401k, Is there a time limit for the employer?

My employer deducted money from my paycheck for my 401k on Dec. 28, 2007 and the investment company hasn't received the contribution. Also, I have received 2 paychecks since then, on Jan. 11 and Jan 27 and The 401k contribution was deducted out of each check, but nothing has posted to my 401k account... Normally the contributions will post within 2 weeks, but its been over a month and I'm really getting concerned. How long does a company have before they forward the funds to the investment company? thanks

prior poster has the rule right...except there is also the line "or as soon as administratively possible". The DOL has deemed this to be about 5 days after payday unless there are extenuating circumstances (multi-state payroll being done by hand being about the only acceptable reason).

More importantly, this rule applies only to the segregation of assets from the general assets of the employer. This means the employer simply has to deposit the money into a checking account belonging to the 401k plan. It does not have to be put into the individuals investment accounts by this time period. There is no date where they have to be actually invested...that one falls under the reasonableness theory.

I'd check with your employer... sort of a "just asking when the money was sent to the investment company because it's not in my account" type of thing.

Yes, there is a time limit. See www.401k.org. I believe it is 15 business days following the month in which the deduction is made.