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Glossary/Defined contribution plan

What is Defined contribution plan?

In short

In a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k) plan, the employer contributes a specified amount to each employee's individual account, and the retirement benefit depends on the contributions and investment returns.

Key takeaways

  • The employer's expense is the contribution required for the period.
  • A liability arises only for required contributions not yet paid.
  • Employees, not the employer, bear the investment risk.

Where it's tested

BAR: Employee Benefit Plan Accounting — study notes, a five-minute revision sheet and practice questions.

Practise: 3 questions

Question 1 of 3 · 0 answered

For a defined contribution plan, an employer's annual pension expense is generally:

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