The Pros And Cons Of Deferred Compensation

Yes, there are definite perks to being a high-income earner. But if you fall into this category, you won’t be surprised to hear that you face some challenges when it comes to tax-advantaged investing strategies. Even though government restrictions make it harder to invest in traditional accounts (such as Roth IRAs with their income phaseout rules and 401(k)s with their contribution limits), you’re not necessarily out of luck. Your company’s deferred compensation plan may be your ticket to minimizing your taxes. Before you sign up, however, it’s vital that you understand how these plans function. Let’s go over the pros and cons of participating in one.

What Is A Deferred Compensation Plan?

A nonqualified deferred compensation plan is a way for high-earning employees and executives to postpone receiving their income until a later date, which also means paying taxes on it later. If you expect to be in a lower tax bracket down the road, deferred compensation can be especially appealing.

And since I know your next question will be about interest, here’s the answer. The money you defer can be invested for growth during its deferral. This works much the same way as a pre-tax 401(k) where your money can grow tax-deferred. However, it is not a 401(k) and does not have all the same benefits and protections. 

Why Should I Consider Deferred Compensation?

Unlike 401(k) plans, there is no annual contribution limit to a deferred compensation plan. So, for high earners who max out their 401(k) each year, it offers another tax-deferred way to save for the future. Because it is tax-deferred, you have more money to put to work earning interest which compounds over time.

Another benefit of a deferred compensation plan is that you can use it to reduce your taxable income in the current year. This helps you manage which tax bracket you fall into and also affects eligibility for different programs and benefits. Being able to control your taxable income is a very powerful tax-planning tool. 

Finally, with deferred compensation, you may be able to bypass the required minimum distributions that everyone else is subject to at age 70?. You can do this by agreeing to the distribution schedule outlined in the plan description if your specific plan allows for it.

Why Should I Say No To Deferred Compensation?

While you can see that there are a lot of benefits to deferred compensation, there are also drawbacks. One of the major ones is that the money you defer in one of these plans is not protected in the same way as it would be in a 401(k) or another qualified retirement plan. That means that if your company is facing bankruptcy, your deferred compensation is not protected from creditors. It is still technically the company’s money, since they haven’t paid it out yet, and they could be forced to give it to their creditors, leaving you with nothing.

Also, the money in a deferred compensation plan is not protected from your personal creditors if you face bankruptcy. While you can go through bankruptcy and come out the other side with your 401(k) still intact, that’s not the case with deferred compensation. Your deferred compensation will be used to pay back the debts that you owe.

In addition to a lack of protection, there are rules dictating when and how you can take your deferred compensation. These are plan-specific. Some plans allow you to defer compensation for a few short years while others require you to defer it until retirement. You also can’t take the money early or take a loan against it. Even when you are eligible for withdrawals, there are often specific rules regarding when and how you can take them.

Some plans will allow you to roll the money into another tax-deferred account, while others won’t. Some allow you to take the money with you when you change jobs and others do not. Some will force you out of the plan if you terminate employment, which could have a big impact on your tax bill. 

What Should I Do? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. A deferred compensation plan can be a godsend or it can become a nightmare. Due to various plan-specific stipulations, it’s crucial to review your company’s plan thoroughly with a financial professional before signing on the dotted line. 

If you’re considering participating in your employer’s deferred compensation plan, our team at Cypress Wealth Services can help you review the plan documents first and see how participation may fit into your overall financial plan. If you think our firm would be a good fit for your financial needs, easily schedule a no-fee, no-obligation virtual appointment or contact us at 801-839-7050 or [email protected]. 

About Austyn

Austyn Whittenburg is a wealth planner and partner at Whittenburg Wealth Partners, a family-owned and family-operated financial and wealth management firm located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Austyn has 7 years of experience as a wealth planner and spends his days helping business owners, emerging successful families, and their ensuing generations simplify their financial lives and discover meaningful solutions. Austyn received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University and holds the Certified Financial Planner? (CFP?) and Certified Business Exit Consultant (CBEC?) credentials, his FINRA Series 7 through LPL Financial and 66 registrations through LPL Financial and Stratos Wealth Partners, and his life, health, disability, and annuity insurance licenses. Austyn is active in his community of Herriman, Utah, where he resides with his wife, Ciera, and two young sons, Grayson and Graham.

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.  

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.