Retirement Planning

Our retirement planning practice focuses both on the design and adoption of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, as well as the planning necessary to determine the appropriate method and timing of the distribution of benefits from such plans and IRAs and the designation of beneficiaries. Our firm has expertise in all forms of qualified retirement plans, such as profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, age-weighted and cross-testing plans, and defined benefit plans.

We recognize that retirement accounts held in company-sponsored plans and IRAs have often become one of the largest, if not the largest, investment accounts held by individuals. There are many income and estate tax considerations which must be analyzed in determining the proper time to commence distributions and the proper beneficiary or beneficiaries to designate to receive any benefits remaining after the participant’s death. The designation of multiple beneficiaries and possibly trusts may be desirable in many circumstances.

We also provide advice and expertise with regard forming non-qualified retirement plans. Although these plans do not always provide the same tax benefits available under qualified retirement plans, they often allow benefits to be made available to owners and key employees on a more selective basis. Examples of non-qualified plans include deferred compensation plans, rabbi trusts, and secular trusts. Finally, our attorneys are well versed in designing and implementing incentive stock option plans and non-qualified stock option plans.

Our analysis coordinates implementation of your estate plan in a manner to maximize the benefits payable to you and your family in the most efficient income and estate tax manner. In that regard, we are glad to work with your other advisors, such as you accountant and financial advisor, in carrying out a plan which best suits your situation and your needs.