Definition of "Voluntary employees beneficiary association (VEBA)"
Tax-exempt entity as qualified under Section 501 (c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. The VEBA usually provides its members and their dependents and beneficiaries with paid life insurance, health insurance, and accident insurance. The VEBA can be established by any employer for employees even if they already have a retirement plan. Employers are permitted to make tax-deductible contributions to the VEBA that is usually established as a trust with the bank acting as a trustee. Earnings build within the trust on a tax-deferred basis. If the VEBA should terminate, all of the VEBA's assets are distributed to the active participants in the VEBA as of the date of termination. Distributions to a VEBA participant are not required to begin by age 70M, nor is a penalty charged if the distributions begin prior to age 5914. Survivor benefits are received on an income and estate tax-free basis. Assets of the VEBA are exempt from creditors' claims. The IRS code requires that the VEBA must have at least two participants (one of the participants can be a spouse); benefits must be based on annual compensation as well as age; and all full-time employees who are at least age 21 and have at least three years of full-time service must be allowed to participate. The employer can terminate the plan at any time.
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