Retirement plan that conforms to the regulations contained in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is established and maintained by an employer to provide for benefits to employees over a period of years after retirement. Qualified plans are approved by the Internal Revenue Service. The employer’s contributions are considered a deduction in determining the employer’s taxable income, not considered as employee earnings, and not taxable to the employee. Earnings of the pension plan are not subject to income tax.