What is a defined benefit plan also known as?

A defined benefit plan is primarily recognized as a pension plan, which is designed to provide retirees with a specified monthly benefit upon retirement. This benefit is typically calculated based on factors such as salary history and duration of employment, ensuring that employees receive a predictable income after they retire.

In contrast, a retirement savings account is often an individual or group account aimed at accumulating funds for retirement, but it does not guarantee specific payout amounts. An investment fund generally refers to a pool of funds collected from many investors to invest in a diversified portfolio and does not provide guaranteed benefits like a defined benefit plan. An insurance policy is a contract that provides financial protection against losses or risks, and while it may also play a role in retirement planning, it is distinctly different from a defined benefit plan that explicitly guarantees retirement income.