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26 U.S.C. § 402 — Taxability of beneficiary of employees’
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Page 1240
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
‘‘(1) for purposes of chapter 1 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 (relating to normal taxes and
surtaxes), such regulations shall not apply before
January 1, 1980; and
‘‘(2) for purposes of chapter 21 of such Code (relat-
ing to Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and for
purposes of chapter 24 of such Code (relating to col-
lection of income tax at source on wages), such regu-
lations shall not apply before the day on which such
regulations are issued in final form.
‘‘(e) SALARY REDUCTION REGULATIONS DEFINED.—For
purpose of this section, the term ‘salary reduction reg-
ulations’
means
regulations
dealing
with
the
includibility in gross income (at the time of contribu-
tion) of amounts contributed to a plan which includes
a trust that qualifies under section 401(a) [subsec. (a) of
this section], or a plan described in section 403(a) or
405(a), including plans or arrangements described in
subsection (b)(2), if the contribution is made under an
arrangement under which the contribution will be
made only if the employee elects to receive a reduction
in his compensation or to forego an increase in his
compensation, or under an arrangement under which
the employee is permitted to elect to receive part of his
compensation in one or more alternative forms (if one
of such forms results in the inclusion of amounts in in-
come under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).’’
[Pub. L. 95–615, § 210(b), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3109, pro-
vided that: ‘‘Section 5 of this Act [amending section
2006 of Pub. L. 93–406, set out above] shall not apply
with respect to any type of plan for any period for
which rules for that type of plan are provided by the
Revenue Act of 1978 [Pub. L. 95–600, see Short Title of
1978
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Page 1240
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
‘‘(1) for purposes of chapter 1 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 (relating to normal taxes and
surtaxes), such regulations shall not apply before
January 1, 1980; and
‘‘(2) for purposes of chapter 21 of such Code (relat-
ing to Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and for
purposes of chapter 24 of such Code (relating to col-
lection of income tax at source on wages), such regu-
lations shall not apply before the day on which such
regulations are issued in final form.
‘‘(e) SALARY REDUCTION REGULATIONS DEFINED.—For
purpose of this section, the term ‘salary reduction reg-
ulations’
means
regulations
dealing
with
the
includibility in gross income (at the time of contribu-
tion) of amounts contributed to a plan which includes
a trust that qualifies under section 401(a) [subsec. (a) of
this section], or a plan described in section 403(a) or
405(a), including plans or arrangements described in
subsection (b)(2), if the contribution is made under an
arrangement under which the contribution will be
made only if the employee elects to receive a reduction
in his compensation or to forego an increase in his
compensation, or under an arrangement under which
the employee is permitted to elect to receive part of his
compensation in one or more alternative forms (if one
of such forms results in the inclusion of amounts in in-
come under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).’’
[Pub. L. 95–615, § 210(b), Nov. 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 3109, pro-
vided that: ‘‘Section 5 of this Act [amending section
2006 of Pub. L. 93–406, set out above] shall not apply
with respect to any type of plan for any period for
which rules for that type of plan are provided by the
Revenue Act of 1978 [Pub. L. 95–600, see Short Title of
1978 Amendment note set out under section 1 of this
title].’’]
INFLATION ADJUSTED ITEMS FOR CERTAIN YEARS
Provisions relating to inflation adjustment of items
in sections 25B, 45A, 45E, 72, 219, 401, 402, 402A, 404, 408,
408A, 409, 414 to 416, 430, 432, 457, and 664 of this title for
certain years were contained in the following:
2025—Internal Revenue Notice 2024–80.
2024—Internal Revenue Notice 2023–75.
2023—Internal Revenue Notice 2022–55.
2022—Internal Revenue Notice 2021–61.
2021—Internal Revenue Notice 2020–79.
2020—Internal Revenue Notice 2019–59.
2019—Internal Revenue Notice 2018–83.
2018—Internal Revenue Notice 2017–64.
2017—Internal Revenue Notice 2016–62.
2016—Internal Revenue Notice 2015–75.
2015—Internal Revenue Notice 2014–70.
2014—Internal Revenue Notice 2013–73.
2013—Internal Revenue Notice 2012–67.
2012—Internal Revenue Notice 2011–90.
2011—Internal Revenue Notice 2010–78.
2010—Internal Revenue Notice 2009–94.
2009—Internal Revenue Notice 2008–102.
2008—Internal Revenue Notice 2007–87.
2007—Internal Revenue Notice 2006–98.
2006—Internal Revenue Notice 2005–75.
2005—Internal Revenue Notice 2004–72.
2004—Internal Revenue Notice 2003–73.
2003—Internal Revenue Notice 2002–71.
2002—Internal Revenue Notice 2001–84.
2001—Internal Revenue Notice 2000–66.
2000—Internal Revenue Notice 99–55.
1999—Internal Revenue Notice 98–53.
1998—Internal Revenue Notice 97–58.
1997—Internal Revenue Notice 96–55.
§ 402. Taxability of beneficiary of employees’
trust
(a) Taxability of beneficiary of exempt trust
Except as otherwise provided in this section,
any amount actually distributed to any dis-
tributee by any employees’ trust described in
section 401(a) which is exempt from tax under
section 501(a) shall be taxable to the distributee,
in the taxable year of the distributee in which
distributed, under section 72 (relating to annu-
ities).
(b) Taxability of beneficiary of nonexempt trust
(1) Contributions
Contributions to an employees’ trust made
by an employer during a taxable year of the
employer which ends with or within a taxable
year of the trust for which the trust is not ex-
empt from tax under section 501(a) shall be in-
cluded in the gross income of the employee in
accordance with section 83 (relating to prop-
erty transferred in connection with perform-
ance of services), except that the value of the
employee’s interest in the trust shall be sub-
stituted for the fair market value of the prop-
erty for purposes of applying such section.
(2) Distributions
The amount actually distributed or made
available to any distributee by any trust de-
scribed in paragraph (1) shall be taxable to the
distributee, in the taxable year in which so
distributed or made available, under section 72
(relating to annuities), except that distribu-
tions of income of such trust before the annu-
ity starting date (as defined in section 72(c)(4))
shall be included in the gross income of the
employee without regard to section 72(e)(5)
(relating to amounts not received as annu-
ities).
(3) Grantor trusts
A beneficiary of any trust described in para-
graph (1) shall not be considered the owner of
any portion of such trust under subpart E of
part I of subchapter J (relating to grantors
and others treated as substantial owners).
(4) Failure to meet requirements of section
410(b)
(A) Highly compensated employees
If 1 of the reasons a trust is not exempt
from tax under section 501(a) is the failure of
the plan of which it is a part to meet the re-
quirements of section 401(a)(26) or 410(b),
then a highly compensated employee shall,
in lieu of the amount determined under
paragraph (1) or (2) include in gross income
for the taxable year with or within which
the taxable year of the trust ends an amount
equal to the vested accrued benefit of such
employee (other than the employee’s invest-
ment in the contract) as of the close of such
taxable year of the trust.
(B) Failure to meet coverage tests
If a trust is not exempt from tax under
section 501(a) for any taxable year solely be-
cause such trust is part of a plan which fails
to
meet
the
requirements
of
section
401(a)(26) or 410(b), paragraphs (1) and (2)
shall not apply by reason of such failure to
any employee who was not a highly com-
pensated employee during—
(i) such taxable year, or
(ii) any preceding period for which serv-
ice was creditable to such employee under
the plan.
Page 1241
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
(C) Highly compensated employee
For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘highly compensated employee’’ has the
meaning given such term by section 414(q).
(c) Rules applicable to rollovers from exempt
trusts
(1) Exclusion from income
If—
(A) any portion of the balance to the credit
of an employee in a qualified trust is paid to
the employee in an eligible rollover distribu-
tion,
(B) the distributee transfers any portion of
the property received in such distribution to
an eligible retirement plan, and
(C) in the case of a distribution of property
other than money, the amount so trans-
ferred consists of the property distributed,
then such distribution (to the extent so trans-
ferred) shall not be includible in gross income
for the taxable year in which paid.
(2) Maximum amount which may be rolled over
In the case of any eligible rollover distribu-
tion, the maximum amount transferred to
which paragraph (1) applies shall not exceed
the portion of such distribution which is in-
cludible in gross income (determined without
regard to paragraph (1)). The preceding sen-
tence shall not apply to such distribution to
the extent—
(A) such portion is transferred in a direct
trustee-to-trustee transfer to a qualified
trust or to an annuity contract described in
section 403(b) and such trust or contract pro-
vides for separate accounting for amounts so
transferred (and earnings thereon), including
separately accounting for the portion of
such distribution which is includible in gross
income and the portion of such distribution
which is not so includible, or
(B) such portion is transferred to an eligi-
ble retirement plan described in clause (i) or
(ii) of paragraph (8)(B).
In the case of a transfer described in subpara-
graph (A) or (B), the amount transferred shall
be treated as consisting first of the portion of
such distribution that is includible in gross in-
come (determined without regard to paragraph
(1)).
(3) Time limit on transfers
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B)
and (C), paragraph (1) shall not apply to any
transfer of a distribution made after the 60th
day following the day on which the dis-
tributee received the property distributed.
(B) Hardship exception
The Secretary may waive the 60-day re-
quirement under subparagraph (A) where the
failure to waive such requirement would be
against equity or good conscience, including
casualty, disaster, or other events beyond
the reasonable control of the individual sub-
ject to such requirement.
(C) Rollover of certain plan loan offset
amounts
(i) In general
In the case of a qualified plan loan offset
amount, paragraph (1) shall not apply to
any transfer of such amount made after
the due date (including extensions) for fil-
ing the return of tax for the taxable year
in which such amount is treated as distrib-
uted from a qualified employer plan.
(ii) Qualified plan loan offset amount
For purposes of this subparagraph, the
term ‘‘qualified plan loan offset amount’’
means a plan loan offset amount which is
treated as distributed from a qualified em-
ployer plan to a participant or beneficiary
solely by reason of—
(I) the termination of the qualified em-
ployer plan, or
(II) the failure to meet the repayment
terms of the loan from such plan because
of the severance from employment of the
participant.
(iii) Plan loan offset amount
For purposes of clause (ii), the term
‘‘plan loan offset amount’’ means the
amount by which the participant’s accrued
benefit under the plan is reduced in order
to repay a loan from the plan.
(iv) Limitation
This subparagraph shall not apply to any
plan loan offset amount unless such plan
loan offset amount relates to a loan to
which section 72(p)(1) does not apply by
reason of section 72(p)(2).
(v) Qualified employer plan
For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘qualified employer plan’’ has the mean-
ing given such term by section 72(p)(4).
(4) Eligible rollover distribution
For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘eligible rollover distribution’’ means any dis-
tribution to an employee of all or any portion
of the balance to the credit of the employee in
a qualified trust; except that such term shall
not include—
(A) any distribution which is one of a se-
ries of substantially equal periodic pay-
ments (not less frequently than annually)
made—
(i) for the life (or life expectancy) of the
employee or the joint lives (or joint life
expectancies) of the employee and the em-
ployee’s designated beneficiary, or
(ii) for a specified period of 10 years or
more,
(B) any distribution to the extent such dis-
tribution is required under section 401(a)(9),
and
(C) any distribution which is made upon
hardship of the employee.
If all or any portion of a distribution during
2020 is treated as an eligible rollover distribu-
tion but would not be so treated if the min-
imum distribution requirements under section
401(a)(9) had applied during 2020, such distribu-
Page 1242
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
tion shall not be treated as an eligible rollover
distribution for purposes of section 401(a)(31)
or 3405(c) or subsection (f) of this section.
(5) Transfer treated as rollover contribution
under section 408
For purposes of this title, a transfer to an el-
igible retirement plan described in clause (i)
or (ii) of paragraph (8)(B) resulting in any por-
tion of a distribution being excluded from
gross income under paragraph (1) shall be
treated as a rollover contribution described in
section 408(d)(3).
(6) Sales of distributed property
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Transfer of proceeds from sale of distrib-
uted property treated as transfer of dis-
tributed property
The transfer of an amount equal to any
portion of the proceeds from the sale of
property received in the distribution shall be
treated as the transfer of property received
in the distribution.
(B) Proceeds attributable to increase in
value
The excess of fair market value of prop-
erty on sale over its fair market value on
distribution shall be treated as property re-
ceived in the distribution.
(C) Designation where amount of distribu-
tion exceeds rollover contribution
In any case where part or all of the dis-
tribution consists of property other than
money—
(i) the portion of the money or other
property which is to be treated as attrib-
utable to amounts not included in gross in-
come, and
(ii) the portion of the money or other
property which is to be treated as included
in the rollover contribution,
shall be determined on a ratable basis unless
the taxpayer designates otherwise. Any des-
ignation under this subparagraph for a tax-
able year shall be made not later than the
time prescribed by law for filing the return
for such taxable year (including extensions
thereof). Any such designation, once made,
shall be irrevocable.
(D) Nonrecognition of gain or loss
No gain or loss shall be recognized on any
sale described in subparagraph (A) to the ex-
tent that an amount equal to the proceeds is
transferred pursuant to paragraph (1).
(7) Special rule for frozen deposits
(A) In general
The 60-day period described in paragraph
(3) shall not—
(i) include any period during which the
amount transferred to the employee is a
frozen deposit, or
(ii) end earlier than 10 days after such
amount ceases to be a frozen deposit.
(B) Frozen deposits
For purposes of this subparagraph, the
term ‘‘frozen deposit’’ means any deposit
which may not be withdrawn because of—
(i) the bankruptcy or insolvency of any
financial institution, or
(ii) any requirement imposed by the
State in which such institution is located
by reason of the bankruptcy or insolvency
(or threat thereof) of 1 or more financial
institutions in such State.
A deposit shall not be treated as a frozen de-
posit unless on at least 1 day during the 60-
day period described in paragraph (3) (with-
out regard to this paragraph) such deposit is
described in the preceding sentence.
(8) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Qualified trust
The term ‘‘qualified trust’’ means an em-
ployees’ trust described in section 401(a)
which is exempt from tax under section
501(a).
(B) Eligible retirement plan
The
term
‘‘eligible
retirement
plan’’
means—
(i) an individual retirement account de-
scribed in section 408(a),
(ii) an individual retirement annuity de-
scribed in section 408(b) (other than an en-
dowment contract),
(iii) a qualified trust,
(iv) an annuity plan described in section
403(a),
(v) an eligible deferred compensation
plan described in section 457(b) which is
maintained by an eligible employer de-
scribed in section 457(e)(1)(A), and
(vi) an annuity contract described in sec-
tion 403(b).
If any portion of an eligible rollover dis-
tribution is attributable to payments or dis-
tributions from a designated Roth account
(as defined in section 402A), an eligible re-
tirement plan with respect to such portion
shall include only another designated Roth
account and a Roth IRA.
(9) Rollover where spouse receives distribution
after death of employee
If any distribution attributable to an em-
ployee is paid to the spouse of the employee
after the employee’s death, the preceding pro-
visions of this subsection shall apply to such
distribution in the same manner as if the
spouse were the employee.
(10) Separate accounting
Unless a plan described in clause (v) of para-
graph (8)(B) agrees to separately account for
amounts rolled into such plan from eligible re-
tirement plans not described in such clause,
the plan described in such clause may not ac-
cept transfers or rollovers from such retire-
ment plans.
(11) Distributions to inherited individual re-
tirement plan of nonspouse beneficiary
(A) In general
If, with respect to any portion of a dis-
tribution from an eligible retirement plan
described in paragraph (8)(B)(iii) of a de-
ceased employee, a direct trustee-to-trustee
Page 1243
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
transfer is made to an individual retirement
plan described in clause (i) or (ii) of para-
graph (8)(B) established for the purposes of
receiving the distribution on behalf of an in-
dividual who is a designated beneficiary (as
defined by section 401(a)(9)(E)) of the em-
ployee and who is not the surviving spouse
of the employee—
(i) the transfer shall be treated as an eli-
gible rollover distribution,
(ii) the individual retirement plan shall
be treated as an inherited individual re-
tirement account or individual retirement
annuity (within the meaning of section
408(d)(3)(C)) for purposes of this title, and
(iii)
section
401(a)(9)(B)
(other
than
clause (iv) thereof) shall apply to such
plan.
(B) Certain trusts treated as beneficiaries
For purposes of this paragraph, to the ex-
tent provided in rules prescribed by the Sec-
retary, a trust maintained for the benefit of
one or more designated beneficiaries shall be
treated in the same manner as a designated
beneficiary.
(12) In the case of an inadvertent benefit
overpayment from a plan to which section
414(aa)(1) applies that is transferred to an eli-
gible retirement plan by or on behalf of a par-
ticipant or beneficiary—
(A) the portion of such overpayment with
respect to which recoupment is not sought
on behalf of the plan shall be treated as hav-
ing been paid in an eligible rollover distribu-
tion if the payment would have been an eli-
gible rollover distribution but for being an
overpayment, and
(B) the portion of such overpayment with
respect to which recoupment is sought on
behalf of the plan shall be permitted to be
returned to such plan and in such case shall
be treated as an eligible rollover distribu-
tion transferred to such plan by the partici-
pant or beneficiary who received such over-
payment (and the plans making and receiv-
ing such transfer shall be treated as permit-
ting such transfer).
