Retirement Plans Overview
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Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for estimating annual pension contributions and plan liabilities in a defined benefit plan?

  • A financial advisor
  • The employer
  • The government agency
  • An actuary (correct)

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the estimate of pension plan costs?

  • Investment earnings
  • Job satisfaction levels (correct)
  • Mortality assumptions
  • Current employee ages

Are benefits or contributions fixed in a defined benefit plan?

  • Benefits (correct)
  • Both are fixed
  • Neither are fixed
  • Contributions

Is there a separate account for each employee in a defined benefit plan?

<p>No, there are no separate accounts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines if a defined benefit plan is insured?

<p>Specific regulations of the plan (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group of employees benefits more from a defined benefit plan?

<p>Older employees (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary risks that annuities can mitigate?

<p>Longevity risk (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible disadvantage of annuities?

<p>High initial costs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a qualified retirement plan?

<p>Employer funding contributions are tax-deductible. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a defined benefit plan, who bears the investment risk?

<p>The employer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of a defined contribution plan?

<p>The contribution amount is predetermined but benefits vary. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Among the following, which plan type is classified as a non-qualified plan?

<p>Cash balance plan (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a main advantage of utilizing a traditional IRA for retirement savings?

<p>Contributions may be tax-deductible based on income. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a defined benefit plan from a defined contribution plan?

<p>Defined benefit plans guarantee payment amounts; defined contribution plans do not. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about non-qualified plans is true?

<p>They can only be offered to highly compensated employees. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary feature of the 401(k) retirement plan?

<p>Employees can choose how much of their salary to contribute. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Qualified Retirement Plan

A retirement plan where contributions can be deducted as business expenses, and income is not taxed to employees until benefits are received.

Non-Qualified Retirement Plan

A retirement plan where contributions aren't deductible as business expenses unless classified as employee compensation.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC)

A retirement plan where the contribution amount is set, but the retirement benefit amount isn't fixed.

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A retirement plan promising a specific retirement benefit amount, with the employer handling investment risk.

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401(k) Plan

A common defined contribution retirement plan offered by employers.

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IRA Plan

An individual retirement plan for personal retirement savings.

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Roth IRA

A type of IRA where contributions are made after-tax but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

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Investment Risk (Retirement)

The chance that the value of retirement savings may fluctuate due to market conditions, typically differing between defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

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Defined Benefit Plan

A retirement plan where the employer promises a specific benefit amount, usually based on factors like years of service and salary.

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Who determines contributions in a defined benefit plan?

An actuary estimates the contributions needed to cover future benefit payouts. They consider factors like employee age, salary, mortality, and investment returns.

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What's fixed in a defined benefit plan?

The benefits are fixed, meaning the amount you'll receive in retirement is predetermined, usually based on a formula.

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Separate Accounts for Defined Benefit Plans?

No, defined benefit plans don't have separate accounts for each employee. The employer manages a single fund to cover all benefits.

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Are Defined Benefit Plans Insured?

Yes, defined benefit plans are typically insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to protect retirees in case the employer can't pay.

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Who benefits more from a defined benefit plan, older or younger employees?

Older employees generally benefit more from defined benefit plans because they are closer to retirement and have accrued more service time.

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Annuities: To Mitigate What?

Annuities help mitigate longevity risk – the risk of outliving your savings in retirement.

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What are Annuities?

Annuities are financial products that provide a guaranteed stream of income for a specified period, often for life.

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Study Notes

Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Plans

  • Qualified plans are deductible business expenses, not taxable income to employees until received as benefits.
  • Non-qualified plans do not allow employer contributions as deductible business expenses unless classified as employee compensation.

Retirement Plan Types

  • Popular retirement plans include defined contribution (DC), defined benefit (DB), 401(k), IRA, and Roth IRA.
  • Each plan type has advantages and disadvantages.

Defined Contribution Plans (DC)

  • A qualified pension plan where the contribution amount is set, but retirement benefits vary.
  • Employers define the contribution amount and the employee bears the investment risk.

Defined Benefit Plans (DB)

  • A qualified pension plan that guarantees a specific retirement benefit amount.
  • Employers take on all investment risk and are responsible for the employee's guaranteed retirement benefit.

Plan Characteristics Comparison

Feature Defined Benefit Plan Defined Contribution Plan
Investment Risk Employer Employee
Actuarial Complexity High Low

Additional Details

  • Defined benefit plans require complex actuarial calculations to estimate liabilities.
  • Defined contribution plan estimates of cost depend on factors like salary levels, normal retirement age, employee ages, and mortality assumptions.
  • Employee investment risk and retirement benefit variability are crucial considerations.

Annuities

  • Annuities are financial products that can mitigate longevity risk.
  • Understanding the types, options, advantages, and disadvantages of annuities is essential.

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Related Documents

C21 Retirement Plans PDF

Description

This quiz covers the key differences between qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans. Test your understanding of the characteristics, advantages, and risks associated with various retirement plan types.

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