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 Accounting

Includes a rate of return calculation

$300 per plan plus $150 per additional brokerage account reconciled.

Form 5500, 5500-EZ, or 5500-SF and all Schedules

It will be prepared, signed as 3(16) Plan Administrator, and filed online

$1,000 for the 5500-EZ or SF, $2,000 for the full 5500 + $400 for per required schedule (i.e. SB, R, I, H, C, 8955-SSA, etc.)

Census Reconciliation

To ensure all participants are captured and tracked correctly.

$300 + $10 per participant + $5 per ineligible employee + $50 per data inconsistency. $50 per employee if data is not provided in a spreadsheet

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.

$1,125 + $60 per participant up to 100 + $30 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

$1,125 + $60 per participant up to 100 + $30 per participant over 100.

Owner-Only DC Plan Annual Work

Includes 5500 EZ when necessary and instructions of what needs to be done and a 1 hour annual meeting to discuss the results

$1,050 + $150 per participant.

Annual Fees Common To Plans With Employees Other Than Owners

Nondiscrimination Testing

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 100 + $25 per participant over 100.

Participant Statements

To be prepared on our letterhead or yours

$300 plus $20 per participant up to 100 plus $10 per participant over 100.

Other Annual Fees That Depend On The Type Of Plan

ADP or ACP Testing for 401(k) Plans

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 + $30 per participant up to 100 + $15 per participant over 100.

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

$500

Preparation of Notices or Election Forms, 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

$300

ASC 960 Report

Instead of a full FAS Actuarial Valuation, if your auditor only needs the ASC 960 numbers

$1,000

Deadline Fees

A fee of $500 will apply if all information including confirmation of deposit isn’t received by the last day of the 6th month after the end of the plan year or $1,000 if all information including confirmation of deposit isn’t received by the last day of the 8th month after the end of the plan year

Instead of charging rush fees or charging for the Form 5558 extension, a fee of $500 or $1,000 will apply depending on the confirmation of deposit

Non-Recurring Fees For All Plans

Plan Documents

Includes SPD, trust, and all actions for initial plan documents and restatements that are not on a document previously prepared by Cash Balance Actuaries

$3,500 for DC, CB, and DB plan sponsors with rank-and-file employees, $2,500 for CB and DB plan sponsors without rank-and-file employees, and $1,500 for owner-only DC plan documents.

Restated Plan Documents and Interim Amendments

Once your plan uses a document prepared by Cash Balance Actuaries, restatements are half of the original fee

$1,750 for DC, CB, and DB plan sponsors with rank-and-file employees, $1,250 for plan sponsors without rank-and-file employees, and $750 for owner-only DC plan documents.

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

Plan Amendments

Includes SMM, 204(h) notices and all actions

$500 for discretionary amendments requested by the client or required to pass a failed test.

1099R

Completed form mailed directly to the participant

$130 per form

Form 5330 Filing

Includes calculation of excise taxes

$500 + $250 for each transaction reported.

Form 6088

Required for 5310 filings

$750 + $25 per participant up to the number required which is usually not more than 25 unless the plan is underfunded.

Distribution and Loan Packages

Includes all disclosures and paperwork but does not include government reporting such as 945s, 1099Rs, 1096s, etc.

$500 for a loan, $200 for a DC distribution, $250 for a CB or DB force out distribution, $300 for a CB or DB distribution to a non-highly compensated employee, and $500 for a CB or DB distribution to a HCE plus $150 for distribution instructions.

Attend Meetings or Additional Consulting

As long as we are qualified to consult on your special project, we are happy to do so

Hourly charges apply and are as follows; Actuary - $400/hour, Actuarial Associate - $300/hour, Support Staff - $200/hour

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

Additional AFTAP or Range Certification

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

IRS Form 5310 or PBGC Form 10 Filing

The size and complexity of these forms varies substantially depending on the reportable event

Hourly charges apply

PBGC Forms REP-S, EA-S, 500, and 501

All of these forms are for the PBGC plan termination process and will be filed when due

$2,500 + $40 per participant up to 100 plus $20 per participant over 100.