payment may be delayed to 
the extent that the service recipient reasonably anticipates that if the 
payment were made as scheduled, the service recipient's deduction with 
respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of 
section 162(m), provided that the payment is made either during the 
service provider's first taxable year in which the service recipient 
reasonably anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the 
payment is made during such year, the deduction of such payment will not 
be barred by application of section 162(m) or during the period 
beginning with the date of the service provider's separation from 
service and ending on the later of the last day of the taxable year of 
the service recipient in which the service provider separates from 
service or the 15th day of the third month following the service 
provider's separation from service, and provided further that where any 
scheduled payment to a specific service provider in a service 
recipient's taxable year is delayed in accordance with this paragraph, 
the delay in payment will be treated as a subsequent deferral election 
unless all scheduled payments to that service provider that could be 
delayed in accordance with this paragraph are also delayed. Where the 
payment is delayed to a date on or after the service provider's 
separation from service, the payment will be considered a payment upon a 
separation from service for purposes of the rules under Sec. 1.409A-
3(i)(2) (payments to specified employees upon a separation from service) 
and, in the case of a specified employee, the date that is six months 
after a service provider's separation from service is substituted for 
any reference to a service provider's separation from service in the 
first sentence of this paragraph. No election may be provided to the 
service provider with respect to the timing of the payment under this 
paragraph (b)(7)(i).
    (ii) Payments that would violate Federal securities laws or other 
applicable law. A payment may be delayed where the service recipient 
reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate 
Federal securities laws or other applicable law; provided that the 
payment is made at the earliest date at which the service recipient 
reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause 
such violation. The making of a payment that would cause inclusion in 
gross income or the application of any penalty provision or other 
provision of the Internal Revenue Code is not treated as a violation of 
applicable law.
    (iii) Other events and conditions. A service recipient may delay a 
payment upon such other events and conditions as the Commissioner may 
prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter). For 
additional rules applicable to certain delayed payments pursuant to a 
change in control event, see Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv). For additional 
rules applicable to amounts payable because of an unforeseeable 
emergency, see Sec. 1.409A-3(i)(3).
    (8) USERRA rights. The requirements of this paragraph (b) are deemed 
met to the extent an election to change the time or form of a payment of 
deferred compensation is provided to satisfy the requirements of the 
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as 
amended, 38 U.S.C. 4301-4344.

[[Page 623]]

    (9) Examples. The following examples illustrate the application of 
the provisions of this section. For purposes of these examples, each 
employee is an individual with a calendar year taxable year, and is 
employed by the specified employer:

    Example 1. Initial election to defer salary. Employer ZZ sponsors a 
plan under which Employee A may elect to defer a percentage of Employee 
A's salary. Employee A has participated in the plan in prior years. To 
satisfy the requirements of this section with respect to salary earned 
in calendar year 2008, if Employee A elects to defer any amount of such 
salary, the deferral election (including an election as to the time and 
form of payment) must be made no later than December 31, 2007.
    Example 2. Designation of time and form of payment where an initial 
deferral election is not provided. Employer YY has a taxable year ending 
September 30. On July 1, 2008, Employer YY enters into a legally binding 
obligation to pay Employee B a $10,000 bonus. The amount is not subject 
to a substantial risk of forfeiture and does not qualify as performance-
based compensation as described in Sec. 1.409A-1(e). Employer YY does 
not provide Employee B an election as to the time and form of payment. 
Unless the amount is to be paid in accordance with the short-term 
deferral rule of Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(4), Employer YY must specify the time 
and form of payment on or before July 1, 2008, to satisfy the 
requirements of this section.
    Example 3. Initial election to defer bonus payable based on services 
during calendar year. Employer XX has a taxable year ending September 
30. Employee C participates in a bonus plan under which Employee C is 
entitled to a bonus for services performed during the calendar year 
that, absent an election by Employee C, will be paid on March 15 of the 
following year. The amount is not subject to a substantial risk of 
forfeiture and does not qualify as performance-based compensation as 
described in Sec. 1.409A-1(e). If Employee C elects to defer the 
payment of the bonus with respect to services rendered during calendar 
year 2008, Employee C must elect the time and form of payment not later 
than December 31, 2007, to satisfy the requirements of this section.
    Example 4. Initial election to defer bonus payable based on services 
during fiscal year other than calendar year. Employer WW has a taxable 
year ending September 30. Employee D participates in a bonus plan under 
which Employee D is entitled to a bonus for services performed during 
Employer WW's fiscal year that, absent an election by Employee D, will 
be paid on December 15 of the calendar year in which the fiscal year 
ends. The amount is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and 
does not qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Sec. 
1.409A-1(e). The amount qualifies as fiscal year compensation. If 
Employee D elects to defer the payment of the amount related to the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, to satisfy the requirements of 
this section Employee D must elect the time and form of payment not 
later than September 30, 2008.
    Example 5. Initial election to defer bonus payable only if service 
provider completes at least 12 months of services after the election. 
Employer VV has a calendar year taxable year. On March 1, 2008, Employer 
VV grants Employee E a $10,000 bonus, payable on March 1, 2010 (with 
reasonable interest), provided that Employee E continues performing 
services as an employee of Employer VV through March 1, 2010. The amount 
does not qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Sec. 
1.409A-1(e), and Employee E already participates in another account 
balance nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Employee E may make an 
initial deferral election on or before March 31, 2008 (within 30 days 
after obtaining a legally binding right), because at least 12 months of 
additional services are required after the date of election for the risk 
of forfeiture to lapse.
    Example 6. Initial election to defer bonus that would otherwise 
constitute a short-term deferral. The same facts as Example 5, except 
that Employee E does not make an initial deferral election on or before 
March 31, 2008. Because the right to the compensation would not be 
treated as a deferral of compensation pursuant to Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(4) 
absent a deferral election (because the arrangement would be treated as 
a short-term deferral), Employee E may make an initial deferral election 
provided that the election may not become effective for 12 months and 
must defer the payment at least 5 years from March 1, 2010 (the first 
date the payment could become substantially vested). Accordingly, 
Employee E may make an election before March 1, 2009, provided that the 
election defers the payment to a date on or after March 1, 2015 (other 
than a payment due to death, disability, unforeseeable emergency, or a 
change in control event).
    Example 7. Initial election to defer sales commissions. Employer UU 
has a calendar year taxable year. As part of Employee F's services for 
Employer UU, Employee F sells refrigerators to customers unrelated to 
Employee F or Employer UU. Under the employment arrangement, Employee F 
is entitled to 10% of the sales price of any refrigerator Employee F 
sells, payable only upon the receipt of payment from the customer who 
purchased the refrigerator. For purposes of the initial deferral rule, 
Employee F is treated as performing the services related to each 
refrigerator sale in the calendar year in which each customer pays for 
the refrigerator.

[[Page 624]]

    Example 8. Initial election to defer renewal sales commissions. The 
same facts as Example 7, except that Employee F also sells warranties 
related to the refrigerators sold. Under the warranty arrangement, 
refrigerator warranty customers are entitled in a future year to extend 
the warranty for an additional cost to be paid at the time of the 
extension. Under Employee F's arrangement with Employer UU, Employee F 
is entitled to 10% of the amount paid for an extension of any warranty, 
payable upon the receipt of payment from the customer extending the 
warranty. For purposes of the initial deferral election rule, Employee F 
is treated as performing the services related to the amount paid for the 
extension of the warranty in the taxable year in which the customer pays 
for the warranty extension.
    Example 9. Initial election to defer investment commissions. 
Employer TT is in the trade or business of managing financial assets for 
customer accounts. Customers who deposit funds in an account with 
Employer TT are entitled to remove the account balance of such account 
upon 60 days notice to Employer TT. Employee G sells financial products 
and provides continuing customer service to certain unrelated customers 
involving the deposit and maintenance of funds in customer accounts 
managed by Employer TT. Under the employment arrangement, Employee G is 
entitled to a set percentage of the aggregate value of the assets held 
in the accounts of customers to whom Employee G sold financial products 
and provides customer service. Under the arrangement, the aggregate 
value of the assets held in the accounts is determined as of June 30 of 
each year, and unless Employee G elects to defer the payment, the amount 
is payable to Employee G in a lump sum on December 31 of the year in 
which the valuation is made. Employee G has no control over the 
valuation of the assets held in the accounts, or the calculation of the 
amount due Employee G. For purposes of the initial deferral rule, 
Employee G is treated as providing the services to which a payment 
relates during the July 1 through June 30 period ending on the June 30 
date as of which the assets held in the account are valued.
    Example 10. Initial election to defer part-year compensation. 
Employee H provides services as a teacher to Employer SS, a school 
system. The period of services routinely begins on the second Monday of 
August of one year and ends on the first Friday of June of the 
subsequent year. Employer SS provides an election to Employee H to 
receive the compensation for the period of services ratably over the 
period beginning on the second Monday of August of one year and ending 
on the last day of August of the subsequent year. Because the 
compensation constitutes recurring part-year compensation, as defined in 
paragraph (a)(14) of this section, and because the schedule will provide 
that all of the recurring part-year compensation is paid no later than 
September 30 of the subsequent year, Employee H will be deemed to have 
made a timely deferral election with respect to such recurring part-year 
compensation if Employee H elects before the first day of the service 
period to have the recurring part-year compensation paid under such 
schedule.
    Example 11. Initial election to defer negotiated separation pay. 
Employer RR decides to terminate Employee J's employment involuntarily. 
As part of the process of terminating Employee J, Employer RR enters 
into bona fide, arm's length negotiations with respect to the terms of 
Employee J's termination of employment. As part of the process, Employer 
RR offers Employee J an amount that is in addition to any amounts to 
which Employee J is otherwise entitled, payable either as a lump sum 
payment at the end of 3 years or in 3 annual payments starting at the 
date of termination of employment. The election of the time and form of 
payment by Employee J may be made at any time before Employee J accepts 
the offer and obtains a legally binding right to the additional amount. 
The election may not apply to any amount to which Employee J already had 
a legally binding right.
    Example 12. Election of time and form of payments under a window 
program. Employer QQ establishes a window program, as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-1(b)(9)(vi). Individuals who elect to terminate employment under 
the window program are entitled to receive an amount equal to 2 weeks 
pay multiplied by every year of service with Employer QQ. The 
individuals participating in the window program may elect to receive the 
payment as either a lump sum payment payable on the first day of the 
month after making the election to participate in the window program, or 
as a payment of 3 equal annual installments on each January 1 of the 
first 3 years following the election to participate in the window 
program. Employee K is eligible to participate in the window program. 
Employee K will be treated as making a timely deferral election if the 
election as to the time and form of payment is made on or before the 
date Employee K's election to participate in the window program becomes 
irrevocable.
    Example 13. Initial election to defer salary earned during final 
payroll period beginning in one calendar year and ending in the 
subsequent calendar year. Employer PP pays the salary of its employees, 
including Employee L, on a bi-weekly basis. One bi-weekly payroll period 
runs from December 24, 2008, through January 6, 2009, with a scheduled 
payment date of January 13, 2009. Employer PP sponsors, and Employee L 
participates in, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan under which 
Employee L may defer a specified percentage of his annual salary. The 
plan does not specify that any salary compensation

[[Page 625]]

paid for the payroll period in which falls January 1 is to be treated as 
compensation for services performed during the year preceding the year 
in which falls that January 1. For purposes of applying the initial 
deferral election rules, Employee L is deemed to have performed the 
services for the payroll period December 24, 2008, through January 6, 
2009, during the calendar year 2009.
    Example 14. Application of deferral election rules and anti-
acceleration rules to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan linked 
to a qualified plan. Employee M participates in a qualified retirement 
plan that is a defined benefit plan that offers a subsidized early 
retirement benefit to employees who have attained age 55 and completed 
30 years of service. Employee M, who has attained age 55 and completed 
30 years of service, also participates in a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan, under which the benefit payable is calculated under a 
formula, with that benefit then reduced by any benefit that Employee M 
has accrued under the qualified retirement plan. In 2008, Employee M 
fails to elect the subsidized early retirement benefit under the 
qualified retirement plan, with the effect that the amounts payable 
under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan are increased by an 
amount equal to the reduction in the benefit payable under the qualified 
plan. In 2009, Employer NN amends the qualified retirement plan to 
increase benefits under the plan, resulting in a decrease in the amounts 
payable under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan equal to the 
increase in the benefit payable under the qualified plan. Neither of 
these actions constitutes a deferral election or an acceleration of a 
payment under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
    Example 15. Subsequent deferral election. Employee N participates in 
a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Employee N elects to be paid 
in a lump sum payment at the earlier of age 65 or separation from 
service. Employee N anticipates that he will work after age 65, and 
wishes to defer payment to a later date. Provided that Employee N 
continues in employment and makes the election by his 64th birthday, 
Employee N may elect to receive a lump sum payment at the earlier of age 
70 or separation from service.
    Example 16. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in form of 
payment from lump sum payment to life annuity. Employee P participates 
in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Employee P elects to be 
paid in a lump sum payment at age 65. Employee P wishes to change the 
payment form to a life annuity. Provided that Employee P makes the 
election on or before his 64th birthday, Employee P may elect to receive 
a life annuity commencing at age 70.
    Example 17. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in form of 
payment from life annuity to lump sum payment. Employee Q participates 
in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Employee Q elects to be 
paid in a life annuity at age 65. Employee Q wishes to change the 
payment form to a lump sum payment. Provided that Employee Q makes the 
election on or before his 64th birthday, Employee Q may elect to receive 
a lump sum payment at age 70.
    Example 18. Subsequent deferral election rule--installment payments 
designated as separate payments. Employee R, whose taxable year is the 
calendar year, participates in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
that provides for payment in a series of 5 equal annual amounts, each 
designated as a separate payment. The first payment is scheduled to be 
made on January 1, 2010. Provided that Employee R makes the election on 
or before January 1, 2009, Employee R may elect for the first payment 
scheduled to be made on January 1, 2010, to be made on January 1, 2015. 
If Employee R makes that election, but does not elect to defer the 
remaining payments, the remaining payments continue to be due upon 
January 1 of the 4 consecutive calendar years commencing on January 1, 
2011.
    Example 19. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in form of 
payment from installment payments not designated as separate payments to 
lump sum payment. Employee S participates in a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan that provides for payment in a series of 5 equal 
annual amounts that are not designated as a series of 5 separate 
payments. The first amount is scheduled to be paid on January 1, 2010. 
Employee S wishes to receive the entire amount equal to the sum of all 5 
of the amounts to be paid as a lump sum payment. Provided that Employee 
S makes the election on or before January 1, 2009, Employee S may elect 
to receive a lump sum payment on or after January 1, 2015.
    Example 20. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in form of 
payment from installment payments designated as separate payments to 
lump sum payment. Employee T participates in a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan that provides for payment in a series of 5 equal 
annual amounts each of which is designated as a separate payment. The 
first amount is scheduled to be paid on January 1, 2010. Employee T 
wishes to receive the entire amount equal to the sum of all 5 of the 
amounts in a single lump sum payment. Provided that Employee T makes the 
election on or before January 1, 2009, Employee T may elect to receive a 
lump sum payment on or after January 1, 2019.
    Example 21. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in form of 
payment from one life annuity form to another life annuity form. 
Employee U participates in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
that permits Employee U to elect before Employee U's separation from 
service whether to be paid in the form of a single life annuity 
beginning on

[[Page 626]]

the first day of the month following Employee U's separation from 
service, or an annuity beginning on the first day of the month following 
Employee U's separation from service under which annuity payments 
continue for Employee U's lifetime but not less than 10 years. The two 
types of annuities are actuarially equivalent at all times applying 
reasonable actuarial methods and assumptions. For purposes of this 
section, the two types of annuities are treated as a single form of 
payment. Accordingly, the election provided under the plan is not 
treated as providing a subsequent deferral election or accelerated 
payment, and an election by Employee U under the plan between the two 
annuity options made before the first scheduled payment date for an 
annuity payment is not treated as a subsequent deferral election or an 
acceleration of a payment.
    Example 22. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in time of 
payment from payment at specified age to payment at later of specified 
age or separation from service. Employee V participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan that provides for a lump sum 
payment at age 65. Employee V wishes to modify the plan so that the 
deferred amount will be payable upon the later of Employee V's 
attainment of a specified age or separation from service. Provided that 
Employee V makes such election on or before his 64th birthday, Employee 
V may modify the plan so Employee V will receive a lump sum payment upon 
the later of age 70 or separation from service.
    Example 23. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in time of 
payment from payment at separation from service to payment at later of 
separation from service or specified age. Employee W participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan that provides for a lump sum 
payment at separation from service. Employee W wishes to make the 
payment payable upon the later of separation from service or a 
predetermined age. Provided that Employee W makes such election on or 
before the date 1 year before a separation from service, Employee W may 
elect to receive a lump sum payment upon the later of the date 5 years 
following a separation from service or at a specified age.
    Example 24. Subsequent deferral election rule--change in time of 
payment from payment at separation from service to payment at a change 
in control event. Employee X participates in a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan that provides for a lump sum payment at separation 
from service. Employee X wishes to change the payment provision such 
that the payment is payable upon a change in control event. A change in 
the distribution provision to provide for a payment only upon a change 
in control event will violate the rules governing payment provisions, 
because the change could result in an acceleration if the change in 
control event occurs before Employee X separates from service, or a 
subsequent deferral if the change in control does not occur until after 
Employee X separates from service. However, provided that Employee X 
makes such election on or before the date 1 year before a separation 
from service, Employee X may elect to receive a payment upon the later 
of a change in control event or 5 years following a separation from 
service.

    (c) Special rules for certain resident aliens. For the first taxable 
year of an individual in which such individual is a resident alien, a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan is deemed to meet the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section if, with respect to 
compensation payable for services performed during that first taxable 
year or with respect to compensation the right to which is subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture as of the first day of that first taxable 
year, an initial deferral election is made by the end of such first 
taxable year, provided that the initial deferral election may not apply 
to amounts that have already been paid or made available to the service 
provider before the election is made. For any year after the first 
taxable year in which an individual is classified as a resident alien, 
this paragraph (c) does not apply, provided that a taxable year may 
again be treated as the first taxable year in which an individual is 
classified as a resident alien if such individual is classified as a 
resident alien in that taxable year and has not been classified as a 
resident alien for the three consecutive taxable years immediately 
preceding that taxable year.

[T.D. 9321, 72 FR 19276, Apr. 17, 2007; 72 FR 41621, July 31, 2007]



Sec. 1.409A-3  Permissible payments.

    (a) In general. The requirements of section 409A(a)(2)(A) are met 
only if the plan provides that an amount of deferred compensation under 
the plan may be paid only upon an event or at a time set forth in this 
paragraph (a):
    (1) The service provider's separation from service (as defined in 
Sec. 1.409A-1(h) and in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this 
section).
    (2) The service provider becoming disabled (in accordance with 
paragraph (i)(4) of this section).

[[Page 627]]

    (3) The service provider's death.
    (4) A time or a fixed schedule specified under the plan (in 
accordance with paragraph (i)(1) of this section).
    (5) A change in the ownership or effective control of the 
corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets 
of the corporation (in accordance with paragraph (i)(5) of this 
section).
    (6) The occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency (in accordance with 
paragraph (i)(3) of this section).
    (b) Designation of payment upon a permissible payment event. Except 
as otherwise specified in this section, a plan provides for the payment 
upon an event described in paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5), or (6) of 
this section if the plan provides the date of the event is the payment 
date, or specifies another payment date that is objectively determinable 
and nondiscretionary at the time the event occurs. A plan may also 
provide that a payment upon an event described in paragraph (a)(1), (2), 
(3), (5), or (6) of this section is to be made in accordance with a 
schedule that is objectively determinable and nondiscretionary based on 
the date the event occurs and that would qualify as a fixed schedule 
under paragraph (i)(1) of this section if the payment event were instead 
a fixed date, provided that the schedule must be fixed at the time the 
permissible payment event is designated. In addition, a plan may provide 
that a payment, including a payment that is part of a schedule, is to be 
made during a designated taxable year of the service provider that is 
objectively determinable and nondiscretionary at the time the payment 
event occurs such as, for example, a schedule of three substantially 
equal payments payable during the first three taxable years following 
the taxable year in which a separation from service occurs. A plan may 
also provide that a payment, including a payment that is part of a 
schedule, is to be made during a designated period objectively 
determinable and nondiscretionary at the time the payment event occurs, 
but only if the designated period both begins and ends within one 
taxable year of the service provider or the designated period is not 
more than 90 days and the service provider does not have a right to 
designate the taxable year of the payment (other than an election that 
complies with the subsequent deferral election rules of Sec. 1.409A-
2(b)). Where a plan provides for a period of more than one day following 
a payment event during which a payment may be made, such as within 90 
days following the date of the event, the payment date for purposes of 
the subsequent deferral rules under Sec. 1.409A-2(b) is treated as the 
first possible date upon which a payment could be made under the terms 
of the plan. A plan may provide for payment upon the earliest or latest 
of more than one event or time, provided that each event or time is 
described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section. For examples 
illustrating the provisions of this paragraph, see paragraph (i)(1)(vi) 
of this section.
    (c) Designation of alternative specified dates or payment schedules 
based upon date of permissible event. Except as otherwise provided in 
this paragraph (c), for an amount of deferred compensation under a plan, 
the plan may designate only one time and form of payment upon the 
occurrence of each event described in paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5), 
or (6) of this section. For example, a plan does not satisfy the 
requirements of this paragraph (c) if it provides for one payment date 
or schedule of payments if a specified event occurs on a Monday, but 
another payment date or schedule of payments if the event occurs on any 
other day of the week. However, a plan that provides for a payment upon 
an event described in paragraph (a)(2), (3), (5), or (6) of this section 
may allow for an alternative payment schedule if the event occurs on or 
before one (but not more than one) specified date, provided that the 
addition or deletion of such a different time and form of payment 
applicable to an existing deferral is subject to Sec. 1.409A-2(b) 
(subsequent deferral elections) and paragraph (j) of this section 
(accelerated payments). For example, a plan may provide that a service 
provider will receive a lump sum payment of the service provider's 
entire benefit under the plan on the first day of the month following a 
change in control event that occurs before the service provider attains 
age 55, but will receive

[[Page 628]]

5 substantially equal annual payments commencing on the first day of the 
month following a change in control event that occurs on or after the 
service provider attains age 55. In the case of a plan that provides 
that a payment upon an event described in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section (a payment upon a separation from service), a different time and 
form of payment may be designated with respect to a separation from 
service under each of the following conditions, provided that the 
addition or deletion of such a different time and form of payment 
applicable to an existing deferral is subject to Sec. 1.409A-2(b) and 
paragraph (j) of this section:
    (1) A separation from service during a limited period of time not to 
exceed two years following a change in control event (as defined in 
paragraph (i)(5) of this section).
    (2) A separation from service before or after a specified date (for 
example, the attainment of a specified age), or a separation from 
service before or after a combination of a specified date, such as 
attaining a specified age, and a specified period of service determined 
under a predetermined, nondiscretionary, objective formula or pursuant 
to the method for crediting service under a qualified plan sponsored by 
the service recipient.
    (3) A separation from service not described in paragraphs (c)(1) or 
(c)(2) of this section.
    (d) When a payment is treated as made upon the designated payment 
date. Except as otherwise specified in this section, a payment is 
treated as made upon the date specified under the plan (including a date 
specified under paragraph (a)(4) of this section) if the payment is made 
at such date or a later date within the same taxable year of the service 
provider or, if later, by the 15th day of the third calendar month 
following the date specified under the plan and the service provider is 
not permitted, directly or indirectly, to designate the taxable year of 
the payment. In addition, a payment is treated as made upon the date 
specified under the plan (including a date specified under paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section) and is not treated as an accelerated payment if 
the payment is made no earlier than 30 days before the designated 
payment date and the service provider is not permitted, directly or 
indirectly to designate the taxable year of the payment. For purposes of 
this paragraph, if the date specified is only a designated taxable year 
of the service provider, or a period of time during such a taxable year, 
the date specified under the plan is treated as the first day of such 
taxable year or the first day of the period of time during such taxable 
year, as applicable. The payment with respect to a stock right generally 
occurs upon the exercise of the stock right, so that where a stock right 
designates a fixed exercise date, the stock right will be deemed to have 
been paid at such date if the exercise and payment occur on such date or 
a later date within the same taxable year of the service provider or, if 
later, by the 15th day of the third calendar month following the 
exercise date specified under the plan. If calculation of the amount of 
the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the 
control of the service provider (or service provider's beneficiary), the 
payment will be treated as made upon the date specified under the plan 
if the payment is made during the first taxable year of the service 
provider in which the calculation of the amount of the payment is 
administratively practicable. For purposes of this paragraph, the 
inability of a service recipient to calculate the amount or timing of a 
payment due to a failure of a service provider (or service provider's 
beneficiary) to provide reasonably available information necessary to 
make such calculation does not constitute an event beyond the control of 
the service provider. Similarly, if the making of the payment at the 
date specified under the plan would jeopardize the ability of the 
service recipient to continue as a going concern, the payment will be 
treated as made upon the date specified under the plan if the payment is 
made during the first taxable year of the service provider in which the 
making of the payment would not have such effect.
    (e) Designation of time and form of payment with respect to 
earnings. A nonqualified deferred compensation plan that provides for 
actual or notional

[[Page 629]]

earnings to be credited on amounts of deferred compensation may specify, 
in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 1.409A-2(a) (initial 
deferral elections), that such earnings are treated separately from the 
right to the other amounts deferred under the plan for purposes of 
designating the time and form of payments under such plan, provided that 
to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph (e), actual or notional 
earnings must be credited at least annually. For these purposes, a right 
to dividend equivalents may be treated analogously to a right to actual 
or notional earnings on an amount of deferred compensation. For purposes 
of this paragraph (e), the term dividend equivalents means the right to 
an amount equal to all or a specified portion of dividends declared and 
paid, if any, on a specified number of shares of stock.
    (f) Substitutions. Except as otherwise provided under these 
regulations, the payment of an amount as a substitute for a payment of 
deferred compensation will be treated as a payment of the deferred 
compensation. A forfeiture or voluntary relinquishment of an amount of 
deferred compensation will not be treated as a payment of the 
compensation, but there is no forfeiture or voluntary relinquishment for 
this purpose if an amount is paid, or a legally binding right to a 
payment is created, that acts as a substitute for the forfeited or 
voluntarily relinquished amount. Whether a payment or a right to a 
payment acts as a substitute for a payment of deferred compensation is 
determined based on all the facts and circumstances. However, where the 
payment of an amount results in an actual or potential reduction of, or 
current or future offset to, an amount of deferred compensation, or if 
the service provider receives a loan the repayment of which is secured 
by or may be accomplished through an offset of or a reduction in an 
amount deferred under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, the 
payment or loan is a substitute for the deferred compensation. In 
addition, where a service provider's right to deferred compensation is 
made subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, 
pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the 
service provider or the service provider's beneficiary, the deferred 
compensation is treated as having been paid. For the treatment of 
certain offsets, see paragraph (j)(4)(xiii) of this section. Even where 
there is no explicit reduction or offset, the payment of an amount or 
creation of a new right to a payment proximate to the purported 
forfeiture or voluntary relinquishment of a right to deferred 
compensation is presumed to be a substitute for the deferred 
compensation. The presumption is rebuttable by a showing that the 
compensation paid would have been received regardless of the forfeiture 
or voluntary relinquishment of the right to deferred compensation. 
Factors indicating that a payment would have been received regardless of 
such forfeiture or voluntarily relinquishment include that the amount 
paid is materially less than the forfeited or relinquished amount, or 
consists of a type of payment customarily made in the ordinary course of 
business of the service recipient to service providers who do not 
forfeit or relinquish deferred compensation (for example, a payment of 
accrued but unused leave or a payment for a release of actual or 
potential claims). See Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(9)(i) with respect to certain 
separation pay plans.
    (g) Disputed payments and refusals to pay. If a service recipient 
fails to make a payment in whole or in part as of the date specified 
under a plan, either intentionally or unintentionally, other than with 
the express or implied consent of the service provider, the payment will 
be treated as made upon the date specified under the plan if the service 
provider accepts the portion (if any) of the payment that the service 
recipient is willing to make (unless such acceptance will result in a 
relinquishment of the claim to all or part of the remaining amount), 
makes prompt and reasonable, good faith efforts to collect the remaining 
portion of the payment, and any further payment (including payment of a 
lesser amount that satisfies the obligation to make the payment) is made 
no later than the end of the first taxable year of the service provider 
in which the service recipient and the service provider enter into a 
legally binding settlement of

[[Page 630]]

such dispute, the service recipient concedes that the amount is payable, 
or the service recipient is required to make such payment pursuant to a 
final and nonappealable judgment or other binding decision. For purposes 
of this paragraph (g), efforts to collect the payment will be presumed 
not to be prompt, reasonable, good faith efforts, unless the service 
provider provides notice to the service recipient within 90 days of the 
latest date upon which the payment could have been timely made in 
accordance with the terms of the plan and these regulations, and unless, 
if not paid, the service provider takes further enforcement measures 
within 180 days after such latest date. For purposes of this paragraph 
(g), a service recipient is not treated as having failed to make a 
payment where pursuant to the terms of the plan the service provider is 
required to request payment, or otherwise provide information or take 
any other action, and the service provider has failed to take such 
action. In addition, for purposes of this paragraph (g), the service 
provider is deemed to have requested that a payment not be made, rather 
than the service recipient having failed to make such payment, where the 
service recipient's decision to refuse to make the payment is made by 
the service provider or a member of the service provider's family (as 
defined in section 267(c)(4) applied as if the family of an individual 
includes the spouse of any member of the family), or any person or group 
of persons over whom the service provider or service provider's family 
member has effective control, or any person any portion of whose 
compensation is controlled the service provider or service provider's 
family member.
    (h) Special rule for certain resident aliens. An agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement that is, or constitutes part of, a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan is deemed to meet the 
requirements of this section with respect to any amount payable in the 
first taxable year of the service provider in which a service provider 
is a resident alien, and with respect to any amount payable in a 
subsequent taxable year if no later than the last day of the first 
taxable year of the service provider in which the service provider is a 
resident alien, the plan is amended as necessary so that the times and 
forms of payment of amounts payable in a subsequent year comply with the 
provisions of this section. For any year after the first taxable year of 
an individual in which the individual is a resident alien, this 
paragraph (h) does not apply, provided that a taxable year may again be 
treated as the first taxable year in which an individual is a resident 
alien if such individual has not been a resident alien for at least 
three consecutive taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year 
in which the service provider is again a resident alien.
    (i) Definitions and special rules--(1) Specified time or fixed 
schedule--(i) In general. Amounts are payable at a specified time or 
pursuant to a fixed schedule if objectively determinable amounts are 
payable at a date or dates that are nondiscretionary and objectively 
determinable at the time the amount is deferred. An amount is 
objectively determinable for this purpose if the amount is specifically 
identified or if the amount may be determined at the time payment is due 
pursuant to an objective, nondiscretionary formula specified at the time 
the amount is deferred (for example, 50 percent of a specified account 
balance). Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (i)(1) of this 
section, an amount is not objectively determinable if the amount of the 
payment is based all or in part upon the occurrence of an event, 
including the consummation of a transaction by, or a payment of an 
amount to, a service recipient. If an amount is payable in a service 
provider's taxable year (or pursuant to a fixed schedule of taxable 
years of the service provider) that is designated at the time the amount 
is deferred and that is objectively determinable, the amount is treated 
as payable at a specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule), 
provided that for purposes of the application of the subsequent deferral 
rules contained in Sec. 1.409A-2(b), the specified time or fixed 
schedule of payments is deemed to refer to the first day of the relevant 
taxable year or years. A specified time or fixed schedule also includes 
the designation at the time the

