Our Services



Trust Services

What is a Trust?

Trusts are separate legal entities like corporations. Trusts hold assets for you or for the benefit of others. The trust document stipulates how your assets should be managed, and how, when, and to whom your assets will be distributed. Many people think only the wealthy can benefit from trusts. But this is simply not true. Trusts are highly flexible and can provide for an almost unlimited combination of needs, circumstances and objectives.

The versatility and flexibility of personal trusts make then indispensable tools. They can give you the control you need to protect and preserve your assets and to increase the value of your assets both now and for your future beneficiaries.

What are some specific usages for Trusts?

What are some specific types of Trusts?

Who provides Trust Services?

What are the benefits of a Delaware Trust provider versus a bank in my State?

Trust Services



Retirement Plan Services

What are the Different Types of Retirement Plans?

When talking about retirement plans there are basically two broad types and subsets within each. The two basic types are ERISA plans, sometimes referred to as qualified and non-qualified. ERISA refers to the first real pension legislation signed by Gerald Ford in 1982. ERISA, which stands for Employee Retirement Income Security Act mandated that plan sponsors meet new requirements in order to receive all the favorable tax benefits. Plan sponsors who chose and who still choose today not to meet all of the strongest requirements may still offer retirement benefits on a non-qualified basis. Both plan types are used today and many times simultaneously. Qualified plans generally cover all classes of employees i.e., the rank & file, whereas non-qualified plans are usually used to provide retirement benefits to a select group of executives. The non-qualified plan for these select employees may be in addition to the qualified plan.

Both plan types may be further divided into defined benefit and defined contribution. For defined benefit funding is based upon calculating the benefit, and for defined contribution, funding is based upon calculating the contribution. Some examples of defined contribution include profit sharing, money purchase, target benefit, age weighted and new comparability. A 401-K or 403-B are each considered deferred contribution with the added feature of allowing for employee deferrals. Defined benefit plans can be divided into tow main categories, pension plans and 412(i) or insured pension plans.

What Services does J.B. Poss & Associates Provide?

Plan Design services allow plan sponsors to review differing plan design options side by side as well as comparing the features and restrictions of each. This allows plan sponsors to more easily choose the optional plan design or combinations for their group.

Plan installation includes the illustration of benefits administrative contract, specimen documents, corporation resolution, SS4 form, any needed amendments, informal announcements, beneficiary designations fiduciary approval forms, annual review pamphlet, IRS forms (for determination application) notices to interested parties, Summary plan descriptions, Investment policy statement.

Plan Administration Services include, periodic valuations of benefits and costs, employee benefit statements, 5500 series reporting forms, summary annual report, plan amendment distribution and distribution reporting services.

Plan funding services include, establishing the trust account(s), reviewing the investment policy statement, providing and analyzing funding alternatives, record keeping contributions, transfers and distributions, prepare annual total performance report and providing continued investment consultation for plan sponsor and plan participants.

Plan termination services include, plan termination of calculations, allocation of assets to plan participants, notice of intent to terminate, notice of reduction of benefit, notice of benefits upon plan termination, election forms for benefit distribution, joint and survivor forms, reporting form 1099, regulatory filings (IRS & PBGC), specimen corporate resolution, & 5500 services annual reporting forms.


Click here to view sample plans


Investment Services*

We recognize the commitment and responsibility we undertake when providing investment advice. By listening closely to your needs, we deliver high quality investment services that correspond to your objectives. A wide range of investment objectives can be pursued through a variety of investment ves offered by:

Equity Services, Inc., a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser.  Montpelier, Vermont.

Sentinel Companies, serving the needs of investors since 1934.
Montpelier, Vermont. 


Other Services include:

  • Disability and key person protection
  • Executive fringe benefit planning
  • Deferred compensation plan design
  • Corporate estate planning strategies
  • Buy/sell agreements
  • Split dollar plan design
  • Business continuation planning
  • Business and financial planning

    Of course, it doesn't end here. We promise to continually develop better ways to serve you.


    *John W. Poss is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc.  Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely by Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer and registered investment adviser, One National Life Drive, Montpelier, Vermont 05604 (802) 229-3900

    J.B. Poss & Associates and American Guaranty & Trust are independent of Equity Services, Inc.
  •   Equity Services, Inc. and the Sentinel Companies are affiliated.















































    What are some specific usages for Trusts?

    Business owners and other individuals who wish they're financial affairs to be private. Unlike wills trust can shield assets and their disposition from public disclosure. Armed with information from a probate proceeding, for example, a competitor might be able to force the sale of the decedent's business at below market price.

