NQ Forever

Another deferral timiing question that's not clear (to me)...... If a plan sponsor is offering a new executive the opportunity to defer a sign-on bonus (not performance-based) with a vesting schedule of 12-months or more, under what deferral election timing rule does this fall? Would it be certain forfeitable rights (election w/i 30 days of the award)? Would it be initial plan eligibility (within 30 days of becomeing eleigible, and the deferral applies to amounts unearned)? Thanks!