A money-purchase retirement savings plan that is set up by an employer. The 401(a) plan allows for contributions by the employee, the employer, or both. Contribution amounts, whether dollar-based or percentage-based, eligibility, and vesting schedule are all determined by the sponsoring employer.

Funds are withdrawn from a 401(a) plan through lump-sum payment, rollovers to another qualified plan, or through an annuity.



Employers are able to create multiple 401(a) plans, each with different eligibility criteria, vesting schedules and contribution amounts. For this reason, the 401(a) plan is commonly used by employers to create inventive programs to help retain employees.