CARES ACT Signed Into Law

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law to address the economic impacts associated with the COVID-19 virus. The CARES Act includes provisions that impact retirement plans of all types. Below you will find the FAQs, highlighting some of the CARES Act’s most relevant retirement plan measures. 

Are plan participants impacted by COVID-19 able to access their retirement funds?

Yes, if allowed by the plan, certain participants may withdraw, penalty free, up to $100,000 between January 1, 2020  and December 31, 2020.

Who is eligible for these withdrawals?

To be eligible to make such a withdrawal, the individual participant, or his or her spouse or dependent, must have  been diagnosed with COVID-19, or the individual suffered adverse financial consequences due to COVID-19

(e.g., furlough, reduction in hours, unable to work due to childcare, loss of business, etc.).

Have participant loan limits been adjusted?

Yes. If allowed by the plan, the loan limit can be increased to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the  participant’s vested account balance. This only applies to loans made on or before September 23, 2020 (180  days following enactment of CARES) and is only for individuals that meet the same conditions outlined for the  withdrawals noted above.

What about outstanding loans?

Subject to plan approval, scheduled participant loan repayments due from March 27, 2020 (the enactment of  CARES) through December 31, 2020, may be delayed for up to one year for qualifying employees. Interest continues  to accrue during the period and the plan can extend the term of the loan for up to one year.

Can a participant who receives a COVID-19 distribution repay the amount into a qualified retirement plan?  Yes, the participant has three years from the day after the distribution was received to repay the amount into a  qualified retirement plan (or any other plan or IRA that can accept rollovers). The distribution will be taxable if it’s  not repaid, but it can be repaid over a three-year period, unless otherwise elected.

Does the plan sponsor need to verify whether an individual qualifies for a COVID-19 withdrawal or loan?

No, the plan sponsor may rely on participant’s certification for eligibility.

Have there been adjustments made for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?

Yes. The CARES Act waives the requirement for any RMD that is required to be paid in 2020. This includes an  individual’s first RMD which is attributable to 2019 (not paid by January 1, 2020). If an RMD has already been received  during 2020, then the participant may roll it over and defer paying taxes, including rolling back into the plan. We  expect the IRS to extend the 60-day rollover period. Note that as a practical matter this applies only to individual  account plans.

For example, if a participant turned 70½ in 2019 and has a Required Beginning Date of 4/1/20:

• But has not yet taken the distribution – then no distribution is required in 2020 (for the 2019 distribution year).
• And has a distribution taken after 12/31/19, it is subject to the waiver for 2020 and the amount can be rolled over.
• And the distribution was taken in 2019, no relief is available.

Why does this matter?

An RMD is calculated using the balance of an individual retirement account on December 31st of the year prior to  the date it must be distributed to a participant. The Dow Jones closed at 28,538 on December 31, 2019. On March 27,  2020, the Dow Jones closed at 21,636.78 – a significant decrease. An RMD calculated based on a December 31, 2019  value could lead to a disproportionate RMD relative to today’s account values, forcing a disproportionately large  taxable distribution.

When do I need to amend my plan for the changes to withdrawals, loans, and RMDs?

While you can start utilizing any of these provisions immediately, the plan must be formally amended for those new  options generally no later than the last day of the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

Is there any help for student loan debt?

Yes. Section 2206 of the CARES Act extends Code Section 127 (which currently allows for tuition reimbursement up  to $5,250/year) to apply to student loan repayments for employees, with no tax implications.

Is there any relief for defined benefit plans?

Yes. For defined benefit and money purchase pension plans, the law includes a delay in contribution deadlines.  Specifically, any contribution due in calendar year 2020 (including quarterly contributions) now has a delayed  due date of January 1, 2021. Note that the employer must pay interest on delayed contributions, from the original  due date to payment date, using the effective rate of interest for the plan for the plan year that includes the  payment date.

Will there be any relief in terms of plan/participant notices?

The CARES Act provides the Department of Labor with broad authority to extend the deadlines for certain notices. Stay tuned for more information.

We hope you find this summary valuable. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sources:

American Retirement Association, 2020

Kathmere Capital Management (Kathmere) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. The information presented in the material is general in nature and is not designed to address your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Prior to making any investment decision, you should assess, or seek advice from a professional regarding whether any particular transaction is relevant or appropriate to your individual circumstances. Although taken from reliable sources, Kathmere cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information received from third parties.