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FALL 2010 :: VOL 40, NO 4




             ASPPAJournal
     THE

      ASPPA’s Quarterly Journal for Actuaries, Consultants, Administrators and Other Retirement Plan Professionals



      Is Your 403(b) Plan Covered by ERISA, Must
      it Be—and Does it Matter?
      A Slight Twist in the 403(b) Plan Kaleidoscope Provides
      Another Picture
                  by James H. Culbreth, Jr. and Russ Dempsey


                               The market for retirement arrangements that qualify for favorable income tax
                               treatment under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 403(b) [a “403(b) plan”]
                               has experienced considerable legal development in recent years. The Internal
                               Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) have been active with
                               regulatory action and administrative guidance for 403(b) plans. Significantly,
                               the legal changes may impact whether a plan is subject to the Employee




      A
                               Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended.


                       critical first step for 403(b) plan
                         sponsors and service providers
                           is to determine whether the
      plan is an ERISA or non-ERISA plan. Some
      employers are statutorily exempt from ERISA,
      other organizations may desire ERISA coverage
      and yet others may inadvertently take actions
      causing such entities to unintentionally fall
      under the purview of ERISA. Understanding
      the applicable legal framework is necessary for
      compliance, as well as expense management and
      forecasting.

      Eligible Plan Sponsors under the IRC
      Employers eligible to sponsor a 403(b) plan include
      public education institutions, select governmental
      employers and IRC Section 501(c)(3)
                                                                                    Overview of 403(b) Plans
      organizations.1 Examples of employers eligible
                                                                                    Historically, 403(b) plans functioned more like a group of individual annuity
      to sponsor 403(b) plans include public schools,
                                                                                    contracts than a single plan. This lack of centralized control and responsibility
      colleges, universities, county hospitals, charitable
                                                                                    kept employers from assuming the “ownership” role towards the 403(b)
      and religious organizations, community service
                                                                                    plan that the IRC requires for benefit plans qualified under IRC Section
      organizations and hospitals.
                                                                                    401, such as 401(k) plans. Consequently, compliance in 403(b) plans often
      s      s       s
      1 As such organizations are defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Further, State, political subdivisions of a State, or agency or instrumentality of the State or political subdivision that
        are educational organizations described in 26 U.S.C. §170(b)(1)(A)(ii) are eligible.


      Reprinted from the Fall 2010 issue of ASPPA’s The ASPPA Journal newsletter. The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is an organization of
      actuaries, consultants, administrators and other benefits professionals. For more information about ASPPA, call 703.516.9300 or visit the Web site at www.asppa.org.
2 :: ASPPAJournal
      THE



