Did you know an ESOP is created and funded for workers without requiring them to take savings out of their own paycheck? With an ESOP, an amount equal to a percentage of the employee’s paycheck is added to the ESOP trust, unlike 401 (k) plans, which require a percentage of the workers income to fund the retirement account.Anita Weinzatl had worked in customer service for employee-owned Soderberg Optical for nearly 30 years when Soderberg was acquired by Walman Optical, another employee-owned company serving retail eye care businesses and professionals. Merging the two companies provided stronger, faster growth for Walman Optical and the retirement savings accounts of its employee- owners like Anita.