1.

Thrift or savings plan: Contributions are made by both the

employer and the employee where the employer can match
all or a percentage of the employee's contributions.
2. Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP): The employer
contributes shares of the company's stock to employees in
return for special tax benefits . The shares of the company
stock have to vest before a participant receives them. As an
example, he vesting period can be 20% a year for 5 years.
Employees are eligible to participate in this plan if they work
at least 1000 hours in a year.
3. (k): A variation of the profit-sharing and thrift plan. Employees
make regular tax deferred contributions and the employers
can match a portion or all of the employee's contributions.
4. (b): Another variation of the profit sharing and thrift plan for
non-profit organizations.
5. SIMPLE: To learn about the SIMPLE, please visit the
SIMPLE page.
6. SEP: To learn about the SEP, please visit the SEP page.
7. Target Benefit Plan: Employers set a target benefit for
participants; contributions depend on assumptions of the
projection to reach that benefit. Contributions and earnings
are tax deferred until withdrawal.
8. Cash Balance Plans: Cash-balance plans are a type of
defined contribution retirement plan where employers make
annual contributions for each employee; the contributions
earn interest at rates similar to Treasury bonds. These plans
are recommended for younger employees because the
retirement benefit starts building early.