Retirement > SERS > 403(b) > GENERAL PLAN INFORMATION
2. How does the 403(b) plan differ from the 457 plan?
The 403(b) plan is open only to employees of an eligible state educational institution. A full list of eligible agencies can be found below
The other major difference between the 457 and 403(b) is that the 10% federal penalty tax on distributions prior to age 59½ does not apply to distributions from 457 account assets. The 10% premature distribution penalty tax applies to distributions from the 403(b) taken prior to age 59½