About SIMPLE–IRAs
 
Frequently Asked Questions about SIMPLE–IRAs
What are the eligibility requirements for opening a SIMPLE–IRA plan?
How do I open a SIMPLE–IRA plan for my business?
What about opening participant accounts?
When must my employees be notified of their eligibility to participate in the plan?
How is the Salary Deferral process managed and who gets the paperwork?
What are the SIMPLE–IRA contribution limits?
What funds are eligible for investment in a SIMPLE–IRA?
How do I get a copy of my Adoption Agreement, Summary Description, or a Plan level report?
My business is growing. Am I still eligible for a SIMPLE–IRA Plan?
Using PlanManager®
How do I use Fidelity PlanManager® to manage my SIMPLE–IRA online?
Why should I make my plan contributions electronically?
What if I change my bank?
I can’t remember my PIN. How do I log in to PlanManager?
My plan’s monthly contributions are always the same. Is there a way to automatically re–enter the data each month on PlanManager?
How do I correct a contribution error once it has been processed on PlanManager?
Why am I being prompted that my current contribution will be overridden?
 
What are the eligibility requirements for opening a SIMPLE–IRA plan? Which Employers Can Establish a SIMPLE–IRA Plan?
Generally, SIMPLE–IRA plans can be established by any business with 100 or fewer employees who earned $5,000 or more in the preceding year, and which does not currently maintain any other retirement plan. Click here for more information or call a Retirement Representative at 800–544–5373.
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How do I open a SIMPLE–IRA plan for my business? What about opening participant accounts?
Easy to follow instructions and the SIMPLE–IRA plan documents can be found online.
  Fidelity will mail employee enrollment kits to you upon receipt of the plan documents. Additional enrollment kits may be ordered from a Fidelity Retirement Representative by calling 800–544–5373.
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When must my employees be notified of their eligibility to participate in the plan?
You are required to provide eligible employees with a Summary Description and Participant Notice on an annual basis. Fidelity SIMPLE–IRA Plans receive a Summary Description and Participant Notice when the plan is established and annually thereafter in September. To open a SIMPLE–IRA Plan for the current year, the plan must be established and employees notified by October 1; please note that an exception applies for businesses established after October 1.
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How is the Salary Deferral process managed and who gets the paperwork?
Your employees complete the Salary Reduction Agreement Form and return it you or your payroll office (it does not go to Fidelity). A sample salary reduction agreement form is available online and is included in the Fidelity SIMPLE–IRA Employee Enrollment Kit. You may use this form or create your own customized version.
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What are the SIMPLE–IRA contribution limits?
Two types of contributions: salary deferral and employer contributions, may be made to a SIMPLE–IRA.
Salary deferral contributions may be made up to 100% of compensation not to exceed $11,500 for 2009 and 2010 for investors under age 50, $14,000 for 2009 and 2010 for investors age 50 or over).
Employer contributions may either:
  • Match employee contributions dollar for dollar up to 3% of compensation to a $11,500 for 2009 and 2010 for investors under age 50, $14,000 for 2009 and 2010 for investors age 50 or over. (Can be reduced to as low as 1% in any two out of five years.)
  • Equal 2% of each eligible employee's compensation up to $4,900 for 2009 and 2010.
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What funds are eligible for investment in a SIMPLE–IRA?
Your SIMPLE–IRA account may buy or exchange any fund as long as the minimum initial and subsequent investment limits are met. To be eligible for ongoing SIMPLE–IRA salary deferrals or employer contributions, however, a fund must waive the investment minimums for SIMPLE–IRA customers. See a list of eligible Fidelity Funds and no load and no transaction fee funds from other well known fund companies.
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Before investing, consider the funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses applicable to a continued investment in the fund. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
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How do I get a copy of my Adoption Agreement, Summary Description, or a Plan level report?
For copies of your Plan Adoption Agreement or additional Summary Descriptions, please call a Retirement Representative at 800-544-5373. The Summary Description is mailed to plans annually in September. Plan level reports are sent on a monthly basis to every SIMPLE–IRA Plan. The report includes a total of all salary deferral and employer contributions made for the period, is broken out by participants, and includes a participant level breakout of contributions.
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My business is growing. Am I still eligible for a SIMPLE–IRA Plan?
Generally speaking, you are eligible for a SIMPLE–IRA as long as your business has fewer than 100 employees earning $5,000 or more in the preceding year. As you grow, other retirement plans may become more appropriate. Please contact a Fidelity Retirement Representativeat 800-544-5373 for more information.
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How do I use Fidelity PlanManager® to manage my SIMPLE–IRA online?
PlanManager® is an online tool for administration of plan contributions at simple.fidelity.com. Fidelity PlanManager is a web site designed to make SIMPLE–IRA plan administration fast and easy. It enables you to make employee allocations quickly and accurately.
An employer can process Salary Deferral contributions, process matching or non-elective contributions, and pay the annual SIMPLE administration fee online. Get more information about PlanManager or contact a Retirement Representative at 800-544-5373 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET seven days a week.
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Why should I make my plan contributions electronically?
Electronic contributions and online allocations are a fast and easy way to manage your SIMPLE–IRA plan. PlanManager is available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It helps insure accurate processing and keeps plan administrative costs low, and it makes recordkeeping easier by storing historical plan information, such as YTD contributions.
*There is a maintenance period where some services may not be available.
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What if I change my bank?
You need to notify Fidelity in writing that you have changed your bank. Once the information has been updated at both institutions - this may take up to 10 business days - you will receive notification of the date your changes will become effective and you can resume using PlanManager. Your funding account number will remain the same.
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I can’t remember my PIN. How do I log in to PlanManager?
If you have logged in incorrectly three times, your PlanManager account will be blocked as a security precaution. Contact a Retirement Representative at 800-544-5373.
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My plan’s monthly contributions are always the same. Is there a way to automatically re-enter the data each month on PlanManager?
Yes. There is an option on PlanManager's contribution year screen, to pre-enter previous contribution amounts. You can update this option if the amounts change.
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How do I correct a contribution error once it has been processed on PlanManager?
Contact a Retirement Representative at 800-544-5373 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET seven days a week if you need to change a contribution after it has been processed.
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Why am I being prompted that my current contribution will be overridden?
If you recently entered a contribution that has not yet been processed and try to enter a conflicting contribution, you will be alerted that your current order will override, or delete, your previous entry. Unless you intend to replace the earlier contribution, you must wait until your previous entry has been processed.
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** IRA brokerage account fee has been eliminated on Fidelity's Traditional, Roth, SEP and Rollover IRAs. Fund expenses and brokerage commissions still apply. Depending on your situation, fees may include low-balance fees, short-term trading fees, and account closing fees.
Fidelity Brokerage Services , Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917.
 
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