A retirement investment plan in which a contributor defers taxation on contributions until after
withdrawal. Under a traditional 401(k), a worker places a portion of his/her pre-tax income into a 401(k) account and allows it to be invested. Taxation is deferred until withdrawal from the account, generally after
retirement. Withdrawals prior to the age of 59 1/2 are subject to
excise taxes, but the investor must begin disbursements before the age of 70 1/2, unless he/she is still employed with the company offering the 401(k). Most employees are allowed to place up to $16,500 (in 2009) per year into a 401(k), and some
employers have
matching contributions.