Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) Plans

Help Clients Recruit, Retain, and Reward Top Talent

Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans are a great tool for your clients who need to recruit and retain in-demand talent, allowing them to offer supplemental retirement plans to senior management and other key employees. 

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NQDC Expertise

Grow your business together with an NQDC leader

Help your clients get more from their NQDC program by working with a partner who has highly specialized expertise.

Source: Ascensus data as of March 31, 2025 

NQDC: Breaking Down the Essentials webinar replay

Explore key strategies for NQDC success

Discover the building blocks of successful NQDC plans. Our experts share practical guidance and strategies to help you navigate this important benefit offering to attract and retain key talent.

2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report

Experience NQDC total plan management

Newport, an Ascensus company, and PLANSPONSOR magazine have partnered to bring you the 2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report, the retirement industry’s broadest and most comprehensive employer view of NQDC plans.

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Total plan management and consulting for your clients

Whether your client wants to improve an existing NQDC plan or create a new one, we have the expertise and experience to help them achieve their objectives, with total plan management that consists of four main components. 

Plan consulting and design

Dedicated consulting services support you and your clients through every step of the implementation and conversion process to improve existing plan design or design a new one.

Plan financing and hedging strategies

We work with you to carefully plan your clients’ financing and hedging strategy to ensure assets are properly invested, with a focus on reducing earnings volatility. 

Plan administration

Our suite of plan administration services includes everything from strategic meeting coordination to detailed administration guidance, all designed to align with your clients’ specific needs. 

Communication and education

Give your clients the tools to educate their employees about the key benefits of nonqualified plans through enrollment kits, a secure website, and an on-call service center.  

Enhancing the Digital Experience for NQDC plans

The new online experience, including our next generation Participant Dashboard, broadens the scope of digital services offered to your nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan clients. It merges deep NQDC expertise with advanced digital design to anticipate needs and deliver simpler, faster, and more personalized support.

Redesigned participant experience

Participants benefit from a redesigned, intuitive Participant Dashboard, advanced distribution modeling, and access to Financial Finesse, which provides industry-leading financial wellness tools that align with broader life goals. 

Streamlined plan administration

Plan sponsors gain enhanced reporting tools and new state source tax tracking, simplifying complex cross-state tax compliance and improving access to key information.

Smarter, faster tools

Revamped online tools use deeper data insights and automation to deliver more accurate modeling and forecasting, saving time, reducing hassle, and improving planning and outcomes. 

Personalized digital communication

Enhanced communication tools offer personalized videos, tailored enrollment campaigns, and a robust, intuitive online experience that’s designed to empower participants to take action toward their goals.

Related Resources

Discover detailed insights on NQDC plans that can aid in advising clients and supporting their employees effectively.   

Navigating NQDC Plan Enrollment: Key Considerations for Advisors

Plan design & capabilities · Article

NQDC Plan Key Considerations

Guiding clients through Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan enrollment requires a careful review of several important factors. As an advisor, you can add significant value by helping plan sponsors and participants understand the complexities of these plans, including recent regulatory changes.

This guide provides key considerations to help you support your clients during this critical period, ensuring they can make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.

Why financing NQDC plans with corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) makes sense

Plan design & capabilities · Article

Boost NQDC Value with COLI

Financial advisors seeking to deliver more value to plan sponsors while diversifying their own business can leverage COLI as a financing solution for nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans, without disrupting their existing recordkeeping relationship. 

How advisors can increase nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan participation during enrollment

Plan design & capabilities · Article

Help Clients Increase NQDC Participation

Advisors play a key role during NQDC plan enrollment, which can be a critical time for plan sponsors. Despite their many benefits, participation rates in NQDC plans remain low (typically 20–25%*), often due to limited employee understanding. This creates a valuable opportunity for you to support your clients by educating employees and helping drive stronger engagement.

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