Are you wondering if your business is a good candidate for an ESOP? The rules are complex, so let’s break it down for you.
Is Your Business a Good Candidate for an ESOP?
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Defined Contribution Categories
A Defined Contribution plan is a retirement plan in which employees contribute a fixed amount or percentage of their compensation to an individual account under the plan. Contributions are invested on the employee’s behalf and they will ultimately receive the balance in their accounts upon retirement. Examples of defined contribution plans include 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, employee stock ownership plans, and profit-sharing plans. For-profit companies can offer a 401(k) plan to help their employees save for their future by giving them the opportunity to defer pre-tax or after-tax dollars via payroll deduction into their account and select from a diversified investment menu. 403(b) plans provide retirement benefits for employees of public school districts, hospital groups, or 501(c)(3) organizations in these non-profit business sectors. An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company; this interest takes the form of shares of stock. Profit-sharing plans are a way for a company to share profits with its workers and align the financial well-being of workers with the company’s success. 457 plans cover retirement benefits for state and local government employees and some non-profit businesses. There are benefits to Employers for sponsoring retirement plans; research applicable defined contribution articles on the Watkins Ross blog. Our Watkins Ross retirement team has the experience and knowledge to help you design a plan to meet your business goals; connect with us here to learn more.
Attribution Rules – The Family Tree
You don’t get to choose your family, and the same holds true with family attribution rules; but a company’s ownership is critical for accurate testing.
Safe Harbor Contributions for Defined Contribution Plans
There are several types of safe harbor contributions for defined contribution plans. Here is a breakdown of each of the types available.
Starting a 401(k) Plan
Starting a 401(k) plan is a popular choice to help employees prepare for retirement, but can also help attract the talent needed to grow your business.
What A Failed ADP/ACP Test Means
If you want to maximize contributions for the Highly Compensated Employees, don’t stress (or panic!) at the thought of failing the ADP/ACP testing.
401(K) Plan Nondiscrimination Testing
To ensure a 401(k) plan is not favoring owners or highly paid employees, the IRS requires certain nondiscrimination testing is performed (ADP/ACP testing).
Required Minimum Distributions From Defined Contribution Plans
Once you reach age 70 ½, the IRS requires you to take money out of your retirement account. This withdrawal is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Most people don’t give RMDs much thought until they have to take one. Required Beginning Date For defined...
Plan Forfeitures and Safe Harbor Contributions
Your retirement plan was recently restated for the Pension Protection Act (PPA). Within the PPA restatement, IRS mandated that forfeitures could no longer be used to reduce safe harbor contributions (i.e. basic safe harbor match, enhanced match or 3% nonelective). On...
2016 Michigan Employee Owner of the Year
Watkins Ross is pleased to announce that Sharon Miller-Walcott, QKA, Certified ESOP Specialist, was elected as the 2016 Employee Owner of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of The ESOP Association. The ESOP Association, a non-profit trade association founded in 1978, is...
ESOP: Fast Facts & Planning Tips
The National Retirement Planning Coalition has designated April 11-15 as the 2016 National Retirement Planning week. In celebration, each day this week Watkins Ross will share some fast facts and planning tips on the various types of retirement plans we service....