What Is a 457(b) Plan? A 457(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan. Funds are withdrawn from an employee's income without being taxed and are only taxed upon withdrawal, which is typically at retirement, after the funds have had several years to grow.
Upon severance from City service, or upon reaching age 59½, participants can begin receiving distributions at any time by either accessing their account online or submitting a Distribution Form to the Plan's Administrative Office. Participants can change or stop distributions at any time.
The New York City Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) allows eligible New York City employees a way to save for retirement through convenient payroll deductions. This plan is administered by The Office of Labor Relations (OLR).
As always, you can speak with a Deferred Compensation Plan Customer Service Representative about the Plan and your account(s) on the phone by calling at (212) 306-7760, 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
The two plans are also different in that 401(k) plans do not offer a three-year Pre-Retirement Catch-Up; and 457(b) plans do. Another difference is that a 401(k) distribution prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty and 457(b) plans generally do not have the same early withdrawal penalty.
State workers and some local government employees can save for retirement through the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP). The NYSDCP offers traditional pre-tax and Roth 457(b) accounts.
If you withdraw funds from a 401(k) before age 59½, you could be subject to a 10% penalty tax and lose some tax advantages. There are exceptions (see below). Between ages 73 and 75, depending on your birth year, you must start taking distributions from your 401(k).
As always, you can speak with a Deferred Compensation Plan Customer Service Representative about the Plan and your account(s) on the phone by calling at (212) 306-7760, 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Distribution of earnings from the Roth 457 and 401(k) Plan before age 59½ or for a period shorter than five taxable years are subject to all applicable income taxes (Roth 401(k) distribution is also subject to penalties).