Programming note: SPARK to host 403(b) webcast

The SPARK Institute has scheduled a webcast, “403(b) Information Sharing: Common Remitter Issues,” for Friday, Dec. 19 at 12 p.m. EST. The event will include a presentation and Q&A session with experts who developed the common remitter aspects of the organization's 403(b) Plans Information Sharing Best Practices to help plan sponsors comply with IRS regulations that are effective on January 1, 2009 .

The panel will review the best practices for remitting census data and will answer questions regarding the roles and responsibilities of employers, employer representatives and vendors. The Best Practices were developed 2009.

Speakers include Paul Jackson, Vice President-Institutional Services at AIG Retirement, James Racine, Assistant Vice President, Lincoln Financial Group and Ralph Sanna, Director-Strategic Initiatives for TIAA-CREF. For further details, visit https://sparkinstitute.webex.com or call 860-658-5058.

News You Can Use: Answers to your burning 403(b) questions

The SPARK Institute has created a Q&A Web site for employers sponsoring 403(b)s to post technical questions about the plans, including compliance with the most recent regulations governing them.

A sample grab: What indicator should be used in the “Type of Account” field (Part II, Section A, see page 11) for a 403(b)(9) retirement income account?

I have no idea. But the folks at SPARK do. Ask away. Submit questions at data-elements.questions@sparkinstitute.org.