Governmental 401(a) Plans
For employees of state, county, and local governments, including public education institutions
Contributions Limits
To learn more about how much you can contribute, view Contribution and Benefit Limits for Retirement Plans
Types of Contributions
Depending on plan rules, employer contributions, employee pre-tax, and/or employee after-tax contributions may be permitted. Check your employer's plan summary to see which types of contributions are available under the plan.
Account Consolidation
If permitted under your current and prior employers' plans, you can transfer your vested account balance from a prior employer's retirement plan to your current employer's plan. This can make it easier for you to track your retirement savings and maintain a suitably diversified investment portfolio. Always make sure that you find out what, if any, surrender charges may apply before you initiate a transfer.
Vesting Status
You are always 100% vested in your own contributions, transferred and rollover contributions, and any earnings they generate.
A 401(a) plan may require completion of a specific number of years of service for vesting in employer contributions. If your employer's plan includes employer contributions, check the plan summary to find out the vesting rules.
Withdrawals and Distributions
Generally not available before age 59½ unless you terminate employment, are disabled, or die. A plan may also permit an in-service distribution for Childbirth and Adoption Expenses without a federal income tax penalty. Amounts distributed are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may incur a 10% federal income tax penalty.
A plan may also permit an in-service distribution for Childbirth, Adoption Expenses and Federally Declared Disasters without a federal income tax penalty. Amounts distributed are taxable as ordinary income. * Repayment of these distributions must generally be repaid within 3 years.
Individuals generally must begin taking distributions out of their retirement account, which are:
- Age 70 1/2, if born before July 1, 1949,
- Age 72, if born on July 1, 1949, and before 1951,
- Age 73, if born between 1951 and 1959, and
- The age will further increase in future years.
Loans
Availability of loans varies by plan. Check your employer's plan summary to see if loans are offered.
Learn More
Refer to your employer's 401(a) plan summary.
