Nonqualified Plans — employee benefit plans not subject to the regulations imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. Examples of nonqualified plans include plans falling under other, more specific laws (e.g., workers compensation, unemployment compensation, disability insurance) and unfunded plans maintained solely to provide benefits for certain employees in excess of the limitations imposed on benefits and contributions for tax purposes (e.g., benefit plans for executives or highly compensated employees, such as stock option plans).