Matching contributions for qualified student loan payments
(A) In general
(A)In general#
For purposes of paragraph (4)(A)(iii), an employer contribution made to a defined contribution plan on account of a qualified student loan payment shall be treated as a matching contribution for purposes of this title if—
(i) the plan provides matching contributions on account of elective deferrals at the same rate as contributions on account of qualified student loan payments,
(ii) the plan provides matching contributions on account of qualified student loan payments only on behalf of employees otherwise eligible to receive matching contributions on account of elective deferrals,
(iii) under the plan, all employees eligible to receive matching contributions on account of elective deferrals are eligible to receive matching contributions on account of qualified student loan payments, and
(iv) the plan provides that matching contributions on account of qualified student loan payments vest in the same manner as matching contributions on account of elective deferrals.
(A)(i)#
the plan provides matching contributions on account of elective deferrals at the same rate as contributions on account of qualified student loan payments,
(A)(ii)#
the plan provides matching contributions on account of qualified student loan payments only on behalf of employees otherwise eligible to receive matching contributions on account of elective deferrals,
(B)Treatment for purposes of nondiscrimination rules, etc.#
(i) Nondiscrimination rules For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii), subsection (a)(4), and section 410(b), matching contributions described in paragraph (4)(A)(iii) shall not fail to be treated as available to an employee solely because such employee does not have debt incurred under a qualified education loan (as defined in section 221(d)(1)).
(ii) Student loan payments not treated as plan contribution.— Except as provided in clause (iii), a qualified student loan payment shall not be treated as a contribution to a plan under this title.
(iii) Matching contribution rules Solely for purposes of meeting the requirements of paragraph (11)(B), (12), or (13) of this subsection, or paragraph (11)(B)(i)(II), (12)(B), (13)(D), or (16)(D) of subsection (k), a plan may treat a qualified student loan payment as an elective deferral or an elective contribution, whichever is applicable.
(iv) Actual deferral percentage testing In determining whether a plan meets the requirements of subsection (k)(3)(A)(ii) for a plan year, the plan may apply the requirements of such subsection separately with respect to all employees who receive matching contributions described in paragraph (4)(A)(iii) for the plan year.
(B)(i)Nondiscrimination rules#
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii), subsection (a)(4), and section 410(b), matching contributions described in paragraph (4)(A)(iii) shall not fail to be treated as available to an employee solely because such employee does not have debt incurred under a qualified education loan (as defined in section 221(d)(1)).
(B)(ii)Student loan payments not treated as plan contribution.—
(C)Employer may rely on employee certification#
The employer may rely on an employee certification of payment under paragraph (4)(D)(ii).