[[Page 631]]

amount is deferred of a defined period or periods within the service 
provider's taxable year or taxable years that are objectively 
determinable, provided that no such defined period may begin within one 
taxable year and end within another taxable year, and provided further 
that for purposes of the application of the subsequent deferral rules 
contained in Sec. 1.409A-2(b), the specified time or fixed schedule of 
payments is deemed to refer to the first day of the relevant period in 
which the payment will be made. A plan may provide that a payment upon 
the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture is to be made in 
accordance with a fixed schedule that is objectively determinable based 
on the date the substantial risk of forfeiture lapses (disregarding any 
discretionary acceleration of the lapse of the substantial risk of 
forfeiture), provided that the schedule must be fixed on the date the 
time and form of payment are designated, and any change in the fixed 
schedule will constitute a change in the time and form of payment. For 
example, a plan that provides for a bonus payment subject to the 
condition that the service provider complete three years of service, and 
subject to the further condition that such requirement of continued 
services will lapse upon the occurrence of an initial public offering, 
which condition if applied alone would constitute a substantial risk of 
forfeiture, may provide that a service provider is entitled to 
substantially equal payments on each of the first three anniversaries of 
the date the substantial risk of forfeiture lapses (the earlier of three 
years of service or the date of an initial public offering).
    (ii) Payment schedules with formula and fixed limitations--(A) 
Individual limitations. A schedule of payments does not fail to be a 
fixed schedule of payments where the amount of a payment or payments 
that may be paid at a specified time or during a specified period is 
limited by an objective nondiscretionary formula or a specified amount 
that is not under the effective control of the service provider and is 
not subject to the exercise of discretion by the service recipient, 
where such limitation is established on or before the date the time and 
form of payment is otherwise required to be set under these regulations, 
and the plan specifies the time and form of any payment that will be 
made or completed after its original payment date due to the application 
of the limitation. A change in the limitation or a change in the time 
and form of any payment that exceeds the limitation is subject to the 
requirements of Sec. 1.409A-2(b) (subsequent deferral elections) and 
paragraph (j) of this section (accelerated payments). For purposes of 
this paragraph, a plan provision that reduces a schedule of periodic 
payments on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of Social Security 
payments received or receivable may be treated as a nondiscretionary, 
objective formula limitation, if such reduction does not otherwise 
affect the time of payment of the deferred compensation (other than a 
forfeiture due to the reduction), including changes based on the service 
provider's eligibility or elections related to Social Security benefits. 
Similarly, a plan provision that reduces a schedule of periodic payments 
on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of bona fide disability pay 
(within the meaning of Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(5)) received or receivable may 
be treated as a nondiscretionary, objective formula limitation, if the 
disability payments are made pursuant to a plan sponsored by the service 
recipient that covers a substantial number of service providers and was 
established before the service provider became disabled, and if such 
reduction does not otherwise affect the time of payment of the deferred 
compensation (other than a forfeiture due to the reduction). Whether an 
amendment to, or other change in the benefit payable under, such bona 
fide disability plan results in an acceleration of a payment for 
purposes of paragraph (j) of this section or a subsequent election to 
delay the time or change the form of payment for purposes of Sec. 
1.409A-2(b) is determined based on all of the relevant facts and 
circumstances.
    (B) Limitations on aggregate payments to all participants in 
substantially identical plans. A schedule of payments does

[[Page 632]]

not fail to be a fixed schedule of payments where the amount of the 
aggregate payments that will be made during a specified period of time 
to all participants in substantially identical plans is limited by an 
objective nondiscretionary formula or specified amount that is not under 
the effective control of the service provider and is not subject to the 
exercise of discretion by the service recipient, where the limit is 
established on or before the date the time and form of payment of the 
amount deferred is otherwise required to be set under these regulations, 
the method of allocating payments among the participants where there is 
an overall limitation on the aggregate amount that may be paid to a 
group of service providers during a specified period is an objective 
nondiscretionary allocation method that is not under the effective 
control of the service provider and is not subject to the exercise of 
discretion by the service recipient, the method is established on or 
before the date the time and form of payment of the amount deferred is 
otherwise required to be set, and the plan specifies the time and form 
of any payment of any amount that will be paid after its original 
payment date due to the application of the limitation. A change in the 
limitation or a change in the time and form of payment of any payment 
that is not otherwise made at the scheduled payment date due to 
application of the formula limitation is subject to the requirements of 
Sec. 1.409A-2(b) (subsequent deferral elections) and paragraph (j) of 
this section (accelerated payments).
    (iii) Payment schedules determined by timing of payments received by 
the service recipient. A payment schedule determined by reference to the 
timing of payments received by the service recipient (not including 
payments from one entity to another entity where both entities are 
treated as part of a single service recipient), meets the requirements 
of a specified date or fixed schedule of payments if the following 
conditions are met:
    (A) The payments due to the service recipient arise from bona fide 
and routine transactions in the ordinary course of business of the 
service recipient.
    (B) The service provider does not have effective control of the 
service recipient, the person from whom such amounts are due, or the 
collection of any of the amounts due to the service recipient.
    (C) The payment schedule provides an objective, nondiscretionary 
method of identification of the payments to the service recipient from 
which the amount of the payment from the service recipient to the 
service provider is determined.
    (D) The payment schedule provides an objective, nondiscretionary 
schedule under which the payments will be made to the service provider.
    (E) The payments to the service recipient from which the amount of 
the payments from service recipient to the service provider are 
determined result from sales of a type that the service recipient is in 
the trade or business of making and makes frequently, and either all 
such sales by the service recipient are taken into account for purposes 
of determining the payment to the service provider, or there is a 
legitimate, non-tax business reason for identifying the specific sales 
taken into account.
    (iv) Reimbursement or in-kind benefit plans--(A) General rule. A 
plan that provides for reimbursements of expenses incurred by a service 
provider, or in-kind benefits, meets the requirements of a specified 
date or fixed schedule of payments with respect to such reimbursements 
or benefits if the following conditions are met:
    (1) The plan provides an objectively determinable nondiscretionary 
definition of the expenses eligible for reimbursement or of the in-kind 
benefits to be provided.
    (2) The plan provides for the reimbursement of expenses incurred or 
for the provision of the in-kind benefits during an objectively and 
specifically prescribed period (including the lifetime of the service 
provider).
    (3) The plan provides that the amount of expenses eligible for 
reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a service provider's 
taxable year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or 
in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

[[Page 633]]

    (4) The reimbursement of an eligible expense is made on or before 
the last day of the service provider's taxable year following the 
taxable year in which the expense was incurred.
    (5) The right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to 
liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
    (B) Medical reimbursement arrangements. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, an arrangement providing for the reimbursement of expenses 
referred to in section 105(b) will not be deemed to fail to meet the 
requirements of paragraph (i)(1)(iv)(A)(3) of this section solely 
because the arrangement provides for a limit on the amount of expenses 
that may be reimbursed under such arrangement over some or all of the 
period in which the reimbursement arrangement remains in effect.
    (v) Tax gross-up payments. A plan providing a right to a tax gross-
up payment will be treated as providing for payment at a specified time 
or on a fixed schedule of payments if the plan provides that payment 
will be made, and the payment is made, by the end of the service 
provider's taxable year next following the service provider's taxable 
year in which the service provider remits the related taxes. For 
purposes of this paragraph (i)(1)(v), the term tax gross-up payment 
refers to a payment to reimburse the service provider in an amount equal 
to all or a designated portion of the Federal, state, local, or foreign 
taxes imposed upon the service provider as a result of compensation paid 
or made available to the service provider by the service recipient, 
including the amount of additional taxes imposed upon the service 
provider due to the service recipient's payment of the initial taxes on 
such compensation. In addition, a right to the reimbursement of expenses 
incurred due to a tax audit or litigation addressing the existence or 
amount of a tax liability, whether Federal, state, local, or foreign, 
satisfies the requirement of a fixed time and form of payment if the 
right to the reimbursement provides that payment will be made, and the 
payment is made, by the end of the service provider's taxable year 
following the service provider's taxable year in which the taxes that 
are the subject of the audit or litigation are remitted to the taxing 
authority, or where as a result of such audit or litigation no taxes are 
remitted, the end of the service provider's taxable year following the 
service provider's taxable year in which the audit is completed or there 
is a final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution of the 
litigation. Nothing in this paragraph (i)(1)(v) otherwise alters the 
application of section 409A to the underlying compensation arrangement 
or other arrangement that results in the taxes subject to the right to 
the tax gross-up payment.
    (vi) Examples. The following examples (in which each employee is an 
individual whose taxable year is the calendar year) illustrate the 
principles of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (i)(1) of this section:

    Example 1. Employee A provides services as an employee of Employer 
Z, but is not a specified employee. Employee A participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for a lump sum payment 
payable on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which Employee 
A separates from service. The plan provides for a payment upon a 
separation from service in compliance with this section.
    Example 2. Employee B provides services as an employee of Employer 
Y, but is not a specified employee. Employee B participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for a lump sum payment 
payable on or before the 90th day immediately following the date upon 
which Employee B separates from service. Employer Y retains the sole 
discretion to determine when during the 90-day period the payment will 
be made. Although the plan does not specify a period during one calendar 
year in which the payment will be made, the plan provides for a payment 
upon a separation from service in compliance with this section because 
the period over which the payment may be made is not longer than 90 
days.
    Example 3. Employee C provides services as an employee of Employer 
X, but is not a specified employee. Employee C participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for a lump sum payment 
payable on or before the 180th day following the date upon which 
Employee C separates from service. Employer X retains the sole 
discretion to determine when during the 180-day period the payment will 
be made. Because the plan does not specify a period during one calendar 
year in which the payment will be made, and because the period over 
which the payment may be made is longer than 90 days, the plan

[[Page 634]]

does not provide for a payment upon a separation from service that 
complies with this section.
    Example 4. Employee D provides services as an employee of Employer 
W, but is not a specified employee. Employee D participates in a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for 10 installment 
payments payable on the first 10 anniversaries of the date Employee D 
separates from service, provided that no installment payment in any year 
may be more than 1% of Employer W's net income for the previous calendar 
year, and provided further that the excess over such limit that would 
otherwise be payable but is not paid due to application of the limit 
will become payable as of the first installment payment date at which 
time such amount, in combination with any installment payment otherwise 
due Employee D, does not exceed 1% of Employer W's net income for the 
previous calendar year. Provided that Employee D does not retain 
effective control of the calculation of Employer W's net income or the 
amount that Employee D will not be paid due to application of the limit, 
the plan provides for a schedule of payments upon a separation from 
service that complies with this section.
    Example 5. Employee E and Employee F provide services as employees 
of Employer V, but neither is a specified employee. Employee E and 
Employee F both participate in substantially identical nonqualified 
deferred compensation plans providing for 10 installment payments 
payable on the first 10 anniversaries of the date the respective 
employee separates from service, provided that the total amount of 
installment payments in any year may not be more than 1% of Employer V's 
net income for the previous year, that where any payments are not made 
due to application of the limit the determination of the amount not paid 
to a particular employee will be made by applying the overall limit 
proportionately based upon the installment payment due the employee that 
year, and that the excess over such limit that would otherwise be 
payable but is not paid due to application of the limit will become 
payable as of the first installment payment date at which time such 
amount, in combination with any installment payments otherwise due the 
participants, does not exceed 1% of Employer V's net income for the 
previous calendar year. Provided that neither Employee E nor Employee F 
retains effective control of the calculation of Employer V's net income 
or the amount that the respective employee will not be paid due to 
application of the limit, the plan provides for a schedule of payments 
upon a separation from service that complies with this section.
    Example 6. Employee G provides services as an employee of Employer 
U, but is not a specified employee. As a bona fide part of this 
employment relationship, Employee G provides professional services to 
clients of Employer U as part of the bona fide, ordinary course of 
Employer U's trade or business. Under an arrangement between Employee G 
and Employer U, Employer U agrees to pay Employee G upon Employee G's 
separation from service an amount equal to 5% of any amount collected 
from Company T, a client of Employer U for which Employee G performed 
services during his employment with Employer U, during the 36 months 
following Employee G's separation from service. Under the arrangement, 
the amounts due to Employee G based upon payments received by Employer U 
during any calendar year are payable to Employee G on April 1 of the 
subsequent calendar year. Provided that Employee G does not have 
effective control of Employer U, Company T, or the collection of any 
amounts due Employer Y from Company T, the arrangement provides for a 
schedule of payments upon a separation from service that complies with 
this section.
    Example 7. Employee H provides services as an employee of Employer 
S, but is not a specified employee. Under a plan sponsored by Employer 
S, Employee H has a legally binding right upon a separation from service 
to the reimbursement of country club dues paid in the calendar year of 
the separation from service and each of the next 3 calendar years 
following the separation from service in an amount not to exceed $30,000 
in any calendar year, provided that the amount of dues paid in any 
calendar year that are eligible for reimbursement equals only the amount 
actually expended during such calendar year, and the maximum amount 
available for reimbursement in any calendar year will not be increased 
or decreased to reflect the amount expended or reimbursed in a prior or 
subsequent calendar year. The plan further provides that any 
reimbursement must be paid to Employee H by December 31 of the calendar 
year following the year in which Employee H pays the country club dues. 
The reimbursement plan provides for a schedule of payments upon a 
separation from service that complies with this section.
    Example 8. Employee J provides services as an employee of Employer 
Q, but is not a specified employee. Under a plan sponsored by Employer 
Q, Employee J has a legally binding right upon a separation from service 
to the reimbursement of country club dues paid during the calendar year 
in which the separation from service occurs and the next 3 calendar 
years in a total amount not to exceed $90,000. The plan further provides 
that any reimbursement must be paid to Employee J by December 31 of the 
calendar year following the year in which Employee J pays the country 
club dues. Because the reimbursement of a payment of country club dues 
in one calendar year may affect the amount

[[Page 635]]

of country club dues available for reimbursement in another calendar 
year, the plan does not provide for a schedule of payments upon a 
separation from service that complies with this section.

    (2) Separation from service--required delay in payment to a 
specified employee pursuant to a separation from service--(i) In 
general. In the case of any service provider who is a specified employee 
(as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(i)) as of the date of a separation from 
service, the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section permitting 
a payment upon a separation from service are satisfied only if payments 
may not be made before the date that is six months after the date of 
separation from service (or, if earlier than the end of the six-month 
period, the date of death of the specified employee). For this purpose, 
a service provider who is not a specified employee as of the date of a 
separation from service will not be treated as subject to this 
requirement even if the service provider would have become a specified 
employee if the service provider had continued to provide services 
through the next specified employee effective date. Similarly, a service 
provider who is treated as a specified employee as of the date of a 
separation from service will be subject to this requirement even if the 
service provider would not have been treated as a specified employee 
after the next specified employee effective date had the specified 
employee continued providing services through the next specified 
employee effective date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph 
(i)(2)(i) does not apply to a payment made under the circumstances 
described in paragraph (j)(4)(ii) (domestic relations order), 
(j)(4)(iii) (conflicts of interest), or (j)(4)(vi) (payment of 
employment taxes) of this section.
    (ii) Application of payment rules to delayed payments. The required 
delay in payment is met if payments to which a specified employee would 
otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of 
separation from service are accumulated and paid on the first day of the 
seventh month following the date of separation from service, or if each 
payment to which a specified employee is otherwise entitled upon a 
separation from service is delayed by six months. A service recipient 
may retain discretion to choose which method will be implemented, 
provided that no direct or indirect election as to the method may be 
provided to the service provider. For an affected specified employee, a 
date upon which the plan or the service recipient designates that the 
payment will be made after the six-month delay is treated as a fixed 
payment date for purposes of paragraph (d) of this section once the 
separation from service has occurred.
    (3) Unforeseeable emergency--(i) Definition. For purposes of 
Sec. Sec. 1.409A-1 and 1.409A-2, this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-4 
through 1.409A-6, an unforeseeable emergency is a severe financial 
hardship to the service provider resulting from an illness or accident 
of the service provider, the service provider's spouse, the service 
provider's beneficiary, or the service provider's dependent (as defined 
in section 152, without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and 
(d)(1)(B)); loss of the service provider's property due to casualty 
(including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not 
otherwise covered by insurance, for example, not as a result of a 
natural disaster); or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable 
circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the 
service provider. For example, the imminent foreclosure of or eviction 
from the service provider's primary residence may constitute an 
unforeseeable emergency. In addition, the need to pay for medical 
expenses, including non-refundable deductibles, as well as for the costs 
of prescription drug medication, may constitute an unforeseeable 
emergency. Finally, the need to pay for the funeral expenses of a 
spouse, a beneficiary, or a dependent (as defined in section 152, 
without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)) may also 
constitute an unforeseeable emergency. Except as otherwise provided in 
this paragraph (i)(3)(i), the purchase of a home and the payment of 
college tuition are not unforeseeable emergencies. Whether a service 
provider is faced with an unforeseeable emergency permitting a 
distribution under this paragraph (i)(3)(i) is to be determined

[[Page 636]]

based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case, but, in any 
case, a distribution on account of unforeseeable emergency may not be 
made to the extent that such emergency is or may be relieved through 
reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by 
liquidation of the service provider's assets, to the extent the 
liquidation of such assets would not cause severe financial hardship, or 
by cessation of deferrals under the plan. A plan may provide for a 
payment upon a specific type or types of unforeseeable emergency, 
without providing for payment upon all unforeseeable emergencies, 
provided that any event upon which a payment may be made qualifies as an 
unforeseeable emergency.
    (ii) Amount of payment permitted upon an unforeseeable emergency. 
Distributions because of an unforeseeable emergency must be limited to 
the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need (which may 
include amounts necessary to pay any Federal, state, local, or foreign 
income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the 
distribution). Determinations of amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy 
the emergency need must take into account any additional compensation 
that is available if the plan provides for cancellation of a deferral 
election upon a payment due to an unforeseeable emergency. See paragraph 
(j)(4)(viii) of this section. However, the determination of amounts 
reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need is not required to 
take into account any additional compensation that is available from a 
qualified employer plan as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(2) (including 
any amount available by obtaining a loan under the plan), or that due to 
the unforeseeable emergency is available under another nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan (including a plan that would provide for 
deferred compensation except due to the application of the effective 
date provisions under Sec. 1.409A-6). The payment may be made from any 
plan in which the service provider participates that provides for 
payment upon an unforeseeable emergency, provided that the plan under 
which the payment was made must be designated at the time of payment.
    (iii) Payments due to an unforeseeable emergency. A service provider 
may retain discretion with respect to whether to apply for a payment 
upon an unforeseeable emergency, and a service recipient may retain 
discretion with respect to whether to make a payment available under the 
plan due to an unforeseeable emergency. A service provider who has 
experienced an unforeseeable emergency will not be treated as making a 
subsequent deferral election under Sec. 1.409A-2(b) (subsequent 
deferral election rules) if the service provider does not apply for or 
elect to receive a payment available under the plan. A service recipient 
will not be treated as making a subsequent deferral election under Sec. 
1.409A-2(b) (subsequent deferral election rules) if the service 
recipient exercises its discretion not to make a payment otherwise 
available due to an unforeseeable emergency.
    (4) Disability--(i) In general. For purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.409A-1 
and 1.409A-2, this section, and Sec. Sec. 1.409A-4 through 1.409A-6, 
except as otherwise specifically provided, a service provider is 
considered disabled if the service provider meets one of the following 
requirements:
    (A) The service provider is unable to engage in any substantial 
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or 
mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be 
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
    (B) The service provider is, by reason of any medically determinable 
physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or 
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 
months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less 
than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees 
of the service provider's employer.
    (ii) Limited plan definition of disability. A plan may provide for a 
payment upon any disability, and need not provide for a payment upon all 
disabilities, provided that any disability upon which a payment may be 
made under the plan

[[Page 637]]

complies with the provisions of this paragraph (i)(4).
    (iii) Determination of disability. A plan may provide that a service 
provider will be deemed disabled if determined to be totally disabled by 
the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board. A plan 
may also provide that a service provider will be deemed disabled if 
determined to be disabled in accordance with a disability insurance 
program, provided that the definition of disability applied under such 
disability insurance program complies with the requirements of this 
paragraph (i)(4).
    (5) Change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, 
or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a 
corporation--(i) In general. Pursuant to section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v), a 
plan may permit a payment upon the occurrence of a change in the 
ownership of the corporation (as defined in paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this 
section), a change in effective control of the corporation (as defined 
in paragraph (i)(5)(vi) of this section), or a change in the ownership 
of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation (as defined in 
paragraph (i)(5)(vii) of this section) (collectively referred to as a 
change in control event). To qualify as a change in control event, the 
occurrence of the event must be objectively determinable and any 
requirement that any other person or group, such as a plan administrator 
or compensation committee, certify the occurrence of a change in control 
event must be strictly ministerial and not involve any discretionary 
authority. The plan may provide for a payment on a particular type or 
types of change in control events, and need not provide for a payment on 
all such events, provided that each event upon which a payment is 
provided qualifies as a change in control event. For rules regarding the 
ability of the service recipient to terminate the plan and pay amounts 
of deferred compensation upon a change in control event, see paragraph 
(j)(4)(ix)(B) of this section.
    (ii) Identification of relevant corporation--(A) In general. To 
constitute a change in control event with respect to the service 
provider, the change in control event must relate to--
    (1) The corporation for whom the service provider is performing 
services at the time of the change in control event;
    (2) The corporation that is liable for the payment of the deferred 
compensation (or all corporations liable for the payment if more than 
one corporation is liable) but only if either the deferred compensation 
is attributable to the performance of service by the service provider 
for such corporation (or corporations) or there is a bona fide business 
purpose for such corporation or corporations to be liable for such 
payment and, in either case, no significant purpose of making such 
corporation or corporations liable for such payment is the avoidance of 
Federal income tax; or
    (3) A corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation 
identified in paragraph (i)(5)(ii)(A)(1) or (2) of this section, or any 
corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a 
majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a 
corporation identified in paragraph (i)(5)(ii)(A)(1) or (2) of this 
section.
    (B) Majority shareholder. For purposes of this paragraph (i)(5)(ii), 
a majority shareholder is a shareholder owning more than 50 percent of 
the total fair market value and total voting power of such corporation.
    (C) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (i)(5)(ii):

    Example. Corporation A is a majority shareholder of Corporation B, 
which is a majority shareholder of Corporation C. A change in ownership 
of Corporation B constitutes a change in control event to service 
providers performing services for Corporation B or Corporation C, and to 
service providers for which Corporation B or Corporation C is solely 
liable for payments under the plan (for example, former employees), but 
is not a change in control event as to Corporation A or any other 
corporation of which Corporation A is a majority shareholder unless the 
sale constitutes a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of 
Corporation A's assets (see paragraph (i)(5)(vii) of this section).


[[Page 638]]


    (iii) Attribution of stock ownership. For purposes of paragraph 
(i)(5) of this section, section 318(a) applies to determine stock 
ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the 
individual who holds the vested option (and the stock underlying an 
unvested option is not considered owned by the individual who holds the 
unvested option). For purposes of the preceding sentence, however, if a 
vested option is exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested 
(as defined by Sec. 1.83-3(b) and (j)), the stock underlying the option 
is not treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.
    (iv) Special rules for certain delayed payments pursuant to a change 
in control event--(A) Certain transaction-based compensation. Payments 
of compensation related to a change in control event described in 
paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this section (change in the ownership of a 
corporation) or paragraph (i)(5)(vii) of this section (change in the 
ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation's assets), that 
occur because a service recipient purchases its stock held by the 
service provider or because the service recipient or a third party 
purchases a stock right held by a service provider, or that are 
calculated by reference to the value of stock of the service recipient 
(collectively, transaction-based compensation), may be treated as paid 
at a designated date or pursuant to a payment schedule that complies 
with the requirements of section 409A if the transaction-based 
compensation is paid on the same schedule and under the same terms and 
conditions as apply to payments to shareholders generally with respect 
to stock of the service recipient pursuant to a change in control event 
described in paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this section (change in the 
ownership of a corporation) or as apply to payments to the service 
recipient pursuant to a change in control event described in paragraph 
(i)(5)(vii) of this section (change in the ownership of a substantial 
portion of a corporation's assets), and to the extent that the 
transaction-based compensation is paid not later than five years after 
the change in control event, the payment of such compensation will not 
violate the initial or subsequent deferral election rules set out in 
Sec. 1.409A-2(a) and (b) solely as a result of such transaction-based 
compensation being paid pursuant to such schedule and terms and 
conditions. If before and in connection with a change in control event 
described in paragraph (i)(5)(v) or (i)(5)(vii) of this section, 
transaction-based compensation that would otherwise be payable as a 
result of such event is made subject to a condition on payment that 
constitutes a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-1(d), without regard to the provisions of that section under 
which additions or extensions of forfeiture conditions are disregarded) 
and the transaction-based compensation is payable under the same terms 
and conditions as apply to payments made to shareholders generally with 
respect to stock of the service recipient pursuant to a change in 
control event described in paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this section or to 
payments to the service recipient pursuant to a change in control event 
described in paragraph (i)(5)(vii) of this section, for purposes of 
determining whether such transaction-based compensation is a short-term 
deferral the requirements of Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(4) are applied as if the 
legally binding right to such transaction-based compensation arose on 
the date that it became subject to such substantial risk of forfeiture.
    (B) Certain nonvested compensation. Notwithstanding the provisions 
of Sec. 1.409A-1(d) (definition of a substantial risk of forfeiture) 
that disregard the extension or modification of a condition for purposes 
of determining whether a condition on payment constitutes a substantial 
risk of forfeiture, a condition that is a substantial risk of forfeiture 
that otherwise would lapse as a result of a change in control event 
described in paragraph (i)(5)(v) or (i)(5)(vii) of this section may be 
extended or modified before and in connection with such event to provide 
for a condition on payment that will not lapse as a result of such 
change in control event, and such extended or modified condition will be 
treated as continuing to subject the amount to a substantial risk of 
forfeiture, provided that the transaction constituting the change in 
control event is a bona fide arm's length transaction between the

[[Page 639]]

service recipient or its shareholders and one or more parties who are 
unrelated to the service recipient and service provider (applying the 
rules of Sec. 1.409A-1(f)(2)(ii)) and the modified or extended 
condition to which the payment is subject would otherwise be treated as 
a substantial risk of forfeiture under Sec. 1.409A-1(d) (without regard 
to the provisions disregarding additions or extensions of forfeiture 
conditions). In such a case, the continued application of a fixed 
schedule of payments based upon the lapse of the substantial risk of 
forfeiture, so that payments commence upon the lapse of the modified or 
extended condition on payment, will not be treated as a change in the 
fixed schedule of payments for purposes of Sec. 1.409A-2(b) (subsequent 
deferral elections) or paragraph (j) of this section (prohibition on the 
acceleration of payments).
    (v) Change in the ownership of a corporation--(A) In general. Except 
as provided in paragraph (i)(5)(vi)(C) of this section, a change in the 
ownership of a corporation occurs on the date that any one person, or 
more than one person acting as a group (as defined in paragraph 
(i)(5)(v)(B) of this section), acquires ownership of stock of the 
corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group, 
constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total 
voting power of the stock of such corporation. A nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan may provide that amounts payable upon a change in the 
ownership of a corporation will be paid only if the conditions in the 
preceding sentence are satisfied but substituting a percentage specified 
in the plan that is higher than 50 percent for the words ``50 percent'' 
in the preceding sentence, but only if the provision is set forth in the 
plan no later than the date by which the time and form of payment must 
be established under Sec. 1.409A-2. However, if any one person, or more 
than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 
percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the 
stock of a corporation (or such higher percentage specified in 
accordance with the preceding sentence), the acquisition of additional 
stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change 
in the ownership of the corporation (or to cause a change in the 
effective control of the corporation (within the meaning of paragraph 
(i)(5)(vi) of this section)). An increase in the percentage of stock 
owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a 
transaction in which the corporation acquires its stock in exchange for 
property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this 
section. This section applies only when there is a transfer of stock of 
a corporation (or issuance of stock of a corporation) and stock in such 
corporation remains outstanding after the transaction (see paragraph 
(i)(5)(vii) of this section for rules regarding the transfer of assets 
of a corporation). See Sec. 1.280G-1, Q&A-27(d), Example 1, Example 2, 
Example 5, and Example 6.
    (B) Persons acting as a group. For purposes of paragraph 
(i)(5)(v)(A) of this section, persons will not be considered to be 
acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same 
corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public 
offering. However, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if 
they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, 
consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business 
transaction with the corporation. If a person, including an entity, owns 
stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, 
purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such 
shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other 
shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation 
before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to 
the ownership interest in the other corporation. See Sec. 1.280G-1, 
Q&A-27(d), Example 3 and Example 4.
    (vi) Change in the effective control of a corporation--(A) In 
general. Notwithstanding that a corporation has not undergone a change 
in ownership under paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this section, a change in the 
effective control of the corporation occurs only on either of the 
following dates:
    (1) The date any one person, or more than one person acting as a 
group (as determined under paragraph (i)(5)(v)(B)

[[Page 640]]

of this section), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period 
ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or 
persons) ownership of stock of the corporation possessing 30 percent or 
more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation. A 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan may provide that amounts payable 
upon an effective change in control of a corporation will be paid only 
if the conditions in the preceding sentence are satisfied but 
substituting a percentage specified in the plan that is higher than 30 
percent for the word ``30 percent'' in the preceding sentence, but only 
if the percentage is set forth in the plan no later than the date by 
which the time and form of payment must be established under Sec. 
1.409A-2).
    (2) The date a majority of members of the corporation's board of 
directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose 
appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of 
the corporation's board of directors before the date of the appointment 
or election, provided that for purposes of this paragraph (i)(5)(vi)(A) 
the term corporation refers solely to the relevant corporation 
identified in paragraph (i)(5)(ii) of this section for which no other 
corporation is a majority shareholder for purposes of that paragraph. 
For example, if Corporation A is a publicly held corporation with no 
majority shareholder, and Corporation A is the majority shareholder of 
Corporation B, which is the majority shareholder of Corporation C, the 
term corporation for purposes of this paragraph (i)(5)(vi)(A)(2) would 
refer solely to Corporation A. A nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
may provide that amounts payable upon a change in the effective control 
of a corporation will be paid only if the conditions in the first 
sentence of this paragraph are satisfied substituting a portion of the 
members of the corporation's board of directors that is higher than the 
words ``a majority of the members of the corporation's board of 
directors'' in the first sentence of this paragraph, but only if the 
higher portion is set forth in the plan no later than the date by which 
the time and form of payment must be established under Sec. 1.409A-
2(a)).
    (B) Multiple change in control events. A change in effective control 
may occur in a transaction in which one of the two corporations involved 
in the transaction has a change in control event under paragraph 
(i)(5)(v) or (i)(5)(vii) of this section. Thus, for example, assume 
Corporation P transfers more than 40 percent of the total gross fair 
market value of its assets to Corporation O in exchange for 35 percent 
of O's stock. P has undergone a change in ownership of a substantial 
portion of its assets under paragraph (i)(5)(vii) of this section and O 
has a change in effective control under this paragraph (i)(5)(vi).
    (C) Acquisition of additional control. If any one person, or more 
than one person acting as a group, is considered to effectively control 
a corporation (within the meaning of this paragraph (i)(5)(vi)), the 
acquisition of additional control of the corporation by the same person 
or persons is not considered to cause a change in the effective control 
of the corporation (or to cause a change in the ownership of the 
corporation within the meaning of paragraph (i)(5)(v) of this section).
    (D) Persons acting as a group. Persons will not be considered to be 
acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same 
corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public 
offering. However, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if 
they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, 
consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business 
transaction with the corporation. If a person, including an entity, owns 
stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, 
purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such 
shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other 
shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that 
corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not 
with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. See 
Sec. 1.280G-1, Q&A-27(d), Example 4.
    (vii) Change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a 
corporation's assets--

[[Page 641]]

(A) In general. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a 
corporation's assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more 
than one person acting as a group (as determined in paragraph 
(i)(5)(v)(B) of this section), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-
month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such 
person or persons) assets from the corporation that have a total gross 
fair market value equal to or more than 40 percent of the total gross 
fair market value of all of the assets of the corporation immediately 
before such acquisition or acquisitions (or such higher amount specified 
by the plan no later than the date by which the time and form of payment 
must be established under Sec. 1.409A-2). For this purpose, gross fair 
market value means the value of the assets of the corporation, or the 
value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any 
liabilities associated with such assets.
    (B) Transfers to a related person--(1) There is no change in control 
event under this paragraph (i)(5)(vii) when there is a transfer to an 
entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring 
corporation immediately after the transfer, as provided in this 
paragraph (i)(5)(vii)(B). A transfer of assets by a corporation is not 
treated as a change in the ownership of such assets if the assets are 
transferred to--
    (i) A shareholder of the corporation (immediately before the asset 
transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;
    (ii) An entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting 
power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation;
    (iii) A person, or more than one person acting as a group, that 
owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total value or 
voting power of all the outstanding stock of the corporation; or
    (iv) An entity, at least 50 percent of the total value or voting 
power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described 
in paragraph (i)(5)(vii)(B)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (2) For purposes of this paragraph (i)(5)(vii)(B) and except as 
otherwise provided in this paragraph (i), a person's status is 
determined immediately after the transfer of the assets. For example, a 
transfer to a corporation in which the transferor corporation has no 
ownership interest before the transaction, but that is a majority-owned 
subsidiary of the transferor corporation after the transaction is not 
treated as a change in the ownership of the assets of the transferor 
corporation.
    (C) Persons acting as a group. Persons will not be considered to be 
acting as a group solely because they purchase assets of the same 
corporation at the same time. However, persons will be considered to be 
acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a 
merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets, or similar 
business transaction with the corporation. If a person, including an 
entity shareholder, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a 
merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of assets, or similar 
transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with 
other shareholders in a corporation only to the extent of the ownership 
in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and 
not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. See 
Sec. 1.280G-1, Q&A-27(d), Example 4.
    (6) Certain back-to-back arrangements--(i) In general. This 
paragraph (i)(6) applies where a service provider is providing services 
to a service recipient (the intermediate service recipient), who in turn 
is providing services to another service recipient (the ultimate service 
recipient), the services provided by the service provider to the 
intermediate service recipient are closely related to the services 
provided by the intermediate service recipient to the ultimate service 
recipient, there is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing 
for payments by the ultimate service recipient to the intermediate 
service recipient (the ultimate service recipient plan), there is a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan or other agreement, method, 
program, or other arrangement providing for payments of compensation by 
the intermediate service recipient to the service provider (the 
intermediate

[[Page 642]]

service recipient plan), and the intermediate service recipient plan 
provides for a payment upon the occurrence of an event described in 
paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5), or (6) of this section. In such a case, 
notwithstanding the generally applicable limits on payments in paragraph 
(a) of this section, the ultimate service recipient plan may provide for 
a payment to the intermediate service recipient upon the occurrence of a 
payment event under the intermediate service recipient plan described in 
paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5), or (6) of this section if the time and 
form of payment is defined as the same time and form of payment provided 
under the intermediate service recipient plan, the amount of the payment 
under the ultimate service recipient plan does not exceed the amount of 
the payment under the intermediate service recipient plan, and the 
ultimate service recipient plan and the intermediate service recipient 
plan otherwise satisfy the requirements of section 409A (regardless of 
whether such plan is subject to section 409A).
    (ii) Example. The provisions of paragraph (i)(6)(i) of this section 
are illustrated by the following example:

    Example. Company B (intermediate service recipient) provides 
services to Company C (ultimate service recipient). Employee A (service 
provider) provides services to Company B that are closely related to the 
services Company B provides to Company C. Pursuant to a nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan meeting the requirements of section 409A, 
Employee A is entitled to a payment of deferred compensation upon a 
separation from service with Company B (the intermediate service 
recipient plan). Under an arrangement between Company B and Company C 
(the ultimate service recipient plan), Company C agrees to pay an amount 
of deferred compensation to Company B upon Employee A's separation from 
service with Company B, in accordance with the time, form and amount of 
payment provided in the intermediate service recipient plan. Provided 
that the intermediate service recipient plan and the ultimate service 
recipient plan otherwise comply with the requirements of section 409A 
(regardless of whether such arrangements are subject to section 409A), 
Company C's payment to Company B of the amount due under the ultimate 
service recipient plan upon the separation from service of Employee A 
from Company B may constitute a permissible payment event for purposes 
of paragraph (a) of this section.

