WASHINGTON -
The Treasury Department and the IRS issued a notice today providing extensive guidance on several Pension Protection Act rules relating to distributions from tax-qualified retirement plans.
The guidance addresses many questions on PPA provisions, including:
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interest rate assumptions for lump sum distributions
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hardship distributions from a 401(k) and similar plans
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early distributions from qualified plans to terminated public safety employees
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rollovers from qualified plans to IRAs for non-spouse beneficiaries
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distributions to pay for health insurance for retired public safety officers
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earlier vesting of certain employer contributions
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new rules for the notice and consent period for distributions
The notice also clarifies several issues concerning the provision permitting IRA owners age 70 � or older to directly transfer tax-free, up to $100,000 per year to an eligible charity. For example, a check from an IRA made payable to an eligible charity but delivered by the IRA holder still qualifies for tax-free treatment. IRAs held on behalf of beneficiaries, as well as IRAs held by the original owners, are eligible to use this provision. Additionally, the $100,000 annual limit applies separately for each spouse of a married couple. If both spouses have IRAs and are at least age 70 �, the couple can transfer a combined total of $200,000.