What is the cutoff age for becoming a partner at all the Big 4’s?

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Technically there is no formal cutoff age to become a partner at B4. There is however is a required retirement age, which is 60 at the two firms I’ve been (I believe it’s the same at the other two).

To get the full financial benefits of being a partner and to bring sufficient financial value to the partnership before you have to retire, generally about 10 years is used as a benchmark. So working backwards from the required retirement age, you get to about 50 or so, which is why you hear that age range.

Making it later than around 50 is possible and I know a hand full of people who did, however it is very rare and their business case has to be extraordinary as we are basically giving a spot away to someone who has a limited “run life.”

A couple of notes on the financial value of the partnership to you. It has two key components - your annual earnings and your retirement earnings. The first is not substantial when you make partner. The latter is what has always been referred to as the “golden handcuffs of partnership,” ie you have to stay for about 10 years to fully vest. However, for new partners, the firms are starting to change the retirement plans basically significantly lowering the vesting period along with decreasing the overall amount, so the model is changing which will probably impact this discussion.

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Yeah P1, because of partners like you I am in this bowl! Thank you so much. It was good information!

52 at Deloitte

likehelpful

46 yrs and 169 days

likehelpful

50 to 52 usually . Best case is making partner in mid 30s and get about 25 years of benefits before pension kicks in . For direct admits - mid 40s is usually best case

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meaning what, you don't actually get pension payments from the firm until age 59.5 or 60?

At which firms have they changed the pension model for new partners as you described?

P1- and what is the new partner comp model for direct admits?

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