Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

11) Retirement Plans

The Company and its subsidiaries had a noncontributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) for all eligible employees. On November 25, 2019, the Company distributed a notice of intent to terminate the ESOP Plan to all current plan participants. The Company also filed Form 5310 application for determination for terminating plan, with the IRS on December 6, 2019. As of the 4^th quarter of 2020, the Company began to distribute the ESOP Plan assets to participants that had made a distribution election. The Company received approval of its application from the IRS and distributed all the remaining ESOP Plan assets to the participants during 2021.

The Company has three 401(k) savings plans covering all eligible employees which includes employer participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plans allow participants to make pretax contributions up to a maximum of $20,500 and $19,500 for the years 2022 and 2021, respectively or the statutory limits. Beginning in January 2008, the Company elected to be a “Safe Harbor” Plan for its matching 401(k) contributions. The Company matched 100% of up to 3% of an employee’s total annual compensation and matched 50% of 4% to 5% of an employee’s annual compensation. The match was in Company stock. The Company’s contribution for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $2,573,956 and $2,820,315, respectively under the “Safe Harbor” plan.

In 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, and this plan was amended in 2005. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company will provide deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees, within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Board has appointed a Committee of the Company to be the Plan Administrator and to determine the employees who are eligible to participate in the plan. The employees who participate may elect to defer a portion of their compensation into the plan. The Company may contribute into the plan at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company did not make any contributions for 2022 and 2021.

Effective December 2, 2022, the Board members approved a motion to extend the Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement, dated December 4, 2012, for an additional two-year term ending December 2024. In the event of disability, the Chief Executive Officer’s salary would be continued for up to five years at 75% of its current level of compensation. In the event of a sale or merger of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer is not retained in his current position, the Company would be obligated to continue paying the Chief Executive Officer’s current compensation and benefits for seven years following the merger or sale. The agreement further provides that the Chief Executive Officer is entitled to receive annual retirement benefits beginning (i) one month from the date of his retirement (to commence no sooner than age 65), (ii) five years following complete disability, or (iii) upon termination of his employment without cause. These retirement benefits are to be paid for a period of twenty years in annual installments in the amount equal to 75% of his then current level of compensation. In the event that the Chief Executive Officer dies prior to receiving all retirement benefits thereunder, the remaining benefits are to be paid to his heirs. The Company expensed nil and $900,000 during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, to cover the present value of anticipated retirement benefits under the employment agreement. The liability accrued was $7,556,363 and $7,556,363 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

11) Retirement Plans (Continued)

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, SecurityNational Mortgage, also has an employment agreement with its former Vice President of Mortgage Operations and President of SecurityNational Mortgage, who retired from the Company on December 31, 2015. Under the terms of the employment agreement, this individual is entitled to receive retirement benefits from the Company for a period of ten years in an amount equal to 50% of his rate of compensation at the time of his retirement, which was $267,685 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Such retirement payments are paid monthly during the ten-year period. In the event that this individual dies prior to receiving all of his retirement benefits under his employment agreement, the remaining benefits will be made to his heirs. The company paid $133,843 and $133,843 in retirement compensation to this individual during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The liability accrued was $401,529 and $535,370 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively and is included in Other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.