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Attain. Retain. Succeed.

Executive Bonus Arrangements

Inspire and empower your business clients to retain their top talent

Owner dependency is the biggest risk that exists in small businesses today.

Building strong management teams is one of the best ways to ensure the business not just survives, but also thrives with and without the owner around. These key individuals not only assist in making the business run successfully day in and day out, but also make the business more valuable and transferrable.

Many business owners don’t think about the impact on the business of losing one of their key employees or senior managers. Having the foresight to protect the business against the loss of an essential employee is perhaps the company's most valuable asset and can mean the difference between business as usual or closing up shop.

Your business clients may be looking for selective benefits that can help them attract, retain, and reward the top talent to help ensure the health and longevity of their businesses. If so, an executive bonus arrangement may be the right fit.

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What is an executive bonus arrangement?

  • Life insurance policy on the life of the executive
    • Used to provide additional, targeted benefits to employee
  • Policy is owned by the employee
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Who is an executive bonus arrangement for?

Executive bonus plans are often popular with top-level employees.

  • Top employees appreciate knowing that their families are protected if anything unexpected happens.
  • They have more peace of mind and financial security.
  • They appreciate the long-term financial incentives and the access to a financial vehicle that isn’t subject to qualified plan limits.

How does an executive bonus agreement work?

This Infographic describes how Executive Bonus agreements work between the Business, their Key employee, MassMutual and the IRS. Description: Executive Bonus Agreement straight line to Business dotted arrow labeled "Pay Premium (from Bonus)" to MassMutual. Solid arrow from MassMutual to Key Employee with dotted arrow back to Mass Mutual labeled "Insurance policy". Solid arrow from Business to Key employee labeled "Premium bonus is taxable income to employee". Solid arrow from Key Employee to IRS labeled "income tax on bonus". Dotted arrow from IRS to Business labeled "Tax reduction for employer"
Video play button over a blue circle saying Executive Bonus Arrangement - Single Bonus

EXECUTIVE BONUS ARRANGEMENTS

Single Bonus Option

Video play button over a blue circle saying Executive Bonus Arrangement - Double Bonus

EXECUTIVE BONUS ARRANGEMENTS

Double Bonus Option

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Why is it important to retain key employees?

  • Highly specialized employees may leave a large gap if they leave
  • May be impossible to replace the employee quickly
  • Time invested to interview and hire new candidates
  • Cost of attracting new employees likely to be high
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What are the benefits?

  • Inspire and empower your business clients to retain their top talent.
  • Encourages employees to stay, decreasing turnover
    • Designed to meet needs of a specific employee
  • Target specific individuals
  • Straightforward and simple to implement
    • No IRS approval needed
  • Flexible design
    • The design can be customized for each executive allowing for flexibility for the employer.

  Additional Information of interest

This digital directory provides access to the materials and resources that can help you integrate the executive bonus concept and business planning strategies into your practice.

Participating Whole Life policies are issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001.
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