  was less monitored by both the employers and the IRS. This era effectively               Practically, however, a sponsor must balance the
  ended with the Final Regulations under IRC Section 403(b), which became                  reasonable choice obligation regarding funding
  effective January 1, 2009 and represented a significant transition by requiring,         products against the duty to avoid any discretionary
  among other things, a written plan document and more involvement by the                  activity in plan administration. The requirement
  plan sponsor with 403(b) plan administration.                                            means that plan sponsors must offer participants
                                                                                           a reasonable choice as to funding products and
  Application of ERISA to 403(b) Plans—The DOL Safe Harbor                                 annuity contractors in order for the sponsor to be
  In general, ERISA applies to employee pension benefit plans established or               viewed as not to have established or maintained
  maintained by an employer, unless specifically excluded from the statute.                a plan. Plan sponsors must select providers that
  However, the terms “established” and “maintained” are not defined in ERISA.              will accept the discretionary decisions related to
  In an effort to clarify the application of ERISA to 403(b) plans, the DOL                loans, hardship requests, QDROs, distributions, etc.,
  issued a safe harbor regulation in 1979.2                                                while at the same time not materially impacting
       According to the DOL regulatory safe harbor exemption, 403(b) plans                 reasonable choice.
  funded solely through salary reduction agreements or agreements to forego an
  increase in salary are not “established” or “maintained” by an employer and are          Recent Clarifications on the DOL Safe
  thus exempt from ERISA provided that:                                                    Harbor
  • Participation of employees is completely voluntary;                                    Recently, in Field Assistance Bulletins (FAB)
  • All rights under the annuity contract or custodial account are enforceable             2009-02 and 2010-01, the DOL provided some
     solely by the employee or beneficiary of such employee, or by an authorized           clarification on these matters. Although welcomed,
     representative of such employee or beneficiary;                                       the FABs do not resolve all questions related to
  • Involvement of the employer is limited to certain optional specified                   reasonable choice. The DOL confirmed that
     activities, such as permitting annuity contractors to publicize products              reasonable choice applies to both administrative
     to employees, offering reasonable funding choices and summarizing or                  service providers and investment products used
     compiling information regarding funding products, and;                                by 403(b) plans. The DOL further emphasized
                                                                                           that the facts-and-circumstance analysis takes into
  • The employer receives no direct or indirect compensation in cash or
                                                                                           account whether the choice of providers and
     otherwise other than reasonable reimbursement to cover expenses properly
                                                                                           investment products is reasonable. The size of the
     and actually incurred in performing employer’s duties.3
                                                                                           employer is a relevant factor, since the expense
       Employer involvement, including employer discretion, is a critical factor           of facilitating contributions to multiple providers
  in the analysis of whether the plan is an ERISA or non-ERISA plan.                       and the administrative burdens of compliance may
       Governmental entities and public education institutions are statutorily             weigh more heavily on small employers. Without
  exempt from ERISA, so such eligible 403(b) plan sponsors need not                        specifying a number of providers that must be
  be concerned with the regulatory safe harbor exemption. Religious                        offered, the DOL stated that there may be facts-
  organizations have a different status, in that these organizations may elect             and-circumstances that would justify the selection
  ERISA coverage, an option that is not available to governmental entities and             of a single provider if employees are permitted to
  public education institutions.                                                           transfer or exchange their interest in the plan to
                                                                                           another provider.5
  Complying with the DOL Safe Harbor                                                            In the DOL’s view, an employer may
  The additional plan sponsor involvement required by recent regulatory                    allocate discretionary determinations to an
  changes makes compliance with the ERISA safe harbor exemption much                       annuity provider, but may not directly delegate
  more difficult for plan sponsors. Consistent with the safe harbor, a plan                discretionary authority to a third party
  sponsor may adopt a written plan document, comply with the benefit terms                 administrator (TPA).6 The rationale for this
  of the contracts, process payroll contributions, coordinate administration               position is that an employer seeking to comply
  among different contract issuers and address tax-driven nondiscrimination                with the safe harbor exemption may not have any
  requirements, such as universal availability. Plan sponsors seeking to maintain          discretion regarding the administration of the plan.
  the exemption must use caution not to have responsibility for, or make, any              Thus, an employer has no ability to delegate that
  discretionary determinations regarding plan administration. The DOL has                  which it may not possess (i.e., an employer may
  been clear that discretionary determinations such as authorizing plan-to-                not have discretion, therefore may not delegate
  plan transfers, processing distributions, satisfying qualified joint and survivor        discretionary activities). Interestingly, a provider
  annuity requirements and having discretion over hardship distributions,                  may engage a TPA to perform services on behalf
  qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs), and eligibility or administration           of the plan, including discretionary activities
  of loans will place a plan sponsor squarely outside of ERISA’s safe harbor               related to the administration of loans and hardship
  exemption and place the 403(b) plan under ERISA.4                                        distributions.
       On the surface, complying with the safe harbor exemption appears to
  be as simple as avoiding discretion with respect to administration of the plan.

  s            s      s
  2         29 C.F.R. §2510.3-2(f).                                      5   Department of Labor Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2010-01.
  3         Id.                                                          6   Id.
  4         Department of Labor Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2007-02.
FALL 2010   :: 3


