Which of the following conditions does NOT exempt a profit-sharing plan from providing a qualified joint survivor annuity (QJSA)?

A profit-sharing plan is a type of defined contribution retirement plan, and the qualified joint survivor annuity (QJSA) is a requirement for defined benefit plans that provides certain protections for a participant’s spouse. Under specific conditions, some plans can be exempted from the QJSA requirement.

The condition that does not exempt a profit-sharing plan from the QJSA requirement is allowing for single-life annuities. If a plan offers single-life annuity options, it is still subject to the requirements of providing a QJSA, as this feature does not inherently exempt the plan from the requirement. Single-life annuities can be part of a broader range of options available to plan participants while still being subject to rules regarding spousal protections.

In contrast, when a plan allows for transfers from plans with a QJSA, provides full benefits to the spouse upon death, or does not offer any life annuity options, these circumstances may create exemptions from the QJSA requirement. Such provisions can ensure that the spouse is adequately protected under the plan’s rules, leading to the possibility of exemption from needing to provide QJSA.

Understanding these nuances is key when analyzing retirement plan requirements and the regulations surrounding them.