ADVANCED RETIREMENT PLAN DESIGN + ACTUARIAL ADMINISTRATION
Turn business profit into
large tax deductions
and protected retirement wealth.
We design and administer cash balance and defined benefit plans (including our Designer DB Plus® approach) that can create high contribution limits—built for successful owners and the CPAs who advise them.
No obligation. We’ll confirm fit and provide next-step recommendations.
Owners
High earners who want six-figure to seven-figure contribution potential.
CPAs
Add a high-impact planning option without increasing your workload.
Where High-Income Clients Lose Tax Savings Without a Properly Designed Retirement Plan.
Even well-prepared returns can leave six-figure deductions on the table when plan design isn’t modeled alongside tax outcomes.
One Size Fits All Approach
Default plan design
Off-the-shelf 401(k)/profit sharing isn’t engineered to capture maximum deductible contributions for high earners.
Inefficient Retirement Structure
Compensation strategy not aligned
W-2 vs. K-1 vs. distributions aren’t coordinated with plan formulas, reducing what the owner can legally put away.
No Annual Review Cycle
No “stacked” design
Owners often miss additional layers (cash balance/DB + profit sharing + optional medical strategy) because no one designs it as a system.
For business owners: keep more of what you earn.
If your business is profitable even with fluctuating income an advanced defined benefit or cash balance plan may unlock dramatically higher tax deductions than off-the-shelf retirement plans.
Cash Balance + Profit Sharing Savings
This is a simplified estimate for marketing/education. Real limits depend on census, compensation definitions, plan design, and actuarial certification. Not tax advice.
BUILT FOR CPAs & TAX ADVISORS
Add a premium planning option your clients will thank you for.
We help CPAs introduce high-impact retirement plan strategies with clean numbers, clear deliverables, and support through implementation and annual renewals.
What you get
Tax-savings snapshot, design options, funding strategy, and a simple timeline for plan launch and compliance.
What your client gets
High deductible contributions, disciplined retirement funding, and ongoing administration handled by specialists.
Ask about CE options and in-office presentations.
A simple process that drives fast decisions.
Most prospects don’t need a textbook—they need clear numbers and clear steps. Here’s how we keep it simple.
SNAPSHOT
Confirm fit + estimate ranges
We review profit, W-2 compensation, staff census, and goals to outline realistic contribution and tax-savings ranges.
DESIGN
Engineer the right plan
We model options to balance owner objectives with staff fairness, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
IMPLEMENT
Documents + launch + admin
We deliver plan documents, coordinate stakeholders, and handle certifications, testing, and filings.
Designer DB Plus®
Game-Changing Tax Reduction & Retirement Strategy
A practical, CPA-friendly guide that shows how successful business owners legally reduce taxes while accelerating retirement outcomes using advanced defined benefit strategies.
- Written for CPAs, advisors, and high-earning business owners
- Explains advanced retirement designs in plain English
- Real-world strategies used nationwide
- Authored by Stephen Arnold, CRPS
Real-world case studies
See how Designer DB Plus® has helped successful business owners dramatically reduce taxes while accelerating protected retirement and tax-free healthcare savings.
Endodontist Case: $470,208 Saved in Year One $1.5M Net Income • Dental Practice
Dr. Smiley, age 49, owns a thriving endodontic practice earning $1.5M net. Prior to planning, he faced a $550K tax bill with no creditor-protected retirement or tax-free medical reserves.
- $1,162,952 deductible contribution
- Taxable income reduced to $307,048
- $470,208* first-year tax + deferred savings
- $1,139,693 creditor-protected retirement savings
- $284,923 tax-free medical reimbursement bucket
Result: Dramatic tax reduction, accelerated retirement funding, and a structure supporting future succession planning.
Construction Company Case: $249,782 Saved in Year One $797K Net • S-Corp Owner
Bill, age 61, owns a successful construction company structured as an S-Corp earning $797K net. Before planning, he faced a $294,890 tax bill with no protected retirement or tax-free healthcare reserves.
- $561,627 deductible contribution
- Taxable income reduced to $188,675
- $249,782* first-year tax + deferred savings
- $526,137 creditor-protected retirement savings
- $157,841 tax-free healthcare reimbursement bucket
Result: Significant tax reduction, controlled benefit costs, and accelerated retirement funding with tax-free healthcare dollars.
