401(k) Plan Annual Notices
Sponsors of calendar year 401(k) plans should prepare to provide the following annual notices no later than December 1 (if applicable). If a plan sponsor must provide more than one notice, the notices can be combined.
- Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA). Plans that invest participant contributions in a QDIA because the participant failed to make an investment election must provide an annual notice at least 30 days before the beginning of the plan year.
- Automatic Enrollment Notice. Plan sponsors of 401(k) plans with an Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement (EACA) or a Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement (QACA) must provide an annual notice at least 30 days and not more than 90 days prior to the beginning of the plan year. The notice must be sent to all participants on whose behalf contributions may be automatically contributed to the plan. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has posted a sample notice for these two types of automatic contribution arrangements that can be tailored to each plan.
- Safe Harbor Notice. Plan sponsors of safe harbor 401(k) plans must provide an annual notice to plan participants at least 30 days and not more than 90 days prior to the beginning of the plan year. The safe harbor notice must describe the safe harbor contribution and other material plan features.
