
You can roll over your deferred compensation to an IRA, but there are some rules to keep in mind. The IRS allows you to transfer your deferred comp to an IRA, but only if your employer allows it.
Typically, employers set a deadline for rolling over deferred comp, so it's essential to check your plan documents to see if this option is available to you. Some employers may have restrictions or specific rules for rolling over deferred comp.
Rollovers from deferred comp plans to IRAs are subject to the same rules as rollovers from other 401(k) or 403(b) plans. This means you'll need to complete a distribution request form and provide the necessary documentation to the plan administrator.
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Rollover Rules and Options
You can roll over a 457(b) plan to most other retirement accounts, including a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, another 457(b) plan, a 403(b), a 401(a) or a 401(k) plan. The IRS rules on which plans a 457(b) can be rolled into are outlined in a table below.
There are three ways to complete a rollover: direct rollover, trustee-to-trustee transfer, and 60-day rollover. A direct rollover involves asking your plan administrator to make the payment directly to another retirement plan or to an IRA. A trustee-to-trustee transfer involves asking the financial institution holding your IRA to make the payment directly from your IRA to another IRA or to a retirement plan. A 60-day rollover involves depositing the distribution in an IRA or a retirement plan within 60 days.
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Options for 401(a) After Leaving
If you have a 401(a) with your existing employer and you leave that job, you can either keep the funds in the 401(a) plan or roll them over into another plan. You can also cash the funds out, but be aware that if you're below age 59½, you'll pay a 10% penalty on the early withdrawal.
Most people either leave the funds in the existing 401(a) plan or roll the funds into a new account. If you choose to leave the funds in the 401(a) but you job, you'll no longer be able to contribute to the plan, but funds already in the plan will continue to be invested and grow tax-deferred until retirement.
You can roll your 401(a) funds into a new 401(a), 401(k), a 457, or an IRA. This can provide more flexibility and potentially optimize your tax situation.
Here are the options for 401(a) after leaving an employer:
Integrating Funds into Your Plan

You can consolidate nearly all of your other retirement assets into your 457(b) plan and continue to benefit from the tax advantages and flexible options at retirement.
IRAs, 401(k)s, and other qualified retirement plans can be rolled over into your 457(b) plan, allowing you to manage your investments in one place.
Assets rolled over from plans other than a 457(b) may be subject to a 10% tax penalty if withdrawn before age 59½.
It's essential to be aware of any fees or surrender charges other plans may charge when transferring out.
To roll money into your 457(b) plan, you'll need to complete and return an Incoming Asset Transfer Form.
Consolidating your retirement accounts into one plan can simplify your financial life and make it easier to monitor your investments and adjust your strategy as needed.
You should consult with a financial advisor to ensure that your decisions align with your overall financial goals and to navigate the complexities of retirement planning.
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Taxes and Implications

A partial 457(b) rollover into an IRA or another eligible retirement plan is not taxable at the time of the rollover, but subsequent distributions will be subject to regular income tax rates applicable at the time of withdrawal.
If you roll over to a Roth IRA, you'll owe income tax on the amount you convert, but the funds will grow tax-free and withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free, provided certain conditions are met.
The tax treatment of governmental 457(b) plans is special, with distributions not subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, even if taken before age 59½. However, this lenient treatment may not carry over when you roll the funds into a different type of retirement account.
You can complete a rollover through a direct rollover, trustee-to-trustee transfer, or 60-day rollover, with taxes withheld from some of these options.
Here are the steps for each type of rollover:
It's essential to understand the tax implications of your rollover options and consider consulting with a financial advisor to ensure your decision aligns with your retirement goals and tax-saving strategies.
Rollover Process and Benefits

