To ensure that contribution & loan repayments are error-free, we apply a number of validation rules to each contribution. Validation errors are flagged for review and action directly in your portal. In some cases, validations may identify unallowable contributions. In those cases, the unallowable contributions are flagged so that the sponsor can remedy the issue or return funds to participants, as appropriate.
In this article, we are focusing on contributions processed using your employer portal. We will review the portal experience when validation errors occur. We will also provide a breakdown of the validations that occur with common resolution steps.
Validation Errors on the Contribution Grid
We directly evaluate contribution data for incomplete/invalid data in the contribution grid.
If you manually enter contributions and loan payments into the contribution grid, required fields and invalid data will be highlighted in red. You won't be able to submit your contribution until all red fields are eliminated.
If you've upload a contribution file, fields that trigger an error will be highlighted in red. An error counter will display the number of errors on the screen that require your action. The error counter will reduce as you resolve validation errors. As long as errors are detected, the Send & Validate button will be grey and disabled.
On the contribution grid, the data is evaluated in multiple steps. You must work through all red highlighted fields until the error counter is zero (0), then press the blue Send & Validate button. Each time you press Send & Validate, the system evaluates the data for additional errors until none remain.
For each error displayed in the grid, you can resolve/correct the data issue directly on the screen. If you don't have the information to fix the error, you can choose to exclude the row instead.
If you choose to Exclude Row, any contribution associated with that row will be unallowed and removed from the contribution.
On the "Review Submission" page, you will see a final recap of any excluded contributions in the section called "Contribution Adjustments - Action Needed." You will only see this if you exclude a row that had a contribution associated with it.
At any time in this process, you can cancel or edit the submission if you find that the contribution adjustment resulted from a typo or other clerical error.
Employers are responsible for taking action to either 1) resolve the contribution error and re-submit the impacted contributions OR 2) refund money to the employee if the deduction was taken in error or the contribution cannot be completed.
Summary of Contribution Grid Validations
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Validation |
Logic |
Portal |
Sample |
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Missing SSN |
SSN is missing from the submission |
UI Validation occurs
Action Options: The sponsor must enter a correctly formatted SSN or exclude a row to continue. |
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Bad SSN format |
SSN is not properly formatted with nine digits |
UI Validation occurs Action options: The sponsor must update to an adequately formatted SSN or exclude row to continue. |
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Invalid SSN |
Invalid SSN: - all the same digits - 0s in positions 1-3 or 4-5 or 6-9 - 123-45-6789 - 987-65-4321
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UI Validation occurs Action options: Sponsor must update to a valid SSN or exclude row to continue. |
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Duplicate SSN |
More than one record on submission with the same SSN |
UI Validation occurs Action options: Sponsor may only have one unique SSN record remaining to continue. At least one record must be excluded. |
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Missing names |
First name or last name is missing from submission (SSN and names are always required) |
UI Validation occurs Action options: Sponsor must enter a name or exclude row to continue.
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Unrealistic DOB |
DOB does not fall into 10 to 100 year old age range |
UI Validation occurs The sponsor must enter a valid date or select the current DB value to continue. |
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Bad DOB format |
DOB is not in a valid date format |
UI Validation occurs Sponsor must enter a valid date or exclude a row to continue. |
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Unrecognized Employee |
SSN on the submission does not match anyone in the plan |
UI Validation occurs The sponsor must add the participant or exclude the row to continue. |
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Bad DOH format - required field |
The date is not in a valid date format |
UI Validation occurs Sponsor may enter a new day, exclude the row, OR if we have a record of a DOH, that date will be presented as an option. |
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Bad DORH format Bad DOT format - Optional fields |
The date is not in a valid date format |
Message on validation: Invalid {type of date} date format 2 cases: when we had a date from before and when we did not UI Validation occurs - Must enter a valid date |
Example coming soon |
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Bad Zip and Bad State |
Zip or State fields are not properly formatted |
UI Validation occurs - Must enter a valid format for zip code (5 digit or 9 digits with or without dash) - Must be a valid 2 character abbreviation or full state name. |
Bad Zip Format |
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Bad contribution format |
A negative contribution. Other non-number values get normalized into Null Values with more than 2 decimal places get rounded to 2 decimal places |
UI Validation: ensure that a positive number is entered |
Example Coming Soon |