Definition
A rollover from a cash-out distribution processed by the administrator of a qualified plan, 403(b) or 457(b) plan, without the participant’s ( and the participant’s spouse if applicable) consent, as a result of the participant being nonresponsive to plan notifications . While the plan administrator is permitted to cash-out balances of $5,000 or less, any amount that is between $1,000 and $5,000 must be processed as an automatic rollover to an IRA.
Section 657(a) of EGTRRA also added a notice provision to § 401(a)(31)(B)(i) of the Code which requires that the plan administrator notify the participant in writing (either separately or as part of the § 402(f) notice) that the distribution may be paid as a direct rollover to an IRA.
Referring Cite
IRC § 401(a)(31), IRS Notice 2005-5.
Additional Helpful Information
- A plan can reduce it’s cash-out limit to $1,000 or less in order to avoid the automatic rollover requirements.
- Rollover amounts received from other plans and attributable earnings can be disregarded when determining the participant’s balance for cash-out purposes
- In order for a plan that provides for mandatory distributions to be qualified under § 401(a), it must satisfy the automatic rollover provisions of § 401(a)(31)(B).
- Pursuant to Q&A-16 of § 1.401(a)(31)-1 of the Income Tax Regulations, an eligible rollover distribution in the form of a plan loan offset amount is not subject to the automatic rollover provisions of § 401(a)(31)(B).
