What happens to the benefits of a nonqualified plan upon withdrawal?

In a nonqualified plan, the treatment of benefits upon withdrawal is such that only the earnings are considered taxable income. This is because contributions made to a nonqualified plan are typically made with after-tax dollars, meaning you have already paid income tax on that money before it was contributed to the plan. As a result, when funds are withdrawn, the original contributions are not taxed again; only the growth or earnings accrued on those contributions are subject to taxation.

Understanding this tax treatment is essential for individuals involved in nonqualified plans as it affects the net benefit they will ultimately receive from their retirement savings. It’s also important to note that different rules apply to qualified plans, where both contributions and earnings might be subjected to different tax implications upon withdrawal.