What Is A 457 Plan And Who’s Lucky Enough To Qualify For One?

There’s a good chance you’ve heard a lot of talk about retirement plans. In particular, most people are familiar with 401(k) plans. But if you work in the public sector, you likely won’t be able to get your hands on a 401(k). Instead, your employer probably offers a 403(b) option.

Those retirement plans are important, but there is another retirement plan some people can also utilize.

457 plans are rare, and as a result, they are often misunderstood. Once you determine if you are eligible to participate, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of this retirement plan option will help you see if this is something you should add to your retirement portfolio (Hint: it probably is!).

The Basics of a 457 Plan – How it Works

A 457 plan is a deferred compensation retirement plan. The reason that you may not have heard much about it is because only a select group of individuals qualify for this retirement plan.

To use a 457 plan, you must be a government employee. Think firefighter, teacher, police officer, and the like. Even then, not every employer offers these options.

Typically, most government workers will qualify for a 457(b) plan. A small group of individuals who are either highly compensated or part of the management group would be eligible to use a 457(f) plan instead.

Either way, contributions to a 457 plan are made through salary deferrals of your pre-tax dollars. Currently, you can contribute up to $18,000 per year, and the funds are not taxed until they are withdrawn.

The Benefits of a 457

There are a myriad of benefits to 457 plans. While some of these benefits are similar to the benefits you may receive from other retirement plans, there are several benefits specific only to 457 plans making them valuable tools in retirement portfolios. These benefits include:

Reduced taxable income

Because you contribute to your 457 plan using pre-tax dollars, your taxable income for the year is reduced. This reduction can be a big boost at tax time. Your money also grows tax-deferred, so you do not pay taxes until you withdraw from your 457 plan.

Catch-up contributions

Many retirement vehicles feature catch-up options based on your age, and this holds true for 457 plans. In 2018, you can contribute an additional $6,000 each year once you are past the age of 50.

As an added incentive, some employers will actually allow you to contribute up to twice the limit for the last three years before retirement age. That’s $36,000 off your taxable income for the year!

Penalty-free withdrawals

Most retirement plans come with a stiff penalty for withdrawals made before retirement age. Think 10% of your money gone in a click. That isn’t the case when it comes to 457 plans.

If you leave your job, you’re able to rollover your plan into another retirement plan. You can also begin to access the money before retirement age, free from penalty.

The Catches

If your employer matches contributions to 457 plans, you may not be able to contribute as much as you think. That is because the employer-matched portion counts toward your total allowable contribution for the year.

Essentially if your employer contributes $5,000, you can only add $13,000 or less given the $18,000 contribution limit. The silver lining here is that most government employers do not offer matches, so you are likely to be on your own when it comes to the $18,000 limit anyway.

Another drawback to 457(b) plans has to do with the way they are offered to employees. Typically, the options are few—some people are limited only to annuities—and many come with high fees and other hidden costs.

Depending on your financial goals and how long you intend to work for your employer, it is essential you explore the costs attached to your 457(b) options. You want to ensure your money is working for you as you build your financial house and that you are keeping as much of your money as possible.

Final Thoughts on 457 Plans

401. 403. 457. There are a lot of numbers to keep straight when it comes to retirement planning, and that’s just in terms of determining which plans you qualify for. As a government worker, there is a good possibility you may be able to use a 457 plan.

Benefits like a reduced taxable income, high contribution limits, and penalty-free withdrawals have some people calling this plan one of the best retirement options around. However, as with any part of your financial plan, it’s essential to do your homework.

In addition to having specific contribution limits, often, high fees and hidden costs can take a bigger bite out of your money than you would expect. Roll up your sleeves, crunch the numbers, ask the questions, and determine if a 457 plan is right for you.

Article written by Penny