A 457 retirement plan is a tax-advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan, usually offered by state and local governments and some nonprofit employers. It works a lot like a 401(k): you can save part of your paycheck for retirement, and the money is generally taxed later when you withdraw it.

Quick scoop

  • Who can use it: Typically public employees, like state or local government workers, and in some cases certain nonprofit or tax-exempt employees.
  • How it’s funded: Contributions are usually taken from your paycheck before taxes, which can lower your current taxable income. Some government plans may also offer a Roth after-tax option.
  • What it’s for: It’s meant to supplement retirement income, often alongside a pension or Social Security.

Why people like it

  • Tax benefit now: Pre-tax contributions can reduce taxable income today.
  • Tax-deferred growth: Investments can grow without current taxation until you withdraw the money.
  • Retirement flexibility: It can be an additional savings bucket if you already have a pension or 401(k)-style plan.

One important note

457 plans come in different types, including governmental 457(b) plans and non-governmental “top hat” plans , and the rules can differ.

If you want, I can also explain how a 457 compares with a 401(k) or 403(b) in a simple table.