FAQs

A Key employee is any employee that is a more than 5% owner of the company. A key employee may also be an employee with less than 5% ownership but more than 1% ownership and compensation of $150,000 annually. Immediate family of an Owner of the company are also considered Key employees for plan purposes. This includes the spouse, children, and grandparents. Officers of the company with compensation of $175,000 (may change based upon cost of living increases) or more may also be considered Key employees.

The ADP test or Average Deferral Percentage test is a non-discrimination test that is performed annually for non-safe harbor 401(k) plans. The test reviews the average percentage deferred by the plan’s highly compensated employees (HCEs) compared to the average percentage deferred by the plan’s non-highly compensated employees (NHCEs). The average of the HCEs deferrals can not exceed 2% more than the average deferrals of the NHCEs.

Example: HCE 1 deferred 6% of pay
HCE 2 deferred 8% of pay
HCE 3 deferred 12% of pay
Average HCE deferral = 26% / 3 = 8.67%

NHCE 1 deferred 0% of pay
NHCE 2 deferred 5% of pay
NHCE 3 deferred 10% of pay
Average NHCE deferral = 15% / 3 = 5%

HCE average deferral % = 8.67%
NHCE average deferral % = 5.0%

Maximum allowable HCE deferral % = Lesser of NHCE deferral % x 2 or +2
5.0% x 2 = 10%

5.0% +2 = 7%, HCE ADP% 8.67% = FAILED ADP TEST
The HCEs can not defer on average more than 7%. The above HCE average deferral result of 8.67% produces a failed ADP test and results in refunds to the HCEs.

The ACP test or Average Contribution Percentage test works the same way as the ADP test (See What is the ADP Test), except that it is measuring the HCEs match percentage compared to the NHCEs match percentage. A failed ACP test can result in refunds of match contributions to the HCEs.

Yes. Safe Harbor Provisions can be added to your plan document that will avoid all ADP/ACP tests allowing each Highly Compensated Employee to defer the maximum $20,500 or $27,000 if age 50 or older (limits are indexed – see annual plan limits tab) regardless of how much the Non-Highly Compensated defer each year. Please see “Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan” under the tab Plan Types and call our office to discuss further.

The Top heavy test is performed annually to determine the percentage of assets held in the plan belonging to Key employees (See Who is a Key Employee?). When more than 60% of plan assets are held by Key employees the plan is considered Top Heavy. This determination can result in top heavy minimum contributions that must be made on behalf of non-key employees. A determination of top heavy status does not necessarily always require minimum contributions. Please call our office to discuss plan designs that may avoid or meet the top heavy minimum requirements.

ERISA was passed in 1974 to protect the security and well-being of millions of retirement accounts. Under ERISA, plan sponsors are required to design and operate their retirement plans for the exclusive benefit of participants and their beneficiaries. ERISA also sets standards of conduct for those who manage employee benefit plans. Carpenter Morse Group will assist you in making sure your plan complies with all aspects of ERISA.

An ERISA fidelity bond is a required bond that must be maintained by the fiduciaries of the plan. The bond is in place to protect the plan assets from fiduciary theft or fraudulent activity. The amount of the bond must be at least equal to ten percent of the funds handled, but not less than $1,000 or more than $500,000.

Although many Fiduciaries think their ERISA mandated fidelity bond protects personal assets, it does not. The fidelity bond protects the plan from loss due to dishonest acts of those who handle plan assets.

Yes, you are required by ERISA to bond or insure your plans from employee dishonesty in the lesser of $500,000 or 10% percent of all plan assets. Fiduciary liability insurance is not required by ERISA. However, a separate insurance policy may be purchased to provide fiduciary insurance coverage. This coverage provides protection to the fiduciary in the instance a participant makes a claim of fiduciary breach and defense is required.