Which retirement account is commonly associated with employers matching employee contributions?

The 401(k) plan is commonly associated with employers matching employee contributions. This type of retirement account is specifically designed to encourage savings for retirement through tax-deferred growth. Employers often incentivize their employees to contribute to their 401(k)s by offering matching contributions up to a certain percentage or dollar amount. This matching feature is one of the significant benefits of a 401(k), as it effectively boosts the savings rate for employees without them having to contribute more of their own funds than they originally intended.

In contrast, other retirement accounts, like a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, do not typically come with employer matching. These accounts are individually established and funded by the account holder, and while they provide tax benefits, they are not linked to employer contributions. A brokerage account, which is not specifically a retirement account, allows for investment in a variety of securities but does not offer the same tax advantages or employer matching features found in a 401(k). Thus, the association of employer matching contributions is a defining characteristic of 401(k) plans.