The rich get richer... Thank you IRS.
No kidding. Always one of my biggest gripes with basic tax breaks is how this practically speaking works. Not that the wealthier gets a larger break in absolute dolalrs, that's just the math of the fact they pay a higher tax rate on more dollars. But when I had my crappiest job, all I could get a tax break on was the $3k (or whatever the limit was then) for an IRA, b/c crappy jobs dont offer 401ks. Then I had a decent job and could shelter a lot more with my 401k. Then I built a successful business, and was allowed to put away $50k/year tax free in a solo. I never learned much about NQDC but that just seems one more level.
NQDC plan 1) is at risk in bankruptcy, 401k is not and 2) must ALL be distributed within 5 years of separation from your job. It's VERY easy to end up paying WAYYY more in taxes with a NQDC plan than not doing one and you could get nothing.
Main thing with tax breaks is that 50% of the country has already had some many tax breaks that pay absolutely no income tax so there is nothing to cut. That's one of the reasons every tax cut looks like a tax cut for the "wealthy" - top 10% pay over 70% of all fed income taxes vs ~40% 40 years ago.