Tax Deferred Retirement Saving Plan Comparison*

Effective January 1, 2007 TSA Section 403(b)** DCP Section 457(b)**
Eligibility Employees of schools, hospitals, and other charitable or educational organizations. Employees of a state/local government, public school/college.
Salary Reduction Yes Yes
Established only with employer involvement Yes Yes
Tax treatment of contributions and investment income Federal and State (Ohio) income taxes deferred. Federal and State (Ohio) income taxes deferred.
Contribution Limit (2006)
*Employees may contribute to both plans up to their respective limits, potentially allowing up to $31,000 per year.
Up to the lesser of 100% of compensation or $15,500.

 

Up to the lesser of 100% of compensation or $15,500.

 

Catch-Up Contributions (2006)
*Only one catch-up provision per plan may be elected in any one tax year.
Employees who are age 50 or older are able to contribute an additional $5,000 per year.

After 15 years of service with the same employer, employees who underutilized deferrals from previous years may be able to contribute an additional $3,000 per year for a lifetime total of $15,000.

Employees who are age 50 or older are able to contribute an additional $5,000 per year.
 

During 1 or more of the 3 years prior to normal retirement age, the catch-up limit for employees who underutilized deferrals in previous years will be twice the dollar limit in effect for the year, subject to the other requirements applicable to the 457(b) catch-up limit.

Permitted Investments Annuity contracts, mutual funds, money market funds, and unit investment funds. Annuity contracts, mutual funds, and guaranteed return.
Ownership of Investments Employee Employer
Possible Distribution Events Death, age 59-1/2, termination of employment, financial hardship. Death, termination of employment, approved financial emergency.
Definition of Hardship/Emergency College tuition, home purchase, eviction. Accident or illness, catastrophe loss.
Tax-Free Loan Available if offered by investment provider. Available if offered by investment provider.
Penalty for Early Distribution 10% IRS penalty may apply for distributions prior to age 59-1/2 in addition to normal income taxes. Upon termination of employment, no early withdrawal penalty for distributions at any age. Normal income taxes apply.
IRS Required Minimum Distribution Later of age 70-1/2 or termination of employment with eligible employer. Contributions permitted at any age. Later of age 70-1/2 or termination of employment with eligible employer. Contributions permitted at any age.
Distribution Restrictions Total distribution over lives or life expectancy of participant and named beneficiary. Total distribution over lives or life expectancy of participant and named beneficiary.
Tax Treatment of Distributions Taxed as ordinary income. Taxed as ordinary income.
In-Service Transfers To another 403(b) provider. To another eligible 457(b) plan if both plans permit.
Rollovers To an IRA after separation or age 59-1/2. To an IRA after separation.

*403(b) and 457(b) funds can be used to buyback STRS, PERS, and SERS Service Years Credit beginning January 1, 2002
*This outline compares some, but not all provisions of these retirement plans. Because of the outline format, the information is simplified and cannot be fully accurate. To learn more, contact a Tax Deferred Annuity Representative of your choice.
**Information provided by J. Seckel of AIG VALIC (403(b)), and Ohio Public Employees Deferred Compensation (457(b)).

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