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
Edit Users: Roles & Permissons
Home
Plan Search / Filter
Edit Company
Edit Plan
Show History
Setting Up and Managing Divisions
How to Reset Your FTW Password
FTW Password Reset MFA Troubleshooting Guide
Account Profile- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) FAQs
Instructions for Data Transfer by Module
Steps for Transfering Data from One Company Code to Another
Steps for 5500 Data Import- 55Autofill
Steps for Compliance Data Transfer
Steps for Documents Data Transfer
Steps for Transfering Data from an Outside Vendor to FTW
Downloading Plan Information
Downloading Plan Information
1099 User Guide
Working with Form 1099
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 Fulfillment Services
Preparing a batch - ftwPro 1099Wiz
ftwilliam.com's state fulfillment service
1099 Fulfillment Service Options
Checking on your fulfillment - Completion Dates
Preparing a .txt file for the FIRE website
1099 Corrections
Corrections for batch submitted forms
Correction for Payer TIN
Printing 1099 Data
Accessing and Preparing 1099 Module Forms for Printing
Forms/Paper for printing
Printing Form 1096
Printing Copies of Form 1099
945 Forms
Form 945
Preparing a 945 batch - ftwPro 945Wiz
1099 Module FAQs and Supplementals
1099 State Help: SmartCharts and technical documents
1099/5498 Deadlines to IRS and Recipient
A list of Foreign County Codes
IRS FIRE System Retirement and Transition to IRIS FAQ
Annual 1099 Module Form Instructions
2025 1099 and 5498 Form Instructions
2025 Instructions for Form 1099-R Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
Instructions for Form 1099-MISC Miscellaneous Information (Rev. April 2025)
Instructions for Form 1099-NEC Nonemployee Compensation (Rev. April 2025)
Instructions for Form 1099-DIV Dividends and Distributions (Rev 01/2024)
2025 Instructions for Form 5498 Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
Instructions for Form 1099-INT Interest Income and Original Issue Discount (Rev. January 2024)
2025 Instructions for Form 1099-SA Distributions From an HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA
2025 Instructions for Form 5498-SA HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA Information
2025 Instructions for Form 945 Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax
Instructions for Form 945-A (Rev. December 2025)
Instructions for Form 945-X Adjusted Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax or Claim for Refund (Rev. February 2025)
2025 Instructions for Form 945-V Payment Voucher
Payer Data Instructions
2025 Form 1096 Instructions
2025 General Instructions for Certain Information Returns (Forms 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and W-2G)
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
Signing a 5500 Filing
Edit Status, Signed Status and Acceptance Status
Signing Via the Portal
Populating Signing Page with Prior Year Accepted Filing UserID and PIN
Amending a Filing Originally Filed through ftwilliam.com
Amending a 5500 Filing that was not Originally Filed through ftwilliam.com
Adding 5500 Signers
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 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
Completing Form 8955-SSA, Uploads, Batch Features
Completing an 8955-SSA
Uploading Data to 8955 - SSA - Single Plan
Uploading Data to 8955-SSA - Batch (for multiple plans)
How to Create and Submit an 8955-SSA Batch
8955-SSA Batch Features
How to Set Up and Allow for E-Filing of Form 8955-SSA by a Portal User
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
How to Amend the Form 8955-SSA
Amending a Plan After Printing and Mailing Form 8955-SSA
Amending a Plan After Using the Fulfillment Service
Amending a Plan After E-Filing via the Portal
Correcting an Error After Downloading a ZIP File
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)
5500 Module FAQs and Supplementals
8955-SSA Frequently Asked Questions
5500 Frequently Asked Questions
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Annual DOL Form and Schedule Instructions
Other Form Instructions
2026 Premium Payment Instructions
Form 720 (Rev. June 2026)
Form 56 (Rev. June 2026)
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
2024 Summary Annual Report (SAR) Instructions
2024 Annual Funding Notice (AFN) Instructions
AFN 2/2/2015 Final Rule Sec. 2520.101-5
Other Forms
Form 720 (Rev. June 2025)
2025 Premium Payment Instructions
2025 5500 Module Form Instructions
2025 5500 Forms and Schedules
2025 Instructions for Form 5500
2025 Instructions for Form 5500-SF
2025 Instructions for Form 5500-EZ
2025 Instructions for Schedule A
2025 Instructions for Schedule C
2025 Instructions for Schedule D
2025 Instructions for Schedule DCG
2025 Instructions for Schedule G
2025 Instructions for Schedule H
2025 Instructions for Schedule I
2025 Instructions for Schedule MB
2025 Instructions for Schedule MEP
2025 Instructions for Schedule R
2025 Instructions for Schedule SB
