Definitions for "Before-tax contributions"
See definition by plan below. Educated Choices Flexible Benefits Program: Amounts withheld from your gross pay for your share of the costs for your benefit elections before federal and state income taxes, and Social Security (FICA) taxes are calculated and withheld. This reduces the taxes you owe, and in effect, may save you money on the costs of your benefits. Stanford Contributory Retirement Plan (SCRP) or Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA): Contributions deducted from your gross pay before any federal or state income taxes, but after any applicable Social Security (FICA) taxes, are withheld. Before-Tax contributions are excluded from the taxable income reported on your W-2, and only become subject to federal and state income taxes when distributed to you.
Pre-tax or taxable contributions are member contributions made through payroll deductions which are excluded from a member’s taxable income for the year in which they are made. They also include those contributions that are rolled over into a contributory plan either from an IRA or another qualified employer plan.   Taxable contributions are not taxable until received either as retirement income or as a lump-sum payment when a member terminates or dies
Contributions for certain benefits that are deducted from your paycheck before federal, state, and local taxes are withheld.