What is a SIMPLE IRA plan?

         SIMPLE is an acronym for Savings and Incentive Matched Plan for Employees. Generally, any business with 100 or fewer employees can qualify; however, SIMPLE plans are only available to companies that maintain no other employer-sponsored retirement plan to which contributions are made or accrued during the pertinent calendar year.

Which employees must be included in the plan?

         Although employers may elect less restrictive eligibility requirements, IRS rules require that all employees who receive at least $5,000 in compensation from the employer during any two prior calendar years and is expected to receive at least $5,000 during the current year must be included. When his eligibility period is met, an otherwise qualified employee enters the plan. The employer must then give the eligible employee at least a 60 day election period to enroll.

How much and how can retirement monies be contributed into a SIMPLE IRA plan?

         Employee contributions were raised to a maximum of $10,500.00 ($12,500.00 catch up for employees over age 50) in the year 2007. Employers must choose from one of two contribution alternatives: matching or non-matching.

         Employers choosing matching contributions must contribute the lesser of the participating employee’s salary deferral or 3.0% of such participant’s compensation. Employers choosing non-matching contributions must contribute 2.0% of each eligible employee’s compensation up to a maximum compensation amount of $225,000.00.

         Eligible employees, on the other hand, can defer the lesser of 100% of compensation or $10,500 ($12,500 catch up for persons over 50 years of age).

How do I enact a SIMPLE IRA plan?

A prudent employer will seek a tax professional’s advice, before enacting or contributing to any pension plan. He is also advised to gain such advice on an ongoing basis for assistance with plan administration.

Once this advice is received, any small business owner can call Providence to do the rest. Individual SIMPLE IRA s will be set up for all eligible employees. Those IRAs, in turn, will be funded by good interest fixed income annuities.

How do I learn more about Annuities and IRAs ?

         Click on the appropriate “Quick Links” to the left or above. Also, review the articles listed below by clicking on the titles:

        PROFESSIONALS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS' SEP IRA PENSION PLANS

        SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS SIMPLE IRA PENSION PLANS

        RETIREMENT PLANNING: AVOID “SUPERANNUATION”

    THE LEGACY (STRETCH) IRA ANNUITY (“S-ANNUITY”): DEFER INCOME TAXES AND                     CONFER BENEFITS OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL FAMILY GENERATIONS

   IRA and ROTH IRA