You’re required to send certain annual notices to participants in your retirement plan. These notices play an important part in keeping participants in the know about how your plan operates. Use this guide to help you track what you have to send, who you have to send it to, and when you have to send it. Please note that your annual notice obligations will be taken care of for you if you’ve signed up for our notice delivery service. If you’re interested in signing up for this service in 2018, keep an eye out for a reminder to opt in within the next year.
Contact your Vanguard Retirement Plan Access Client Service Team for questions about your notices and where you can find them.
Notice Type & Guidelines
The number and type of notices depends on how your plan is set up
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Participant Fee Disclosure - For all plans
Delivery date: Annual notice typically must be delivered no later
than 365 days from delivery of the last annual notice.
Provide to: Employees who are currently eligible and those who will
be eligible to participate in your plan by January 1, 2017, former employees
with an account balance, and beneficiary account holders.
Planning for 2017: Newly eligible employees must receive a fee
disclosure document prior to enrolling in the plan.
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Safe Harbor Contribution Notice - For plans with an ADP/ACP safe harbor arrangement Deliver by: December 1, 2016. Provide to: Employees who are currently eligible and those who will be eligible to participate in your plan by January 1, 2017. Planning for 2017: For employees who become eligible after January 1, 2017, the notice should be provided within 90 days before or on the date of eligibility. |
Automatic Enrollment Notice - For plans with an automatic contribution arrangement, an eligible automatic contribution arrangement, or a qualified automatic contribution arrangement (i.e., ACA, EACA, or QACA) Deliver by: December 1, 2016. Provide to: Employees who are currently eligible and those who will be eligible to participate in your plan by January 1, 2017. Planning for 2017: For employees who become eligible after January 1, 2017, generally the notice should be delivered at least 30 days before the date of eligibility. |
Notice of Default Investment(s) (QDIA Notice) - For plans that offer a Qualified Default Investment Alternative Delivery date: Annual notice must be delivered by December 1, 2016. Provide to: Employees who are currently eligible and those who will be eligible to participate in your plan by January 1, 2017, former employees with an account balance, and beneficiary account holders. Planning for 2017: For employees who become eligible after January 1, 2017, the notice should be delivered at least 30 days prior to the participation date or the date the first investment would be made. Also, provide the notice to employees who request rollover contributions into the plan. |
IMPORTANT: Notices can be delivered to plan participants in hard copy format. Electronic delivery is also an option, but you must follow IRS and/or DOL electronic guidelines. |
