401(k) Plans: Incidence, Provisions, and Benefits

In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on employer-sponsored retirement savings plans as provided for under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically the: (1) incidence of 401(k) plans and their relationships to other plans; (2) variations in plan provisions and experiences across firms; (3) extent to which plans benefit employees at various salary levels; and (4) anticipated effects of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 on 401(k) plans.