Retirement Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Retirement Benefit Plans

Retirement Benefit Plans:

The Company has a defined contribution benefit plan, the Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which provides retirement benefits for eligible employees.  The Company matches (in cash) 100% of the employee’s elective contributions up to 3% of eligible compensation plus 50% of the employee’s elective contributions from 3% to 6% of eligible compensation.  In no event shall the total Company match made on behalf of the employee exceed 4.5% of the employee’s eligible compensation.  All current contributions are immediately vested.  Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan were approximately $8.5 million, $7.4 million, and $6.6 million during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The Company offers, through a deferred compensation program, the opportunity for certain qualifying employees to elect to defer a portion of their annual base salary and/or their annual incentive bonus.  Under the deferred compensation program, a percentage of the participants’ salary deferral is matched by the Company, limited to a maximum annual matching contribution of $4,500.  The Company’s contributions, including accrued interest, were $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $0.6 million during fiscal 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.