The Missouri Deferred Compensation Investment Account Plan, commonly referred to as the Missouri DC Plan, is a retirement savings program that is designed specifically for employees of government entities in the state of Missouri. This voluntary program allows participants to contribute a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis, thus allowing for potential tax savings while building a nest egg for retirement. The Missouri DC Plan offers participants a variety of investment options to choose from, allowing them to tailor their portfolio based on their risk tolerance and retirement goals. These investment options include a range of mutual funds, which encompass different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and short-term investments. By diversifying their investments, participants can potentially optimize their returns and mitigate risk. Participants have the flexibility to contribute up to the annual IRS limit, which is subject to change each year. The contributions are deducted from their paycheck on a pre-tax basis, meaning that the amount invested is not subjected to federal income tax, state income tax, or Social Security and Medicare taxes at the time of contribution. This allows participants to potentially lower their taxable income while simultaneously saving for retirement. One notable feature of the Missouri DC Plan is the ability to make catch-up contributions. Participants who are within three years of their normal retirement age and have not contributed the maximum allowed in previous years may be eligible to make additional catch-up contributions. These catch-up contributions provide an opportunity for participants to accelerate their retirement savings and ultimately build a more substantial nest egg. Different types of Missouri Deferred Compensation Investment Account Plans include the Roth Option and the Traditional Option. The Roth Option allows participants to make after-tax contributions, meaning that contributions are deducted from their paycheck on an after-tax basis. The advantage of the Roth Option is that qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. In contrast, the Traditional Option follows the pre-tax contribution model described earlier, where contributions reduce taxable income in the year they are made, but withdrawals in retirement are subject to income tax. Overall, the Missouri Deferred Compensation Investment Account Plan offers public employees a valuable tool for retirement savings. With various investment options and the flexibility to contribute pre-tax or after-tax, participants can start building a financially secure future by taking advantage of this employer-sponsored retirement plan.