Advanced Qualified Plan Design for Income Tax Reduction and Retirement Planning

One of the most critical issues for employers is determining whether to and what kind of employee benefits to offer employees. Before providing benefits, an employer must decide how to deliver those benefits and comply with federal and state regulations.

The statutory and regulatory responsibilities relevant to retirement plans and other benefits can be burdensome for employers. The employer must be aware of and consider the special rules, limitations, and exceptions applicable before implementing any type of benefit plan.

Employee benefits plans must be appropriately structured to allow both the employer and employee to receive advantageous tax treatment under the current law. Additionally, benefits delivered through an ERISA plan include rights and protections for plan participants and their beneficiaries, requiring careful attention to administrative and operational guidelines.

Counsel must understand all rules associated with the design and implementation of employee benefit plans to ensure compliance with federal and state law.

Listen as our panel provides their insights into issues that arise in the design and administration of qualified plans, provides advanced strategies for plan design for income reduction, and addresses how plan sponsors and fiduciaries can avoid or mitigate the risks in plan design and implementation.

I. Preliminary issues in establishing a benefit plan for small employers

II. Plan design options and other factors to consider

III. Benefit plan administration and operation challenges

IV. Best practices and tips for ERISA counsel in advising employers

The panel will review these and other critical issues:

• What plans can be offered by certain employers under federal law?
• Plan design options and considerations
• Regulations and statutory requirements: the employer's role and responsibilities
• Use of third-party administrators
• Testing, distribution, and termination rules for qualified plans