2001

December 22, 2001
DATAIR Holiday Schedule
DATAIR will be closed December 24th and 25th and January 1st to allow our staff to celebrate the holidays. We wish all of you a safe and joyous holiday and a prosperous 2002.

December 22, 2001
IRS Publishes new draft of Form 8717
The IRS has published a DRAFT version of a new form 8717 (Rev 1/2002) to be used to submit plans for determination letters under Section 620 of EGTRRA on or after 1/1/2002. A copy of the form and instructions may be found on page 26 of the Fall issue of the IRS Employee Plan News at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/fall01.pdf.   We will be adding this form to Pension Reporter and the DATAIR Document System as soon as an approved version is published.

December 20, 2001
DATAIR First to Release 2001 5500 Forms System
We're pleased to announce the availability Pension Reporter 1.08, the first government forms system to include the 2001 5500 forms. While the forms aren't approved for filing yet, the system allows you to get a jump on annual reporting by entering your data and printing draft forms. Duplication and mailing of the system to Pension Reporter clients is beginning today, but please allow at least 10 days for the system to arrive due to the holidays.

November 29, 2001
GUST Document System Released
DATAIR is pleased to announce the arrival of our newest product, the DATAIR Document System for Windows.  The system includes approved GUST IRS-approved DB & DC prototype documents and ancillary forms & documents required for plan adoption and restatement. The system is currently being shipped to all DATAIR Retirement Plan Document System users.  For more information about the system, see the Document System Highlights.

November 20, 2001
Register Now for GUST Prototype Seminars
Space is still available in our Seminar on January 7 session in Los Angeles, and January 14th date in Philadelphia.  The January 11th seminar in Westmont is now full.

November 8, 2001
EGTRRA Amendments Posted
Need to amend a DATAIR prototype or volume submitter plan for EGTRRA? The amendments are now available on the Software Updates page.

November 2, 2001
Additional GUST Prototype Document Seminars Announced
Due to the extraordinary response we've received, we've added three additional GUST Prototype Document Seminars. The new seminars will be held in Los Angeles CA on January 7th, Westmont IL on January 11th, and Philadelphia PA on January 14th.  Our November 30th seminar in Orlando FL is filling up fast, but is still open.  See the announcement for more information and to register.

October 29, 2001
December 7th GUST Prototype Seminar Full
The December 7th GUST Document Seminar in Westmont is now full.  Space is still available in our November 30th session in Orlando FL.  We are currently determining when additional sessions will be held.

October 25, 2001
Additional GUST Prototype Seminar Announced
Our November 12th and December 3rd GUST Seminars have sold out!  An additional session has been added for Westmont IL on December 7th. Space is still available in our November 30th session in Orlando FL also.

October 24, 2001
Annual Prototype Sponsor Reporting Underway
Yes, it's that time again!  It's time to report all your prototype documents that have been adopted under DATAIR's name as the Prototype Sponsor to us for compliance with Rev Proc 2000-20.  Mailings with the instructions, reporting diskette, and waiver form are on the way to you.  If you do not receive your package by November 6th to contact our RDS Support group for a replacement package. The deadline for returning your reporting information to us is DECEMBER 1, 2001.

October 24, 2001
DATAIR Releases GUST Prototype Documents
As promised, all Retirement Document System clients will receive our IRS-approved DB & DC prototype documents in RTF format in the next few days. The package will also include Opinion Letters for DATAIR sponsored plans as well as the opinion letters for those that have reregistered the documents in their name.

October 23, 2001
GUST Prototype Document Seminar in Orlando Announced
In addition to the GUST Prototype Seminars scheduled for Westmont, we have a added a session in Orlando on Friday November 30, 2001. For additional information or to register, please see the announcement.

October 23, 2001
GUST Prototype Document Seminars in Westmont Announced
DATAIR will be holding one-day seminars on Monday November 12, 2001 and Monday December 3, 2001 to introduce DATAIR's approved GUST Prototypes.  Register early... space is limited.  Additional seminars well be scheduled if these sessions are filled.  See the announcement for more information.