Practical Considerations for Plan                            specific information necessary under ERISA.7
Sponsors of 403(b) Plans Covered by                          Periodic amendments to a 403(b) plan under
                                                             ERISA must be reported to participants through a
ERISA                                                        summary of material modifications within 210 days
A 403(b) plan that is not covered by ERISA avoids            of the change.                                           On the surface,
the rules governing the reporting and disclosure
of employee benefit plans, as well as the ERISA              ERISA’s Fiduciary Requirements                           complying with
fiduciary rules, all of which are contained in Title I       The increased emphasis on a plan sponsor’s fiduciary     the safe harbor
of ERISA. Part 1 of Title I of ERISA is the source           duties regarding investment of plan assets under
of the annual reporting and disclosure requirements,         ERISA is well known, along with the heightened           exemption appears
and Section 4 of Title I contains the rules regulating       risk of participant complaints and possible litigation
fiduciary conduct. Thus, a 403(b) plan that for              related to plan fees. A plan sponsor of an ERISA         to be as simple as
any reason falls under ERISA’s jurisdiction [e.g.,           403(b) plan is subject to ERISA’s standards for          avoiding discretion
by providing employer contributions or having                fiduciary conduct, including performing their duties
the plan sponsor too involved in administering               solely in the interests of plan participants:            with respect to
the 403(b) plan] must comply with ERISA’s                    • for the exclusive benefit of providing benefits and
mandates concerning annual reports and fiduciary                defraying the plan’s reasonable costs;
                                                                                                                      administration
conduct. Coverage under ERISA requires a plan                • with the care, skill and diligence of a prudent        of the plan.
sponsor to take additional steps in order to protect            person acting in like capacity and familiar with
plan participants (and thereby avoid liability) in              such matters would use;                               Practically,
the operation of the 403(b) plan. Among these
considerations are:
                                                             • by diversifying investments to minimize the risk       however, a sponsor
                                                                of large losses; and
Form 5500 Audit for Large 403(b) Plans Covered               • in accordance with the plan documents.8
                                                                                                                      must balance
by ERISA                                                          Also, a fiduciary must prudently invest assets by   the reasonable
Any 403(b) plan that is subject to ERISA must file           considering the facts and circumstances relevant to
an annual report using Form 5500 and its schedules.          each investment.9 This responsibility has been the       choice obligation
Beginning with the 2009 plan year, 403(b) plans with
100 or more participants on the first day of the plan year
                                                             focus of a number of DOL regulations and some            regarding funding
                                                             participant litigation. The plan sponsor of an ERISA
are required to have an annual audit of the plan’s           403(b) plan must carefully consider and document         products against
financial statements. Under ERISA, the audit must            the process used in all steps of plan administration,
be made by an independent party and is required              none more important than the selection of the            the duty to avoid
each year in which the 403(b) plan has 100 or more
participants. FAB 2009-02 provides guidance on
                                                             annuity or custodial account providers used by the       any discretionary
                                                             plan. Failure to comply with ERISA’s fiduciary
how a plan sponsor can align its duty to produce an          standards can lead to liability for plan sponsors and    activity in plan
annual report with the unique character of 403(b)            other plan fiduciaries.
plans [i.e., the likelihood that many plan assets may             Although deferral-only 403(b) plans generally       administration.
be held by financial service providers that no longer        are not subject to ERISA, the transfer of employee
are part of the 403(b) plan]. This relief does not           deferrals to the service providers under an ERISA
eliminate the need for large ERISA-covered 403(b)            403(b) plan must be made under the DOL’s
plans to obtain and file the audit as part of the Form       interpretation of 29 CFR §2510.3-102 (requiring
5500 annual report, but it permits the auditor to            that such transfers occur as soon as practical after
certify that “grandfathered” annuity contracts are not       the deferrals are segregated) that generally the funds
reported in the audit.                                       must be transferred within three business days, or
The Need for a Summary Plan Description (SPD)                seven days for small employers. This timeframe is
and Other Disclosures                                        shorter than the time permitted under the IRC
Even though the IRC now requires all 403(b) plans            403(b) Final Regulations, which has a similar rule
to have a written plan document, ERISA-covered               but uses 15 days in the example provided.10
403(b) plans must also produce an SPD of the
403(b) plan and distribute it to participants within
                                                             Practical Considerations for Plan
120 days of coverage under the plan. Because the             Sponsors of 403(b) Plans Not Covered
403(b) plan requirements under the IRC may be                by ERISA
satisfied by using multiple documents for service            A plan sponsor of a 403(b) plan that avoids
providers, the SPD for an ERISA 403(b) plan may              mandatory ERISA coverage (e.g., all governmental
require a new document in order to contain the               plans, plans with only employee deferrals and other
s      s      s
7   29 C.F.R. §2520.102-3 et seq.                                        9 29 C.F.R. §2550-404a-1(b).
8   29 U.S.C. §1101(a).                                                  10 26 C.F.R. §1.403(b)-8(b).
4 :: ASPPAJournal
   THE



