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Level 3
August 29, 2021
Solved

Can TP make max contributions to a 401K and a 457 plan.

  • August 29, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 21 views

TP works for a company the offers a 401K and a university that offers a 457 plan.  Combined income for 2021 will be around $120K.

What I have been reading appears to indicate that the TP can make the max $19,500 to each plan.

Am I understanding this correctly?  Don't want to worry about excess contributions.

Thanks in advance.

 

Roberta

 

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Best answer by qbteachmt

The 457(b) is non-qualified, so they can contribute to both.

"the 457(b) elective deferral limit is not offset by 401(k) or 403(b) deferrals. Thus, the maximum deferral limit of $19,500 may be contributed to a 457(b) plan, regardless of whether any deferrals or employer contributions have been made to a 403(b) or 401(k) plan."

From: https://www.captrust.com/navigating-the-number-jumble-403b-401k-457b-comparison/

The limits are different:

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/what-difference-between-401k-plan-and-457-plan.asp

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/how-much-salary-can-you-defer-if-youre-eligible-for-more-than-one-retirement-plan

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-457b-contribution-limits

And when learning about them, make sure to pay attention to governmental vs nongovernmental. You didn't describe if that is a private university or state.

The 457(b) is referred to as a Top Hat Plan, and they can be a bit risky:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/top-hat-plan.asp

 

1 reply

qbteachmt
qbteachmtAnswer
Level 15
August 29, 2021

The 457(b) is non-qualified, so they can contribute to both.

"the 457(b) elective deferral limit is not offset by 401(k) or 403(b) deferrals. Thus, the maximum deferral limit of $19,500 may be contributed to a 457(b) plan, regardless of whether any deferrals or employer contributions have been made to a 403(b) or 401(k) plan."

From: https://www.captrust.com/navigating-the-number-jumble-403b-401k-457b-comparison/

The limits are different:

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100314/what-difference-between-401k-plan-and-457-plan.asp

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/how-much-salary-can-you-defer-if-youre-eligible-for-more-than-one-retirement-plan

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-457b-contribution-limits

And when learning about them, make sure to pay attention to governmental vs nongovernmental. You didn't describe if that is a private university or state.

The 457(b) is referred to as a Top Hat Plan, and they can be a bit risky:

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/top-hat-plan.asp

 

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers
Bert0611Author
Level 3
August 29, 2021

Thanks for the reply.  I had previously read all of the articles except for the one from captrust.com.  I was trying to verify my understanding of those articles.  And the 457 is at the University of Minnesota.

 

Roberta

qbteachmt
Level 15
August 29, 2021

"I had previously read all of the articles"

I've really enjoyed investopedia this tax year; they're doing a great job.

Don't yell at us; we're volunteers