Description: This article provides a basic introduction to the taxation of qualified annuities held in qualified retirement plans and IRAs. The article has been updated for the SECURE Act and the SECURE 2.0 Act. The article describes the basic types of employer-based plans, provides of overview of the taxation of contributions and benefits when annuities are held in connection with plans and IRAs, explains the required minimum distribution rules, and offers a brief introduction to recent legislation impacting qualified annuities.

Description: This article, another in the popular series devoted to tax basics, provides an overview of how the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the law governing employment-based retirement and health plans, impacts the use of annuities in pension and 401(k) plans. The article explains which types of plans are subject to ERISA, and which are not; why the concept of "plan assets" is critical; what duties an insurance company or distributor might take on when an annuity is placed with a retirement plan; and finally what disclosures may be required. The article also includes a brief introduction to terminal funding annuities. This article is intended for those with no prior experience in ERISA. Because the vast majority of retirement assets are saved originally in employment based plans like pension and 401(k) plans, understanding the basics of ERISA is important for anyone who will have a career in annuities and life insurance.

Description: Article from The Actuary November 1992 – Volume 26, No. 9 is about taxation of distributions from qualified retirement plans and considerations in IRA rollovers.

Description: The panel presents the technical details of calculating the deficit reduction contribution as changed by the Retirement Protection Act of 1994. Also covered are the new solvency maintenance requirements and changes to the full-funding limitation. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 4a.

Description: Full version of The Actuary Newsletter Special Edition - November 1974: Review of ERISA provisions

Description: This article on pensions and tax expenditures discusses the problems in the development of the numbers provided by the Office of Management and Budget. Tax reform proposals that quantify increases in tax revenue that would result from elimination of tax advantages of qualified pension plans are flawed in the author's opinion.

Description: Discussed are some of the major effects of the Retirement Protection Act of 1994 in areas other than funding. Topics included are calculation of lump sums, 415 limits, creation of the missing participants program, elimination of the excise tax for some non deductible contributions, and changes in the variable rate program. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 4a.

Description: This article discusses adjusting IRC 415 limits for prior distributions. The proposed IRC 415 regulations issued last May contained guidance regarding how to adjust the benefit limits for prior distributions. This is commendable on the part of the IRS. How to adjust the IRC 415 limits for prior distributions has long been a source of confusion even for experienced pension actuaries. The best methodology is not immediately clear, and some methods have become common practice even if they can lead to inconsistent or unreasonable results. From Pension Section News, January 2006, No. 60.

Description: The panel presents the technical details of calculating the deficit reduction contribution as changed by the Retirement Protection Act RPA of 1994. Additionally addressed is the new solvency maintenance requirement and changes to the full-funding limitation. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 3b.