This year, there were three named tropical systems in the Atlantic Ocean by June 5 — the first time ever that there were three named storms by such an early date. And two of them made landfall in the United States. With the official Atlantic hurricane season just begun (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sets its start as June 1), we have a poignant reminder of the possibility of significant property losses and business disruption — and the need for hardship distributions from 403(b)s, 457s and 401(k)s.
Generally, there are no special rules for hardship distributions due to hurricanes or other natural disasters; the general hardship distribution rules apply. An employer’s benefit plan may list the specific criteria it uses to determine if a participant is eligible for a hardship distribution. Expenses for repairing damage to an employee's principal residence may automatically qualify.
Sometimes when a hurricane or other natural disaster is especially devastating, laws are enacted that provides for special plan distributions and loans that would otherwise not be available to employees. For example, in 2005 the federal government enacted a law to help individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina, and agencies issued regulations implementing that law.
The Rules
Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(i) says that an early distribution from a 401(k) must be to made to meet an immediate and heavy financial need of an employee, and that the amount must be necessary to satisfy that need. That includes the needs of an employee’s spouse and dependents, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 expanded the ability to obtain a distribution to include an employee’s beneficiary even if that beneficiary is not the employee’s spouse or dependent.
So what is an “immediate and heavy” financial need? That depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding a specific distribution. The IRS considers the following to be immediate and heavy expenses that could justify a hardship distribution from a 401(k), which is spelled out in Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iii):
A financial need may be immediate and heavy even if it was reasonably foreseeable — so presumably, if a hurricane were predicted days in advance the costs incurred as a result of it may still qualify.
Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(E) says that a distribution is deemed necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of an employee if two conditions are met:
1. the employee has obtained all other currently available distributions and loans under the plan and all other plans maintained by the employer; and
2. the employee is prohibited, under the terms of the plan or an otherwise legally enforceable agreement, from making elective contributions and employee contributions to the plan and all other plans maintained by the employer for at least six months after receipt of the hardship distribution.
A hardship distribution may not exceed the amount of the employee's need. However, the amount may include what is necessary to pay any taxes or penalties that may result from the distribution.
It is important to note that a distribution cannot be a way to address storm-related damage and at the same time preserve a savings account — Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(B) says that the federal government does not consider a distribution of be necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy need if the employee has other resources available to meet the need. And here the inclusion of an employee’s spouse and dependents is a double-edged sword — in setting this standard, the IRS includes not just the assets of the employee, but also those of his or her spouse and dependents.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding whether assets are considered available; that determination depends on the specific facts and circumstances of an individual case. There are, however, some assets not considered to be available; for instance, property held for an employee’s child in an irrevocable trust or under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.
403(b) Plans
The IRS says that the rules for hardship distributions from 403(b) plans are similar to those for hardship distributions from 401(k) plans.
457(b) Plans
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b), a hardship distribution from a 457(b) plan can only occur when the participant is faced with an unforeseeable emergency.
Under Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(i), an unforeseeable emergency is a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident, loss of property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the participant or beneficiary. Examples of events that may be considered unforeseeable emergencies include:
Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(ii) says that whether a participant or beneficiary is faced with an unforeseeable emergency depends on the facts and circumstances. However, a distribution is not on account of an unforeseeable emergency to the extent that the emergency can be relieved through:
Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(iii) says that a distribution on account of an unforeseeable emergency must not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need.\
IRAs
There is generally no limit on when an IRA owner may take a distribution from his or her IRA — but there may be unfavorable tax consequences, such as an additional tax on early distributions. However, certain distributions from an IRA that are used for expenses similar to those that may be eligible for hardship distributions from a retirement plan are exempt from the additional tax on early distributions. Specifically, a distribution from an IRA for higher education expenses or to finance a first-time home purchase is exempt from the early distribution tax.
The IRS makes questions and answers on hardship distributions available here.
