Executive Compensation For Business Owners
When key executives, or shall I say your “right-hand men and women” are presented with a strong benefit incentive package, they are more likely to stay and utilize their talents where they feel appreciated and appropriately rewarded. These structured incentive plans can help keep key executives in place and motivate them to higher levels of performance...that’s why they’re called “golden handcuffs”.
Things to Consider for “Golden Handcuffs”
Plans such as Non-qualified Deferred Compensation, Executive Bonus, and Split Dollar Life Insurance are life insurance-based plans that enable the business to offer current and future benefits to their key executives in exchange for their continued service for a specified period of time.1
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
A nonqualified deferred compensation plan is an arrangement between an employer and a key employee whereby the employer agrees to pay additional compensation for a specified period of time in exchange for the continued service of the employee. When certain tax code requirements are met, this arrangement allows the employer to single out highly compensated employees for the purpose of rewarding them for their contributions to the company, and as an incentive for the employee to stay with the company.2
Many plans are informally funded through the use of life insurance which is owned by the employer on the life of the employee. The accumulated cash value funds the plan and is distributed as compensation over a specified period of time. The death benefit is available to compensate the family of the employee if death occurs prior to distribution. The employer may also use the death benefit proceeds to offset the cost of funding the plan. The distributions are taxable to the employee when they are received, and the employer receives a tax deduction as the benefits are paid.
Executive Bonus Plan
Another way an employer can reward selected key employees is through an Executive Bonus Plan (IRC Sec. 162) wherein the employer bonuses the premium for a life insurance policy owned by the employee. The policy, including the cash values, belongs to the employee who can maintain the coverage on his own if he were to leave the employer.
The bonus which equals the amount of the net premium payment is considered to be additional compensation to the employee and is taxed currently. In some cases, an employer will bonus an extra amount to offset the employees tax on the premium. The bonuses are tax deductible to the employer. This can be a “win-win”!
Executive compensation plans such as non-qualified deferred compensation and executive bonus plans involve legal, tax and insurance issues. The guidance of a qualified tax or financial professional is strongly recommended.
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1 Non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements may be funded, unfunded, or informally funded with the use of life insurance policy.
2 Please consult a tax professional regarding your specific situation.