Mariner Wealth Advisors wealth management for corporate executives covers the pieces of a pay package that don't fit in one account: deferred compensation, company stock, bonuses and separation benefits. We look at them together, because a decision in one usually changes the tax bill in another.
Our approach is evidence-based. We rely on long-term research and diversification, not market forecasts or hot tips, and we say so even when the tidy answer is to sell a stock you're fond of. Clients meet us by video or phone, which suits a calendar that's already full.
What do corporate executives usually need help with?
Most executives we meet have a lot of wealth tied to one employer, in stock, unvested awards and deferred pay, and very little time to look at it. The paycheck and the portfolio depend on the same company. That overlap is the first risk we check.
Mariner Wealth Advisors starts with a single list of everything the company owes you or has given you, with dates attached. Then we rank decisions by deadline and by tax cost.
Deferred compensation elections
Your 401(k) deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500, but a nonqualified plan lets you defer well beyond that. The trade-off is that the money stays a claim on the company. Our deferred compensation planning and executive retirement planning work focuses on the payout schedule, because that choice is hard to undo.
- Pick lump sum or installments with your expected tax rate in mind, since a payout stacked into one high-income year can be taxed at the top federal rate of 37% (above $640,600 single or $768,700 married filing jointly, tax year 2026).
- Check what happens to the balance if the company is sold or you leave. Deferred pay is usually an unsecured promise, not money in your name.
- Write down each election deadline. Missing one often means waiting a full year.
How much company stock is too much?
If more than a fifth of your net worth sits in one stock, diversification usually comes before almost anything else. Hypothetical example: an executive has $4 million in company shares and $6 million of other assets. That's 40% of a $10 million net worth in one name, and the salary and bonus depend on the same company.
Selling isn't free, so we estimate the tax bill of each sale before suggesting it. Shares can be sold in steps over several years, and a 10b5-1 trading plan lets sales run on a schedule even during blackout periods. Equity compensation advice also covers option exercises and vesting dates. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and diversification doesn't prevent a loss.
| Holding | Amount | Share of net worth |
|---|---|---|
| Company stock | $4 million | 40% |
| Other investments | $6 million | 60% |
| Sell $1 million over time | $3 million left | 30% |
Giving appreciated shares and timing bonuses
Giving shares that have gone up in value usually beats selling them and donating the cash, because you can avoid the capital gain on the gifted shares. Ask your tax professional about deduction limits.
Bonuses are the other lever. A large bonus landing in the same year as a deferred payout or option exercise can push income into a higher bracket. We map those events on one calendar so you can shift what is movable.
And we'd rather talk about it in October than April, because by April the choices are gone.
What happens when you leave the company?
Separation sets several clocks running at once: option exercise windows, deferred pay triggers, benefit elections and health coverage. Some windows are only weeks long. Bring your separation agreement and plan documents to us before you sign, and we'll list each deadline and what it costs to miss.
Mariner Wealth Advisors explains fees up front, in writing, and serves clients with $500K or more in investable assets. This page is general education, not individualized investment, tax or legal advice.
Mariner Wealth Advisors: common questions
When do I have to decide how my deferred compensation is paid out?
What is a 10b5-1 trading plan?
What does Mariner Wealth Advisors require from executives who want to work with the firm?
This content is general information and education. It is not individual investment, tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before making any financial decision about your equity awards or assets, consult a professional adviser who knows your full situation.