                     plans satisfying ERISA exemptions discussed earlier)         be helpful (or a deterrent) to sponsors of a 403(b)
                     must still comply with legal requirements, often             plan. Finally, state courts are not required to use the
                     without the clarity of ERISA’s fully-developed               extensive DOL guidance and ERISA regulations
                     regulatory framework. Thus, while there is no need           when calculating losses for imprudent investments or
Because the          for a plan sponsor of an exempt plan to provide an           late transmittal of salary deferrals, and this may affect
                     SPD or file annual reports, such plan sponsor must           the damages under state law litigation.
403(b) plan          follow applicable state laws concerning fiduciary
                     conduct and the rights of beneficial owners of assets        Conclusion
requirements         managed by a third party.                                    As a result of the DOL’s structure for providing a
under the IRC             This lack of clarity may become an issue in several     useful but narrow avenue to avoid having a 403(b)
                     ways. Unlike ERISA, which clearly states that the plan       plan covered under ERISA, a plan sponsor seeking
may be satisfied     sponsor must either use only appropriate investments         to avoid ERISA coverage should focus on two broad
                     or delegate that duty to an investment advisor, the          criteria:
by using multiple    sponsor of an exempt plan must first look to state           • Do not place employer contributions in the
documents for        law to determine its fiduciary duties. Case law and             403(b) plan; and
                     state statutes are relatively undeveloped in this area       • Maintain minimum administrative involvement in
service providers,   when compared to ERISA, and the consequence                     the plan.
the SPD for          is less clarity for a plan sponsor regarding fiduciary
                                                                                       A plan sponsor whose 403(b) plan is subject to
                     duties and legal obligations. For example, a plan
                                                                                  ERISA (intentionally, unintentionally or
an ERISA             sponsor’s selection of investment alternatives or service
                                                                                  unavoidably) must comply with significant parts of
                     providers may be a fiduciary function under state law.
403(b) plan          However, state fiduciary laws developed over time,
                                                                                  ERISA’s regulatory structure and must comply with
                                                                                  annual reporting requirements, disclosure mandates
may require a        primarily in situations where one party is responsible
                                                                                  and heavily-regulated fiduciary standards. While
                     for maintaining or investing assets for the benefit of
                                                                                  these produce additional burdens on operating the
new document in      another party (e.g., in general to regulate investment
                                                                                  403(b) plan, they also offer predictable regulation and
                     responsibilities in trusts and similar private interests).
order to contain     Unfortunately, such case law provides little guidance
                                                                                  protect the plan sponsor from claims under state laws
                                                                                  that may prove more costly due to ERISA’s
the specific         where a group of funds is selected by a fiduciary and
                                                                                  preemption of state law. Plans exempt from ERISA
                     the beneficial owner makes the actual allocation of
                                                                                  avoid the extensive federal regulatory framework, but
information          assets, as occurs in a 403(b) plan.
                                                                                  such plan sponsors are required to follow applicable
                          If the plan sponsor is a fiduciary under state law
necessary under      for such decisions, state laws concerning prudent
                                                                                  state laws in the operation of the 403(b) plan.

ERISA.               investment by fiduciaries do not follow the ERISA
                                                                                                     James H. Culbreth, Jr. is a partner in the
                     standard but instead codify (fully or in modified                               employee compensation and benefits practice
                     fashion) the “prudent investor rule” found in                                   group in the Charlotte office of Shumaker
                     Section 227 of the American Law Institute’s Third                               Loop & Kendrick, LLP For nearly 30
                                                                                                                             .
                     Restatement of Trusts. Moreover, not all states have                            years, Jim has advised public, private, tax-
                     adopted the Uniform Trust Code, which further                                   exempt and governmental clients on employee
                     describes the investment standards. As a result, plan        benefits and executive compensation law matters of all types
                     sponsors of exempt 403(b) plans should consult with          and has lectured on employee benefits and fiduciary issues at
                     advisors who are familiar with the nuances of state          the National Trust School and the Southeastern Trust School.
                     laws concerning fiduciary standards for investments          Jim is a member of the Bar in North Carolina,Virginia and
                     when selecting or limiting the plan’s investment             the District of Columbia, and he was named a 2009 North
                                                                                  Carolina Law Impact Leader by Business Leader Magazine.
                     alternatives (as permitted under the DOL safe harbor).
                                                                                  (jculbreth@slk-law.com)
                          In addition, issues with participants arising under
                     exempt 403(b) plans will be handled in state court,
                                                                                                       Russ Dempsey serves as vice president &
                     since the access under ERISA to federal courts is
                                                                                                       chief legal officer for United Retirement
                     not automatically available. The consequences of a                                Plan Consultants. Prior to joining United
                     state law forum vary because the claims will depend                               Retirement Plan Consultants, Russ served
                     upon the available statutes, which may include state                              as assistant general counsel for Nationwide
                     labor and compensation laws, contract laws and tort                               Financial Services, where he advised the
                     laws. As a result, plan sponsors of exempt plans may         company on ERISA, IRS, DOL and SEC regulations and
                     be liable for punitive damages under state law (i.e.,        related employee benefit laws. Russ has also been general counsel
                     pain and suffering). In contrast, punitive damages           to privately held companies. He began his career with the IRS
                     are generally unavailable under ERISA as damages             as a Tax Law Specialist for the Employee Plans division. Russ
                     are primarily limited to the actual losses. Also, unlike     currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Education and
                                                                                  Examination Committee of ASPPA. (rdempsey@nivm.com)
                     the laws in most states, ERISA permits claims for
                     attorney fees to successful litigants, a fact that may

