Question

What’s the difference between the Delta MBCBP and a traditional pension plan?

Answer

A traditional defined-benefit pension promises a set monthly income for life that is based on a formula tied to your salary and years of service. The Delta MBCBP is a hybrid known as a cash balance plan — it credits a notional account with investment returns and receives contributions when 401(k) limits are exceeded. Unlike a traditional pension, the MBCBP accumulates a balance you can see, and most pilots take a lump-sum distribution rather than a monthly annuity. The investment risk in the MBCBP is borne by Delta, not you, which distinguishes it from a 401(k) but makes it less flexible in terms of investment control.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?