Having a Good Year? I Can Help With That.

This is historically the time of year when employers begin to review their retirement plans on the off chance that changes should be made in anticipation of the new year.  It’s a good time to do it, as there are multiple timelines that can work to limit an employer’s flexibility with respect to what can be changed as the year begins to expire.  Modifying a Safe Harbor 401k plan is just one example.

It’s also the case that by this time of year an employer’s financial picture starts to come into clearer focus.  Lots of unknowns in January and February, but by September and October a “good year” or a “bad year” is taking shape.  Let’s talk about the Good Year.

Let’s suppose you are an employer who is expected to have a very good 2019 and you would like to give back to your employees for being a part of that success.  You could do lots of things, of course.  A cash bonus in January to everyone in the same amount is not unusual.  However, let’s say you want to do something different, like make a profit sharing contribution to your retirement plan.  The good news is that every 401k plan is also a profit sharing plan.  Surprised?  Well, it’s true.

The next question you might ask yourself if you do decide to make a profit sharing contribution is “how will it be allocated?”  And that is a very good question!  The answer as you might expect is that it depends.  The most common way to do this is “pro rata based on compensation.”  It’s pretty fair and the default for many plans.  But let’s say that isn’t sitting well with you.  Let’s say some employees contributed more to the year’s results than other.  Let’s say you would like to reward those employees disproportionately because they deserve it.  Can you do that?  Well of course you can!

Profit sharing contributions can be very flexible.  I counsel my clients all the time around the many different ways you can allocate a profit sharing contribution, but there are some things to know.  First, however the allocation is made, it must be in writing, which means we need to amend the plan (probably) which means we need to do this before year end.  And depending upon how the plan provides for the accrual of benefits, we might have even passed the date that changes can be made for this year.

How are you to know what your options are and if the plan can be modified to meet your business needs?  You need to work with a plan design expert who can walk you through your options.  You need to work with me!  Please give me a call…before it’s too late!
​
Pete Welsh a/k/a 401kGuy