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Is Your 403(b) Plan Covered by ERISA, Must it Be—and Does it Matter?

  • 1. FALL 2010 :: VOL 40, NO 4 ASPPAJournal THE ASPPA’s Quarterly Journal for Actuaries, Consultants, Administrators and Other Retirement Plan Professionals Is Your 403(b) Plan Covered by ERISA, Must it Be—and Does it Matter? A Slight Twist in the 403(b) Plan Kaleidoscope Provides Another Picture by James H. Culbreth, Jr. and Russ Dempsey The market for retirement arrangements that qualify for favorable income tax treatment under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 403(b) [a “403(b) plan”] has experienced considerable legal development in recent years. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL) have been active with regulatory action and administrative guidance for 403(b) plans. Significantly, the legal changes may impact whether a plan is subject to the Employee A Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended. critical first step for 403(b) plan sponsors and service providers is to determine whether the plan is an ERISA or non-ERISA plan. Some employers are statutorily exempt from ERISA, other organizations may desire ERISA coverage and yet others may inadvertently take actions causing such entities to unintentionally fall under the purview of ERISA. Understanding the applicable legal framework is necessary for compliance, as well as expense management and forecasting. Eligible Plan Sponsors under the IRC Employers eligible to sponsor a 403(b) plan include public education institutions, select governmental employers and IRC Section 501(c)(3) Overview of 403(b) Plans organizations.1 Examples of employers eligible Historically, 403(b) plans functioned more like a group of individual annuity to sponsor 403(b) plans include public schools, contracts than a single plan. This lack of centralized control and responsibility colleges, universities, county hospitals, charitable kept employers from assuming the “ownership” role towards the 403(b) and religious organizations, community service plan that the IRC requires for benefit plans qualified under IRC Section organizations and hospitals. 401, such as 401(k) plans. Consequently, compliance in 403(b) plans often s s s 1 As such organizations are defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Further, State, political subdivisions of a State, or agency or instrumentality of the State or political subdivision that are educational organizations described in 26 U.S.C. §170(b)(1)(A)(ii) are eligible. Reprinted from the Fall 2010 issue of ASPPA’s The ASPPA Journal newsletter. The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is an organization of actuaries, consultants, administrators and other benefits professionals. For more information about ASPPA, call 703.516.9300 or visit the Web site at www.asppa.org.
  • 2. 2 :: ASPPAJournal THE was less monitored by both the employers and the IRS. This era effectively Practically, however, a sponsor must balance the ended with the Final Regulations under IRC Section 403(b), which became reasonable choice obligation regarding funding effective January 1, 2009 and represented a significant transition by requiring, products against the duty to avoid any discretionary among other things, a written plan document and more involvement by the activity in plan administration. The requirement plan sponsor with 403(b) plan administration. means that plan sponsors must offer participants a reasonable choice as to funding products and Application of ERISA to 403(b) Plans—The DOL Safe Harbor annuity contractors in order for the sponsor to be In general, ERISA applies to employee pension benefit plans established or viewed as not to have established or maintained maintained by an employer, unless specifically excluded from the statute. a plan. Plan sponsors must select providers that However, the terms “established” and “maintained” are not defined in ERISA. will accept the discretionary decisions related to In an effort to clarify the application of ERISA to 403(b) plans, the DOL loans, hardship requests, QDROs, distributions, etc., issued a safe harbor regulation in 1979.2 while at the same time not materially impacting According to the DOL regulatory safe harbor exemption, 403(b) plans reasonable choice. funded solely through salary reduction agreements or agreements to forego an increase in salary are not “established” or “maintained” by an employer and are Recent Clarifications on the DOL Safe thus exempt from ERISA provided that: Harbor • Participation of employees is completely voluntary; Recently, in Field Assistance Bulletins (FAB) • All rights under the annuity contract or custodial account are enforceable 2009-02 and 2010-01, the DOL provided some solely by the employee or beneficiary of such employee, or by an authorized clarification on these matters. Although welcomed, representative of such employee or beneficiary; the FABs do not resolve all questions related to • Involvement of the