Form 5558 Instructions
2025 Annual Funding Notice (AFN) Instructions
2025 Summary Annual Report (SAR) Instructions
Other Forms
2025 Instructions for Form 8955-SSA Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants With Deferred Vested Benefits
5330 User Guide
Completing Form 5330 and Schedules
5330 Video Demonstration
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
5330 Module FAQ and Supplementals
5330 FAQs
Completing Form 5330 Attachments
Form 5330 IRS Instructions
2023 Form 5330 Instructions
2023 Form 5330 Instructions
2024 Form 5330 Instructions
2024 Form 5330 Instructions
2025 Form 5330 Instructions
2025 Form 5330 Instructions
ACA User Guide
ACA Module FAQ and Supplementals
ACA Batch Tutorial Video
ACA Batch Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Simplified Guidance from IRS Notice 2025-15
ACA- Annual Form Instructions
2024 1094/1095 Instructions
2024 Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
2024 Instructions for Forms 1094-B and 1095-B
2025 1094/1095 Instructions
2025 Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C
2025 Instructions for Forms 1094-B and 1095-B
Compliance
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
DC Compliance
DC Compliance 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
5.7 Participant Record
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
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
Videos and Webinars
General Training 1
General Training 2
General Training 3
Balance Forward Transactions
Component Testing/Restructuring
Create/Edit Grid and Grid Mapping
Export/Import Tool
Eligibility - Overriding Initial Eligibility
Eligibility - Recalculate Eligibility
Global Client Package Demo
Global Print Settings Default Print Style and Page Orientation
New Comparability and Cross-Testing
Participant Statements/Custom Styles
Payroll Processing - Eligibility
Payroll Processing - Census
Payroll Processing - Allocations
Payroll Processing - Payroll 402(g) and Plan Limit Catchup and Excess
Payroll Processing - Projected Eligibility Report
Plan Aggregation
Run All Tests, Batch Run All Tests, & Run All Report
Testing/Reporting by Division
Vesting Calculation for LTPT and Former LTPT Employees
Webinar - Managing DC Compliance More Efficiently with Ftwilliam.com
Articles
ftwLink/API
What is ftwLink/API?
Run All Tests Example
Print Client Package Example
DB Proposal
Quick Start Guide
DB Compliance
DB Compliance User Guide
DB Benefit Calculations
DB Ben Calc Instructions
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
Push to 1099
Documents User Guide
Quick Start User Guide
Add Company/Plan
Edit Company
Edit Plan
Editing Plan Checklist
Edit Plan
Checklist Type
Editing the Checklist
Custom Edit Checks
Accessing Custom Edit Checks
Custom Edit Check Dashboard Overview
Creating a New Custom Edit Check
Managing Custom Edit Checks
Plan Menu
Convert Plan
Clone Plan
Delete Plan
Show History
Document History
Default Plans
ZZZ - Default Plans
Default Plan Feature
Printing Documents
Global Document Print Settings
Global Edit File Names
How to Print Plan Documents
Plan Amendments
Discretionary Amendment Process
ftwProAmend
IRS Required Amendments
Post Year-End Compliance Amendment
Batch Annual Notice
Accessing Batch Annual Notice
Creating a Batch
Adding Plans to a Batch
Working Within Your Batch
Printing Annual Notices and Supporting Documents/Forms
Publishing Annual Notices to the Portal
DocPrint
Accessing DocPrint
Creating a Batch
Adding Plans to a Batch
Working Within Your Batch
Update Plan Parameters for Multiple Plans
403(b) Batch Restatement
Printing Documents
Publishing Documents to the Portal
MEP/PEP Document Tool
Adding the Master and Adopting Employer Plan(s)
Set-Up Master Plan
Link Adopting Employer(s)
Lock/Unlock Master Plan Parameters
Generate Adopting Employer Joinder Agreement, Supporting Forms/Notices and Master Plan Documents
Filter Search for MEP/PEPs on Your Account
Reports
Plan Document Reports
Upload Company/Plan Data
Upload Center
Adding New Companies and Plans
Updating Existing Companies and Plans
Uploading a File and Understanding Upload Results
IRS Forms
Plan Design Summary
Setting Up PDS
How To Use PDS
Portal Views
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
Delete Portal User
Permissions, Contact Types, and Document Classifications
How to Add Module Permissions to Portal Users
Managing Contact Types
How To Edit Document Classifications
Global Email Settings
Setting up Global Email Settings in ftw
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
Confirmation E-mail Assistant
Portal Branding
Portal Branding Video
Portal Branding Options
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)
Workflow
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
Portal FAQs and Supplementals
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?
Managed Services
What Does Managed Services Look Like
BPO Dashboard Demo
What Does Managed Services Look Like
Home
Plan Design Summary
How To Use PDS