Even in a difficult economic environment, employers need to attract and retain top talent. One way to do this is by offering high-level executives a non-qualified deferred bonus plan, also known as a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP).

Unlike qualified retirement plans, non-qualified SERPs allow your company to provide benefits to your key employees on a selective basis. You decide who participates, what benefits will be provided, and how and when benefits will become vested... [776 word article, March 2010]