employer is limited to certain optional specified reasonable choice. The DOL confirmed that activities, such as permitting annuity contractors to publicize products reasonable choice applies to both administrative to employees, offering reasonable funding choices and summarizing or service providers and investment products used compiling information regarding funding products, and; by 403(b) plans. The DOL further emphasized that the facts-and-circumstance analysis takes into • The employer receives no direct or indirect compensation in cash or account whether the choice of providers and otherwise other than reasonable reimbursement to cover expenses properly investment products is reasonable. The size of the and actually incurred in performing employer’s duties.3 employer is a relevant factor, since the expense Employer involvement, including employer discretion, is a critical factor of facilitating contributions to multiple providers in the analysis of whether the plan is an ERISA or non-ERISA plan. and the administrative burdens of compliance may Governmental entities and public education institutions are statutorily weigh more heavily on small employers. Without exempt from ERISA, so such eligible 403(b) plan sponsors need not specifying a number of providers that must be be concerned with the regulatory safe harbor exemption. Religious offered, the DOL stated that there may be facts- organizations have a different status, in that these organizations may elect and-circumstances that would justify the selection ERISA coverage, an option that is not available to governmental entities and of a single provider if employees are permitted to public education institutions. transfer or exchange their interest in the plan to another provider.5 Complying with the DOL Safe Harbor In the DOL’s view, an employer may The additional plan sponsor involvement required by recent regulatory allocate discretionary determinations to an changes makes compliance with the ERISA safe harbor exemption much annuity provider, but may not directly delegate more difficult for plan sponsors. Consistent with the safe harbor, a plan discretionary authority to a third party sponsor may adopt a written plan document, comply with the benefit terms administrator (TPA).6 The rationale for this of the contracts, process payroll contributions, coordinate administration position is that an employer seeking to comply among different contract issuers and address tax-driven nondiscrimination with the safe harbor exemption may not have any requirements, such as universal availability. Plan sponsors seeking to maintain discretion regarding the administration of the plan. the exemption must use caution not to have responsibility for, or make, any Thus, an employer has no ability to delegate that discretionary determinations regarding plan administration. The DOL has which it may not possess (i.e., an employer may been clear that discretionary determinations such as authorizing plan-to- not have discretion, therefore may not delegate plan transfers, processing distributions, satisfying qualified joint and survivor discretionary activities). Interestingly, a provider annuity requirements and having discretion over hardship distributions, may engage a TPA to perform services on behalf qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs), and eligibility or administration of the plan, including discretionary activities of loans will place a plan sponsor squarely outside of ERISA’s safe harbor related to the administration of loans and hardship exemption and place the 403(b) plan under ERISA.4 distributions. On the surface, complying with the safe harbor exemption appears to be as simple as avoiding discretion with respect to administration of the plan. s s s 2 29 C.F.R. §2510.3-2(f). 5 Department of Labor Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2010-01. 3 Id. 6 Id. 4 Department of Labor Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2007-02.
  • 3. FALL 2010 :: 3 Practical Considerations for Plan specific information necessary under ERISA.7 Sponsors of 403(b) Plans Covered by Periodic amendments to a 403(b) plan under ERISA must be reported to participants through a ERISA summary of material modifications within 210 days A 403(b) plan that is not covered by ERISA avoids of the change. On the surface, the rules governing the reporting and disclosure of employee benefit plans, as well as the ERISA ERISA’s Fiduciary Requirements complying with fiduciary rules, all of which are contained in Title I The increased emphasis on a plan sponsor’s fiduciary the safe harbor of ERISA. Part 1 of Title I of ERISA is the source duties regarding investment of plan assets under of the annual reporting and disclosure requirements, ERISA is well known, along with the heightened exemption appears and Section 4 of Title I contains the rules regulating risk of participant complaints and possible litigation fiduciary conduct. Thus, a 403(b) plan that for related to plan fees. A plan sponsor