Tag Archive for: early withdrawal

Print Friendly Version Print Friendly Version

In-Service Distributions from Gov’t. 457(b) Plans

“Can a governmental 457(b) plan permit participants to take plan withdrawals while they are still working?”

ERISA consultants at the Retirement Learning Center (RLC) Resource Desk regularly receive calls from financial advisors on a broad array of technical topics related to IRAs, qualified retirement plans and other types of retirement savings and income plans, including nonqualified plans, stock options, and Social Security and Medicare.  We bring Case of the Week to you to highlight the most relevant topics affecting your business.

A recent call with a financial advisor from North Carolina is representative of a common inquiry related to in-service distributions from retirement plans.

Highlights of the Discussion

Yes, as a result of a law change effective in 2020, governmental 457(b) plans now have the ability to offer in-service distributions to participants starting at age 59 ½, if the sponsor has chosen to implement the provision.

Allowing age-59 ½ distributions was a significant change brought about by the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act for plan years beginning after December 31, 2019. [See Division M: Bipartisan American Miners Act (Section 104) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020) for authorizing language.]

In the past, 457(b) plan participants could only access their plan assets upon

  • Reaching the age for required minimum distributions,
  • Severing employment,
  • Experiencing an unforeseeable emergency,
  • Qualifying for a one-time cash-out (i.e., the account balance was $5,000 or less, and there had been no employee contributions for at least two years),
  • Termination of the plan, or
  • Divorce, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.

Governmental 457(b) plan sponsors who offer these early withdrawals can implement them immediately, and amend their plan documents to authorize them later. Formal amendments to incorporate age-59 ½, in-service distributions are due by the end of the 2024 plan year.

A governmental 457(b) plan distribution would be taxable to the recipient, generally, unless the individual rolled it over to another eligible plan or IRA.

Conclusion

The list of distributable events for governmental 457(b) plans now includes in-service distributions at age 59 ½ for sponsors that choose to offer them.

 

© Copyright 2024 Retirement Learning Center, all rights reserved