03/20/2026
𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧: 𝐀 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧?
An Executive Bonus Plan (commonly known as a Section 162 Bonus Plan) is a simple yet powerful strategy where a business provides additional compensation (a “bonus”) to key employees or executives, typically used to fund a life insurance policy or long-term financial asset.
• The business pays the bonus
• The employee owns the policy/asset
• The bonus is tax-deductible to the business as compensation
This structure makes it one of the most flexible and easy-to-implement executive benefit plans available today.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬
1. Tax Efficiency
• Bonuses are generally tax-deductible as a business expense
• No complex compliance requirements like qualified plans
2. Employee Retention & Loyalty
• Helps retain top talent and key decision-makers
• Creates a golden handcuff effect when structured properly
3. Flexibility
• No IRS contribution limits (unlike qualified plans)
• Can selectively reward key employees only
4. Business Continuity Support
• Policies can be structured to support:
o Buy-sell agreements
o Key person protection
o Succession planning
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬
1. Wealth Accumulation
• Builds cash value over time (if life insurance is used)
• Can supplement retirement income
2. Financial Protection
• Provides life insurance coverage for the family
• Adds an extra layer of long-term security
3. Ownership & Control
• The employee owns the policy
• They can choose beneficiaries and access benefits
4. Tax-Advantaged Growth
• Potential for tax-deferred growth
• Possible tax-efficient distributions (depending on structure)
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲
In today’s competitive environment, companies are looking for:
• Cost-effective benefit solutions
• Ways to differentiate themselves in hiring
• Tools to reward and retain leadership talent
An Executive Bonus Plan checks all these boxes—without the complexity of traditional retirement plans.
𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?
If you are:
• A business owner looking to retain key employees
• Interested in tax-efficient compensation strategies
• Planning for long-term growth and succession
Then an Executive Bonus Plan may be a perfect fit.
📞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞
For a customized strategy tailored to your business:
𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐌𝐁𝐀
(630) 890-5045