Follow Jason Linkedin Facebook
Email Jason Email
Financial
Jul 15, 2014

It’s SIMPLE To Start Your Company Retirement Plan

Sponsored Content provided by Jason Wheeler - CEO, Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

In my last article, I discussed some basics of company retirement plans. You can read that article here.

In this Insights, I will discuss the retirement plan that I recommend most often for businesses that want to provide this much needed benefit. The SIMPLE IRA plan is great for most business owners who want to start a retirement program for their employees, themselves or both.      
   
The SIMPLE IRA is an easy to administer, low-cost, limited fiduciary responsibility retirement plan. It offers a lot of flexibility with investment options and does not require the filing of reports to the government. Yes, it’s really SIMPLE!

For business owners, I like to introduce it from two perspectives. First, as a benefit for them and second, as a cost to the company (a.k.a., employee benefit). Let’s start with the owner’s benefit. 

For business owners, they now have an easy way to defer income taxes and diversify their own personal portfolio away from their business ownership. This retirement savings plan is an easy way to start allocating money for the future.  A minimum guideline that I use, and I stress minimum, is that you should be saving for retirement at least as long as you plan on being in retirement.  For a 50 year old who plans on working until 70 and dying at 90, the math is pretty simple – 20 years.  For a 35 year old, retiring at 65 and living until 95, it’s 30 years. Of course, you don’t have to save as much if you start earlier.

You will need to pay yourself (and your spouse, if applicable) a salary and then you will defer a certain amount, as an employee, to the SIMPLE IRA. The contribution limits for employees is $12,000 in 2014.  If you are 50 or older, you can defer an additional “catch-up” contribution of $2,500 for a total of $14,500. This is a tax friendly way of socking away an extra $14,500 a year toward retirement. 

But wait, there’s more…

You will also have control over the investments, which allow you to be as conservative or aggressive as you deem appropriate. 

The SIMPLE IRA is also very cost effective. IRA fees and investment expenses are passed to the employees’ accounts. For the company contribution requirement (yes, it is required), employers have two choices. You can contribute 2 percent of pay for every eligible employee each payroll period, or you can contribute a matching 3 percent of pay for eligible employees who choose to contribute. If they contribute more than 3 percent, you do not have to match any additional amount. If they contribute less than 3 percent, you simply match the amount they contribute. In a worst-case scenario (cost perspective), the company will be required to match 3 percent of employees’ pay. Of course, this is an expense to the company from a tax perspective as well. The 3 percent match is for all employees, including the owners, so that is a little more going into your own account.  

To be eligible for a SIMPLE IRA plan, a company must have 100 or fewer employees earning at least $5,000 per year. You can have as little as one employee for those who are self-employed. You cannot add a vesting schedule to the plan, which means that every time you match a payroll contribution, that money belongs to the employee. However, there is no special reporting required to the government. Contributions are shown on their W-2s. There is no special testing for compliance such as the top heavy plan requirements and highly compensated to non-highly compensated ratios of other plans.  

Additionally, the company must establish the plan before October 1 to be effective in that year. Administratively, the forms to set up a plan and the enrollment of eligible employees are easy when working with a knowledgeable professional. There are a few options to help the owner customize eligibility requirements.    

So, the SIMPLE IRA is simply that, simple! If you are looking to start a retirement plan for your business, it may be the best option to ease your way into a great benefit for employers and employees.       
  
Email me if you would like to receive a pdf with more detailed information on the SIMPLE IRA. Of course, if you would like to chat about your company retirement plan, give me a call.  

Jason Wheeler is currently the CEO and a Wealth Consultant at Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. Pathfinder specializes in comprehensive financial, estate and tax planning services, investment management, and risk management (insurance) for business owners and successful executives. Jason Wheeler offers securities and advisory services through Commonwealth Financial Network®. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. To learn more about Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, visit www.pathfinderwc.com. Jason can be reached at [email protected]  or 910-793-0616.

Other Posts from Jason Wheeler

Pcwpath
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign14 2142522346

Wilmington MSA Buyers Gain Leverage as Home Prices Dip and Inventory Grows

Janet Kane - Cape Fear REALTORS
Untitleddesign14 352591554

Managing Uncertainty With Certainty of Execution

David Rizzo - First Carolina Bank
Headshotrosaliecalarco 1182131047

Beware of Online Holiday Shopping Scams

Trending News

Tech Wilmington: Upcoming Events Calendar

Staff Reports - May 21, 2025

Next Glass Comes Back For Downtown Refill

Emma Dill - May 19, 2025

Army Corps Recommends Minimum Height For Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement

Emma Dill - May 21, 2025

LS3P Announces Employee Recognitions

Staff Reports - May 20, 2025

Edwards Promoted To City's Corporate Affairs Director

Staff Reports - May 20, 2025

In The Current Issue

Catching A Wave Of New Business In Surf City

The largest addition is the 40,000-square-foot High Tides & Good Vibes restaurant and entertainment venue, set to open this fall. It will fe...


School Calendar Remains A Subject Of Concern For Tourist Industry

When tourism officials from communities across North Carolina get together for their annual conference, they can count on one discussion top...


CEA Emerging Company Winner: A Patient Way To Boost Research

Synaptigen launched officially in December, taking its name from synaptogenesis, the process of forming new synapses....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season