Real Estate Case: $129,304 Saved in Year One $500K Net • Solo Agent
Chad, age 53, is a top-producing real estate agent earning $500K net with no employees. Prior to planning, he faced a $175,000 tax bill and had no protected retirement or tax-free medical funds.
- $262,000 deductible contribution
- Taxable income reduced to $190,400
- $129,304 first-year tax + deferred savings
- $262,000 creditor-protected retirement savings
Result: Lower taxes, stronger protected retirement funding, and long-term tax-free healthcare advantages.
*Savings estimates vary by individual circumstances. Results shown are for illustrative purposes only.
Trusted by business owners & advisors
Real experiences from clients and professionals who have implemented advanced retirement strategies with Retirement Actuarial Services.
Stephen and Kathleen at Retirement Actuarial Services have been amazing to work with. I highly recommend them for anyone looking to maximize their wealth.
Implementing Designer DB Plus for my small business clients has yielded tremendous tax savings—ranging from hundreds of thousands to almost a million dollars in some cases. This strategy has become one of the most powerful tools I have introduced to my clients. By partnering with RAS, I have dramatically increased my referrals and firm revenue.
The RAS team has been instrumental in developing a plan that helped Transmission Analytics maximize retirement savings for both owners and employees. They are responsive, easy to work with, and we highly recommend them for customized retirement solutions.
This team is the best. They have been my go-to for maximum tax savings and helping me retain great employees. Their customized plan design helps me capture the largest deductions while keeping the lion’s share of contributions.
Steve and Kathleen help business owners implement one of the best retirement strategies available. The Designer DB Plus plan allows huge tax deductible contributions, and tax-free health and medical benefits in retirement. Brilliant.
Our Leadership Team
Our team brings decades of experience in actuarial science, retirement plan design, and advanced tax-reduction strategies—serving CPAs, financial advisors, and successful business owners nationwide.
Stephen Arnold, CRPS
Founder • CEO • Author
Stephen Arnold is the Founder and CEO of Retirement Actuarial Services and Wealth Protection Advisory. He educates CPAs nationwide through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and is a Series 65 Registered Investment Advisory Representative and Licensed Independent Insurance Agent, specializing in advanced tax-efficient retirement strategies, including defined benefit and cash balance plan design.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Stephen focuses on practical, implementation-driven planning for high-income business owners. He is the author of Designer DB Plus®: Game-Changing Tax Reduction & Retirement Strategy for Today’s Small Business Owners and a frequent speaker for CPA firms and professional associations.. A U.S. Marine veteran, Stephen supports charitable organizations including the ASPCA and Wounded Warrior Project.
Kathleen Arnold, CRPS
Partner • Co-Author • Plan Design Specialist
Kathleen Arnold is a Co-Founder of Retirement Actuarial Services and a Plan Design Specialist with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She holds the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designation from the College of Financial Planning and is the Co-Author of Amazon’s #1 Top New Release, Designer DB Plus®.
Kathleen has served on numerous boards and professional organizations, including NAIFA, the Women’s Money National Council, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and others. She is also the former host of the Women’s Money Blog Talk Radio Show and founding president of the first local chapter of the International Association of Working Mothers.
Zak Kenne, EA, MAAA, MSPA, QPA, QKA
Co-Founder • Enrolled Actuary
Zak Kenne is a Co-Founder of Retirement Actuarial Services and an Enrolled Actuary through the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries. He began his career in 2006 and specializes in both designing new retirement plans and optimizing existing plans for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Zak is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and the Society of Pension Actuaries, as well as a Qualified Pension Administrator and Qualified 401(k) Administrator through ASPPA. His expertise ensures technical accuracy, compliance, and long-term sustainability for complex plan designs.
Jianni Bellucci
Licensed Life Insurance Professional • Administrative Assistant
Jianni Bellucci is a licensed life insurance professional and administrative assistant who plays a key role in supporting client service and day-to-day operations. Known for her attention to detail and positive attitude, Jianni helps ensure a smooth and efficient experience for both clients and advisors.
Outside of work, she is a devoted dog lover and brings the same care and dedication to her professional responsibilities.
Get a tax-savings snapshot.
Share a few details and we’ll confirm fit, estimate contribution ranges, and outline next steps. No obligation.
What happens next
Confirm fit
Quick review of goals and baseline numbers.
Receive snapshot
Estimated ranges and design options.
Execute
Documents, launch, and administration.
Frequently asked questions
Every situation is different. These are general answers—confirm details with your CPA and plan specialist.