Author: Chris Ciminera, CPA, QKA

TIAA-CREF Plan Documents – Cat Fishing?

June 20, 2013

Recent articles brought to my attention the phrase “cat fishing” which means wishful thinking or realizing that something is not what you originally thought.

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A Primer on Forms of Distribution – Questions at Funerals

May 09, 2013

In my previous two blogs, I discussed qualified plan distribution options for my cousin Mike, my contemporary, and my Aunt Mary, a Baby Boomer.

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A Primer on Forms of Distribution – Questions from Those Approaching or At Retirement Age

April 25, 2013

In my previous blog, I discussed how my cousin Mike could receive a hardship distribution or a terminating distribution, even though he would not be able to avoid the early distribution penalty.

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A Primer on Forms of Distribution – Questions from Younger Family Members

April 11, 2013

I grew up in a small family, but my sister and I enjoy a large extended family that always gathers for every celebration, large or small. Being an accountant at these gatherings […]

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Compensation: The Missing Link – Part 2

March 27, 2013

My previous blog, Compensation: The Missing Link – Part 1, stressed the importance of ascertaining a solid link between the definition of compensation in the plan document and the one used operationally.

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Compensation: The Missing Link – Part 1

March 12, 2013

Compensation, you might think, should be easy to quantify. However, in a retirement plan, determining compensation can actually be quite complex.

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Important 2013 Benefit Plan Deadline Timeframes

December 18, 2012

We are closing in on the New Year and just in time to help you meet your New Year’s resolution to meet all your deadlines, attached […]

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Information Request Letters

July 12, 2012

The employee benefit plan audit season is in full gear now and, if not already started, your employee benefit plan audit is most likely around the corner.

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Sorting Out the Alphabet Soup of Mutual Fund Share Classes

June 07, 2012

By Christopher CIminera – The 408(b)(2) disclosure buzz has awakened many plan officials to the fact that different share classes can affect their plan investments’ returns.

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“Can You Hear Me Now?” – Part II: Summary Plan Description and Summary of Material Modifications – Electronic Delivery

May 03, 2012

Posted by Christopher Ciminera In last week’s blog I drew a parallel between Verizon’s network coverage and communications of the retirement plan provisions through a Summary Plan Description (SPD) and Summary of Material Modifications (SMM). This week I will go into further detail on how to provide these communications electronically. The analogy to Verizon’s network coverage is still applicable since … Continued

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Belfint Lyons Shuman is a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm that audits Defined contribution plans (profit-sharing, 401(k), 403(b) , 401(a), 457(b))), and Defined benefit plans (pension and cash balance), and Health and welfare plans. We serve a variety of plan sponsors including for-profit, nonprofit, governmental, and Taft-Hartley collectively-bargained plans located in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Massachusetts, and nationally. For additional information contact us at info@belfint.com