Case Study: Target Benefit Plan

April 13, 2006

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Here's an example of how a target benefit plan might work in a two-owner company with three employees. Here's some general information about the Smith-Jones Corporation and its employees and owners:

Smith-Jones Corporation Census
Name of employees	Age	Years of Service	Annual Compensation
Owner Smith	50	25	$60,000
Owner Jones	49	25	$60,000
Joe Employee	30	5	$35,000
Jim Employee	27	4	$30,000
June Employee	26	3	$27,000

To illustrate the owners' advantage in having a target benefit plan, let's see how a straight profit-sharing plan would serve its participants at the Smith-Jones Corporation. Let's assume a straight profit-sharing plan where 15 percent of compensation is contributed for each employee.

Smith-Jones Corporation Profit-Sharing Proposal- 15 percent of Individual Compensation
Name of Employee	Contribution Amount	Percentage of Plan's Total Contribution
Owner Smith	9,000	28.3
Owner Jones	9,000	28.3
Joe Employee	5,250	16.5
Jim Employee	4,500	14.1
June Employee	4,050	12.7

In the straight profit-sharing plan, the amount of the plan's total contribution is allocated by a percentage that is calculated by dividing each employee's individual contribution by the total amount of contributions (for Owner Smith, the percentage is 9,000 divided by 31,800 = 28.3 percent). There is no advantage unless you contribute more for each employee.

Now let's assume a target benefit plan that weighs age and service in determining contributions.

Smith-Jones Corporation Target Benefit Plan
Name of Employee	Contribution Amount	Percentage of Plan's Total Contribution
Owner Smith	13,000	40.8
Owner Jones	13,000	39.3
Joe Employee	2,700	8.5
Jim Employee	2,200	6.9
June Employee	1,400	4.4

As you can see from the example above, a much greater portion of the total contribution (80 percent compared to 56 percent) is shifted to the business owners in a plan that considers owners' higher ages and longer service. Determining the formula is something that your financial advisor can help you with.

As you consider this option, be sure you understand the disadvantages of target plans.