(13) Recontributions of withdrawals for home
purchases
(A) General rule
(i) In general
Any individual who received a qualified
distribution may, during the applicable pe-
riod, make one or more contributions in an
aggregate amount not to exceed the
amount of such qualified distribution to an
eligible retirement plan (as defined in
paragraph (8)(B)) of which such individual
is a beneficiary and to which a rollover
contribution of such distribution could be
made under subsection (c) or section
403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), or 408(d)(3), as the case
may be.
(ii) Treatment of repayments
Rules similar to the rules of clauses (ii)
and (iii) of section 72(t)(11)(C) shall apply
for purposes of this subsection.
(B) Qualified distribution
For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘qualified distribution’’ means any distribu-
tion—
(i) described in section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV),
403(b)(7)(A)(i)(V), or 403(b)(11)(B),
(ii) which was to be used to purchase or
construct a principal residence in a quali-
fied disaster area, but which was not so
used on account of the qualified disaster
with respect to such area, and
(iii) which was received during the pe-
riod beginning on the date which is 180
days before the first day of the incident
period of such qualified disaster and end-
ing on the date which is 30 days after the
last day of such incident period.
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i)
the
terms
‘‘qualified
disaster’’,
‘‘qualified disaster area’’, and ‘‘incident
period’’ have the meaning given such
terms under section 72(t)(11), and
(ii) the term ‘‘applicable period’’ has the
meaning given such term under section
72(t)(8)(F).
(d) Taxability of beneficiary of certain foreign
situs trusts
For purposes of subsections (a), (b), and (c), a
stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing trust
which would qualify for exemption from tax
under section 501(a) except for the fact that it is
a trust created or organized outside the United
States shall be treated as if it were a trust ex-
empt from tax under section 501(a).
(e) Other rules applicable to exempt trusts
(1) Alternate payees
(A) Alternate payee treated as distributee
For purposes of subsection (a) and section
72, an alternate payee who is the spouse or
former spouse of the participant shall be
treated as the distributee of any distribution
or payment made to the alternate payee
under a qualified domestic relations order
(as defined in section 414(p)).
(B) Rollovers
If any amount is paid or distributed to an
alternate payee who is the spouse or former
spouse of the participant by reason of any
qualified domestic relations order (within
the meaning of section 414(p)), subsection (c)
shall apply to such distribution in the same
manner as if such alternate payee were the
employee.
(2) Distributions by United States to non-
resident aliens
The amount includible under subsection (a)
in the gross income of a nonresident alien
with respect to a distribution made by the
United States in respect of services performed
by an employee of the United States shall not
exceed an amount which bears the same ratio
to the amount includible in gross income
without regard to this paragraph as—
(A) the aggregate basic pay paid by the
United States to such employee for such
services, reduced by the amount of such
Page 1244
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
basic pay which was not includible in gross
income by reason of being from sources
without the United States, bears to
(B) the aggregate basic pay paid by the
United States to such employee for such
services.
In the case of distributions under the civil
service retirement laws, the term ‘‘basic pay’’
shall have the meaning provided in section
8331(3) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Cash or deferred arrangements
For purposes of this title, contributions
made by an employer on behalf of an employee
to a trust which is a part of a qualified cash or
deferred arrangement (as defined in section
401(k)(2)) or which is part of a salary reduction
agreement under section 403(b) shall not be
treated as distributed or made available to the
employee nor as contributions made to the
trust by the employee merely because the ar-
rangement includes provisions under which
the employee has an election whether the con-
tribution will be made to the trust or received
by the employee in cash.
(4) Net unrealized appreciation
(A) Amounts attributable to employee con-
tributions
For purposes of subsection (a) and section
72, in the case of a distribution other than a
lump sum distribution, the amount actually
distributed to any distributee from a trust
described in subsection (a) shall not include
any net unrealized appreciation in securities
of the employer corporation attributable to
amounts contributed by the employee (other
than
deductible
employee
contributions
within the meaning of section 72(o)(5)). This
subparagraph shall not apply to a distribu-
tion to which subsection (c) applies.
(B) Amounts attributable to employer con-
tributions
For purposes of subsection (a) and section
72, in the case of any lump sum distribution
which includes securities of the employer
corporation, there shall be excluded from
gross income the net unrealized appreciation
attributable to that part of the distribution
which consists of securities of the employer
corporation. In accordance with rules pre-
scribed by the Secretary, a taxpayer may
elect, on the return of tax on which a lump
sum distribution is required to be included,
not to have this subparagraph apply to such
distribution.
(C) Determination of amounts and adjust-
ments
For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B),
net unrealized appreciation and the result-
ing adjustments to basis shall be determined
in accordance with regulations prescribed by
the Secretary.
(D) Lump-sum distribution
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) In general
The
term
‘‘lump-sum
distribution’’
means the distribution or payment within
one taxable year of the recipient of the
balance to the credit of an employee which
becomes payable to the recipient—
(I) on account of the employee’s death,
(II) after the employee attains age 591⁄2,
(III) on account of the employee’s sepa-
ration from service, or
(IV) after the employee has become
disabled (within the meaning of section
72(m)(7)),
from a trust which forms a part of a plan
described in section 401(a) and which is ex-
empt from tax under section 501 or from a
plan described in section 403(a). Subclause
(III) of this clause shall be applied only
with respect to an individual who is an em-
ployee without regard to section 401(c)(1),
and subclause (IV) shall be applied only
with respect to an employee within the
meaning of section 401(c)(1). For purposes
of this clause, a distribution to two or
more trusts shall be treated as a distribu-
tion to one recipient. For purposes of this
paragraph, the balance to the credit of the
employee does not include the accumu-
lated deductible employee contributions
under the plan (within the meaning of sec-
tion 72(o)(5)).
(ii) Aggregation of certain trusts and plans
For purposes of determining the balance
to the credit of an employee under clause
(i)—
(I) all trusts which are part of a plan
shall be treated as a single trust, all pen-
sion plans maintained by the employer
shall be treated as a single plan, all prof-
it-sharing plans maintained by the em-
ployer shall be treated as a single plan,
and all stock bonus plans maintained by
the employer shall be treated as a single
plan, and
(II) trusts which are not qualified
trusts under section 401(a) and annuity
contracts which do not satisfy the re-
quirements of section 404(a)(2) shall not
be taken into account.
(iii) Community property laws
The provisions of this paragraph shall be
applied without regard to community
property laws.
(iv) Amounts subject to penalty
This
paragraph
shall
not
apply
to
amounts described in subparagraph (A) of
section 72(m)(5) to the extent that section
72(m)(5) applies to such amounts.
(v) Balance to credit of employee not to in-
clude amounts payable under qualified
domestic relations order
For purposes of this paragraph, the bal-
ance to the credit of an employee shall not
include any amount payable to an alter-
nate payee under a qualified domestic rela-
tions order (within the meaning of section
414(p)).
(vi) Transfers to cost-of-living arrangement
not treated as distribution
For purposes of this paragraph, the bal-
ance to the credit of an employee under a
Page 1245
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
defined contribution plan shall not include
any amount transferred from such defined
contribution plan to a qualified cost-of-liv-
ing arrangement (within the meaning of
section 415(k)(2)) under a defined benefit
plan.
(vii) Lump-sum distributions of alternate
payees
If any distribution or payment of the
balance to the credit of an employee would
be treated as a lump-sum distribution,
then, for purposes of this paragraph, the
payment under a qualified domestic rela-
tions order (within the meaning of section
414(p)) of the balance to the credit of an al-
ternate payee who is the spouse or former
spouse of the employee shall be treated as
a lump-sum distribution. For purposes of
this clause, the balance to the credit of the
alternate payee shall not include any
amount payable to the employee.
(E) Definitions relating to securities
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) Securities
The term ‘‘securities’’ means only shares
of stock and bonds or debentures issued by
a corporation with interest coupons or in
registered form.
(ii) Securities of the employer
The term ‘‘securities of the employer
corporation’’ includes securities of a par-
ent or subsidiary corporation (as defined
in subsections (e) and (f) of section 424) of
the employer corporation.
[(5)
Repealed.
Pub.
L.
104–188,
title
I,
§ 1401(b)(13), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1789]
(6) Direct trustee-to-trustee transfers
Any amount transferred in a direct trustee-
to-trustee transfer in accordance with section
401(a)(31) shall not be includible in gross in-
come for the taxable year of such transfer.
(f) Written explanation to recipients of distribu-
tions eligible for rollover treatment
(1) In general
The plan administrator of any plan shall,
within a reasonable period of time before mak-
ing an eligible rollover distribution, provide a
written explanation to the recipient—
(A) of the provisions under which the re-
cipient may have the distribution directly
transferred to an eligible retirement plan
and that the automatic distribution by di-
rect transfer applies to certain distributions
in accordance with section 401(a)(31)(B),
(B) of the provision which requires the
withholding of tax on the distribution if it is
not directly transferred to an eligible retire-
ment plan,
(C) of the provisions under which the dis-
tribution will not be subject to tax if trans-
ferred to an eligible retirement plan within
60 days after the date on which the recipient
received the distribution,
(D) if applicable, of the provisions of sub-
sections (d) and (e) of this section, and
(E) of the provisions under which distribu-
tions from the eligible retirement plan re-
ceiving the distribution may be subject to
restrictions and tax consequences which are
different from those applicable to distribu-
tions from the plan making such distribu-
tion.
(2) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Eligible rollover distribution
The term ‘‘eligible rollover distribution’’
has the same meaning as when used in sub-
section (c) of this section, paragraph (4) of
section 403(a), subparagraph (A) of section
403(b)(8), or subparagraph (A) of section
457(e)(16). Such term shall include any dis-
tribution to a designated beneficiary which
would be treated as an eligible rollover dis-
tribution by reason of subsection (c)(11), or
section
403(a)(4)(B),
403(b)(8)(B),
or
457(e)(16)(B), if the requirements of sub-
section (c)(11) were satisfied.
(B) Eligible retirement plan
The term ‘‘eligible retirement plan’’ has
the meaning given such term by subsection
(c)(8)(B).
(g) Limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals
(1) In general
(A) Limitation
Notwithstanding subsections (e)(3) and
(h)(1)(B), the elective deferrals of any indi-
vidual for any taxable year shall be included
in such individual’s gross income to the ex-
tent the amount of such deferrals for the
taxable year exceeds the applicable dollar
amount. The preceding sentence shall not
apply to the portion of such excess as does
not exceed the designated Roth contribu-
tions of the individual for the taxable year.
(B) Applicable dollar amount
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the ap-
plicable dollar amount is $15,000.
(2) Distribution of excess deferrals
(A) In general
If any amount (hereinafter in this para-
graph referred to as ‘‘excess deferrals’’) is in-
cluded in the gross income of an individual
under paragraph (1) (or would be included
but for the last sentence thereof) for any
taxable year—
(i) not later than the 1st March 1 fol-
lowing the close of the taxable year, the
individual may allocate the amount of
such excess deferrals among the plans
under which the deferrals were made and
may notify each such plan of the portion
allocated to it, and
(ii) not later than the 1st April 15 fol-
lowing the close of the taxable year, each
such plan may distribute to the individual
the amount allocated to it under clause (i)
(and any income allocable to such amount
through the end of such taxable year).
The distribution described in clause (ii) may
be made notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law.
(B) Treatment of distribution under section
401(k)
Except to the extent provided under rules
prescribed
by
the
Secretary,
notwith-
Page 1246
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
standing the distribution of any portion of
an excess deferral from a plan under sub-
paragraph (A)(ii), such portion shall, for pur-
poses of applying section 401(k)(3)(A)(ii), be
treated as an employer contribution.
(C) Taxation of distribution
In the case of a distribution to which sub-
paragraph (A) applies—
(i) except as provided in clause (ii), such
distribution shall not be included in gross
income, and
(ii) any income on the excess deferral
shall, for purposes of this chapter, be
treated as earned and received in the tax-
able year in which such income is distrib-
uted.
No tax shall be imposed under section 72(t)
on any distribution described in the pre-
ceding sentence.
(D) Partial distributions
If a plan distributes only a portion of any
excess deferral and income allocable thereto,
such portion shall be treated as having been
distributed ratably from the excess deferral
and the income.
(3) Elective deferrals
For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘elective deferrals’’ means, with respect to
any taxable year, the sum of—
(A) any employer contribution under a
qualified cash or deferred arrangement (as
defined in section 401(k)) to the extent not
includible in gross income for the taxable
year under subsection (e)(3) (determined
without regard to this subsection),
(B) any employer contribution to the ex-
tent not includible in gross income for the
taxable year under subsection (h)(1)(B) (de-
termined without regard to this subsection),
(C) any employer contribution to purchase
an annuity contract under section 403(b)
under a salary reduction agreement (within
the meaning of section 3121(a)(5)(D)), and
(D) any elective employer contribution
under section 408(p)(2)(A)(i).
An employer contribution shall not be treated
as an elective deferral described in subpara-
graph (C) if under the salary reduction agree-
ment such contribution is made pursuant to a
one-time irrevocable election made by the em-
ployee at the time of initial eligibility to par-
ticipate in the agreement or is made pursuant
to a similar arrangement involving a one-time
irrevocable election specified in regulations.
(4) Cost-of-living adjustment
In the case of taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2006, the Secretary shall adjust
the $15,000 amount under paragraph (1)(B) at
the same time and in the same manner as
under section 415(d), except that the base pe-
riod shall be the calendar quarter beginning
July 1, 2005, and any increase under this para-
graph which is not a multiple of $500 shall be
rounded to the next lowest multiple of $500.
(5) Disregard of community property laws
This subsection shall be applied without re-
gard to community property laws.
(6) Coordination with section 72
For purposes of applying section 72, any
amount includible in gross income for any tax-
able year under this subsection but which is
not distributed from the plan during such tax-
able year shall not be treated as investment in
the contract.
(7) Special rule for certain organizations
(A) In general
In the case of a qualified employee of a
qualified organization, with respect to em-
ployer contributions described in paragraph
(3)(C) made by such organization, the limita-
tion of paragraph (1) for any taxable year
shall be increased by whichever of the fol-
lowing is the least:
(i) $3,000,
(ii) $15,000 reduced by the sum of—
(I) the amounts not included in gross
income for prior taxable years by reason
of this paragraph, plus
(II) the aggregate amount of des-
ignated Roth contributions (as defined in
section 402A(c)) permitted for prior tax-
able years by reason of this paragraph,
or
(iii) the excess of $5,000 multiplied by the
number of years of service of the employee
with the qualified organization over the
employer contributions described in para-
graph (3) made by the organization on be-
half of such employee for prior taxable
years (determined in the manner pre-
scribed by the Secretary).
(B) Qualified organization
For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘qualified organization’’ means any edu-
cational organization, hospital, home health
service agency, health and welfare service
agency, church, or convention or association
of churches. Such term includes any organi-
zation described in section 414(e)(3)(B)(ii).
Terms used in this subparagraph shall have
the same meaning as when used in section
415(c)(4) (as in effect before the enactment of
the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Rec-
onciliation Act of 2001).
(C) Qualified employee
For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘qualified employee’’ means any employee
who has completed 15 years of service with
the qualified organization.
(D) Years of service
For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘years of service’’ has the meaning given
such term by section 403(b).
(8) Matching contributions on behalf of self-
employed individuals not treated as elec-
tive employer contributions
Except as provided in section 401(k)(3)(D)(ii),
any matching contribution described in sec-
tion 401(m)(4)(A) which is made on behalf of a
self-employed individual (as defined in section
401(c)) shall not be treated as an elective em-
ployer contribution under a qualified cash or
deferred arrangement (as defined in section
401(k)) for purposes of this title.
Page 1247
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
(h) Special rules for simplified employee pen-
sions
For purposes of this chapter—
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), con-
tributions made by an employer on behalf of
an employee to an individual retirement plan
pursuant to a simplified employee pension (as
defined in section 408(k))—
(A) shall not be treated as distributed or
made available to the employee or as con-
tributions made by the employee,
(B) if such contributions are made pursu-
ant
to
an
arrangement
under
section
408(k)(6) under which an employee may elect
to have the employer make contributions to
the simplified employee pension on behalf of
the employee, shall not be treated as distrib-
uted or made available or as contributions
made by the employee merely because the
simplified employee pension includes provi-
sions for such election, and
(C) in the case of any contributions pursu-
ant to a simplified employer pension which
are made to an individual retirement plan
designated as a Roth IRA, such contribution
shall not be excludable from gross income.
(2) Limitations on employer contributions
Contributions made by an employer to a
simplified employee pension with respect to an
employee for any year shall be treated as dis-
tributed or made available to such employee
and as contributions made by the employee to
the extent such contributions exceed the less-
er of—
(A) 25 percent of the compensation (within
the meaning of section 414(s)) from such em-
ployer includible in the employee’s gross in-
come for the year (determined without re-
gard to the employer contributions to the
simplified employee pension), or
(B) the limitation in effect under section
415(c)(1)(A), reduced in the case of any high-
ly compensated employee (within the mean-
ing of section 414(q)) by the amount taken
into account with respect to such employee
under section 408(k)(3)(D).
