ftwilliam.com Software User Guide
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Toggle navigation
Contact Us
Home
Glossary
User Interface and Navigation
General Navigation and Company / Plan Creation
Logging In
User Roles / Permissons Explained
Home
Plan Search / Filter
Edit Company
Edit Plan
Show History
Setting Up and Managing Divisions
1099 User Guide
Working with 1099 Form
How to Manually Enter Payer Data
How to Batch Import Payer Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs)
How to manually enter payee/participant data
How to batch import payee/participant data
Edit Checking
Copying Data From a Prior Year
Rolling over data from a prior year
1099 Batch E-filing and Fulfilment Services
ftwilliam.com's fulfillment service
Checking on your fulfillment - Completion Dates
Preparing a .txt file for the FIRE website
1099 State Filing
ftwilliam.com's state fulfillment service
1099 State Help: SmartCharts and technical documents
1099 Corrections
Corrections for batch submitted forms
Correction for Payer TIN
Printing 1099 Data
Accessing and Preparing 1099 Module Forms for Printing
Printing Form 1096
Printing Copies of Form 1099
945 Forms
Form 945
Preparing a 945 batch - ftwPro 945Wiz
FAQs and Supplementals
1099 Deadlines
A list of Foreign County Codes
5500 User Guide
Completing 5500 Forms and Schedules
Add Forms and Schedules
Adding Summary Annual Report or Annual Funding Notice
Enter Information on a Form 5500 schedule
Consulting Official DOL Instructions
Edit Checks
Print All FINAL Schedules (Print Options)
Upload and Download Center
Deleting a Form 5500 Schedule
Deleting an Attachment
Inviting Portal Users to the Portal to Edit, Review and/or Upload Attachments
Work with Signers/Portal Users
Completing Form 5558, Uploads, Batch Features
Form 5558 Edit Status and Filing Status
Uploading Form 5558
E-filing Form 5558
Accessing the Form 5558 Filing Status Report
Accessing Batch 5558
Batch 5558 Dashboard and Navigation
Creating and E-filing a 5558 Batch
Signing a 5500 Filing
Edit Status, Signed Status and Acceptance Status
Signing Via the Portal
The Portal Signing Experience
Populating Signing Page with Prior Year Accepted Filing UserID and PIN
Amending a Filing
5500 Forms Settings, Batch Features
Global Email Settings
Email/Server Settings
Portal Email Default Templates
Portal Branding
Portal Correspondence
Go to 5500 Forms.
Work with Signers/Portal Users
5500 > [Year] Screen
Batch/Workflow
Bring forward (prior year) data to (current year) for all plans
Bring forward (prior year) signers to (current year) for all plans
5500 Workflow Grid; Batch Invite 5500/SF; Admin Summary Status
Batch SAR and Batch Annual Funding Notice
How To Complete Batch Local Sign
Batch Lock 5500
Completing Form 8955-SSA, Uploads, Batch Features
Completing an 8955-SSA
How to Create and Submit an 8955-SSA Batch
Uploading Data to 8955 - SSA - Single Plan
Uploading Data to 8955-SSA - Batch (for multiple plans)
8955-SSA Batch Features
How to Set Up and Allow for E-Filing of Form 8955-SSA by a Portal User
How to Amend the Form 8955-SSA
Printing
Fulfillment
Portal E-File
Download FIRE Files
How to Set Up the Client Letter for Form 8955-SSA
How to Use the Most Current Form 8955-SSA for Prior Years
How to Mask SSNs on the Form 8955-SSA and Participant Statements
Participant Statements
Completing Other Forms, Attachments, and PBGC Forms
Other Forms - 5330, 2848, 8821, 8822-B, 56, 8868
Adding Default Paid Preparers
Uploading/Downloading PBGC Comprehensive Data (.csv format)
Error Checking (PBGC Forms)
Printing (PBGC Forms)
My PAA (PBGC Forms)
Annual DOL Form and Schedule Instructions
2024 5500 Module Form Instructions
2024 5500 Forms and Schedules
2024 Instructions for Form 5500
2024 Instructions for Form 5500-SF
2024 Instructions for Form 5500-EZ
