A defined contribution plan specifies what's paid in (employee + employer) but not what comes out — retirement income depends entirely on contributions, returns, and withdrawal decisions. 401(k), 403(b), Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and SIMPLE IRAs are defined contribution. Total annual contribution limit (employee + employer combined): $70,000 for 2026 (with age-based catch-ups). The employee bears all investment risk and all longevity risk in retirement. Defined contribution plans shifted retirement risk from employers (who once carried pensions) to employees, simultaneously enabling portability (rolling between jobs) but requiring much greater financial literacy.
Article
403(b)
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for employees of public schools, nonprofit hospitals, charities, and religious organizations…
457(b)
A 457(b) plan is a retirement plan for state and local government employees and certain nonprofit employees. Unique…
Annuitization
Annuitization is the process of converting a lump sum (or accumulated annuity value) into a guaranteed income stream,…
Annuity
An annuity is an insurance contract paying a stream of income, often for life — designed to provide…
Backdoor Roth Conversion
The Backdoor Roth Conversion strategy enables high earners who exceed Roth IRA income limits to fund a Roth…
Beneficiary IRA
A Beneficiary IRA (Inherited IRA) is a retirement account inherited from a deceased owner. Post-SECURE Act 2019, most…
Defined Contribution
August 22, 2026 · Aditya Gupta
Personal Finance
Related terms
403(b)
A 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for employees of public schools, nonprofit hospitals, charities, and religious organizations…
457(b)
A 457(b) plan is a retirement plan for state and local government employees and certain nonprofit employees. Unique…
Annuitization
Annuitization is the process of converting a lump sum (or accumulated annuity value) into a guaranteed income stream,…
Annuity
An annuity is an insurance contract paying a stream of income, often for life — designed to provide…
Backdoor Roth Conversion
The Backdoor Roth Conversion strategy enables high earners who exceed Roth IRA income limits to fund a Roth…
Beneficiary IRA
A Beneficiary IRA (Inherited IRA) is a retirement account inherited from a deceased owner. Post-SECURE Act 2019, most…
