Archive for January, 2009

 Under current law, Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP) Participants are able to roll over taxable distributions from qualified plans and IRAs to 403(b) and government 457 plans, in addition to other qualified plans and IRAs. But be sure you look before you leap, these plans are not be required to accept rollovers. QRP Participants are also be able to rollover distributions of after-tax employee contributions from qualified plans or an IRA to a defined contribution plan or IRA. A rollover of after-tax amounts to a defined contribution plan must be transmitted through a trustee-to-trustee transfer. The accepting plan must separately account for the after-tax amounts.

Spouses who who have been widowed and participate in a 403(b), government 457 or qualified plan may roll over distributions from their deceased spouse’s plan into their own plan, provided the accepting plan includes a rollover provision. And with IRS approval, the 60-day period in which to make a rollover can be extended if not doing so would be against “equity or good conscience,” as stated by the law. Examples of instances when the waiver of the 60-day period will be considered appropriate include matters outside the control of the individual, such as a natural disaster, hospitalization or a failure of a financial institution to process the rollover in a timely manner (and this does happen, just ask me).

Below is a chart indicating what can be rolled over into what. 

(more…)

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A weak housing market and decreased consumer spending raised the state’s jobless rate to its highest level in 14 years
By Dean Calbreath (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:00 a.m. January 24, 2009
 

The construction sector (left) accounted for the highest number of job cuts in 2008. Linens ‘n Things was among several retailers to close stores last year. 
 

The unemployment rate in California soared to 9.3 percent last month – its highest point in 15 years – as construction firms, hotels, restaurants, casinos and amusement parks laid off workers in response to the widening recession.

Statewide, 78,200 workers lost their jobs in December, bringing the year-over-year job losses to 257,400, according to data released yesterday by the state Employment Development Department. (more…)

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