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Deferred Compensation Plans vs. 401(k)s: An Overview
Deferred compensation plans offer an additional choice for employees in retirement planning and are often used to supplement participation in a 401(k) plan. Deferred compensation is simply a plan in which an employee delays accepting part of their compensation until a specified future date. For example, an individual who’s 55 years old and earning $250,000 a year might choose to defer $50,000 of annual compensation per year for the next 10 years until retiring at age 65.
Key Takeaways
- Highly-compensated executives often opt for deferred compensation plans.
- Deferred compensation plans cannot generally be accessed early.
- Deferred compensation plans can be at risk if the company goes out of business or files for bankruptcy.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Deferred compensation funds are set aside and can earn a return on investment until the time they’re paid out to the employee. At the time of the deferral, the employee pays Social Security and Medicare taxes on the deferred income just as on the rest of their income but doesn’t have to pay income tax on the deferred compensation until the funds are received.
Highly-compensated executives who don’t need their annual compensation to live on and are looking to reduce their tax burden most commonly use deferred compensation plans (non-qualified deferred compensation plans). Deferred compensation plans reduce an individual’s taxable income during the deferral.
They may also reduce exposure to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and increase the availability of tax deductions. Ideally, at the time when the individual receives deferred compensation, such as in retirement, their total compensation will qualify for a lower tax bracket, thereby providing tax savings.
401(k) Plans
One reason deferred compensation plans are often used to supplement a 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA) is that the amount of money that can be deferred into the plans is much greater than that allowed for 401(k) contributions, up to 50% of compensation.
The IRS sets an annual maximum for contributions to 401(k) plans and 403(b) plans. Taxpayers over age 50 can make an additional catch-up contribution every year.
Key Differences
Deferred compensation plans tend to offer better investment options than most 401(k) plans, but are at a disadvantage regarding liquidity. Typically, deferred compensation funds cannot be accessed, for any reason, before the specified distribution date. The distribution date, which may be at retirement or after a specified number of years, must be made when the plan is set up and cannot be changed. Nor can nonqualified deferred compensation funds be borrowed against.
Most 401(k) accounts can be borrowed against, and under certain conditions of financial hardship—such as large, unexpected medical expenses or losing your job—funds may even be withdrawn early.
Important
Unlike with a 401(k) plan, when funds are received from a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, they cannot be rolled over into an IRA account.
Risk of Forfeiture
The possibility of forfeiture is one of the main risks of a deferred compensation plan, making it significantly less secure than a 401(k) plan. Deferred compensation plans are funded informally. There’s essentially a promise from the employer to pay the deferred funds, plus any investment earnings, to the employee at the time specified. In contrast, with a 401(k), a formally established account exists.
The informal nature of deferred compensation plans puts the employee in the position of being one of the employer’s creditors. A 401(k) plan is separately insured.
By contrast, if the employer goes bankrupt, there’s no assurance that the employee will ever receive the deferred compensation funds. The employee in that situation is simply another creditor of the company, standing in line behind other creditors, such as bondholders and preferred stockholders.
It’s generally advised that a deferred compensation plan only be used after having made the maximum possible contribution to a 401(k) plan.
Why Is Deferred Compensation Better Than a 401(k)?
Deferred compensation is often considered better than a 401(k) for highly-compensated executives looking to reduce their tax burden. Contribution limits on deferred compensation plans can also be much higher than 401(k) limits.
Can You Have a Deferred Compensation Plan and a 401(k)?
Yes, you can have both a deferred compensation plan and a 401(k) plan.
When Can You Withdraw From a Deferred Compensation Plan?
Each plan will differ depending on the agreement between the employee and employer. For example, some plans don’t allow withdrawals until after 10 years or until retirement is reached.
The Bottom Line
Deferred compensation plans are primarily used by highly-compensated individuals who don’t need the entire salary that they are paid to meet living expenses. If you opt to partake in a deferred compensation plan, ensure that you understand all of the rules and requirements to avoid penalties or limitations on the funds.
