A Restricted Bonus Plan is a combination of three planning tools: a Section 162 bonus plan, a restricted endorsement and an employment contract. The combination of these elements creates an attractive benefit for key employees while providing the employer with control.

Good planning starts with asking the right questions. This workbook will help you stay organized through the estate planning data gathering process. There is room to record client information such as current estate plans, objectives, existing insurance policies and other notes.

A product-based bonus plan allows an employer to pay for an insurance product on an employee's life. The employee owns the policy, but the employer may restrict access to cash value through a special policy endorsement, commonly referred to as “golden handcuffs.”

If aging business owners want to retain a key non-owner employee, a substantial lump-sum bonus tied to life insurance can be the solution. The business owns a policy on the employee and pays premiums, then enters an endorsement split-dollar agreement with the employee.

When someone plans to leave a charitable legacy, the typical approach is to include a bequest in the will. Instead, try using life insurance. Have the charitable organization purchase life insurance on the life of the donor or name the charity as beneficiary of an existing policy.

A charitable lead trust (CLT) is a “split-interest” trust with both an income and remainder beneficiary. The trust makes distributions to a qualified charity for either a specific term or the life of an individual. Upon death, remaining assets are distributed to the donor’s beneficiaries.

Estate planning is an important part of tax diversification, and life insurance can be an effective resource for achieving it. This example illustrates the benefits of the strategy with projected values and client options for coverage.

Sometimes it can take a little preparation to help an insurance carrier see the worth of a key person. By understanding what carriers are looking for, it’s possible to justify high face amounts on key person policies. This article will guide you through financial underwriting justification.

Good planning starts with asking the right questions. This workbook will help you stay organized through the business planning data gathering process. There is room to record client information such as business valuation and succession plans, executive benefits and retirement plans.

When a pass-through business owner asks about nonqualified retirement plans for owner and non-owner key employees, it’s usually best to treat groups separately. This document explains how the tax consequences of any nonqualified plan are very different for owner vs key employees.

Start the conversation to help protect your business owner clients against the loss of a key employee. The business purchases life insurance or disability insurance on a key person and pays all premiums. Upon death or disability, the benefit is paid directly to the business.

Key person retention solutions are a common advanced planning request. With a competitive employment market, business owners are ready to take the next step to retain key employees. This guide covers how life insurance can be used to develop an employee bonus structure.