Fees and Services

At Cash Balance Actuaries we believe in fair, honest and up-front fees. Our goal is to provide you with whatever you need for your plan and no surprises when you get the bill. We don't start with high fees and then let you negotiate them down from there. Our prices are based entirely on how much time and effort go into each project. All of our fees are posted right here on our web page for anyone to see. If someone will do it for less, you should be wary of the quality of the product or the fees hidden underneath what you think you're paying. And if someone is charging you more, please consider speaking with one of our actuaries to find out how we can serve you better. Also, we are very flexible with who pays the fees. Depending on the type of fee and the language in your plan document, fees may be paid by the participant, the plan, a third party, or of course the plan sponsor. Finally, after working together for a year we can offer you a flat fee to cover all possible expenses for the year. It's an innovative pricing model that plan sponsors really like because they can budget the entire year in advance regardless of what happens to the plan and its participants. The fee is subject to renegotiation every year and is based mainly on the work required for the prior year.  This laundry list of fees can be a little confusing so feel free to contact us for a quote where we can put everything together for you so it is easier to understand. 

Annual Fees Common To All Plans

Trust Reconciliation Includes a rate of return calculation $250 per plan plus $25 per additional brokerage account reconciled.   Census Reconciliation To ensure all participants are captured and tracked correctly. $10 per participant + $5 per ineligible employee + $25 per data inconsistency.

Form 5500, 5500-EZ, or 5500-SF and all Schedules It will be prepared ready to sign and file online $500 for the 5500 portion and $300 for each schedule (i.e. 5558, Schedule SB, Schedule R, etc.).

Annual Fees Common To Defined Benefit and Cash Balance Plans

Actuarial Valuation Includes instructions of what exactly needs to be done and 1 hour annual meeting to discuss the results. $750 + $75 per participant up to 10 + $50 per participant over 10 up to 100 + $25 per participant over 100.

Annual Fees Common To Defined Contribution Plans

DC Plan Valuation Includes instructions of what needs to be done and a 1 hour annual meeting to discuss the results $250 plus $60 per participant up to 10 plus $30 per participant over 10 up to 100 plus $20 per participant over 100.

Annual Fees Common To Plans With Employees Other Than Owners

401(a)(4), 410(b), and 401(a)(26) testing Includes a recommendation of profit sharing allocations and a free projection of next year's contribution assuming the status quo for employment status and compensation $600 plus $50 per participant up to 10 plus $25 per participant over 10 up to 100 plus $10 per participant over 100.

Participant Statements To be prepared on our letterhead or yours $250 plus $10 per participant up to 100 plus $5 per participant over 100.

Other Annual Fees That Depend On The Type Of Plan

ADP or ACP testing for 401(k) Plans Includes options for passing a failed test $250 + $10 per participant up to 100 + $5 per participant over 100.   Preparation of Notices, i.e. Annual Safe Harbor, QDIA, Automatic Enrollment, Quarterly Notices, etc. Includes all 4 quarters if required quarterly or annual if only required once a year $250

Annual PBGC Filing on MyPAA for some Defined Benefit or Cash Balance Plans Filing will be ready to file online and includes Annual Funding Notice $300   Prepare FAS Reports The size and complexity of these reports varies substantially depending on who the end user is - Therefore a separate fee quote will be made depending on the timeframe and project requested.

Non-Recurring Fees For All Plans

Plan Documents Includes SPD, trust, interim amendments, submission when applicable, and all actions for initial plan documents and restatements that are not on a document previously prepared by Cash Balance Actuaries $3,000 for individually designed plans, $2,000 for volume submitter plans, and $1,000 for a solo 401k volume submitter plan document.   Projected or Updated Contribution Calculation If you'd like to see other projected scenarios based on updated information 50% of the fee for the actual calculation   Form 945 Completed form ready for the client to file $100     1099R Completed form ready for the client to file and send to the participant $50 per form     Form 5330 Filing Includes calculation of excise taxes $400 + $100 for each transaction reported.     Form 6088 Required for 5310 filings $300 + $20 per participant up to the number required which is usually not more than 25 unless the plan is underfunded.

Restated Plan Documents and Interim Amendments Once your plan uses a document prepared by Cash Balance Actuaries, restatements are half of the original fee and include all interim amendment work $1,500 for individually design plans, $1,000 for volume submitter plans, and $500 for a solo 401k volume submitter plan document.   Plan Amendments Includes SMM, 204(h) notices and all actions - $400 for discretionary amendments requested by the client or required to pass a failed test.   Distribution and Loan Packages Includes all disclosures and paperwork but does not include government reporting such as 945s, 1099Rs, 1096s, etc. $200 for a loan, $500 for a hardship distribution, $100 for a DC distribution, $250 for a CBP force out distribution, $300 for a CBP distribution to a non highly compensated employee, and $500 for a traditional DB or highly compensated employee CBP distribution.   Attend Meetings or Additional Consulting As long as we are qualified to consult on your special project, we are happy to do so - A separate fee quote will be made depending on the timeframe and project requested.

Non-Recurring Fees For Defined Benefit and Cash Balance Plans Only

Additional AFTAP or Range Certification In addition to the AFTAP certification provided with our actuarial valuation we can provide an earlier certification if requested prior to having all of the information to do a final certification $500 + $20 per participant.   PBGC Forms 500, EA-S, REP-S, and 501  All of these forms are for the PBGC plan termination process and will be filed when due $1,500 + $10 per participant.

PBGC Form 10 Filing The size and complexity of this form varies substantially depending on the reportable event - Therefore a separate fee quote will be made depending on the filing required.

 

Note: * Please note that all fees are subject to a rush charge if anything is requested within two weeks of a deadline. The rush charge is 25% of the regular fee. Please be careful when requesting work that requires a short turnaround time especially during busy times of the year. You will be notified of the charge prior to any work being started and it will only apply to that specific project, not all annual fees. Mouseover the project to see our standard turnaround times.