FIS Relius

Rehired Employees and Early Eligibility Provisions
Tuesdays with Derrin and Steve

According to recent IRS examinations, applying eligibility conditions correctly (entering too early, too late or not at all) continues to be a problem for many plans. The results are not surprising considering the fact that rules are counterintuitive. Furthermore, many plans now impose early eligibility conditions (i.e., less than one year) for which the regulations provide far less guidance.

Some of the more challenging eligibility questions that confront a retirement plan practitioner are questions relating to rehired employees. When does a rehired employee re-enter/enter the plan? When and how do the break-in-service rules affect rehired employees? Does the one-year hold-out rule apply to a 401(k) plan? What vesting years of service must the plan credit for a rehired employee? Does it matter whether the participant received a cash-out distribution? If the rehired participant is receiving distributions, do you stop the distributions? A misapplication of the rules raises disqualification issues and the possibility of corrective contributions.

With some well-crafted examples, the speaker illustrates how to apply these rules and eliminate the confusion that seems to follow rehired, as well as the early eligibility provisions. Practitioners attending this web seminar can obtain the necessary understanding to apply the rules properly, avoiding hours of difficult research.

What You'll Learn

• When do rehired employees re-enter/enter the plan?
• What is the proper way to apply early eligibility provisions?
• What is the proper application of a “months” eligibility provision that does not include a service requirement?
• When and how do the break-in-service rules apply?
• Can you utilize the one-year hold-out rule in a 401(k) plan?
• When can the plan treat the rehired employee as a new employee?
• Distributions to rehired employees
• Crediting vesting service for rehired employees
• When does an employee complete a year of service?

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites or advance preparation for this program.

Level: Overview

Instructional Delivery Method
Group - Internet-Based

Speaker - Stephen W. Forbes, J.D., LL.M.
Author of The 5500 Filing Guide

Objectives: After attending this Web seminar, attendees will be able to:

1. Determine when a rehired employee enters the plan
2. Apply the break-in-service rules correctly
3. Determine when the plan may treat a rehired employee as a new employee
4. Apply properly early eligibility provisions
5. Apply the repayment and restoration rules properly
6. Determine how to administer the eligibility rules where there is missing service data
7. Apply properly a “months” eligibility provision

Hardware System Requirements: 

• Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Windows 7
• Internet Explorer 4.01 or later, Netscape 4.08 or later, and set Internet browser to allow pop-up windows.
• High-speed Internet connection.
• Pentium 166+ MHz, 128MB RAM or more.
• 1023 x 768 or higher display resolution.
• Soundcard and Speakers.

Software Requirements:

• Silverlight Version 4 is required. Silverlight Version 5 or higher is preferred.
• Silverlight 4 System Requirements Information: http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/locale/en-us/html/installation-win-SL4.html
• Silverlight Downloading:
  • If you do not have Silverlight on your desktop, you should see an automatic pop-up window that will allow you to install it.
  • If you don't see the pop-up window, or if you wish to install this application before you access the recording, you may download it from this location: http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/get-started/install/default.aspx 
• If you have questions or need assistance with accessing/downloading Silverlight, please contact your IT or MIS department.

Program related requests, questions, or concerns may be emailed to: relius.education@sungard.com.