Investor Glossary-defined contribution planInvestor Glossary-defined contribution planInvestor Glossary-defined contribution planInvestor Glossary-defined contribution planInsightful stock market charts - Click here
investor
 # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     
Term of the Day Email this Definition Link to this Definition

Defined Contribution Plan


A defined contribution plan is a type of qualified retirement plan, meaning it receives favorable tax treatment. A defined contribution plan requires the employer, on behalf of the employee, to make a specified, fixed contribution into the plan. The total dollar contribution made to the defined contribution plan is based on a percentage of the employees compensation. The money is invested by the employee according to the options offered by the defined contribution plan. Unlike a conventional defined benefit plan, the benefits of a defined contribution plan are not fixed or predetermined. At retirement, the employees benefit depends on the performance of the investment account and the amounts contributed to the defined contribution plan. A 401(k) plan is one type of defined contribution plan. One advantage of a defined contribution plan is that, for employees who change jobs, it is often possible to take the accumulated retirement assets with them.

Rate this defined contribution plan definition...

               


Where is the market headed? The answer may surprise you. Find out
right now with the exclusive & Barron's recommended charts of Chart of the Day.


Popular Terms: EBITDA, liquidity ratio, 401a, deferred tax, command economy, 144a, per diem, margin rate, deferred revenue, required rate of return, cancelled check, open position, stock split, ex-dividend, implied volatility, in escrow, irrevocable trust, limit order, quality assurance, risk management, 1035 exchange, Key Rate Duration, class C shares, current ratio, Zero Cost Collar, 1031 exchange, wholly-owned subsidiary, VIX, reverse mortgage, retained earnings, phantom income, option premium, minority interest, labor relations, ex-dividend date, covered put, real GDP, LIBOR, inflation, dividends payable, diluted share, debt service coverage, balance sheet, APR, equities, average price per share, FICO score, FTSE, stock market close


Home | Term of the Day | Tell a Friend | Suggest a Term | Edit Subscriber Detail
Accounting | Banking | Bonds | Brokers | Economy | Futures | Mutual Funds | Options | Real Estate | Retirement | Stocks | Taxes | Technical Analysis
©2004-2010 Investor Glossary - All rights reserved - Terms of Use