# [Series 65] 52, Qualified Retirement Plans 401k and Pension

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-exam-prep-7140559/series-65-52-qualified-retirement-plans-401k-and-pension
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-exam-prep-7140559/series-65-52-qualified-retirement-plans-401k-and-pension.md
Podcast: [Open Exam Prep](https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-exam-prep-7140559)
Published: 2026-05-15T01:01:53+00:00
Episode link: https://open-exam-prep.captivate.fm/episode/series-65-52-qualified-retirement-plans-401k-and-pension
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e2efe42d-643b-4675-a455-78d64c92ad40.mp3
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Duration seconds: 198

## Resource

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The critical difference between defined benefit and defined contribution plans is who assumes the investment risk: the employer or the employee. - Employee contributions to a 401(k) are always 100% immediately vested, meaning they belong to the employee from day one. - Employer contributions, such as matching funds, are subject to vesting schedules, with ERISA setting maximums of either a three-year cliff or a six-year graded schedule. - A profit-sharing plan is a type of defined contribution plan that gives the employer discretion on whether to make contributions each year. - The Series 65 exam tests these concepts through scenario-based questions requiring you to apply vesting rules and differentiate between plan types based on risk. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

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## Transcript

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