If your client has a traditional 401(k) plan that failed the 2019 ADP/ACP testing, it may be the perfect time to discuss the option of adding a safe harbor provision to the plan. The following provides a general overview of the rules applicable to safe harbor 401(k) plans.
What is a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan?
A safe harbor 401(k) plan is a type of retirement plan that is exempt from certain testing requirements. Specifically, a safe harbor plan is generally exempt from ADP/ACP testing enabling the plan’s highly compensated employees to maximize 401(k) deferrals/Roth contributions without limitation. Safe harbor plans may also be exempt from top-heavy requirements if certain conditions are met.
What are the contribution requirements?
The plan must make either a safe harbor non-elective contribution or safe harbor matching contribution. These contributions cannot be subject to allocation conditions, e.g. employment on the last day of the plan year and/or 1,000 hours, and must be:
- 100% vested
- Subject to the same distribution restrictions as 401(k) contributions
What is a safe harbor non-elective contribution?
A safe harbor non-elective contribution is similar to a profit sharing contribution and must be made on behalf of all eligible employees, with limited exceptions. The contribution must be, at a minimum, 3% of eligible plan compensation regardless of whether the employee elects to defer or is employed on the last day of the plan year. The SECURE Act of 2019 made changes to this plan design that allow a Plan Sponsor to add this provision at any time during the Plan Year, or even after the end of the Plan Year up until the due date of their tax return. Adding the provision after the 11th month of the Plan Year would require a 4% contribution rather than 3%, but that can drop back down to 3% for future years.
What is the formula for safe harbor matching contributions?
Unlike the safe harbor non-elective, the safe harbor matching contribution can only be added at the beginning of a Plan Year.
There are two basic formulas that may be used:
- 100% on the first 3% of salary deferred, plus 50% on the next 2% of salary deferred (maximum of 4% match)
- 100% on at least the first 4% of salary deferred, but no more that 6% of salary deferred
Are there other requirements?
Yes, but only for the safe harbor matching contribution; before the beginning of each plan year the employer must provide all eligible employees with a notice meeting specific requirements. The notice must also be provided to employees before they become eligible to participant in the plan on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Can a plan make matching contributions in addition to safe harbor matching contributions?
Yes, however, depending upon the matching formula, ACP testing may be required.
If the plan allows for after-tax (non-Roth) contributions, is the plan still exempt from ACP testing?
No; voluntary after-tax contributions are always subject to ACP testing.
For additional matching contributions to be exempt from ACP testing, what conditions must be satisfied?
- Discretionary matching contributions may not exceed 4% of compensation
- Deferrals in excess of 6% may not be matched
- The rate of match may not increase as deferrals increase
- The plan may not impose allocation conditions on additional matching contributions
In order for the plan to be exempt from the top-heavy rules, what conditions must be satisfied?
- No contributions may be allocated to participants for the plan year other than 401(k), Roth and safe harbor contributions
- Forfeitures may not be allocated to participant accounts for the plan year
- The plan may not have dual eligibility requirements, e.g. immediate eligibility for 401(k) and a one-year wait for safe harbor contributions
Can a safe harbor plan include an automatic enrollment feature?
Yes; as a matter a fact, a safe harbor plan can be designed in such a way that if it includes an automatic enrollment feature with an automatic escalation feature, the plan can take advantage of a lesser safe harbor matching contribution formula and a 2-year cliff vesting schedule.
Can a safe harbor plan provide profit sharing contributions?
Absolutely! The plan can provide for discretionary (or fixed) profit sharing contributions in addition to safe harbor contributions and can include any allowable allocation formula, such as an integrated or cross-tested formula. This just means the plan will not be exempt from the top-heavy rules in years in which the employer elects to make a profit sharing contribution.
When can a plan adopt safe harbor provisions?
An existing 401(k) plan can only adopt a Safe harbor Matching Contribution feature effective as of the beginning of a plan year. Different rules apply to profit sharing only and new plans.
How can I learn more?
If you would like to learn more about safe harbor plans, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you with determining whether this type of design would be a good fit for any of your retirement plan clients.
