457b plan limit with employer match ?

[Guest bstarr@metlife.com]

Dear Moderator, What is the maximum contribution that a well paid department head at a county can contribute in his county 457b plan in addition to his employers match contribution ?

Say our state was in federal compliance, and he being over 50 years of age wished to max out, but the employer was also going to contribute-- then is the max only $ 11000 + $ 1000 (-minus the

employers contribution) ? Or could it be higher than the plan the plan limit of $ 11000 + $ 1000 + ER contribution, for the year 2002.

Thank You

[Carol V. Calhoun]

Unlike the limits applicable to 403(B) and 401(k) elective contributions, the limit for 457(B) plans applies to the aggregate of employer and elective contributions. Some governmental entitities get around this issue by having only the elective contributions made to the 457(B) plan, and having the employer match made to a separate 401(a) or 403(B) plan.