A profit-sharing retirement plan allows employers to decide on annual contributions to their employees' tax-deferred accounts. These contributions are distributed based on a predetermined formula, often favoring those with higher pay. However, employers must be cautious as such plans are subject to top-heavy testing rules to prevent excessive participation from the highest-paid individuals. In the past, profit-sharing plans were frequently paired with money purchase plans to maximize contribution limits and flexibility. But with the rise in contribution limits for simpler plans, the appeal of this combination has diminished in recent years.