of an ERISA to be as simple as any reason falls under ERISA’s jurisdiction [e.g., 403(b) plan is subject to ERISA’s standards for avoiding discretion by providing employer contributions or having fiduciary conduct, including performing their duties the plan sponsor too involved in administering solely in the interests of plan participants: with respect to the 403(b) plan] must comply with ERISA’s • for the exclusive benefit of providing benefits and mandates concerning annual reports and fiduciary defraying the plan’s reasonable costs; administration conduct. Coverage under ERISA requires a plan • with the care, skill and diligence of a prudent of the plan. sponsor to take additional steps in order to protect person acting in like capacity and familiar with plan participants (and thereby avoid liability) in such matters would use; Practically, the operation of the 403(b) plan. Among these considerations are: • by diversifying investments to minimize the risk however, a sponsor of large losses; and Form 5500 Audit for Large 403(b) Plans Covered • in accordance with the plan documents.8 must balance by ERISA Also, a fiduciary must prudently invest assets by the reasonable Any 403(b) plan that is subject to ERISA must file considering the facts and circumstances relevant to an annual report using Form 5500 and its schedules. each investment.9 This responsibility has been the choice obligation Beginning with the 2009 plan year, 403(b) plans with 100 or more participants on the first day of the plan year focus of a number of DOL regulations and some regarding funding participant litigation. The plan sponsor of an ERISA are required to have an annual audit of the plan’s 403(b) plan must carefully consider and document products against financial statements. Under ERISA, the audit must the process used in all steps of plan administration, be made by an independent party and is required none more important than the selection of the the duty to avoid each year in which the 403(b) plan has 100 or more participants. FAB 2009-02 provides guidance on annuity or custodial account providers used by the any discretionary plan. Failure to comply with ERISA’s fiduciary how a plan sponsor can align its duty to produce an standards can lead to liability for plan sponsors and activity in plan annual report with the unique character of 403(b) other plan fiduciaries. plans [i.e., the likelihood that many plan assets may Although deferral-only 403(b) plans generally administration. be held by financial service providers that no longer are not subject to ERISA, the transfer of employee are part of the 403(b) plan]. This relief does not deferrals to the service providers under an ERISA eliminate the need for large ERISA-covered 403(b) 403(b) plan must be made under the DOL’s plans to obtain and file the audit as part of the Form interpretation of 29 CFR §2510.3-102 (requiring 5500 annual report, but it permits the auditor to that such transfers occur as soon as practical after certify that “grandfathered” annuity contracts are not the deferrals are segregated) that generally the funds reported in the audit. must be transferred within three business days, or The Need for a Summary Plan Description (SPD) seven days for small employers. This timeframe is and Other Disclosures shorter than the time permitted under the IRC Even though the IRC now requires all 403(b) plans 403(b) Final Regulations, which has a similar rule to have a written plan document, ERISA-covered but uses 15 days in the example provided.10 403(b) plans must also produce an SPD of the 403(b) plan and distribute it to participants within Practical Considerations for Plan 120 days of coverage under the plan. Because the Sponsors of 403(b) Plans Not Covered 403(b) plan requirements under the IRC may be by ERISA satisfied by using multiple documents for service A plan sponsor of a 403(b) plan that avoids providers, the SPD for an ERISA 403(b) plan may mandatory ERISA coverage (e.g., all governmental require a new document in order to contain the plans, plans with only employee deferrals and other s s s 7 29 C.F.R. §2520.102-3 et seq. 9 29 C.F.R. §2550-404a-1(b). 8 29 U.S.C. §1101(a). 10 26 C.F.R. §1.403(b)-8(b).
  • 4. 4 :: ASPPAJournal THE plans satisfying ERISA exemptions discussed earlier) be helpful (or a deterrent) to sponsors of a 403(b) must still comply with legal requirements, often plan. Finally, state courts are not required to use the without the clarity of ERISA’s fully-developed extensive DOL guidance and ERISA regulations regulatory framework. Thus, while there is no need when calculating losses for imprudent investments or Because the for a plan sponsor of an exempt plan to provide an late transmittal of salary deferrals, and this may affect SPD or file annual reports, such plan sponsor must the damages under state law litigation. 