401(k)

plural 401(k)s · alternative nonstandard 401k

1. USA tax-qualified, defined-contribution pension account.

   John Fuchs was checking his 401(k) account online one afternoon when he saw something that seemed amiss.

   2006 April 23, Walter Hamilton, Kathy M. Kristof, Josh Friedman, “From the Archives: Fees Eat Away at Employees’ 401(k) Nest Eggs”, in Los Angeles Times

   2 more examples

   Entrepreneurs have responded enthusiastically: Solo 401(k) assets now stand at $2.5 billion, and could hit $90 billion by 2012. It's easy to see why the plans are becoming so popular. As with ordinary 401(k)s, as well as SEP-IRAs designed for the self-employed, individual 401(k)s allow you to invest a portion of your income on a pretax basis—and your contributions grow tax-deferred.

   2005 March 1, Penelope Wang, “A 401(k) of Your Own”, in CNN Money, archived from the original on 01 Apr 2025

   Contribute 10 percent of your salary each month to your 401(k), and you're good. Start at age 25 making $50,000 a year, and earn a 3 percent annual raise until retirement.

   2008 January–February, Steve Calechman, “5 Things You Can Stop Worrying about (And 5 Others that Should Trouble You Deeply)”, in Men's Health, volume 23, number 1, →ISSN, page 148