2024 Instructions for Schedule A
2024 Instructions for Schedule C
2024 Instructions for Schedule D
2024 Instructions for Schedule DCG
2024 Instructions for Schedule G
2024 Instructions for Schedule H
2024 Instructions for Schedule I
2024 Instructions for Schedule MB
2024 Instructions for Schedule MEP
2024 Instructions for Schedule R
2024 Instructions for Schedule SB
AFN and SAR Information
2024 Annual Funding Notice (AFN) Instructions
AFN 2/2/2015 Final Rule Sec. 2520.101-5
Other Forms
Form 720 (Rev. June 2025)
5330 User Guide
Completing Form 5330 and Schedules
Adding Multiple 5330 Forms
Adding Additional Schedule C P4/5
Upload and Download Features
Adding Default Paid Preparers
Adding Attachments to the Form 5330
Form 8453-TE
Preparing for E-file
Running Edit Checks for Form 5330
Locking Form 5330 for E-filing
Adding Portal Users / Signers to Form 5330
Inviting a Portal User to View or Sign the 5330
E-file Status Dashboard Features and Functionality
Amending a Form 5330 Filing
Portal Users Experience
Form 5330 Portal E-filing Experience
Sponsor Portal- Checking E-File Status
FAQ and Supplementals
5330 FAQs
Completing Form 5330 Attachments
Form 5330 IRS instructions
2024 Form 5330 Instructions
2024 Form 5330 Instructions
DB/Combo Proposal User Guide
DB Proposal Module Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
DB Proposal - How To...
How To...
DB Compliance User Guide
Summary Process
Detailed Step-by-Step Process
PLAN DOCUMENT INTEGRATION (Step 1)
FTW Step 1: ftw Plan Document
CONVERSION YEAR (Steps 2 - 7)
FTW Step 2: Establish the Conversion Year & Date
FTW Step 3: Populate Plan Specifications in the Conversion Year
FTW Step 4: Verify the Primary Grid in the Conversion Year
FTW Step 5: Conversion Data for the Conversion Year
FTW Step 6: Additional Conversion Data & Compensation History
FTW Step 7: Run Scrub for Conversion Year
REPLICATION YEAR & ONGOING YEARS (Steps 8 - 12)
FTW Step 8: Add next Plan Year
FTW Step 9: Set Actuarial Assumptions
FTW Step 10: Census Data for Replication Year & ongoing years
FTW Step 11: Valuation Liabilities for Replication / First Year Valuation
FTW Step 12: Year-End Processing & Compliance Testing
DC Compliance
Help Center
ftwLink/API
What is ftwLink/API?
Run All Tests Example
Print Client Package Example
General Training Videos
General Training 1
General Training 2
Run All Tests
Run All Tests
Run All Report
Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Compliance Quick Start Guide
QS Part 1: Log-in and Access Compliance Module
QS Part 1: Log-in and Access Compliance Module
QS Part 2: Compliance Menu - Plan Specifications
QS Part 2: Compliance Menu - Plan Specifications
2.1. Sources & Investment Accounts
2.2. General Plan Features
2.3. Eligibility, Contribution, Vesting and Distribution
QS Part 3: Compliance Menu - Census
QS Part 3: Compliance Menu - Census
3.1. Select a Primary Census Grid
3.2. Upload Census Data
3.3. Add Historical Data – Other Imports/Exports/Reports
QS Part 4: Compliance Menu – Tasks
QS Part 4: Compliance Menu – Tasks
4.1. Scrub/Eligibility
4.2. Allocation
4.3. Combined Test - 415/410(b)/404/414(s)
4.4. ADP/ACP Tests
4.5. General Test
4.6. Top Heavy Test
4.7. Client Package
QS Part 5: Compliance Menu - Transactions
QS Part 5: Compliance Menu - Transactions
5.1. Transactions/Statements
5.2. Vendor Uploads
5.3. Loans
5.4. Participant Transactions
5.5. Reports
QS Part 6: Compliance Menu - Miscellaneous
QS Part 6: Compliance Menu - Miscellaneous
QS Part 7: Compliance Menu – Tools/Settings
QS Part 7: Compliance Menu – Tools/Settings
QS Part 8: Census Grids
QS Part 8: Census Grids
Loan User Guide
Part 1: Loan Module Set-up
Part 1: Loan Module Set-up
1.1. Loan Module Setup - Sources
1.2. Loan Module Setup - Investment Accounts.
Part 2: Create a New Loan in the Loan Module.
