FAQs & planning tools
What business owners usually want to know first.
Better questions lead to better retirement decisions. Use the estimate as a conversation starter, then bring your actual facts to a Sterling consultant for a more grounded view.
Who typically considers a Defined Benefit or Cash Balance Plan?
Business owners and high-earning professionals with steady cash flow, a meaningful retirement target, and the capacity to make recurring contributions are often the best candidates to explore these strategies. If the income will not last several years, start with when it is not a fit.
Can I keep my 401(k)?
Often, a Defined Benefit or Cash Balance Plan can be designed alongside an existing 401(k) arrangement. The right combination depends on your business and employee population. See how the pieces work together.
Are contributions required every year?
These are structured retirement arrangements, not casual savings accounts. Contributions and funding expectations should be understood before implementation and reviewed with the appropriate professional team. Minimum funding and the tax deduction are not the same date. The calendar separates them.
What information will you need from me?
We’ll typically discuss age, compensation, business structure, employee census, current retirement plans, cash flow, and the retirement outcome you want to work toward.
Is the calculator my contribution?
No. Numbers are a starting point. The best next step is a conversation that accounts for your age, income, business structure, employee profile, and timeline. An illustration is not an IRS limit and not a deductible contribution. Read why.
Are you the actuary?
No. Sterling Pension Group is a retirement plan consultant and third-party administrator. We are not an actuarial firm. When a filing requires an Enrolled Actuary’s certification, that work is done by an independent actuary we coordinate with. The split is on fees.