A pre-approved retirement plan is a plan sold to employers by a document provider such as a financial institution or benefits practitioner. The document provider is the “pre-approved plan provider.” The document provider requests IRS approval (“pre-approval”) of a defined contribution or defined benefit plan document as meeting the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Sections 401, 403(a) or 403(b). The pre-approved plan provider then makes the IRS-approved plan available to adopting employers. The IRS also issues opinion letters for prototype IRAs.
- Types of pre-approved retirement plans
Summary of pre-approved plans and plan providers
- Find a pre-approved plan (current plans plus older plan documents)
For employers
- Rules for adopting employers - when and how to adopt a pre-approved plan
- How to use Form 8905, Certification of Intent to Adopt a Pre-Approved Plan
Note: This form is obsolete as of 2-1-17.
For document providers
How to apply - procedures and forms
- Submission procedures for pre-approved plans (not including 403(b))
- 403(b) pre-approved plans
- Prototype and model IRAs
- FAQs on opinion and advisory letters for pre-approved retirement plans
- Tips to avoid processing delays with your determination letter application
When to apply
- 6-year remedial amendment cycle for pre-approved plans
Submit your application for a new or amended plan in the first year of the 6-year cycle
- Explanation of the system of remedial amendment cycles
Plan language resources
- Amend or update a plan
Cumulative lists, listings of required modifications (LRM), quality assurance bulletins (QABs), etc.
Providers of a pre-approved plan
Additional resources
- Pre-approved plan program expanded to include cash balance plans and ESOPs
- Additional resources for determination, opinion and advisory letters
- FAQs on determination, opinion or advisory letter issues
- Duties of a Pre-Approved 403(b) Plan Sponsor video
- Revenue Procedure 2015-36 and Revenue Procedure 2017-41 - procedures for pre-approved plans