For 2019:

• Maximum 401(k) = $19,000 (increased from $18,500)
  
• 401(k) catchup (if over age 50) remains the same at $6,000
  
• Maximum 401(k) + catchup = $25,000 (increased from $24,500)
  
• Maximum 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan contributions = $56,000 (increased from $55,000)
  
• ===> Maximum 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan contributions including catchup = $62,000 (increased from $61,000)
  
• Maximum Compensation for Plan Years beginning in 2019 = $280,000 (increased from $275,000)
  

Please email me for a complimentary ticket to upcoming SHRM Hawaii Annual Conference on Leading Workplace Excellence on October 12, 2018.  This is better than a Coupon Code!

It's the 5th of the Month so it's 5500 Day.

Having just hit my one year anniversary as Hawaii5500 LLC, here are 5 thoughts:

1.  Mahalo to my clients and referral sources who have continued to do business with me and refer new business to me

2.  Please remember to exclude social security numbers from unencrypted files and emails

3.  Have you reviewed your retirement plan related fees for their reasonableness?

4.  Wrap Plan documents for health and welfare benefit plans have multiple purposes.  Contact me if you'd like to learn more.

5.  Finally, mahalo to past mentors and role models who have helped me (sometimes inadvertently) get where I am today to be able to provide compliance services to my clients

It's the 5th of the month, so it's....5500 day!

The constant rains this year have finally slowed down.  Please let me know if you'd like to walk 5500 steps either through Kalihi, Downtown, Kaneohe, Kailua, Ka Makana Ali`i or anywhere of your choice.

The Hawai`i Community Foundation provides opportunities to support victims of the recent flooding on Kauai and in East Oahu, as well as the ongoing victims of the current eruption on the Big Island of Hawai``i.

Hawaii Community Foundation

It's the 5th of the month, so it's....5500 day!

Contemplating the middle two numbers, ie '50' today and thinking about my 50th birthday at some future date.  What would you, or did you, do for your 50th birthday?

Usually a retirement plan participant who must receive their first RMD for the prior year has until April 1 of the next year to take it. Unlike 5500's, whose due dates are pushed until Monday if the deadline falls on a weekend, the April 1 RMD deadline is pushed earlier to precede the weekend.
If you have questions on who is due to receive an RMD, please contact me.

It's the 5th of the month, so it's...5500 day!

Anyone in the employee benefits industry who would like to swim 5500 yards (or meters) with me, kindly submit below to contact me.  We can Schedule it into 3 swims if you'd like.

Just in - The Bipartisan Act of 2018, passed on 2/9/18 has made the following changes to hardship withdrawals effective for plan years starting 1/1/19 or later:

• Employees taking hardship withdrawals may continue making 401(k) withdrawals.  The 6-month restriction on 401(k) deferrals will not be required.
• Hardship withdrawals will be allowed from QNEC, QMAC and profit sharing contributions.
• Loans are not required prior to taking a hardship withdrawal

Please contact me if you would like to discuss these provision changes.

Mahalo to my clients who stayed through my transition from Hawaii Client Services to Hawaii5500 last year.  Mahalo also to those new clients who have signed on since then.

Looking forward to a first complete calendar year as a fully independent practice.

As always, all questions from existing and prospective Plan Sponsors are always welcome.