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Most employees, upon reaching retirement age, anticipate such time when they can totally relax while still enjoying financial security. That's why even at the very beginning of their employment, they are already looking far into the future about the kind of retirement benefits they might possibly get.

There are formal contracts to provide retirement benefits for employees upon reaching retirement age. They are called retirement plans. Some retirement plans can be set up by the employee themselves while some are sponsored by their employer.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act or ERISA Law is the federal law governing employee's retirement plans. Qualified retirement plan is the operative term for the specific plan that complies with ERISA law. By complying with this applicable law, the plan's taxes are deferred on contributions and earnings of the employee until withdrawn. ERISA has non-discrimination rules and other safety nets to protect employee's benefits.

Although there are no existing laws that obligate employers to establish retirement plans for their employees, they may provide such packages in order to attract incoming employees and maintain present employees. Aside from that, setting up qualified plans by employers lets them gain tax benefits.

If there are qualified plans, there can also be non-qualified plans. As opposed to the former, non-qualified plans, as the work itself connotes, do not qualify the plan for tax benefits. Such plans are usually set up by employers for their management executives.

There are several examples of qualified retirement plans. The more popular ones are the individual retirement account or IRA. It is a contract by the employee with himself with the purpose of having the money in a tax-qualified account until their actual retirement.

In having an IRA, the employee's taxes are postponed contributions along with the ensuing earnings until they are withdrawn.

The 401(k) plans, is another type of a delayed compensation plan. An employee can contribute ever year while their employers share a corresponding percentage of what they contribute. Not until the employee start receiving distributions does he get taxed for contributions.

However if the employee starts withdrawing before they reached the age of 59 1/2, he may have to pay up stiff penalties. However, contributions can grow and accumulate until withdrawal, and everything is on a pre-tax basis.

Profit sharing plans, in simplest terms let employees share in the profits. This type of plan gives employers a chance to supplement other retirement benefits for the employee. It depends on the employer how much are the contributions. Employers must observe that the contributions must be on a non-discriminatory basis. Usually employers make contributions according to the percentage of total annual pay roll.

Pension plans have two basic qualified types. The defined benefit plans have a specific pension amount according to a certain formula and the defined contribution plans have a specific amount the employees are required to contribute in individual accounts.

It is essential for an employee to be aware of the retirement plan set up by their employers during their employment. Employees need to understand the plan itself, how it works and what benefits to be gained. Then, they must also keep tabs of their money wherever it is deposited. This way, employees and their families can be assured of their future financial security.