Generally, there are no special rules for hardship distributions due to hurricanes or other natural disasters; the general hardship distribution rules apply. An employer’s benefit plan may list the specific criteria it uses to determine if a participant is eligible for a hardship distribution. Expenses for repairing damage to an employee's principal residence may automatically qualify.
Sometimes when a hurricane or other natural disaster is especially devastating, laws are enacted that provides for special plan distributions and loans that would otherwise not be available to employees. For example, in 2005 the federal government enacted a law to help individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina, and agencies issued regulations implementing that law.
The Rules
Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(i) says that an early distribution from a 401(k) must be to made to meet an immediate and heavy financial need of an employee, and that the amount must be necessary to satisfy that need. That includes the needs of an employee’s spouse and dependents, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 expanded the ability to obtain a distribution to include an employee’s beneficiary even if that beneficiary is not the employee’s spouse or dependent.
So what is an “immediate and heavy” financial need? That depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding a specific distribution. The IRS considers the following to be immediate and heavy expenses that could justify a hardship distribution from a 401(k), which is spelled out in Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iii):
- certain medical expenses;
- costs relating to the purchase of a principal residence;
- tuition and related educational fees and expenses;
- payments necessary to prevent eviction from, or foreclosure on, a principal residence;
- burial or funeral expenses; and
- certain expenses for the repair of damage to the employee's principal residence.
A financial need may be immediate and heavy even if it was reasonably foreseeable — so presumably, if a hurricane were predicted days in advance the costs incurred as a result of it may still qualify.
Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(E) says that a distribution is deemed necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of an employee if two conditions are met:
1. the employee has obtained all other currently available distributions and loans under the plan and all other plans maintained by the employer; and
2. the employee is prohibited, under the terms of the plan or an otherwise legally enforceable agreement, from making elective contributions and employee contributions to the plan and all other plans maintained by the employer for at least six months after receipt of the hardship distribution.
A hardship distribution may not exceed the amount of the employee's need. However, the amount may include what is necessary to pay any taxes or penalties that may result from the distribution.
It is important to note that a distribution cannot be a way to address storm-related damage and at the same time preserve a savings account — Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(B) says that the federal government does not consider a distribution of be necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy need if the employee has other resources available to meet the need. And here the inclusion of an employee’s spouse and dependents is a double-edged sword — in setting this standard, the IRS includes not just the assets of the employee, but also those of his or her spouse and dependents.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding whether assets are considered available; that determination depends on the specific facts and circumstances of an individual case. There are, however, some assets not considered to be available; for instance, property held for an employee’s child in an irrevocable trust or under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act.
403(b) Plans
The IRS says that the rules for hardship distributions from 403(b) plans are similar to those for hardship distributions from 401(k) plans.
457(b) Plans
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b), a hardship distribution from a 457(b) plan can only occur when the participant is faced with an unforeseeable emergency.
Under Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(i), an unforeseeable emergency is a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident, loss of property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the participant or beneficiary. Examples of events that may be considered unforeseeable emergencies include:
- imminent foreclosure on, or eviction from, the employee's home;
- medical expenses; and
- funeral expenses.
Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(ii) says that whether a participant or beneficiary is faced with an unforeseeable emergency depends on the facts and circumstances. However, a distribution is not on account of an unforeseeable emergency to the extent that the emergency can be relieved through:
- reimbursement or compensation from insurance;
- liquidation of the participant's assets; or
- cessation of deferrals under the plan.
Treas. Reg. §1.457-6(c)(2)(iii) says that a distribution on account of an unforeseeable emergency must not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need.\
IRAs
There is generally no limit on when an IRA owner may take a distribution from his or her IRA — but there may be unfavorable tax consequences, such as an additional tax on early distributions. However, certain distributions from an IRA that are used for expenses similar to those that may be eligible for hardship distributions from a retirement plan are exempt from the additional tax on early distributions. Specifically, a distribution from an IRA for higher education expenses or to finance a first-time home purchase is exempt from the early distribution tax.
The IRS makes questions and answers on hardship distributions available here.
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