    (j) Prohibition on acceleration of payments--(1) In general. Except 
as provided in paragraph (j)(4) of this section, a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan may not permit the acceleration of the time or 
schedule of any payment or amount scheduled to be paid pursuant to the 
terms of the plan, and no such accelerated payment may be made whether 
or not provided for under the terms of such plan. For purposes of 
determining whether a payment of deferred compensation has been made, 
the rules of paragraph (f) of this section (substituted payments) apply. 
For purposes of this paragraph (j), an impermissible acceleration does 
not occur if payment is made in accordance with plan provisions or an 
election as to the time and form of payment in effect at the time of 
initial deferral (or added in accordance with the rules applicable to 
subsequent deferral elections under Sec. 1.409A-2(b)) pursuant to which 
payment is required to be made on an accelerated schedule as a result of 
an intervening event that is an event described in paragraph (a)(1), 
(2), (3), (5), or (6) of this section. For example, a plan may provide 
that a participant will receive six installment payments commencing at 
separation from service, and also provide that if the participant dies 
after such payments commence but before all payments have been made, all 
remaining amounts will be paid in a lump sum payment. Additionally, it 
is not an acceleration of the time or schedule of payment of a deferral 
of compensation if a service recipient waives or accelerates the 
satisfaction of a condition constituting a substantial risk of 
forfeiture applicable to such deferral of compensation, provided that 
the requirements of section 409A (including the requirement that the 
payment be made upon a permissible payment event) are otherwise 
satisfied with respect to such deferral of compensation. For example, if 
a nonqualified deferred compensation plan provides for a lump sum 
payment of the vested benefit upon separation from service, and the 
benefit vests under the plan only after 10 years of service, it is not a 
violation of the requirements of section 409A if

[[Page 643]]

the service recipient reduces the vesting requirement to five years of 
service, even if a service provider becomes vested as a result and 
receives a payment in connection with a separation from service before 
the service provider would have completed 10 years of service. However, 
if the plan in this example had provided for a payment at a fixed date, 
rather than at separation from service, the date of payment could not be 
accelerated due to the accelerated vesting. For the definition of a 
payment for purposes of this paragraph (j), see Sec. 1.409A-2(b)(5) 
(coordination of the subsequent deferral election rules with the 
prohibition on acceleration of payments). For other permissible 
payments, see Sec. 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) (certain immediate payments of 
remaining installments) and paragraph (d) of this section (certain 
payments made no more than 30 days before the designated payment date).
    (2) Application to multiple payment events. Generally, the addition 
of a permissible payment event, the deletion of a permissible payment 
event, or the substitution of one permissible payment event for another 
permissible payment event, results in an acceleration of a payment if 
the addition, deletion, or substitution could result in the payment 
being made at an earlier date than such payment would have been made 
absent such addition, deletion, or substitution. Notwithstanding the 
previous sentence, the addition of death, disability (as defined in 
paragraph (i)(4) of this section), or an unforeseeable emergency (as 
defined in paragraph (i)(3) of this section), as a potentially earlier 
alternative payment event to an amount previously deferred will not be 
treated as resulting in an acceleration of a payment, even if such 
addition results in the payment being paid at an earlier time than such 
payment would have been made absent the addition of the payment event. 
However, the addition of such a payment event as a potentially later 
alternative payment event generally is subject to the rules governing 
changes in the time and form of payment (see Sec. 1.409A-2(b)).
    (3) Beneficiaries. The rules of this paragraph (j) apply to 
elections by beneficiaries with respect to the time and form of payment, 
as well as elections by service providers or service recipients with 
respect to the time and form of payment to beneficiaries. An election to 
change the identity of a beneficiary does not constitute an acceleration 
of a payment merely because the election changes the identity of the 
recipient of the payment, if the time and form of the payment is not 
otherwise changed. In addition, an election before the commencement of a 
life annuity to change the identity of a beneficiary does not constitute 
an acceleration of a payment if the change in the time of payments stems 
solely from the different life expectancy of the new beneficiary, such 
as in the case of a joint and survivor annuity, and does not change the 
commencement date of the life annuity.
    (4) Exceptions--(i) In general. Except as otherwise expressly 
provided, a plan may provide for the acceleration of a payment in 
accordance with paragraphs (j)(4)(ii) through (xiv) of this section, or 
may provide a service recipient discretion to accelerate payments in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(ii) through (xiv) of 
this section. A plan may not provide a service provider discretion with 
respect to whether a payment will be accelerated, and a service 
recipient may not provide a service provider a direct or indirect 
election as to whether the service recipient's discretion to accelerate 
a payment will be exercised, even if such acceleration would be 
permitted under paragraphs (j)(4)(ii) through (xiv) of this section. 
Whether a service recipient has provided a service provider an election 
as to whether the service recipient's discretion to accelerate a payment 
will be exercised is determined based on all the facts and 
circumstances, including whether similarly situated service providers 
have been treated differently. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraphs (j)(4)(ii) through (xiv) of this section, the plan need not 
set forth the exception in writing, and provided all other requirements 
of this section are met, the making of such a payment or the addition of 
a plan term permitting the making of such a payment will not constitute 
the acceleration of a payment, and the failure to make such a payment or 
the deletion or modification of a plan term

[[Page 644]]

permitting the making of such a payment will not be subject to the rules 
regarding a change in the time and form of payment under Sec. 1.409A-
2(b).
    (ii) Domestic relations order. A plan may provide for acceleration 
of the time or schedule of a payment under the plan to an individual 
other than the service provider, or a payment under such plan may be 
made to an individual other than the service provider, to the extent 
necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in section 
414(p)(1)(B)).
    (iii) Conflicts of interest--(A) Compliance with ethics agreements 
with the Federal government. A plan may provide for acceleration of the 
time or schedule of a payment under the plan, or a payment may be made 
under a plan, to the extent necessary for any Federal officer or 
employee in the executive branch to comply with an ethics agreement with 
the Federal government.
    (B) Compliance with ethics laws or conflicts of interest laws. A 
plan may provide for acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment 
under the plan, or a payment may be made under a plan, to the extent 
reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of an applicable Federal, 
state, local, or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law 
(including where such payment is reasonably necessary to permit the 
service provider to participate in activities in the normal course of 
his or her position in which the service provider would otherwise not be 
able to participate under an applicable rule). A payment is reasonably 
necessary to avoid the violation of a Federal, state, local, or foreign 
ethics law or conflicts of interest law if the payment is a necessary 
part of a course of action that results in compliance with a Federal, 
state, local, or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law that 
would be violated absent such course of action, regardless of whether 
other actions would also result in compliance with the Federal, state, 
local, or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law. For this 
purpose, a provision of foreign law is considered applicable only to 
foreign earned income (as defined under section 911(b)(1) without regard 
to section 911(b)(1)(B)(iv) and without regard to the requirement that 
the income be attributable to services performed during the period 
described in section 911(d)(1)(A) or (B)) from sources within the 
foreign country that promulgated such law.
    (iv) Section 457 plans. A plan subject to section 457(f) may provide 
for an acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment to a service 
provider, or a payment may be made under such a plan, to pay Federal, 
state, local, and foreign income taxes due upon a vesting event, 
provided that the amount of such payment is not more than an amount 
equal to the Federal, state, local, and foreign income tax withholding 
that would have been remitted by the employer if there had been a 
payment of wages equal to the income includible by the service provider 
under section 457(f) at the time of the vesting.
    (v) Limited cashouts. A plan may require or provide a service 
recipient discretion to require (or be amended to require or to provide 
a service recipient discretion to require), a mandatory lump sum payment 
of amounts deferred under the plan that do not exceed a specified 
amount, provided that such plan term or amendment is executed and 
effective, and any required exercise of service recipient discretion is 
evidenced in writing, no later than the date of such payment, and 
provided that--
    (A) The payment results in the termination and liquidation of the 
entirety of the service provider's interest under the plan, including 
all agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements with respect to 
which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been deferred 
under a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Sec. 
1.409A-1(c)(2); and
    (B) The payment is not greater than the applicable dollar amount 
under section 402(g)(1)(B).
    (vi) Payment of employment taxes. A plan may provide for the 
acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment, or a payment may be 
made under the plan, to pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act 
(FICA) tax imposed under section 3101, section 3121(a), and section 
3121(v)(2), or the Railroad Retirement Act tax imposed under section 
3201, section 3211, section

[[Page 645]]

3231(e)(1), and section 3231(e)(8), where applicable, on compensation 
deferred under the plan (the FICA or RRTA amount). Additionally, a plan 
may provide for the acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment, 
or a payment may be made under the plan, to pay the income tax at source 
on wages imposed under section 3401 or the corresponding withholding 
provisions of applicable state, local, or foreign tax laws as a result 
of the payment of the FICA or RRTA amount, and to pay the additional 
income tax at source on wages attributable to the pyramiding section 
3401 wages and taxes. However, the total payment under this acceleration 
provision must not exceed the aggregate of the FICA or RRTA amount, and 
the income tax withholding related to such FICA or RRTA amount.
    (vii) Payment upon income inclusion under section 409A. A plan may 
provide for the acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment, or a 
payment under such plan may be made, at any time the plan fails to meet 
the requirements of section 409A and these regulations. Such payment may 
not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of 
the failure to comply with the requirements of section 409A and these 
regulations.
    (viii) Cancellation of deferrals following an unforeseeable 
emergency or hardship distribution. A plan may provide for a 
cancellation of a service provider's deferral election, or such a 
cancellation may be made, due to an unforeseeable emergency or a 
hardship distribution pursuant to Sec. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3). The deferral 
election must be cancelled, not merely postponed or otherwise delayed. 
Accordingly, any later deferral election will be subject to the 
provisions governing initial deferral elections. See Sec. 1.409A-2(a).
    (ix) Plan terminations and liquidations. A plan may provide for the 
acceleration of the time and form of a payment, or a payment under such 
plan may be made, where the acceleration of the payment is made pursuant 
to a termination and liquidation of the plan in accordance with one of 
the following:
    (A) The service recipient's termination and liquidation of the plan 
within 12 months of a corporate dissolution taxed under section 331, or 
with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Sec. 
503(b)(1)(A), provided that the amounts deferred under the plan are 
included in the participants' gross incomes in the latest of the 
following years (or, if earlier, the taxable year in which the amount is 
actually or constructively received).
    (1) The calendar year in which the plan termination and liquidation 
occurs.
    (2) The first calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject 
to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
    (3) The first calendar year in which the payment is administratively 
practicable.
    (B) The service recipient's termination and liquidation of the plan 
pursuant to irrevocable action taken by the service recipient within the 
30 days preceding or the 12 months following a change in control event 
(as defined in paragraph (i)(5) of this section), provided that this 
paragraph will only apply to a payment under a plan if all agreements, 
methods, programs, and other arrangements sponsored by the service 
recipient immediately after the time of the change in control event with 
respect to which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been 
deferred under a single plan under Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated 
and liquidated with respect to each participant that experienced the 
change in control event, so that under the terms of the termination and 
liquidation all such participants are required to receive all amounts of 
compensation deferred under the terminated agreements, methods, 
programs, and other arrangements within 12 months of the date the 
service recipient irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate 
and liquidate the agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements. 
Solely for purposes of this paragraph (j)(4)(ix)(B), the applicable 
service recipient with the discretion to liquidate and terminate the 
agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements is the service 
recipient that is primarily liable immediately after the transaction for 
the payment of the deferred compensation.

[[Page 646]]

    (C) The service recipient's termination and liquidation of the plan, 
provided that--
    (1) The termination and liquidation does not occur proximate to a 
downturn in the financial health of the service recipient;
    (2) The service recipient terminates and liquidates all agreements, 
methods, programs, and other arrangements sponsored by the service 
recipient that would be aggregated with any terminated and liquidated 
agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements under Sec. 
1.409A-1(c) if the same service provider had deferrals of compensation 
under all of the agreements, methods, programs, and other arrangements 
that are terminated and liquidated;
    (3) No payments in liquidation of the plan are made within 12 months 
of the date the service recipient takes all necessary action to 
irrevocably terminate and liquidate the plan other than payments that 
would be payable under the terms of the plan if the action to terminate 
and liquidate the plan had not occurred;
    (4) All payments are made within 24 months of the date the service 
recipient takes all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and 
liquidate the plan; and
    (5) The service recipient does not adopt a new plan that would be 
aggregated with any terminated and liquidated plan under Sec. 1.409A-
1(c) if the same service provider participated in both plans, at any 
time within three years following the date the service recipient takes 
all necessary action to irrevocably terminate and liquidate the plan.
    (D) Such other events and conditions as the Commissioner may 
prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this chapter).
    (x) Certain distributions to avoid a nonallocation year under 
section 409(p). A plan may provide for an acceleration of the time and 
form of a payment, or a payment may be made under such plan, to prevent 
the occurrence of a nonallocation year (within the meaning of section 
409(p)(3)) in the plan year of an employee stock ownership plan next 
following the plan year in which such payment is made, provided that the 
amount distributed may not exceed 125 percent of the minimum amount of 
distribution necessary to avoid the occurrence of a nonallocation year. 
Solely for purposes of determining permissible distributions under this 
paragraph (j)(4)(x), synthetic equity (within the meaning of section 
409(p)(6)(C) and Sec. 1.409(p)-1(f)) granted during the plan year of 
the employee stock ownership plan in which such payment is made is 
disregarded for purposes of determining whether the subsequent plan year 
would result in a nonallocation year.
    (xi) Payment of state, local, or foreign taxes. A plan may provide 
for an acceleration of the time and form of a payment, or a payment may 
be made under such plan, to reflect payment of state, local, or foreign 
tax obligations arising from participation in the plan that apply to an 
amount deferred under the plan before the amount is paid or made 
available to the participant (the state, local, or foreign tax amount). 
Such payment may not exceed the amount of such taxes due as a result of 
participation in the plan. Such payment may be made by distributions to 
the participant in the form of withholding pursuant to provisions of 
applicable state, local, or foreign law or by distribution directly to 
the participant. Additionally, an arrangement may provide for the 
acceleration of the time or schedule of payment, or a payment may be 
made under such arrangement, to pay the income tax at source on wages 
imposed under section 3401 as a result of such payment and to pay the 
additional income tax at source on wages imposed under section 3401 
attributable to such additional section 3401 wages and taxes. However, 
the total payment under this acceleration provision must not exceed the 
aggregate of the state, local, and foreign tax amount, and the income 
tax withholding related to such state, local, and foreign tax amount.
    (xii) Cancellation of deferral elections due to disability. A plan 
may provide for a cancellation of a service provider's deferral 
election, or a cancellation of such election may be made, where such 
cancellation occurs by the later of the end of the taxable year of the 
service provider or the 15th day of the third

[[Page 647]]

month following the date the service provider incurs a disability. For 
purposes of this paragraph, a disability refers to any medically 
determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the service 
provider's inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any 
substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to 
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of 
not less than six months.
    (xiii) Certain offsets. A plan may provide for the acceleration of 
the time or schedule of a payment, or a payment may be made under such 
plan, as satisfaction of a debt of the service provider to the service 
recipient, where such debt is incurred in the ordinary course of the 
service relationship between the service recipient and the service 
provider, the entire amount of reduction in any of the service 
recipient's taxable years does not exceed $5,000, and the reduction is 
made at the same time and in the same amount as the debt otherwise would 
have been due and collected from the service provider.
    (xiv) Bona fide disputes as to a right to a payment. A plan may 
provide for the acceleration of the time or schedule of one or more 
payments, or a payment may be made under such plan, where such payments 
occur as part of a settlement between the service provider and the 
service recipient of an arm's length, bona fide dispute as to the 
service provider's right to the deferred amount. Discretion to 
accelerate payments, other than due to an arm's length settlement of a 
bona fide dispute as to the service provider's right to the deferred 
amount, is not permitted under this paragraph (j)(4)(xiv). Whether a 
payment qualifies for the exception under this paragraph is based on all 
relevant facts and circumstances. A payment will be presumed not to meet 
this exception unless the payment is subject to a substantial reduction 
in the value of the payment made in relation to the amount that would 
have been payable had there been no dispute as to the service provider's 
right to the payment. For this purpose, a reduction that is less than 25 
percent of the present value of the deferred amount in dispute generally 
is not a substantial reduction. In addition, a payment will be presumed 
not to meet this exception if the payment is made proximate to a 
downturn in the financial health of the service recipient.
    (5) Nonqualified deferred compensation plans linked to qualified 
employer plans or certain other arrangements. If a nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan provides that the amount deferred under the plan is 
the amount determined under the formula determining benefits under a 
qualified employer plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-1(a)(2)), or a 
broad-based foreign retirement plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-
1(a)(3)(v)) maintained by the service recipient but applied without 
regard to one or more limitations applicable to the qualified employer 
plan under the Internal Revenue Code or to the broad-based foreign 
retirement plan under other applicable law, or that the amount deferred 
under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan is determined as an 
amount offset by some or all of the benefits provided under the 
qualified employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement plan, a 
decrease in amounts deferred under the nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan that results directly from the operation of the 
qualified employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement plan (other 
than service provider actions described in paragraphs (j)(5)(iii) and 
(iv) of this section) including changes in benefit limitations 
applicable to the qualified employer plan or the broad-based foreign 
retirement plan under the Internal Revenue Code or other applicable law 
does not constitute an acceleration of a payment under the nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan, provided that such operation does not 
otherwise result in a change in the time or form of a payment under the 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and provided further that the 
change in the amounts deferred under the nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan does not exceed such change in the amounts deferred 
under the qualified employer plan or the broad-based foreign retirement 
plan, as applicable. In addition, with respect to such a nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan, the following actions or failures to act 
will not constitute an acceleration of a

[[Page 648]]

payment under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan even if in 
accordance with the terms of the nonqualified deferred compensation 
plan, the actions or inactions result in a decrease in the amounts 
deferred under the plan, provided that such actions or inactions do not 
otherwise affect the time or form of payment under the nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan, and provided further that with respect to 
actions or inactions described in paragraphs (j)(5)(i) and (ii) of this 
section, the change in the amount deferred under the nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan does not exceed the change in the amounts 
deferred under the qualified employer plan or the broad-based foreign 
retirement plan, as applicable:
    (i) A service provider's action or inaction under the qualified 
employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement plan with respect to 
whether to elect to receive a subsidized benefit or an ancillary benefit 
under the qualified employer plan or broad-based foreign retirement 
plan.
    (ii) The amendment of a qualified employer plan or broad-based 
foreign retirement plan to increase benefits provided under such plan, 
or to add or remove a subsidized benefit or an ancillary benefit.
    (iii) A service provider's action or inaction under a qualified 
employer plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-
tax contributions subject to the contribution restrictions under section 
401(a)(30) or section 402(g), including an adjustment to a deferral 
election under such qualified employer plan, provided that for any given 
taxable year, the service provider's action or inaction does not result 
in a decrease in the amounts deferred under all nonqualified deferred 
compensation plans in which the service provider participates (other 
than amounts described in paragraph (j)(5)(iv) of this section) in 
excess of the limit with respect to elective deferrals under section 
402(g)(1)(A), (B), and (C) in effect for the taxable year in which such 
action or inaction occurs.
    (iv) A service provider's action or inaction under a qualified 
employer plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-
tax contributions subject to the contributions restrictions under 
section 401(a)(30) or section 402(g), and after-tax contributions by the 
service provider to a qualified employer plan that provides for such 
contributions, that affects the amounts that are credited under one or 
more nonqualified deferred compensation plans as matching amounts or 
other similar amounts contingent on such elective deferrals, pre-tax 
contributions, or after-tax contributions, provided that the total of 
such matching or contingent amounts, as applicable, never exceeds 100 
percent of the matching or contingent amounts that would be provided 
under the qualified employer plan absent any plan-based restrictions 
that reflect limits on qualified plan contributions under the Internal 
Revenue Code.
    (6) Changes in elections under a cafeteria plan. A change in an 
election under a cafeteria plan (as defined in section 125(d)) does not 
result in an accelerated payment of an amount deferred under a 
nonqualified deferred compensation plan to the extent that the change in 
the amount deferred under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
results solely from the application of the change in amount eligible to 
be treated as compensation under the terms of the nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan resulting from the election change under the cafeteria 
plan, to a benefit formula under the nonqualified deferred compensation 
plan based upon the service provider's eligible compensation, and only 
to the extent that such change applies in the same manner as any other 
increase or decrease in compensation would apply to such benefit 
formula.

[T.D. 9321, 72 FR 19276, Apr. 17, 2007; 72 FR 41622, July 31, 2007]



Sec. 1.409A-4  Calculation of income inclusion. [Reserved]



Sec. 1.409A-5  Funding. [Reserved]



Sec. 1.409A-6  Application of section 409A and effective dates.

    (a) Statutory application and effective dates--(1) Application to 
amounts deferred--(i) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this 
section, section 409A applies with respect to amounts

[[Page 649]]

deferred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004, and with 
respect to amounts deferred in taxable years beginning before January 1, 
2005, if the plan under which the deferral is made is materially 
modified after October 3, 2004. For amounts deferred in taxable years 
beginning before January 1, 2005, under a plan that is materially 
modified after October 3, 2004, whether the plan complies with the 
requirements of section 409A and these regulations is determined by 
reference to the terms of the plan in effect as of, and any actions 
taken under the plan on or after, the date of the material modification. 
Section 409A is applicable with respect to earnings on amounts deferred 
only to the extent that section 409A is applicable with respect to the 
amounts deferred. Accordingly, section 409A does not apply with respect 
to earnings on amounts deferred before January 1, 2005, unless section 
409A applies with respect to the amounts deferred. For this purpose, a 
right to earnings that is subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture 
(as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(c)) or a requirement to perform further 
services, on an amount deferred that is not subject to a substantial 
risk of forfeiture (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(c)) or a requirement to 
perform further services, is not treated as earnings on the amount 
deferred, but a separate right to compensation. Except as otherwise 
provided in applicable guidance (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2) of this 
chapter), the provisions of Sec. Sec. 1.409A-1 through 1.409A-5 and 
this section provide the exclusive means of identifying agreements, 
methods, programs, or other arrangements subject to section 409A, and 
the exclusive means of satisfying the requirements of section 409A with 
respect to such agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements.
    (ii) Collectively bargained plans. Section 409A does not apply with 
respect to amounts deferred under a plan maintained pursuant to one or 
more bona fide collective bargaining agreements in effect on October 3, 
2004, for the period ending on the earlier of the date on which the last 
of such collective bargaining agreements terminates (determined without 
regard to any extension thereof after October 3, 2004) or December 31, 
2009.
    (2) Identification of date of deferral for statutory effective date 
purposes. For purposes of determining whether section 409A is applicable 
with respect to an amount, the amount is considered deferred before 
January 1, 2005, if before January 1, 2005, the service provider had a 
legally binding right to be paid the amount, and the right to the amount 
was earned and vested. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(2), a right to 
an amount was earned and vested only if the amount was not subject to a 
substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(c)) or a 
requirement to perform further services. Amounts to which the service 
provider did not have a legally binding right before January 1, 2005 
(for example, because the service recipient retained discretion to 
reduce the amount), will not be considered deferred before January 1, 
2005. In addition, amounts to which the service provider had a legally 
binding right before January 1, 2005, but the right to which was subject 
to a substantial risk of forfeiture or a requirement to perform further 
services after December 31, 2004, are not considered deferred before 
January 1, 2005, for purposes of the effective date. Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, an amount to which the service provider had a legally binding 
right before January 1, 2005, but for which the service provider was 
required to continue performing services to retain the right only 
through the completion of the payroll period (as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-1(b)(3)) that includes December 31, 2004, is not treated as 
subject to a requirement to perform further services (or a substantial 
risk of forfeiture) for purposes of the effective date. For purposes of 
this paragraph (a)(2), a stock option, stock appreciation right, or 
similar compensation that on or before December 31, 2004, was 
immediately exercisable for cash or substantially vested property (as 
defined in Sec. 1.83-3(b)) is treated as earned and vested, regardless 
of whether the right would terminate if the service provider ceased 
providing services for the service recipient.
    (3) Calculation of amount of compensation deferred for statutory 
effective date purposes--(i) Nonaccount balance plans. The amount of 
compensation deferred

[[Page 650]]

before January 1, 2005, under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
that is a nonaccount balance plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-
1(c)(2)(i)(C)), equals the present value of the amount to which the 
service provider would have been entitled under the plan if the service 
provider voluntarily terminated services without cause on December 31, 
2004, and received a payment of the benefits available from the plan on 
the earliest possible date allowed under the plan to receive a payment 
of benefits following the termination of services, and received the 
benefits in the form with the maximum value.
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any subsequent taxable year of 
the service provider, the grandfathered amount may increase to equal the 
present value of the benefit the service provider actually becomes 
entitled to, in the form and at the time actually paid, determined under 
the terms of the plan (including applicable limits under the Internal 
Revenue Code), as in effect on October 3, 2004, without regard to any 
further services rendered by the service provider after December 31, 
2004, or any other events affecting the amount of or the entitlement to 
benefits (other than a participant election with respect to the time or 
form of an available benefit). For purposes of calculating the present 
value of a benefit under this paragraph (a)(3)(i), reasonable actuarial 
assumptions and methods must be used. Whether assumptions and methods 
are reasonable for this purpose is determined as of each date the 
benefit is valued for purposes of determining the grandfathered benefit, 
provided that any reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods that were 
used by the service recipient with respect to such benefit as of 
December 31, 2004, will continue to be treated as reasonable assumptions 
and methods for purposes of calculating the grandfathered benefit.
    Actuarial assumptions and methods will be presumed reasonable if 
they are the same as those used to value benefits under a qualified plan 
sponsored by the service recipient the benefits under which are part of 
the benefit formula under, or otherwise impact the amount of benefits 
under, the nonaccount balance nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
    (ii) Account balance plans. The amount of compensation deferred 
before January 1, 2005, under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan 
that is an account balance plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-
1(c)(2)(i)(A)), equals the portion of the service provider's account 
balance as of December 31, 2004, the right to which was earned and 
vested (as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section) as of December 
31, 2004, plus any future contributions to the account, the right to 
which was earned and vested (as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section) as of December 31, 2004, to the extent such contributions are 
actually made.
    (iii) Equity-based compensation plans. For purposes of determining 
the amounts deferred before January 1, 2005, under an equity-based 
compensation plan, the rules of paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section 
governing account balance plans are applied except that the account 
balance is deemed to be the amount of the payment available to the 
service provider on December 31, 2004 (or that would be available to the 
service provider if the right were immediately exercisable) the right to 
which is earned and vested (as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section) as of December 31, 2004. For this purpose, the payment 
available to the service provider excludes any exercise price or other 
amount that must be paid by the service provider.
    (iv) Earnings. Earnings on amounts deferred under a plan before 
January 1, 2005, include only income (whether actual or notional) 
attributable to the amounts deferred under a plan as of December 31, 
2004, or to such income. For example, notional interest earned under the 
plan on amounts deferred in an account balance plan as of December 31, 
2004, generally will be treated as earnings on amounts deferred under 
the plan before January 1, 2005. Similarly, an increase in the amount of 
payment available pursuant to a stock option, stock appreciation right, 
or other equity-based compensation above the amount of payment available 
as of December 31, 2004, due to appreciation in the underlying stock 
after December 31, 2004, or accrual of other earnings

[[Page 651]]

such as dividends, is treated as earnings on the amount deferred. In the 
case of a nonaccount balance plan, earnings include the increase, due 
solely to the passage of time, in the present value of the future 
payments to which the service provider has obtained a legally binding 
right, the present value of which constituted the amounts deferred under 
the plan before January 1, 2005. Thus, for each year, there will be an 
increase (determined using the same interest rate used to determine the 
amounts deferred under the plan before January 1, 2005) resulting from 
the shortening of the discount period before the future payments are 
made, plus, if applicable, an increase in the present value resulting 
from the service provider's survivorship during the year. However, an 
increase in the potential benefits under a nonaccount balance plan due 
to, for example, an application of an increase in compensation after 
December 31, 2004, to a final average pay plan or subsequent eligibility 
for an early retirement subsidy, does not constitute earnings on the 
amounts deferred under the plan before January 1, 2005.
    (v) Definition of plan. For purposes of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and 
(3) of this section, the term ``plan'' has the meaning provided in Sec. 
1.409A-1(c), except that the plan aggregation rules do not apply for 
purposes of the actuarial assumptions and methods used in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i) of this section. Accordingly, different reasonable actuarial 
assumptions and methods may be used to calculate the amounts deferred by 
a service provider in two different agreements, methods, programs, or 
other arrangements each of which constitutes a nonaccount balance plan.
    (4) Material modifications--(i) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided, a modification of a plan is a material modification if a 
benefit or right existing as of October 3, 2004, is materially enhanced 
or a new material benefit or right is added, and such material 
enhancement or addition affects amounts earned and vested before January 
1, 2005. Such material benefit enhancement or addition is a material 
modification whether it occurs pursuant to an amendment or to the 
service recipient's exercise of discretion under the terms of the plan. 
For example, an amendment to a plan to add a provision that payments of 
deferred amounts earned and vested before January 1, 2005, may be 
allowed upon request if service providers are required to forfeit 20 
percent of the amount of the payment (a haircut) would be a material 
modification to the plan. Similarly, a material modification would occur 
if a service recipient exercised discretion to accelerate vesting of a 
benefit under the plan to a date on or before December 31, 2004. 
However, it is not a material modification for a service recipient to 
exercise discretion over the time and manner of payment of a benefit to 
the extent such discretion is provided under the terms of the plan as of 
October 3, 2004. It is not a material modification for a service 
provider to exercise a right permitted under the plan as in effect on 
October 3, 2004. The amendment of a plan to bring the plan into 
compliance with the provisions of section 409A will not be treated as a 
material modification. However, a plan amendment or the exercise of 
discretion under the terms of the plan that materially enhances an 
existing benefit or right or adds a new material benefit or right will 
be considered a material modification even if the enhanced or added 
benefit would be permitted under section 409A. For example, the addition 
of a right to a payment upon an unforeseeable emergency of an amount 
earned and vested before January 1, 2005, would be considered a material 
modification. The reduction of an existing benefit is not a material 
modification. For example, the removal of a haircut provision generally 
would not constitute a material modification. The following 
modifications also are not material modifications for purposes of this 
paragraph (a)(4)(i):
    (A) The establishment of or contributions to a trust or other 
arrangement from which benefits under the plan are to be paid is not a 
material modification of the plan, provided that the contribution to the 
trust or other arrangement would not otherwise cause an amount to be 
includible in the service provider's gross income.
    (B) The modification of a provision requiring the immediate 
cancellation

[[Page 652]]

of a current deferral election, to require the cancellation of deferrals 
for the same length of time beginning with the first date at which the 
application of such cancellation would not violate section 409A (for 
example, the first date of the service provider's first taxable year 
following the cancellation).
    (C) Compliance with a domestic relations order (as defined in Sec. 
1.409A-3(j)(4)(ii)) with respect to payments to an individual other than 
the service provider, or an amendment to a plan to require compliance 
with a domestic relations order with respect to payments to an 
individual other than the service provider.
    (D) The modification of a plan providing a life annuity form of 
payment to permit an election between the existing life annuity form of 
payment and other forms of annuity payments that would be treated as a 
single form of payment with the existing life annuity form of payment 
under Sec. 1.409A-2(b)(2)(ii).
    (E) The modification of a grandfathered plan to add a limited 
cashout feature consistent with Sec. 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v) (exception to 
prohibition on accelerated payments).
    (ii) Adoptions of new plans. It is presumed that the adoption of a 
new plan or the grant of an additional benefit under an existing plan 
after October 3, 2004, and before January 1, 2005, constitutes a 
material modification of a plan. However, the presumption may be 
rebutted by demonstrating that the adoption of the plan or grant of the 
additional benefit was consistent with the service recipient's 
historical compensation practices. For example, the presumption that the 
grant of a discounted stock option on November 1, 2004, is a material 
modification of a plan may be rebutted by demonstrating that the grant 
was consistent with the historic practice of granting substantially 
similar discounted stock options (both as to terms and amounts) each 
November for a significant number of years. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(a)(4)(i) of this section and this paragraph (a)(4)(ii), the grant of an 
additional benefit under an existing plan that consists of a deferral of 
additional compensation not otherwise provided under the plan as of 
October 3, 2004, will be treated as a material modification of the plan 
only as to the additional deferral of compensation, if the plan 
explicitly identifies the additional deferral of compensation and 
provides that the additional deferral of compensation is subject to 
section 409A. Accordingly, amendments to conform a plan to the 
requirements of section 409A with respect to deferrals under a plan 
occurring after December 31, 2004, will not constitute a material 
modification of the plan with respect to amounts deferred that are 
earned and vested on or before December 31, 2004, provided that there is 
no concurrent material modification with respect to the amount of, or 
rights to, amounts deferred that were earned and vested on or before 
December 31, 2004. Similarly, a grant of an additional benefit under a 
new plan adopted after October 3, 2004, and before January 1, 2005, will 
not be treated as a material modification of an existing plan to the 
extent that the new plan explicitly identifies additional deferrals of 
compensation and provides that the additional deferrals of compensation 
are subject to section 409A.
    (iii) Suspension or termination of a plan. A cessation of deferrals 
under, or termination of, a plan, pursuant to the provisions of such 
plan, is not a material modification. Amending a plan to provide 
participants an election whether to terminate participation in a plan 
generally constitutes a material modification of the plan.
    (iv) Changes to investment measures--account balance plans. With 
respect to an account balance plan (as defined in Sec. 1.409A-
1(c)(2)(i)(A)), it is not a material modification to change a notional 
investment measure to, or to add to an existing investment measure, an 
investment measure that qualifies as a predetermined actual investment 
within the meaning of Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(d)(2) of this chapter or, 
for any given taxable year, reflects a reasonable rate of interest 
(determined in accordance with Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(d)(2)(i)(C) of this 
chapter).
    (v) Stock rights. The modification, extension, or renewal of a stock 
right will not constitute a material modification of the stock right, if 
the modification, extension, or renewal would

[[Page 653]]

not be treated as the grant of a new stock right under Sec. 1.409A-
1(b)(5)(v)(A), and would not result in the stock right being treated as 
having had a deferral feature from the date of grant pursuant to Sec. 
1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(C).
    (vi) Rescission of modifications. Any modification to the terms of a 
plan that would inadvertently result in treatment as a material 
modification under this section is not considered a material 
modification of the plan to the extent the modification in the terms of 
the plan is rescinded by the earlier of a date before the right is 
exercised (if the change grants a discretionary right) or the last day 
of the taxable year of the service provider during which such change 
occurred. Thus, for example, if a service recipient modifies the terms 
of a plan on March 1 to allow an individual employee to elect a new 
change in the time or form of payment without realizing that such a 
change constituted a material modification that would subject the plan 
to the requirements of section 409A, and the modification is rescinded 
on November 1, then if no change in the time or form of payment has been 
made pursuant to the modification before November 1, the plan is not 
considered materially modified under this section.
    (vii) Definition of plan. For purposes of this paragraph (a)(4), the 
term ``plan'' has the same meaning provided in Sec. 1.409A-1(c), except 
that the plan aggregation rules of Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) do not apply.
    (b) Regulatory applicability date. Sec. 1.409A-1, Sec. 1.409A-2, 
Sec. 1.409A-3 and this section are applicable for taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2008.

