We help clients address important questions, such as...

Business Owners	Shareholders and Corporate Executives
How do I increase the value? How much liquidity do I need to retire? How does my business compare to peers? Do I want to stay involved in the business? Who are potential buyers? How do I insure my business interest? What do I do once I exit?	How do I manage my company stock position? Am I making the most of all compensation plans? How can I access liquidity with private or nonsalable assets? How should I structure my deferred compensation?

Stifel does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult with your legal and tax advisors regarding your particular situation.

Custom Wealth Advisory Group Case Studies

A Business Owner’s Search for a Retirement Plan

A long-time friend owns and operates a specialty insurance brokerage that has grown considerably over the years. During this time, his focus and resources were solely dedicated to his business, leaving little time and cash to fund anything else, including his own retirement. Now that the business has become a success, he started thinking about an eventual exit and reached out to us to discuss his options.

After a few in-depth discussions about our friend’s timeline, cash flow situation, and desired retirement lifestyle, we presented a short list of potential retirement planning strategies and business exit options. Ultimately, we determined a defined benefit cash balance plan was the right choice, allowing for outsized, tax-deferred contributions compared to other available retirement strategies. This plan also allowed him to reward his small team of employees, who were instrumental to his business’s success, via employer contributions.

We helped define our friend’s retirement requirements and realize all the resources he had available. Instead of having to choose from several different options with limited guidance, we proposed a well-thought-out strategy, which ultimately led to a long-term client/advisor relationship. It’s easier to make a good decision when you’ve built a sound model. After years of hard work and sacrifice, the right exit plan can help make that a reality.

A Multigenerational Business

We have proudly worked with a multigenerational family business for three generations. Throughout this time, the business has been professionally run by non-family operators, creating distance between the younger generations and their inherited success. As the family’s new generation began families of their own, their desire to understand the business became a priority.

We took the conductor’s chair to organize and work with the business’s professional management team to build strategies that help make each family member’s interest in the business clear and understandable. This dialogue and coordination has helped the family appreciate the role the business plays in their personal financial picture and allowed us to navigate other financial decisions in the right context; this family asset informs how they can strategize and invest with outside resources.

Having a strong relationship with each generation and the management team allows us to participate in tough discussions and act as the family’s support team, distilling information into actionable insights for each family member’s personal goals.

Introduction To Cash Balance Plans

Interested in a tax-advantaged strategy for your business? Combining a cash balance plan with a safe harbor 401(k) plan allows business owners to make large deductible contributions for themselves (up to $150,000 or more annually) while controlling employee benefit costs.

Turning Tax-Savings Into Retirement Wealth

Fully tax-deductible retirement contributions and fees
Contribution can be as high as 90% of compensation
Opportunity for tax-deferred growth

Is a cash balance plan right for you?

Are you looking to make larger tax-deductible contributions than allowed in a SEP IRA or 401(k)?
Does your business have 1-10 employees?
Are you willing to make contributions to employees, while controlling the cost?
Do you expect consistent cash flow for at least the next five years?

How does it work?

SEP IRA Versus Solo 401(k)
Which is best for the owner-only business? Click HERE to learn more.

The do-it-yourself drive that helped you start your business may not be enough when it comes to business planning. We will work closely with your tax advisor to facilitate a well-rounded perspective of your wealth management picture. It’s important to seek out a qualified and experienced professional who places your needs first and who shares your values when it comes pursuing your personal, family, and business goals.