October 9. 2001
DATAIR Releases Pension Reporter version 1.07
This release includes the new PBGC 500 series, 2001 1099-R, 1096, 4804, 5558, 5308, 2001 945, and 4419 forms as well as a Batch Print facility, 1099 Electronic Filing Wizard, support for multiple 5500 Sch H attachments, Recently Used Plans feature, printer paper tray support, automated 945 and 945A preparation, support for Windows XP, and much more.  PR clients should expect to receive the system in 7 to 10 days.

October 6, 2001
IRS Issues Minimum Funding Relief Announcement
On Friday October 5th, the IRS  issued Announcement 2001-103 granting IRS, PWBA, and PBGC relief for late minimum funding deposits due to the September 11th terrorist attacks.

September 28, 2001
DATAIR Announces 2001 User Group Meeting
The DATAIR 2001 Annual User Group Meeting will be held on Sunday October 28, 2001 at the Washington Grand Hyatt in Washington DC.  For details and registration, click here

September 27, 2001
Prototype Approval Memorandum
A fax which announces the approval of all DATAIR DC, DB and Target prototype documents, and includes answers  to the more common questions we receive is being sent to all DATAIR clients.  If you haven't received the fax or are unable to read it, a copy is provided here.

September 24, 2001
DATAIR Receives GUST DB Prototype Approval
We're pleased to announce that DATAIR has now received approval on both DC and DB prototypes. As mentioned in the September 13th What's New, we'll be sending out RTF (word processing versions) of the documents as soon as we receive the formal notification letters.

September 20, 2001
PWBA Extends 5500 Filing Deadline
The PWBA has extended 5500 filing deadlines and provides other ERISA guidance related to the disaster of September 11, 2001.  See the press release for additional information. Please note that this extension is ONLY for those impacted by the tragedies of 9/11, and is not a general extension.

September 20, 2001
DATAIR's software integrates with The Principal Financial Group's ® Principal Professional Link^(sm)
DATAIR is pleased to be working with The Principal to provide TPAs with an array of software solutions in conjunction with Principal’s investments and services. Please see the press release for additional information.

September 18, 2001
DATAIR's Pension System Updated for EGTRRA
DATAIR is proud to release a pension administration system that supports EGTRRA 2001. Version 3.15, which is being released today, contains support for the following EGTRRA changes...

• 2002 limits added. 
• New 415 limits $13,333.33 for DB and $40,000 and 100% for DC.
• 2002 401(a)(17) limit raised to $200,000 and DB option to apply the new $200,000 retroactively when calculating average salary.
• 15% deductibility limit increases to 25% for Profit Sharing Plans
• Matching contributions counted toward top heavy minimum
• Top Heavy look back one year
• Multiple Use test repealed
• Catch-Up deferrals
• 403(b) Exclusion Allowance repealed
• 457 Catch-Up deferral
• 415(b) limit uses SSRA instead of 62
• Current Liability

The release also includes...

• Final 401(a)(4) New Comparability Gateway regulations for cross testing DC plans implemented. They become effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2002.
•  2001 1099-R form added. 
• New Employee Note Added: o) 100% vested in the next 12 months upon reaching normal retirement age or age 65 and 5th anniversary of year of participation (mm/dd/yy).

September 13, 2001 (revised 9/17/2001)
GUST Approval is Here!
Approval of our GUST Defined Contribution (Money Purchase, Profit Sharing, CODA/401(k), and Target Benefit) prototype documents has been received from the IRS.  Currently, we're working on incorporating the approved documents into our new Windows-based Document System and are targeting a late-October delivery. In the meantime, we will be providing DATAIR Document System licensees RTF (word processor) versions of the approved adoption agreements, core plan document, trust document, and appendices as soon as we receive formal notification letters.

For those of you that are re-registering the prototypes in your own name, the IRS has advised us that your notification letters are being sent to us directly. As soon as we receive them, we will forward them on to to you.  

We are unable to provide further information about the timing of the letters at this time.  We'll post additional information here as it becomes available.

August 31, 2001
GUST-Approved Prototypes Coming Soon!
The IRS has informed us that we should be receiving approval letters for our DC Prototype GUST Documents the week of September 3, 2001.  We'll post further details here as they are available.  