Part 2: Create a New Loan in the Loan Module.
2.1. Create a new participant loan
2.2. Print Paperwork and Post Transactions
Part 3: Servicing Loans and Loan Reports
Part 3: Servicing Loans and Loan Reports
3.1. Posting Loan Repayments.
3.2. Defaulting a Loan (Deemed Distribution).
3.3. Offsetting a Defaulted Loan
3.4. Deleting a Loan
3.5. Loan Reports
Part 4: Conversion Loans
Part 4: Conversion Loans
4.1. Creating a Conversion Loan
4.2. Adding Loan Balances
4.3. Loan Repayments
User Guide
Part 1: Getting Started
1.1. Logging In
1.2. Select/Add New Company and/or Plan
1.3. Select Plan and Navigate to the Compliance Module
Part 2: Add New Plan Year End
2.1. First Plan Year on the ftw Compliance system
2.2. Subsequent Plan Year on the ftw Compliance system
2.3 Batch Add Plan Year End
Part 3: Navigation
3.1. Compliance Menu
3.2. Breadcrumbs
3.3. Tabs
Part 4: Plan Specifications
4.1. Sources & Investment Accounts
4.2. General Features
4.3. Eligibility
4.4. Contribution
4.5. Vesting
4.6. Distribution
Part 5: Census
5.1. Select Census Grid
5.2. Edit Data Entry Grids
5.3. Mapping of Data Entry Grid
5.4. Edit, Download, Upload Census
5.5. Other Import/Export/Reports
5.6. Portal Files
Part 6: Tasks
6.1. Scrub/Eligibility
6.2. Allocations
6.3. Combined Test
6.4. ADP/ACP Test
6.5. General Test
6.6. Top Heavy Test
6.7. Client Package
Part 7: Transactions Menu
7.1. Adding Transaction Batches
7.2. Statements/Reports
7.3. Creating Allocations from Batches
7.4. Loan Module
7.5. Payroll
Part 8: Miscellaneous Tasks
8.1. 5500 Data Report
8.2. 1099-R Export Menu
8.3. 8955-SSA Export Menu
8.4. Required Minimum Distributions
8.5. Miscellaneous Reports
Part 9: Tools/Settings
9.1. Clone
9.2. Workflow
9.3. Print Settings
9.3.1. Global
9.3.2. Plan Level
9.3.3. Custom Reports
9.4. Global Participant Search
9.5. Conversion Uploads
9.6. History Uploads
Part 10: Special Topics
10.1. Use of the system for the first testing year
10.2. Use of ftwilliam.com Compliance system after the first year the plan is on the system
10.3. Eligibility History
10.4. Recalculate Initial Eligibility
10.5. Plan Aggregation
10.6. Aggregation of non-ftw plan with ftw plans
10.7. Disaggregation
10.8. HCE Determinations
10.9. Top Heavy
10.10. Compensation - Including Calculations for Self Employed Individuals
10.11. Overrides
10.12. Excluding a Class of Employees
10.13. Vesting
10.14. Age Weighted Allocations
10.15. JH Rate of Return
10.16. Davis Bacon
Appendix I: List of ftwilliam.com Grids
Appendix I: List of ftwilliam.com Grids
Appendix II: RMD Life Expectancy Tables
Appendix II: RMD Life Expectancy Tables
DC Proposal
Go to Documents/IRS Forms/5500 forms/1099s/Admin/Portal
Go to Documents/IRS Forms/5500 forms/1099s/Admin/Portal
ftw Proposal Pro Instructions
Overview of ftw Proposal Pro
Participant Data/Calculate/Reports
General Information
Proposal Specifications
Profit Sharing - New Comparability Groups
Distributions
Setting Up DTS
Default Distribution Specifications
Batch Upload Distribution Specifications
Notifications and Alerts
Automatic Notifications and Alerts
Time-Based Notifications
Data-Based Notifications
Document Template
Document Template
Status Manager
Status Manager
How to Use the ftwilliam.com Distribution Module
DTS Access Points
Creating a Distribution Record
Clone and Split Distribution
Data Collection
Specifications for Data Collection
Data Collection
Distribution Record Menu
Changing Statuses
Distribution Summary
Do With Selected
Attach files to distribution
Download Attached Files
Send Attached Files
Download Audit Package
Provider Options
Delete Distributions
Update Distributions
Sorting, Filters and Grid Export
Module Options
Push to 1099
Pull Data from Compliance
Module Options
IRS Forms
Portal User Guide
Add, Edit, or Remove Portal Users
