What type of plan is a Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)?

A Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP) is primarily a contributory type of plan where both the employer and employee contribute a specified amount to the employee’s retirement savings. The final benefit received by the employee at retirement depends on the investment performance of the contributions made and the investment choices selected throughout the individual’s career.

In this context, classifying it as non-contributory is misleading because DCPPs inherently involve contributions from both parties, thus denoting the shared responsibility of funding the account over time. Instead, the correct label aligns with a contributory framework where ongoing contributions are essential.

Other terms, such as mandatory or voluntary, generally refer to the conditions of participation rather than the core structure of how contributions are made. A DCPP could also be structured in such a way to be mandatory in certain environments, as employers may require participation, but the essence of a DCPP itself focuses on the contributions rather than whether they are enforced or allowed at the employee's discretion.