A Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan is a type of retirement savings program established under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is primarily designed for employees of state and local governments , including workers employed by states, counties, cities, and municipalities , as well as certain governmental agencies. These plans allow employees to defer a portion of their salary into a retirement account on a pre-tax basis , meaning the contributions are not included in taxable income until the funds are withdrawn, usually during retirement.

Section 457 plans are similar in concept to other tax-deferred retirement plans such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans, but they are specifically intended for public sector employees . One of the distinctive features of a governmental 457 plan is that withdrawals can often be taken without the early withdrawal penalty typically applied before age 59½ , provided the participant separates from service.

Options such as sole proprietorships or religious organizations typically use other retirement arrangements (like SEP, SIMPLE IRA, or 403(b) plans ). Therefore, the correct answer is that Section 457 plans are intended for employees of states, counties, or municipalities .