Defined Benefits Book

This book is a comprehensive, practical guide written for high-earning professionals—doctors, lawyers, dentists, and small business owners—who want to unlock the full power of tax-advantaged retirement planning. Drawing from real-world case studies and years of experience structuring and managing defined benefit plans, it demystifies what is often seen as a complex financial vehicle. From contribution limits and PBGC protection to investment strategy and plan termination, each chapter breaks down the process in plain language, showing how defined benefit plans can help practice owners save more, retire with confidence, and reduce taxes along the way.
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But this book isn’t just about financial mechanics—it’s about helping professionals take control of their future. Whether you're looking to supercharge retirement savings, streamline compliance, retain top talent, or build a graceful exit strategy from your business, this guide gives you the blueprint and the support system to do it. Written from the perspective of a firm that designs and manages every aspect of these plans, it offers a turnkey path to retirement security—with none of the usual guesswork.

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Chapter 1: The Retirement Planning Problem No One Told You About

• Why traditional defined contribution plans fall short for high-income earners
• The limitations of IRAs, SEPs, and 401(k)s for tax-deferred compounding
• How doctors, dentists, and lawyers are leaving money on the table
• Our story: why we built a one-stop firm to design, manage, and optimize DB plans
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Chapter 2: What Is a Defined Benefit Plan, Really?

• Breaking down the core concept: guaranteed income for life, funded by employer contributions
• How benefits are calculated (salary, age, service years)
• The IRS guidelines and actuarial assumptions
• The key advantage: much higher tax-deferred contribution limits
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Chapter 3: How the Plan Is Designed: Behind the Scenes

• The actuarial setup and how contributions are calculated
• Customization for partners vs. associates or employees
• Case study: a 3-doctor practice with differing ages and incomes
• Compliance with IRS and Department of Labor rules
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Chapter 4: Why You Don’t Want to Do This Alone

• Common pitfalls when setting up DB plans without full-service guidance
• How our firm handles plan design, compliance, investment strategy, and annual reviews
• The simplicity for staff: they just contribute — we do the rest
• Peace of mind for the owner and the team
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Chapter 5: PBGC Insurance and Risk Protection

• What the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) does
• Why our plans are PBGC-covered and what that means
• How coverage protects participants in worst-case scenarios
• The importance of choosing the right plan structure
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Chapter 6: The Investment Strategy Inside the Plan

• Our philosophy: stability, longevity, and liability matching
• Portfolio management with a pension mindset: not chasing returns
• How we blend bonds, annuities, and risk-managed equity strategies
• Annual updates, contribution recalculations, and plan amendments
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Chapter 7: Defined Benefit vs. Defined Contribution: The Real Comparison

• Side-by-side numbers: a 50-year-old dentist with $400k income
• Contribution limits: $70k vs. $200k+ per year
• The tax-deferral advantage over time
• How adding a DB plan on top of a 401(k) plan amplifies benefits
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Chapter 8: The Compliance and Regulatory Landscape

• IRS rules, ERISA regulations, and the role of actuaries
• Form 5500, Schedule SB, and annual testing
• How our turnkey service ensures all boxes are checked
• What you need to know (and what we handle for you)
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Chapter 9: Exit Strategies and Plan Termination

• What happens when a partner retires or sells their practice
• How distributions work (lump sum vs. annuity)
• Rollover options and minimizing taxes at retirement
• Plan termination: how to unwind it the right way
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Chapter 10: Why This Is the Smartest Move for You

• Recap: tax savings, guaranteed retirement income, staff loyalty
• How our clients maximize savings with minimal hassle
• Testimonials from practices like yours
• How to get started with our firm — the no-obligation design process

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