Change in Eligibility

I have a 457b plan that is changing its eligibility going forward. And one of the current participants will no longer meet the criteria. Can that participants still contribute and keep balance in the plan b/c he met eligibility previously?

Governmental? - I'd say it depends on what the plan ultimately says concerning that situation, and if it hasn't happened yet, a good opportunity to consult and make sure that it does address the situation.

Tax-exempt top-hat? - Same as above UNLESS the change concerns who the employer is considering as select management or highly compensated, in which case the employee should no longer participate if the employer deems no longer a top-hat eligible employee.

The individual should continue to have a balance -- you can't simply take that away. But as to future participation, I agree with @CuseFan. 

33 minutes ago, Carol V. Calhoun said:

individual should continue to have a balance

absolutely, should have reiterated that in my response, thanks

@CuseFan the plan Top hat -and is changing the compensation minimum to participate and the person is below that limit. So sounds like he can keep the balance but not contribute in future. Thanks for info.

If the employer determines that the person is not top-hat eligible, it should probably distribute the balance to the employee. Even if it does that, I think the jury is out on whether the plan will ever be a good top-hat plan or instead is permanently "tainted" as an ERISA-violating unfunded non-top-hat plan. At least, I'm unaware of guidance or a case on the issue.