Products June 29, 2009

Great-West Offers Start-Up 401(k)

Great-West Retirement Services introduced Easy Start 401(k), a new product targeted to businesses that do not currently offer a 401(k) plan.
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According to Bill Harmon, vice president of 401(k) sales, the plan is affordable and easy to implement. “To get started, businesses with at least five employees just decide who is eligible, whether the company will match contributions, and how long before employees become vested, and within 15 business days, the business can be sending in their employees’ first 401(k) contributions,” Harmon said in a news release.

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More information is available at www.gwrs.com.

 

Products June 29, 2009

Diversified Announces Intent to Sponsor 403(b) Prototype

Diversified Investment Advisors, Inc. said it has notified the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of its intent to sponsor one or more 403(b) prototype plans.
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In its announcement, Diversified said that in response to the IRS’ request for written comments on the proposed program and sample language, it submitted comments requesting that the IRS add vesting schedules for employer contributions and certain church-specific provisions. In addition, Diversified suggested that the language in the proposed list of Required Modifications be clarified in order to address the needs of a diverse group of 403(b) plan sponsors.

Diversified’s concerns are similar to those of other providers and trade groups who raised the issue of vesting schedules and accommodating for plans with multiple vendors (see “Trade Groups Comment on 403(b) Prototype Program” and “SPARK Offers Suggestions for 403(b) Prototype Program“).

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The IRS issued the proposal for the prototype program in April (see “IRS Releases Proposed 403(b) Prototype Document Program“).

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