Substantial Owner Benefit Limitation

Restriction on the benefit that owners and other highly compensated individuals may receive from a qualified pension or other employee benefits. The U.S. Tax Code requires that benefits under a qualified plan, and some other benefits, do not unduly favor a business firm's top hierarchy. The tax reform act of 1986 provides a uniform definition of "highly compensated" as an employee who either owned more than 5% interest in the business, received more than $75,000 in compensation, received more than $50,000 in compensation and was in the top 20% of employees as ranked by salary, or was an officer and received compensation greater than 150% of Section 415 defined contribution dollar amount.