[T.D. 9321, 72 FR 19276, Apr. 17, 2007; 72 FR 41623, July 31, 2007; 73 
FR 54945, Sept. 24, 2008; 73 FR 58438, Oct. 7, 2008]



Sec. 1.409(p)-1  Prohibited allocation of securities in an S corporation.

    (a) Organization of this section and definition--(1) Organization of 
this section. Section 409(p) applies if a nonallocation year occurs in 
an ESOP that holds shares of stock of an S corporation that are employer 
securities. Paragraph (b) of this section sets forth the general rule 
under section 409(p)(1) and (2) prohibiting any accrual or allocation to 
a disqualified person in a nonallocation year. Paragraph (c) of this 
section sets forth rules under section 409(p)(3), (5), and (7) for 
determining whether a year is a nonallocation year, generally based on 
whether disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the shares of 
the S corporation, either taking into account only the outstanding 
shares of the S corporation (including shares held by the ESOP) or 
taking into account both the outstanding shares and synthetic equity of 
the S corporation. Paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section contain 
definitions of disqualified person under section 409(p)(4) and (5), 
deemed-owned ESOP shares under section 409(p)(4)(C), and synthetic 
equity under section 409(p)(6)(C). Paragraph (g) of this section 
contains a standard for determining when the principal purpose of the 
ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an avoidance or 
evasion of section 409(p).
    (2) Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of 
section 409(p) and this section, as well as for purposes of section 
4979A, which imposes an excise tax on certain events.
    (i) Deemed-owned ESOP shares has the meaning set forth in paragraph 
(e) of this section.
    (ii) Disqualified person has the meaning set forth in paragraph (d) 
of this section.
    (iii) Employer has the meaning set forth in Sec. 1.410(b)-9.
    (iv) Employer securities means employer securities within the 
meaning of section 409(l).
    (v) ESOP means an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning 
of section 4975(e)(7).
    (vi) Prohibited allocation has the meaning set forth in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section.
    (vii) S corporation means S corporation within the meaning of 
section 1361.
    (viii) Synthetic equity has the meaning set forth in paragraph (f) 
of this section.
    (b) Prohibited allocation in a nonallocation year--(1) General rule. 
Section 409(p)(1) provides that an ESOP holding employer securities 
consisting of stock in an S corporation must provide that

[[Page 654]]

no portion of the assets of the plan attributable to (or allocable in 
lieu of) such employer securities may, during a nonallocation year, 
accrue under the ESOP, or be allocated directly or indirectly under any 
plan of the employer (including the ESOP) meeting the requirements of 
section 401(a), for the benefit of any disqualified person.
    (2) Additional rules--(i) Prohibited allocation definition. For 
purposes of section 409(p) and this section, a prohibited allocation 
means an impermissible accrual or an impermissible allocation. Whether 
there is impermissible accrual is determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) 
of this section and whether there is an impermissible allocation is 
determined under paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section. The amount of 
the prohibited allocation is equal to the sum of the amount of the 
impermissible accrual plus the amount of the impermissible allocation.
    (ii) Impermissible accrual. There is an impermissible accrual to the 
extent that employer securities consisting of stock in an S corporation 
owned by the ESOP and any assets attributable thereto are held under the 
ESOP for the benefit of a disqualified person during a nonallocation 
year. For this purpose, assets attributable to stock in an S corporation 
owned by an ESOP include any distributions, within the meaning of 
section 1368, made on S corporation stock held in a disqualified 
person's account in the ESOP (including earnings thereon), plus any 
proceeds from the sale of S corporation securities held for a 
disqualified person's account in the ESOP (including any earnings 
thereon). Thus, in the event of a nonallocation year, all S corporation 
shares and all other ESOP assets attributable to S corporation stock, 
including distributions, sales proceeds, and earnings on either 
distributions or proceeds, held for the account of such disqualified 
person in the ESOP during that year are an impermissible accrual for the 
benefit of that person, whether attributable to contributions in the 
current year or in prior years.
    (iii) Impermissible allocation. An impermissible allocation occurs 
during a nonallocation year to the extent that a contribution or other 
annual addition (within the meaning of section 415(c)(2)) is made with 
respect to the account of a disqualified person, or the disqualified 
person otherwise accrues additional benefits, directly or indirectly 
under the ESOP or any other plan of the employer qualified under section 
401(a) (including a release and allocation of assets from a suspense 
account, as described at Sec. 54.4975-11(c) and (d) of this chapter) 
that, for the nonallocation year, would have been added to the account 
of the disqualified person under the ESOP and invested in employer 
securities consisting of stock in an S corporation owned by the ESOP but 
for a provision in the ESOP that precludes such addition to the account 
of the disqualified person, and investment in employer securities during 
a nonallocation year.
    (iv) Effects of prohibited allocation--(A) Deemed distribution. If a 
plan year is a nonallocation year, the amount of any prohibited 
allocation in the account of a disqualified person as of the first day 
of the plan year, as determined under this paragraph (b)(2), is treated 
as distributed from the ESOP (or other plan of the employer) to the 
disqualified person on the first day of the plan year. In the case of an 
impermissible accrual or impermissible allocation that is not in the 
account of the disqualified person as of the first day of the plan year, 
the amount of the prohibited allocation, as determined under this 
paragraph (b)(2), is treated as distributed on the date of the 
prohibited allocation. Thus, the fair market value of assets in the 
disqualified person's account that constitutes an impermissible accrual 
or allocation is included in gross income (to the extent in excess of 
any investment in the contract allocable to such amount) and is subject 
to any additional income tax that applies under section 72(t). A deemed 
distribution under this paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(A) is not an actual 
distribution from the ESOP. Thus, the amount of the prohibited 
allocation is not an eligible rollover distribution under section 
402(c). However, for purposes of applying sections 72 and 402 with 
respect to any subsequent distribution from the ESOP, the amount that 
the disqualified person previously took into account as income as a 
result of the

[[Page 655]]

deemed distribution is treated as investment in the contract.
    (B) Other effects. If there is a prohibited allocation, then the 
plan fails to satisfy the requirements of section 4975(e)(7) and ceases 
to be an ESOP. In such a case, the exemption from the excise tax on 
prohibited transactions for loans to leveraged ESOPs contained in 
section 4975(d)(3) would cease to apply to any loan (with the result 
that the employer would owe an excise tax with respect to the previously 
exempt loan). As a result of these failures, the plan would lose the 
prohibited transaction exemption for loans to an ESOP under section 
4975(d)(3) of the Code and section 408(b)(3) of title I of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Finally, a 
plan that does not operate in accordance with its terms to reflect 
section 409(p) fails to satisfy the qualification requirements of 
section 401(a), which would cause the corporation's S election to 
terminate under section 1362. See also section 4979A(a) which imposes an 
excise tax in certain events, including a prohibited allocation under 
section 409(p).
    (C) Example. The rules of this paragraph (b)(2)(iv) are illustrated 
by the following example:

    Example. (i) Facts. Corporation M, an S corporation under section 
1361, establishes Plan P as an ESOP in 2006, with a calendar plan year. 
Plan P is a qualified plan that includes terms providing that a 
prohibited allocation will not occur during a nonallocation year in 
accordance with section 409(p). On December 31, 2006, all of the 1,000 
outstanding shares of stock of Corporation M, with a fair market value 
of $30 per share, are contributed to Plan P and allocated among accounts 
established within Plan P for the benefit of Corporation M's three 
employees, individuals A, B, and C, based on their compensation for 
2006. As a result, on December 31, 2006, participant A's account 
includes 800 of the shares ($24,000); participant B's account includes 
140 of the shares ($4,200); and participant C's account includes the 
remaining 60 shares ($1,800). The plan year 2006 is a nonallocation 
year, participants A and B are disqualified persons on December 31, 
2006, and a prohibited allocation occurs for A and B on December 31, 
2006.
    (ii) Conclusion. On December 31, 2006, participants A and B each 
have a deemed distribution as a result of the prohibited allocation, 
resulting in income of $24,000 for participant A and $4,200 for 
participant B. Corporation M owes an excise tax under section 4979A, 
based on an amount involved of $28,200. Plan P ceases to be an ESOP on 
the date of the prohibited allocation (December 31, 2006) and also fails 
to satisfy the qualification requirements of section 401(a) on that date 
due to the failure to comply with the provisions requiring compliance 
with section 409(p). As a result of having an ineligible shareholder 
under section 1361(b)(1)(B), Corporation M ceases to be an S corporation 
under section 1361 on December 31, 2006.

    (v) Prevention of prohibited allocation--(A) Transfer of account to 
non-ESOP. An ESOP may prevent a nonallocation year or a prohibited 
allocation during a nonallocation year by providing for assets 
(including S corporation securities) allocated to the account of a 
disqualified person (or a person reasonably expected to become a 
disqualified person absent a transfer described in this paragraph 
(b)(2)(v)(A)) to be transferred into a separate portion of the plan that 
is not an ESOP, as described in Sec. 54.4975-11(a)(5) of this chapter, 
or to another plan of the employer that satisfies the requirements of 
section 401(a) and that is not an ESOP. Any such transfer must be 
effectuated by an affirmative action taken no later than the date of the 
transfer, and all subsequent actions (including benefit statements) 
generally must be consistent with the transfer having occurred on that 
date. In the event of such a transfer involving S corporation 
securities, the recipient plan is subject to tax on unrelated business 
taxable income under section 512.
    (B) Relief from nondiscrimination requirement. Pursuant to this 
paragraph (b)(2)(v)(B), if a transfer described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(v)(A) of this section is made from an ESOP to a separate portion 
of the plan or to another qualified plan of the employer that is not an 
ESOP, then both the ESOP and the plan or portion of a plan that is not 
an ESOP do not fail to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 
merely because of the transfer. Further, subsequent to the transfer, 
that plan will not fail to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4 merely because of the benefits, rights, and features with 
respect to the transferred benefits if those benefits, rights, and 
features would satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 if the

[[Page 656]]

mandatory disaggregation rule for ESOPs at Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2) did 
not apply.
    (c) Nonallocation year. A year is a nonallocation year if it is 
described in the general definition in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
or if the special rule of paragraph (c)(3) of this section applies.
    (1) General definition. For purposes of section 409(p) and this 
section, a nonallocation year means a plan year of an ESOP during which, 
at any time, the ESOP holds any employer securities that are shares of 
an S corporation and either--
    (i) Disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the number of 
outstanding shares of stock in the S corporation (including deemed-owned 
ESOP shares); or
    (ii) Disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the sum of:
    (A) The outstanding shares of stock in the S corporation (including 
deemed-owned ESOP shares); and
    (B) The shares of synthetic equity in the S corporation owned by 
disqualified persons.
    (2) Attribution rules. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the rules 
of section 318(a) apply to determine ownership of shares in the S 
corporation (including deemed-owned ESOP shares) and synthetic equity. 
However, for this purpose, section 318(a)(4) (relating to options to 
acquire stock) is disregarded and, in applying section 318(a)(1), the 
members of an individual's family include members of the individual's 
family under paragraph (d)(2) of this section. In addition, an 
individual is treated as owning deemed-owned ESOP shares of that 
individual notwithstanding the employee trust exception in section 
318(a)(2)(B)(i). If the attribution rules in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section apply, then the rules of paragraph (f)(1) of this section are 
applied before (and in addition to) the rules of this paragraph (c)(2).
    (3) Special rule for avoidance or evasion. (i) Any ownership 
structure described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section results in a 
nonallocation year. In addition, each individual referred to in 
paragraph (g)(3) of this section is treated as a disqualified person and 
the individual's interest in the separate entity described in paragraph 
(g)(3) of this section is treated as synthetic equity.
    (ii) Pursuant to section 409(p)(7)(B), the Commissioner, in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), may provide 
that a nonallocation year occurs in any case in which the principal 
purpose of the ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). For any year that is a 
nonallocation year under this paragraph (c)(3), the Commissioner may 
treat any person as a disqualified person. See paragraph (g) of this 
section for guidance regarding when the principal purpose of an 
ownership structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity 
constitutes an avoidance or evasion of section 409(p).
    (4) Special rule for certain stock rights. (i) For purposes of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a person is treated as owning stock if 
the person has an exercisable right to acquire the stock, the stock is 
both issued and outstanding, and the stock is held by persons other than 
the ESOP, the S corporation, or a related entity (as defined in 
paragraph (f)(3) of this section).
    (ii) This paragraph (c)(4) applies only if treating persons as 
owning the shares described in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section 
results in a nonallocation year. This paragraph (c)(4) does not apply to 
a right to acquire stock of an S corporation held by a shareholder that 
is subject to Federal income tax that, under Sec. 1.1361-
1(l)(2)(iii)(A) or (l)(4)(iii)(C), would not be taken into account in 
determining if an S corporation has a second class of stock, provided 
that a principal purpose of the right is not the avoidance or evasion of 
section 409(p). Under the last sentence of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this 
section, this paragraph (c)(4)(ii) does not apply for purposes of 
determining ownership of deemed-owned ESOP shares or whether an interest 
constitutes synthetic equity.
    (5) Application with respect to shares treated as owned by more than 
one person. For purposes of applying paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
if, by application of the rules of paragraph (c)(2), (c)(4), or (f)(1) 
of this section, any share is treated as owned by more than one

[[Page 657]]

person, then that share is counted as a single share and that share is 
treated as owned by disqualified persons if any of the owners is a 
disqualified person.
    (6) Effect of nonallocation year. See paragraph (b) of this section 
for a prohibition applicable during a nonallocation year. See also 
section 4979A for an excise tax applicable in certain cases, including 
section 4979A(a)(3) and (4) which applies during a nonallocation year 
(whether or not there is a prohibited allocation during the year).
    (d) Disqualified persons. A person is a disqualified person if the 
person is described in paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), or (d)(3) of this 
section.
    (1) General definition. For purposes of section 409(p) and this 
section, a disqualified person means any person for whom--
    (i) The number of such person's deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation is at least 10 percent of the number of the deemed-owned 
ESOP shares of the S corporation;
    (ii) The aggregate number of such person's deemed-owned ESOP shares 
and synthetic equity shares of the S corporation is at least 10 percent 
of the sum of--
    (A) The total number of deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation; and
    (B) The person's synthetic equity shares of the S corporation;
    (iii) The aggregate number of the S corporation's deemed-owned ESOP 
shares of such person and of the members of such person's family is at 
least 20 percent of the number of deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation; or
    (iv) The aggregate number of the S corporation's deemed-owned ESOP 
shares and synthetic equity shares of such person and of the members of 
such person's family is at least 20 percent of the sum of--
    (A) The total number of deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation; and
    (B) The synthetic equity shares of the S corporation owned by such 
person and the members of such person's family.
    (2) Treatment of family members; definition--(i) Rule. Each member 
of the family of any person who is a disqualified person under paragraph 
(d)(1)(iii) or (iv) of this section and who owns any deemed-owned ESOP 
shares or synthetic equity shares is a disqualified person.
    (ii) General definition. For purposes of section 409(p) and this 
section, member of the family means, with respect to an individual--
    (A) The spouse of the individual;
    (B) An ancestor or lineal descendant of the individual or the 
individual's spouse;
    (C) A brother or sister of the individual or of the individual's 
spouse and any lineal descendant of the brother or sister; and
    (D) The spouse of any individual described in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii)(B) or (C) of this section.
    (iii) Spouse. A spouse of an individual who is legally separated 
from such individual under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance 
is not treated as such individual's spouse under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of 
this section.
    (3) Special rule for certain nonallocation years. See paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section (relating to avoidance or evasion of section 
409(p)) for special rules under which certain persons are treated as 
disqualified persons.
    (4) Example. The rules of this paragraph (d) are illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example 1. (i) Facts. An S corporation has 800 outstanding shares, 
of which 100 are owned by individual O and 700 are held in an employee 
stock ownership plan (ESOP) during 2006, including 200 shares held in 
the ESOP account of O, 65 shares held in the ESOP account of participant 
P, 65 shares held in the ESOP account of participant Q who is P's 
spouse, and 14 shares held in the ESOP account of R, who is the daughter 
of P and Q. There are no unallocated suspense account shares in the 
ESOP. The S corporation has no synthetic equity.
    (ii) Conclusion. Under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, O is a 
disqualified person during 2006 because O's account in the ESOP holds at 
least 10% of the shares owned by the ESOP (200 is 28.6% of 700). During 
2006, neither P, Q, nor R is a disqualified person under paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section, because each of their accounts holds less 
than 10% of the shares owned by the ESOP. However, each of P, Q, and R 
is a disqualified person under paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section 
because P and members of P's family own at least 20% of the deemed-owned 
ESOP shares (144 (the sum of 65, 65 and 14) is 20.6% of 700).

[[Page 658]]

As a result, disqualified persons own at least 50% of the outstanding 
shares of the S corporation during 2006 (O's 100 directly owned shares, 
O's 200 deemed-owned shares, P's 65 deemed-owned shares, Q's 65 deemed-
owned shares, and R's 14 deemed-owned shares are 55.5% of 800).
    Example 2. (i) Facts. An S corporation has shares that are owned by 
an ESOP and various individuals. Individuals S and T are married and 
have a son, U. Individuals V and W are married and have a daughter, X. 
Individuals U and X are married. Individual V has a brother Y. Their 
percentages of the deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S corporation are as 
follows: T has 6%; U has 7%; and V has 8%. Neither S, W, X, nor Y has 
any deemed-owned ESOP shares and the S corporation has no synthetic 
equity. However, individual S and individual Y each own directly a 
number of shares of the outstanding shares of the S corporation.
    (ii) Conclusion. In this example, individual U is a disqualified 
person under paragraph (d)(1) of this section (because U's family 
consists of S, T, U, V, W, and X, and, in the aggregate, those persons 
own more than 20% of the deemed-owned ESOP shares) and individual X is 
also a disqualified person under paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
(because T's family consists of S, T, U, V, W, and X, and, in the 
aggregate, those persons own more than 20% of the deemed-owned ESOP 
shares). Further, individuals T and V are each a disqualified person 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section because each is a member of a 
family that includes one or more disqualified persons and each has 
deemed-owned ESOP shares. However, individuals S, W, and Y are not 
disqualified persons under this paragraph (d). For example, S does not 
own more than 10% of the deemed-owned ESOP shares, and S's family, which 
consists of S, T, U, and X, owns, in the aggregate, only 13% of the 
deemed-owned ESOP shares (X's parents are not members of S's family 
because the family members of a person do not include the parents-in-law 
of the person's descendants). Further, note that, for purposes of 
determining whether the ESOP has a nonallocation year under paragraph 
(c) of this section, the shares directly owned by S and Y would be taken 
into account as shares owned by disqualified persons under the 
attribution rules in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

    (e) Deemed-owned ESOP shares. For purposes of section 409(p) and 
this section, a person is treated as owning his or her deemed-owned ESOP 
shares. Deemed-owned ESOP shares owned by a person mean, with respect to 
any person--
    (1) Any shares of stock in the S corporation constituting employer 
securities that are allocated to such person's account under the ESOP; 
and
    (2) Such person's share of the stock in the S corporation that is 
held by the ESOP but is not allocated to the account of any participant 
or beneficiary (with such person's share to be determined in the same 
proportion as the shares released and allocated from a suspense account, 
as described at Sec. 54.4975-11(c) and (d) of the Excise Tax 
Regulations, under the ESOP for the most recently ended plan year for 
which there were shares released and allocated from a suspense account, 
or if there has been no such prior release and allocation from a 
suspense account, then determined in proportion to a reasonable estimate 
of the shares that would be released and allocated in the first year of 
a loan repayment).
    (f) Synthetic equity and rights to acquire stock of the S 
corporation--(1) Ownership of synthetic equity. For purposes of section 
409(p) and this section, synthetic equity means the rights described in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this section. Synthetic equity is treated as owned 
by the person that has any of the rights specified in paragraph (f)(2) 
of the section. In addition, the attribution rules as set forth in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section apply for purposes of attributing 
ownership of synthetic equity.
    (2) Synthetic equity--(i) Rights to acquire stock of the S 
corporation--(A) General rule. Synthetic equity includes any stock 
option, warrant, restricted stock, deferred issuance stock right, stock 
appreciation right payable in stock, or similar interest or right that 
gives the holder the right to acquire or receive stock of the S 
corporation in the future. Rights to acquire stock in an S corporation 
with respect to stock that is, at all times during the period when such 
rights are effective, both issued and outstanding, and held by a person 
other than the ESOP, the S corporation, or a related entity are not 
synthetic equity but only if that person is subject to federal income 
taxes. (See also paragraph (c)(4) of this section.)
    (B) Exception for certain rights of first refusal. A right of first 
refusal to acquire stock held by an ESOP is not treated as a right to 
acquire stock of an S corporation under this paragraph

[[Page 659]]

if the right to acquire stock would not be taken into account under 
Sec. 1.1361-1(l)(2)(iii)(A) in determining if an S corporation has a 
second class of stock and the price at which the stock is acquired under 
the right of first refusal is not less than the price determined under 
section 409(h). See Sec. 54.4975-11(d)(5) of the Excise Tax 
Regulations. The right of first refusal must also comply with the 
requirements of Sec. 54.4975-7(b)(9) of the Excise Tax Regulations. 
This paragraph (f)(2)(i)(B) does not apply if, based on the facts and 
circumstances, the Commissioner finds that the right to acquire stock 
held by the ESOP constitutes an avoidance or an evasion of section 
409(p). See also section 408(d) of ERISA, under which the exemption 
provided by section 408(e) of ERISA (and the related exemption at 
section 4975(d)(13) of the Code) does not apply to an owner-employee, 
including an employee or officer of an S corporation who is a 5 percent 
owner.
    (ii) Special rule for certain stock rights. Synthetic equity also 
includes a right to a future payment (payable in cash or any other form 
other than stock of the S corporation) from an S corporation that is 
based on the value of the stock of the S corporation, such as 
appreciation in such value. Thus, for example, synthetic equity includes 
a stock appreciation right with respect to stock of an S corporation 
that is payable in cash or a phantom stock unit with respect to stock of 
an S corporation that is payable in cash.
    (iii) Rights to acquire interests in or assets of an S corporation 
or a related entity. Synthetic equity includes a right to acquire stock 
or other similar interests in a related entity to the extent of the S 
corporation's ownership. Synthetic equity also includes a right to 
acquire assets of an S corporation or a related entity other than either 
rights to acquire goods, services, or property at fair market value in 
the ordinary course of business or fringe benefits excluded from gross 
income under section 132.
    (iv) Special rule for nonqualified deferred compensation. (A) 
Synthetic equity also includes any of the following with respect to an S 
corporation or a related entity: any remuneration to which section 
404(a)(5) applies; remuneration for which a deduction would be permitted 
under section 404(a)(5) if separate accounts were maintained; any right 
to receive property, as defined in Sec. 1.83-3(e) of the Income Tax 
Regulations (including a payment to a trust described in section 402(b) 
or to an annuity described in section 403(c)) in a future year for the 
performance of services; any transfer of property in connection with the 
performance of services to which section 83 applies to the extent that 
the property is not substantially vested within the meaning of Sec. 
1.83-3(i) by the end of the plan year in which transferred; and a split-
dollar life insurance arrangement under Sec. 1.61-22(b) entered into in 
connection with the performance of services (other than one under which, 
at all times, the only economic benefit that will be provided under the 
arrangement is current life insurance protection as described in Sec. 
1.61-22(d)(3)). Synthetic equity also includes any other remuneration 
for services under a plan, method, or arrangement deferring the receipt 
of compensation to a date that is after the 15th day of the 3rd calendar 
month after the end of the entity's taxable year in which the related 
services are rendered. However, synthetic equity does not include 
benefits under a plan that is an eligible retirement plan within the 
meaning of section 402(c)(8)(B).
    (B) For purposes of applying paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section 
with respect to an ESOP, synthetic equity does not include any interest 
described in such paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section to the extent 
that--
    (1) The interest is nonqualified deferred compensation (within the 
meaning of section 3121(v)(2)) that was outstanding on December 17, 
2004;
    (2) The interest is an amount that was taken into account (within 
the meaning of Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(d) of this chapter) prior to 
January 1, 2005, for purposes of taxation under chapter 21 of the 
Internal Revenue Code (or income attributable thereto); and
    (3) The interest was held before the first date on which the ESOP 
acquires any employer securities.
    (v) No overlap among shares of deemed-owned ESOP shares or synthetic 
equity. Synthetic equity under this paragraph

[[Page 660]]

(f)(2) does not include shares that are deemed-owned ESOP shares (or any 
rights with respect to deemed-owned ESOP shares to the extent such 
rights are specifically provided under section 409(h)). In addition, 
synthetic equity under a specific subparagraph of this paragraph (f)(2) 
does not include anything that is synthetic equity under a preceding 
provision of paragraph (f)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this section.
    (3) Related entity. For purposes of this paragraph (f), related 
entity means any entity in which the S corporation holds an interest and 
which is a partnership, a trust, an eligible entity that is disregarded 
as an entity that is separate from its owner under Sec. 301.7701-3 of 
this chapter, or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary under section 
1361(b)(3).
    (4) Number of synthetic shares--(i) Synthetic equity determined by 
reference to S corporation shares. In the case of synthetic equity that 
is determined by reference to shares of stock of the S corporation, the 
person who is entitled to the synthetic equity is treated as owning the 
number of shares of stock deliverable pursuant to such synthetic equity. 
In the case of synthetic equity that is determined by reference to 
shares of stock of the S corporation, but for which payment is made in 
cash or other property (besides stock of the S corporation), the number 
of shares of synthetic equity treated as owned is equal to the number of 
shares of stock having a fair market value equal to the cash or other 
property (disregarding lapse restrictions as described in Sec. 1.83-
3(i)). Where such synthetic equity is a right to purchase or receive S 
corporation shares, the corresponding number of shares of synthetic 
equity is determined without regard to lapse restrictions as described 
in Sec. 1.83-3(i) or to any amount required to be paid in exchange for 
the shares. Thus, for example, if a corporation grants an employee of an 
S corporation an option to purchase 100 shares of the corporation's 
stock, exercisable in the future only after the satisfaction of certain 
performance conditions, the employee is the deemed owner of 100 
synthetic equity shares of the corporation as of the date the option is 
granted. If the same employee were granted 100 shares of restricted S 
corporation stock (or restricted stock units), subject to forfeiture 
until the satisfaction of performance or service conditions, the 
employee would likewise be the deemed owner of 100 synthetic equity 
shares from the grant date. However, if the same employee were granted a 
stock appreciation right with regard to 100 shares of S corporation 
stock (whether payable in stock or in cash), the number of synthetic 
equity shares the employee is deemed to own equals the number of shares 
having a value equal to the appreciation at the time of measurement 
(determined without regard to lapse restrictions).
    (ii) Synthetic equity determined by reference to shares in a related 
entity. In the case of synthetic equity that is determined by reference 
to shares of stock (or similar interests) in a related entity, the 
person who is entitled to the synthetic equity is treated as owning 
shares of stock of the S corporation with the same aggregate value as 
the number of shares of stock (or similar interests) of the related 
entity (with such value determined without regard to any lapse 
restriction as defined at Sec. 1.83-3(i)).
    (iii) Other synthetic equity--(A) General rule. In the case of any 
synthetic equity to which neither paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this section 
nor paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of this section apply, the person who is 
entitled to the synthetic equity is treated as owning on any date a 
number of shares of stock in the S corporation equal to the present 
value (on that date) of the synthetic equity (with such value determined 
without regard to any lapse restriction as defined at Sec. 1.83-3(i)) 
divided by the fair market value of a share of the S corporation's stock 
as of that date.
    (B) Use of annual or more frequent determination dates. A year is a 
nonallocation year if the thresholds in paragraph (c) of this section 
are met at any time during that year. However, for purposes of this 
paragraph (f)(4)(iii), an ESOP may provide that the number of shares of 
S corporation stock treated as owned by a person who is entitled to 
synthetic equity to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies is 
determined annually (or more frequently), as of the first day of the 
ESOP's plan year or as of any other reasonable determination

