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ED FERGUSON & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Pension Plan Design, Administration & Investments


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    Ed Ferguson and Asociates
    Design
    Plan Design: For every company there are different types of plans to accomplish different objectives. The following comparison illustrates how different types of plans produce different results.
    
    
    
    	
    Qualified Plan Benefit Comparison
    Title Age Salary PS/MPP
    Non-Int.
    PS/MPP
    Int.
    **401(K)
    Int.
    Age-Weighted
    or
    Target
    DB
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    President
    Salesman
    Office Mgr.
    Secretary
    Clerk 1
    Clerk 2
    Secretary
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    55
    35
    40
    32
    28
    25
    21
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    120,000
    35,000
    25,000
    15,000
    14,000
    14,000
    12,000
    *51.1%
    30,000
    8,740
    6,250
    3,750
    3,500
    3,500
    3,000
    *54.6%
    30,000
    7,593
    5,424
    3,254
    3,037
    3,037
    2,603
    *59.6%
    30,000
    6,193
    4,424
    2,654
    2,477
    2,477
    2,123
    *86.5%
    30,000
    1,462
    1,497
    507
    420
    420
    360
    *87.4%
    65,213
    3,179
    3,255
    1,101
    784
    646
    426
    235,000 58,750 54,948 50,348 34,666 74,604

    * Percentage of contribution key and/or highly compensated employee is receiving.

    ** Assumes a 2% employee average contribution. Contribution values include the President's personal deferral of 4%, but not the employee's deferrals.

    	

    Fees
    Basic Fee Structure

    Plan Installation spacer
    Individually Designed Plans (Volume Submitter)
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
         Sales Presentation, Plan Design, Document
         Preparation, IRS Filing, Summary Plan
         Description, Beneficiary Designation, Salary
         Reduction Agreement, Employee Presentation
    $1,500
    Prototypes and Prototype Support
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
         Adoption Agreement, Related Documents, SPD
         IRS Filing (standardized and non-standardized)
         Plan Administration (PS, MPP, 401K, Target,
         Age Weighted PS
    $500-1,000


    Annual Services $1,200*
    Employer Reports Including:
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
         Annual Allocation Summary
         IRS Form 5500 Series (including all schedules)
         Summary Annual Report
         Non - Discrimination Testing (410(b) and 401(a)(26))
         ADP and ACP Testing
         IRC 404 and IRC 415 limitations
    Employee Reports Including:
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
         Annual Account Statement
         Salary Deferral Changes
         Directed Investment Changes/Transfers
    *Plus $40 for each of the first 25 participants plus $25 for each additional participant. Add $150 to the Base Fee for Age Weighted, New Comparability and Target plans.


    Semi-Annual, Quarterly and Monthly Reporting
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    Fees are normally not greater than 125%, 150% or 300%
    of the total Annual Administration fee, respectively
         Participant Loans
         Hardship Withdrawals
         Benefit Distributions
    $ 75
    $ 50
    $ 50
    Salary Deferral Remittance Frequency
         Monthly/Semi-Monthly
         Weekly
         Group Sub-Totals
         Match Calculations

    NC
    $100/year
    $100/year
    $100/year


    Plan Administration for Defined Benefit Plans
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    Annual Services Including:
    $2,000*
         Annual Valuation and Certification
         IRS Form 5500 Series (including all schedules)
         Summary Annual Report
         Non - Discrimination Testing (410(b) and 401(a)(26))
         IRC 404 and IRC 415 limitations
         Annual Employee Benefit Statements

    *Plus $25 for the first 20 participants plus $15 for each additional participant.

         PBGC-1 and Premium Calculation
         1.25 / 1.0 Multiple Plan Testing
         Benefit Statement for Distributions
    Hourly Rate
    Hourly Rate
    Hourly Rate


    Cafeteria Plans
    Ed Ferguson and Associates
    Plan Document (documentation and installation charge)

         If we provide employee presentations to groups of over 50
         employees, an additional charge of $5.00 per participant
         will be added.

    $1250

    Annual Fees
         $400.00 (under 100 participants)
         $750.00 (over 100 participants)

    If insurance premium payments only are being provided by the
    plan the base annual fee is the only charge that applies.
    If other options are chosen the following charges also apply:

         $4.00 per month per participant for dependent child care
         $5.00 per month per participant for medical reimbursement
         $6.00 per month per participant if both options are chosen

    	

    Services

    Plan Investment Strategy and Application: While some plan administrators prefer to contract a professional trustee or make investment decisions through the direction of the company’s management team, many of our clients require advice and support in determining investment strategy and selection of investment vehicles. Ed Ferguson & Associates, Inc. provides full support in the development of investment strategy and the placement of invested assets.