If you are not yet a subscriber to our Retirement Plan Document System act now and take advantage of our pre-release special offer. 

August 8, 2001
Phone, Fax & Internet Outage
At approximately 2:30pm CDT on Monday August 6, 2001 utility contractors working in the vicinity of our offices damaged an underground cable that carries our phone, fax, and internet communication services.  Ameritech located the damaged cable at approximately noon on Tuesday and worked though the night to restore service. Early this morning our voice and data services returned to normal.  See the picture.

If you sent us email during this time, depending on your ISP's mail system, it may have been returned to you or held for later delivery. If in doubt, please resend the message. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you.

July 26,2001
New Address for 5558 Filings
As mentioned in the 7/17/2001 What's New, the address for filing 5558's has changed.  In the instructions, they failed to provide a street address for overnight express services to use.  The full address is:

Internal Revenue Service Center
1160 West 1200 South St.
Ogden, UT  84201

July 17, 2001
Revised IRS 5558 and PBGC 500-series forms 
The IRS recently released a revised From 5558 that is essentially identical to the previous version. The only change is the filing address which is now  "Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201-0027".  The PBGC has issued new 500-series forms that are substantially different than the prior version.  The new forms will be included in PR/Win 1.07, tentatively scheduled for a mid-August release. Until that time, the IRS and PBGC will continue to accept the current version of forms included in PR/Win 1.06.

June 27,2001
Amending Qualified Plans for GUST
Read an article from the May/June 2001 ASPA Pension Actuary written by DATAIR's Lanning Hochhauser about restating plans under GUST... Click Here

April 16, 2001
2000 5500 Forms Released
DATAIR has received certification of its 2000 5500 EFAST forms from the DOL.  Pension Reporter 1.05 is currently being reproduced and will be mailed over the next few days. 

April 13, 2001
5500's: One Step Closer
DATAIR has received preliminary approval of it's 2000 5500 forms.  We're hopeful that final approval will be received the week of April 15th.  As soon as we receive certification, we will begin shipping PR 1.05. 

March 30, 2001
2000 EFAST 5500 Certification... the saga continues
The DOL contractors have notified us that the certification process is going much slower than expected.  DATAIR's forms were among the first received, and will be among the first approved.  At this time, they are unable to give us a better timeframe as to when we should expect to receive our approval.  Further updates will be posted here as we receive new information.  Keep in mind that you can enter all of your data and print draft copies using PR 1.04 in preparation for the approved forms.

March 23, 2001
Model Amendment for Minimum Distributions
We've posted a model amendment on our Software Updates page for those interested in adopting the new Required Minimum Distribution proposed regs which were published Jan 17, 2001.

March 20, 2001
2000 EFAST 5500 Update
DATAIR has received the printing components and test data for the 2000 EFAST 5500 forms approval process, and have submitted our forms to the DOL for certification.  It is anticipated that the approval process will take approximately two weeks to complete.  As soon as we receive final approval, we will ship PR/Win 1.05 which will allow you to print approved 5500's. This release will also include the PBGC Form 1, Form 1 Sch A, Form 1-EZ, 5300, 5307, 5310, 5310A, and an updated SS-4.

February 24, 2000
2000 EFAST 5500 Update
The DOL is expected to release final printing components and testing materials the week of February 25th for the 2000 5500's. Once we receive these materials we expect the testing process to take two to three weeks. As soon as we receive final approval, we will begin shipping PR/Win 1.05.

February 20, 2001
2000 5500 Forms are (almost) on the way!
DATAIR will begin shipping PR/Win version 1.04 with a data-entry-only version of the 2000 5500-series forms on Friday February 23, 2001. Also included in this release is the 2001 PBGC Form 1-ES.  

January 24, 2001
Update on 2000 5500-Series Forms Availability
The DOL has released the 2000 EFAST forms, and we are currently developing a data-entry-only version of the system to be released in a mid-February timeframe. 

The DOL, however, has not released specifications for printing or testing the forms.  We expect to receive this information on February 22nd at the EFAST Developer's Conference.  Until we receive this information we are unable to estimate an expected delivery date for a version of the system that produces printed forms. 

Further status updates will be posted on the web site as information becomes available.