How to Alter a Portal User's Username
How to Upload Portal Users in Bulk
Assigning Portal Users to a Plan
Permissions, Contact Types, and Document Classifications
How to Add Module Permissions to Portal Users
How to Add or Edit Contact Types with ftwPortal Pro
How To Edit Document Classifications
Global Email Settings
Setting up Global Email Settings
Setting Up Global Email Settings for Divisions
How to Test the Global Email Settings for 'Specify a Server'
How to Test the Global Email Settings for 'Preparer's Email Program'
What SMTP Server Error Messages Mean
How to Edit or Clone Default Email Templates and Reminders
Confirmation, Notification, and Reminder Emails
Defining Who Will Receive Confirmation Emails
Setting Up Notifications in the Global Email Settings
How to Set Maximum Reminder Days for Notifications
Defining Who Receive Reminder Emails
Defining Who Will Receive Follow-Up Emails
Assigning Admins to a Plan
Portal Branding
Portal Branding Video
How to Brand the Portal with Our Company's Logo
How to Brand Divisions for the Portal Using Different Logos
How to Find the Correct URL to Use on Our Company's Website
Sending Documents Through the Portal
How to Send Documents to the Portal That Were Prepared in ftwilliam.com
How to Publish a Document to the Portal for E-Signature That Does Not Originate in the FTW Software
Description of the Client's E-signing Experience
Sending and Receiving Direct Messages
Saving Copies of Sent or Received Messages and Communications
Portal Document and DocPrint Batch Options
How to Post a Batch Annual Notice to the Portal
How to Send Files Via the Portal Document Batch
How to Post a Required Amendment via Batch
Compliance Portal Files
How to Access the Census Batch Dashboard
Census Batch Dashboard Navigation
How to Roll Forward Compliance Users
How to Post a Batch Census Worksheet
Enforcing .CSV Format for Census File Uploads
Access to Edit the Census Worksheet within the Portal
Edit Census Worksheet Grid
Census Validation
How to Push the Census from Upload to Final
How to Upload a Batch Annual Questionnaire to the Portal (Compliance User)
Annual Questionnaire Information and Batch Processing
How to Set Required Questions on the Annual Questionnaire
How to Post a Batch Online Annual Questionnaire
How to Add or Edit an Online Annual Questionnaire for Non-Compliance Module Users
Frequently Asked Questions
Accessing and Reviewing the Download History Report
How to Delete Folder Names Associated with Portal Communications
Portal User Client View
How Do I Access the Portal?
How Do I Log into the Portal?
How Do I Reset My Password?
How Do I Change My Password?
How Do I Change My Challenge Questions?
How Do I Change My Name, Email or Demographics?
How Do I Find Help on the Portal?
How Do I View the 5500 / SAR / AFN for My Plan?
How Do I Sign the 5500?
How Do I Sign the 5500 Using a Prior Year User ID and PIN?
How Do I Check the Status of the 5500?
How Do I Complete the 5500?
How Do I Add Attachments to the 5500?
How Do I View a Message I Received?
How Do I Send a Message?
How Do I View a Document?
How Do I Sign a Document?
How Do I See Who Signed a Document?
How Do I Download the Annual Questionnaire?
How Do I Upload the Annual Questionnaire?
How Do I Download the Census Worksheet?
How Do I Upload the Census Worksheet?
How Do I Complete the Online Annual Questionnaire?
How Do I Download the Online Annual Questionnaire?
How Do I Mark a Task as Complete?
Home
5500 User Guide
Annual DOL Form and Schedule Instructions
2025 5500 Module Form Instructions
Articles
Form 5558 Instructions
Form 5558 Application for Extension of Time To File Certain Employee Plan Returns (January 2025) View Official IRS Instructions Table of Contents General Instructions Future Developments ...