Dimensions of 401(k) Plan Design

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This paper explores why plan sponsors design their 401(k) plans the way they do. Employing a unique, rich dataset of over five hundred 401(k) plans, we find that these plans are principally a form of tax-motivated compensation under the restriction of federal non-discrimination rules. In other words, to appeal to better-paid workers, employers offer more generous monetary and nonmonetary plan design features. At the same time, complex federal tax rules restrict pay discrimination in favor of the highly-paid employees.

This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit: