ERISA at 45: Executive Compensation

In our sixth installment of ERISA at 45, Mona Ghude speaks with Sarah Bassler Millar about the major changes to executive compensation over the years – including the addition of 409A to the tax code, how employers have become more aware of the tax aspects of deferred compensation arrangements, why employers are moving to a defined contribution type of deferred compensation arrangement, and the restrictions employers face with instituting top hat plans.

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About Author: Mona Ghude

Mona Ghude helps corporate and private employers craft and administer benefits on behalf of diverse employee groups that make up today’s workforce. She advises on creating fair and financially sound defined contribution, defined benefit and equity-based plans and provides counsel on plan asset rules, deferred compensation and employee classification issues. Mona also provides counsel on the risks and value of benefit plans in corporate transactions and represents high-level executives in negotiating employment, change-of-control and severance agreements. View all posts by Mona Ghude and Sarah Bassler Millar

About Author: Sarah Bassler Millar

Sarah Bassler Millar counsels employer plan sponsors and service providers on the design, implementation, and administration of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans and nonqualified plans. She routinely advises on fiduciary governance matters, including current best practices and the implications of the prohibited transaction rules. When counseling clients, she focuses on identifying solutions that effectively mitigate risks and manage identified compliance issues, while taking into account the client’s employee recruitment and retention goals. Sarah formerly led the firm’s benefits and executive compensation group. View all posts by Mona Ghude and Sarah Bassler Millar