A SIMPLE IRA, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees Individual Retirement Account, is a retirement savings plan specifically designed for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. It offers a straightforward and cost-effective way for employers to help their employees save for retirement. In this article, we will explore the process of establishing a SIMPLE IRA and the key considerations involved.
To establish a SIMPLE IRA, an employer must meet certain eligibility requirements. The employer must have no more than 100 employees who earned $5,000 or more during the previous calendar year. Additionally, the employer cannot maintain any other type of qualified retirement plan while the SIMPLE IRA is in effect.
The establishment of a SIMPLE IRA should be done between January 1 and October 1 of the first year of the plan, unless the business started after that period. Setting up the plan can be a relatively quick process, and employers can even utilize automatic enrollment if employees are given the option to opt out.
Each year, employees have a 60-day election window before January 1 to decide on their contribution amount for the year. It is important to note that contributions should remain consistent throughout the year, although employees have the flexibility to stop contributing at any time. However, if they choose to stop, they may not be able to resume contributions until the next plan year begins. To establish individual accounts for employees, employers need to obtain their information and signature.
When establishing a SIMPLE IRA, employers should utilize IRS Forms 5304 and 5305, which provide the necessary documentation for the plan. It is crucial to carefully consider the investment choices and fee structures offered by different financial institutions. Shopping around can help employers find the best fit for their business and employees' needs.
It is worth mentioning that an IRA cannot be put into a trust while the account holder is alive. However, it is possible to name a trust as the beneficiary of an IRA and specify how the assets should be handled after the account holder's death. This applies to various types of IRAs, including traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs. When incorporating an IRA into an estate plan with a trust, it is essential to understand the characteristics of an IRA and the tax implications associated with different transactions.
It is important to note that the treatment of an IRA can significantly impact the taxation of the amount. Trust beneficiaries generally do not benefit from tax savings, so it is crucial to consider the tax consequences when naming a trust as an IRA beneficiary.
Establishing a SIMPLE IRA offers small businesses an accessible and efficient way to provide retirement savings options for their employees. By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the necessary steps, employers can set up a SIMPLE IRA plan, giving employees the opportunity to save for their future. When incorporating an IRA into an estate plan involving a trust, careful consideration of the tax implications is crucial. Taking the time to explore different financial institutions' offerings and consulting with a financial advisor can help employers make informed decisions and ensure the successful establishment of a SIMPLE IRA plan.
Summary:
A SIMPLE IRA must be established by an employer with fewer than 100 employees. An employer can establish a SIMPLE IRA if they have no more than 100 employees who earned $5,000 or more during the preceding calendar year. The employer cannot have any other type of qualified retirement plan going while a SIMPLE IRA is in effect.
SIMPLEs should be established between Jan 1 and October 1 of the first year of the plan, unless the business started after that. Plans can be set up relatively quickly and can even use automatic enrollment if employees are given the ability to opt-out.
Every year, employees will be given a 60 day election window before Jan 1 to decide what they would like to contribute for the year. For employers and employees, their contributions should not change during the year, but employees are able to stop at any time.
It may mean that they are not allowed to resume their contributions until the beginning of the next plan year, however, most of the large brokerage houses and banks have standard SIMPLE IRA plan agreements. They will all have different investment choices and fee structures, so it is wise to shop around.
Employers should use IRS Forms 5304 and 5305 to establish a plan. Each employee’s information and signature must be obtained to establish their individual accounts.