Save time with our cheat sheets, fact sheets, checklists & books!

February 15, 2009

Triggering event

Your Guide

Print

Definition

An event that makes a participant eligible to make withdrawals from a qualified plan, 403(b) arrangement or 457(b) plan. Examples of triggering events include:

  1. Reaching retirement age, as defined by the plan
  2. Terminating from service with the employer that sponsors the plan ( no longer working for that employer) or severance from employment
  3. Termination of the plan
  4. Death of the participant, in which case the beneficiaries would make withdrawals
  5. Disability of the participant. Disability would generally be defined under the plan document

Triggering events are defined in the plan document that governs the plan. Therefore, a participant must refer to the plan, or the summary plan description , for the plan to determine when they are eligible to make withdrawals.

Eligibility to make withdrawals can require a combination of more than one event, for instance reaching retirement age and separating from service.

Referring Cite

IRC §401(a)(14); Treas. Reg. 1.401-1(b), Treas Reg §1.401(a)-14; ERISA §206

Additional Helpful Information

  • Some plans may require participants to file claims in order to receive distributions from the plan. Treas Reg §1.401(a)-14(a)
  • Some plans may allow participants to make withdrawals before they experience a triggering event . This is referred to as an in-service withdrawal, and is permitted under a profit sharing plan, 401(k) plan and 403(b) arrangement if allowed under the governing plan document.
More

Keep Learning

Domestic abuse distribution

A domestic abuse distribution is one that is made to domestic abuse victim, during the 1-year period beginning on any date on which the individual

Eligible retirement plan

The term “eligible retirement plan”, means a retirement plan to which a rollover contribution can be made. These are: (i)an individual retirement account described in

Qualified See-Through Trust beneficiary

Definition A qualified trust beneficiary is a trust that satisfies the requirements so as to be treated as a designated beneficiary.   For retirement accounts inherited

Saver’s Credit

Definition Also known as the Saver’s Tax Credit: Nonrefundable tax credit available to eligible individuals who make contributions to their retirement account. The saver’s credit

Be among the first to know when

IRA Rules
Change