Talking Money, Clearly

How an Accident in 1978 Created the 401(k) — and Changed Retirement Forever

Wes Cuprill

The 401(k) was never meant to exist — but it changed retirement forever. In this episode, I explain the history of the 401(k), how it started as a small section of the 1978 Revenue Act, and the story of Ted Benna — the man who saw an opportunity that reshaped the American retirement system. You’ll learn how pensions began to fail, why companies moved away from guaranteed benefits, and how the 401(k) became the backbone of retirement for millions of workers today.

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Chapters🕓
00:00 - The History of Retirement
01:47 - The Pension Crisis and the End of an Era
03:49 - The 1978 Revenue Act and the Birth of the 401(k)
06:48 - Why the 401(k) Took Over
07:49 - The Lasting Impact and the Future of Retirement