Rolling over a deferred compensation plan to an IRA offers several benefits, including a broader range of investment options compared to a 457(b) plan. This flexibility can be crucial for tailoring your portfolio to meet your specific risk tolerance and retirement goals.
You can roll over a qualified deferred compensation plan into an IRA or another tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicle. However, funds from non-qualified deferred compensation plans cannot be rolled over into another plan. This is a key consideration when deciding whether to roll over your deferred compensation plan.
A 457(b) partial rollover allows you to transfer a portion of your retirement savings to another eligible plan or IRA while still contributing to your current plan. This flexibility can help diversify your retirement portfolio and potentially optimize your tax situation.
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How to Complete a Rollover
Completing a rollover is a straightforward process that can help you consolidate your retirement assets and make the most of your investments. You can choose from three types of rollovers: direct rollover, trustee-to-trustee transfer, and 60-day rollover.
A direct rollover involves asking your plan administrator to make a payment directly to another retirement plan or to an IRA. This way, no taxes will be withheld from your transfer amount. The administrator may issue your distribution in the form of a check made payable to your new account.
For a trustee-to-trustee transfer, you can ask the financial institution holding your IRA to make a payment directly from your IRA to another IRA or to a retirement plan. Like a direct rollover, no taxes will be withheld from your transfer amount.
If a distribution is paid directly to you, you can deposit all or a portion of it in an IRA or a retirement plan within 60 days. However, taxes will be withheld from a distribution from a retirement plan, so you'll need to use other funds to roll over the full amount.
To roll money into your Plan, you'll need to complete and return an Incoming Asset Transfer Form. This form is available in PDF format, and you can use it to transfer assets from other qualified retirement plans, deferred compensation plans, and individual retirement accounts.
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Benefits of Rolling a Plan
Rolling a plan can offer several benefits, especially when you're looking for more control over your investment choices and seeking strategies to minimize taxes on your retirement income.
Deciding to roll your 457(b) plan into an IRA opens up a world of possibilities for growing your retirement savings and planning your financial future more strategically.
IRAs typically provide a broader range of investment options compared to 457(b) plans, allowing you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and more.
This flexibility can be crucial for tailoring your portfolio to meet your specific risk tolerance and retirement goals.
By rolling over to a Roth IRA, for example, you could benefit from tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, assuming you meet certain conditions.
However, it's essential to note that rolling over to a Roth IRA involves paying taxes on the transferred amount during the year of the rollover.
Consolidating your retirement accounts into an IRA can also simplify your financial life by reducing the number of accounts you need to track.
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Managing multiple accounts can be cumbersome and time-consuming, making it easier to monitor your investments and adjust your strategy as needed.
You can roll your Plan assets to other retirement plans such as qualified employer plans or an IRA, when you separate from service.
Withholding taxes may apply if the rollover is not a direct rollover.
Distributions made prior to age 59 ½ from other types of retirement plans may also be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty tax, unless an exception applies.
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Partial Rollover and Retirement Planning
A partial rollover from a 457(b) plan can be a smart move for diversifying your retirement portfolio and optimizing your tax situation. This flexibility can give you more control over how and when you access your funds and pay taxes on them.
You can transfer a portion of your retirement savings to another eligible plan or IRA while still contributing to your current plan. This is known as a 457(b) partial rollover.
Carefully consider taxes and fees before considering transferring assets into or out of your 457(b) plan.
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Plan Rollover Rules
You can roll over funds from a 457(b) plan into most other retirement accounts, including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and other 457(b) plans.
The IRS has specific rules for rolling over 457(b) funds, which are outlined in the table below.
A partial rollover of a 457(b) plan into an IRA or another eligible retirement plan is not taxable at the time of the rollover. However, subsequent distributions from the rolled-over account will be subject to regular income tax rates applicable at the time of withdrawal.
You can roll over some or all of your 457(b) funds, but the process will differ from plan to plan. It's always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor or the plan administrator to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
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Partial Rollover Impact on Retirement Planning
A partial rollover can impact your retirement planning by providing more control over how and when you access your funds and pay taxes on them.

You can roll over a portion of your 457(b) plan to another eligible plan or IRA, allowing you to diversify your retirement portfolio and potentially optimize your tax situation.
The tax implications of a partial 457(b) rollover are crucial to understand, as they can affect your retirement savings. If you roll over to a traditional IRA, the process is typically tax-free.
However, if you roll over to a Roth IRA, the scenario changes, and you'll owe income tax on the amount you convert. This means you'll have to pay taxes on the transferred amount during the year of the rollover.
Rolling over to a Roth IRA can offer tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, assuming you meet certain conditions. This is particularly appealing if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later on.
However, it's essential to note that rolling over to a Roth IRA involves paying taxes on the transferred amount during the year of the rollover.
Consolidating your retirement accounts into an IRA can simplify your financial life, making it easier to monitor your investments and adjust your strategy as needed.
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Withholding taxes may apply if the rollover is not a direct rollover, and distributions made prior to age 59 ½ from other types of retirement plans may also be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty tax, unless an exception applies.
Carefully consider taxes and fees before considering transferring assets into or out of your 457(b) plan.
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457 Plan and Rollover
A 457 plan is a type of deferred compensation plan that allows you to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. You can roll over assets from a 457 plan into most other retirement accounts, including a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, another 457 plan, a 403(b), a 401(a) or a 401(k) plan.
The IRS has specific rules regarding 457 plan rollovers, which can be found in the table below:
You can roll over some or all of your funds from a 457 plan, but the process will differ from plan to plan. If you're looking to roll funds into a MissionSquare account, you should contact them directly.
Upon retiring or leaving an employer, you can roll over your assets in the former employer's 457(b) plan into any kind of retirement account listed by the IRS. This is a great opportunity to consolidate your retirement savings and potentially optimize your tax situation.
A partial rollover of a 457(b) plan into an IRA or another eligible retirement plan is not taxable at the time of the rollover. However, subsequent distributions from the rolled-over account will be subject to regular income tax rates applicable at the time of withdrawal.
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Sources
- https://www.missionsq.org/products-and-services/457(b)-deferred-compensation-plans/457(b)-retirement-plan-rollover-options.html
- https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/rollovers-of-retirement-plan-and-ira-distributions
- https://www.missionsq.org/products-and-services/401(a)-defined-contribution-plans/401(a)-rollover-options.html
- https://www.investgrape.com/post/457-b-plan-partial-rollover-rules-benefits-steps
- https://www.nysdcp.com/iApp/rsc/support-howdoi-how_do_i_roll_over_money.x
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