Hessel & Associates Page

Retirement Plan Timeline

The deadlines that retirement plan sponsors must observe can be confusing and complex. Hessel & Associates has prepared this summary timeline for calendar year plans (January 1st to December 31st) to assist you with some of the more notable deadlines. Important filing and contribution deadlines are highlighted in red.

Who is Responsible?
Dates or Deadlines	Hessel & Associates, LLC	Client
November	Sends Safe Harbor notice (applicable to Safe Harbor 401k plans only).	Distributes required Safe Harbor notice to all plan participants (if applicable). If plan has January entry date, distribute Summary Plan Description (SPD) and any Modifications (SMM), enrollment forms (401k only) and beneficiary forms to new entrants.
December - January	Sends annual questionnaire forms to plan sponsor or tax advisor.
January		Prepares and provides Form 1099R by January 31st to participants/beneficiaries who received a distribution during prior year. (If you, your investment company or tax advisor does not complete these forms, notify Hessel by January 15th).
February 15		Returns annual questionnaire forms to Hessel so nondiscrimination testing can be completed on a timely basis (non-Safe Harbor 401k plans only).
March 15		Employer contribution deadline if corporate return filed without extension.
April 1		First Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) due to participants who attained age 70½ in prior year, if more than 5% owner or terminated employee.
April 15		Employer contribution deadline for sole proprietor, if return filed without extension.
January - July	Completes annual administrative work upon receipt of all information.
May - June		If plan has July entry date, distribute Summary Plan Description (SPD) and any Modifications (SMM), enrollment forms (401k only) and beneficiary forms to new entrants.
Prior to July 31	Provides Form 5500 (electronic) or 5500-EZ (paper) for signing if annual administrative work completed. Submits forms to IRS/DOL by July 31.
July 31	Form 5500/5500-EZ initial filing deadline (without extension). Prepares and submits Form 5558, Request for Extension, if applicable.
August 15		Final date to return questionnaire forms to Hessel without incurring late fee.
August - October 15	Completes annual administrative work upon receipt of all information.
September 15		Employer contribution deadline if corporate return extended.
Prior to October 15	Provides Form 5500 (electronic) or 5500-EZ (paper) for signing. Submits forms to IRS/DOL by October 15.	Signs Form 5500 (electronic) and submits back to Hessel. OR...signs Form 5500-EZ (paper) and returns to Hessel.
October 15	Form 5500/5500-EZ extended filing deadline.	Employer contribution deadline for LLC or sole proprietor defined contribution plan.
	Upon completion of allocation/valuation, provides annual report, participant statements and Summary Annual Report (if applicable).	Distribute required Summary Annual Report (SAR) and participant statements. NOTE: SAR must be provided to ALL eligible employees.
Important Notes: Hessel requires at least THREE weeks time for a timely completion of contribution calculations, nondiscrimination testing and preparation of Form 5500 or 5500-EZ submission. We STRONGLY encourage you to return your completed census questionnaire forms as soon as possible following the end of the plan year. Employee salary deferral contributions (401k) should be deposited within SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS following the day withheld from pay. Loan repayments should be deposited within SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS following the day withheld from pay, and MUST be made AT LEAST QUARTERLY to avoid taxes and penalties. The information contained in this timeline is general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice or legal opinion.