January 8, 2001
Pension Reporter 1.03 Released
PR/Win 1.03, which includes 2000 1099-R Electronic Filing, will be mailed to all clients by Wednesday 1/10/2001

2000

December 4, 2000
2001 Rates & Limits
Rates & Limits and Covered Compensation Tables for 2001 are now available on our Rates & Limits page

November 15, 2000
2001 Training Schedule Released
The schedule for DATAIR's System Training & Seminars has been set for 2001. 

November 10, 2000
PR/Win 1099R Is on the way!
PR/Win 1.02 with 2000 1099R, 945 and 945A forms is being released Monday November 13, 2000.

November 9, 2000
Draft GUST Documents Released
Unapproved draft Version 3 Prototype Documents are being sent to all DATAIR Retirement Plan Document System clients this week. These documents have have been submitted to the IRS for Notification Letters under Rev Proc 2000-20.  The documents are available in Microsoft Word 97/2000 format only.

October 24, 2000
PR/Win 1099R Coming Soon
We're putting the final touches on the PR/Win 2000 1099R system. The system will be released as soon as final testing has been completed. Release 3.11 of the Pension System currently includes 2000 1099R capabilities.

October 24, 2000
Dallas Regional Training Cancelled
The November 6-8 Dallas regional training has been cancelled. Training in Westmont, IL is being held Nov 13-17 as an alternative.

September 10, 2000
Annual User Group Meeting
DATAIR's Annual User Group Meeting will be held in conjunction with the ASPA Annual Conference in Washington DC on Sunday October 29, 2000.  For details and to register, click here.

July 18, 2000
DATAIR Announces West Coast 5500 Seminars
DATAIR will offer our popular 5500 Seminars on August 17th in San Diego and August 18th in Oakland. For more information, and to register, please see the brochure.

June 26, 2000
DATAIR Closes for Independence Day Holiday
DATAIR will be closed on Monday July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th for the Independence Day Holiday. Have a safe holiday!

June 13, 2000
Additional 5500 Seminars Announced
Due to popular request, we have added 3 additional dates in June & July for our 5500 Seminar.   For more information see the brochure (Adobe Acrobat format)

May 18, 2000
5500 Seminars Announced
DATAIR is offering four one-day seminars covering the new 5500's and Pension Reporter/Windows.  The classes will be held in our Westmont, IL offices on June 5, 9, 12 and 16. For more information see the brochure (Adobe Acrobat format)

May 13, 2000
DATAIR Introduces FAQs Online
Have a question about a DATAIR product or service?  We're in the process of creating a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Online section of the web site to answer the most commonly asked questions we receive.  Currently we have FAQ pages for Support and for Pension Reporter/Windows, and will be adding more in the coming weeks. See the FAQ Index for more information. 

May 12, 2000
DATAIR Releases Client & Task Manager/Windows 1.03
DATAIR Is pleased to announce the general release of Client & Task Manager/Windows 1.03.  This version is compatible with DATAIR's new Pension Reporter/Windows system database format.  New features to Task Manager include Quick Tabs, User Preferences, and a Summary View with Dates.

May 10, 2000
DATAIR Releases Pension Reporter/Windows 1.00
DATAIR is pleased to announce the general release of Pension Reporter/Windows 1.00 with 1999 5500-series EFAST-approved forms, 2000 PBGC forms, and many other forms and schedules.  CD-ROMs are being duplicated on Thursday May 11, and then we'll begin mailing the system to all clients who have returned their license and support agreements for PR/Win.  A downloadable version is not yet available due to technical issues. For more information on Pension Reporter, click here.

May 3, 2000
Pension Reporter/Windows Update
We have received final code from the DOL EFAST contractors and are currently performing final tests on the system and are fine-tuning the data transfer from PR/DOS and PE/DOS to PR/Win.  We are currently anticipating a Monday May 8, 2000 release of the system.  New License and Support agreements went out to all existing PR/DOS users on April 27 and 28.  Please return these per the instructions in the cover letter as soon as possible to prevent any delay in making the new system available to you. If you have not received the new license and support agreement, please contact us at info@datair.com. 

