The first implementation of the 401 (k) plan was in 1978, about three weeks after Section 401 (k) was enacted, before the Revenue Act of 1978 even went into effect.

Oct 6, 2025 · Learn how 401(k) plans originated under the Revenue Act of 1978 to offer tax benefits and retirement savings options for employees, and how they have evolved.

Jan 4, 2017 · The original proponents of the 401 (k) plan, which has become the dominant source of retirement savings for most Americans, are rueful about the revolution they unintentionally began.

To illustrate how Americans’ retirement savings have evolved over the decades, we compiled a timeline on the evolution of the 401 (k), drawing on research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, …

The 401 (k) limit's evolution from 1978 until 2025. We include the key laws changing how the 401 (k) works for individuals and employers and 50+ catch-ups.

Oct 24, 2017 · Today, Ted Benna is known as the “father of the 401 (k),” the investment vehicle that has become the default retirement plan for 55 million people, a $5 trillion market that has, for better or...

Sep 8, 2023 · Explore the evolution of 401 (k) plans from its inception in 1978, through major reforms, to its present landscape. Learn about its benefits and challenges.

Aug 7, 2025 · Discover when 401k started and how it evolved over time, from its inception in the 1970s to modern retirement plans.

Oct 26, 2023 · Despite their popularity today, 401 (k) plans were created almost by accident. It started when Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1978, which included a provision that was added to the …

Dec 11, 2025 · The 401 (k) plan developed from the 1978 reforms of the Internal Revenue Code meant to encourage savings rates in the U.S. Its name is derived from a part of the code—section 401 …