On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted to help individuals who are impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 virus. There are several provisions designed to help retirement plan participants.
Corona Virus Related Loans
From March 27, 2020 through September 23, 2020 the maximum loan amount has increased to the lesser of 100% of the account balance or $100,000. In order to qualify for the increase loan the participant must:
Be diagnosed or have a spouse or dependent diagnosed with COVID-19 by a CDC approved test
Suffer financially due to layoff, furlough, quarantine or reduced work hours from the pandemic
Be unable to work due to lack of childcare as a result f the pandemic
Be formerly employed by a business which closed or reduced operating hours
If eligible, the following conditions apply:
The loan is reduced by the greater of the highest outstanding loan balance during the 1-year period ending on the date before the date on which the loan is made
OR the plan’s outstanding loan balance on the date in which the loan is made
In addition to increased borrowing limits, repayment for current outstanding loan payments from March 27, 2020 through December 31, 2020 may be suspended for up to 12 months as long as payments are current. Interest will continue to accrue during the suspension.
Corona Virus Related Distributions (CRD)s
Plan sponsors can offer penalty-free in-service withdrawals to eligible participants. These CRDs are only applicable to 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s and IRAs. Plan sponsors are not required to certify eligibility, but the participant will need to be able to provide proof. In order to qualify the participant must:
Be diagnosed or have a spouse or dependent diagnosed with COVID-19 by a CDC approved test
Suffer financially due to layoff, furlough, quarantine or reduced work hours from the pandemic
Be unable to work due to lack of childcare as a result f the pandemic
Be formerly employed by a business which closed or reduced operating hours
If eligible a participant will receive:
The lesser of a distribution of up to $100,000 or 100% of their (aggregate) vested account balances
Exemption from the 10% excise tax (ordinary income tax would apply but withholding is optional)
The ability to defer income tax payment over a 3-year period
Ability to treat withdrawal as qualified rollover if repayments to a qualified plan are made within 3-year period
Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)s
RMDs due in 2020 are not required to be made from 401(k), profit-sharing, 403(b), 457(b) or IRA retirement plans. This includes 2019 RMDs which were due by April 1, 2020 and RMD payments to be made by December 31, 2020. Any RMD that was previously distributed in 2020 is eligible to be rolled over.
The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and change rapidly. This information is current as of the date of publication, but please continue to stay in contact with us regarding any questions you have.
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