Louisiana § RS 11:2180.3 - Transfer of benefits

§ RS 11:2180.3. Transfer of benefits

A.  This Section applies to distributions made on or after January 1, 1993.  Notwithstanding any provisions of the plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee's election under this Section, a distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the plan administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to a retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.

B.  If a distribution is one to which Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply, such distribution may commence less than thirty days after the notice required under Section 1.411(a)-11(c) of the Federal Income Tax Regulations is given, provided that:

(1)  The plan administrator clearly informs the participant that the participant has a right to a period of at least thirty days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and, if applicable, a particular distribution option), and

(2)  The participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution.

C.  The following definitions shall apply:

(1)  A "direct rollover" is a payment by the plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.

(2)  A "distributee" includes an employee or former employee.  In addition, the employee's or former employee's surviving spouse and the employee's or former employee's spouse or former spouse who is the alternative payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 414(p), are distributees with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse.

(3)  An "eligible retirement plan" is an Individual Retirement Account that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distributions.  However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the surviving spouse, an eligible retirement plan is an Individual Retirement Account or individual retirement annuity.

(4)  An "eligible rollover distribution" is any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include:

(a)  Any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments, not less frequently than annually, made for the life, or life expectancy, of the distributee or the joint lives, or joint life expectancies, of the distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more.

(b)  Any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

(c)  The portion of any distribution that is not includable in gross income, determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities.

Acts 1995, No. 620, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1250, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.