Understanding Contribution Obligations in Defined Contribution Plans

In the context of employee compensation, defined contribution plans are a popular framework for providing retirement benefits. Under this structure, employers make a specific contribution to employee accounts, often based on employee earnings, but the ultimate benefit at retirement is not guaranteed. As a result, employees assume the investment risk. Understanding the implications of these plans is critical for financial reporting and analysis.

A company has established a defined contribution plan that matches 50% of employee contributions, up to a maximum of $3,000 annually. Employees contribute a variable amount each year. Given this structure, consider the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: An employee contributes $4,000 in a given year.

Scenario 2: Another employee contributes $2,000 in the same year.

Which of the following statements correctly reflects the company's financial obligation related to the defined contribution plan for these two employees?