The City provides all benefited employees the opportunity to participate in a Section 457 Deferred Compensation plan. Deferred Compensation allows participants to defer a portion of their salary, pretax, for investment purposes. Great-West/Benefits Corp. and ICMA-RC are the City's current Deferred Compensation Providers. Employees have a variety of investment options in all risk categories.

Deferred Compensation is not a savings account.  Under IRS Section 457, distributions can only be made at termination, retirement, or unforeseeable emergency.

The deferred compensation committee must review all unforeseeable emergency claims.

The City MUST abide by IRS regulation or risk forfeiting the entire Deferred Compensation plan.

IRS Section 457 Plan Highlights

1. Open enrollment is continuous - participants can enroll, stop and change at any time.
   
   
2. The minimum contribution is $10.00 per pay period.
    
3. The maximum allowable contribution under the IRS for 2009 is $16,500 per year ($22,000 per year if employee turns 50 years or older in the calendar year).
    
4. The City contribution for Non-safety Management employees is $250/month and the employee must contribute at least $25.00 per pay period.
   
   Premiums for Long-Term Disability are paid out of the City's contribution to deferred compensation.
   
   The City contribution for Confidential employees is $150.00 per month and the employee must contribute at least $25.00 per pay period.
   
   The City contribution for Fire-safety Management employees is $210/month and employee must contribute at least $25.00 per pay period. City contribution $200/month, if enrolled in LTD.
   
   The City contribution for Police-safety Management and Supervisory employees is $215/month and the employee must contribute at least $25.00 per pay period. City contribution $200/month, if enrolled in LTD.
   
   Premiums for Long-Term Disability are paid out of the City's contribution to deferred compensation.
   
   
5. Balances in 457 accounts through previous employers may be transferred to the City.
   
   Effective January 1, 2002, plans such as 401(a), 401(k), IRA and 403(b)  are compatible with 457s under the IRS code and can be rolled over to a 457 plan.

ICMA enrollment packets contain complete details of benefits and exclusions. The City of Riverside Human Resources Department and ICMA-RC Member Services are also available to answer questions.