    Owners of highly appreciated assets. When highly appreciated assets are sold, a large chunk of the gain may go to taxes. A trust can shelter property from taxes on income and capital gain and thus avoid the tax bite.

    Setting up a charitable remainder trust (CRT) provides the grantor with income for life and creates charitable tax deductions.

    Dependents. Trusts offer a method of providing regular income to dependents, and the possibility of tax savings for you. They also offer control through the choice of mandatory or discretionary payments as you may specify to suit the dependents' changing support, educational and medical needs.

    In addition, trusts can provide for the orderly passage of one's property without the expense, delay, or publicity of probate, and for professional investment management for family members who lack this skill.

    Retirees, widows, and widowers - A trust can provide a monthly check, freedom from making investment decisions, and the burden of bookkeeping details. It can also provide for the management of financial affairs in the event of illness or incapacitation and tax savings on future gifts to charity.

    Spouses in second marriages - A trust can protect the interests of children from a previous marriage, and spare friends and family members from legal conflicts.

    Parents of children with special needs - Trusts can ensure that children and others with special needs will have their financial concerns properly addressed.

    Individuals concerned about becoming ill - Trusts ensure that their financial affairs will be handled properly. They also handle the obligation of naming a guardian or conservator to oversee these responsibilities.

    Unmarried couples and close friends - A trust can provide a significant other with income for life while keeping assets in the grantor's family. Upon the death of the loved one, assets can revert back to a family member or to a specific charity.

    Individuals who need help in handling their finances - Trusts can manage the assets and oversee all responsibilities regarding record keeping and tax preparation for those unwilling or incapable of handling their financial affairs.


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    What are some specific types of Trusts?
  • Special Needs Trusts

  • QTIP Trusts

  • Dynasty Trusts

  • Credit Shelter Trusts

  • Minors and Education Trusts

  • Charitable Trusts

  • Irrevocable Trusts

  • Life Insurance Trusts

  • Living Trusts

  • Rabbi Trusts


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    Who provides Trust Services?

    Trust Services are provided by our affiliate, AG&T is a Delaware Trust Company chartered in 1914 specializing in providing personal trust services to clients nationwide. Unlike Bank Trust departments, AG&T works with your professional advisors, i.e., attorney, financial advisor and tax advisor. AG&T only works as a member of your team and will not provide service unless you have an advisor team to work with. J.B. Poss and Associates can assist you in assembling your advisor team.


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    What are the benefits of a Delaware Trust provider versus a bank in my State?

    The state of Delaware has provided a favorable legislative climate unlike that of any other in our country. This affords additional benefits to the trust and trust beneficiaries, above what is the norm in most states. These additional benefits include:
  • The strongest asset protection from creditors
  • No rule against perpetuities
  • Investment flexibility
  • Tax Savings
  • Little Court Involvement
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    Trust Services

    As a full service corporate trustee, AG&T provides the following fiduciary services:
  • Full trust services
  • Complete trust accounting
  • Management of discretionary disbursements
  • Crummey letters for life insurance trusts
  • Trust tax return preparation and filing
  • Provide tax information to income beneficiaries
  • Personal consolation with income beneficiaries and settlers
  • Bill paying
  • Investment management

    AG&T can act as sole trustee or as co-trustee handling only the day to day administrative operations. AG&T will also allow for an independent Trust Protector.

    So now that you know a little about trusts you may ask what are the primary reasons for establishing a trust? The answer to that is simple, there are two primary reasons for establishing trusts.

    1) You love and care for others. Usually family members but this may also include your friends your church, or a specific cause.
    2) You wish to reduce taxes.

    Many trusts and estate plans are designed to address both of these concerns.

    If you have either of these concerns and wish to discuss how trusts might benefit you then you should contact us for a no cost consultation. Once you have a better understanding of the benefits then we can assist you and your attorney in developing a trust strategy and estate plan that will meet all of your needs and desires.


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    •            - This is extremely important for trusts with multiple beneficiaries and trusts which last multiple generations.

    - Delaware Trusts can last indefinitely. This is great for dynasty trusts.

    - Delaware law allows for outside investment managers, investment companies, fee based capital management accounts and more. This separates the Trusts services from the Investment services.

    - Delaware law does not tax income accumulated or distributed to a non-resident beneficiary. Delaware has no intangibles tax, sales tax, or inheritance tax on trust assets.

    - Delaware law does not require annual trust filings. This means the trust terms and asset value remain confidential and the administration costs are lower.

    Is it any wonder why most large companies choose to incorporate in the state of Delaware?


    American Guarantee and Trust Company.