Notice, Consent and Election Requirements of Sections 411(a)(11) and 417 for Qualified Retirement Plans

This document contains regulations that provide guidance concerning the notice and consent requirements under section 411(a)(11) and the notice and election requirements under section 417 for qualified retirement plans. These regulations finalize proposed regulations published in the Federal Register on September 22, 1995. In order to avoid delay in the commencement of distributions, the regulations generally allow distributions to commence, with spousal consent if required, in less than 30 days after a participant receives a notice of distribution rights if the participant affirmatively so elects to have the distributions commence. The regulations affect employers that maintain qualified plans, and participants and beneficiaries in those plans.