TYPES OF RETIREMENT PLANS
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS are one of the largest sources of tax deductions in the United States. Contributions are tax deductible for the employer, investment earnings are tax free, and employees don’t pay tax until they receive the benefits. In return for these tax advantages, the plan must comply with IRS coverage, nondiscrimination, vesting and other requirements.
A DEFINED BENEFIT (DB) PLAN is a qualified plan that defines the benefits it will pay. It is the most efficient vehicle for providing retirement benefits – but it’s not for every employer. It’s a good solution for employers who:
– want to ensure that owners and employees can afford to retire, or
– want tax deductions higher than $50,000+ for owners or other employees.
They come in two main forms: traditional defined benefit plans and hybrid plans like cash balance plans. You can follow current pension developments and cash balance plan topics in our blog, or see more about safe cash balance plans. Note especially the case studies and FAQ’s.
A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION (DC) PLAN is a qualified plan that defines the contributions put into it. It’s easy to understand because every employee has an individual account. It’s a good solution for employers who:
– want to attract and reward a mobile workforce, or
– want to maximize control over the cost of the plan.
Some common DC plan types are 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans (for certain nonprofits), profit sharing plans with discretionary employer contributions, and “money purchase” plans with fixed employer contributions. Profit sharing and money purchase plan designs can be pre-approved by the IRS, or cross-tested plans that meet the employer’s objectives while still complying with IRS rules. You can follow current defined contribution plan topics on the DC section of our retirement plan blog.
NONQUALIFIED PLANS don’t enjoy the tax advantages of qualified plans, but they don’t have to comply with all the IRS requirements. They can be very effective when properly designed.
RETIREE MEDICAL PLANS and other post-employment benefits (OPEB’s) continue health and other benefit coverages for retirees. Take a quick look at the issues for government employers here. You can follow current retiree health topics on the OPEB section of our retirement plan blog, or find GASB 75 basics, FAQ’s and resources for public-sector employers at GASB 75 / OPEB.