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401(k)
Plans
A
401(k) plan is a defined contribution plan that allows pre-tax employee
contributions. Employers can choose to match an employee's contribution
to the 401(k) plan. Employees who participate in 401(k) plans
assume responsibility for their retirement income by contributing
part of their salary and, in many instances, by directing their
own investments. The annual individual savings deferral is limited
by law to $16,500 for 2009. For individuals age 50 and older,
an additional catch-up contribution of $5,500 is allowed in 2009.
Safe
Harbor 401(k) Plans
Safe
Harbor 401(k) Plans are like traditional 401(k) plans, but require
fully vested safe harbor contributions from the employers.
Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans are not required to have the same nondiscrimination
testing, making it a popular plan among small companies. The annual
individual savings deferral is limited by law to $16,500 for 2009.
For individuals age 50 and older, an additional catch-up
contribution of $5,500 is allowed in 2009.
SIMPLE
401(k) Plan
SIMPLE
401(k) Plans are for companies that have 100 or fewer employees.
Similar to other 401(k) Plans, employees can chose to defer some
of their compensation. The employer is required to provide
either a matching contribution up to 3% of each employee's pay or
a non-elective contribution of 2% of each eligible employee's pay.
The annual individual savings deferral is limited by law to $11,500
for 2005. For individuals age
50 and older, an additional catch-up contribution of $2,500 is allowed
in 2009.
Single
Participant 401(k) Plan
A
Single Participant 401(k) plan is available to self-employed individuals
or business owners with no employees other than their spouse.
It is a defined contribution plan established and maintained by
an employer. The annual deferral contribution limit for employees
is $16,500 in 2009. The employer can also contribute up to
25% of eligible compensation; therefore, the combined contribution
from employer and employee can be 100% of compensation or $49,000,
whichever is less. The employer contributions are a deductible
business expense.
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