Choose

■ Including plans for employees of taxexempt and government entities (schools, 

hospitals, churches, charities)

■ Highlights of eight types of retirement plans

■ What is the 

maximum annual 

contribution?

■ Which plans 

offer catch-up 

contributions?

■ What are the 

minimum 

employee 

coverage 

requirements?

■ When should 

distributions 

begin?

Plan Feature Comparison Chart

a Retirement Plan
2

Advantages of Having a Retirement Plan,

By starting a retirement savings plan, you’ll help your employees save for the 

future, and you’ll help secure your own retirement. Offering a retirement plan may 

also help you attract and retain better qualified employees.

Tax advantages have made it more appealing than ever to establish and contribute 

to a retirement plan.

Tax Advantages:

■ Contribution limits that allow employees and employers to contribute large 

amounts to retirement plans.

■ Catch-up rules that allow employees age 50 and over to set aside additional 

amounts.

■ In some plans, employees can invest a certain amount of their salary before it is 

taxed.

■ A tax credit, known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, is available 

for eligible contributions to a retirement plan. This credit could reduce federal 

income tax up to 50 cents on the dollar. 

■ Money in the retirement program grows tax-free.

Choose a Retirement Plan,

The most basic retirement plan is an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA). 

Private-sector employers (for-profit and not-for-profit) and government employers 

can offer savings plans that use IRAs to hold savings contributions.

IRA-based plans include Payroll Deduction IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension 

(SEP) plans and Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers 

(SIMPLE) IRA plans. In these plans, and also with 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, 

the ultimate retirement benefits depend on the dollar amount accumulated in the 

employee’s account.

Experts estimate that in the American 

workforce as a whole, workers will need 70 to 90% of their pre-retirement income 

to maintain their current standard of living when they stop working. Lower income 

earners may need more than 90%. Among these workers 25-64 years of age, a 

little more than half are participants in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

ESTABLISHING A RETIREMENT PLAN

2
3

A defined benefit plan promises a specific benefit at retirement — $1,000 

a month, for example. The amount of this benefit is often based on a set 

percentage of pay multiplied by the number of years the employee worked for

the employer offering the plan.

Retirement Plan Correction Programs

The IRS has programs structured to provide financial incentives for finding 

and correcting mistakes earlier rather than later. In fact, many mistakes can be 

corrected easily, without penalty and without notifying the IRS.

The IRS system of retirement plan correction programs, the Employee Plans 

Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS), helps business owners protect 

participant benefits and keep their plans within the law. EPCRS includes:

Self-Correction Program — Find and correct a mistake before an examination.

Voluntary Correction Program — Correct your plan’s mistakes with help from 

the IRS.

Audit Closing Agreement Program — If the IRS examines your plan and finds 

an error, you can still correct the problem. However, the fee will be larger than if 

you found and fixed the error yourself, or brought it in voluntarily.

ESTABLISHING A RETIREMENT PLAN

3
4

Plan Feature Comparison Chart

Starting with the brief summary table below, find the plans that fit you and your employees best. 

Then click on the plan tabs to view and compare the details on each plan.

COMPARE RETIREMENT PLANS

Sponsor/

Eligible Employer Key Advantage Plans to Consider Learn More

■ Any employer ■ easy to set up and maintain Payroll Deduction IRA

■ Any employer ■ easy to set up and maintain SEP

■ Employers with 100 or fewer 

employees that do not 

currently maintain another plan

■ salary reduction plan with little 

administrative paperwork

SIMPLE IRA

■ Any non-government employer

■ Governments, only if plan was 

established prior to May 1986

■ permits high level of salary deferrals 

by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

401(k)

■ Public education employers

■ 501(c)(3) organizations

■ permits high level of salary deferrals 

by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

403(b)

■ State and local governments ■ permits high level of salary deferrals 

by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

457(b) Governmental

■ Any tax-exempt organization ■ permits high level of salary deferrals 

by employees

457(b) Tax-Exempt 

Organization (Non-Church)

■ Any employer ■ provides a fixed, pre-established 

benefit for employees

Defined Benefit

4
5

Payroll Deduction IRA

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ any employer

Key Advantage ■ easy to set up and maintain

Employer’s Role ■ arrange for employees to make payroll deduction contributions

■ transmit contributions for employees to IRA

■ no annual filing requirement

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee can decide how much to contribute

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employee: $6,000 for 2021

Catch-Up Contributions ■ age 50 or over — additional employee contribution — $1,000

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ should be made available to all employees

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted any time subject to federal income taxes

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 of the year following 

attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

(special rules apply to Roth IRAs)

■ loans are not permitted from IRAs

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted from one IRA to another and to an eligible retirement plan 

(special rules apply to Roth IRAs)

Vesting ■ contributions are immediately 100% vested

EPCRS, ■ no
6

SEP

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ any employer

Key Advantage ■ easy to set up and maintain

Employer’s Role ■ set up plan—employer may use Form 5305-SEP

■ transmit contributions for employees to SEP-IRA

■ generally, no annual filing requirement

■ bank or financial institution handles most of the paperwork

Contributors to the Plan ■ employer can decide whether to make contributions year-to-year

