Скачать или смотреть Types of Defined Contribution Plans

Defined contribution plans come in several forms, including 401(k), Roth 401(k), profit-sharing, stock bonus, employee stock ownership (ESOP), SIMPLE, 403(b) tax-deferred annuities, and 457 plans. 401(k) plans allow employees to defer part of their pay into a qualified plan, with tax benefits including pre-tax contributions, employer deductions, and tax-deferred investment growth. Roth 401(k) plans, introduced in 2006, use after-tax contributions but allow tax-free withdrawals at retirement, helping employees manage uncertain future tax rates.

Profit-sharing plans distribute company funds to employees based on formulas tied to profits, sales, or other measures, with employer deductions capped at the lesser of 25% of compensation or $50,000 (2012). Common profit-sharing formulas include fixed percentage of profits, graduated percentages, and profitability thresholds with minimums and maximums. Stock bonus plans are similar to profit-sharing plans but provide company stock instead of cash, giving participants shareholder voting rights.

ESOPs are stock bonus plans that typically use borrowed funds to purchase company stock and distribute it to employees. SIMPLE plans serve small employers (100 or fewer employees) without other retirement plans, offering a straightforward match-based savings option. 403(b) plans provide tax-deferred annuities for employees of public schools, tax-exempt organizations, and certain hospitals, while 457 plans offer nonqualified retirement savings for government employees, with contribution limits now matching 401(k) and 403(b) plans.