    Professional Services: The company provides all services related to qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, Section 125 Cafeteria plans, as well as consultation and support for group life and disability benefits. Plan design, plan document preparation and filing, annual actuarial valuations, defined contribution allocations, employee benefit statements, retirement benefit counseling, annual filings for related government forms and Summary Annual Reports for employee benefit plans represent the foundation of our company service. The company designs and administers Profit Sharing, Money Purchase Pension, Target Benefit, Defined Benefit, 401(k) and ESOP plans. Proposals to aid in the selection of the most effective retirement plan for each sponsoring employer, whether that employer is large or small and/or whether the plan benefits are to be oriented towards management or all employees.

    Plan Design, Documentation, Installation, Summary Plan Description and Filing of all types of retirement plans, including:

    Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP)

    SIMPLE IRA & SIMPLE 401(k) Profit Sharing Plans

    401(k) Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plans

    Profit Sharing Plans

    Age-Weighted Profit Sharing Plans

    New Comparability Defined Contribution Plans

    Money Purchase Pension Plans

    Target Benefit Pension Plans

    Defined Benefit Pension Plans

    Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)

    Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans

    Annual Administration of all retirement plans, including 5500; 5500-C/R; 5500-EZ; Schedules A, B, P; Actuarial Valuations; PBGC, Summary Annual Reports; Employee Benefit Communications; Employee Benefit Determinations; Retirement Consultation; Plan Amendments and Plan Termination Services.

    Non-Discrimination testing for Top-Heavy; Actual Deferral Percentage and Actual Contribution Percentages and 1.25/1.0 testing for benefit limitations.

    Plan Asset Valuation; Trust Accounting, Investment Analysis and Investment Selection.

    Section 125 Cafeteria Plan Design, Documentation; Installation and Summary Plan Description.

    Annual Administration of all benefit phases of a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan including Group Life Insurance; Medical Insurance Premiums, Medical Expense Reimbursement and Dependent Care Assistance. Annual returns 5500; 5500-C® and non-discrimination testing of benefits and/or contributions.

    	

    Strengths

    Strengths of Ed Ferguson & Associates, Inc.: The personality, focus and style of a company determine its suitability for providing services to the various businesses in the community. Ed Ferguson & Associates, Inc. is:

    A company that specializes in employee retirement plan design and administration.

    A company that provides services for all types of retirement plans benefiting management and entry-level personnel.

    A company that designs each retirement plan for the specific needs of the sponsoring employer without the limitations imposed by prototype documents or inflexible administrative software.

    A company that provides all related retirement plan services which include plan documentation, annual corporate reports, employee benefit communications, government reporting and employee benefit counseling.

    A company that is dedicated to providing effective plan design and administration in order to minimize the company’s internal and external expenses, as well as controlling investment expenses.

    A company that is independent of any company or industry, so its advice regarding plan design and investment strategy will be without bias.

    	

    The Company

    Corporate History: Founded March 3, 1978, the company has provided pension consulting and administration services to small and medium size companies throughout the Midwest and southern United States. Clients are currently located in Indiana, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas. The company’s strength consists of providing personal attention, timely service and the highest level of professional and technical advice concerning the design and administration of qualified retirement plans. While our typical plan has 35-100 participants, we currently provide services to one participant plans as well as 1000+ participant plans. In twenty-two years of serving the business community, the company takes great pride in noting that no client has ever lost a deductible pension expense, suffered a late filing penalty or lost its qualified status. Consistent and professional effort has provided the highest level of technical support. This approach to service has led to an excellent level of client retention.

    Management Profile: Ed Ferguson has practiced in the area of pension design and administration since March 1, 1973. His thirty-four years of experience in serving the closely-held business community places him at the top of the pension advisor community in Indiana. Ed is actively involved in the day-to-day management and administration of the company’s business. He takes great pride in practicing his skills in maximizing benefits and contributions for management while effectively structuring employee benefits.

    Support Staff: The supporting staff at the company consists of personnel skilled in pension law, actuarial science, pension administration, and insurance benefits. The company’s associate attorney has 25 years of pension experience, while the company’s enrolled actuary has practiced actuarial science for 33 years. Currently all employees of the company have worked in pension administration for at least fifteen years.

    Administrative Tools: The company has invested in and currently possesses the latest in computer software and electronic equipment to efficiently assist in the processing of annual reports, annual returns and plan document updates. These tools are necessary and responsible for cost efficient administration. These savings are reflected in our fee structure and are responsible for our ability to fully extend our services to each and every client.


Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC to residents of IN, FL and TX
Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor.
Cambridge and Ed Ferguson & Associates, Inc. are not affiliated.
9550 Whitley, Suite B    Indianapolis, IN 46240     
317-843-0777 Fax 317-843-0893  ed@edfergusonassociates.com
© 2012 Ed Ferguson and Associates, Inc.