403(b) plan follow applicable state laws concerning fiduciary conduct and the rights of beneficial owners of assets Conclusion requirements managed by a third party. As a result of the DOL’s structure for providing a under the IRC This lack of clarity may become an issue in several useful but narrow avenue to avoid having a 403(b) ways. Unlike ERISA, which clearly states that the plan plan covered under ERISA, a plan sponsor seeking may be satisfied sponsor must either use only appropriate investments to avoid ERISA coverage should focus on two broad or delegate that duty to an investment advisor, the criteria: by using multiple sponsor of an exempt plan must first look to state • Do not place employer contributions in the documents for law to determine its fiduciary duties. Case law and 403(b) plan; and state statutes are relatively undeveloped in this area • Maintain minimum administrative involvement in service providers, when compared to ERISA, and the consequence the plan. the SPD for is less clarity for a plan sponsor regarding fiduciary A plan sponsor whose 403(b) plan is subject to duties and legal obligations. For example, a plan ERISA (intentionally, unintentionally or an ERISA sponsor’s selection of investment alternatives or service unavoidably) must comply with significant parts of providers may be a fiduciary function under state law. 403(b) plan However, state fiduciary laws developed over time, ERISA’s regulatory structure and must comply with annual reporting requirements, disclosure mandates may require a primarily in situations where one party is responsible and heavily-regulated fiduciary standards. While for maintaining or investing assets for the benefit of these produce additional burdens on operating the new document in another party (e.g., in general to regulate investment 403(b) plan, they also offer predictable regulation and responsibilities in trusts and similar private interests). order to contain Unfortunately, such case law provides little guidance protect the plan sponsor from claims under state laws that may prove more costly due to ERISA’s the specific where a group of funds is selected by a fiduciary and preemption of state law. Plans exempt from ERISA the beneficial owner makes the actual allocation of avoid the extensive federal regulatory framework, but information assets, as occurs in a 403(b) plan. such plan sponsors are required to follow applicable If the plan sponsor is a fiduciary under state law necessary under for such decisions, state laws concerning prudent state laws in the operation of the 403(b) plan. ERISA. investment by fiduciaries do not follow the ERISA James H. Culbreth, Jr. is a partner in the standard but instead codify (fully or in modified employee compensation and benefits practice fashion) the “prudent investor rule” found in group in the Charlotte office of Shumaker Section 227 of the American Law Institute’s Third Loop & Kendrick, LLP For nearly 30 . Restatement of Trusts. Moreover, not all states have years, Jim has advised public, private, tax- adopted the Uniform Trust Code, which further exempt and governmental clients on employee describes the investment standards. As a result, plan benefits and executive compensation law matters of all types sponsors of exempt 403(b) plans should consult with and has lectured on employee benefits and fiduciary issues at advisors who are familiar with the nuances of state the National Trust School and the Southeastern Trust School. laws concerning fiduciary standards for investments Jim is a member of the Bar in North Carolina,Virginia and when selecting or limiting the plan’s investment the District of Columbia, and he was named a 2009 North Carolina Law Impact Leader by Business Leader Magazine. alternatives (as permitted under the DOL safe harbor). (jculbreth@slk-law.com) In addition, issues with participants arising under exempt 403(b) plans will be handled in state court, Russ Dempsey serves as vice president & since the access under ERISA to federal courts is chief legal officer for United Retirement not automatically available. The consequences of a Plan Consultants. Prior to joining United state law forum vary because the claims will depend Retirement Plan Consultants, Russ served upon the available statutes, which may include state as assistant general counsel for Nationwide labor and compensation laws, contract laws and tort Financial Services, where he advised the laws. As a result, plan sponsors of exempt plans may company on ERISA, IRS, DOL and SEC regulations and be liable for punitive damages under state law (i.e., related employee benefit laws. Russ has also been general counsel pain and suffering). In contrast, punitive damages to privately held companies. He began his career with the IRS are generally unavailable under ERISA as damages as a Tax Law Specialist for the Employee Plans division. Russ are primarily limited to the actual losses. Also, unlike currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Education and Examination Committee of ASPPA. (rdempsey@nivm.com) the laws in most states, ERISA permits claims for attorney fees to successful litigants, a fact that may