April 21, 2000
Pension Reporter/Windows Update
We are currently waiting for the DOL EFAST group to resolve critical issues with the 1999 5500 forms components uncovered during our testing. Depending on the delivery of this item, our ability to meet our May 1 target release date may be compromised. Please continue to check the web site for updated information about the release.

April 12, 2000
1999 5500 Forms Update
DATAIR continues to move closer to the release of Pension Reporter/Windows for the 1999 5500 forms, and are working with the DOL EFAST group to resolve various technical and logistical issues with their software components. We anticipate the system will be available for download on May 1, 2000. The software on CD  will be mailed approximately one week after the downloadable version is available.

March 29, 2000
DATAIR Receives EFAST Certification
Pension Reporter/Windows has received certification under the DOL's EFAST program for 1999 5500 forms. DATAIR is one of the first vendors to receive this certification.  Approval of our 2000 PBGC forms has also been received.  We continue to anticipate a May 1 release of PR/Win.

March 23, 2000
1999 5500 Forms Update
Automatic 2-1/2 month filing extension granted for 1999 5500's due July 31, 2000.  No 5558 is required for this extension. More Information

We are currently integrating the DOL 5500 EFAST printing technology into Pension Reporter/Windows. The release date of PR/Win with 1999 forms is still highly dependant on the DOL contractors resolving several significant bugs in their software, however we are still targeting a May 1 release of the system.

February 1, 2000
The Winter 2000 edition of The DATAIR News newsletter is hot of the presses and available for online viewing.  More Information

January 26, 2000
Revenue Procedure 2000-20
IRS publishes Revenue Procedure 2000-20 which will open the Master, Prototype, and Volume Submitter Programs this spring. More Information

January 25, 2000
1999 5500 Forms
As you may be aware, the DOL has taken over responsibility for the 5500 series forms starting this year, and the forms are being totally re-written as to content and format.

There are two versions of the 1999 forms. One called "hand print" that can be completed without a computer which is printed in blue ink, and a "machine print" version which can only be produced with software, such as our Pension Reporter.

The hand print forms and instructions have not been released by the DOL yet, but should be available mid-February.

The specifications for the machine print forms were released to software developers on January 17th, and we've begun incorporating them into the Pension Reporter system. However, these forms also require a two-dimensional barcode, and the DOL has advised us the specs and tools to produce that part of the forms will not be available until early February. We are also awaiting DOL information on the approval process our forms will need to undergo once they are completed.

Our estimate, at this time, is that it will be Mid-March to Mid-April before the forms can be incorporated into a Pension Reporter release. This assumes that the DOL contractors deliver the specs and tools to us on schedule, and approve the forms quickly.

Please keep in mind that this schedule is highly dependant on the DOL and their contractors. Watch this web site for new information as it becomes available.

January 19, 2000
DATAIR Extends 2 for 1 Offer until March 31, 2000.  More Information

January 7, 2000
IRS releases relaxed guidance for Safe Harbor Plans.    More Information

1999

November 1, 1999
We're now accepting applications for beta testing Pension Reporter for Windows.  More Information

October 25, 1999
We'll begin soliciting candidates for beta test sites for DATAIR's Pension Reporter for Windows beginning November 1, 1999.   Watch the web site for further information.

October 22, 1999
Hardware and Computer Buying Recommendations updated. More Information

September 23, 1999
Annual User Group Meeting to be held October 24, 1999 in Washington DC.  More Information

August 1, 1999
You can now register to receive an email whenever our Software Updates web page changes courtesy the NetMind Mind-It service.

July 1, 1999
Plan Accountant version 2.03 which includes Year 2000 readiness and performance improvements was released on June 30. 
All DATAIR systems are now Y2K ready.

June 23, 1999
DATAIR's FlexPlus Cafeteria Administration System Version 4.50, which is Year 2000 ready, has been released.

April 21, 1999
CODA LRM's issued by the IRS.  Read them online, or get the Acrobat PDF version.

April 21, 1999
Want the lowdown on what the IRS has in mind for prototype documents after GUST?  See what we learned at a recent meeting  with the IRS.

April 6, 1999
Version 4.60 of Pension Reporter which includes the 1999 PBGC forms has been released and is now being shipped.

