According to the IRS instructions and the IPERS handbook, the answer is "no". It is the wrong type of plan.
"The Saver’s Credit can be taken for your contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA; your 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP, 403(b), 501(c)(18) or governmental 457(b) plan; and your voluntary after-tax employee contributions to your qualified retirement and 403(b) plans." -
"IPERS is a “defined benefit retirement” plan that has a “qualified
plan” status under
federal Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a).
It is also exempt from taxation under IRC
Section 115."
This makes a lot of sense to me. Can you confirm though that we should be deducting the amount the employee contributes to IPERS from their income for the year? Similar in function to a 401k plan where you'd reduce income for the amount contributed to the 401k, 403(b), etc.
Thanks!
Yes, that's what exempt from taxation means, it is "before tax" Subtracted from taxable income.
"IPERS is a “defined benefit retirement” plan that has a “qualified plan” status under
federal Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a). It is also exempt from taxation under IRC
Section 115."