What benefits does a 401(k) plan generally provide to employees?

A 401(k) plan offers tax-deferred growth as its primary benefit to employees. This means that any contributions made to the plan are not taxed at the time they are made. Instead, employees pay taxes on their contributions and any earnings only when they withdraw the money, typically during retirement. This tax-deferred growth allows the investments within the 401(k) to compound over time without the drag of immediate taxation, potentially leading to a larger retirement nest egg.

In contrast, options like medical insurance, life insurance, or cash bonuses are typically separate employee benefits that do not relate directly to the core advantages of a 401(k) plan. Medical insurance focuses on health coverage, life insurance provides financial protection in the case of an untimely death, and cash bonuses are usually performance-related incentives. None of these options pertain to the investment and growth features that a 401(k) plan specifically provides.