■ only employer contributes

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ up to 25% of compensation but no more than $58,000 for 2021,

Catch-Up Contributions ■ N/A

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ must be offered to all employees who are at least 21 years of age,

employed by the employer for 3 of the last 5 years, and had 

compensation of at least $650 in 2021

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted any time subject to federal income taxes

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 of the year following 

attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ loans are not permitted from SEP-IRAs

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted from one IRA to another and to an eligible retirement plan

Vesting ■ contributions are immediately 100% vested

EPCRS, ■ yes
7

SIMPLE IRA

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ employer with 100 or fewer employees that does not currently maintain another plan

Key Advantage ■ salary reduction plan with little administrative paperwork

Employer’s Role ■ set up plan—employer may use Form 5304-SIMPLE or Form 5305-SIMPLE

■ transmit contributions for employees to SIMPLE IRA

■ no annual filing requirement

■ bank or financial institution handles most of the paperwork

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee can decide how much to contribute

■ employer must make matching contributions or contribute 2% of each eligible 

employee’s compensation

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employee:

• $13,500 in 2021

■ employer:

• either match employee contributions 100% of first 3% of compensation

(can be reduced to as low as 1% in any 2 of 5 years), or

• contribute 2% of each eligible employee’s compensation

Catch-Up Contributions ■ age 50 or over — additional employee contribution — $3,000 in 2021

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ must be offered to all employees who have compensation of at least $5,000 in any 

prior 2 years and are reasonably expected to earn at least $5,000 in the current year

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted any time subject to federal income taxes

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2 

(25% if less than 2 years of participation)

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 of the year following 

attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ loans are not permitted from SIMPLE IRA plans

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted from one SIMPLE IRA to another SIMPLE IRA any time

■ however, a rollover from a SIMPLE IRA to a non-SIMPLE IRA or to an eligible 

retirement plan can be made tax-free only after a 2-year participation in the 

SIMPLE IRA plan

Vesting ■ employer and employee contributions are immediately 100% vested

EPCRS, ■ yes
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401(k)

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ any non-government employer

■ governments, only if plan was established prior to May 1986

Key Advantage ■ permits high level of salary deferrals by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

Employer’s Role ■ arrange for employees to make elective deferral contributions and 

transmit contributions

■ annual filing of Form 5500 is required (unless government entity)

■ may require annual nondiscrimination testing to ensure that plan does not 

discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees

■ no model form to establish this plan

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee elective deferral contributions

■ employer contributions are permissible but not required

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employee elective deferrals:

• $19,500 in 2021

■ employer and employee:

• lesser of $58,000 (2021) or 100% of compensation, subject to 

nondiscrimination testing

Catch-Up Contributions ■ age 50 or over — additional elective deferrals — $6,500 in 2021

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ must pass minimum coverage test

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted after a distributable event occurs (such as retirement, 

death, disability, severance from employment)

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 following the later of year of retirement 

or attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ plan may permit loans and hardship withdrawals

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted to an eligible retirement plan or IRA

Vesting ■ employee elective deferral contributions are immediately 100% vested

■ employer contributions may vest over time according to plan terms

EPCRS, ■ yes
9

403(b)

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ public education employers

■ 501(c)(3) organizations

Key Advantage ■ permits high level of salary deferrals by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

Employer’s Role ■ arrange for employees to make elective deferral contributions and transmit 

contributions

■ may require Form 5500 filing if employer contributions are made (unless 

government entity)

■ no model form to establish this plan

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee elective deferral contributions

■ employer contributions are permissible but not required

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employee elective deferrals - $19,500 in 2021

■ employer and employee — lesser of $58,000 (2021) or 100% of includible 

compensation

■ age 50 or over — additional elective deferrals — $6,500 (2021)

Catch-Up Contributions Special 403(b) catch-up:

■ selected employers

■ employee must have 15 years of service

■ limited to least of: 1) $3,000, 2) $15,000 less previously excluded special 

catch-ups and 3) $5,000 multiplied by years of service minus previously 

excluded deferrals

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ employee elective deferral contributions:

• all eligible employees may elect to have a contribution of more than 

$200 by salary reduction

■ other contributions:

• must pass minimum coverage test (except government entities)

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted after a distributable event occurs (such as retirement, death, 

disability, severance from employment)

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 following the later of year of retirement 

or attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ plan may permit loans and hardship withdrawals

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted to an eligible retirement plan

■ transfers permitted from one 403(b) to another 403(b)

■ purchase permissive service (government plans)

Vesting ■ employee elective deferral contributions are immediately 100% vested

■ employer contributions may vest over time according to plan terms

EPCRS ■ yes
10

457(b) Governmental

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ state and local governments

