Why Doctors Should Have Cash Balance Plans
As a doctor, you dedicate your life to helping others, often working long hours and facing immense challenges. While the personal satisfaction of improving lives is rewarding, it's crucial not to overlook your own financial well-being. One of the best tools available for building a secure financial future is a cash balance plan, a type of retirement plan that combines features of both defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Here’s why doctors should seriously consider implementing a cash balance plan as part of their retirement strategy.
1. Significant Tax Savings
One of the primary reasons doctors should look into cash balance plans is the potential for substantial tax savings. Given that many physicians fall into high-income tax brackets, reducing taxable income becomes essential.
Contributions to cash balance plans are tax-deferred, meaning you can contribute pre-tax dollars to the plan, reducing your taxable income for the year. Depending on your age and income, you may be able to contribute well over the annual limit of traditional 401(k) plans. These contributions can significantly reduce your tax burden while allowing your retirement savings to grow tax-deferred. A doctor in her mid 50's could save ~$150.000 in taxes, per year, for example. as illustrated in the table below.
2. Higher Contribution Limits Than 401(k)s
While a 401(k) is a great option for retirement savings, the contribution limits may not always allow high-income earners, like doctors, to save as much as they’d like. Cash balance plans, however, have much higher contribution limits, especially as you age.
For example, a doctor in their 50s can contribute significantly more to a cash balance plan than to a traditional 401(k), often over $200,000 a year. These higher limits allow you to supercharge your retirement savings, especially if you’re playing catch-up later in your career or want to accelerate your savings before retirement.
Source: Mulholland & Kuperstock Asset Management
3.Convert Your Cash Balance Into an IRA Upon Retirement
Just like a 401(k) from a previous employer rolls into an IRA. your personal cash balance does as well. No taxes or fees upon the conversion. Ultimately, upon retirement and conversion there is no difference at that point between a 401(k) and a cash balance plan.
4. Flexibility for Practice Owners
If you're a doctor who owns your own practice or is part of a small group, cash balance plans offer you the flexibility to design a retirement plan that benefits both you and your employees. You can tailor contribution levels and match structures based on your practice's financial health.
Moreover, many cash balance plans allow employers to make varying contribution amounts for different employees, meaning you can reward long-time or key staff while managing overall costs. You’ll also enjoy the dual benefit of reducing your practice’s taxable income while increasing your personal retirement savings.
5. Ideal for Catch-Up Retirement Planning
Doctors often face a delayed start to their retirement savings due to extended schooling, residency, and the early years of practice. By the time you’re earning a substantial income, you may feel like you're behind in saving for retirement.
A cash balance plan allows you to catch up quickly by making larger contributions than you'd be able to with other retirement vehicles. Because contribution limits increase with age, cash balance plans are particularly beneficial for doctors in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.
6. Asset Protection
Another crucial benefit of a cash balance plan is asset protection. In many states, assets held in qualified retirement plans, including cash balance plans, are protected from creditors. This is particularly important for doctors, who may face higher risks of malpractice lawsuits or other legal challenges.
By maximizing contributions to a cash balance plan, you’re not only saving for retirement but also safeguarding your wealth from potential future liabilities.
7. Attractive for Physician Partnerships
For groups of doctors working in partnerships, a cash balance plan can be a mutually beneficial way to build retirement savings and attract new partners. The ability to make larger contributions, and the shared benefits of tax savings, make cash balance plans a win-win for both senior and junior partners. It fosters a sense of shared responsibility for future financial security, which can improve the long-term sustainability of the practice.
8. Combining with Other Retirement Plans
One of the most appealing aspects of cash balance plans is that they can be paired with other retirement accounts like 401(k) plans. Doctors can contribute to both a 401(k) and a cash balance plan in the same year, maximizing their tax savings and retirement growth potential. The combination of these two vehicles can create a robust retirement strategy that addresses both short-term tax efficiency and long-term income needs.
Conclusion: The Perfect Retirement Tool for Doctors
As a physician, you face unique financial challenges, from high taxes to delayed savings. A cash balance plan offers an effective solution, allowing you to save more, reduce your tax burden, and enjoy a secure retirement. Whether you're looking to catch up on retirement savings or maximize your contributions, a cash balance plan can provide the flexibility and benefits you need.
Consult with a financial advisor or retirement planning expert to see how a cash balance plan can fit into your overall financial strategy. With its high contribution limits, tax advantages, and asset protection features, it’s a smart choice for doctors who want to take control of their financial future.