Defined Benefit Plan

A defined benefit plan is a type of qualified retirement plan, meaning it receives favorable tax treatment. A defined benefit plan is employer sponsored, and the employer can deduct contributions made to the defined benefit plan. The employer contributes to the defined benefit plan based on a specific formula indicating the exact benefit an employee can expect upon retiring.
Once the employee retires, a defined benefit plan promises to pay the employee a specific amount yearly. The benefit payment under a defined benefit plan is usually based on the employees age, years of service and salary history. With a defined benefit plan, investment risk and portfolio management are under the companys control. A defined benefit plan differs from many pension funds, whose payout depends to some extent on the return of the invested monies. Older employees who have worked many years for a company often prefer to be compensated for their services through a defined benefit plan.