Common mistakes that happen in retirement plans, how to use the IRS’s correction programs to correct the mistake and how to reduce the probability of it happening again. Fix-It Guides - fix common mistakes in a 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE IRA, or 403(b) plan Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) overview Self-Correction Program overview Voluntary Correction Program overview 403(b) 403(b) Plans with Operational Failures Available correction methods may depend on when the failure occurred. Correcting a failure to adopt a written 403(b) plan What to do if the plan sponsor missed the December 31, 2009, deadline Contributions/elective deferrals Failure to Implement Employee Deferral Elections How to fix a failure to implement an employee's election to defer amounts to a 401(k) plan. Failure to Limit Contributions for a Participant How to fix a failure to limit contributions for a participant. Designated Roth contributions Common Roth contribution mistakes In the operation of a Roth feature, sometimes the employer doesn’t follow the employee’s election as to the type of elective deferral. Distributions Failure to Timely Start Minimum Distributions How to fix a failure to timely start minimum distributions. Hardship Distributions in a 401(k) Plan How to fix hardship distributions from a 401(k) plan that do not satisfy the plan provisions. Loans Plan Loan Failures and Deemed Distributions How to fix the problems associated with plan loan failures and deemed distributions. Safe harbor 401(k) plans Failure to Provide a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan Notice How to fix the problem of failure to provide a safe harbor 401(k) plan notice. Self-correction Using a Plan Amendment for Correction in the Self-Correction Program When can a plan amendment be used to correct a mistake in the operation of the plan under the Self-Correction Program? Spousal consent Failure to Obtain Spousal Consent How to fix a failure to obtain spousal consent when a distribution is made to a participant in the form other than the required Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity. Terminating plans Using EPCRS to Terminate an Orphan Plan How to use EPCRS to terminate an orphan plan. Top-heavy errors Top-Heavy Errors in Defined Contribution Plans How to fix top-heavy errors in defined contribution plans. Vesting Vesting Errors in Defined Contribution Plans How to fix vesting errors in defined contribution plans. Related Fix-It Guides for retirement plans Correcting Plan Errors home page