Key Advantage ■ permits high level of salary deferrals by employees

■ may include designated Roth program

Employer’s Role ■ arrange for employees to make salary reduction contributions

■ no model form to establish this plan

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee salary reduction contributions

■ employer contributions are permissible but not required

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employer and employee:

• $19,500 in 2021

■ age 50 or over — additional salary reduction contribution — $6,500 (2021)

Catch-Up Contributions Special 457 catch-up:

■ 3 years prior to the year of normal retirement age

■ limited to lesser of:

1. $39,000 (twice the basic annual limit) in 2021, or

2. the basic annual limit plus unused basic annual limit in prior years 

(only allowed if not using the age 50 or over catch-up)

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ common-law employees

■ independent contractors

■ does not need to pass a minimum coverage test

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted after severance from employment

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 following the later of year of retirement 

or attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ plan may permit loans and distributions for unforeseen emergency or small 

inactive accounts

Rollovers/Transfers ■ rollovers permitted to an eligible retirement plan

■ transfers permitted from one government 457(b) to another government 457(b)

■ purchase permissive service

Vesting ■ employee salary reduction contributions are immediately 100% vested

■ employer contributions may vest over time according to plan terms

EPCRS, ■ submission accepted on a provisional basis outside EPCRS

■ special 180-day rule to correct
11

457(b) Tax-Exempt Organization (Non-Church)

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ any tax-exempt organization

Key Advantage ■ permits high level of salary deferrals by employees

Employer’s Role ■ arrange for employees to make salary reduction contributions

■ no model form to establish this plan

Contributors to the Plan ■ employee salary reduction contributions

■ employer contributions are permissible but not required

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ employer and employee:

• $19,500 in 2021

■ no age 50 or over additional salary reduction contribution

Catch-Up Contributions Special 457 catch-up:

■ 3 years prior to the year of normal retirement age

■ limited to lesser of:

1. $39,000 (twice the basic annual limit) in 2021, or

2. the basic annual limit plus unused basic annual limit in prior years

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ selected group of management or highly compensated employees

■ independent contractors

■ does not need to pass a minimum coverage test

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ withdrawals permitted after severance from employment

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 following the later of year of retirement 

or attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ plan may not permit loans

Rollovers/Transfers ■ no rollovers permitted

■ post-severance transfers permitted from one tax-exempt 457(b) to another 

tax-exempt 457(b)

Vesting ■ employee and employer contributions must be subject to claims of creditors

EPCRS, ■ no
12

Defined Benefit

Sponsor/Eligible Employer, ■ any employer

Key Advantage ■ provides a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees

Employer’s Role ■ annual filing of Form 5500 required (unless government entity)

■ an actuary must determine annual contributions

■ no model form to establish this plan

Contributors to the Plan ■ primarily funded by employer

Maximum Annual 

Contribution 

(per participant)

■ actuarially determined contribution

■ plan benefits are subject to nondiscrimination testing

■ maximum annual benefit that may be funded is the lesser of $230,000 (2021) or 

100% of a participant’s average compensation for their highest 3 consecutive 

calendar years

Catch-Up Contributions ■ N/A

Minimum Employee 

Coverage Requirement

■ must pass minimum coverage test

Withdrawals, Loans 

and Distributions

■ payment of benefits after a distributable event occurs (such as retirement, death, 

disability, severance from employment)

■ must start receiving distributions by April 1 following the later of year of retirement 

or attainment of age 72 (701⁄2 if you turned 701⁄2 before January 1, 2020)

■ loans permitted

■ subject to 10% additional tax if before age 591⁄2

Rollovers/Transfers ■ generally, participant’s benefit can be rolled over to another qualified plan that 

accepts rollovers or an IRA

Vesting ■ may vest over time according to plan terms

EPCRS, ■ yes
Retirement Plan 

Information Resources

Publication 4484 (Rev. 4-2021) Catalog Number 47282U Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

Download the following publications at www.irs.gov/formspubs, or order a free copy 

through the IRS by calling 800-829-3676.

■ Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business (SEP, SIMPLE, and Qualified Plans)

■ Publication 571, Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans (403(b) Plans) For Employees of Public Schools 

and Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations

■ Publication 575, Pension and Annuity Income

■ Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

■ Publication 590-B, Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

The following publications are only available online at www.irs.gov/formspubs:

■ Publication 963, Federal-State Reference Guide

■ Publication 4222, 401(k) Plans for Small Businesses

■ Publication 4224, Retirement Plan Correction Programs

■ Publication 4333, SEP Retirement Plans for Small Businesses

■ Publication 4334, SIMPLE IRA Plans for Small Businesses

■ Publication 4587, Payroll Deduction IRAs for Small Businesses

■ Publication 4674, Automatic Enrollment 401(k) Plans for Small Businesses

■ Publication 4806, Profit Sharing Plans for Small Businesses

For assistance or information on retirement plans, see:

■ Choosing a retirement plan at www.irs.gov/retirement

Tax Exempt and Government Entities

Customer Account Services

877-829-5500