[[Page 661]]

date or dates during a plan year. If the ESOP so provides, the number of 
shares of synthetic equity to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies 
that are treated as owned by that person for any period from a given 
determination date through the date immediately preceding the next 
following determination date is the number of shares treated as owned on 
the given determination date.
    (C) Use of triennial recalculations. (1) Although an ESOP must have 
a determination date that is no less frequent than annually, if the 
terms of the ESOP so provide, then the number of shares of synthetic 
equity with respect to grants of synthetic equity to which this 
paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies may be fixed for a specified period from a 
determination date identified under the ESOP through the day before a 
determination date that is not later than the third anniversary of the 
identified determination date. Thus, the ESOP must provide for the 
number of shares of synthetic equity to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) 
applies to be re-determined not less frequently than every three years, 
based on the S corporation share value on a determination date that is 
not later than the third anniversary of the identified determination 
date and the aggregate present value of the synthetic equity to which 
this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies (including all grants made during the 
three-year period) on that determination date.
    (2) However, additional accruals, allocations, or grants (to which 
this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies) that are made during such three-year 
period are taken into account on each determination date during that 
period, based on the number of synthetic equity shares resulting from 
the additional accrual, allocation, or grant (determined as of the 
determination date on or next following the date of the accrual, 
allocation, or grant). See Example 3 of paragraph (h) of this section 
for an example illustrating this paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(C).
    (3) If, as permitted under this paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(C), an ESOP 
provides for the number of shares of synthetic equity to be fixed for a 
specified period from a determination date to a subsequent determination 
date, then that subsequent determination date can be changed to a new 
determination date, subject to the following conditions:
    (i) The change in the subsequent determination date must be 
effectuated through a plan amendment adopted before the new 
determination date;
    (ii) The new determination date must be earlier than the prior 
determination date (that is, the new determination date must be earlier 
than the determination date applicable in the absence of the plan 
amendment);
    (iii) The conditions in paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(C)(2) of this section 
must be satisfied measured from the new determination date; and
    (iv) Except to the extent permitted by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), the change 
must be adopted in connection with either a change in the plan year of 
the ESOP or a merger, consolidation, or transfer of plan assets of the 
ESOP under section 414(l) (and the new determination date must 
consistent with that plan year change or section 414(l) event).
    (4) Conditions for application of rules. This paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii)(C) only applies with respect to grants of synthetic equity 
to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies. In addition, paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii)(C) of this section applies only if the fair market value of 
a share of the S corporation securities on any determination date is not 
unrepresentative of the value of the S corporation securities throughout 
the rest of the plan year and only if the terms of the ESOP include 
provisions conforming to paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(C)(1) of this section 
which are consistently used by the ESOP for all persons. In addition, 
paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(C)(1) of this section applies only if the terms of 
the ESOP include provisions conforming to paragraphs (f)(4)(iii)(C)(1) 
of this section which are consistently used by the ESOP for all persons.
    (iv) Adjustment of number of synthetic equity shares where ESOP owns 
less than 100 percent of S corporation. The number of synthetic shares 
otherwise determined under this paragraph (f)(4) is decreased ratably to 
the extent that shares of the S corporation are owned by a person who is 
not an ESOP and

[[Page 662]]

who is subject to Federal income taxes. For example, if an S corporation 
has 200 outstanding shares, of which individual A owns 50 shares and the 
ESOP owns the other 150 shares, and individual B would be treated under 
this paragraph (f)(4) as owning 100 synthetic equity shares of the S 
corporation but for this paragraph (f)(4)(iv), then, under the rule of 
this paragraph (f)(4)(iv), the number of synthetic shares treated as 
owned by B under this paragraph (f)(4) is decreased from 100 to 75 
(because the ESOP only owns 75 percent of the outstanding stock of the S 
corporation, rather than 100 percent).
    (v) Special rule for shares with greater voting power than ESOP 
shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (f)(4), if 
a synthetic equity right includes (directly or indirectly) a right to 
purchase or receive shares of S corporation stock that have per-share 
voting rights greater than the per-share voting rights of one or more 
shares of S corporation stock held by the ESOP, then the number of 
shares of deemed owned synthetic equity attributable to such right is 
not less than the number of shares that would have the same voting 
rights if the shares had the same per-share voting rights as shares held 
by the ESOP with the least voting rights. For example, if shares of S 
corporation stock held by the ESOP have one voting right per share, then 
an individual who holds an option to purchase one share with 100 voting 
rights is treated as owning 100 shares of synthetic equity.
    (g) Avoidance or evasion of section 409(p) involving synthetic 
equity--(1) General rule. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section sets forth a 
standard for determining whether the principal purpose of the ownership 
structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). Paragraph (g)(3) of this section 
identifies certain specific ownership structures that constitute an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). See also paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section for a rule under which the ownership structures in 
paragraph (g)(3) of this section result in a nonallocation year for 
purposes of section 409(p).
    (2) Standard for determining when there is an avoidance or evasion 
of section 409(p) involving synthetic equity. For purposes of section 
409(p) and this section, whether the principal purpose of the ownership 
structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p) is determined by taking into 
account all the surrounding facts and circumstances, including all 
features of the ownership of the S corporation's outstanding stock and 
related obligations (including synthetic equity), any shareholders who 
are taxable entities, and the cash distributions made to shareholders, 
to determine whether, to the extent of the ESOP's stock ownership, the 
ESOP receives the economic benefits of ownership in the S corporation 
that occur during the period that stock of the S corporation is owned by 
the ESOP. Among the factors indicating that the ESOP receives those 
economic benefits include shareholder voting rights, the right to 
receive distributions made to shareholders, and the right to benefit 
from the profits earned by the S corporation, including the extent to 
which actual distributions of profits are made from the S corporation to 
the ESOP and the extent to which the ESOP's ownership interest in 
undistributed profits and future profits is subject to dilution as a 
result of synthetic equity. For example, the ESOP's ownership interest 
is not subject to dilution if the total amount of synthetic equity is a 
relatively small portion of the total number of shares and deemed-owned 
shares of the S corporation.
    (3) Specific transactions that constitute an avoidance or evasion of 
section 409(p) involving segregated profits. Taking into account the 
standard in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the principal purpose of 
the ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an avoidance or 
evasion of section 409(p) in any case in which--
    (i) The profits of the S corporation generated by the business 
activities of a specific individual or individuals are not provided to 
the ESOP, but are instead substantially accumulated and held for the 
benefit of the individual or individuals on a tax-deferred basis within 
an entity related to the S corporation, such as a partnership, trust, or 
corporation (such as in a subsidiary

[[Page 663]]

that is a disregarded entity), or any other method that has the same 
effect of segregating profits for the benefit of such individual or 
individuals (such as nonqualified deferred compensation described in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this section);
    (ii) The individual or individuals for whom profits are segregated 
have rights to acquire 50 percent or more of those profits directly or 
indirectly (for example, by purchase of the subsidiary); and
    (iii) A nonallocation year would occur if this section were 
separately applied with respect to either the separate entity or 
whatever method has the effect of segregating profits of the individual 
or individuals, treating such entity as a separate S corporation owned 
by an ESOP (or in the case of any other method of segregation of profits 
by treating those profits as the only assets of a separate S corporation 
owned by an ESOP).
    (h) Examples. The rules of this section are illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example 1. Relating to determination of disqualified persons and 
nonallocation year if there is no synthetic equity. (i) Facts. 
Corporation X is a calendar year S corporation that maintains an ESOP. X 
has a single class of common stock, of which there are a total of 1,200 
shares outstanding. X has no synthetic equity. In 2006, individual A, 
who is not an employee of X (and is not related to any employee of X), 
owns 100 shares directly, B, who is an employee of X, owns 100 shares 
directly, and the remaining 1,000 shares are owned by an ESOP maintained 
by X for its employees. The ESOP's 1,000 shares are allocated to the 
accounts of individuals who are employees of X (none of whom are 
related), as set forth in columns 1 and 2 in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 2                    3                          4
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
            1 Shareholders               Deemed-owned ESOP
                                          shares (total of    Percentage deemed-        Disqualified person
                                               1,000)         owned ESOP shares
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B.....................................                  330                   33  Yes.
C.....................................                  145                 14.5  Yes.
D.....................................                   75                  7.5  No.
E.....................................                   30                    3  No.
F.....................................                   20                    2  No.
Other participants....................              \1\ 400                (\2\)  No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ None exceed 10 shares.
\2\ 1% or less.

    (ii) Conclusion with respect to disqualified persons. As shown in 
column 4 in the table contained in paragraph (i) of Example 1, 
individuals B and C are disqualified persons for 2006 under paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section because each owns at least 10% of X's deemed-
owned ESOP shares. However, the synthetic equity shares owned by any 
person do not affect the calculation for any other person's ownership of 
shares.
    (iii) Conclusion with respect to nonallocation year. 2006 is not a 
nonallocation year under section 409(p) because disqualified persons do 
not own at least 50% of X's outstanding shares (the 100 shares owned 
directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, plus C's 145 deemed-
owned ESOP shares equal only 47.9% of the 1,200 outstanding shares of 
X).
    Example 2. Relating to determination of disqualified persons and 
nonallocation year if there is synthetic equity. (i) Facts. The facts 
are the same as in Example 1, except that, as shown in column 4 of the 
table in this Example 2, individuals E and F have options to acquire 110 
and 130 shares, respectively, of the common stock of X from X:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           2 Deemed-owned
                                             ESOP shares    3 Percentage      4 Options    5 Shareholder percentage of
              1 Shareholder                   (total of     deemed-owned        (240)         deemed-owned ESOP plus          6 Disqualified person
                                               1,000)        ESOP shares                     synthetic equity shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B........................................             330              33  ..............  ...........................  Yes (col. 3).
C........................................             145            14.5  ..............  ...........................  Yes (col. 3).
D........................................              75             7.5  ..............  ...........................  No.
E........................................              30               3             110  11.1% ([30 + 91.7] divided   Yes (col. 5).
                                                                                            by 1,091.7).
F........................................              20               2             130  11.6% ([20 + 108.3] divided  Yes (col. 5).
                                                                                            by 1,108.3).

[[Page 664]]

 
Other participants.......................         \1\ 400           (\2\)  ..............  ...........................  No.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ None exceeds 10 shares.
\2\ 1% or less.

    (ii) Conclusion with respect to disqualified persons. Individual E's 
synthetic equity shares are counted in determining whether E is a 
disqualified person for 2006, and individual F's synthetic equity shares 
are counted in determining whether F is a disqualified person for 2006. 
Applying the rule of paragraph (f)(4)(iv) of this section, E's option to 
acquire 110 shares of the S corporation converts under paragraph 
(f)(4)(iv) of this section, into 91.7 shares of synthetic equity (110 
times the ratio of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares to the sum of the 
1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares plus the 200 shares held outside the ESOP 
by A and B). Similarly, F's option to acquire 130 shares of the S 
corporation converts into 108.3 shares of synthetic equity (130 times 
the ratio of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares to the sum of the 1,000 
deemed-owned ESOP shares plus the 200 shares held outside the ESOP by A 
and B). However, the synthetic equity shares owned by any person do not 
affect the calculation for any other person's ownership of shares. 
Accordingly, as shown in column 6 in the table contained in paragraph 
(i) of Example 2, individuals B, C, E, and F are disqualified persons 
for 2006.
    (iii) Conclusion with respect to nonallocation year. The 100 shares 
owned directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, C's 145 deemed-
owned ESOP shares, E's 30 deemed-owned ESOP shares, E's 91.7 synthetic 
equity shares, F's 20 deemed-owned ESOP shares, plus F's 108.3 synthetic 
equity shares total 825, which equals 58.9% of 1,400, which is the sum 
of the 1,200 outstanding shares of X and the 200 shares of synthetic 
equity shares of X held by disqualified persons. Thus, 2006 is a 
nonallocation year for X's ESOP under section 409(p) because 
disqualified persons own at least 50% of the total shares of outstanding 
stock of X and the total synthetic equity shares of X held by 
disqualified persons. In addition, independent of the preceding 
conclusion, 2006 would be a nonallocation year because disqualified 
persons own at least 50% of X's outstanding shares because the 100 
shares owned directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, C's 145 
deemed-owned ESOP shares, E's 30 deemed-owned ESOP shares, plus F's 20 
deemed-owned ESOP shares equal 52.1% of the 1,200 outstanding shares of 
X.
    Example 3. Relating to determination of number of shares of 
synthetic equity. (i) Facts. Corporation Y is a calendar year S 
corporation that maintains an ESOP. Y has a single class of common 
stock, of which there are a total of 1,000 shares outstanding, all of 
which are owned by the ESOP. Y has no synthetic equity, except for four 
grants of nonqualified deferred compensation that are made to an 
individual during the period from 2005 through 2011, as set forth in 
column 2 in the following table. The ESOP provides for the special rules 
in paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section to determine the number of 
shares of synthetic equity owned by that individual with a determination 
date of January 1 and the triennial rule redetermining value, as shown 
in columns 4 and 5:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             1                          2                          3                     4               5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Aggregate
                                                                                   New shares of     number of
                                 Present value of                                    synthetic       synthetic
    Determination date        nonqualified deferred          Share value on          equity on     equity shares
                                 compensation on           determination date      determination        on
                                determination date                                     date        determination
                                                                                                       date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 2005...........  A grant is made on         $10 per share............             100             100
                             January 1, 2005, with a
                             present value of $1,000.
                             An additional grant of
                             nonqualified deferred
                             compensation with a
                             present value of $775 is
                             made on March 1, 2005.
January 1, 2006...........  An additional grant is     $8 per share.............             200             300
                             made on December 31,
                             2005, which has a
                             present value of $800 on
                             January 1, 2006. The
                             March 1, 2005, grant has
                             a present value on
                             January 1, 2006, of $800.
January 1, 2007...........  No new grants made.......  $12 per share............  ..............             300
January 1, 2008...........  An additional grant is     $15 per share............             200             450
                             made on December 31,
                             2007, which has a
                             present value of $3,000
                             on January 1, 2008. The
                             grants made during 2005
                             through 2007 have an
                             aggregate present value
                             on January 1, 2008, of
                             $3,750.

[[Page 665]]

 
January 1, 2009...........  No new grants are made...  $11 per share............  ..............             450
January 1, 2010...........  No new grants are made...  $22 per share............  ..............             450
January 1, 2011...........  No new grants are made.    $20 per share............  ..............             380
                             The grants made during
                             2005 through 2008 have
                             an aggregate present
                             value on January 1,
                             2011, of $7,600.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Conclusion. The grant made on January 1, 2005, is treated as 
100 shares until the determination date in 2008. The grant made on March 
1, 2005, is not taken into account until the 2006 determination date and 
its present value on that date, along with the then present value of the 
grant made on December 31, 2005, is treated as a number of shares that 
are based on the $8 per share value on the 2006 determination date, with 
the resulting number of shares continuing to apply until the 
determination date in 2008. On the January 1, 2008, determination date, 
the grant made on the preceding day is taken into account at its present 
value of $3,000 on January 1, 2008 and the $15 per share value on that 
date with the resulting number of shares (200) continuing to apply until 
the next determination date. In addition, on the January 1, 2008, 
determination date, the number of shares determined under other grants 
made between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, must be revalued. 
Accordingly, the aggregate value of all nonqualified deferred 
compensation granted during that period is determined to be $3750 on 
January 1, 2008, and the corresponding number of shares of synthetic 
equity based on the $15 per share value is determined to be 250 shares 
on the 2008 determination date, with the resulting aggregate number of 
shares (450) continuing to apply until the determination date in 2011. 
On the January 1, 2011, determination date, the aggregate value of all 
nonqualified deferred compensation is determined to be $7,600 and the 
corresponding number of shares of synthetic equity based on the $20 per 
share value on the 2011 determination date is determined to be 380 
shares (with the resulting number of shares continuing to apply until 
the day before the determination date in 2014, assuming no further 
grants are made).

    (i) Effective dates--(1) Statutory effective date. (i) Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section, section 
409(p) applies for plan years ending after March 14, 2001.
    (ii) If an ESOP holding stock in an S corporation was established on 
or before March 14, 2001, and the election under section 1362(a) with 
respect to that S corporation was in effect on March 14, 2001, section 
409(p) applies for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2005.
    (2) Regulatory effective date. This section applies for plan years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2006. For plan years beginning before 
January 1, 2006, Sec. 1.409(p)-1T (as it appeared in the April 1, 2005, 
edition of 26 CFR part 1) applies.

[T.D. 9302, 71 FR 76137, Dec. 20, 2006]



Sec. 1.409(p)-1T  Prohibited allocations of securities in an
S corporation (temporary).

    (a) Organization of this section. Section 409(p) applies if a 
nonallocation year occurs in an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), as 
defined in section 4975(e)(7), that holds shares of stock of an S 
corporation, as defined in section 1361, that are employer securities as 
defined in section 409(l). Paragraph (b) of this section sets forth the 
general rule under section 409(p)(1) and (2) prohibiting any accrual or 
allocation to a disqualified person in a nonallocation year. Paragraph 
(c) of this section sets forth rules under section 409(p)(3), (5), and 
(7) for determining whether a year is a nonallocation year, generally 
based on whether disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the 
shares of the S corporation, either taking into account only the 
outstanding shares of the S corporation (including shares held by the 
ESOP) or taking into account both the outstanding shares and synthetic 
equity of the S corporation. Paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this 
section contain definitions of disqualified person under section 
409(p)(4) and (5), deemed-owned ESOP shares under section 409(p)(4)(C), 
and

[[Page 666]]

synthetic equity under section 409(p)(6)(C). Paragraph (g) of this 
section contains a standard for determining when the principal purpose 
of the ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an avoidance 
or evasion of section 409(p). The definitions used in section 409(p) and 
this section are also applicable for purposes of section 4979A, which 
imposes an excise tax on certain events, including a nonallocation year 
under section 409(p).
    (b) Prohibited allocation in a nonallocation year--(1) General rule. 
An ESOP holding employer securities consisting of stock in an S 
corporation must provide that no portion of the assets of the plan 
attributable to (or allocable in lieu of) such employer securities may, 
during a nonallocation year, accrue under the ESOP, or be allocated 
directly or indirectly under any plan of the employer (including the 
ESOP) meeting the requirements of section 401(a), for the benefit of any 
disqualified person (a prohibited allocation).
    (2) Additional rules--(i) Prohibited allocation definition. For 
purposes of section 409(p)(2)(A) and paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
there is a prohibited allocation (i.e., assets accrue or are allocated 
as prohibited under paragraph (b)(1) of this section) if there is either 
an impermissible accrual as defined in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this 
section or an impermissible allocation as defined in paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) of this section. The amount of the prohibited allocation is 
equal to the sum of the impermissible accrual plus the amount of the 
impermissible allocation (if any).
    (ii) Impermissible accrual. There is an impermissible accrual to the 
extent (and only to the extent) that employer securities consisting of 
stock in an S corporation owned by the ESOP and any assets attributable 
thereto are held under the ESOP for the benefit of a disqualified person 
during a nonallocation year. For this purpose, assets attributable to S 
corporation securities include any distributions, within the meaning of 
section 1368, made on S corporation stock held in a disqualified 
person's account in the ESOP (including earnings thereon), plus any 
proceeds from the sale of S corporation securities held for a 
disqualified person's account in the ESOP (including any earnings 
thereon). Thus, for example, in the event of a nonallocation year, all S 
corporation shares and all other ESOP assets attributable to S 
corporation stock, including distributions, sales proceeds, and earnings 
on either the distribution or proceeds, held for the account of such 
disqualified person in the ESOP during that year are an impermissible 
accrual for the benefit of that person, whether attributable to 
contributions in the current year or in prior years.
    (iii) Impermissible allocation. An impermissible allocation means 
any allocation for a disqualified person directly or indirectly under 
any plan of the employer qualified under section 401(a) that occurs 
during a nonallocation year to the extent that a contribution or other 
annual addition is made, or the disqualified person otherwise accrues 
additional benefits, under the ESOP or any other plan of the employer 
qualified under section 401(a) (including a release and allocation of 
assets from a suspense account, as described at Sec. 54.4975-11(c) and 
(d) of this chapter) that, for the nonallocation year, would otherwise 
have been added to the account of the disqualified person under the ESOP 
and invested in employer securities consisting of stock in an S 
corporation owned by the ESOP but for a provision in the ESOP to comply 
with section 409(p).
    (iv) Effects of prohibited allocation--(A) Deemed distribution. If 
there is a prohibited allocation, the amount of the prohibited 
allocation, as determined under this paragraph (b)(2), is treated as 
distributed from the ESOP (or other plan of the employer) to the 
disqualified person on the first day of the plan year on which there is 
an impermissible accrual or on the date of the allocation in the case of 
an additional impermissible accrual or impermissible allocation during 
the plan year but after the first day of the plan year. Thus, the fair 
market value of assets in the disqualified person's account that 
constitutes an impermissible accrual or allocation is included in gross 
income (to the extent in excess of any investment in the contract 
allocable to such amount) and is subject to any additional income tax 
that applies

[[Page 667]]

under section 72(t). A deemed distribution under this paragraph 
(b)(2)(iv)(A) is not an actual distribution from the ESOP. Thus, the 
amount of the prohibited allocation is not an eligible rollover 
distribution under section 402(c). However, for purposes of applying 
sections 72 and 402 with respect to any subsequent distribution from the 
ESOP, the amount that the disqualified person previously took into 
account as income as a result of the deemed distribution is treated as 
an investment in the contract.
    (B) Other effects. If there is a prohibited allocation, then the 
plan fails to satisfy the requirements of section 4975(e)(7) and ceases 
to be an ESOP. In such a case, the exemption from the excise tax on 
prohibited transactions for loans to leveraged ESOPs contained in 
section 4975(d)(3) would cease to apply to any loan (with the result 
that the employer would owe an excise tax with respect to the previously 
exempt loan) and, further, the exception in section 512(e)(3) would not 
apply to the plan (with the result that the plan may owe income tax as a 
result of unrelated business taxable income under section 512 with 
respect to S corporation stock held by the plan). See also section 
4979A(a) which imposes an excise tax in certain events, including a 
prohibited allocation under section 409(p).
    (v) Prevention of prohibited allocation--(A) Transfer of account to 
non-ESOP. An ESOP may prevent a nonallocation year or a prohibited 
allocation during a nonallocation year by permitting assets (including S 
corporation securities) allocated to the account of a disqualified 
person (or a person reasonably expected to become a disqualified person 
absent a transfer described in this paragraph (b)(2)(v)(A)) to be 
transferred into a separate portion of the plan that is not an ESOP, as 
described in Sec. 54.4975-11(a)(5) of this chapter, or to another plan 
of the employer that satisfies the requirements of section 401(a) (and 
that is not an ESOP). In the event of such a transfer involving S 
corporation securities, the recipient plan is subject to tax on 
unrelated business taxable income under section 512.
    (B) Relief from nondiscrimination requirement. Pursuant to this 
paragraph (b)(2)(v)(B), if a transfer described in paragraph 
(b)(2)(v)(A) of this section is made from an ESOP to a separate portion 
of the plan or to another qualified plan of the employer that is not an 
ESOP, then both the ESOP and the plan or portion of a plan that is not 
an ESOP will not fail to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 
merely because of the transfer. Further, subsequent to the transfer, 
that plan will not fail to satisfy the requirements of Sec. 
1.401(a)(4)-4 merely because of the benefits, rights, or features with 
respect to the transferred benefits if those benefits, rights, or 
features would satisfy the requirements of Sec. 1.401(a)(4)-4 if the 
mandatory disaggregation rule for ESOPs at Sec. 1.410(b)-7(c)(2) did 
not apply.
    (c) Nonallocation year--(1) Definition generally. For purposes of 
section 409(p) and this section, a nonallocation year means a plan year 
of an ESOP during which, at any time, the ESOP holds any employer 
securities that are shares of an S corporation and either--
    (i) Disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the number of 
outstanding shares of stock in the S corporation (including deemed-owned 
ESOP shares); or
    (ii) Disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the sum of:
    (A) The outstanding shares of stock in the S corporation (including 
deemed-owned ESOP shares), plus
    (B) The shares of synthetic equity in the S corporation owned by 
disqualified persons.
    (2) Attribution rules. For purposes of this paragraph (c), the rules 
of section 318(a) apply to determine ownership of shares in the S 
corporation (including deemed-owned ESOP shares) and synthetic equity. 
However, for this purpose, section 318(a)(4) (relating to options to 
acquire stock) is disregarded and, in applying section 318(a)(1), the 
members of an individual's family include members of the individual's 
family under paragraph (d)(2) of this section. In addition, an 
individual is treated as owning deemed-owned ESOP shares of that 
individual notwithstanding the employee trust exception in section 
318(a)(2)(B)(i). If the attribution rules in paragraph (f)(1) of this

[[Page 668]]

section apply, then the rules of paragraph (f)(1) of this section are 
applied before the rules of this paragraph (c)(2).
    (3) Special rule for avoidance or evasion. (i) The ownership 
structures described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section result in a 
nonallocation year. In addition, under the ownership structures 
described in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, the individual referred 
to in paragraph (g)(3) of this section is treated as a disqualified 
person and that person's interest in the separate entity is treated as 
synthetic equity.
    (ii) Under section 409(p)(7)(B), the Commissioner, in revenue 
rulings, notices, and other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin (see Sec. 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b) of this chapter), may provide 
that a nonallocation year occurs in any case in which the principal 
purpose of the ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). For any year that is a 
nonallocation year under this paragraph (c)(3), the Commissioner may 
treat any person as a disqualified person. See paragraph (g) of this 
section for guidance regarding when the principal purpose of an 
ownership structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity 
constitutes an avoidance or evasion of section 409(p).
    (4) Special rule for certain stock rights. (i) For purposes of 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a person is treated as owning stock 
that the person has a right to acquire if, at all times during the 
period when such right is effective, the stock that the person has the 
right to acquire is both issued and outstanding and is held by persons 
other than the ESOP, the S corporation, or a related entity (as defined 
in paragraph (f)(3) of this section).
    (ii) This paragraph (c)(4) applies only if treating persons as 
owning the shares described in paragraph (c)(4)(i) of this section 
results in a nonallocation year. This paragraph (c)(4) does not apply to 
a right to acquire stock of an S corporation held by a shareholder 
subject to Federal income tax that, under Sec. 1.1361-1(l)(2)(iii) or 
(l)(4)(iii)(C), would not be taken into account in determining if an S 
corporation has a second class of stock provided that a principal 
purpose of the right is not the avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). 
Under the last sentence of paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, this 
paragraph (c)(4)(ii) does not apply for purposes of determining 
ownership of deemed-owned ESOP shares or whether an interest constitutes 
synthetic equity.
    (5) Application with respect to shares treated as owned by more than 
one person. For purposes of applying paragraph (c)(1) of this section, 
if, by application of the rules of paragraph (c)(2), (c)(4), or (f)(1) 
of this section, any share is treated as owned by more than one person, 
then that share is counted as a single share and that share is treated 
as owned by disqualified persons if any of the owners is a disqualified 
person.
    (6) Effect of nonallocation year. See paragraph (b) of this section 
for a prohibition applicable during a nonallocation year. See also 
section 4979A for an excise tax applicable in certain cases, including 
section 4979A(a)(3) and (4) which applies during a nonallocation year 
(whether or not there is a prohibited allocation during the year).
    (d) Disqualified persons--(1) General definition. For purposes of 
section 409(p) and this section, a disqualified person means any person 
for whom--
    (i) The number of such person's deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation is at least 10 percent of the number of the deemed-owned 
ESOP shares of the S corporation;
    (ii) The aggregate number of such person's deemed-owned ESOP shares 
and synthetic equity shares of the S corporation is at least 10 percent 
of the sum of:
    (A) The total number of deemed-owned ESOP shares; and
    (B) The person's synthetic equity shares of the S corporation;
    (iii) The aggregate number of the S corporation's deemed-owned ESOP 
shares of such person and of the members of such person's family is at 
least 20 percent of the number of deemed-owned ESOP shares of the S 
corporation; or
    (iv) The aggregate number of the S corporation's deemed-owned ESOP 
shares and synthetic equity shares of such person and of the members of 
such person's family is at least 20 percent of the sum of:
    (A) The total number of deemed-owned ESOP shares, and

[[Page 669]]

    (B) The synthetic equity shares of the S corporation owned by such 
person and the members of such person's family.
    (2) Treatment of family members; definition--(i) Rule. Each member 
of the family of any person who is a disqualified person under paragraph 
(d)(1) (iii) or (iv) of this section is a disqualified person.
    (ii) General definition. For purposes of section 409(p) and this 
section, member of the family means, with respect to an individual--
    (A) The spouse of the individual;
    (B) An ancestor or lineal descendant of the individual or the 
individual's spouse;
    (C) A brother or sister of the individual or of the individual's 
spouse and any lineal descendant of the brother or sister; and
    (D) The spouse of any individual described in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) 
(B) or (C) of this section.
    (iii) Spouse. A spouse of an individual who is legally separated 
from such individual under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance 
is not treated as such individual's spouse under paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(A) 
of this section.
    (3) Special rule for certain nonallocation years. See paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section (relating to avoidance or evasion of section 
409(p)) for special rules permitting certain persons to be treated as 
disqualified persons in certain nonallocation years.
    (4) Example. The rules of this paragraph (d) are illustrated by the 
following example:

    Example. (i) Facts. An S corporation has 800 outstanding shares of 
which 100 are owned by individual O and 700 are held in an employee 
stock ownership plan (ESOP) during 2005, including 200 shares held in 
the ESOP account of O, 65 shares held in the ESOP account of participant 
P, and 40 shares held in the ESOP account of participant Q who is P's 
spouse. The S corporation has no synthetic equity.
    (ii) Conclusion. O is a disqualified person during 2005 because O's 
account in the ESOP holds at least 10 percent of the shares owned by the 
ESOP (200 is 28.6 percent of 700). In addition, P is a disqualified 
person during 2005 because, under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, P is 
treated as owning the shares held by Q and P's total deemed-owned shares 
are thus at least 10 percent of the shares owned by the plan (65 plus 40 
is more than 10 percent of 700). In addition, Q is a disqualified person 
as a result of the rules in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. As a 
result, disqualified persons own at least 50 percent of the outstanding 
shares of the S corporation during 2005 (O's 100 directly owned shares, 
O's 200 deemed-owned shares, P's 65 deemed-owned shares, plus Q's 40 
deemed owned shares are 50.6 percent of 800).

