Does the eligibility requirement for a tax-exempt 457(b) plan have to coincide with an existing 401(k) or 403(b) plan?
No, eligibility can be different from the existing plan.
Non-Governmental 457(b)
Who can participate in a tax-exempt 457(b) plan?
Participation in a tax-exempt 457(b) plan is limited to a select group of management or highly compensated employees, including independent contractors.
Is the Form 5500 required to be filed for a tax-exempt 457(b)?
No, as long as the initial DOL filing was made.
Are there any DOL or IRS filings required for a tax-exempt 457(b) plan?
Tax-exempt 457(b) (Top Hat) plans must file a notification of the plan’s existence with the Department of Labor. As long as this notification is timely filed there is no Form 5500 requirement for the plan. Nova 401(k) Associates can assist with this filing.
When can a 457(b) plan be established?
A tax-exempt 457(b) plan can be established at any time during the calendar year.
Does a non-governmental 457(b) plan require a plan document?
Yes. A non-governmental 457(b) does require a written plan document. Unfortunately, there are no IRS pre-approved plan documents for non-governmental 457(b) plans. Nova 401(k) Associates provides plan documents.
Reasons to offer a 457(b) plan
The biggest reason that a tax-exempt employer would offer a 457(b) plan is higher deferral limits. Without regard to catch-up limits, the most an individual can defer to a 401(k) plan in 2014 is $17,500. A 457(b) plan may allow the employee to defer an additional $17,500! This can be a real perk to higher … Read more
Other than governmental employers, who can establish a 457(b) plan?
The organization must be a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c), excluding churches as defined under IRC 3121(w). The most common example of a non-governmental organization sponsoring a 457(b) plan would be a charity which is tax-exempt under IRC 501(c)(3). Other examples include certain credit unions, country clubs, civic leagues and other groups organized under IRC … Read more
What is 457(b) plan?
A 457(b) plan is a type of non-qualified tax advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan that is available for governmental and certain non-governmental employers. The employer provides the plan and the employee defers compensation into it on a pre-tax basis. Sometimes the employer also makes contributions.