Recently we were contacted by a three-doctor oral surgery group, interested in help under our Tax and Business Planning coaching program. Their group sponsored an “off the shelf” safe harbor 401(k) plan which allowed the doctors and staff to make tax deductible salary deferrals, of up to $23,500 annually for those under 50, $31,000 for those 50-59 and 64 and older, and $34,750 for those 60-63. In addition, the practice contributed 6% of pay (3% safe harbor and 3% profit sharing) on behalf of the doctors and staff employees. The practice employed 12 staff members whose annual compensation totalled $600,000 ($50,000 on average, and who had an average age (total of all ages divided by 12) of 42 years. Unfortunately, their retirement plan results were not good, as only 63% of the benefits accrued to the doctors, well below our recommended breakeven level of 70%.