    (e) Deemed-owned ESOP shares. For purposes of section 409(p) and 
this section, a person is treated as owning his or her deemed-owned ESOP 
shares.
    Deemed-owned ESOP shares mean, with respect to any person--
    (1) Any shares of stock in the S corporation constituting employer 
securities that are allocated to such person's account under the ESOP; 
and
    (2) Such person's share of the stock in the S corporation that is 
held by the ESOP but is not allocated to the account of any participant 
or beneficiary (with such person's share to be determined in the same 
proportion as the shares released and allocated from a suspense account, 
as described at Sec. 54.4975-11(c) and (d) of this chapter, under the 
ESOP for the most recently ended plan year for which there were shares 
released and allocated from a suspense account, or if there has been no 
such prior release and allocation from a suspense account, then 
determined in proportion to a reasonable estimate of the shares that 
would be released and allocated in the first year of loan repayment).
    (f) Synthetic equity--(1) Ownership of synthetic equity. For 
purposes of section 409(p) and this section, synthetic equity is treated 
as owned by a person in the same manner as stock is treated as owned by 
a person, directly or under the rules of section 318(a)(2) and (3). 
Synthetic equity means the rights described in paragraph (f)(2) of this 
section.
    (2) Synthetic equity--(i) Rights to acquire stock of the S 
corporation. Synthetic equity includes any stock option, warrant, 
restricted stock, deferred issuance stock right, stock appreciation 
right payable in stock, or similar interest or right that gives the 
holder the right to acquire or receive stock of the S corporation in the 
future. Rights to acquire stock in an S corporation with respect to 
stock that is, at all times during the period when

[[Page 670]]

such rights are effective, both issued and outstanding and held by 
persons (who are subject to federal income taxes) other than the ESOP, 
the S corporation, or a related entity are not synthetic equity (but see 
paragraph (c)(4) of this section).
    (ii) Special rule for certain stock rights. Synthetic equity also 
includes a right to a future payment (payable in cash or any other form 
other than stock of the S corporation) from an S corporation that is 
based on the value of the stock of the S corporation, such as 
appreciation in such value. Thus, synthetic equity includes a stock 
appreciation right with respect to stock of an S corporation that is 
payable in cash or a phantom stock unit with respect to stock of an S 
corporation that is payable in cash.
    (iii) Rights to acquire interests in or assets of an S corporation 
or a related entity. Synthetic equity includes a right to acquire stock 
or other similar interests in a related entity to the extent of the S 
corporation's ownership. Synthetic equity also includes a right to 
acquire assets of an S corporation or a related entity other than either 
rights to acquire goods, services, or property at fair market value in 
the ordinary course of business or fringe benefits excluded from gross 
income under section 132.
    (iv) Special rule for nonqualified deferred compensation. (A) 
Synthetic equity also includes any of the following with respect to an S 
corporation or a related entity: any remuneration to which section 
404(a)(5) applies; remuneration for which a deduction would be permitted 
under section 404(a)(5) if separate accounts were maintained; any right 
to receive property to which section 83 applies (including a payment to 
a trust described in section 402(b) or to an annuity described in 
section 403(c)) in a future year for the performance of services; any 
transfer of property (to which section 83 applies) in connection with 
the performance of services to the extent that the property is not 
substantially vested within the meaning of Sec. 1.83-3(i) by the end of 
the plan year in which transferred; and a split-dollar life insurance 
arrangement under Sec. 1.61-22(b) entered into in connection with the 
performance of services (other than one under which, at all times, the 
only economic benefit that will be provided under the arrangement is 
current life insurance protection as described in Sec. 1.61-22(d)(3)). 
Synthetic equity also includes any other remuneration for services under 
a plan, or method or arrangement, deferring the receipt of compensation 
to a date that is after the 15th day of the 3rd calendar month after the 
end of the entity's taxable year in which the related services are 
rendered. However, synthetic equity does not include benefits under a 
plan that is an eligible retirement plan within the meaning of section 
402(c)(8)(B).
    (B) For purposes of applying paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section 
with respect to an ESOP, synthetic equity does not include any interest 
described in such paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(A) of this section to the extent 
that--
    (1) The interest is nonqualified deferred compensation (within the 
meaning of section 3121(v)(2)) that was outstanding on December 17, 
2004;
    (2) The interest is an amount that was taken into account (within 
the meaning of Sec. 31.3121(v)(2)-1(d) of this chapter) prior to 
January 1, 2005, for purposes of taxation under chapter 21 of the 
Internal Revenue Code (or income attributable thereto); and
    (3) The interest was held before the first date on which the ESOP 
acquires any employer securities.
    (v) No overlap among shares of deemed-owned ESOP shares or synthetic 
equity. Synthetic equity under this paragraph (f)(2) does not include 
shares that are deemed-owned ESOP shares (or any rights with respect to 
deemed-owned ESOP shares to the extent such rights are specifically 
permitted under section 409(h)). In addition, synthetic equity under a 
specific subparagraph of this paragraph (f)(2) does not include anything 
that is synthetic equity under paragraph (f)(2)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) 
of this section.
    (3) Related entity. For purposes of this paragraph (f), related 
entity means any entity in which the S corporation holds an interest and 
which is a partnership, a trust, an eligible entity that is disregarded 
as an entity that is separate from its owner under Sec. 301.7701-3 of 
this

[[Page 671]]

chapter, or a Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary under section 
1361(b)(3).
    (4) Number of synthetic shares--(i) Synthetic equity determined by 
reference to S corporation shares. In the case of synthetic equity that 
is determined by reference to shares of stock of the S corporation, the 
person who is entitled to the synthetic equity is treated as owning the 
number of shares of stock deliverable pursuant to such synthetic equity. 
In the case of synthetic equity that is determined by reference to 
shares of stock of the S corporation, but for which payment is made in 
cash or other property (besides stock of the S corporation), the number 
of shares of synthetic equity treated as owned is equal to the number of 
shares of stock having a fair market value equal to the cash or other 
property (disregarding lapse restrictions as described in Sec. 1.83-
3(i)). Where such synthetic equity is a right to purchase or receive S 
corporation shares, the corresponding number of shares of synthetic 
equity is determined without regard to lapse restrictions as described 
in Sec. 1.83-3(i) or to any amount required to be paid in exchange for 
the shares. Thus, for example, if a corporation grants an employee of an 
S corporation an option to purchase 100 shares of the corporation's 
stock, exercisable in the future only after the satisfaction of certain 
performance conditions, the employee is the deemed owner of 100 
synthetic equity shares of the corporation as of the date the option is 
granted. If the same employee were granted 100 shares of restricted S 
corporation stock (or restricted stock units), subject to forfeiture 
until the satisfaction of performance or service conditions, the 
employee would likewise be the deemed owner of 100 synthetic equity 
shares from the grant date. However, if the same employee were granted a 
stock appreciation right with regard to 100 shares of S corporation 
stock (whether payable in stock or in cash), the number of synthetic 
equity shares the employee is deemed to own equals the number of shares 
having a value equal to the appreciation at the time of measurement 
(determined without regard to lapse restrictions).
    (ii) Synthetic equity determined by reference to shares in a related 
entity. In the case of synthetic equity that is determined by reference 
to shares of stock (or similar interests) in a related entity, the 
person who is entitled to the synthetic equity is treated as owning 
shares of stock of the S corporation with the same aggregate value as 
the number of shares of stock (or similar interests) of the related 
entity (with such value determined without regard to any lapse 
restriction as defined at Sec. 1.83-3(i)).
    (iii) Other synthetic equity--(A) General rule. In the case of any 
synthetic equity to which neither paragraph (f)(4)(i) nor paragraph 
(f)(4)(ii) of this section apply, the person who is entitled to the 
synthetic equity is treated as owning on any date a number of shares of 
stock in the S corporation equal to the present value (on that date) of 
the synthetic equity (with such value determined without regard to any 
lapse restriction as defined at Sec. 1.83-3(i)) divided by the fair 
market value of a share of the S corporation's stock as of that date.
    (B) Special rules--(1) Use of annual or more frequent determination 
dates. For purposes of this paragraph (f)(4)(iii), while the 
determination of whether there is a nonallocation year depends on day-
by-day determinations under paragraph (c) of this section, the number of 
shares of S corporation stock treated as owned by a person who is 
entitled to synthetic equity to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies 
is permitted to be determined only annually (or more frequently), as of 
the first day of the ESOP's plan year or as of any other reasonable 
determination date or dates during a plan year. If the ESOP so provides, 
the number of shares of synthetic equity to which this paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii) applies that are treated as owned by that person for any 
period from a given determination date through the date immediately 
preceding the next following determination date is the number of shares 
treated as owned on the given determination date.
    (2) Use of triannual recalculations. In addition, if the terms of 
the ESOP so provide, then the number of shares of synthetic equity with 
respect to grants of synthetic equity to which this paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii) applies may be fixed for

[[Page 672]]

a specified period from a determination date identified under the ESOP 
through a date that is not later than the day before the determination 
date that is on or immediately preceding the third anniversary of the 
identified determination date. Additional accruals, allocations, or 
grants (to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies) that are made 
during such three-year period are taken into account on each 
determination date during that period, based on the number of synthetic 
equity shares resulting from the additional accrual, allocation, or 
grant (determined as of the determination date on or next following the 
date of the accrual, allocation, or grant). However, the ESOP must 
provide for the number of shares of synthetic equity to which this 
paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies to be re-determined not less frequently 
than every three years, based on the S corporation share value on a 
determination date that is not later than the third anniversary of the 
identified determination date and the aggregate present value of the 
synthetic equity to which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies (including 
all grants made during the three-year period) on that determination 
date. See Example 3 of paragraph (h) of this section for an example 
illustrating this paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(B)(2).
    (3) Conditions for application of rules. Paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(B) of 
this section only applies with respect to grants of synthetic equity to 
which this paragraph (f)(4)(iii) applies. In addition, paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii)(B)(1) of this section applies only if the fair market value 
of a share of the S corporation securities on any determination date is 
not unrepresentative of the value of the S corporation securities 
throughout the rest of the plan year and only if the terms of the ESOP 
include provisions conforming to paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(B)(1) of this 
section which are consistently used by the ESOP for all persons. In 
addition, paragraph (f)(4)(iii)(B)(2) of this section applies only if 
the terms of the ESOP include provisions conforming to paragraphs 
(f)(4)(iii)(B)(1) and (2) of this section which are consistently used by 
the ESOP for all persons.
    (iv) Adjustment of number of synthetic equity shares where ESOP owns 
less than 100% of S corporation. Under this paragraph (f)(4)(iv), the 
number of synthetic shares otherwise determined under this paragraph 
(f)(4) is decreased ratably to the extent that shares of the S 
corporation are owned by a person who is not an ESOP (and who is subject 
to Federal income taxes). For example, if an S corporation has 200 
outstanding shares, of which individual A owns 50 shares and the ESOP 
owns the other 150 shares, and individual B would be treated under this 
paragraph (f)(4) as owning 200 synthetic equity shares of the S 
corporation but for this paragraph (f)(4)(iv), then, under the rule of 
this paragraph (f)(4)(iv), the number of synthetic shares treated as 
owned by B under this paragraph (f)(4) is decreased from 200 to 150 
(because the ESOP only owns 75% of the outstanding stock of the S 
corporation, rather than 100%).
    (v) Special rule for shares with greater voting power than ESOP 
shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (f)(4), if 
a synthetic equity right includes (directly or indirectly) a right to 
purchase or receive shares of S corporation stock that have per-share 
voting rights greater than the per-share voting rights of one or more 
shares of S corporation stock held by the ESOP, then the number of 
shares of deemed owned synthetic equity attributable to such right is 
not less than the number of shares that would have the same voting 
rights if the shares had the same per-share voting rights as shares held 
by the ESOP with the least voting rights. For example, if shares of S 
corporation stock held by the ESOP have one voting right per share, then 
an individual who holds an option to purchase one share with 100 voting 
rights is treated as owning 100 shares of synthetic equity.
    (g) Avoidance or evasion of section 409(p) involving synthetic 
equity--(1) General rule. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section sets forth a 
standard for determining whether the principal purpose of the ownership 
structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). Paragraph (g)(3) of this section 
identifies certain specific ownership structures that constitute an

[[Page 673]]

avoidance or evasion of section 409(p). See also paragraph (c)(3) of 
this section for a rule under which the ownership structures in 
paragraph (g)(3) result in a nonallocation year for purposes of section 
409(p).
    (2) Standard for determining when there is an avoidance or evasion 
of section 409(p) involving synthetic equity--For purposes of section 
409(p) and this section, whether the principal purpose of the ownership 
structure of an S corporation involving synthetic equity constitutes an 
avoidance or evasion of section 409(p) is determined by taking into 
account all the surrounding facts and circumstances, including all 
features of the ownership of the S corporation's outstanding stock and 
related obligations (including synthetic equity), any shareholders who 
are taxable entities, and the cash distributions made to shareholders, 
to determine whether, to the extent of the ESOP's stock ownership, the 
ESOP receives the economic benefits of ownership in the S corporation 
that occur during the period that stock of the S corporation is owned by 
the ESOP. Among the factors indicating that the ESOP receives these 
economic benefits include shareholder voting rights, the right to 
receive distributions made to shareholders, and the right to benefit 
from the profits earned by the S corporation, including the extent to 
which actual distributions of profits are made from the S corporation to 
the ESOP and the extent to which the ESOP's ownership interest in 
undistributed profits and future profits is subject to dilution as a 
result of synthetic equity, for example, the ESOP's ownership interest 
is not subject to dilution if the total amount of synthetic equity is a 
relatively small portion of the total number of shares and deemed-owned 
shares of the S corporation.
    (3) Specific transactions that constitute an avoidance or evasion of 
section 409(p) involving segregated profits. Taking into account the 
standard in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the principal purpose of 
the ownership structure of an S corporation constitutes an avoidance or 
evasion of section 409(p) in any case in which--
    (i) The profits of the S corporation generated by the business 
activities of a specific individual or individuals are not provided to 
the ESOP, but are instead substantially accumulated and held for the 
benefit of that individual or individuals on a tax-deferred basis within 
an entity related to the S corporation, such as a partnership, trust, or 
corporation (such as in a subsidiary that is a disregarded entity), or 
any other method that has the same effect of segregating profits for the 
benefit of such individual or individuals (such as nonqualified deferred 
compensation described in paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of this section);
    (ii) The individual or individuals for whom profits are segregated 
have rights to acquire 50 percent or more of those profits directly or 
indirectly (for example, by purchase of the subsidiary); and
    (iii) A nonallocation year would occur if this section were 
separately applied with respect to either the separate entity or 
whatever method has the effect of segregating profits of the individual 
or individuals, treating such entity as a separate S corporation owned 
by an ESOP (or in the case of any other method of segregation of profits 
by treating those profits as the only assets of a separate S corporation 
owned by an ESOP).
    (h) Examples. The rules of this section are illustrated by the 
following examples:

    Example 1. Relating to determination of disqualified persons and 
nonallocation year if there is no synthetic equity. (i) Facts. 
Corporation X is a calendar year S corporation that maintains an ESOP. X 
has a single class of common stock, of which there are a total of 1,200 
shares outstanding. X has no synthetic equity. In 2006, individual A, 
who is not an employee of X (and is not related to any employee of X), 
owns 100 shares directly, individual B owns 100 shares directly, and the 
remaining 1,000 shares are owned by an ESOP maintained by X for its 
employees. The ESOP's 1,000 shares are allocated to the accounts of 
individuals who are employees of X (none of whom are related), as set 
forth in columns 1 and 2 in the following table:

[[Page 674]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          2 Deemed-owned ESOP      3 Percentage deemed-    4 Disqualified person
            1 Shareholders              shares (total of 1,000)      owned ESOP shares
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B....................................  330.....................  33......................  Yes.
C....................................  145.....................  14.5....................  Yes.
D....................................  75......................  7.5.....................  No.
E....................................  30......................  3.......................  No.
F....................................  20......................  2.......................  No.
Other participants...................  400 (none exceed 10       1 or less...............  No.
                                        shares).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Conclusion with respect to disqualified persons. As shown in 
column 4 in the table above, individuals B and C are disqualified 
persons for 2006 under paragraph (d)(1) of this section because each 
owns at least 10% of X's deemed-owned ESOP shares.
    (iii) Conclusion with respect to nonallocation year. However, 2006 
is not a nonallocation year under section 409(p) because disqualified 
persons do not own at least 50% of X's outstanding shares (the 100 
shares owned directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, plus C's 
145 deemed-owned ESOP shares equal only 47.9% of the 1,200 outstanding 
shares of X).
    Example 2. Relating to determination of disqualified persons and 
nonallocation year if there is synthetic equity. (i) Facts. The facts 
are the same as in Example 1, except that, as shown in column 4 of the 
table in this example 2, individuals E and F have options to acquire 110 
and 130 shares, respectively, of the common stock of X from X:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             5 Shareholder
                                        2 Deemed-owned ESOP      3 Percentage deemed-      4 Options     percentage of deemed-
           1 Shareholders             shares (total of 1,000)     owned ESOP shares          (240)          owned ESOP plus       6 Disqualified person
                                                                                                        synthetic equity shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B...................................  330....................  33.....................  ..............  .......................  Yes (col. 3).
C...................................  145....................  14.5...................  ..............  .......................  Yes (col. 3).
D...................................  75.....................  7.5....................  ..............  .......................  No.
E...................................  30.....................  3......................             110  11.1% ([30 + 91.7]       Yes (col. 5).
                                                                                                         divided by 1,091.7).
F...................................  20.....................  2......................             130  11.6% ([20 + 108.3]      Yes (col. 5).
                                                                                                         divided by 1,108.3).
Other participants..................  400 (none exceeds 10     1 or less..............  ..............  .......................  No.
                                       shares).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Conclusion with respect to disqualified persons. Applying the 
rule of paragraph (f)(4)(iv) of this section, E's option to acquire 110 
shares of the S corporation converts into 91.7 shares of synthetic 
equity (110 times the ratio of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares to the 
sum of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares plus the 200 shares held 
outside the ESOP by A and B). Similarly, F's option to acquire 130 
shares of the S corporation converts into 108.3 shares of synthetic 
equity (130 times the ratio of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares to the 
sum of the 1,000 deemed-owned ESOP shares plus the 200 shares held 
outside the ESOP by A and B). Accordingly, as shown in column 6 in the 
table above, individual E's synthetic equity shares are counted in 
determining whether E is a disqualified person for 2006, and individual 
F's synthetic equity shares are counted in determining whether F is a 
disqualified person for 2006, but the synthetic equity shares owned by 
any person do not affect the calculation for any other person's 
ownership of shares. Accordingly, individuals B, C, E, and F are 
disqualified persons for 2006.
    (iii) Conclusion with respect to nonallocation year. The 100 shares 
owned directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, C's 145 deemed-
owned ESOP shares, E's 30 deemed-owned ESOP shares, E's 91.7 synthetic 
equity shares, F's 20 deemed-owned ESOP shares, plus F's 108.3 synthetic 
equity shares total 825, which equals 58.9% of 1,400, which is the sum 
of the 1,200 outstanding shares of X and the 200 shares of synthetic 
equity shares of X held by disqualified persons. Thus, 2006 is a 
nonallocation year for X's ESOP under section 409(p) because 
disqualified persons own at least 50% of the total shares of outstanding 
stock of X and the total synthetic equity shares of X held by 
disqualified persons. In addition, independent of the preceding 
conclusion, 2006 would be a nonallocation year because disqualified 
persons own at least 50% of X's outstanding shares because the 100 
shares owned directly by B, B's 330 deemed-owned ESOP shares, C's 145 
deemed-owned ESOP shares, E's 30 deemed-owned

[[Page 675]]

ESOP shares, plus F's 20 deemed-owned ESOP shares equal 52.1% of the 
1,200 outstanding shares of X.
    Example 3. Relating to determination of number of shares of 
synthetic equity. (i) Facts. Corporation Y is a calendar year S 
corporation that maintains an ESOP. Y has a single class of common 
stock, of which there are a total of 1,000 shares outstanding, all of 
which are owned by the ESOP. Y has no synthetic equity, except for four 
grants of nonqualified deferred compensation that are made to an 
individual during the period from 2005 through 2011, as set forth in 
column 2 in the following table, and the ESOP uses the special rules in 
paragraph (f)(4)(iii) of this section to determine the number of shares 
of synthetic equity owned by that individual, as shown in columns 4 and 
5:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    5 Aggregate
                                                                                   4 New shares      number of
                                      2 Present value of                           of synthetic      synthetic
       1 Determination date         nonqualified deferred     3 Share value on       equity on     equity shares
                                        compenstion on       determination date    determination        on
                                      determination date                               date        determination
                                                                                                       date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 2005...................  A grant is made on     $10 per share........             100             100
                                     January 1, 2005 with
                                     a present value of
                                     $1,000. An
                                     additional grant of
                                     nonqualified
                                     deferred
                                     compensation with a
                                     present value of
                                     $775 is made on
                                     March 1, 2005.
January 1, 2006...................  An additional grant    $8 per share.........             200             300
                                     is made on December
                                     31, 2005 which has a
                                     present value of
                                     $800 on January 1,
                                     2006. The March 1,
                                     2005 grant has a
                                     present value on
                                     January 1, 2006 of
                                     $800.
January 1, 2007...................  No new grants made...  $12 per share........  ..............             300
January 1, 2008...................  An additional grant    $15 per share........             200             450
                                     is made on December
                                     31, 2007 which has a
                                     present value of
                                     $3,000 on January 1,
                                     2008. The grants
                                     made during 2005
                                     through 2007 have an
                                     aggregate present
                                     value on January 1,
                                     2008 of $3,750.
January 1, 2009...................  No new grants are      $11 per share........  ..............             450
                                     made.
January 1, 2010...................  No new grants are      $22 per share........  ..............             450
                                     made.
January 1, 2011...................  No new grants are      $20 per share........  ..............             380
                                     made. The grants
                                     made during 2005
                                     through 2008 have an
                                     aggregate present
                                     value on January 1,
                                     2011 of $7,600.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Conclusion. The grant made on January 1, 2005, is treated as 
100 shares until the determination date in 2008. The grant made on March 
1, 2005, is not taken into account until the 2006 determination date and 
its present value on that date, along with the then present value of the 
grant made on the preceding day, is treated as a number of shares that 
are based on the $8 per share value on the 2006 determination date, with 
the resulting number of shares continuing to apply until the 
determination date in 2008. On the January 1, 2008, determination date, 
the grant made on the preceding day is taken into account at its present 
value of $3,000 on January 1, 2008 and the $15 per share value on that 
date with the resulting number of shares (200) continuing to apply until 
the next determination date. In addition, on the January 1, 2008, 
determination date, the number of shares determined under other grants 
made between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, must be revalued. 
Accordingly, the aggregate value of all nonqualified deferred 
compensation granted during that period is determined to be $3750 on 
January 1, 2008, and the corresponding number of shares of synthetic 
equity based on the $15 per share value is determined to be 250 shares 
on the 2008 determination date, with the resulting aggregate number of 
shares (450) continuing to apply until the determination date in 2011. 
On the January 1, 2011, determination date, the aggregate value of all 
nonqualified deferred compensation is determined to be $7,600 and the 
corresponding number of shares of synthetic equity based on the $20 per 
share value on the 2011 determination date is determined to be 380 
shares (with the resulting number of shares continuing to apply until 
the determination date in 2014, assuming no further grants are made).

    (i) Effective dates--(1) Statutory effective date. (i) Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (i)(1)(ii) of this section, section 
409(p) applies for plan years ending after March 14, 2001.
    (ii) If an ESOP holding stock in an S corporation was established on 
or before March 14, 2001, and the election

[[Page 676]]

under section 1362(a) with respect to that S corporation was in effect 
on March 14, 2001, section 409(p) applies for plan years beginning on or 
after January 1, 2005.
    (2) Regulation effective date--(i) General effective date. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section, this section 
applies for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2005.
    (ii) Rules for plan years beginning before January 1, 2005. (A) 
Except as provided in this paragraph (i)(2)(ii), Sec. 1.409(p)-1T as in 
effect prior to December 17, 2004 (see Sec. 1.409(p)-1T in 26 CFR part 
1 revised as of April 1, 2004) applies for plan years ending after 
October 20, 2003, and beginning before January 1, 2005.
    (B) Paragraphs (c)(3) and (g) of this section apply for plan years 
ending on or after December 31, 2004, but do not apply with respect to 
an interest held in a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSUB) of an S 
corporation or another entity to which paragraph (g)(3) of this section 
applies before March 15, 2004 if:
    (1) All interests in the entity held by individuals who would be 
disqualified persons under paragraph (g)(3) of this section or under 
guidance issued by the Commissioner before March 15, 2004 are 
distributed to those individuals as compensation on or before March 15, 
2004; and
    (2) No such individual has been a participant in the ESOP of the S 
corporation at any time after October 20, 2003 and before March 15, 
2004.
    (C) Paragraph (f)(2)(iv)(B) of this section (providing that 
synthetic equity does not include certain preexisting nonqualified 
deferred compensation) applies for plan years ending before January 1, 
2005.
    (D) Paragraph (f)(4)(iv) of this section (permitting an adjustment 
of the number of synthetic equity shares where an ESOP owns less than 
100% of an S corporation) applies for plan years ending before January 
1, 2005.
    (E) In no event does this paragraph (i)(2)(ii) apply for any plan 
year ending before January 1, 2005, for an ESOP holding stock in an S 
corporation that was established on or before March 14, 2001, if the 
election under section 1362(a) with respect to that S Corporation was in 
effect on March 14, 2001.
    (iii) Transition rules. (A) Assets held in the account of a 
disqualified person as of the last day of the first plan year beginning 
before January 1, 2005, will not be treated as an impermissible accrual 
with respect to that disqualified person under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of 
this section for the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 
2005, to the extent those assets are not held in that person's account 
on or after July 1, 2005. Thus, for example, to the extent the assets 
allocated to the account of a disqualified person as of the last day of 
the first plan year beginning before January 1, 2005, are transferred to 
a non-ESOP portion of the plan as described in paragraph (b)(2)(v)(A) of 
this section before July 1, 2005, those assets will not be treated as an 
impermissible accrual under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section for the 
period from the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after 
January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005. However, see section 4979A(a)(3), 
(a)(4), and (e)(2)(C) for excise tax provisions that apply to all 
deemed-owned shares during the first nonallocation year for the ESOP.
    (B) An individual is not treated as a disqualified person during the 
period from the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after 
January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005 if that person would not be a 
disqualified person during that period under the modified rules of this 
paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(B) as of any date during that same period. 
Further, solely for the purpose of determining whether the first plan 
year beginning on or after January 1, 2005 is a nonallocation year under 
section 409(p) and this section, if that plan year would not have been a 
nonallocation year under the modified rules of this paragraph 
(i)(2)(iii)(B), then synthetic equity that is not owned by a person on 
July 1, 2005 is disregarded during the period from the first day of the 
first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2005 through June 30, 
2005. For purposes of this paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(B), the modified rules 
of this paragraph (i)(2)(iii)(B) are the rules in Sec. 1.409(p)-1T as 
in effect prior to December 17, 2004 (see Sec. 1.409(p)-1T in 26 CFR

[[Page 677]]

Part 1 revised as of April 1, 2004), modified to exclude from the 
definition of synthetic equity any stock option, stock appreciation 
right (payable in cash or stock), or similar rights with respect to 
shares of the S corporation or a related entity where the facts and 
circumstances indicate that there is no reasonable likelihood that the 
holder of the right will receive the shares (or equivalent value). For 
this purpose, there is no reasonable likelihood that the holder of the 
right will receive the shares (or equivalent value) in any case in which 
the option is based on an exercise price that is more than 200% of the 
fair market value of the shares on the date of grant or the right (in 
the case of a stock appreciation right or similar right to acquire 
shares of the S corporation or a related entity) is payable only if the 
appreciation exceeds 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the 
date of grant.
    (C) For the period from the first day of the first plan year 
beginning on or after January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005, there is no 
nonallocation year under this section if there would be no nonallocation 
year under this section during that period if this section were applied 
without regard to paragraph (f)(4)(v) of this section (relating to 
voting rights).
    (D) This paragraph (iii) does not apply to an ESOP for which the 
first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2005 begins after June 
30, 2005.

[T.D. 9164, 69 FR 75460, Dec. 17, 2004; 70 FR 11121, Mar. 8, 2005]

[[Page 679]]



                              FINDING AIDS




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.


  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  Table of OMB Control Numbers
  List of CFR Sections Affected

[[Page 681]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                      (Revised as of April 1, 2020)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
       III  Administrative Conference of the United States (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--599)
        VI  National Capital Planning Commission (Parts 600--699)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 2--199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Guidance (Parts 200--
                299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements
       III  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
        IV  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
         X  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Department of Defense (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
     XVIII  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        XX  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 
                2000--2099)
      XXII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2200--2299)
     XXIII  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                2600--2699)

[[Page 682]]

     XXVII  Small Business Administration (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
      XXIX  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 3100--
                3199)
     XXXII  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 3300--
                3399)
     XXXIV  Department of Education (Parts 3400--3499)
      XXXV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 3500--
                3599)
     XXXVI  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive 
                Office of the President (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Peace Corps (Parts 3700--3799)
     LVIII  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
       LIX  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 5900--
                5999)

                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--199)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
        IV  Office of Personnel Management and Office of the 
                Director of National Intelligence (Parts 1400--
                1499)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 2100--2199)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 3200--
                3299)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Parts 3300--3399)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Parts 3400--
                3499)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Parts 3500--3599)
      XXVI  Department of Defense (Parts 3600--3699)

[[Page 683]]

    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 3800--3899)
      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 4300--4399)
     XXXIV  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 4400--4499)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 4500--4599)
     XXXVI  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 4600--4699)
    XXXVII  Federal Election Commission (Parts 4700--4799)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Parts 5000--5099)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 5100--
                5199)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Parts 5200--5299)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Parts 5300--5399)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 5500--
                5599)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 5600--5699)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 5700--5799)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
      XLIX  Federal Labor Relations Authority (Parts 5900--5999)
         L  Department of Transportation (Parts 6000--6099)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 6200--
                6299)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 6400--6499)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 6500--6599)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 6600--
                6699)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Parts 6700--6799)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
                (Parts 6800--6899)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                6900--6999)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Parts 7000--7099)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 7100--7199)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 7200--
                7299)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 7300--7399)
      LXIV  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 7400--7499)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                7500--7599)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                7600--7699)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 7700--
                7799)
    LXVIII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 7800--7899)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 7900--7999)
       LXX  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 8000--8099)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 8100--8199)
    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Parts 8300--8399)

[[Page 684]]

     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 8400--8499)
     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                8600--8699)
    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 8700--8799)
      LXXX  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 9000--9099)
   LXXXIII  Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
                Reconstruction (Parts 9300--9399)
    LXXXIV  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 9400--
                9499)
    LXXXVI  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 9600--
                9699)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Parts 
                9700--9799)
    XCVIII  Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
                Efficiency (Parts 9800--9899)
      XCIX  Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
                Commission (Parts 9900--9999)
         C  National Council on Disability (Parts 10000--10049)
        CI  National Mediation Board (Part 10101)

                      Title 6--Domestic Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 1--199)
         X  Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (Parts 
                1000--1099)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)
      VIII  Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Grain 
                Inspection Service, Fair Trade Practices Program), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)

[[Page 685]]

        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)
        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  [Reserved]
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  [Reserved]
       XXV  Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Parts 
                3400--3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]
      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 4200--
                4299)

[[Page 686]]

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 1--499)
         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Grain 
                Inspection Service, Fair Trade Practices Program), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1300--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Parts 1800--1899)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)
        II  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 9400--9499)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  (Parts 500--599) [Reserved]
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Housing Finance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 1000--
                1099)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Financial Stability Oversight Council (Parts 1300--
                1399)

[[Page 687]]

       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Office of Financial Research (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board (Parts 
                500--599)

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--1199)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)
       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  National Technical Information Service, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 1100--1199)

[[Page 688]]

      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399) [Reserved]

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department 
                of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599) [Reserved]

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)

[[Page 689]]

        IV  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)
         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Parts 700--
                799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Millennium Challenge Corporation (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)

[[Page 690]]

        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XV  Emergency Mortgage Insurance and Loan Programs, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2700--2799) [Reserved]
        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
      XXIV  Board of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program 
                (Parts 4000--4099) [Reserved]
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

[[Page 691]]

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--899)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900--999)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--End)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)
        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--699)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)

[[Page 692]]

        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 200--299)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)
       XII  Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance
         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)

[[Page 693]]

      VIII  Office of Investment Security, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)
         X  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 
                1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department 
                of Defense (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)

[[Page 694]]

       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599) 
                [Reserved]
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 
                Department of Education (Parts 700--799) 
                [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
        XI  (Parts 1100--1199) [Reserved]
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)

                          Title 35 [Reserved]

             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
        VI  [Reserved]
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Parts 1500--
                1599)
       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 400--599)

[[Page 695]]

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--199)
        II  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 200--299)

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Regulatory Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)
      VIII  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 1800--
                1899)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle A--Federal Procurement Regulations System 
                [Note]
            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
   62--100  [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)
  103--104  [Reserved]
       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)
       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
  129--200  [Reserved]
            Subtitle D--Other Provisions Relating to Property 
                Management [Reserved]

[[Page 696]]

            Subtitle E--Federal Information Resources Management 
                Regulations System [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)
       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--699)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 400--999)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10099)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)
        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)

[[Page 697]]

       III  Office of Child Support Enforcement (Child Support 
                Enforcement Program), Administration for Children 
                and Families, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)
        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Denali Commission (Parts 900--999)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Administration for Children and Families, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission of Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)
       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)

[[Page 698]]

        IV  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce, and 
                National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)
         V  The First Responder Network Authority (Parts 500--599)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)
         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)
        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199) [Reserved]
        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399) 
                [Reserved]

[[Page 699]]

        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services 
                Administration (Parts 6100--6199)
        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1400--1499) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 700]]

        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

[[Page 701]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                      (Revised as of April 1, 2020)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Conference of the United States    1, III
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                  7, XXV
Afghanistan Reconstruction, Special Inspector     5, LXXXIII
     General for
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development              2, VII; 22, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture, Department of                        2, IV; 5, LXXIII
  Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                7, XXV
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of           2, IX; 7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture      7, XXXIV
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force, Department of                          32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX
Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
   Compliance Board
[[Page 702]]

Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI; 38, II
Army, Department of                               32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase from People Who Are
Broadcasting Board of Governors                   22, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office    34, IV
     of
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board    40, VI
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Enforcement, Office of              45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
Civil Rights, Commission on                       5, LXVIII; 45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity    5, XCVIII
     and Efficiency
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX
     for the District of Columbia
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce, Department of                           2, XIII; 44, IV; 50, VI
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II; 37, IV
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Technical Information Service          15, XI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau              5, LXXXIV; 12, X
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX; 28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection                     19, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense, Department of                            2, XI; 5, XXVI; 32, 
                                                  Subtitle A; 40, VII
  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III; 
                                                  48, 51

[[Page 703]]

  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I
  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy, Department of                             32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 2, XI; 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
Denali Commission                                 45, IX
Disability, National Council on                   5, C; 34, XII
District of Columbia, Court Services and          5, LXX; 28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          2, XXXIV; 5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office  34, IV
       of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Election Assistance Commission                    2, LVIII; 11, II
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Policy, National Commission for        1, IV
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             2, IX; 5, XXIII; 10, II, 
                                                  III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   2, XV; 5, LIV; 40, I, IV, 
                                                  VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                2, Subtitle A; 5, III, 
                                                  LXXVII; 14, VI; 48, 99
  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         2, XXXVI; 21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, II
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II

[[Page 704]]

  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
       States
Export-Import Bank of the United States           2, XXXV; 5, LII; 12, IV
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       5, XXXVII; 11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Agency                    5, LXXX; 12, XII
Federal Housing Finance Board                     12, IX
Federal Labor Relations Authority                 5, XIV, XLIX; 22, XIV
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network              31, X
Financial Research Office                         12, XVI
Financial Stability Oversight Council             12, XIII
Fine Arts, Commission of                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV
Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5

[[Page 705]]

  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102
  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council          2, LIX; 40, VIII
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          2, III; 5, XLV; 45, 
                                                  Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Enforcement, Office of            45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Indian Health Service                           25, V
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  2, XXX; 5, XXXVI; 6, I; 8, 
                                                  I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
HOPE for Homeowners Program, Board of Directors   24, XXIV
     of
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      2, XXIV; 5, LXV; 24, 
                                                  Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Independent Counsel, Offices of                   28, VI
Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V
Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II
Indian Health Service                             25, V

[[Page 706]]

Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
     Archives and Records Administration
Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII, XV
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior, Department of                           2, XIV
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Natural Resource Revenue, Office of             30, XII
  Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of              30, V
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Safety and Enforcement Bureau, Bureau of        30, II
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            2, XIV; 43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Development Finance Corporation,    5, XXXIII; 22, VII
     U.S.
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
Investment Security, Office of                    31, VIII
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice, Department of                            2, XXVIII; 5, XXVIII; 28, 
                                                  I, XI; 40, IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Independent Counsel, Offices of                 28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor, Department of                              2, XXIX; 5, XLII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV
  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Employment Standards Administration             20, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29
  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50

[[Page 707]]

  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50
  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I, VII
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Libraries and Information Science, National       45, XVII
     Commission on
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
  U.S. Copyright Office                           37, II
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II, LXIV
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Military Compensation and Retirement              5, XCIX
     Modernization Commission
Millennium Challenge Corporation                  22, XIII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
Museum and Library Services, Institute of         2, XXXI
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     2, XVIII; 5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      2, XXVI; 5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV, VI
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              5, LXXXVI; 12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           2, XXXVI; 21, III
National Endowment for the Arts                   2, XXXII
National Endowment for the Humanities             2, XXXIII
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency           32, I
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 47, VI; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute of Food and Agriculture        7, XXXIV
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II; 37, IV
National Intelligence, Office of Director of      5, IV; 32, XVII
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV
National Mediation Board                          5, CI; 29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       2, XXV; 5, XLIII; 45, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI
National Security Council and Office of Science   47, II
   and Technology Policy
[[Page 708]]

National Technical Information Service            15, XI
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III, IV, V
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Natural Resource Revenue, Office of               30, XII
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy, Department of                               32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     2, XX; 5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of                30, V
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       2, XXXVII; 22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, IV, XXXV; 45, VIII
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems, Department of Homeland Security
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Regulatory Commission                      5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board       6, X
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII
Rural Development Administration                  7, XLII
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of   30, II
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation     33, IV
Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV
Science and Technology Policy, Office of, and     47, II
     National Security Council
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                5, XXXIV; 17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     2, XXVII; 13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    2, XXIII; 20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI

[[Page 709]]

Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
     Office of
State, Department of                              2, VI; 22, I; 28, XI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     2, XII; 5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 47, IV; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation   33, IV
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury, Department of the                       2, X; 5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, 
                                                  IV; 31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network            31, X
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  Investment Security, Office of                  31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
U.S. Copyright Office                             37, II
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
     Commission
Veterans Affairs, Department of                   2, VIII; 38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I, VII
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 711]]







                      Table of OMB Control Numbers



The OMB control numbers for chapter I of title 26 were consolidated into 
Sec. Sec.  601.9000 and 602.101 at 50 FR 10221, Mar. 14, 1985. At 61 FR 
58008, Nov. 12, 1996, Sec.  601.9000 was removed. Section 602.101 is 
reprinted below for the convenience of the user.