(3) Distributions
Any amount paid or distributed out of an in-
dividual retirement plan pursuant to a sim-
plified employee pension shall be included in
gross income by the payee or distributee, as
the case may be, in accordance with the provi-
sions of section 408(d) (or section 408A(d) in
the case of an individual retirement plan des-
ignated as a Roth IRA).
(i) Treatment of self-employed individuals
For purposes of this section, except as other-
wise provided in subsection (e)(4)(D)(i), the term
‘‘employee’’ includes a self-employed individual
(as defined in section 401(c)(1)(B)) and the em-
ployer of such individual shall be the person
treated as his employer under section 401(c)(4).
(j) Effect of disposition of stock by plan on net
unrealized appreciation
(1) In general
For purposes of subsection (e)(4), in the case
of any transaction to which this subsection
applies, the determination of net unrealized
appreciation shall be made without regard to
such transaction.
(2) Transaction to which subsection applies
This subsection shall apply to any trans-
action in which—
(A) the plan trustee exchanges the plan’s
securities of the employer corporation for
other such securities, or
(B) the plan trustee disposes of securities
of the employer corporation and uses the
proceeds of such disposition to acquire secu-
rities of the employer corporation within 90
days (or such longer period as the Secretary
may prescribe), except that this subpara-
graph shall not apply to any employee with
respect to whom a distribution of money was
made during the period after such disposi-
tion and before such acquisition.
(k) Treatment of simple retirement accounts
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1)
and (3) of subsection (h) shall apply to contribu-
tions and distributions with respect to a simple
retirement account under section 408(p).
(l) Distributions from governmental plans for
health and long-term care insurance
(1) In general
In the case of an employee who is an eligible
retired public safety officer who makes the
election described in paragraph (6) with re-
spect to any taxable year of such employee,
gross income of such employee for such tax-
able year does not include any distribution
from an eligible retirement plan maintained
by the employer described in paragraph (4)(B)
to the extent that the aggregate amount of
such distributions does not exceed the amount
paid by such employee for qualified health in-
surance premiums for such taxable year.
(2) Limitation
The amount which may be excluded from
gross income for the taxable year by reason of
paragraph (1) shall not exceed $3,000.
(3) Distributions must otherwise be includible
(A) In general
An amount shall be treated as a distribu-
tion for purposes of paragraph (1) only to the
extent that such amount would be includible
in gross income without regard to paragraph
(1).
(B) Application of section 72
Notwithstanding
section
72,
in
deter-
mining the extent to which an amount is
treated as a distribution for purposes of sub-
paragraph (A), the aggregate amounts dis-
tributed from an eligible retirement plan in
a taxable year (up to the amount excluded
under paragraph (1)) shall be treated as in-
cludible in gross income (without regard to
subparagraph (A)) to the extent that such
amount does not exceed the aggregate
amount which would have been so includible
if all amounts to the credit of the eligible
public safety officer in all eligible retire-
ment plans maintained by the employer de-
scribed in paragraph (4)(B) were distributed
Page 1248
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
1 See References in Text note below.
during such taxable year and all such plans
were treated as 1 contract for purposes of de-
termining under section 72 the aggregate
amount which would have been so includ-
ible. Proper adjustments shall be made in
applying section 72 to other distributions in
such taxable year and subsequent taxable
years.
(4) Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Eligible retirement plan
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term
‘‘eligible retirement plan’’ means a govern-
mental plan (within the meaning of section
414(d)) which is described in clause (iii), (iv),
(v), or (vi) of subsection (c)(8)(B).
(B) Eligible retired public safety officer
The term ‘‘eligible retired public safety of-
ficer’’ means an individual who, by reason of
disability or attainment of normal retire-
ment age, is separated from service as a pub-
lic safety officer with the employer who
maintains the eligible retirement plan from
which distributions subject to paragraph (1)
are made.
(C) Public safety officer
The term ‘‘public safety officer’’ shall have
the same meaning given such term by sec-
tion 1204(9)(A) of the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
3796b(9)(A)),1 as in effect immediately before
the enactment of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.
(D) Qualified health insurance premiums
The term ‘‘qualified health insurance pre-
miums’’ means premiums for coverage for
the eligible retired public safety officer, his
spouse, and dependents (as defined in section
152), by an accident or health plan or quali-
fied long-term care insurance contract (as
defined in section 7702B(b)).
(5) Special rules
For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Direct payment to insurer permitted
(i) In general
Paragraph (1) shall apply to a distribu-
tion without regard to whether payment of
the premiums is made directly to the pro-
vider of the accident or health plan or
qualified long-term care insurance con-
tract by deduction from a distribution
from the eligible retirement plan, or is
made to the employee.
(ii) Reporting
In the case of a payment made to the
employee as described in clause (i), the
employee shall include with the return of
tax for the taxable year in which the dis-
tribution is made an attestation that the
distribution does not exceed the amount
paid by the employee for qualified health
insurance premiums for such taxable year.
(B) Related plans treated as 1
All eligible retirement plans of an em-
ployer shall be treated as a single plan.
(6) Election described
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (1), an election
is described in this paragraph if the election
is made by an employee after separation
from service with respect to amounts not
distributed from an eligible retirement plan
to have amounts from such plan distributed
in order to pay for qualified health insur-
ance premiums.
(B) Special rule
A plan shall not be treated as violating the
requirements of section 401, or as engaging
in a prohibited transaction for purposes of
section 503(b), merely because it provides for
an election with respect to amounts that are
otherwise distributable under the plan or
merely because of a distribution made pur-
suant to an election described in subpara-
graph (A).
(7) Coordination with medical expense deduc-
tion
The amounts excluded from gross income
under paragraph (1) shall not be taken into ac-
count under section 213.
(8) Coordination with deduction for health in-
surance costs of self-employed individuals
The amounts excluded from gross income
under paragraph (1) shall not be taken into ac-
count under section 162(l).
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 135; Pub. L.
86–437, §§ 1, 2(a), Apr. 22, 1960, 74 Stat. 79; Pub. L.
87–792, § 4(c), Oct. 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 825; Pub. L.
88–272, title II, §§ 221(c)(1), 232(e)(1)–(3), Feb. 26,
1964, 78 Stat. 75, 111; Pub. L. 91–172, title III,
§ 321(b)(1), title V, § 515(a)(1), Dec. 30, 1969, 83
Stat. 590, 643; Pub. L. 93–406, title II, §§ 2002(g)(5),
2005(a), (b)(1), (c)(1), (2), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 968,
987, 990, 991: Pub. L. 94–267, § 1(a), Apr. 15, 1976, 90
Stat. 365; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(1)(C),
(2),
title
XV,
§ 1512(a),
title
XIX,
§§ 1901(a)(57)(A)–(C)(i), 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976,
90 Stat. 1731, 1732, 1742, 1773, 1774, 1834; Pub. L.
95–30, title I, § 102(b)(4), May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 137;
Pub. L. 95–458, § 4(a), (c), Oct. 14, 1978, 92 Stat.
1257, 1259; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, §§ 101(d)(1),
135(b), 157(f)(1), (g)(1), (h)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
2770, 2787, 2806–2808; Pub. L. 96–222, title I,
§ 101(a)(14)(C), (E)(i), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 204, 205;
Pub. L. 96–608, § 2(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3551;
Pub. L. 97–34, title III, §§ 311(b)(2), (3)(A), (c),
314(c)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 280, 286; Pub. L.
97–448, title I, §§ 101(b), 103(c)(7), (8)(A), (12)(D),
Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2366, 2376, 2377; Pub. L.
98–369, div. A, title IV, § 491(c)(2), (d)(9)–(11), title
V, § 522(a)(1), (b)–(d)(8), title VII, § 713(c)(3), title
X, § 1001(b)(3), (e), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 848, 849,
868–870, 957, 1011, 1012; Pub. L. 98–397, title II,
§§ 204(c)(1), (3), (4), 207(a), Aug. 23, 1984, 98 Stat.
1448, 1449; Pub. L. 99–272, title XI, § 11012(c), Apr.
7, 1986, 100 Stat. 260; Pub. L. 99–514, title I,
§ 104(b)(5), title XI, §§ 1105(a), 1106(c)(2), 1108(b),
1112(c), 1121(c)(1), 1122(a), (b)(1)(A), (2), (e)(1),
(2)(A), (g), title XVIII, §§ 1852(a)(5)(A), (b)(1)–(7),
(c)(5),
1854(f)(2),
1875(c)(1)(A),
1898(a)(2),
(3),
(c)(1)(A), (7)(A)(i), (e), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2105,
2417, 2423, 2432, 2444, 2465, 2466, 2469, 2470,
2865–2867, 2881, 2894, 2942, 2943, 2951, 2954, 2955;
Page 1249
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, §§ 1011(c)(1)–(6)(B), (11),
(h)(4),
1011A(a)(1),
(b)(4)(A)–(D),
(5)–(8),
(10),
(c)(9), 1018(t)(8)(A), (C), (u)(1), (6), (7), title VI,
§ 6068(a), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3457–3459, 3464,
3472–3474, 3476, 3589, 3590, 3703; Pub. L. 101–239,
title VII, § 7811(g)(2), (i)(13), Dec. 19, 1989, 103
Stat. 2409, 2411; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI,
§ 11801(c)(9)(I), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–526;
Pub. L. 102–318, title V, §§ 521(a), (b)(9)–(11),
522(c)(1), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat. 300, 310, 311, 315;
Pub. L. 103–465, title VII, § 732(c), Dec. 8, 1994, 108
Stat. 5005; Pub. L. 104–188, title I, §§ 1401(a)–(b)(2),
(13), 1421(b)(3)(A), (9)(B), 1450(a)(2), 1704(t)(68),
Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1787–1789, 1796, 1798, 1814,
1891; Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1501(a), Aug. 5,
1997, 111 Stat. 1058; Pub. L. 105–206, title VI,
§ 6005(c)(2)(A), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 800; Pub. L.
107–16, title VI, §§ 611(d)(1)–(3)(A), 617(b), (c),
632(a)(3)(G), 636(b)(1), 641(a)(2)(A), (B), (b)(2)–(d),
(e)(4)–(6), 643(a), 644(a), 657(b), June 7, 2001, 115
Stat. 97, 98, 105, 114, 117, 119–123, 136; Pub. L.
107–147, title IV, § 411(l)(3), (o)(1), (p)(6), (q)(2),
Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 47, 48, 51; Pub. L. 109–135,
title IV, § 407(a), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2635; Pub.
L. 109–280, title VIII, §§ 822(a), 829(a)(1), 845(a),
Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 998, 1001, 1013; Pub. L.
110–172, § 8(a)(1), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2483; Pub.
L. 110–458, title I, §§ 108(f)(1)–(2)(B), (j), 109(b)(3),
title II, § 201(b), Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5109–5111,
5117;
Pub.
L.
112–239,
div.
A,
title
X,
§ 1086(b)(3)(A), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1968; Pub. L.
113–295, div. A, title II, § 221(a)(57)(A), Dec. 19,
2014, 128 Stat. 4046; Pub. L. 115–97, title I,
§ 13613(a), (b), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2166; Pub. L.
115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(73), Mar. 23, 2018,
132 Stat. 1187; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title II,
§ 2203(b), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 344; Pub. L.
117–328, div. T, title III, §§ 301(b)(2), 328(a),
331(b)(2), title VI, §§ 601(b)(1), (2), 603(b)(1), Dec.
29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5338, 5360, 5364, 5390, 5392.)
INFLATION ADJUSTED ITEMS FOR CERTAIN YEARS
For inflation adjustment of certain items in
this section, see Internal Revenue Notices listed
in a table under section 401 of this title.
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 415(c)(4) (as in effect before the enactment of
the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation
Act of 2001), referred to in subsec. (g)(7)(B), means sec-
tion 415(c)(4) of this title prior to its repeal by Pub. L.
107–16, title VI, § 632(a)(3)(E), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat. 114.
Section 1204(9)(A) of the Omnibus Crime Control and
Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(A)), as in ef-
fect immediately before the enactment of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, referred
to in subsec. (l)(4)(C), means section 1204(9)(A) of Pub.
L. 90–351 prior to its amendment by Pub. L. 112–239, div.
A, title X, § 1086(b)(1)(E)(v)(I), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1967.
Section 1204(9)(A) of Pub. L. 90–351 was classified to sec-
tion 3796b(9)(A) of Title 42, The Public Health and Wel-
fare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering
as section 10284(9)(A) of Title 34, Crime Control and
Law Enforcement. Section 10284(9)(A) of Title 34 was re-
designated as section 10284(14)(A) and amended by Pub.
L. 117–61, § 3(1), (7)(A), Nov. 18, 2021, 135 Stat. 1475, 1476.
AMENDMENTS
2022—Subsec. (c)(12). Pub. L. 117–328, § 301(b)(2), added
par. (12).
Subsec. (c)(13). Pub. L. 117–328, § 331(b)(2), added par.
(13).
Subsec. (g)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–328, § 603(b)(1), struck out
subpar. (C). Text read as follows: ‘‘In addition to sub-
paragraph (A), in the case of an eligible participant (as
defined in section 414(v)), gross income shall not in-
clude elective deferrals in excess of the applicable dol-
lar amount under subparagraph (B) to the extent that
the amount of such elective deferrals does not exceed
the
applicable
dollar
amount
under
section
414(v)(2)(B)(i) for the taxable year (without regard to
the treatment of the elective deferrals by an applicable
employer plan under section 414(v)).’’
Subsec. (h)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–328, § 601(b)(1), added sub-
par. (C).
Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 117–328, § 601(b)(2), inserted ‘‘(or
section 408A(d) in the case of an individual retirement
plan designated as a Roth IRA)’’ before period at end.
Subsec. (l)(5)(A). Pub. L. 117–328, § 328(a), amended
subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as
follows: ‘‘Paragraph (1) shall only apply to a distribu-
tion if payment of the premiums is made directly to
the provider of the accident or health plan or qualified
long-term care insurance contract by deduction from a
distribution from the eligible retirement plan.’’
2020—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 116–136 substituted ‘‘2020’’
for ‘‘2009’’ in two places in concluding provisions.
2018—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted ‘‘sub-
section (e)(4)(D)(i)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph (A) of subsection
(d)(4)’’.
2017—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13613(b)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘Time limit on transfers’’ for ‘‘Transfer must
be made within 60 days of receipt’’ in heading.
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13613(b)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘subparagraphs (B) and (C)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph
(B)’’.
Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 115–97, § 13613(a), added sub-
par. (C).
2014—Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 113–295 substituted ‘‘is
$15,000.’’ for ‘‘shall be the amount determined in ac-
cordance with the following table:’’ and struck out
table at end listing applicable dollar amounts for fiscal
years 2002 to 2006 and thereafter.
2013—Subsec. (l)(4)(C). Pub. L. 112–239 inserted ‘‘, as in
effect immediately before the enactment of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013’’
before period at end.
2008—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 110–458, § 201(b), inserted
concluding provisions.
Subsec. (c)(11)(A). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(f)(1)(A), in-
serted ‘‘described in paragraph (8)(B)(iii)’’ after ‘‘eligi-
ble retirement plan’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(11)(A)(i). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(f)(2)(B),
struck out ‘‘for purposes of this subsection’’ after ‘‘eli-
gible rollover distribution’’.
Subsec. (c)(11)(B). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(f)(1)(B), struck
out ‘‘trust’’ before ‘‘designated beneficiary’’.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(f)(2)(A), inserted
at end ‘‘Such term shall include any distribution to a
designated beneficiary which would be treated as an el-
igible rollover distribution by reason of subsection
(c)(11),
or
section
403(a)(4)(B),
403(b)(8)(B),
or
457(e)(16)(B), if the requirements of subsection (c)(11)
were satisfied.’’
Subsec. (g)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 110–458, § 109(b)(3), in-
serted ‘‘through the end of such taxable year’’ after
‘‘such amount’’.
Subsec. (l)(1). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(j)(1)(A), inserted
‘‘maintained by the employer described in paragraph
(4)(B)’’ after ‘‘an eligible retirement plan’’ and struck
out ‘‘of the employee, his spouse, or dependents (as de-
fined in section 152)’’ after ‘‘qualified health insurance
premiums’’.
Subsec. (l)(3)(B). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(j)(2), substituted
‘‘all amounts to the credit of the eligible public safety
officer in all eligible retirement plans maintained by
the employer described in paragraph (4)(B) were distrib-
uted during such taxable year and all such plans were
treated as 1 contract for purposes of determining under
section 72 the aggregate amount which would have been
so includible’’ for ‘‘all amounts distributed from all eli-
gible retirement plans were treated as 1 contract for
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TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
purposes of determining the inclusion of such distribu-
tion under section 72’’.
Subsec. (l)(4)(D). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(j)(1)(B), inserted
‘‘(as defined in section 152)’’ after ‘‘dependents’’ and
substituted ‘‘health plan’’ for ‘‘health insurance plan’’.
