401(k)

4.9

A US retirement account where workers put money before tax and employers often add money

noun
/fɔr ˈoʊn ˈkeɪ/

Specialized

: 401(k)

Many companies offer their employees a 401(k) plan to help them save for retirement.

Examples

If you leave your job, you can roll over your 401(k) into an IRA without penalty.
She decided to increase her 401(k) contributions after receiving a raise.
Many employees contribute to their 401(k) plans.
Is your 401(k) fully funded this year?
Many companies offer their employees a 401(k) plan to help them save for retirement.
If you leave your job, you can roll over your 401(k) into an IRA without penalty.
She decided to increase her 401(k) contributions after receiving a raise.

Synonyms

pension plan

vs401(k)

27 3.1

Money that an employer or worker saves regularly to give income after you stop working

focuses on US pre-tax employee contributions with tax-deferred growth

retirement plan

vs401(k)

27 3.0

A set of savings and investments that gives you money after you stop working

is the US tax-advantaged pre-tax arrangement often with employer matching

401(k) plan

vs401(k)

Specialized

10 3.5

A US retirement plan where workers save part of pay before tax and employers often add money, taxed when taken

has identical meaning but uses a shorter name without the word plan

retirement program

vs401(k)

3 3.0

A plan that helps people save money to use after they stop working

is the US tax-favored employee contribution plan with tax-deferred growth

retirement savings plan

vs401(k)

1 2.5

Money you regularly save to use after you stop working

focuses on a US tax-advantaged pre-tax plan with employer matching

employee savings plan

vs401(k)

3.1

A program from an employer that lets workers save part of their pay for retirement or other future needs

is specifically the US pre-tax plan often matched by employers

Surface Forms

401(k) singular

401(k)s plural

Etymology

401(K) comes from a specific part of U.S. tax law called section 401(k), which lets people put money away for retirement with tax benefits. So a 401(k) is the common name for that tax-advantaged 'retirement savings' plan.