This graphic, entitled 401(k) Plan, is a metaphor for US employees providing for their retirement years throughout their working careers, by setting money aside in pension 401(k) plans. It depicts two young people with squirrel like tails carrying money. The metaphor is that like squirrels, who collect and store food in times of plenty for the winter time, young people should start providing for their retirement from the beginning of their working careers. The trees in the background represent the various career points of an employee. The last tree , with no leaves, represents the period when the employee will no longer have an income stream from his employment ( ie. on and from retirement).

A 401(k) is a type of retirement plan that allows employees to save and invest for their own retirement. Through a 401(k), an employee can authorize his employer to deduct a certain amount of money from his paycheck before taxes are calculated, and to invest it in the 401(k) plan.The employee's money is invested in investment options that he or she chooses from the ones offered through their company's plan. The US Federal Government established the 401(k) in 1981 with special tax advantages, to encourage people to prepare for retirement.