A SEP-IRA (Simplified Employee Pension Plan) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan for employers and employees of sole-proprietorships, partnerships and corporations as well as not-for-profit organizations.  With a SEP-IRA, the employer makes tax-deductible contributions on behalf of all eligible employees and all earnings accumulate tax-deferred until a withdrawal is taken. 

A SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers)is an employer-sponsored retirement plan for businesses with 100 or fewer employees.  It allows employees to make pre-tax salary reduction contributions and employers to make tax-deductible contributions on behalf of themselves and their employees.  All earnings accumulate tax-deferred until a withdrawal is taken. 

401(k) plans are popular with businesses because both employers and employees benefit. Traditional 401(k) plans allow employees to make pre-tax contributions and employers to make tax-deductible contributions for employees, with earnings growing tax-deferred until withdrawn. Roth 401(k) plans allow employees to make after-tax contributions, and qualifying withdrawals are tax-free. Employers have flexibility with contributions and plan design.

A 403(b) TSA (Tax Sheltered Annuity) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan for employees of public school districts and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations.  Similar to a 401(k), a 403(b) TSA allows an employee to make pre-tax salary reduction contributions and enjoy tax-deferred growth until he or she takes a withdrawal.