Subsec. (l)(5)(A). Pub. L. 110–458, § 108(j)(1)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘health plan’’ for ‘‘health insurance plan’’.
2007—Subsec. (g)(7)(A)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 110–172 sub-
stituted ‘‘permitted for prior taxable years by reason of
this paragraph’’ for ‘‘for prior taxable years’’. Amend-
ment was executed to subsec. (g)(7)(A)(ii) as amended
by Pub. L. 109–135, § 407(a)(1), as the probable intent of
Congress, notwithstanding Pub. L. 110–172, § 8(b), which
provided that the amendment take effect as if included
in the provisions of Pub. L. 107–16 to which it relates.
See 2006 Amendment note and Effective Date of 2007
Amendment note below.
2006—Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 109–280, § 822(a), which
directed the amendment of section 402(c)(2)(A) by sub-
stituting ‘‘or to an annuity contract described in sec-
tion 403(b) and such trust or contract provides for sepa-
rate accounting’’ for ‘‘which is part of a plan which is
a defined contribution plan and which agrees to sepa-
rately account’’ and inserting ‘‘(and earnings thereon)’’
after ‘‘so transferred’’, without specifying the act to be
amended, was executed to this section, which is section
402(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to re-
flect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (c)(11). Pub. L. 109–280, § 829(a)(1), added par.
(11).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 109–280, § 845(a), added subsec. (l).
2005—Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–135, § 407(a)(2), in-
serted ‘‘to’’ after ‘‘shall not apply’’.
Subsec. (g)(7)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 109–135, § 407(a)(1), amend-
ed cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as
follows: ‘‘$15,000 reduced by amounts not included in
gross income for prior taxable years by reason of this
paragraph, or’’.
2002—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(q)(2), in-
serted at end: ‘‘In the case of a transfer described in
subparagraph (A) or (B), the amount transferred shall
be treated as consisting first of the portion of such dis-
tribution that is includible in gross income (deter-
mined without regard to paragraph (1)).’’
Subsec. (g)(1)(C). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(o)(1), added sub-
par. (C).
Subsec. (g)(7)(B). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(p)(6), sub-
stituted ‘‘2001).’’ for ‘‘2001.’’
Subsec. (h)(2)(A). Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(l)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘25 percent’’ for ‘‘15 percent’’.
2001—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–16, § 643(a), inserted at
end ‘‘The preceding sentence shall not apply to such
distribution to the extent—
‘‘(A) such portion is transferred in a direct trustee-
to-trustee transfer to a qualified trust which is part
of a plan which is a defined contribution plan and
which agrees to separately account for amounts so
transferred, including separately accounting for the
portion of such distribution which is includible in
gross income and the portion of such distribution
which is not so includible, or
‘‘(B) such portion is transferred to an eligible re-
tirement plan described in clause (i) or (ii) of para-
graph (8)(B).’’
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 107–16, § 644(a), reenacted head-
ing without change and amended text generally. Prior
to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘Paragraph (1)
shall not apply to any transfer of a distribution made
after the 60th day following the day on which the dis-
tributee received the property distributed.’’
Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 107–16, § 636(b)(1), amended
subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C)
read as follows: ‘‘any hardship distribution described in
section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV).’’
Subsec. (c)(8)(B). Pub. L. 107–16, § 617(c), inserted con-
cluding provisions.
Subsec. (c)(8)(B)(v). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(a)(2)(A), added
cl. (v).
Subsec. (c)(8)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(b)(2), added
cl. (vi).
Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(d), struck out be-
fore period at end ‘‘; except that a trust or plan de-
scribed in clause (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (8)(B) shall
not be treated as an eligible retirement plan with re-
spect to such distribution’’.
Subsec. (c)(10). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(a)(2)(B), added par.
(10).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(e)(5), struck out
‘‘from an eligible retirement plan’’ after ‘‘rollover dis-
tribution’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–16, § 657(b), inserted be-
fore comma at end ‘‘and that the automatic distribu-
tion by direct transfer applies to certain distributions
in accordance with section 401(a)(31)(B)’’.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(e)(6), substituted ‘‘an eligible re-
tirement plan’’ for ‘‘another eligible retirement plan’’.
Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(e)(6), substituted
‘‘an eligible retirement plan’’ for ‘‘another eligible re-
tirement plan’’.
Subsec. (f)(1)(E). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(c), added subpar.
(E).
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 107–16, § 641(e)(4), substituted
‘‘, paragraph (4) of section 403(a), subparagraph (A) of
section 403(b)(8), or subparagraph (A) of section
457(e)(16)’’ for ‘‘or paragraph (4) of section 403(a)’’.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(1), reenacted
heading without change and amended text generally.
Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘Notwith-
standing subsections (e)(3) and (h)(1)(B), the elective
deferrals of any individual for any taxable year shall be
included in such individual’s gross income to the extent
the amount of such deferrals for the taxable year ex-
ceeds $7,000.’’
Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 617(b)(1),
inserted at end ‘‘The preceding sentence shall not apply
the portion of such excess as does not exceed the des-
ignated Roth contributions of the individual for the
taxable year.’’
Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 617(b)(2),
inserted ‘‘(or would be included but for the last sen-
tence thereof)’’ after ‘‘paragraph (1)’’.
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(3)(A), redesig-
nated par. (5) as (4) and struck out heading and text of
former par. (4). Text read as follows: ‘‘The limitation
under paragraph (1) shall be increased (but not to an
amount in excess of $9,500) by the amount of any em-
ployer contributions for the taxable year described in
paragraph (3)(C).’’
Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(3)(A), redesig-
nated par. (6) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (4).
Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(2), reenacted heading without
change and amended text generally. Prior to amend-
ment, text read as follows: ‘‘The Secretary shall adjust
the $7,000 amount under paragraph (1) at the same time
and in the same manner as under section 415(d); except
that any increase under this paragraph which is not a
multiple of $500 shall be rounded to the next lowest
multiple of $500.’’
Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(3)(A), redesig-
nated par. (7) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (5).
Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(3)(A), redesig-
nated par. (8) as (7).
Subsec. (g)(7)(B). Pub. L. 107–16, § 632(a)(3)(G), inserted
‘‘(as in effect before the enactment of the Economic
Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001’’ be-
fore period at end.
Subsec. (g)(8), (9). Pub. L. 107–16, § 611(d)(3)(A), redes-
ignated par. (9) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (7).
1998—Subsec. (c)(4)(C). Pub. L. 105–206 added subpar.
(C).
1997—Subsec. (g)(9). Pub. L. 105–34 added par. (9).
1996—Subsec. (c)(10). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1401(b)(2),
struck out par. (10) which read as follows:
‘‘(10) DENIAL OF AVERAGING FOR SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBU-
TIONS.—If paragraph (1) applies to any distribution paid
to any employee, paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection
(d) shall not apply to any distribution (paid after such
distribution) of the balance to the credit of the em-
ployee under the plan under which the preceding dis-
tribution was made (or under any other plan which,
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TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
under subsection (d)(4)(C), would be aggregated with
such plan).’’
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1401(a), amended subsec.
(d) generally, substituting provisions relating to tax-
ability of beneficiary of certain foreign situs trusts for
former provisions relating to tax on lump sum distribu-
tions.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1450(a)(2), inserted ‘‘or
which is part of a salary reduction agreement under
section 403(b)’’ after ‘‘section 401(k)(2))’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(D). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1401(b)(1), amended
subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D)
read as follows:
‘‘(D) LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION.—For purposes of this
paragraph, the term ‘lump sum distribution’ has the
meaning given such term by subsection (d)(4)(A) (with-
out regard to subsection (d)(4)(F)).’’
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1401(b)(13), struck out
par. (5) which read as follows:
‘‘(5) TAXABILITY OF BENEFICIARY OF CERTAIN FOREIGN
SITUS TRUSTS.—For purposes of subsections (a), (b), and
(c), a stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing trust
which would qualify for exemption from tax under sec-
tion 501(a) except for the fact that it is a trust created
or organized outside the United States shall be treated
as if it were a trust exempt from tax under section
501(a).’’
Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1704(t)(68), sub-
stituted ‘‘subsection (e)(3)’’ for ‘‘subsection (a)(8)’’.
Subsec. (g)(3)(D). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1421(b)(9)(B), added
subpar. (D).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 104–188, § 1421(b)(3)(A), added sub-
sec. (k).
1994—Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 103–465 inserted before pe-
riod at end ‘‘; except that any increase under this para-
graph which is not a multiple of $500 shall be rounded
to the next lowest multiple of $500’’.
1992—Subsecs. (a) to (d). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(a),
amended subsecs. (a) to (d) generally, substituting
present provisions for former provisions which in sub-
sec. (a) related to taxability of beneficiaries of exempt
trusts, in subsec. (b) related to taxability of bene-
ficiaries of nonexempt trusts, in subsec. (c) related to
taxability of beneficiaries of certain foreign situs
trusts, and subsec. (d) which had been previously re-
pealed.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521, amended subsec. (e)
generally, substituting provisions relating to other
rules applicable to exempt trusts for provisions relat-
ing to tax on lump sum distributions.
Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 102–318, § 522(c)(1), added par.
(6).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(a), amended subsec.
(f) generally, substituting present provisions for provi-
sions requiring a different time when explanation was
to be provided and a different content of explanation to
be given and using different definitions for ‘‘eligible
rollover distribution’’ and ‘‘eligible retirement plan’’.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(9), substituted
‘‘subsections (e)(3)’’ for ‘‘subsections (a)(8)’’.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(10), substituted
‘‘subsection (d)(4)’’ for ‘‘subsection (e)(4)’’.
Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 102–318, § 521(b)(11), substituted
‘‘(e)(4)’’ for ‘‘(a)(1) or (e)(4)(J)’’.
1990—Subsec.
(a)(3)(B).
Pub.
L.
101–508,
§ 11801(c)(9)(I)(i), substituted ‘‘section 424’’ for ‘‘section
425’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(B)(i). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11801(c)(9)(I)(ii),
substituted ‘‘section 424(f)’’ for ‘‘section 425(f)’’.
1989—Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(i)(13), added
par. (7).
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 101–239, § 7811(g)(2), inserted
‘‘involving a one-time irrevocable election’’ after
‘‘similar arrangement’’ in last sentence.
1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(A),
substituted ‘‘paragraph (4)’’ for ‘‘paragraphs (2) and
(4)’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(B), struck
out ‘‘or (2)’’ after ‘‘under paragraph (1)’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(4)(C),
inserted at end ‘‘Any distribution described in section
401(a)(28)(B)(ii) shall be treated as meeting the require-
ments of subclauses (I) and (II).’’
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(4)(A), repealed amendment
by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(e)(1), which had amended cl. (i)
generally, and provided that the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 shall be applied and administered as if such
amendment had not been enacted. See 1986 Amendment
note and Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(i)(I). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(4)(B),
inserted ‘‘is payable as provided in clause (i), (iii), or
(iv) of subsection (e)(4)(A) (without regard to the sec-
ond sentence thereof) and’’ after ‘‘(I) such distribu-
tion’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(4)(D),
struck out ‘‘10-year’’ after ‘‘Denial of’’ in heading.
Subsec. (a)(5)(F). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(a)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘resulting in any portion of a distribution
being excluded from gross income under subparagraph
(A)’’ for ‘‘described in subparagraph (A)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(C),
struck out ‘‘paragraph (2) of subsection (a), and’’ after
‘‘paragraph (5)(A) applies,’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(E)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(D),
substituted ‘‘then paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection
(e) shall’’ for ‘‘then paragraph (2) of subsection (a), and
paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (e), shall’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(G). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(t)(8)(A), redes-
ignated subpar. (G), relating to treatment of potential
future vesting, as (I).
Subsec. (a)(6)(H)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(5), in-
serted at end ‘‘A deposit shall not be treated as a frozen
deposit unless on at least 1 day during the 60-day period
described in paragraph (5)(C) (without regard to this
subparagraph) such deposit is described in the pre-
ceding sentence.’’
Subsec. (a)(6)(I). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(t)(8)(A), redes-
ignated subpar. (G), relating to treatment of potential
future vesting, as (I).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(h)(4), added
subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which re-
lated to trust which is not exempt from tax under sec-
tion 501(a) because plan fails to meet requirements of
section 410(b).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(h)(4), added
subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which re-
lated to failure of plan to meet requirements of section
410(b) for more than 1 taxable year.
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(E),
struck out ‘‘ordinary income portion of a’’ after ‘‘sub-
paragraph (B)) on the’’.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(10), in-
serted at end ‘‘For purposes of the preceding sentence,
in determining the amount of tax under section 1(c),
section 1(g) shall be applied without regard to para-
graph (2)(B) thereof.’’
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(u)(1), made technical correction
to directory language of Pub. L. 99–514, § 104(b)(5). See
1986 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(u)(6), related to execution of
amendment by Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(B), see 1986
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(u)(7), related to
execution
of
amendment
by
Pub.
L.
99–514,
§ 1122(b)(2)(C), see 1986 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(F), in
concluding provisions, substituted ‘‘A’’ for ‘‘Except for
purposes of subsection (a)(2) and section 403(a)(2), a’’,
and struck out ‘‘subsection (a)(2) of this section, and
subsection (a)(2) of section 403,’’ before ‘‘the balance
to’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(6), sub-
stituted ‘‘employee’’ for ‘‘taxpayer’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(I). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(c)(9), struck
out ‘‘clause (ii) of’’ after ‘‘amounts described in’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(J). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(7), amend-
ed last sentence generally. Prior to amendment, last
sentence read as follows: ‘‘To the extent provided by
the Secretary, a taxpayer may elect before any dis-
tribution not to have this paragraph apply with respect
to such distribution.’’
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TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
Subsec. (e)(4)(L). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(G),
struck out subpar. (L) which related to election to
treat pre-1974 participation as post-1973 participation.
Subsec. (e)(4)(M). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(H),
struck out ‘‘, subsection (a)(2) of this section, and sec-
tion 403(a)(2)’’ after ‘‘of this subsection’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(O). Pub. L. 100–647, § 6068(a), added sub-
par. (O).
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(I), struck
out ‘‘and paragraph (2) of subsection (a)’’ after ‘‘of this
subsection’’.
Subsec. (e)(6)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011A(b)(8)(J),
amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment,
subpar. (C) read as follows: ‘‘For purposes of this para-
graph, special lump sum treatment applies to any dis-
tribution if any portion of such distribution—
‘‘(i) is taxed under this subsection by reason of an
election under paragraph (4)(B), or
‘‘(ii) is treated as long-term capital gain under sub-
section (a)(2) of this section or section 403(a)(2).’’
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(t)(8)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘an eligible’’ for ‘‘a eligible’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(6)(B), redesig-
nated subsec. (g), relating to effect of disposition of
stock by plan on net unrealized appreciation, as (j).
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(6)(A), redesignated subsec.
(g), relating to treatment of self-employed individuals,
as (i).
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(2), substituted
‘‘Distribution’’ for ‘‘Required distribution’’ in heading.
Subsec. (g)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(1), struck
out ‘‘(and no tax shall be imposed under section 72(t))’’
after ‘‘in gross income’’, in cl. (i), substituted ‘‘such in-
come is distributed’’ for ‘‘such excess deferral is made’’
in cl. (ii), and inserted at end ‘‘No tax shall be imposed
under section 72(t) on any distribution described in the
preceding sentence.’’
Subsec. (g)(2)(D). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(3), added
subpar. (D).
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(4), substituted
‘‘this subsection’’ for ‘‘this paragraph’’.
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(11), inserted at end ‘‘An em-
ployer contribution shall not be treated as an elective
deferral described in subparagraph (C) if under the sal-
ary reduction agreement such contribution is made
pursuant to a one-time irrevocable election made by
the employee at the time of initial eligibility to par-
ticipate in the agreement or is made pursuant to a
similar arrangement specified in regulations.’’
Subsec. (g)(8)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(5)(A),
inserted ‘‘(determined in the manner prescribed by the
Secretary)’’ after ‘‘prior taxable years’’.
Subsec. (g)(8)(D). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(5)(B), added
subpar. (D).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(6)(A), redesig-
nated subsec. (g), relating to treatment of self-em-
ployed individuals, as (i).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1011(c)(6)(B), redesig-
nated subsec. (g), relating to effect of disposition of
stock by plan on net unrealized appreciation, as (j).
1986—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(1)(A),
struck out par. (2) relating to capital gains treatment
for portion of lump sum distribution.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(i). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(e)(1), amend-
ed cl. (i) generally, to read as follows: ‘‘Subparagraph
(A) shall apply to a partial distribution only if the em-
ployee elects to have subparagraph (A) apply to such
distribution and such distribution would be a lump sum
distribution if subsection (e)(4)(A) were applied—
‘‘(I) by substituting ‘50 percent of the balance to
the credit of an employee’ for ‘the balance to the
credit of an employee’,
‘‘(II) without regard to clause (ii) thereof, the sec-
ond sentence thereof, and subparagraph (B) of sub-
section (e)(4).
