Compliance Requirements & Limits |
SEP |
SIMPLE IRA |
Qualified Retirement Plan |
| Profit Sharing (PS) |
PS w/401(k) |
Defined Benefit |
| Employer Conditions |
None |
100 Employee Limit |
None |
None |
None |
| Plan Document |
IRS Model Plan (Form 5305-SEP) or Individual Plan |
IRS Model Plan (Form 5305-SIMPLE) or Individual Plan |
Qualified Plan Document |
Qualified Plan Document |
Qualified Plan Document |
| Plan must be established by |
Due date of employer tax return or extension |
By October 1 of calendar yr exception for new employer |
By end of plan year |
By end of plan year; Oct.1 if Safe harbor; exception for new employer |
By end of plan year |
| Exclusive Plan |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Employees of Affiliated or Related Employers |
Must include |
Must include |
May exclude by applying minimum coverage rules |
May exclude by applying minimum coverage rules |
May exclude by applying minimum coverage rules |
| Coverage Testing |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Applicable |
Applicable |
Applicable |
| Nondiscrimination Tests |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Applicable |
Applicable |
Not Applicable |
| Top heavy Rules |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Applicable |
Applicable |
Applicable |
| Individual Maximum Annual Addition & Benefit Limits (IRC§415) |
For 2010, lesser of 100% of comp or $49,000 |
Participant limit plus employer contribution |
For 2010, lesser of 100% of comp or $49,000 |
For 2010, lesser of 100% of comp or $49,000; 401(k) catch-up excluded |
For 2010, lesser of 100% of high 3-yr avg. compensation or $195,000 |
| Participant Contribution Limit |
N/A |
$11,500 plus $2,500 if age >50 |
N/A |
$16,500 plus $5,500 if age >50 |
N/A |
| Compensation Dollar Limit |
$245,000 |
$245,000 for Non-elective; None for Match |
$245,000 |
$245,000 |
$245,000 |
| Employer Deduction Limit (IRC§404) |
25% of aggregate employee compensation |
Participant limit plus 2% ER Contribution; or 3% ER Match |
25% of aggregate employee compensation |
25% of aggregate employee compensation; 401(k) not considered |
Based on plan formula subject to applicable limits |
| Participant-Directed Investments |
Required |
Required |
Optional but not required |
Optional but not required |
Not Permitted |
| Life Insurance as a Plan Investment |
Not Permitted |
Not Permitted |
Permitted |
Permitted |
Permitted |
| Accepts transfer from qualified plan, IRA, SEP, SIMPLE, 403(b), 457(b) |
Yes; SIMPLE IRA 25% penalty if distributed before 2 yrs |
From another SIMPLE IRA only |
Yes; SIMPLE IRA 25% penalty if distributed before 2 years |
Yes; SIMPLE IRA 25% penalty if distributed before 2 years |
Yes; SIMPLE IRA 25% penalty if distributed before 2 years |