Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation

Stearns Weaver Miller’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation team counsels employers in the design, implementation and operation of all types of employee pension and welfare plans as well as executive equity and deferred compensation programs. We represent employers before the IRS and DOL regarding tax qualification and audits of plans and correction of plan errors. We advise employers on handling employees’ claims for benefits, as well as strategizing the defense of claims. We provide advice to employers on the myriad tax and ERISA issues surrounding “nonqualified deferred compensation” in employers’ plans and employment agreements including deferred compensation plans, stock options and other equity incentives. We counsel tax-exempt organizations on the special taxes and rules that apply to them in their efforts to offer competitive benefits to diverse groups of employees. We have experience in advising employers on payroll tax issues including penalties under the Affordable Care Act. 

Stearns Weaver Miller’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation lawyers have handled significant and sophisticated ERISA claims and litigation in state and federal courts on behalf of employers, plan administrators, trustees and individual defendants. We have handled the defense of an array of benefits/executive compensation claims including for benefits from pension, 401(k) and plans, breach of fiduciary duty and executive benefits and stock options.