Any distribution described in section 401(a)(28)(B)(ii)
shall be treated as meeting the requirements of this
clause.’’ This amendment was repealed by Pub. L.
100–647, § 1011A(b)(4)(A). See 1988 Amendment note
above.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(2), inserted at end ‘‘For pur-
poses of subclause (I), the balance to the credit of the
employee shall not include any accumulated deductible
employee contributions (within the meaning of section
72(o)(5)).’’
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(ii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(5), sub-
stituted ‘‘a trust or plan described in subclause (III) or
(IV)’’ for ‘‘a plan described in subclause (IV) or (V)’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(iii). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(A),
struck out ‘‘and capital gains treatment’’ in heading
and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, cl.
(iii) read as follows: ‘‘If an election under clause (i) is
made with respect to any partial distribution paid to
any employee—
‘‘(I) paragraph (2) of this subsection,
‘‘(II) paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (e), and
‘‘(III) paragraph (2) of section 403(a),
shall not apply to any distribution (paid after such par-
tial distribution) of the balance to the credit of such
employee under the plan under which such partial dis-
tribution was made (or under any other plan which,
under subsection (e)(4)(C), would be aggregated with
such plan).’’
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(v). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘of all or any portion of’’ for ‘‘of any portion
of’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(F). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1121(c)(1), amended
subpar. (F) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (F)
heading read ‘‘Special rules’’ and text read as follows:
‘‘(i) Transfer treated as rollover contribution under sec-
tion 408
‘‘For purposes of this title, a transfer resulting in any
portion of a distribution being excluded from gross in-
come under subparagraph (A) to an eligible retirement
plan described in subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph
(E)(iv) shall be treated as a rollover contribution de-
scribed in section 408(d)(3).
‘‘(ii) 5-percent owners
‘‘An eligible retirement plan described in subclause
(III) or (IV) of subparagraph (E)(iv) shall not be treated
as an eligible retirement plan for the transfer of a dis-
tribution if the employee is a 5-percent owner at the
time such distribution is made. For purposes of the pre-
ceding sentence, the term ‘5-percent owner’ means any
individual who is a 5-percent owner (as defined in sec-
tion 416(i)(1)(B)) at any time during the 5 plan years
preceding the plan year in which the distribution is
made.’’
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(6), in cl. (i) substituted ‘‘a
transfer resulting in any portion of a distribution being
excluded from gross income under subparagraph (A)’’
for ‘‘a transfer described in subparagraph (A)’’.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1875(c)(1)(A), amended cl. (ii) gen-
erally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii), key employees,
read as follows: ‘‘An eligible retirement plan described
in subclause (III) or (IV) of subparagraph (E)(iv) shall
not be treated as an eligible retirement plan for the
transfer of a distribution if any part of the distribution
is attributable to contributions made on behalf of the
employee while he was a key employee in a top-heavy
plan. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the terms
‘key employee’ and ‘top-heavy plan’ have the same re-
spective meanings as when used in section 416.’’
Subsec. (a)(5)(G). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(a)(5)(A), added
subpar. (G).
Subsec. (a)(6)(D)(v). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(7), sub-
stituted ‘‘(7)’’ for ‘‘(7)(B)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(F). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(c)(7)(A)(i), sub-
stituted ‘‘paragraph (5)’’ for ‘‘paragraph (5)(A)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(G). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(a)(3), added
subpar. (G) relating to treatment of potential future
vesting.
Pub. L. 99–272 added subpar. (G) relating to payments
from certain pension plan termination trusts.
Subsec. (a)(6)(H). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(e)(2)(A), added
subpar. (H).
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(4), inserted
‘‘; except that a trust or plan described in subclause
(III) or (IV) of paragraph (5)(E)(iv) shall not be treated
as an eligible retirement plan with respect to such dis-
tribution’’ after ‘‘the spouse were the employee’’.
Page 1253
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(c)(1)(A), sub-
stituted ‘‘any alternate payee who is the spouse or
former spouse of the participant shall be treated’’ for
‘‘the alternate payee shall be treated’’.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1112(c), designated exist-
ing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. (1) heading, and
added par. (2).
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(c)(5), substituted ‘‘section
72(e)(5)’’ for ‘‘section 72(e)(1)’’.
Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(B), and
Pub. L. 100–647, § 1018(u)(6), redesignated subpar. (C) as
(B), substituted ‘‘Amount of tax’’ for ‘‘Initial separate
tax’’ in heading and ‘‘The amount of tax imposed by
subparagraph (A)’’ for ‘‘The initial separate tax’’, and
struck out former subpar. (B) which related to com-
putation of tax on lump sum distributions.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 104(b)(5), as amended by Pub. L.
100–647, § 1018(u)(1), struck out ‘‘the zero bracket
amount applicable to such individual for the taxable
year plus’’ after ‘‘amount equal to’’.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(a)(2)(A), (B), substituted ‘‘5’’ for
‘‘10’’ and ‘‘1⁄5’’ for ‘‘one-tenth’’.
Subsec.
(e)(1)(C)
to
(E).
Pub.
L.
99–514,
§ 1122(b)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpars. (C) to (E) as (B)
to (D), respectively.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(C), and Pub.
L.
100-647,
§ 1018(u)(7),
substituted
‘‘total
taxable
amount’’ for ‘‘ordinary income portion’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(a)(1), amended
subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B)
read as follows: ‘‘For purposes of this section and sec-
tion 403, no amount which is not an annuity contract
may be treated as a lump sum distribution under sub-
paragraph (A) unless the taxpayer elects for the taxable
year to have all such amounts received during such
year so treated at the time and in the manner provided
under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Not
more than one election may be made under this sub-
paragraph with respect to any individual after such in-
dividual has attained age 591⁄2. No election may be made
under this subparagraph by any taxpayer other than an
individual, an estate, or a trust. In the case of a lump
sum distribution made with respect to an employee to
two or more trusts, the election under this subpara-
graph shall be made by the personal representative of
the employee.’’
Subsec. (e)(4)(E). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(D), struck
out subpar. (E) defining ‘‘ordinary income portion’’
with respect to a lump sum distribution.
Subsec. (e)(4)(F). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(3)(B), struck
out subpar. (F) defining ‘‘employee’’. See subsec. (g) of
this section relating to treatment of self-employed in-
dividuals.
Subsec. (e)(4)(H). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(b)(2)(E), struck
out ‘‘(but not for purposes of subsection (a)(2) or sec-
tion 403(a)(2)(A))’’ after ‘‘For purposes of this sub-
section’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(J). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1122(g), inserted at
end ‘‘To the extent provided by the Secretary, a tax-
payer may elect before any distribution not to have
this paragraph apply with respect to such distribu-
tion.’’
Subsec. (e)(4)(N). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1106(c)(2), added sub-
par. (N).
Subsec. (e)(6). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(a)(2), added par.
(6).
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(e)(1), substituted
‘‘eligible rollover distribution’’ for ‘‘qualifying rollover
distribution’’.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1898(e)(2), amended par.
(2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as fol-
lows: ‘‘For purposes of this subsection, the terms
‘qualifying rollover distribution’ and ‘eligible retire-
ment plan’ have the respective meanings given such
terms by subsection (a)(5)(E).’’
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1854(f)(2), added subsec.
(g) relating to effect of disposition of stock by plan on
net unrealized appreciation.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1852(b)(3)(A), added subsec. (g) relat-
ing to treatment of self-employed individuals.
Pub. L. 99–514, § 1105(a), added subsec. (g) relating to
limitation on exclusion for elective deferrals.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1108(b), added subsec. (h).
1984—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, § 1001(b)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘6 months’’ for ‘‘1 year’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(A)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(a)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘any portion of the balance to the credit of an
employee in a qualified trust is paid to him’’ for ‘‘the
balance to the credit of an employee in a qualified
trust is paid to him in a qualifying rollover distribu-
tion’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(B). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(1)(A), (2), sub-
stituted ‘‘qualified total distribution’’ for ‘‘qualifying
rollover distribution’’, and inserted ‘‘In the case of any
partial distribution, the maximum amount transferred
to which subparagraph (A) applies shall not exceed the
portion of such distribution which is includible in gross
income (determined without regard to subparagraph
(A)).’’
Subsec. (a)(5)(D). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(b), added subpar.
(D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E).
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(iv)(III)–(V). Pub. L. 98–369, § 491(d)(9),
struck out subcl. (III), which included a retirement
bond described in section 409 within term ‘‘eligible re-
tirement plan’’ and redesignated former subcls. (IV)
and (V) and (III) and (IV), respectively.
Subsec. (a)(5)(E). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(b), redesignated
subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(1)(B), sub-
stituted ‘‘qualified total distribution’’ for ‘‘qualifying
rollover distribution’’ in heading and text.
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘gross income (determined without regard to
this paragraph)’’ for ‘‘gross income’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(E)(v). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(4), sub-
stituted provision dealing with partial distribution for
provision dealing with rollover of partial distributions
of deductible employee contributions permitted.
Subsec. (a)(5)(F). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(b), redesignated
subpar. (E) as (F).
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(5), sub-
stituted ‘‘subparagraph (E)(iv)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph
(D)(iv)’’.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 491(d)(10), substituted ‘‘or (II)’’ for
‘‘, (II), or (III)’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(ii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(5), sub-
stituted ‘‘subparagraph (E)(iv)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph
(D)(iv)’’.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 491(d)(11), substituted ‘‘(III) or (IV)’’
for ‘‘(IV) and (V)’’.
Pub. L. 98–369, § 713(c)(3), substituted ‘‘Key employ-
ees’’ for ‘‘Self-employed individuals and owner-employ-
ees’’ in heading and ‘‘attributable to contributions
made on behalf of the employee while he was a key em-
ployee in a top-heavy plan’’ for ‘‘attributable to a trust
forming part of a plan under which the employee was
an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) at
the time contributions were made on his behalf under
the plan’’ in text, and inserted sentence adopting the
meaning of ‘‘key employee’’ and ‘‘top-heavy plan’’ used
in section 416.
Subsec. (a)(6)(A), (B). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(6), sub-
stituted ‘‘paragraph (5)(E)(i)’’ for ‘‘paragraph (5)(D)(i)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(D)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(7),
substituted ‘‘employee contributions (or, in the case of
a partial distribution, the amount not includible in
gross income)’’ for ‘‘employee contributions’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(E)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(d)(1)(C), (8),
substituted ‘‘qualified total distribution’’ for ‘‘quali-
fying rollover distribution’’, and ‘‘paragraph (5)(D) or
(5)(E)(i)(II)’’ for ‘‘paragraph (5)(D)(i)(II)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(F). Pub. L. 98–397, § 204(c)(3), added sub-
par. (F).
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 98–369, § 522(c), substituted pro-
visions relating to rollover where spouse receives dis-
tributions after death of employee for provisions deal-
ing with rollover where spouse receives lump-sum dis-
tribution at death of employee.
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 98–397, § 204(c)(1), added par. (9).
Subsec. (e)(4)(L). Pub. L. 98–369, § 1001(b)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘6 months’’ for ‘‘1 year’’, applicable to prop-
Page 1254
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
erty acquired after June 22, 1984, and before Jan. 1, 1988.
See Effective Date of 1984 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (e)(4)(M). Pub. L. 98–397, § 204(c)(4), added sub-
par. (M).
Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 98–369, § 491(c)(2), added par. (5).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–397, § 207(a), added subsec. (f).
1983—Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(v). Pub. L. 97–448, § 103(c)(8)(A),
added cl. (v).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 97–448, § 101(b), substituted
‘‘the zero bracket amount applicable to such an indi-
vidual for the taxable year’’ for ‘‘$2,300’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub. L. 97–448, § 103(c)(7), substituted
‘‘this subsection, subsection (a)(2) of this section, and
subsection (a)(2) of section 403’’ for ‘‘this section and
section 403’’ in last sentence.
Subsec. (e)(4)(J). Pub. L. 97–448, § 103(c)(12)(D), amend-
ed Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(c)(2) [see 1981 Amendment note
below], by substituting ‘‘section 72(o)(5)’’ for ‘‘section
77(o)(5)’’ in last sentence of subpar. (j).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(c)(1), inserted
‘‘(other than deductible employee contributions within
the meaning of section 72(o)(5))’’.
Pub. L. 97–34, § 314(c)(1), struck out ‘‘or made avail-
able’’ after ‘‘distributed’’ in three places.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(b)(3)(A), inserted
‘‘(other than accumulated deductible employee con-
tributions within the meaning of section 72(o)(5))’’ after
‘‘contributions’’ in subpar. (B) and added subcl. (III) in
subpar. (D).
Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 97–34, § 311(b)(2), (c)(2), added to
subpar. (A) provision that for purposes of sections 402
and 403, the balance to the credit of the employee does
not include the accumulated deductible employee con-
tributions under the plan (within the meaning of sec-
tion 72(o)(5)), and added subpar. (J) provision making
subpar. (J) inapplicable to distributions of accumulated
deductible employee contributions (within the meaning
of section 77(o)(5)). See 1983 Amendment note above.
1980—Subsec.
(a)(6)(D)(iii).
Pub.
L.
96–222,
§ 101(a)(14)(E)(i),
substituted
‘‘may
designate’’
for
‘‘many designate’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(E). Pub. L. 96–608 added subpar. (E).
Subsec. (a)(7)(A)(i). Pub. L. 96–222, § 101(a)(14)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘qualifying rollover distribution attributable
to an employee is paid to the spouse of the employee
after’’ for ‘‘lump-sum distribution from a qualified
trust is paid to the spouse of the employee on account
of’’.
1978—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 95–458, § 4(a), among other
changes, substituted provision permitting tax-free
treatment for any portion of a lump sum distribution
from a qualified retirement plan which is deposited in
an individual retirement account or another qualifying
plan for provision which required transfer of all such
property received.
Subsec. (a)(5)(D)(i)(II). Pub. L. 95–600, § 157(h)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘subparagraphs (B) and (H) of subsection
(e)(4)’’ for ‘‘subsection (e)(4)(B)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 95–458, § 4(c), in provision pre-
ceding subpar. (A) struck out ‘‘For purposes of para-
graph (5)(A)(i)’’, in subpar. (A) substituted ‘‘For pur-
poses of paragraph (5)(D)(i), a complete’’ for ‘‘A com-
plete’’, in subpar. (B) inserted ‘‘For purposes of para-
graph (5)(D)(i)—’’ after ‘‘assets.—’’ in provision pre-
ceding cl. (i), and added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(6)(D). Pub. L. 95–600, § 157(f)(1), added sub-
par. (D).
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 95–600, § 157(g)(1), added par. (7).
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 95–600, § 135(b), added par. (8).
Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 95–600, § 101(d)(1), substituted
‘‘$2,300’’ for ‘‘$2,200’’.
1977—Subsec. (e)(1)(C). Pub. L. 95–30 substituted
‘‘amount equal to $2,200 plus one-tenth of the excess of’’
for ‘‘amount equal to one-tenth of the excess of’’ in pro-
visions preceding cl. (i).
1976—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A),
struck out ‘‘or his delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(2), provided
that ‘‘9 months’’ would be changed to ‘‘1 year’’.
Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 1402(b)(1)(C), 1906(b)(13)(A), provided
that ‘‘6 months’’ would be changed to ‘‘9 months’’ for
taxable years beginning in 1977 and struck out ‘‘or his
delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(57)(A), sub-
stituted ‘‘basic pay’’ for ‘‘basic salary’’, ‘‘civil service
retirement laws’’ for ‘‘Civil Service Retirement Act (5
U.S.C. 2251)’’, and ‘‘section 8331(3) of title 5, United
States Code’’ for ‘‘section 1(d) of such Act’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 94–267, § 1(a)(2), substituted ‘‘a
payment’’ for ‘‘the lump-sum distribution’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 94–267, § 1(a)(1), restructured
provision by adding cl. (i) and designating existing pro-
vision as cl. (ii).
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 94–267, § 1(a)(3), added par. (6).
Subsec. (a)(6)(A). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A),
struck out ‘‘or his delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(57)(B), struck out
subsec. (d) which related to certain trust agreements
made before Oct. 21, 1942.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck
out ‘‘or his delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(A). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1901(a)(57)(C)(i), sub-
stituted ‘‘Except for purposes of subsection (a)(2) and
section 403(a)(2)’’ for ‘‘For purposes of this subpara-
graph’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(B), (J). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A),
struck out ‘‘or his delegate’’ after ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (e)(4)(L). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1402(b)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘1 year’’ for ‘‘9 months’’.
Pub. L. 94–455, §§ 1402(b)(1)(C), 1512(a), added subsec.
(e)(4)(L) to be applicable to distributions and payments
after Dec. 31, 1975, in taxable years beginning after Dec.
31, 1975, and provided that ‘‘6 months’’ would be
changed to ‘‘9 months’’ for taxable years beginning in
1977.
1974—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 93–406, § 2005(b)(1), sub-
stituted provisions covering capital gains treatment of
portions of lump sum distributions determined through
the application of a fraction formula susceptible of pro-
ducing a phaseout of capital gains treatment for provi-
sions covering capital gains treatment of portions of
lump sum distributions determined on a fixed formula.
Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 93–406, § 2005(c)(1), struck out
subsec. (a)(3)(C) which defined ‘‘total distribution pay-
able’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 93–406, §§ 2002(g)(5), 2005(c)(2),
substituted provisions covering rollover amounts for
provisions covering limitation on capital gains treat-
ment.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 93–406, § 2005(a), substituted provi-
sions covering tax on lump sum distributions for provi-
sions covering plan termination distributions made
after Dec. 31, 1953, and before Jan. 1, 1955.
1969—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 91–172, § 515(a)(1), added
par. (5).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 91–172, § 321(b)(1), substituted pro-
vision for inclusion of contributions made by an em-
ployer to a nonexempt trust in the ‘‘gross income of
the employee in accordance with section 83 (relating to
property transferred in connection with performance of
services), except that the value of the employee’s inter-
est in the trust shall be substituted for the fair market
value of the property for purposes of applying such sec-
tion’’ for prior provision for inclusion in the ‘‘gross in-
come of an employee for the taxable year in which the
contribution is made to the trust in the case of an em-
ployee whose beneficial interest in such contribution is
nonforfeitable at the time the contribution is made’’,
and provided that distributions of income of such trust
before the annuity starting date (as defined in section
72(c)(4)) shall be included in the gross income of the
employee without regard to section 72(e)(1) (relating to
amount not received as annuities) and that a bene-
ficiary of any such trust shall not be considered the
owner of any portion of such trust under subpart E of
part I of subch. J (relating to grantors and others treat-
ed as substantial owners).
1964—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 88–272, § 232(e)(1), struck
out ‘‘except that section 72(e)(3) shall not apply’’ after
‘‘(relating to annuities)’’.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 88–272, § 221(c)(1), substituted
‘‘subsections (e) and (f) of section 425’’ for ‘‘section
421(d)(2) and (3)’’.
Page 1255
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
Subsecs. (b), (d). Pub. L. 88–272, § 232(e)(2), (3), struck
out ‘‘except that section 72(e)(3) shall not apply’’ after
‘‘(relating to annuities)’’.
1962—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 87–792 inserted sentence
providing that this paragraph shall not apply to dis-
tributions paid to any distributee to the extent such
distributions are attributable to contributions made on
behalf of the employee while he was an employee with-
in the meaning of section 401(c)(1).
1960—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 86–437, § 2(a), substituted
‘‘paragraphs (2) and (4)’’ for ‘‘paragraph (2)’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 86–437, § 1, added par. (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2022 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title III, § 301(c), Dec. 29, 2022,
136 Stat. 5338, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
by this section [amending this section, section 414 of
this title, and section 1056 of Title 29, Labor] shall
apply as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec.
29, 2022].’’
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title III, § 328(b), Dec. 29, 2022,
136 Stat. 5360, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
this section [amending this section] shall apply to dis-
tributions made after the date of the enactment of this
Act [Dec. 29, 2022].’’
Amendment by section 331(b)(2) of Pub. L. 117–328 ap-
plicable to recontributions of withdrawals for home
purchases with respect to disasters the incident period
(as defined in section 72(t)(11)(F)(ii) of this title) for
which begins on or after the date which is 30 days after
Dec. 27, 2020, see section 331(b)(3) of Pub. L. 117–328, set
out as a note under section 72 of this title.
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title VI, § 601(e), Dec. 29, 2022,
136 Stat. 5390, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
by this section [amending this section and sections 408
and 408A of this title] shall apply to taxable years be-
ginning after December 31, 2022.’’
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title VI, § 603(c), Dec. 29, 2022,
136 Stat. 5392, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
by this section [amending this section and sections 414
and 457 of this title] shall apply to taxable years begin-
ning after December 31, 2023.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2020 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 116–136 applicable for calendar
years beginning after Dec. 31, 2019, with additional pro-
visions relating to plan or contract amendments, see
section 2203(c) of Pub. L. 116–136, set out as a note under
section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2017 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13613(c), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat.
2166, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
section [amending this section] shall apply to plan loan
offset amounts which are treated as distributed in tax-
able years beginning after December 31, 2017.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 effective Dec. 19, 2014,
subject to a savings provision, see section 221(b) of Pub.
L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2013 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–239 effective Jan. 2, 2013,
and applicable to matters pending on Jan. 2, 2013, or
filed or accruing after that date, with certain excep-
tions, see section 1086(d) of Pub. L. 112–239, set out as
a note under section 10251 of Title 34, Crime Control
and Law Enforcement.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 110–458, title I, § 108(f)(2)(C), Dec. 23, 2008, 122
Stat. 5109, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this paragraph [amending this section] shall apply with
respect to plan years beginning after December 31,
2009.’’
Amendment
by
sections
108(f)(1)–(2)(B),
(j)
and
109(b)(3) of Pub. L. 110–458 effective as if included in the
provisions of Pub. L. 109–280 to which the amendment
relates, except as otherwise provided, see section 112 of
Pub. L. 110–458, set out as a note under section 72 of
this title.
Amendment by section 201(b) of Pub. L. 110–458 appli-
cable to calendar years beginning after December 31,
2008, with provisions relating to pension plan or con-
tract amendments, see section 201(c) of Pub. L. 110–458,
set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2007 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 110–172, § 8(b), Dec. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 2484, pro-
vided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section
[amending this section and section 3121 of this title]
shall take effect as if included in the provisions of the
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of
2001 [Pub. L. 107–16] to which they relate.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2006 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 822(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120
Stat. 998, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply to tax-
able years beginning after December 31, 2006.’’
Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 829(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120
Stat. 1002, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this section [amending this section and sections 403 and
457 of this title] shall apply to distributions after De-
cember 31, 2006.’’
Pub. L. 109–280, title VIII, § 845(c), Aug. 17, 2006, 120
Stat. 1015, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this section [amending this section and sections 403 and
457 of this title] shall apply to distributions in taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2006.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 407(c), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat.
2635, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
section [amending this section and section 415 of this
title] shall take effect as if included in the provisions
of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation
Act of 2001 [Pub. L. 107–16] to which they relate.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–147 effective as if included
in the provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Re-
lief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107–16, to which
such amendment relates, see section 411(x) of Pub. L.
107–147, set out as a note under section 25B of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2001 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 611(d)(1)–(3)(A) of Pub. L.
107–16 applicable to years beginning after Dec. 31, 2001,
see section 611(i)(1) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note
under section 415 of this title.
Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 617(f), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat.
106, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [enacting section 402A of this title and amending
this section and sections 408A, 6047, and 6051 of this
title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after De-
cember 31, 2005.’’
Amendment by section 632(a)(3)(G) of Pub. L. 107–16
applicable to years beginning after Dec. 31, 2001, see
section 632(a)(4) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note
under section 72 of this title.
Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 636(b)(2), June 7, 2001, 115
Stat. 117, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by this
subsection [amending this section] shall apply to dis-
tributions made after December 31, 2001.’’
Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 641(f), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat.
121, provided that:
‘‘(1) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this
section [amending this section and sections 72, 219, 401,
403, 408, 415, 457, 3401, 3405, and 4973 of this title] shall
apply to distributions after December 31, 2001.
‘‘(2) REASONABLE
NOTICE.—No penalty shall be im-
posed on a plan for the failure to provide the informa-
tion required by the amendment made by subsection (c)
Page 1256
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
[amending this section] with respect to any distribu-
tion made before the date that is 90 days after the date
on which the Secretary of the Treasury issues a safe
harbor rollover notice after the date of the enactment
of this Act [June 7, 2001], if the administrator of such
plan makes a reasonable attempt to comply with such
requirement.
‘‘(3) SPECIAL RULE.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, subsections (h)(3) and (h)(5) of section 1122
of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [Pub. L. 99–514, set out
as a note below] shall not apply to any distribution
from an eligible retirement plan (as defined in clause
(iii) or (iv) of section 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986) on behalf of an individual if there
was a rollover to such plan on behalf of such individual
which is permitted solely by reason of any amendment
made by this section.’’
Amendment by section 643(a) of Pub. L. 107–16 appli-
cable to distributions made after Dec. 31, 2001, see sec-
tion 643(d) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under sec-
tion 401 of this title.
Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 644(c), June 7, 2001, 115 Stat.
123, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 408 of this title]
shall apply to distributions after December 31, 2001.’’
Amendment by section 657(b) of Pub. L. 107–16 appli-
cable to distributions made after Mar. 28, 2005, see sec-
tion 657(d) of Pub. L. 107–16, set out as a note under sec-
tion 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6005(c)(2)(C), July 22, 1998,
112 Stat. 800, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this paragraph [amending this section and section 403
of this title] shall apply to distributions after Decem-
ber 31, 1998.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1501(c)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111
Stat. 1058, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to
years beginning after December 31, 1997.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1401(c), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat.
1789, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and sections 55, 62, 401, 406,
407, 691, 871, 877, and 4980A of this title] shall apply to
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.
‘‘(2) RETENTION OF CERTAIN TRANSITION RULES.—The
amendments made by this section shall not apply to
any distribution for which the taxpayer is eligible to
elect the benefits of section 1122(h)(3) or (5) of the Tax
Reform Act of 1986 [Pub. L. 99–514, set out below]. Not-
withstanding the preceding sentence, individuals who
elect such benefits after December 31, 1999, shall not be
eligible for 5-year averaging under section 402(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect immediately
before such amendments).’’
Amendment by section 1421(b)(3)(A), (9)(B) of Pub. L.
104–188 applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec.
31, 1996, see section 1421(e) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out as
a note under section 72 of this title.
Amendment by section 1450(a)(2) of Pub. L. 104–188 ap-
plicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1995,
see section 1450(a)(3) of Pub. L. 104–188, set out in a
Modifications of Subsection (b) of This Section note
under section 403 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 103–465 applicable to years be-
ginning after Dec. 31, 1994, and, to the extent of pro-
viding for the rounding of indexed amounts, not appli-
cable to any year to the extent the rounding would re-
quire the indexed amount to be reduced below the
amount in effect for years beginning in 1994, see section
732(e) of Pub. L. 103–465, set out as a note under section
401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 102–318, title V, § 521(e), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat.
313, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and sections 55, 62, 72, 219,
401, 403, 406 to 408, 411, 414, 415, 457, 691, 871, 877, 1441,
3121, 3306, 3405, 4973, 4980A, and 7701 of this title] shall
apply to distributions after December 31, 1992.
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR PARTIAL DISTRIBUTIONS.—For
purposes of section 402(a)(5)(D)(i)(II) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect before the amend-
ments made by this section), a distribution before Jan-
uary 1, 1993, which is made before or at the same time
as a series of periodic payments shall not be treated as
one of such series if it is not substantially equal in
amount to other payments in such series.’’
Amendment by section 522(c)(1) of Pub. L. 102–318 ap-
plicable, except as otherwise provided, to distributions
after Dec. 31, 1992, see section 522(d) of Pub. L. 102–318,
set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1989 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7811(i)(13), Dec. 19, 1989, 103
Stat. 2411, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to taxable years ending
after Dec. 19, 1989 (or, at the election of the taxpayer,
beginning after Dec. 31, 1986).
Amendment by section 7811(g)(2) of Pub. L. 101–239 ef-
fective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in
the provision of the Technical and Miscellaneous Rev-
enue Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100–647, to which such amend-
ment relates, see section 7817 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out
as a note under section 1 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 1011(c)(1)–(6)(B), (11), (h)(4),
1011A(a)(1),
(b)(4)(A)–(D),
(5)–(8),
(10),
(c)(9),
and
1018(t)(8)(A), (C), (u)(1), (6), (7) of Pub. L. 100–647 effec-
tive, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the
provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514,
to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of
Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this
title.
Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6068(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3704, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
this section [amending this section] shall apply to tax-
able years ending after December 31, 1984.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 104(b)(5) of Pub. L. 99–514 ap-
plicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986,
see section 151(a) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note
under section 1 of this title.
Pub. L. 99–514, title XI, § 1105(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2419, as amended by Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011(c)(8),
(9), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3458, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in this sub-
section, the amendment made by subsection (a)
[amending this section] shall apply to taxable years be-
ginning after December 31, 1986.
‘‘(2) DEFERRALS UNDER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREE-
MENTS.—In the case of a plan maintained pursuant to 1
or more collective bargaining agreements between em-
ployee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified
before March 1, 1986, the amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall not apply to contributions made pursu-
ant to such an agreement for taxable years beginning
before the earlier of—
‘‘(A) the date on which such agreement terminates
(determined without regard to any extension thereof
after February 28, 1986), or
‘‘(B) January 1, 1989.
Such contributions shall be taken into account for pur-
poses of applying the amendment made by this section
to other plans.
‘‘(3) DISTRIBUTIONS MADE BEFORE PLAN AMENDMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If a plan amendment is required
to allow the plan to make any distribution described
in section 402(g)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue
Page 1257
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
Code of 1986, any such distribution which is made be-
fore the close of the 1st plan year for which such
amendment is required to be in effect under section
1140 [set out as a note under section 401 of this title]
shall be treated as made in accordance with the pro-
visions of such plan.
‘‘(B) DISTRIBUTIONS
PURSUANT
TO
MODEL
AMEND-
MENT.—
‘‘(i) SECRETARY
TO
PRESCRIBE
AMENDMENT.—The
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall pre-
scribe an amendment which allows a plan to make
any distribution described in section 402(g)(2)(A)(ii)
of such Code.
‘‘(ii) ADOPTION
BY
PLAN.—If a plan adopts the
amendment prescribed under clause (i) and makes a
distribution in accordance with such amendment,
such distribution shall be treated as made in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the plan.
‘‘(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR TAXABLE YEARS OF PARTNER-
SHIPS WHICH INCLUDE JANUARY 1, 1987.—In the case of the
taxable year of any partnership which begins before
January 1, 1987, and ends after January 1, 1987, elective
deferrals (within the meaning of section 402(g)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) made on behalf of a
partner for such taxable year shall, for purposes of sec-
tion 402(g)(3) of such Code, be treated as having been
made ratably during such taxable year.
‘‘(5) CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENTS.—The amend-
ments made by this section [amending this section and
section 6051 of this title] shall not apply to employer
contributions made during 1987 and attributable to
services performed during 1986 under a qualified cash or
deferred arrangement (as defined in section 401(k) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) if, under the terms
of such arrangement as in effect on August 16, 1986—
‘‘(A) the employee makes an election with respect
to such contribution before January 1, 1987, and
‘‘(B) the employer identifies the amount of such
contribution before January 1, 1987.
‘‘(6) REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.—The amendments
made by subsection (b) [amending section 6051 of this
title] shall apply to calendar years beginning after De-
cember 31, 1986.’’
Amendment by section 1106(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99–514 ap-
plicable to years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see sec-
tion 1106(i) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under
section 415 of this title.
Amendment by section 1108(b) of Pub. L. 99–514 appli-
cable to years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section
1108(h) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section
219 of this title.
Amendment by section 1112(c) of Pub. L. 99–514 appli-
cable to plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 1988, with
special rule regarding collective bargaining agreements
ratified before Mar. 1, 1986, and with provision for waiv-
er of excise tax on reversions, see section 1112(e) of Pub.
L. 99–514, set out as a note under section 401 of this
title.
Amendment by section 1121(c)(1) of Pub. L. 99–514 ap-
plicable to years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, with spe-
cial provisions for plans maintained pursuant to collec-
tive bargaining agreements ratified before Mar. 1, 1986,
and transition rules, see section 1121(d) of Pub. L.
99–514, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
Pub. L. 99–514, title XI, § 1122(h), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2470,
as
amended
by
Pub.
L.
100–647,
title
I,
§ 1011A(b)(11)–(15), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3474, 3475, pro-
vided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in
this subsection, the amendments made by this section
[amending this section and sections 72, 403, and 408 of
this title] shall apply to amounts distributed after De-
cember 31, 1986, in taxable years ending after such date.
‘‘(2) SUBSECTION (c).—
‘‘(A) SUBSECTION (c)(1).—The amendment made by
subsection (c)(1) [amending section 72 of this title]
shall apply to individuals whose annuity starting
date is after July 1, 1986.
‘‘(B) SUBSECTION (c)(2).—The amendment made by
subsection (c)(2) [amending section 72 of this title]
shall apply to individuals whose annuity starting
date is after December 31, 1986, except that section
72(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added
by such subsection) shall apply to individuals whose
annuity starting date is after July 1, 1986.
‘‘(C) SPECIAL RULE FOR AMOUNTS NOT RECEIVED AS
ANNUITIES.—In the case of any plan not described in
section 72(e)(8)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (as added by subsection (c)(3)), the amendments
made by subsection (c)(3) [amending section 72 of this
title] shall apply to amounts received after July 1,
1986.
‘‘(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ATTAINED AGE
50 BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1986.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a lump sum dis-
tribution to which this paragraph applies—
‘‘(i) the existing capital gains provisions shall
continue to apply, and
‘‘(ii) the requirement of subparagraph (B) of sec-
tion 402(e)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(as amended by subsection (a)) that the distribution
be received after attaining age 591⁄2 shall not apply.
