403(b) Basic employer confirmation

ARTICLE TAKEAWAYS

  • Learn when employer confirmation is required to process a distribution
  • Review the available options for confirming a distribution event
  • Locate the forms required for a distribution

Employers with 403(b) plans may need to confirm that a participant is eligible to take a distribution from the plan.

When employer confirmation is needed

Employer confirmation is required for the following distribution types:

  • Plan terminations
  • Advisor administration fees
  • Exchanges to another vendor
  • Rollovers
  • Distributions due to divorce
  • Distributions due to the death of the participant*
  • Other distribution events (such as attainment of age 59½ or separation from service)*


*Employer confirmation may not be required if:

  • The participant separated from service or died before January 1, 2009
  • The plan or participant account is grandfathered
     

Employer confirmation methods

An employer can confirm the participant’s or plan’s status by:

  • Signing the appropriate 403(b) distribution request form
  • Signing the receiving trustee’s form (for rollovers, exchanges and transfers)
  • Sending a letter signed by the individual authorized to act on behalf of the 403(b) plan


For plan terminations, the 403(b) Plan Termination form is required.

All types of employer confirmation require certification of the employer’s signature.

Employer confirmation certification

Long term:

The following documents can certify employer confirmation and remain on file for future distributions:

  • A completed 403(b) Basic Contact Information form
  • A signed vendor service agreement (VSA). Contact us to obtain this form. 
  • A letter of instruction written on the employer’s letterhead and signed by the employer. It must list the individual authorized to act on behalf of the 403(b) plan.
  • A corporate resolution

Short term:

You may also provide a signature guarantee of the employer’s signature on a distribution request. This type of confirmation is for a single use only. It does not remain on file for future distributions.

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Related content

403(b) Basic distributions and tax information

Life events

IRA incoming transfer and rollover guide

Return to 403(b) Basic plans >

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