In very simple language, adding a Cash Balance Plan to supplement an existing 401(k) Plan allows the high income business owners and professionals to contribute substantially more money on a pre-tax basis to their retirement plans.
Example, for 2009, the maximum contribution for a high income business owner to a 401(k) plan is $54,500, assuming they are age 50 or more by 12/31/09. The would normally be accomplished by having a Safe Harbor Cross Tested 401(k) Plan. But, in the right circumstances, you can add a Cash Balance Plan and put away $100,000 to $150,000 (or more) additional for the older business owners without raising the cost of contributions for the support staff significantly.
That's it, in a nutshell - let high income business owners shelter $100,000 to $150,000 more than they can do with a 401(k) Plan alone without normally having to increase contributions for support staff significantly.
This blog is intended to help educate professional firms with high income owners understand how they can add a Cash Balance Plan to their existing 401(k) plan in order to substantially increase their savings for the future.
If You Want More Information, Contact:
Paul Carlson
Cash Balance Consultant
(650) 425-7912
Cash Balance Consultant
(650) 425-7912
Robust Website on Cash Balance Plans
Kravitz Maximum Deduction Calculator
Blog Editor: Paul Carlson
Plan Design Consultants, Inc. works with high income professional firms on the advisability of a 401(k) Cash Balance Combination Plan for their entity. Our principal consultant for this purpose, Paul Carlson, is a certified Cash Balance Consultant. We team with the Kravitz firm who will provide the administration of the Cash Balance Plan. The 401(k) Cash Balance solution would allow high income professionals and business owners to substantially increase their pre-tax contributions to their retirement plans, usually with a modest increase in contributions for staff.