PART 602_OMB CONTROL NUMBERS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT--Table of Contents





Sec.  602.101  OMB Control numbers.

    (a) Purpose. This part collects and displays the control numbers 
assigned to collections of information in Internal Revenue Service 
regulations by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. The Internal Revenue Service intends 
that this part comply with the requirements of Sec. Sec.  1320.7(f), 
1320.12, 1320.13, and 1320.14 of 5 CFR part 1320 (OMB regulations 
implementing the Paperwork Reduction Act), for the display of control 
numbers assigned by OMB to collections of information in Internal 
Revenue Service regulations. This part does not display control numbers 
assigned by the Office of Management and Budget to collections of 
information of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
    (b) Display.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Current OMB
     CFR part or section where identified and described      control No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1(h)-1(e)................................................    1545-1654
1.25-1T....................................................    1545-0922
                                                               1545-0930
1.25-2T....................................................    1545-0922
                                                               1545-0930
1.25-3T....................................................    1545-0922
                                                               1545-0930
1.25-4T....................................................    1545-0922
1.25-5T....................................................    1545-0922
1.25-6T....................................................    1545-0922
1.25-7T....................................................    1545-0922
1.25-8T....................................................    1545-0922
1.25A-1....................................................    1545-1630
1.28-1.....................................................    1545-0619
1.31-2.....................................................    1545-0074
1.32-2.....................................................    1545-0074
1.32-3.....................................................    1545-1575
1.36B-5....................................................    1545-2232
1.37-1.....................................................    1545-0074
1.37-3.....................................................    1545-0074
1.41-2.....................................................    1545-0619
1.41-3.....................................................    1545-0619
1.41-4A....................................................    1545-0074
1.41-4 (b) and (c).........................................    1545-0074
1.41-8(b)..................................................    1545-1625
1.41-8(d)..................................................    1545-0732
1.41-9.....................................................    1545-0619
1.42-1T....................................................    1545-0984
                                                               1545-0988
1.42-5.....................................................    1545-1357
1.42-6.....................................................    1545-1102
1.42-8.....................................................    1545-1102
1.42-10....................................................    1545-1102
1.42-13....................................................    1545-1357
1.42-14....................................................    1545-1423
1.42-17....................................................    1545-1357
1.42-18....................................................    1545-2088
1.43-3(a)(3)...............................................    1545-1292
1.43-3(b)(3)...............................................    1545-1292
1.44B-1....................................................    1545-0219
1.45D-1....................................................    1545-1765
1.45G-1....................................................    1545-2031
1.46-1.....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0155
1.46-3.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-4.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-5.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-6.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-8.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-9.....................................................    1545-0155
1.46-10....................................................    1545-0118
1.47-1.....................................................    1545-0155
                                                               1545-0166
1.47-3.....................................................    1545-0155
                                                               1545-0166
1.47-4.....................................................    1545-0123
1.47-5.....................................................    1545-0092
1.47-6.....................................................    1545-0099
1.48-3.....................................................    1545-0155
1.48-4.....................................................    1545-0155
                                                               1545-0808
1.48-5.....................................................    1545-0155
1.48-6.....................................................    1545-0155
1.48-12....................................................    1545-0155
                                                               1545-1783
1.50A-1....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-2....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-3....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-4....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-5....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-6....................................................    1545-0895
1.50A-7....................................................    1545-0895
1.50B-1....................................................    1545-0895
1.50B-2....................................................    1545-0895
1.50B-3....................................................    1545-0895
1.50B-4....................................................    1545-0895
1.50B-5....................................................    1545-0895
1.51-1.....................................................    1545-0219

[[Page 712]]

 
                                                               1545-0241
                                                               1545-0244
                                                               1545-0797
1.52-2.....................................................    1545-0219
1.52-3.....................................................    1545-0219
1.56(g)-1..................................................    1545-1233
1.57-5.....................................................    1545-0227
1.58-1.....................................................    1545-0175
1.59-1.....................................................    1545-1903
1.61-2.....................................................    1545-0771
1.61-4.....................................................    1545-0187
1.61-15....................................................    1545-0074
1.62-2.....................................................    1545-1148
1.63-1.....................................................    1545-0074
1.66-4.....................................................    1545-1770
1.67-2T....................................................    1545-0110
1.67-3.....................................................    1545-1018
1.67-3T....................................................    1545-0118
1.71-1T....................................................    1545-0074
1.72-4.....................................................    1545-0074
1.72-6.....................................................    1545-0074
1.72-9.....................................................    1545-0074
1.72-17....................................................    1545-0074
1.72-17A...................................................    1545-0074
1.72-18....................................................    1545-0074
1.74-1.....................................................    1545-1100
1.79-2.....................................................    1545-0074
1.79-3.....................................................    1545-0074
1.83-2.....................................................    1545-0074
1.83-5.....................................................    1545-0074
1.83-6.....................................................    1545-1448
1.103-10...................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0940
1.103A-2...................................................    1545-0720
1.105-4....................................................    1545-0074
1.105-5....................................................    1545-0074
1.105-6....................................................    1545-0074
1.108-4....................................................    1545-1539
1.108-5....................................................    1545-1421
1.108-7....................................................    1545-2155
1.108(i)-1.................................................    1545-2147
1.108(i)-2.................................................    1545-2147
1.110-1....................................................    1545-1661
1.117-5....................................................    1545-0869
1.118-2....................................................    1545-1639
1.119-1....................................................    1545-0067
1.120-3....................................................    1545-0057
1.121-1....................................................    1545-0072
1.121-2....................................................    1545-0072
1.121-3....................................................    1545-0072
1.121-4....................................................    1545-0072
                                                               1545-0091
1.121-5....................................................    1545-0072
1.127-2....................................................    1545-0768
1.132-2....................................................    1545-0771
1.132-5....................................................    1545-0771
1.132-9(b).................................................    1545-1676
1.141-1....................................................    1545-1451
1.141-12...................................................    1545-1451
1.142-2....................................................    1545-1451
1.142(f)(4)-1..............................................    1545-1730
1.148-0....................................................    1545-1098
1.148-1....................................................    1545-1098
1.148-2....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1347
1.148-3....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1347
1.148-4....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1347
1.148-5....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1490
1.148-6....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1451
1.148-7....................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1347
1.148-8....................................................    1545-1098
1.148-11...................................................    1545-1098
                                                               1545-1347
1.149(e)-1.................................................    1545-0720
1.150-1....................................................    1545-1347
1.151-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.152-3....................................................    1545-0071
                                                               1545-1783
1.152-4....................................................    1545-0074
1.152-4T...................................................    1545-0074
1.162-1....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-2....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-3....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-4....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-5....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-6....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-7....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-8....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-9....................................................    1545-0139
1.162-10...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-11...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-12...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-13...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-14...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-15...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-16...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-17...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-18...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-19...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-20...................................................    1545-0139
1.162-24...................................................    1545-2115
1.162-27...................................................    1545-1466
1.163-5....................................................    1545-0786
                                                               1545-1132
1.163-8T...................................................    1545-0995
1.163-10T..................................................    1545-0074
1.163-13...................................................    1545-1491
1.163(d)-1.................................................    1545-1421
1.165-1....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-2....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-3....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-4....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-5....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-6....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-7....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-8....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-9....................................................    1545-0177
1.165-10...................................................    1545-0177
1.165-11...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0177
                                                               1545-0786
1.165-12...................................................    1545-0786
1.166-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.166-2....................................................    1545-1254
1.166-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.166-10...................................................    1545-0123
1.167(a)-5T................................................    1545-1021
1.167(a)-7.................................................    1545-0172
1.167(a)-11................................................    1545-0152
                                                               1545-0172
1.167(a)-12................................................    1545-0172
1.167(d)-1.................................................    1545-0172
1.167(e)-1.................................................    1545-0172
1.167(f)-11................................................    1545-0172
1.167(l)-1.................................................    1545-0172
1.168(d)-1.................................................    1545-1146
1.168(i)-1.................................................    1545-1331
1.168-5....................................................    1545-0172
1.169-4....................................................    1545-0172

[[Page 713]]

 
1.170-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.170-2....................................................    1545-0074
1.170-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.170A-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.170A-2...................................................    1545-0074
1.170A-4(A)(b).............................................    1545-0123
1.170A-8...................................................    1545-0074
1.170A-9...................................................    1545-0052
                                                               1545-0074
1.170A-11..................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0123
                                                               1545-1868
1.170A-12..................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0074
1.170A-13..................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0754
                                                               1545-0908
                                                               1545-1431
1.170A-13(f)...............................................    1545-1464
1.170A-14..................................................    1545-0763
1.170A-15..................................................    1545-1953
1.170A-16..................................................    1545-1953
1.170A-17..................................................    1545-1953
1.170A-18..................................................    1545-1953
1.171-4....................................................    1545-1491
1.171-5....................................................    1545-1491
1.172-1....................................................    1545-0172
1.172-13...................................................    1545-0863
1.173-1....................................................    1545-0172
1.174-3....................................................    1545-0152
1.174-4....................................................    1545-0152
1.175-3....................................................    1545-0187
1.175-6....................................................    1545-0152
1.179-2....................................................    1545-1201
1.179-3....................................................    1545-1201
1.179-5....................................................    1545-0172
                                                               1545-1201
1.179B-1T..................................................    1545-2076
1.179C-1...................................................    1545-2103
1.179C-1T..................................................    1545-2103
1.180-2....................................................    1545-0074
1.181-1....................................................    1545-2059
1.181-2....................................................    1545-2059
1.181-3....................................................    1545-2059
1.182-6....................................................    1545-0074
1.183-1....................................................    1545-0195
1.183-2....................................................    1545-0195
1.183-3....................................................    1545-0195
1.183-4....................................................    1545-0195
1.190-3....................................................    1545-0074
1.194-2....................................................    1545-0735
1.194-4....................................................    1545-0735
1.195-1....................................................    1545-1582
1.197-1T...................................................    1545-1425
1.197-2....................................................    1545-1671
1.199-6....................................................    1545-1966
1.213-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.215-1T...................................................    1545-0074
1.217-2....................................................    1545-0182
1.243-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.243-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.243-5....................................................    1545-0123
1.248-1....................................................    1545-0172
1.261-1....................................................    1545-1041
1.263(a)-1.................................................    1545-2248
1.263(a)-3.................................................    1545-2248
1.263(a)-5.................................................    1545-1870
1.263(e)-1.................................................    1545-0123
1.263A-1...................................................    1545-0987
1.263A-1T..................................................    1545-0187
1.263A-2...................................................    1545-0987
1.263A-3...................................................    1545-0987
1.263A-8(b)(2)(iii)........................................    1545-1265
1.263A-9(d)(1).............................................    1545-1265
1.263A-9(f)(1)(ii).........................................    1545-1265
1.263A-9(f)(2)(iv).........................................    1545-1265
1.263A-9(g)(2)(iv)(C)......................................    1545-1265
1.263A-9(g)(3)(iv).........................................    1545-1265
1.265-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.265-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.266-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.267(f)-1.................................................    1545-0885
1.268-1....................................................    1545-0184
1.274-1....................................................    1545-0139
1.274-2....................................................    1545-0139
1.274-3....................................................    1545-0139
1.274-4....................................................    1545-0139
1.274-5....................................................    1545-0771
1.274-5A...................................................    1545-0139
                                                               1545-0771
1.274-5T...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0172
                                                               1545-0771
1.274-6....................................................    1545-0139
                                                               1545-0771
1.274-6T...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0771
1.274-7....................................................    1545-0139
1.274-8....................................................    1545-0139
1.279-6....................................................    1545-0123
1.280C-4...................................................    1545-1155
1.280F-3T..................................................    1545-0074
1.280G-1...................................................    1545-1851
1.281-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.302-4....................................................    1545-0074
1.305-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.305-5....................................................    1545-1438
1.307-2....................................................    1545-0074
1.312-15...................................................    1545-0172
1.316-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.331-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.332-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.332-6....................................................    1545-2019
1.336-2....................................................    1545-2125
1.336-4....................................................    1545-2125
1.337(d)-1.................................................    1545-1160
1.337(d)-2.................................................    1545-1160
                                                               1545-1774
1.337(d)-4.................................................    1545-1633
1.337(d)-5.................................................    1545-1672
1.337(d)-6.................................................    1545-1672
1.337(d)-7.................................................    1545-1672
1.338-2....................................................    1545-1658
1.338-5....................................................    1545-1658
1.338-10...................................................    1545-1658
1.338-11...................................................    1545-1990
1.338(h)(10)-1.............................................    1545-1658
1.338(i)-1.................................................    1545-1990
1.351-3....................................................    1545-2019
1.355-5....................................................    1545-2019
1.362-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.362-4....................................................    1545-2247
1.367(a)-1T................................................    1545-0026
1.367(a)-2T................................................    1545-0026
1.367(a)-3.................................................    1545-0026
                                                               1545-1478
1.367(a)-3T................................................    1545-2183
1.367(a)-6T................................................    1545-0026
1.367(a)-7.................................................    1545-2183
1.367(a)-7T................................................    1545-2183
1.367(a)-8.................................................    1545-1271
                                                               1545-2056
                                                               1545-2183
1.367(b)-1.................................................    1545-1271

[[Page 714]]

 
1.367(b)-3T................................................    1545-1666
1.367(d)-1T................................................    1545-0026
1.367(e)-1.................................................    1545-1487
1.367(e)-2.................................................    1545-1487
1.368-1....................................................    1545-1691
1.368-3....................................................    1545-2019
1.371-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.371-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.374-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.381(b)-1.................................................    1545-0123
1.381(c)(4)-1..............................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0152
                                                               1545-0879
1.381(c)(5)-1..............................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0152
1.381(c)(6)-1..............................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0152
1.381(c)(8)-1..............................................    1545-0123
1.381(c)(10)-1.............................................    1545-0123
1.381(c)(11)-1(k)..........................................    1545-0123
1.381(c)(13)-1.............................................    1545-0123
1.381(c)(17)-1.............................................    1545-0045
1.381(c)(22)-1.............................................    1545-1990
1.381(c)(25)-1.............................................    1545-0045
1.382-1T...................................................    1545-0123
1.382-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.382-2T...................................................    1545-0123
1.382-3....................................................    1545-1281
                                                               1545-1345
1.382-4....................................................    1545-1120
1.382-6....................................................    1545-1381
1.382-8....................................................    1545-1434
1.382-9....................................................    1545-1120
                                                               1545-1260
                                                               1545-1275
                                                               1545-1324
1.382-11...................................................    1545-2019
1.382-91...................................................    1545-1260
                                                               1545-1324
1.383-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-1120
1.401-1....................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0197
                                                               1545-0200
                                                               1545-0534
                                                               1545-0710
1.401(a)-11................................................    1545-0710
1.401(a)-20................................................    1545-0928
1.401(a)-31................................................    1545-1341
1.401(a)-50................................................    1545-0710
1.401(a)(9)-1..............................................    1545-1573
1.401(a)(9)-3..............................................    1545-1466
1.401(a)(9)-4..............................................    1545-1573
1.401(a)(9)-6..............................................    1545-2234
1.401(a)(31)-1.............................................    1545-1341
1.401(b)-1.................................................    1545-0197
1.401(f)-1.................................................    1545-0710
1.401(k)-1.................................................    1545-1039
                                                               1545-1069
                                                               1545-1669
                                                               1545-1930
1.401(k)-2.................................................    1545-1669
1.401(k)-3.................................................    1545-1669
1.401(k)-4.................................................    1545-1669
1.401(m)-3.................................................    1545-1699
1.401-14...................................................    1545-0710
1.402(c)-2.................................................    1545-1341
1.402(f)-1.................................................    1545-1341
                                                               1545-1632
1.402A-1...................................................    1545-1992
1.403(b)-1.................................................    1545-0710
1.403(b)-3.................................................    1545-0996
1.403(b)-7.................................................    1545-1341
1.403(b)-10................................................    1545-2068
1.404(a)-12................................................    1545-0710
1.404A-2...................................................    1545-0123
1.404A-6...................................................    1545-0123
1.408-2....................................................    1545-0390
1.408-5....................................................    1545-0747
1.408-6....................................................    1545-0203
                                                               1545-0390
1.408-7....................................................    1545-0119
1.408(q)-1.................................................    1545-1841
1.408A-2...................................................    1545-1616
1.408A-4...................................................    1545-1616
1.408A-5...................................................    1545-1616
1.408A-7...................................................    1545-1616
1.410(a)-2.................................................    1545-0710
1.410(d)-1.................................................    1545-0710
1.411(a)-11................................................    1545-1471
                                                               1545-1632
1.411(d)-4.................................................    1545-1545
1.411(d)-6.................................................    1545-1477
1.412(c)(1)-2..............................................    1545-0710
1.412(c)(2)-1..............................................    1545-0710
1.412(c)(3)-2..............................................    1545-0710
1.414(c)-5.................................................    1545-0797
1.414(r)-1.................................................    1545-1221
1.415-2....................................................    1545-0710
1.415-6....................................................    1545-0710
1.417(a)(3)-1..............................................    1545-0928
1.417(e)-1.................................................    1545-1471
                                                               1545-1724
1.417(e)-1T................................................    1545-1471
1.419A(f)(6)-1.............................................    1545-1795
1.422-1....................................................    1545-0820
1.430(f)-1.................................................    1545-2095
1.430(g)-1.................................................    1545-2095
1.430(h)(2)-1..............................................    1545-2095
1.432(e)(9)-1T.............................................    1545-2260
1.436-1....................................................    1545-2095
1.441-2....................................................    1545-1748
1.442-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0123
                                                               1545-0134
                                                               1545-0152
                                                               1545-0820
                                                               1545-1748
1.443-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.444-3T...................................................    1545-1036
1.444-4....................................................    1545-1591
1.446-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0152
1.446-4(d).................................................    1545-1412
1.448-1(g).................................................    1545-0152
1.448-1(h).................................................    1545-0152
1.448-1(i).................................................    1545-0152
1.448-2....................................................    1545-1855
1.448-2T...................................................    1545-0152
                                                               1545-1855
1.451-1....................................................    1545-0091
1.451-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.451-6....................................................    1545-0074
1.451-7....................................................    1545-0074
1.453-1....................................................    1545-0152
1.453-2....................................................    1545-0152
1.453-8....................................................    1545-0152
                                                               1545-0228
1.453A-1...................................................    1545-0152
                                                               1545-1134
1.453A-3...................................................    1545-0963
1.454-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.455-2....................................................    1545-0152
1.455-6....................................................    1545-0123

[[Page 715]]

 
1.456-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.456-6....................................................    1545-0123
1.456-7....................................................    1545-0123
1.457-8....................................................    1545-1580
1.458-1....................................................    1545-0879
1.458-2....................................................    1545-0152
1.460-1....................................................    1545-1650
1.460-6....................................................    1545-1031
                                                               1545-1572
                                                               1545-1732
1.461-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.461-2....................................................    1545-0096
1.461-4....................................................    1545-0917
1.461-5....................................................    1545-0917
1.463-1T...................................................    1545-0916
1.465-1T...................................................    1545-0712
1.466-1T...................................................    1545-0152
1.466-4....................................................    1545-0152
1.468A-3...................................................    1545-1269
                                                               1545-1378
                                                               1545-1511
1.468A-3(h), 1.468A-7, and 1.468A-8(d).....................    1545-2091
1.468A-4...................................................    1545-0954
1.468A-7...................................................    1545-0954
                                                               1545-1511
1.468A-8...................................................    1545-1269
1.468B-1...................................................    1545-1631
1.468B-1(j)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-2(k)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-2(l)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-3(b)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-3(e)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-5(b)................................................    1545-1299
1.468B-9...................................................    1545-1631
1.469-1....................................................    1545-1008
1.469-2T...................................................    1545-0712
                                                               1545-1091
1.469-4T...................................................    1545-0985
                                                               1545-1037
1.469-7....................................................    1545-1244
1.471-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.471-5....................................................    1545-0123
1.471-6....................................................    1545-0123
1.471-8....................................................    1545-0123
1.471-11...................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0152
1.472-1....................................................    1545-0042
                                                               1545-0152
1.472-2....................................................    1545-0152
1.472-3....................................................    1545-0042
1.472-5....................................................    1545-0152
1.472-8....................................................    1545-0028
                                                               1545-0042
                                                               1545-1767
1.475(a)-4.................................................    1545-1945
1.481-4....................................................    1545-0152
1.481-5....................................................    1545-0152
1.482-1....................................................    1545-1364
1.482-4....................................................    1545-1364
1.482-7....................................................    1545-1364
                                                               1545-1794
1.482-9(b).................................................    1545-2149
1.501(a)-1.................................................    1545-0056
                                                               1545-0057
1.501(c)(3)-1..............................................    1545-0056
1.501(c)(9)-5..............................................    1545-0047
1.501(c)(17)-3.............................................    1545-0047
1.501(e)-1.................................................    1545-0814
1.501(r)-3.................................................    1545-0047
1.501(r)-4.................................................    1545-0047
1.501(r)-6.................................................    1545-0047
1.503(c)-1.................................................    1545-0047
                                                               1545-0052
1.505(c)-1T................................................    1545-0916
1.506-1....................................................    1545-2268
1.507-1....................................................    1545-0052
1.507-2....................................................    1545-0052
1.508-1....................................................    1545-0052
                                                               1545-0056
1.509(a)-3.................................................    1545-0047
1.509(a)-4.................................................    1545-2157
1.509(a)-5.................................................    1545-0047
1.509(c)-1.................................................    1545-0052
1.512(a)-1.................................................    1545-0687
1.512(a)-4.................................................    1545-0047
                                                               1545-0687
1.521-1....................................................    1545-0051
                                                               1545-0058
1.527-2....................................................    1545-0129
1.527-5....................................................    1545-0129
1.527-6....................................................    1545-0129
1.527-9....................................................    1545-0129
1.528-8....................................................    1545-0127
1.533-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.534-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.542-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.545-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.545-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.547-2....................................................    1545-0045
                                                               1545-0123
1.547-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.561-1....................................................    1545-0044
1.561-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.562-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.563-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.564-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.565-1....................................................    1545-0043
                                                               1545-0123
1.565-2....................................................    1545-0043
1.565-3....................................................    1545-0043
1.565-5....................................................    1545-0043
1.565-6....................................................    1545-0043
1.585-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.585-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.585-8....................................................    1545-1290
1.597-2....................................................    1545-1300
1.597-4....................................................    1545-1300
1.597-6....................................................    1545-1300
1.597-7....................................................    1545-1300
1.611-2....................................................    1545-0099
1.611-3....................................................    1545-0007
                                                               1545-0099
                                                               1545-1784
1.612-4....................................................    1545-0074
1.612-5....................................................    1545-0099
1.613-3....................................................    1545-0099
1.613-4....................................................    1545-0099
1.613-6....................................................    1545-0099
1.613-7....................................................    1545-0099
1.613A-3...................................................    1545-0919
1.613A-3(e)................................................    1545-1251
1.613A-3(l)................................................    1545-0919
1.613A-5...................................................    1545-0099
1.613A-6...................................................    1545-0099
1.614-2....................................................    1545-0099
1.614-3....................................................    1545-0099
1.614-5....................................................    1545-0099
1.614-6....................................................    1545-0099
1.614-8....................................................    1545-0099
1.617-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.617-3....................................................    1545-0099
1.617-4....................................................    1545-0099
1.631-1....................................................    1545-0007
1.631-2....................................................    1545-0007

[[Page 716]]

 
1.641(b)-2.................................................    1545-0092
1.642(c)-1.................................................    1545-0092
1.642(c)-2.................................................    1545-0092
1.642(c)-5.................................................    1545-0074
1.642(c)-6.................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0074
                                                               1545-0092
1.642(g)-1.................................................    1545-0092
1.642(i)-1.................................................    1545-0092
1.645-1....................................................    1545-1578
1.663(b)-2.................................................    1545-0092
1.664-1....................................................    1545-0196
1.664-1(a)(7)..............................................    1545-1536
1.664-1(c).................................................    1545-2101
1.664-2....................................................    1545-0196
1.664-3....................................................    1545-0196
1.664-4....................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0196
1.665(a)-0A through
1.665(g)-2A................................................    1545-0192
1.666(d)-1A................................................    1545-0092
1.671-4....................................................    1545-1442
1.671-5....................................................    1545-1540
1.701-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.702-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.703-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.704-2....................................................    1545-1090
1.706-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0099
                                                               1545-0134
1.706-1T...................................................    1545-0099
1.706-4(f).................................................    1545-0123
1.707-3(c)(2)..............................................    1545-1243
1.707-5(a)(7)(ii)..........................................    1545-1243
1.707-6(c).................................................    1545-1243
1.707-8....................................................    1545-1243
1.708-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.732-1....................................................    1545-0099
                                                               1545-1588
1.736-1....................................................    1545-0074
1.743-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-1588
1.751-1....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0099
                                                               1545-0941
1.752-2....................................................    1545-1905
1.752-5....................................................    1545-1090
1.752-7....................................................    1545-1843
1.754-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.755-1....................................................    1545-0099
1.761-2....................................................    1545-1338
1.801-1....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0128
1.801-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.801-5....................................................    1545-0128
1.801-8....................................................    1545-0128
1.804-4....................................................    1545-0128
1.811-2....................................................    1545-0128
1.812-2....................................................    1545-0128
1.815-6....................................................    1545-0128
1.818-4....................................................    1545-0128
1.818-5....................................................    1545-0128
1.818-8....................................................    1545-0128
1.819-2....................................................    1545-0128
1.822-5....................................................    1545-1027
1.822-6....................................................    1545-1027
1.822-8....................................................    1545-1027
1.822-9....................................................    1545-1027
1.826-1....................................................    1545-1027
1.826-2....................................................    1545-1027
1.826-3....................................................    1545-1027
1.826-4....................................................    1545-1027
1.826-6....................................................    1545-1027
1.831-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.832-4....................................................    1545-1227
1.832-5....................................................    1545-0123
1.848-2(g)(8)..............................................    1545-1287
1.848-2(h)(3)..............................................    1545-1287
1.848-2(i)(4)..............................................    1545-1287
1.851-2....................................................    1545-1010
1.851-4....................................................    1545-0123
1.852-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.852-4....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0145
1.852-6....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0144
1.852-7....................................................    1545-0074
1.852-9....................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0123
                                                               1545-0144
                                                               1545-0145
                                                               1545-1783
1.852-11...................................................    1545-1094
1.853-3....................................................    1545-2035
1.853-4....................................................    1545-2035
1.854-2....................................................    1545-0123
1.855-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.856-2....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-1004
1.856-6....................................................    1545-0123
1.856-7....................................................    1545-0123
1.856-8....................................................    1545-0123
1.857-8....................................................    1545-0123
1.857-9....................................................    1545-0074
1.858-1....................................................    1545-0123
1.860-2....................................................    1545-0045
1.860-4....................................................    1545-0045
                                                               1545-1054
                                                               1545-1057
1.860E-1...................................................    1545-1675
1.860E-2(a)(5).............................................    1545-1276
1.860E-2(a)(7).............................................    1545-1276
1.860E-2(b)(2).............................................    1545-1276
1.860G-2...................................................    1545-2110
1.861-2....................................................    1545-0089
1.861-3....................................................    1545-0089
1.861-4....................................................    1545-1900
1.861-8....................................................    1545-0126
1.861-8(e)(6) and (g)......................................    1545-1224
1.861-9T...................................................    1545-0121
                                                               1545-1072
1.861-18...................................................    1545-1594
1.863-1....................................................    1545-1476
1.863-3....................................................    1545-1476
                                                               1545-1556
1.863-3A...................................................    1545-0126
1.863-4....................................................    1545-0126
1.863-7....................................................    1545-0132
1.863-8....................................................    1545-1718
1.863-9....................................................    1545-1718
1.864-4....................................................    1545-0126
1.871-1....................................................    1545-0096
1.871-6....................................................    1545-0795
1.871-7....................................................    1545-0089
1.871-10...................................................    1545-0089
                                                               1545-0165
1.874-1....................................................    1545-0089
1.881-4....................................................    1545-1440
1.882-4....................................................    1545-0126
1.883-0....................................................    1545-1677
1.883-1....................................................    1545-1677
1.883-2....................................................    1545-1677
1.883-3....................................................    1545-1677
1.883-4....................................................    1545-1677

[[Page 717]]

 
1.883-5....................................................    1545-1677
1.884-0....................................................    1545-1070
1.884-1....................................................    1545-1070
1.884-2....................................................    1545-1070
1.884-2T...................................................    1545-0126
                                                               1545-1070
1.884-4....................................................    1545-1070
1.884-5....................................................    1545-1070
1.892-1T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-2T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-3T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-4T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-5T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-6T...................................................    1545-1053
1.892-7T...................................................    1545-1053
1.897-2....................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0902
1.897-3....................................................    1545-0123
1.897-5T...................................................    1545-0902
1.897-6T...................................................    1545-0902
1.901-2....................................................    1545-0746
1.901-2A...................................................    1545-0746
1.901-3....................................................    1545-0122
1.902-1....................................................    1545-0122
                                                               1545-1458
1.904-1....................................................    1545-0121
                                                               1545-0122
1.904-2....................................................    1545-0121
                                                               1545-0122
1.904-3....................................................    1545-0121
1.904-4....................................................    1545-0121
1.904-5....................................................    1545-0121
1.904-7....................................................    1545-2104
1.904-7T...................................................    1545-2104
1.904(f)-1.................................................    1545-0121
                                                               1545-0122
1.904(f)-2.................................................    1545-0121
1.904(f)-3.................................................    1545-0121
1.904(f)-4.................................................    1545-0121
1.904(f)-5.................................................    1545-0121
1.904(f)-6.................................................    1545-0121
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1.6050S-1..................................................    1545-1678
1.6050S-2..................................................    1545-1729
1.6050S-3..................................................    1545-1678
1.6050S-4..................................................    1545-1729
1.6052-1...................................................    1545-0008
1.6052-2...................................................    1545-0008
1.6055-1...................................................    1545-2252
1.6055-2...................................................    1545-2252
1.6060-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.6060-1(a)(1).............................................    1545-1231
1.6061-1...................................................    1545-0123
1.6062-1...................................................    1545-0123
1.6063-1...................................................    1545-0123
1.6065-1...................................................    1545-0123
1.6071-1...................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0810
1.6072-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.6072-2...................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0807
1.6073-1...................................................    1545-0087
1.6073-2...................................................    1545-0087
1.6073-3...................................................    1545-0087
1.6073-4...................................................    1545-0087
1.6074-1...................................................    1545-0123
1.6074-2...................................................    1545-0123
1.6081-1...................................................    1545-0066
                                                               1545-0148
                                                               1545-0233
                                                               1545-1057
                                                               1545-1081
1.6081-2...................................................    1545-0148
                                                               1545-1036
                                                               1545-1054
1.6081-3...................................................    1545-0233
1.6081-4...................................................    1545-0188
                                                               1545-1479
1.6081-6...................................................    1545-0148
                                                               1545-1054
1.6081-7...................................................    1545-0148
                                                               1545-1054
1.6091-3...................................................    1545-0089
1.6107-1...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-1231
1.6109-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.6109-2...................................................    1545-2176
1.6115-1...................................................    1545-1464
1.6151-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.6153-1...................................................    1545-0087
1.6153-4...................................................    1545-0087
1.6161-1...................................................    1545-0087
1.6162-1...................................................    1545-0087
1.6164-1...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-2...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-3...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-5...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-6...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-7...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-8...................................................    1545-0135
1.6164-9...................................................    1545-0135
1.6302-1...................................................    1545-0257
1.6302-2...................................................    1545-0098
                                                               1545-0257
1.6411-1...................................................    1545-0098
                                                               1545-0135
                                                               1545-0582
1.6411-2...................................................    1545-0098
                                                               1545-0582
1.6411-3...................................................    1545-0098
                                                               1545-0582
1.6411-4...................................................    1545-0582
1.6414-1...................................................    1545-0096
1.6425-1...................................................    1545-0170
1.6425-2...................................................    1545-0170
1.6425-3...................................................    1545-0170
1.6654-1...................................................    1545-0087
                                                               1545-0140
1.6654-2...................................................    1545-0087
1.6654-3...................................................    1545-0087
1.6655(e)-1................................................    1545-1421
1.6662-3(c)................................................    1545-0889
1.6662-4(e) and (f)........................................    1545-0889
1.6662-6...................................................    1545-1426
1.6694-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.6694-2...................................................    1545-0074
1.6694-2(c)................................................    1545-1231
1.6694-2(c)(3).............................................    1545-1231
1.6694-3(e)................................................    1545-1231
1.6695-1...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-1385
1.6696-1...................................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0240
1.6851-1...................................................    1545-0086
                                                               1545-0138
1.6851-2...................................................    1545-0086
                                                               1545-0138
1.7476-1...................................................    1545-0197
1.7476-2...................................................    1545-0197
1.7519-2T..................................................    1545-1036
1.7520-1...................................................    1545-1343
1.7520-2...................................................    1545-1343
1.7520-3...................................................    1545-1343
1.7520-4...................................................    1545-1343
1.7701(l)-3................................................    1545-1642
1.7872-15..................................................    1545-1792
1.9100-1...................................................    1545-0074
1.9101-1...................................................    1545-0008
2.1-4......................................................    1545-0123
2.1-5......................................................    1545-0123
2.1-6......................................................    1545-0123
2.1-10.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-11.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-12.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-13.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-20.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-22.....................................................    1545-0123
2.1-26.....................................................    1545-0123
3.2........................................................    1545-0123
4.954-1....................................................    1545-1068
4.954-2....................................................    1545-1068
5.6411-1...................................................    1545-0042
                                                               1545-0074
                                                               1545-0098
                                                               1545-0129
                                                               1545-0172
                                                               1545-0582
                                                               1545-0619
5c.44F-1...................................................    1545-0619
5c.128-1...................................................    1545-0123
5c.305-1...................................................    1545-0110
5c.442-1...................................................    1545-0152
5f.103-1...................................................    1545-0720
5f.6045-1..................................................    1545-0715

