Originally published in Journal of Taxation, March 2002
The Service has acted to provide sponsors, administrators, practitioners, and plan participants with helpful information implementing the changes made by the 2001 Act with respect to various distributions. While the guidance is to some extent focused on Section 401(k) plans, it may be extended to a Section 403(b) plan or a Section 457 plan. As with almost every change to the retirement plan rules, complying with the new requirements will entail paying attention to complex technical provisions. STANLEY D. BAUM is Of Counsel to the law firm of Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman, LLP, in the firm's New York City office, and frequently writes on qualified plan issues for THE JOURNAL.