April 5, 1999
Version 1.13 of the Data Entry & Review Module has been released.  Updated for Year 2000 issues and includes several usability enhancements.  The upgrade is available to all licensees of the Data Entry system for $100.  Contact your DATAIR sales representative for information.

April 1, 1999
DATAIR has received approval from the PBGC for its 1999 PBGC forms.  We expect to ship version 4.60 of PR starting April 7, 1999.

March 18, 1999
DATAIR's 1999 PBGC forms are currently undergoing review by the PBGC. As soon as we receive word they are approved, we will proceed with a release of Pension Reporter.  Watch this page for updated status information.

March 10, 1999
Update for FAS 132  2.00 posted on the Software Updates Page

January 20, 1999
DATAIR has released Pension Reporter version 4.59 with all 1998 5500-series forms and schedules. Updates are being mailed to all PR clients on January 21st and 22nd.

Note: The IRS has now indicated to us that they will only accept a subset of the NAICS codes that are included in the 5500 instructions. So, as far as the IRS is concerned, your plan sponsors may have two NAICS codes... one for IRS purposes, and one for all other governmental purposes.  Your tax dollars at work!   For links to SIC->NAICS code translation tables, see the What's New for January 8, 1999.  For the list of acceptable codes to the IRS, see pages 20-22 of the 1998 5500 Instructions (Adobe Acrobat Format).

January 13, 1999
We have received acceptance of our 1998 5500-series forms by the IRS.  We will be releasing the system within the next week.

January 8, 1999
Many of you have asked about 1998 5500 Forms.  We are currently awaiting acceptance testing of our forms by the IRS and will begin disk duplication as soon as we receive acceptance. This release will also include the 1998 945/945A.  Watch this page for further details as they become available.

January 8, 1999 (See 1/20/99 clarification above)
IRS transitions from SIC to NAICS codes.   The 1998 5500 forms require the new 5 and 6 digit NAICS codes in place of the 4 digit SIC business codes.  Here's a translation table from SIC to NAICS in  Adobe Acrobat Format and Spreadsheet Format. All DATAIR systems are being updated to support the new NAICS codes. 

1998

December 18, 1998
Version 4.44 of DATAIR FlexPlus Cafeteria Administration System released. Contains support for plan years ending in 2000.

December 1, 1998
Updated Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure to comply with S.2392 enacted into law on October 19, 1998.

November 30, 1998
Version 3.07of DATAIR's Pension Administration system released.  Contains updated 1099R electronic filing for 1998.

November 25, 1998
Update 4.58a of DATAIR's Pension Reporter system released.  Contains updated 1099R electronic filing for 1998, and other minor changes.

November 20, 1998
DATAIR is hiring!  We're looking for software sales, software development, and technical support professionals to join our team. Read more

November 18,1998
Client & Task Manager Version 1.01 ships...  Dozens of new features added. Read the Release Notes

October 13, 1998
REMINDER to RDS USERS... 1998 Sponsor Reporting for prototype documents is due back to DATAIR by October 30, 1998.

October 13, 1998
Year 2000 Information Revised

October 10, 1998
Just updated! DATAIR's annual diatribe on computer technology now available online.

October 9, 1998
Pension Reporter version 4.58 with 1998 1099R released.

September 30, 1998
Retirement Plan Document System version 1.38 released.

August 27, 1998
DB/DC Pension System version 3.06 released.

August 10, 1998
Annual User Group Meeting to be held October 25, 1998 in Washington DC.  More Information

June 25, 1998
DATAIR Voice Interactive Voice Response system with support for FlexPlus & 401(k) released.

May 29, 1998
Pension System, Version 3.05 released.

May 4, 1998
Pension Reporter, Version 4.57 released..  

February 6, 1998
Client & Task Manager for Windows 95/NT Version 1.00 was released.

January 15, 1998
Retirement Plan Document System, Version 1.37 released January 15, 1998

1997

December 12, 1997
The IRS, on December 9, 1997, published Guidance on Minimum Required Distributions. The guidance appears in Notice 97-75 in a question and answer format.

not97-75.doc Microsoft Word 95 format

not97-75.txt Plain text format. Download this if don't have Word 95 or higher