The plan must be limited to provide benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees. These plans have been dubbed "golden handcuffs'' because they're often used as a retention tool for key talent or highly compensated employees.Some deferred compensation contracts provide that benefits are payable immediately if an employee dies or becomes disabled during the eligibility period. Before implementing a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, employers should consider the benefits and tax and compliance consequences. Deferred compensation plans have been developed to provide employers with a vehicle to set aside the addition- al funds for their employees. Deferred compensation is a plan that allows employees to delay receiving a portion of the compensation earned in one tax year to a future tax year.