Mike,
The PGA's retirement account is not a conspiracy.
Answers about the plan, including eligibility, options, enrollment, customer service and more.
How much in contributions can PGA Professionals receive each year?
Golf Retirement Plus program policy precludes releasing specific account information. However, the average account holder earned $3,200 in 2008 through the Sponsor Programs.
How do the Golf Retirement Plus Sponsor Program incentives work?
Sponsor Program incentives are designed as a royalty paid by the sponsor to PGA Golf Enterprises, Inc. (PGAGE), which administers the program. PGAGE in turn contributes an equal amount to the participating PGA Professional(s) retirement account once they have opened a Golf Retirement Plus account and completed the annual Facilities Authorization Agreement. Contributions are often a percentage of the wholesale amount of each purchase.
What is Golf Retirement Plus?
Golf Retirement Plus was created as a supplemental retirement program for PGA members, GCSAA members and CMAA members. The program was developed at a time when only one in five professionals had employer sponsored retirement programs. There was significant financial cost and staff time associated with the development of Golf Retirement Plus, which is structured as an after-tax retirement program. This cost was borne by The PGA of America, which agreed to share the program with the GCSAA and CMAA, in order to eliminate the cost for similar due diligence and program development for these other associations.
Other than golf merchandise, what other Sponsor Program contributions are available?
Pepsi-Cola Company and OfficeMax are examples of two companies that recognize the value of delivering top brands and national account discount pricing as well as Golf Retirement Plus incentives to facilities which employ PGA Professionals. Pepsi-Cola Company products include Pepsi, Lipton and Gatorade. OfficeMax provides low price guarantee for facilities as well as a Golf Retirement Plus incentive for the PGA Professional(s) at those facilities. Most Sponsor Programs are from golf manufacturers who agree the PGA Professional is making the purchase decision or is significantly influencing the purchase decision.
How can PGA professionals and apprentices, GCSAA superintendents and assistant superintendents, and CMAA managers contribute to their Golf Retirement Plus accounts?
Professionals of all three organizations can add to their Golf Retirement Plus accounts through their own contributions and Golf Retirement Plus Employer Program contributions. PGA Professionals can also contribute to their accounts through participation in the Golf Retirement Plus Sponsor Programs.
What happens when new Sponsor Programs are added to Golf Retirement Plus?
When a new Sponsor Program is added to Golf Retirement Plus, each PGA Professional who wishes to participate in the new program must resubmit a Facilities Authorization Agreement to The PGA indicating their desire to participate.
Can Sponsor Program contributions be shared by PGA Professionals?
PGA Professionals have the option to allocate any portion or all of their Sponsor Program incentives to a fellow PGA Professional(s) of any member classification, employed at the same facility, using The PGA’s Incentive Allocation Agreement. PGA Professionals are encouraged to consider incentive allocation as part of an employee’s overall compensation package. Currently the majority of Sponsor Program incentives accrue to the highest-ranking PGA Professional at each facility.
Why should Employers support Golf Retirement Plus?One way to reduce hiring costs and retain key employees is by investing in them; both now and in their future. Golf Retirement Plus is one way for your employer to demonstrate their interest in the long-term well-being of employees. Contributing to employees’ Golf Retirement Plus accounts is easy and affordable:
No costly fees. There are no fees associated with contributing to a Golf Retirement Plus account for a PGA Professional, CMAA Manager and GCSAA Superintendents account.
No employer ERISA concerns. Since the program is not a qualified employer-provided plan, your employer won’t be required to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requirements. These requirements are often costly and time-consuming.
No investment decisions. The employer won’t have to worry about choosing an investment firm or investment vehicles, and the won’t have to keep track of their professionals’ accounts.
No administrative burdens. The only paperwork the employer has to complete in order to participate is a single form. The only recordkeeping the employer has is documenting the total contribution amount on the professionals’ W-2 forms.
How does the program handle employer authorization for PGA Professionals participating in Golf Retirement Plus?
PGA Professionals can receive contributions to their Golf Retirement Plus accounts in three different ways: their own contributions, employer contributions and Sponsor Program contributions. The PGA has a current Facilities Authorization Agreement on file for all PGA Professionals who are receiving Sponsor Program contributions. The agreement requires the PGA Professional to indicate whether or not they own their own golf shop concession. If they do not own it, they are required to have their employers indicate their consent on the agreement, which lists the Sponsor Programs in which the PGA Professional plans to participate. When a PGA Professional changes facilities/employers, they must submit a new Facilities Authorization Agreement to The PGA.
What happens if there is not an employer authorization on the agreement?
If a current authorized agreement is not on file at The PGA, PGAGE retains the royalties until the agreement is filed.