Sec. 35.3405-1 Questions and answers relating to withholding on pensions, annuities, and certain other deferred income.

     

Example 1.

(i) An employer deferred compensation plan (Plan A) permits participants to request distributions by e-mail. Under Plan A's system for such transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number and personal identification number (PIN); this information must match that in Plan A's records in order for the transaction to proceed. The plan administrator is the payor. If a participant requests a distribution from Plan A by e-mail, the plan administrator provides the participant with the notice required under section

3405

by e-mail. The plan administrator also advises the participant by e-mail that he or she may request the notice on a written paper document and that, if the participant requests the notice on a written paper document, it will be provided at no charge. To proceed with the distribution by e-mail, the participant must acknowledge receipt, review, and comprehension of the notice.

     (ii) In this Example 1, the plan administrator does not fail to satisfy the notice requirement of section 3405 merely because the notice is provided to the participant other than through a written paper document.

     Example 2. (i) An employer deferred compensation plan (Plan B) permits participants to request distributions through the Plan B web site (Internet or intranet). Under Plan B's system for such transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number and personal identification number (PIN); this information must match that in Plan B's records in order for the transaction to proceed. The plan administrator is the payor. A participant may request a distribution from Plan B by following the applicable instructions on the Plan B web site. After the participant has requested a distribution, the participant is automatically shown a page on the web site containing the notice required by section 3405. Although this page of the web site may be printed, the page also advises the participant that he or she may request the notice on a written paper document and that, if the participant requests the notice on a written paper document, it will be provided at no charge. To proceed with the distribution through the web site, the participant must acknowledge receipt, review, and comprehension of the notice.

     (ii) In this Example 2, the plan administrator does not fail to satisfy the notice requirement of section 3405 merely because the notice is provided to the participant other than through a written paper document.

      Example 3. (i) An employer deferred compensation plan (Plan C) permits participants to request distributions through Plan C's automated telephone system. Under Plan C's system for such transactions, a participant must enter his or her account number and personal identification number (PIN); this information must match that in Plan C's records in order for the transaction to proceed. The plan administrator is the payor. A participant may request a distribution from Plan C by following the applicable instructions on the automated telephone system. After the participant has requested a distribution, the automated telephone system reads the notice required by section 3405 to the participant. The automated telephone system also advises the participant that he or she may request the notice on a written paper document and that, if the participant requests the notice on a written paper document, it will be provided at no charge. Before proceeding with the distribution transaction, the participant must acknowledge receipt, review, and comprehension of the notice.

     (ii) In this Example 3, the plan administrator does not fail to satisfy the notice requirement of section 3405 merely because the notice is provided to the participant other than through a written paper document.

     Example 4. (i) Same facts as Example 3, except that, pursuant to the system for processing such transactions, a participant who so requests is transferred to a customer service representative whose conversation with the participant is recorded. The customer service representative provides the notice required by section 3405 by reading from a prepared text.

     (ii) Conclusion. In this Example 4, the plan administrator does not fail to satisfy the notice requirement of section 3405 merely because the notice is provided to the participant other than through a written paper document.

     Example 5. (i) Same facts as Example 1, except that Participant D requested a distribution by e-mail and then terminated employment. Participant D no longer has access to e-mail.

     (ii) In this Example 5, the plan administrator does not satisfy the notice requirement of section 3405 because the electronic medium through which the notice is provided is not reasonably accessible to Participant D. Plan A must provide the notice required by section 3405 to Participant D in a written paper document or by an electronic medium that is reasonably accessible to Participant D.