Third Party Administration for Defined Benefit Plans
- Customized plan design
- Formula to determine retirement benefit
- Eligibility requirements for employees
- Vesting schedules for employees
- Preparation of plan documents and regulatory updates
- Annual valuation with actuarial certification
- Calculation of an employer contribution range
- Annual participant notifications
- Preparation of Form 5500 Annual Return Report
- Preparation of Schedule SB Attachment
- FAS 87, 132, and 158 disclosures
- Preparation and filing of forms with the PBGC
- Processing of participant distributions
What is a Defined Benefit Plan?
A defined-benefit plan is a retirement plan that business owners / companies provide, where employee benefits are calculated using a formula that considers, length of employment and salary history. The company that maintains the defined benefit plan administers portfolio management and investment risk for the plan.
Guarantees of Defined Benefit Plans
Defined-Benefit Plans guarantees a specific benefit or payout when an employee retires. The benefit may be a set amount or may be calculated according to a formula that factors in years of service, ageand average salary.
The employer typically contributes and funds the plan in a tax-deferred account by providing a regular amount to the plan, usually a percentage of the employee’s pay. Depending on the plan employees may also make contributions to the defined benefit plan.
Pros and Cons of a Defined Benefit Plan
Employers / Business Owners can contribute and deduct from taxes more than other retirement plans
Defined Benefit Plans provides a predictable benefit to those enrolled in the plan
Employers can have a specified vesting period employees have to work to for eligibility from immediate to spread out over 7 years
Contributions provided by employersBenefits are not dependent on asset returns
Plan can be used to promote certain business strategies by offering subsidized early retirement benefits
Most costly type of plan
Most administratively complex plan
An excise tax applies if the minimum contribution requirement is not satisfied
An excise tax applies if excess contributions are made to the plan