‘‘(B) COMPUTATION OF TAX.—If subparagraph (A) ap-
plies to any lump sum distribution of any taxpayer
for any taxable year, the tax imposed by section 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on such taxpayer
for such taxable year shall be equal to the sum of—
‘‘(i) the tax imposed by such section 1 on the tax-
able income of the taxpayer (reduced by the portion
of such lump sum distribution to which clause (ii)
applies), plus
‘‘(ii) 20 percent of the portion of such lump sum
distribution to which the existing capital gains pro-
visions continue to apply by reason of this para-
graph.
‘‘(C) LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTIONS TO WHICH PARAGRAPH
APPLIES.—This paragraph shall apply to any lump
sum distribution if—
‘‘(i) such lump sum distribution is received by an
employee who has attained age 50 before January 1,
1986 or by an individual, estate, or trust with re-
spect to such an employee, and
‘‘(ii) the taxpayer makes an election under this
paragraph.
Not more than 1 election may be made under this
paragraph with respect to an employee. An election
under this subparagraph shall be treated as an elec-
tion under section 402(e)(4)(B) of such Code for pur-
poses of such Code.
‘‘(4) 5-YEAR PHASE-OUT OF CAPITAL GAINS TREATMENT.—
‘‘(A) Notwithstanding the amendment made by sub-
section (b) [amending this section and section 403 of
this title], if the taxpayer elects the application of
this paragraph with respect to any distribution after
December 31, 1986, and before January 1, 1992, the
phase-out percentage of the amount which would
have been treated, without regard to this subpara-
graph, as long-term capital gain under the existing
capital gains provisions shall be treated as long-term
capital gain.
‘‘(B) For purposes of this paragraph—
‘‘In the case of distributions
during calendar year:
The phase-out
percentage is:
1987 ....................................
100
1988 ....................................
95
1989 ....................................
75
1990 ....................................
50
1991 ....................................
25.
‘‘(C) No more than 1 election may be made under
this paragraph with respect to an employee. An elec-
tion under this paragraph shall be treated as an elec-
tion under section 402(e)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 for purposes of such Code.
‘‘(5) ELECTION OF 10-YEAR AVERAGING.—An employee
who has attained age 50 before January 1, 1986, and
elects the application of paragraph (3) or section
402(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amend-
ed by this Act) may elect to have such section applied
Page 1258
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
by substituting ‘10 times’ for ‘5 times’ and ‘1⁄10’ for ‘1⁄5’
in subparagraph (B) thereof. For purposes of the pre-
ceding sentence, section 402(e)(1) of such Code shall be
applied by using the rate of tax in effect under section
1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for taxable years
beginning during 1986 and by including in gross income
the zero bracket amount in effect under section 63(d) of
such Code for such years. This paragraph shall also
apply to an individual, estate, or trust which receives
a distribution with respect to an employee described in
this paragraph.
‘‘(6) EXISTING CAPITAL GAIN PROVISIONS.—For purposes
of paragraphs (3) and (4), the term ‘existing capital
gains provisions’ means the provisions of paragraph (2)
of section 402(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954
(as in effect on the day before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986]) and paragraph (2) of
section 403(a) of such Code (as so in effect).
‘‘(7) SUBSECTION (d).—The amendments made by sub-
section (d) [amending section 403 of this title] shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
1985.
‘‘(8) FROZEN
DEPOSITS.—The amendments made by
subsection (e)(2) [amending this section and section 408
of this title] shall apply to amounts transferred to an
employee before, on, or after the date of the enactment
of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986], except that in the case of an
amount transferred on or before such date, the 60-day
period referred to in section 402(a)(5)(C) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 shall not expire before the 60th
day after the date of the enactment of this Act.
‘‘(9) SPECIAL RULE FOR STATE PLANS.—In the case of a
plan maintained by a State which on May 5, 1986, per-
mitted withdrawal by the employee of employee con-
tributions (other than as an annuity), section 72(e) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied—
‘‘(A) without regard to the phrase ‘before separa-
tion from service’ in paragraph (8)(D), and
‘‘(B) by treating any amount received (other than
as an annuity) before or with the 1st annuity pay-
ment as having been received before the annuity
starting date.’’
Amendment by section 1852(a)(5)(A), (b)(1)–(7), (c)(5)
of Pub. L. 99–514 effective, except as otherwise provided,
as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act
of 1984, Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, to which such amendment
relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a
note under section 48 of this title.
Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1854(f)(4)(C), Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2882, as amended by Pub. L. 100–647, title I,
§ 1011(c)(6)(C), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3458, provided that:
‘‘The amendments made by paragraph (2) [amending
this section] shall apply to any transaction occurring
after December 31, 1984, except that in the case of any
transaction occurring before the date of the enactment
of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986], the period under which pro-
ceeds are required to be invested under section 402(j) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] (as added
by paragraph (2)) shall not end before the earlier of 1
year after the date of such transaction or 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act.’’
Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1875(c)(1)(B), Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2894, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall
apply to distributions after the date of the enactment
of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986]. Such amendments shall apply
also to distributions after 1983 and on or before the date
of the enactment of this Act to individuals who are not
5-percent owners (as defined in section 402(a)(5)(F)(ii) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [now 1986] (as amend-
ed by this paragraph)).’’
Amendment by section 1898(a)(2), (3), (c)(7)(A)(i), (e)
of Pub. L. 99–514 effective as if included in the provision
of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98–397, to
which such amendment relates, except as otherwise
provided, see section 1898(j) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as
a note under section 401 of this title.
Amendment by section 1898(c)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 99–514
applicable to payments made after Oct. 22, 1986, see sec-
tion 1898(c)(1)(C) of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note
under section 72 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–272 effective Jan. 1, 1986,
with certain exceptions, see section 11019 of Pub. L.
99–272, set out as a note under section 1341 of Title 29,
Labor.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 204 of Pub. L. 98–397 effective
Jan. 1, 1985, and amendment by section 207 of Pub. L.
98–397 applicable to plan years beginning after Dec. 31,
1984, except as otherwise provided, see sections 302 and
303 of Pub. L. 98–397, set out as a note under section 1001
of Title 29, Labor.
Amendment by section 491(d)(9)–(11) of Pub. L. 98–369
applicable to obligations issued after Dec. 31, 1983, see
section 491(f)(1) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note
under section 62 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV, § 491(f)(2), July 18, 1984,
98 Stat. 853, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
subsection (c) [amending this section and section 405 of
this title] shall apply to redemptions after the date of
the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984] in taxable
years ending after such date.’’
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 522(e), July 18, 1984, 98
Stat. 871, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII,
§ 1852(b)(9), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2867, provided that:
‘‘The amendments made by this section [amending this
section and sections 403, 408, and 409 of this title] shall
apply to distributions made after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act [July 18, 1984], in taxable years ending
after such date.’’
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 713(c)(4), as added by
Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1875(c)(2), Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2894, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
paragraph (3) [amending this section] shall apply to
distributions after July 18, 1984.’’
Amendment by section 1001(b)(3) of Pub. L. 98–369 ap-
plicable to property acquired after June 22, 1984, and
before Jan. 1, 1988, see section 1001(e) of Pub. L. 98–369,
set out as a note under section 166 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1983 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–448 effective, except as oth-
erwise provided, as if it had been included in the provi-
sion of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L.
97–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109
of Pub. L. 97–448, set out as a note under section 1 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 311(b)(2), (3)(A), (c) of Pub. L.
97–34, applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec.
31, 1981, see section 311(i)(1) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as
a note under section 219 of this title.
Pub. L. 97–34, title III, § 314(c)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat.
286, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by para-
graph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable
years beginning after December 31, 1981.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 96–608, § 2(b), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3551, as
amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply to pay-
ments made in taxable years beginning after December
31, 1978.
‘‘(2) TRANSITIONAL RULE.—In the case of any payment
made before January 1, 1982, in a taxable year begin-
ning after December 31, 1978, which is treated as a
qualifying rollover distribution (as defined in section
402(a)(5)(D)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [for-
merly I.R.C. 1954]) by reason of the amendment made
by subsection (a), the applicable period specified in sec-
tion 402(a)(5)(C) of such Code shall not expire before the
close of December 31, 1981.’’
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as oth-
erwise provided, as if it had been included in the provi-
sions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to
which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub.
L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.
Page 1259
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1978 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 101(d) of Pub. L. 95–600 effec-
tive with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec.
31, 1978, see section 101(f)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as
a note under section 1 of this title.
Amendment by section 135(b) of Pub. L. 95–600 appli-
cable to plan years beginning after December 31, 1979,
see section 135(c)(1) of Pub. L. 95–600, set out as a note
under section 401 of this title.
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 157(f)(2), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
2807, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2095, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by
paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to
qualifying rollover distributions (as defined in section
402(a)(5)(D)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [for-
merly I.R.C. 1954]) completed after December 31, 1978, in
taxable years ending after such date.’’
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 157(g)(4), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
2808, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
subsection [amending this section and sections 403 and
408 of this title] shall apply to lump-sum distributions
completed after December 31, 1978, in taxable years
ending after such date.’’
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 157(h)(3)(A), Nov. 6, 1978, 92
Stat. 2808, as amended by Pub. L. 96–222, title I,
§ 101(a)(14)(A), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 204, provided that:
‘‘The amendments made by this subsection [amending
this section and section 408 of this title] shall apply to
payments made in taxable years beginning after De-
cember 31, 1977.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1978 AMENDMENT; CERTAIN
ROLLOVERS VALIDATED
Pub. L. 95–458, § 4(d), Oct. 14, 1978, 92 Stat. 1260, as
amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The amendments made by sub-
sections (a), (b), and (c) [amending this section and sec-
tion 403 of this title] shall apply with respect to taxable
years beginning after December 31, 1974.
‘‘(2) VALIDATION OF CERTAIN ATTEMPTED ROLLOVERS.—
If the taxpayer—
‘‘(A) attempted to comply with the requirements of
section 402(a)(5) or 403(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] for a taxable year
beginning before the date of the enactment of this
Act, [Oct. 14, 1978], and
‘‘(B) failed to meet the requirements of such section
that all property received in the distribution be
transferred,
such section (as amended by this section) shall be ap-
plied by treating any transfer of property made on or
before December 31, 1978, as if it were made on or before
the 60th day after the day on which the taxpayer re-
ceived such property. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, a transfer of money shall be treated as a
transfer of property received in a distribution to the
extent that the amount of the money transferred does
not exceed the highest fair market value of the prop-
erty distributed during the 60-day period beginning on
the date on which the taxpayer received such prop-
erty.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1977 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–30 applicable to taxable
years beginning after Dec. 31, 1976, see section 106(a) of
Pub. L. 95–30, set out as a note under section 1 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1976 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90
Stat. 1731, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to taxable years begin-
ning in 1977.
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIV, § 1402(b)(2), Oct. 4, 1976, 90
Stat. 1732, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to taxable years begin-
ning after Dec. 31, 1977.
Pub. L. 94–455, title XV, § 1512(b), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat.
1742, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by this sec-
tion [amending this section] shall apply to distribu-
tions and payments made after December 31, 1975, in
taxable years beginning after such date.’’
Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(57)(C)(ii), Oct. 4,
1976, 90 Stat. 1774, provided that: ‘‘The amendment
made by clause (i) [amending this section] shall apply
with respect to distributions or payments made after
December 31, 1973, in taxable years beginning after such
date.’’
Amendment by Pub. L. 94–267 applicable with respect
to payments made to an employee on or after July 4,
1974, see section 1(e) of Pub. L. 94–267, set out as a note
under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1974 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 2002(i)(3), Sept. 2, 1974, 88
Stat. 971, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
by subsection (g)(5) and (6) [amending this section and
section 403 of this title] shall apply on and after the
date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 2, 1974] with re-
spect to contributions to an employees’ trust described
in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
[formerly I.R.C. 1954] which is exempt from tax under
section 501(a) of such Code or an annuity plan described
in section 403(a) of such Code.’’
Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 2005(d), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat.
992, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and sections 46, 50A, 56, 62,
72, 101, 122, 403, 405, 406, 407, 871, 877, 901, 1304, and 1348
of this title] shall apply only with respect to distribu-
tions or payments made after December 31, 1973, in tax-
able years beginning after such date.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1969 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 321(b)(1) of Pub. L. 91–172 ap-
plicable with respect to contributions made and pre-
miums paid after Aug. 1, 1969, see section 321(d) of Pub.
L. 91–172, set out as an Effective Date note under sec-
tion 83 of this title.
Pub. L. 91–172, title V, § 515(d), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat.
646, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and sections 72, 403, 405, 406,
407 and 1304 of this title] shall apply to taxable years
ending after December 31, 1969.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 221(c)(1) of Pub. L. 88–272 ap-
plicable to taxable years ending after Dec. 31, 1963, see
section 221(e) of Pub. L. 88–272, set out as a note under
section 421 of this title.
Amendment by section 232(e)(1)–(3) of Pub. L. 88–272
applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31,
1963, see section 232(g) of Pub. L. 88–272, set out as a
note under section 5 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1962 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 87–792 applicable to taxable
years beginning after Dec. 31, 1962, see section 8 of Pub.
L. 87–792, set out as a note under section 22 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1960 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 86–437, § 3, Apr. 22, 1960, 74 Stat. 79, provided
that: ‘‘The amendments made by this Act [amending
this section and section 871 of this title] shall apply
only with respect to taxable years beginning after De-
cember 31, 1959.’’
REGULATIONS
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to issue be-
fore Feb. 1, 1988, final regulations to carry out amend-
ments made by section 1112 of Pub. L. 99–514, see sec-
tion 1141 of Pub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under sec-
tion 401 of this title.
SAVINGS PROVISION
For provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L.
101–508 be construed to affect treatment of certain
Page 1260
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of
income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account
prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liabil-
ity for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see sec-
tion 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101–508, set out as a note under
section 45K of this title.
CERTAIN ACTIONS BEFORE DATE OF ENACTMENT OF
PUB. L. 117–328
Pub. L. 117–328, div. T, title III, § 301(d), Dec. 29, 2022,
136 Stat. 5338, provided that: ‘‘Plans, fiduciaries, em-
ployers, and plan sponsors are entitled to rely on—
‘‘(1) a reasonable good faith interpretation of then
existing administrative guidance for inadvertent ben-
efit overpayment recoupments and recoveries that
commenced before the date of enactment of this Act
[Dec. 29, 2022], and
‘‘(2) determinations made before the date of enact-
ment of this Act by the responsible plan fiduciary, in
the exercise of its fiduciary discretion, not to seek
recoupment or recovery of all or part of an inad-
vertent benefit overpayment.
In the case of a benefit overpayment that occurred
prior to the date of enactment of this Act, any install-
ment payments by the participant or beneficiary to the
plan or any reduction in periodic benefit payments to
the participant or beneficiary, which were made in
recoupment of such overpayment and which com-
menced prior to such date, may continue after such
date. Nothing in this subsection shall relieve a fidu-
ciary from responsibility for an overpayment that re-
sulted from a breach of its fiduciary duties.’’
CLARIFICATION OF DISQUALIFICATION RULES RELATING
TO ACCEPTANCE OF ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS
Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1509, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat.
1068, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of the Treasury or
his delegate shall clarify that, under the Internal Rev-
enue Service regulations protecting pension plans from
disqualification by reason of the receipt of invalid roll-
over contributions under section 402(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, in order for the administrator of
the plan receiving any such contribution to reasonably
conclude that the contribution is a valid rollover con-
tribution it is not necessary for the distributing plan to
have a determination letter with respect to its status
as a qualified plan under section 401 of such Code.’’
MODEL EXPLANATION
Pub. L. 102–318, title V, § 521(d), July 3, 1992, 106 Stat.
313, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of the Treasury or
his delegate shall develop a model explanation which a
plan administrator may provide to a recipient in order
to meet the requirements of section 402(f) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986.’’
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SUBSECTION (g)
LIMITATIONS
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011(c)(10), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3459, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, a plan may incorporate by reference
the dollar limitations under section 402(g) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986.’’
APPLICABILITY OF SUBSECTION (a)(5)(F)(ii)
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011A(a)(5), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3472, provided that: ‘‘Section 402(a)(5)(F)(ii) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 shall not apply to dis-
tributions after October 22, 1986, and before the 1st tax-
able year beginning after 1986 which are attributable to
benefits which accrued before January 1, 1985.’’
APPLICABILITY OF SUBSECTION (a)(5)(D)(i)(II)
Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011A(b)(4)(E), Nov. 10, 1988,
102 Stat. 3473, provided that: ‘‘Section 402(a)(5)(D)(i)(II)
of the 1986 Code (as in effect after the amendment made
by subparagraph (A)) shall not apply to distributions
after December 31, 1986, and before March 31, 1988.’’