[[Page 722]]

 
6a.103A-2..................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0720
6a.103A-3..................................................    1545-0720
7.465-1....................................................    1545-0712
7.465-2....................................................    1545-0712
7.465-3....................................................    1545-0712
7.465-4....................................................    1545-0712
7.465-5....................................................    1545-0712
7.936-1....................................................    1545-0217
7.999-1....................................................    1545-0216
7.6039A-1..................................................    1545-0015
7.6041-1...................................................    1545-0115
11.410-1...................................................    1545-0710
11.412(c)-7................................................    1545-0710
11.412(c)-11...............................................    1545-0710
12.7.......................................................    1545-0190
12.8.......................................................    1545-0191
12.9.......................................................    1545-0195
14a.422A-1.................................................    1545-0123
15A.453-1..................................................    1545-0228
16A.126-2..................................................    1545-0074
16A.1255-1.................................................    1545-0184
16A.1255-2.................................................    1545-0184
18.1371-1..................................................    1545-0130
18.1378-1..................................................    1545-0130
18.1379-1..................................................    1545-0130
18.1379-2..................................................    1545-0130
20.2010-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.2011-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2014-5..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0260
20.2014-6..................................................    1545-0015
20.2016-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2031-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.2031-3..................................................    1545-0015
20.2031-4..................................................    1545-0015
20.2031-6..................................................    1545-0015
20.2031-7..................................................    1545-0020
20.2031-10.................................................    1545-0015
20.2032-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2032A-3.................................................    1545-0015
20.2032A-4.................................................    1545-0015
20.2032A-8.................................................    1545-0015
20.2039-4..................................................    1545-0015
20.2051-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2053-3..................................................    1545-0015
20.2053-9..................................................    1545-0015
20.2053-10.................................................    1545-0015
20.2055-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2055-2..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0092
20.2055-3..................................................    1545-0015
20.2056(b)-4...............................................    1545-0015
20.2056(b)-7...............................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-1612
20.2056A-2.................................................    1545-1443
20.2056A-3.................................................    1545-1360
20.2056A-4.................................................    1545-1360
20.2056A-10................................................    1545-1360
20.2106-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2106-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.2204-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.2204-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.6001-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6011-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6018-1..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0531
20.6018-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.6018-3..................................................    1545-0015
20.6018-4..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0022
20.6036-2..................................................    1545-0015
20.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
20.6061-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6065-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6075-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6081-1..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0181
                                                               1545-1707
20.6091-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
20.6161-1..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0181
20.6161-2..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0181
20.6163-1..................................................    1545-0015
20.6166-1..................................................    1545-0181
20.6166A-1.................................................    1545-0015
20.6166A-3.................................................    1545-0015
20.6324A-1.................................................    1545-0754
20.7520-1..................................................    1545-1343
20.7520-2..................................................    1545-1343
20.7520-3..................................................    1545-1343
20.7520-4..................................................    1545-1343
22.0.......................................................    1545-0015
25.2511-2..................................................    1545-0020
25.2512-2..................................................    1545-0020
25.2512-3..................................................    1545-0020
25.2512-5..................................................    1545-0020
25.2512-9..................................................    1545-0020
25.2513-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.2513-2..................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0021
25.2513-3..................................................    1545-0020
25.2518-2..................................................    1545-0959
25.2522(a)-1...............................................    1545-0196
25.2522(c)-3...............................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0196
25.2523(a)-1...............................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0196
25.2523(f)-1...............................................    1545-0015
25.2701-2..................................................    1545-1241
25.2701-4..................................................    1545-1241
25.2701-5..................................................    1545-1273
25.2702-5..................................................    1545-1485
25.2702-6..................................................    1545-1273
25.6001-1..................................................    1545-0020
                                                               1545-0022
25.6011-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6019-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6019-2..................................................    1545-0020
25.6019-3..................................................    1545-0020
25.6019-4..................................................    1545-0020
25.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
25.6061-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6065-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6075-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6081-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6091-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6091-2..................................................    1545-0020
25.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
25.6151-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.6161-1..................................................    1545-0020
25.7520-1..................................................    1545-1343
25.7520-2..................................................    1545-1343
25.7520-3..................................................    1545-1343
25.7520-4..................................................    1545-1343
26.2601-1..................................................    1545-0985
26.2632-1..................................................    1545-0985
                                                               1545-1892
26.2642-1..................................................    1545-0985
26.2642-2..................................................    1545-0985
26.2642-3..................................................    1545-0985
26.2642-4..................................................    1545-0985

[[Page 723]]

 
26.2642-6..................................................    1545-1902
26.2652-2..................................................    1545-0985
26.2654-1..................................................    1545-1902
26.2662-1..................................................    1545-0015
                                                               1545-0985
26.2662-2..................................................    1545-0985
26.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
26.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
31.3102-3..................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0059
                                                               1545-0065
31.3121(b)(19)-1...........................................    1545-0029
31.3121(d)-1...............................................    1545-0004
31.3121(i)-1...............................................    1545-0034
31.3121(r)-1...............................................    1545-0029
31.3121(s)-1...............................................    1545-0029
31.3121(v)(2)-1............................................    1545-1643
31.3302(a)-2...............................................    1545-0028
31.3302(a)-3...............................................    1545-0028
31.3302(b)-2...............................................    1545-0028
31.3302(e)-1...............................................    1545-0028
31.3306(c)(18)-1...........................................    1545-0029
31.3401(a)-1...............................................    1545-0029
31.3401(a)(6)..............................................    1545-1484
31.3401(a)(6)-1............................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0096
                                                               1545-0795
31.3401(a)(7)-1............................................    1545-0029
31.3401(a)(8)(A)-1 ........................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0666
31.3401(a)(8)(C)-1 ........................................    1545-0029
31.3401(a)(15)-1...........................................    1545-0182
31.3401(c)-1...............................................    1545-0004
31.3402(b)-1...............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(c)-1...............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(f)(1)-1............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(f)(2)-1............................................    1545-0010
                                                               1545-0410
31.3402(f)(3)-1............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(f)(4)-1............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(f)(4)-2............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(f)(5)-1............................................    1545-0010
                                                               1545-1435
31.3402(h)(1)-1............................................    1545-0029
31.3402(h)(3)-1............................................    1545-0010
                                                               1545-0029
31.3402(h)(4)-1............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(i)-(1).............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(i)-(2).............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(k)-1...............................................    1545-0065
31.3402(l)-(1).............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(m)-(1).............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(n)-(1).............................................    1545-0010
31.3402(o)-2...............................................    1545-0415
31.3402(o)-3...............................................    1545-0008
                                                               1545-0010
                                                               1545-0415
                                                               1545-0717
31.3402(p)-1...............................................    1545-0415
                                                               1545-0717
31.3402(q)-1...............................................    1545-0238
                                                               1545-0239
31.3404-1..................................................    1545-0029
31.3405(c)-1...............................................    1545-1341
31.3406(a)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(a)-2...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(a)-3...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(a)-4...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(2)-1............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(2)-2............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(2)-3............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(2)-4............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(2)-5............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(3)-1............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(3)-2............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(3)-3............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(3)-4............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(b)(4)-1............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(c)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(d)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(d)-2...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(d)-3...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(d)-4...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(d)-5...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(e)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(f)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(g)-1...............................................    1545-0096
                                                               1545-0112
                                                               1545-1819
31.3406(g)-2...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(g)-3...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(h)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(h)-2...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(h)-3...............................................    1545-0112
31.3406(i)-1...............................................    1545-0112
31.3501(a)-1T..............................................    1545-0771
31.3503-1..................................................    1545-0024
31.3504-1..................................................    1545-0029
31.3511-1..................................................    1545-2266
31.6001-1..................................................    1545-0798
31.6001-2..................................................    1545-0034
                                                               1545-0798
31.6001-3..................................................    1545-0798
31.6001-4..................................................    1545-0028
31.6001-5..................................................    1545-0798
31.6001-6..................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1459-0798
31.6011(a)-1...............................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0034
                                                               1545-0035
                                                               1545-0059
                                                               1545-0074
                                                               1545-0256
                                                               1545-0718
                                                               1545-2097
31.6011(a)-2...............................................    1545-0001
                                                               1545-0002
31.6011(a)-3...............................................    1545-0028
31.6011(a)-3A..............................................    1545-0955
31.6011(a)-4...............................................    1545-0034
                                                               1545-0035
                                                               1545-0718
                                                               1545-1413
                                                               1545-2097
31.6011(a)-5...............................................    1545-0028
                                                               1545-0718
                                                               1545-2097
31.6011(a)-6...............................................    1545-0028
31.6011(a)-7...............................................    1545-0074
31.6011(a)-8...............................................    1545-0028
31.6011(a)-9...............................................    1545-0028
31.6011(a)-10..............................................    1545-0112
31.6011(b)-1...............................................    1545-0003
31.6011(b)-2...............................................    1545-0029
31.6051-1..................................................    1545-0008
                                                               1545-0182
                                                               1545-0458
                                                               1545-1729
31.6051-2..................................................    1545-0008
31.6051-3..................................................    1545-0008
31.6053-1..................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0062
                                                               1545-0064
                                                               1545-0065

[[Page 724]]

 
                                                               1545-1603
31.6053-2..................................................    1545-0008
31.6053-3..................................................    1545-0065
                                                               1545-0714
31.6053-4..................................................    1545-0065
                                                               1545-1603
31.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
31.6065(a)-1...............................................    1545-0029
31.6071(a)-1...............................................    1545-0001
                                                               1545-0028
                                                               1545-0029
31.6071(a)-1A..............................................    1545-0955
31.6081(a)-1...............................................    1545-0008
                                                               1545-0028
31.6091-1..................................................    1545-0028
                                                               1545-0029
31.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
31.6157-1..................................................    1545-0955
31.6205-1..................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-2097
31.6301(c)-1AT.............................................    1545-0035
                                                               1545-0112
                                                               1545-0257
31.6302-1..................................................    1545-1413
31.6302-2..................................................    1545-1413
31.6302-3..................................................    1545-1413
31.6302-4..................................................    1545-1413
31.6302(c)-2...............................................    1545-0001
                                                               1545-0257
31.6302(c)-2A..............................................    1545-0955
31.6302(c)-3...............................................    1545-0257
31.6402(a)-2...............................................    1545-0256
                                                               1545-2097
31.6413(a)-1...............................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-2097
31.6413(a)-2...............................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0256
                                                               1545-2097
31.6413(c)-1...............................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0171
31.6414-1..................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-2097
32.1.......................................................    1545-0029
                                                               1545-0415
32.2.......................................................    1545-0029
35a.3406-2.................................................    1545-0112
35a.9999-5.................................................    1545-0029
36.3121(l)(1)-1............................................    1545-0137
36.3121(l)(1)-2............................................    1545-0137
36.3121(l)(3)-1............................................    1545-0123
36.3121(1)(7)-1............................................    1545-0123
36.3121(1)(10)-1...........................................    1545-0029
36.3121(1)(10)-3...........................................    1545-0029
36.3121(1)(10)-4...........................................    1545-0257
40.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
40.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
40.6302(c)-3(b)(2)(ii).....................................    1545-1296
40.6302(c)-3(b)(2)(iii)....................................    1545-1296
40.6302(c)-3(e)............................................    1545-1296
40.6302(c)-3(f)(2)(ii).....................................    1545-1296
41.4481-1..................................................    1545-0143
41.4481-2..................................................    1545-0143
41.4483-3..................................................    1545-0143
41.6001-1..................................................    1545-0143
41.6001-2..................................................    1545-0143
41.6001-3..................................................    1545-0143
41.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
41.6071(a)-1...............................................    1545-0143
41.6081(a)-1...............................................    1545-0143
41.6091-1..................................................    1545-0143
41.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
41.6109-1..................................................    1545-0143
41.6151(a)-1...............................................    1545-0143
41.6156-1..................................................    1545-0143
41.6161(a)(1)-1............................................    1545-0143
44.4401-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.4403-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.4412-1..................................................    1545-0236
44.4901-1..................................................    1545-0236
44.4905-1..................................................    1545-0236
44.4905-2..................................................    1545-0236
44.6001-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.6011(a)-1...............................................    1545-0235
                                                               1545-0236
44.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
44.6071-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.6091-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
44.6151-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.6419-1..................................................    1545-0235
44.6419-2..................................................    1545-0235
46.4371-4..................................................    1545-0023
46.4374-1..................................................    1545-0023
46.4375-1..................................................    1545-2238
46.4376-1..................................................    1545-2238
46.4701-1..................................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0257
48.4041-4..................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-5..................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-6..................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-7..................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-9..................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-10.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-11.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-12.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-13.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-19.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-20.................................................    1545-0023
48.4041-21.................................................    1545-1270
48.4042-2..................................................    1545-0023
48.4052-1..................................................    1545-1418
48.4061(a)-1...............................................    1545-0023
48.4061(a)-2...............................................    1545-0023
48.4061(b)-3...............................................    1545-0023
48.4064-1..................................................    1545-0014
                                                               1545-0242
48.4071-1..................................................    1545-0023
48.4073-1..................................................    1545-0023
48.4073-3..................................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-1074
                                                               1545-1087
48.4081-2..................................................    1545-1270
                                                               1545-1418
48.4081-3..................................................    1545-1270
                                                               1545-1418
                                                               1545-1897
48.4081-4(b)(2)(ii)........................................    1545-1270
48.4081-4(b)(3)(i).........................................    1545-1270
48.4081-4(c)...............................................    1545-1270
48.4081-6(c)(1)(ii)........................................    1545-1270
48.4081-7..................................................    1545-1270
                                                               1545-1418
48.4082-1T.................................................    1545-1418
48.4082-2..................................................    1545-1418
48.4082-6..................................................    1545-1418
48.4082-7..................................................    1545-1418
48.4101-1..................................................    1545-1418
48.4101-1T.................................................    1545-1418
48.4101-2..................................................    1545-1418
48.4161(a)-1...............................................    1545-0723
48.4161(a)-2...............................................    1545-0723
48.4161(a)-3...............................................    1545-0723
48.4161(b)-1...............................................    1545-0723
48.4216(a)-2...............................................    1545-0023

[[Page 725]]

 
48.4216(a)-3...............................................    1545-0023
48.4216(c)-1...............................................    1545-0023
48.4221-1..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-2..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-3..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-4..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-5..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-6..................................................    1545-0023
48.4221-7..................................................    1545-0023
48.4222(a)-1...............................................    1545-0014
                                                               1545-0023
48.4223-1..................................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0257
                                                               1545-0723
48.6302(c)-1...............................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0257
48.6412-1..................................................    1545-0723
48.6416(a)-1...............................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0723
48.6416(a)-2...............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(a)-3...............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(1)-1............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(1)-2............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(1)-3............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(1)-4............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(2)-1............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(2)-2............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(2)-3............................................    1545-0723
                                                               1545-1087
48.6416(b)(2)-4............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(3)-1............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(3)-2............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(3)-3............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(4)-1............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(b)(5)-1............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(c)-1...............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(e)-1...............................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0723
48.6416(f)-1...............................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0723
48.6416(g)-1...............................................    1545-0723
48.6416(h)-1...............................................    1545-0723
48.6420(c)-2...............................................    1545-0023
48.6420(f)-1...............................................    1545-0023
48.6420-1..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6420-2..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6420-3..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6420-4..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6420-5..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6420-6..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-0..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-1..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-2..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-3..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-4..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-5..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-6..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6421-7..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6424-0..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-1..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-2..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-3..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-4..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-5..................................................    1545-0723
48.6424-6..................................................    1545-0723
48.6427-0..................................................    1545-0723
48.6427-1..................................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6427-2..................................................    1545-0162
                                                               1545-0723
48.6427-3..................................................    1545-0723
48.6427-4..................................................    1545-0723
48.6427-5..................................................    1545-0723
48.6427-8..................................................    1545-1418
48.6427-9..................................................    1545-1418
48.6427-10.................................................    1545-1418
48.6427-11.................................................    1545-1418
49.4251-1..................................................    1545-1075
49.4251-2..................................................    1545-1075
49.4251-4(d)(2)............................................    1545-1628
49.4253-3..................................................    1545-0023
49.4253-4..................................................    1545-0023
49.4264(b)-1...............................................    1545-0023
                                                               1545-0224
                                                               1545-0225
                                                               1545-0226
                                                               1545-0230
                                                               1545-0257
                                                               1545-0912
49.4271-1(d)...............................................    1545-0685
49.5000B-1.................................................    1545-2177
51.2(f)(2)(ii).............................................    1545-2209
51.7.......................................................    1545-2209
52.4682-1(b)(2)(iii).......................................    1545-1153
52.4682-2(b)...............................................    1545-1153
                                                               1545-1361
52.4682-2(d)...............................................    1545-1153
                                                               1545-1361
52.4682-3(c)(2)............................................    1545-1153
52.4682-3(g)...............................................    1545-1153
52.4682-4(f)...............................................    1545-0257
                                                               1545-1153
52.4682-5(d)...............................................    1545-1361
52.4682-5(f)...............................................    1545-1361
53.4940-1..................................................    1545-0052
                                                               1545-0196
53.4942(a)-1...............................................    1545-0052
53.4942(a)-2...............................................    1545-0052
53.4942(a)-3...............................................    1545-0052
53.4942(b)-3...............................................    1545-0052
53.4945-1..................................................    1545-0052
53.4945-4..................................................    1545-0052
53.4945-5..................................................    1545-0052
53.4945-6..................................................    1545-0052
53.4947-1..................................................    1545-0196
53.4947-2..................................................    1545-0196
53.4948-1..................................................    1545-0052
53.4958-6..................................................    1545-1623
53.4961-2..................................................    1545-0024
53.4963-1..................................................    1545-0024
53.6001-1..................................................    1545-0052
53.6011-1..................................................    1545-0049
                                                               1545-0052
                                                               1545-0092
                                                               1545-0196
53.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
53.6065-1..................................................    1545-0052
53.6071-1..................................................    1545-0049
53.6081-1..................................................    1545-0066

[[Page 726]]

 
                                                               1545-0148
53.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
53.6161-1..................................................    1545-0575
54.4975-7..................................................    1545-0575
54.4977-1T.................................................    1545-0771
54.4980B-6.................................................    1545-1581
54.4980B-7.................................................    1545-1581
54.4980B-8.................................................    1545-1581
54.4980F-1.................................................    1545-1780
54.6011-1..................................................    1545-0575
54.6011-1T.................................................    1545-0575
54.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
54.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
54.9801-3..................................................    1545-1537
54.9801-4..................................................    1545-1537
54.9801-5..................................................    1545-1537
54.9801-6..................................................    1545-1537
54.9812-1T.................................................    1545-2165
54.9815-1251T..............................................    1545-2178
54.9815-2711T..............................................    1545-2179
54.9815-2712T..............................................    1545-2180
54.9815-2714T..............................................    1545-2172
54.9815-2715...............................................    1545-2229
54.9815-2719AT.............................................    1545-2181
54.9815-2719T..............................................    1545-2182
55.6001-1..................................................    1545-0123
55.6011-1..................................................    1545-0123
                                                               1545-0999
                                                               1545-1016
55.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
55.6061-1..................................................    1545-0999
55.6071-1..................................................    1545-0999
55.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
56.4911-6..................................................    1545-0052
56.4911-7..................................................    1545-0052
56.4911-9..................................................    1545-0052
56.4911-10.................................................    1545-0052
56.6001-1..................................................    1545-1049
56.6011-1..................................................    1545-1049
56.6060-1(a)(1)............................................    1545-1231
56.6081-1..................................................    1545-1049
56.6107-1..................................................    1545-1231
56.6161-1..................................................    1545-0257
                                                               1545-1049
57.2(e)(2)(i)..............................................    1545-2249
145.4051-1.................................................    1545-0745
145.4052-1.................................................    1545-0120
                                                               1545-0745
                                                               1545-1076
145.4061-1.................................................    1545-0224
                                                               1545-0230
                                                               1545-0257
                                                               1545-0745
156.6001-1.................................................    1545-1049
156.6011-1.................................................    1545-1049
156.6060-1(a)(1)...........................................    1545-1231
156.6081-1.................................................    1545-1049
156.6107-1.................................................    1545-1231
156.6161-1.................................................    1545-1049
157.6001-1.................................................    1545-1824
157.6011-1.................................................    1545-1824
157.6060-1(a)(1)...........................................    1545-1231
157.6081-1.................................................    1545-1824
157.6107-1.................................................    1545-1231
157.6161-1.................................................    1545-1824
301.6011-2.................................................    1545-0225
                                                               1545-0350
                                                               1545-0387
                                                               1545-0441
                                                               1545-0957
301.6011(g)-1..............................................    1545-2079
301.6017-1.................................................    1545-0090
301.6034-1.................................................    1545-0092
301.6036-1.................................................    1545-0013
                                                               1545-0773
301.6047-1.................................................    1545-0367
                                                               1545-0957
301.6056-1.................................................    1545-2251
301.6056-2.................................................    1545-2251
301.6057-1.................................................    1545-0710
301.6057-2.................................................    1545-0710
301.6058-1.................................................    1545-0710
301.6059-1.................................................    1545-0710
301.6103(c)-1..............................................    1545-1816
301.6103(n)-1..............................................    1545-1841
301.6103(p)(2)(B)-1........................................    1545-1757
301.6104(a)-1..............................................    1545-0495
301.6104(a)-5..............................................    1545-0056
301.6104(a)-6..............................................    1545-0056
301.6104(b)-1..............................................    1545-0094
                                                               1545-0742
301.6104(d)-1..............................................    1545-1655
301.6104(d)-2..............................................    1545-1655
301.6104(d)-3..............................................    1545-1655
301.6109-1.................................................    1545-0003
                                                               1545-0295
                                                               1545-0367
                                                               1545-0387
                                                               1545-0957
                                                               1545-1461
                                                               1545-2242
301.6109-3.................................................    1545-1564
301.6110-3.................................................    1545-0074
301.6110-5.................................................    1545-0074
301.6111-1T................................................    1545-0865
                                                               1545-0881
301.6111-2.................................................    1545-0865
                                                               1545-1687
301.6112-1.................................................    1545-0865
                                                               1545-1686
301.6112-1T................................................    1545-0865
                                                               1545-1686
301.6114-1.................................................    1545-1126
                                                               1545-1484
301.6222(a)-2..............................................    1545-0790
301.6222(b)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6222(b)-2..............................................    1545-0790
301.6222(b)-3..............................................    1545-0790
301.6223(b)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6223(c)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6223(e)-2..............................................    1545-0790
301.6223(g)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6223(h)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6224(b)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6224(c)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6224(c)-3..............................................    1545-0790
301.6227(c)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6227(d)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6229(b)-2..............................................    1545-0790
301.6230(b)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6230(e)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6231(a)(1)-1...........................................    1545-0790
301.6231(a)(7)-1...........................................    1545-0790
301.6231(c)-1..............................................    1545-0790
301.6231(c)-2..............................................    1545-0790
301.6316-4.................................................    1545-0074
301.6316-5.................................................    1545-0074
301.6316-6.................................................    1545-0074
301.6316-7.................................................    1545-0029
301.6324A-1................................................    1545-0015
301.6361-1.................................................    1545-0024
                                                               1545-0074
301.6361-2.................................................    1545-0024
301.6361-3.................................................    1545-0074

[[Page 727]]

 
301.6402-2.................................................    1545-0024
                                                               1545-0073
                                                               1545-0091
301.6402-3.................................................    1545-0055
                                                               1545-0073
                                                               1545-0091
                                                               1545-0132
                                                               1545-1484
301.6402-5.................................................    1545-0928
301.6404-1.................................................    1545-0024
301.6404-2T................................................    1545-0024
301.6404-3.................................................    1545-0024
301.6405-1.................................................    1545-0024
301.6501(c)-1..............................................    1545-1241
                                                               1545-1637
301.6501(d)-1..............................................    1545-0074
                                                               1545-0430
301.6511(d)-1..............................................    1545-0024
                                                               1545-0582
301.6511(d)-2..............................................    1545-0024
                                                               1545-0582
301.6511(d)-3..............................................    1545-0024
                                                               1545-0582
301.6652-2.................................................    1545-0092
301.6685-1.................................................    1545-0092
301.6689-1T................................................    1545-1056
301.6707-1T................................................    1545-0865
                                                               1545-0881
301.6708-1T................................................    1545-0865
301.6712-1.................................................    1545-1126
301.6903-1.................................................    1545-0013
                                                               1545-1783
301.6905-1.................................................    1545-0074
301.7001-1.................................................    1545-0123
301.7101-1.................................................    1545-1029
301.7207-1.................................................    1545-0092
301.7216-2.................................................    1545-0074
301.7216-2(o)..............................................    1545-1209
301.7425-3.................................................    1545-0854
301.7430-2(c)..............................................    1545-1356
301.7502-1.................................................    1545-1899
301.7507-8.................................................    1545-0123
301.7507-9.................................................    1545-0123
301.7513-1.................................................    1545-0429
301.7517-1.................................................    1545-0015
301.7605-1.................................................    1545-0795
301.7623-1.................................................    1545-0409
                                                               1545-1534
301.7654-1.................................................    1545-0803
301.7701-3.................................................    1545-1486
301.7701-4.................................................    1545-1465
301.7701-7.................................................    1545-1600
301.7701-16................................................    1545-0795
301.7701(b)-1..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-2..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-3..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-4..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-5..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-6..............................................    1545-0089
301.7701(b)-7..............................................    1545-0089
                                                               1545-1126
301.7701(b)-9..............................................    1545-0089
301.7705-1.................................................    1545-2266
301.7705-2.................................................    1545-2266
301.7805-1.................................................    1545-0805
301.9000-5.................................................    1545-1850
301.9001-1.................................................    1545-0220
301.9100-2.................................................    1545-1488
301.9100-3.................................................    1545-1488
301.9100-4T................................................    1545-0016
                                                               1545-0042
                                                               1545-0074
                                                               1545-0129
                                                               1545-0172
                                                               1545-0619
301.9100-6T................................................    1545-0872
301.9100-7T................................................    1545-0982
301.9100-8.................................................    1545-1112
301.9100-11T...............................................    1545-0123
301.9100-12T...............................................    1545-0026
                                                               1545-0074
                                                               1545-0172
                                                               1545-1027
301.9100-14T...............................................    1545-0046
301.9100-15T...............................................    1545-0046
301.9100-16T...............................................    1545-0152
302.1-7....................................................    1545-0024
305.7701-1.................................................    1545-0823
305.7871-1.................................................    1545-0823
420.0-1....................................................    1545-0710
Part 509...................................................    1545-0846
Part 513...................................................    1545-0834
Part 514...................................................    1545-0845
Part 521...................................................    1545-0848
601.104....................................................    1545-0233
601.105....................................................    1545-0091
601.201....................................................    1545-0019
                                                               1545-0819
601.204....................................................    1545-0152
601.401....................................................    1545-0257
601.504....................................................    1545-0150
601.601....................................................    1545-0800
601.602....................................................    1545-0295
                                                               1545-0387
                                                               1545-0957
601.702....................................................    1545-0429
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[T.D. 8011, 50 FR 10222, Mar. 14, 1985]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec.  
602.101, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

[[Page 729]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that 
were made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 
1, 2015 are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the 
nature of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register 
pages. The user should consult the entries for chapters, parts and 
subparts as well as sections for revisions.
For changes to this volume of the CFR prior to this listing, consult the 
annual edition of the monthly List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA). The 
LSA is available at www.govinfo.gov. For changes to this volume of the 
CFR prior to 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-1963, 
1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 11 separate volumes. 
The ``List of CFR Sections Affected 1986-2000'' is available at 
www.govinfo.gov.

                                  2015

                       (No regulations published)

                                  2016

26 CFR
                                                                   81 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
1.402A-1 Amended...................................................31166

                                  2017

26 CFR
                                                                   82 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
1.401(a)(9)-6 Amended; CFR correction..............................46671

                                  2018

26 CFR
                                                                   83 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
1.401(k)-1 (g)(5) added............................................34471
1.401(k)-6 Amended.................................................34471
1.401(m)-1 (d)(4) added............................................34471
1.401(m)-5 Amended.................................................34471

                                  2019

26 CFR
                                                                   84 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
1.401-1 (a)(3)(iii), (v), (vi), (4), (b)(1)(ii), and (e)(2) 
        amended.....................................................9233
1.401-3 (a)(1) and (e)(5) amended...................................9234
1.401-4 Removed.....................................................9234
1.401-5 Removed.....................................................9234
1.401-6 (d) amended.................................................9234
1.401-8 Removed.....................................................9234
1.401-10 (a)(1) amended.............................................9234
1.401(e)-1 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(e)-2 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(e)-3 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(e)-4 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(e)-5 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(e)-6 Removed..................................................9234
1.401(f)-1 (a) amended..............................................9234
1.401(k)-0 Amended.................................................49657
1.401(k)-1 (d)(3)(ii), (6) Examples 3, 4, and 5 removed; 
        (d)(3)(iii), (iv), (v), (6) Example 6, (ii)(i), and (ii) 
        redesignated as new (d)(3)(ii), (iii), (iv), (6) Example 
        3, (ii)(A), and (B); (d)(1)(ii), (iii), new (d)(3)(ii)(B), 
        new (iii), new (iv) revised; (d)(1)(iv), new (3)(ii)(C), 
        new (v) added; (d)(6) amended..............................49657
1.401(k)-3 (c)(6)(v) revised; (c)(7) Example 1(i), and (j)(2)(iv) 
        amended....................................................49658
1.401(k)-6 Amended.................................................49658
1.401(m)-3 (d)(6)(v) revised.......................................49658
1.401-11 Removed....................................................9234
1.401-12 Removed....................................................9234

[[Page 730]]

1.401-13 Removed....................................................9234
1.402(a)-1 (a)(6)(v) removed; (a)(6)(vi) amended....................9234
1.402(e)-1 Removed..................................................9234
1.403(a)-1 (f) amended..............................................9234
1.404(a)-1 (a)(1) amended...........................................9234
1.404(a)-2 (i) amended..............................................9234
1.404(a)-2A Removed.................................................9234
1.404(a)-3 (a) amended..............................................9234
1.404(a)-4 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(a)-5 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(a)-6 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(a)-7 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(a)-8 (b) amended..............................................9234
1.404(a)-9 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(a)-10 (b) amended.............................................9234
1.404(a)(8)-1T Removed..............................................9234
1.404(e)-1 Removed..................................................9234
1.404(e)-1A (a) amended.............................................9234
1.405-1 Removed.....................................................9234
1.405-2 Removed.....................................................9234
1.405-3 Removed.....................................................9234

                                  2020

 (No regulations published from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2020)


                                  [all]