ELECTION
TO
TREAT
CERTAIN
LUMP
SUM
DISTRIBU-
TIONS RECEIVED DURING 1987 AS RECEIVED DURING
1986
Pub. L. 99–514, title XI, § 1124, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2475, as amended by Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1011A(d),
Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3476, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—If an employee dies, separates from
service, or becomes disabled before 1987 and an indi-
vidual, trust, or estate receives a lump-sum distribu-
tion with respect to such employee after December 31,
1986, and before March 16, 1987, on account of such
death, separation from service, or disability, then, for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, such in-
dividual, estate, or trust may treat such distribution as
if it were received in 1986.
‘‘(b) SPECIAL RULE
FOR TERMINATED PLAN.—In the
case of an individual, estate, or trust who receives with
respect to an employee a distribution from a termi-
nated plan which was maintained by a corporation or-
ganized under the laws of the State of Nevada, the prin-
cipal place of business of which is Denver, Colorado,
and which filed for relief from creditors under the
United States Bankruptcy Code on August 28, 1986, the
individual, estate, or trust may treat a lump sum dis-
tribution received from such plan before June 30, 1987,
as if it were received in 1986.
‘‘(c) LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION.—For purposes of this
section, the term ‘lump sum distribution’ has the
meaning given such term by section 402(e)(4)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, without regard to sub-
paragraph (B) or (H) of section 402(e)(4) of such Code.’’
PLAN AMENDMENTS NOT REQUIRED UNTIL
JANUARY 1, 1998
For provisions directing that if any amendments
made by subtitle D [§§ 1401–1465] of title I of Pub. L.
104–188 require an amendment to any plan or annuity
contract, such amendment shall not be required to be
made before the first day of the first plan year begin-
ning on or after Jan. 1, 1998, see section 1465 of Pub. L.
104–188, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
PLAN AMENDMENTS NOT REQUIRED UNTIL
JANUARY 1, 1994
For provisions directing that if any amendments
made by subtitle B [§§ 521–523] of title V of Pub. L.
102–318 require an amendment to any plan, such plan
amendment shall not be required to be made before the
first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1994, see
section 523 of Pub. L. 102–318, set out as a note under
section 401 of this title.
PLAN AMENDMENTS NOT REQUIRED UNTIL
JANUARY 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments
made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147
and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L.
99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan
amendment shall not be required to be made before the
first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see
section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a
note under section 401 of this title.
TREATMENT OF CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
QUALIFIED TERMINATED PLAN
Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 551, July 18, 1984, 98
Stat. 896, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of the Internal Rev-
enue Code [of] 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], if—
‘‘(1) a distribution was made from a qualified termi-
nated plan to an employee on December 16, 1976, and
on January 6, 1977, such employee transferred all of
the property received in such distribution to an indi-
vidual retirement account (within the meaning of
section 408(a) of such Code) established for the benefit
of such employee, and
Page 1261
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402
‘‘(2) the remaining balance to the credit of such em-
ployee in such qualified terminated plan was distrib-
uted to such employee on January 21, 1977, and all the
property received by such employee in such distribu-
tion was transferred by such employee to such indi-
vidual retirement account on January 21, 1977,
then such distributions shall be treated as qualifying
rollover distributions (within the meaning of section
402(a)(5) of such Code) and shall not be includible in the
gross income of such employee for the taxable year in
which paid.
‘‘(b) QUALIFIED TERMINATED PLAN.—For purposes of
this section, the term ‘qualified terminated plan’
means a pension plan—
‘‘(1) with respect to which a notice of sufficiency
was issued by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora-
tion on December 2, 1976, and
‘‘(2) which was terminated by corporate action on
February 20, 1976.
‘‘(c) REFUND OR CREDIT OF OVERPAYMENT BARRED BY
STATUTE
OF
LIMITATIONS.—Notwithstanding section
6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any
other period of limitation or lapse of time, a claim for
credit or refund of overpayment of the tax imposed by
such Code which arises by reason of this section may be
filed by any person at any time within the 1-year pe-
riod beginning on the date of enactment of this Act
[July 18, 1984]. Sections 6511(b) and 6514 of such Code
shall not apply to any claim for credit or refund filed
under this subsection within such 1-year period.’’
TRANSITIONAL RULE IN CASE OF ROLLOVER
CONTRIBUTIONS TO EMPLOYEE TRUSTS OR ANNUITIES
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 157(h)(3)(B), Nov. 6, 1978, 92
Stat. 2808, as amended by Pub. L. 96–222, title I,
§ 101(a)(14)(A), (D), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 204, 205; Pub. L.
99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: ‘‘In
the case of any payment made during 1978 which is de-
scribed in section 402(a)(5)(A) or 403(a)(4)(A) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] by
reason of the amendments made by this subsection
[amending sections 402 and 408 of this title], the appli-
cable period specified in section 402(a)(5)(C) of such
Code (or in the case of an individual retirement annu-
ity, such section as made applicable by section
403(a)(4)(B) of such code) shall not expire before the
close of December 31, 1980.’’
TRANSITIONAL RULES RELATING TO PERIOD FOR
ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION
Pub. L. 94–267, § 1(d), Apr. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 367, as
amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(A) PERIOD FOR ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION.—In the
case of a payment described in section 402(a)(5)(A)
(other
than
a
payment
described
in
section
402(a)(5)(A) as in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of this Act) [Apr. 15, 1976] or sec-
tion 403(a)(4)(A) (other than a payment described in
section 403(a)(4)(A) as in effect on the day before
the date of the enactment of this Act [Apr. 15, 1976]
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly
I.R.C. 1954] (relating to distributions of the balance
to the credit of the employee) which is contributed
by an employee after the date of the enactment of
this Act [Apr. 15, 1976] to a trust, plan, account, an-
nuity, or bond described in section 402(a)(5)(B) or
403(a)(4)(B) of such Code, the applicable period spec-
ified in section 402(a)(5)(B) or 403(a)(4)(B) of such
Code (relating to rollover distributions to another
plan or retirement account) shall not expire before
December 31, 1976.
‘‘(B) TIME OF CONTRIBUTION.—
(i) GENERAL RULE.—If the initial portion of a
payment the applicable period for which is deter-
mined under subparagraph (A) is contributed be-
fore December 31, 1976, by an individual to a trust,
plan, account, annuity, or bond described in sub-
paragraph (A) and the remaining portion of such
payment is contributed by such individual to
such a trust, plan, account, annuity, or bond not
later than 30 days after the date a credit or refund
is allowed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his
delegate under section 6402 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 with respect to the contribu-
tion, then, for purposes of subparagraph (A) and
sections 402(a)(5) and 403(a)(4) of such Code, at the
election of the individual (made in accordance
with regulations prescribed by the Secretary or
his delegate), such remaining portion shall be
considered to have been contributed on the date
the initial portion of the payment was contrib-
uted. For purposes of this subparagraph, the ini-
tial portion of a payment is the amount by which
such payment exceeds the amount of the tax im-
posed on such payment by chapter 1 of such Code
(determined without regard to this subpara-
graph). [chapter 1 of this title]
‘‘(ii) REGULATIONS.—For purposes of this sub-
paragraph, the tax imposed on a payment by
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
and the date a credit or refund is allowed by the
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate under
section 6402 with respect to a contribution, shall
be determined under regulations prescribed by
the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.
‘‘(C) PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS.—If an individual has
made the election provided by subparagraph (B),
then—
‘‘(i) the period provided by the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 for the assessment of any deficiency
for the taxable year in which the payment de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) was made and each
subsequent taxable year for which tax is deter-
mined by reference to the treatment of such pay-
ment under such Code or the status under such
Code of any trust, plan, account, annuity, or bond
described in subparagraph (A) shall, to the extent
attributable to such treatment, not expire before
the expiration of 3 years from the date the Sec-
retary of the Treasury or his delegate is notified
by the individual (in such manner as the Sec-
retary of the Treasury or his delegate may pre-
scribe) that such individual has made (or failed to
make) the contribution of the remaining portion
of the payment within the period specified in sub-
paragraph (B)(i), and
‘‘(ii) such deficiency may be assessed before the
expiration of such 3-year period notwithstanding
the provisions of section 6212(c) of such Code or
the provisions of any other law or rule of law
which would otherwise prevent such assessment.
‘‘(2) ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY
SOLD.—Sections 402(a)(5)(C) and 403(a)(4)(C) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to the require-
ment that rollover amount must consist of property
received in a distribution) shall not apply with re-
spect to that portion of the property received in a
payment described in section 402(a)(5)(A) (other than
a payment described in section 402(a)(5)(A) as in ef-
fect on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act [Apr. 15, 1976] or 403(a)(4)(A) (other than a
payment described in section 403(a)(4)(A) as in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act) [Apr. 15, 1976] of such Code which is sold or ex-
changed by the employee on or before the date of the
enactment of this Act, [Apr. 15, 1976], if the employee
transfers an amount of cash equal to the proceeds re-
ceived from the sale or exchange of such property in
excess of the amount considered contributed by the
employee
(within
the
meaning
of
section
402(a)(4)(D)(i) of such Code).
‘‘(3) NONRECOGNITION
OF
GAIN
OR
LOSS.—For pur-
poses of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [this title]
no gain or loss shall be recognized with respect to the
sale or exchange of property described in paragraph
(2) if the proceeds of such sale or exchange are trans-
ferred by an employee in accordance with this sub-
Page 1262
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 402A
section and the applicable provisions of section
402(a)(5) or 403(a)(4) of such Code.’’
§ 402A. Optional treatment of elective deferrals
as Roth contributions
(a) General rule
If an applicable retirement plan includes a
qualified Roth contribution program—
(1) any designated Roth contribution made
by an employee pursuant to the program shall
be treated as an elective deferral for purposes
of this chapter, except that such contribution
shall not be excludable from gross income,
(2) any designated Roth contribution which
pursuant to the program is made by the em-
ployer on the employee’s behalf on account of
the employee’s contribution, elective deferral,
or (subject to the requirements of section
401(m)(13)) qualified student loan payment
shall be treated as a matching contribution
for purposes of this chapter, except that such
contribution shall not be excludable from
gross income,
(3) any designated Roth contribution which
pursuant to the program is made by the em-
ployer on the employee’s behalf and which is a
nonelective contribution shall be nonforfeit-
able and shall not be excludable from gross in-
come, and
(4) such plan (and any arrangement which is
part of such plan) shall not be treated as fail-
ing to meet any requirement of this chapter
solely by reason of including such program.
(b) Qualified Roth contribution program
For purposes of this section—
(1) In general
The term ‘‘qualified Roth contribution pro-
gram’’ means a program under which an em-
ployee may elect to make, or to have made on
the employee’s behalf, designated Roth con-
tributions in lieu of all or a portion of elective
deferrals the employee is otherwise eligible to
make, or of matching contributions or non-
elective contributions which may otherwise be
made on the employee’s behalf, under the ap-
plicable retirement plan.
(2) Separate accounting required
A program shall not be treated as a qualified
Roth contribution program unless the applica-
ble retirement plan—
(A) establishes separate accounts (‘‘des-
ignated Roth accounts’’) for the designated
Roth contributions of each employee and
any earnings properly allocable to the con-
tributions, and
(B) maintains separate recordkeeping with
respect to each account.
(c) Definitions and rules relating to designated
Roth contributions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Designated Roth contribution
The term ‘‘designated Roth contribution’’
means any elective deferral, matching con-
tribution, or nonelective contribution which—
(A) is excludable from gross income of an
employee without regard to this section, and
(B) the employee designates (at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may
prescribe) as not being so excludable.
(2) Designation limits
The amount of elective deferrals which an
employee may designate under paragraph (1)
shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—
(A) the maximum amount of elective de-
ferrals excludable from gross income of the
employee for the taxable year (without re-
gard to this section), over
(B) the aggregate amount of elective defer-
rals of the employee for the taxable year
which the employee does not designate
under paragraph (1).
(3) Rollover contributions
(A) In general
A rollover contribution of any payment or
distribution from a designated Roth account
which is otherwise allowable under this
chapter may be made only if the contribu-
tion is to—
(i) another designated Roth account of
the individual from whose account the
payment or distribution was made, or
(ii) a Roth IRA of such individual.
(B) Coordination with limit
Any rollover contribution to a designated
Roth account under subparagraph (A) shall
not be taken into account for purposes of
paragraph (1).
(4) Taxable rollovers to designated Roth ac-
counts
(A) In general
Notwithstanding sections 402(c), 403(b)(8),
and 457(e)(16), in the case of any distribution
to which this paragraph applies—
(i) there shall be included in gross in-
come any amount which would be includ-
ible were it not part of a qualified rollover
contribution,
(ii) section 72(t) shall not apply, and
(iii) unless the taxpayer elects not to
have this clause apply, any amount re-
quired to be included in gross income for
any taxable year beginning in 2010 by rea-
son of this paragraph shall be so included
ratably over the 2-taxable-year period be-
ginning with the first taxable year begin-
ning in 2011.
Any election under clause (iii) for any dis-
tributions during a taxable year may not be
changed after the due date for such taxable
year.
(B) Distributions to which paragraph applies
In the case of an applicable retirement
plan which includes a qualified Roth con-
tribution program, this paragraph shall
apply to a distribution from such plan other
than from a designated Roth account which
is contributed in a qualified rollover con-
tribution (within the meaning of section
408A(e)) to the designated Roth account
maintained under such plan for the benefit
of the individual to whom the distribution is
made.
(C) Coordination with limit
Any distribution to which this paragraph
applies shall not be taken into account for
purposes of paragraph (1).
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Taxability of beneficiary of exempt trust** Except as otherwise provided in this section, any amount actually distributed to any distributee by any employees’ trust described in section 401(a) which is exempt from tax under section 501(a) shall be taxable to the distributee, in the taxable year of the distributee in which distributed, under section 72 (relating to annuities).
**(b) Taxability of beneficiary of nonexempt trust**
(1) **Contributions** — Contributions to an employees’ trust made by an employer during a taxable year of the employer which ends with or within a taxable year of the trust for which the trust is not exempt from tax under section 501(a) shall be included in the gross income of the employee in accordance with section 83 (relating to property transferred in connection with performance of services), except that the value of the employee’s interest in the trust shall be substituted for the fair market value of the property for purposes of applying such section.
(2) **Distributions** — The amount actually distributed or made available to any distributee by any trust described in paragraph (1) shall be taxable to the distributee, in the taxable year in which so distributed or made available, under section 72 (relating to annuities), except that distributions of income of such trust before the annuity starting date (as defined in section 72(c)(4)) shall be included in the gross income of the employee without regard to section 72(e)(5) (relating to amounts not received as annuities).
(3) **Grantor trusts** — A beneficiary of any trust described in paragraph (1) shall not be considered the owner of any portion of such trust under subpart E of part I of subchapter J (relating to grantors and others treated as substantial owners).
(4) **Failure t
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 26 U.S.C. § 402
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
### Statutory Notes
#### Codification
Section 3796a was editorially reclassified as [section 10282 of Title 34](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title34-section10282&num=0&edition=prelim), Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
#### Prior Provisions
A prior section 3796a, Pub. L. 90–351, title I, § 702, as added Pub. L. 94–430, § 2, Sept. 29, 1976, 90 Stat. 1347, contained provisions similar to those in [section 10282 of Title 34](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title34-section10282&num=0&edition=prelim), Crime Control and Law Enforcement, prior to the general amendment of title I of Pub. L. 90–351 by Pub. L. 96–157.
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 42 U.S.C. § 3796b
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 3796b. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 5983
TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 3796d–3
SUBCHAPTER XII—PUBLIC SAFETY
OFFICERS’ DEATH BENEFITS
PART A—DEATH BENEFITS
§ 3796. Transferred
Editorial Notes
CODIFICATION
Section 3796 was editorially reclassified as section
10281 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 3796, Pub. L. 90–351, title I, § 701, as
added Pub. L. 94–430, § 2, Sept. 29, 1976, 90 Stat. 1346, con-
tained provisions similar to those in section 10281 of
Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, prior to
the general amendment of title I of Pub. L. 90–351 by
Pub. L. 96–157.
§ 3796a. Transferred
Editorial Notes
CODIFICATION
Section 3796a was editorially reclassified as section
10282 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 3796a, Pub. L. 90–351, title I, § 702, as
added Pub. L. 94–430, § 2, Sept. 29, 1976, 90 Stat. 1347, con-
tained provisions similar to those in section 10282 of
Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, prior to
the general amendment of title I of Pub. L. 90–351 by
Pub. L. 96–157.
§ 3796a–1. Transferred
Editorial Notes
CODIFICATION
Section 3796a–1 was editorially reclassified as section
10283 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
§ 3796b. Transferred
Editorial Notes
CODIFICATION
Section 3796b was editorially reclassified as section
10284 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 3796b, Pub. L. 90–351, title I, § 1203, as
added Pub. L. 96–157, § 2, Dec. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 1220;
amended Pub. L. 98–411, title II, § 204(a)(3), Aug. 30, 1984,
98 Stat. 1561; Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 609Z, Oct. 12, 1984,
98 Stat. 2107, contained provisions similar to those in
section 10284 of Title 34, Crime Control and La
Source: Supplied 2024 U.S. Code historical extraction · 42 U.S.C. § 3796b
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 3796b. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.