457(b) Plan

Below are the important features about the plan. For more information, contact a financial professional.

The Chicago Public Schools 457(b) Plan

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) sponsors the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan for its employees. The 457(b) Plan gives you:

  • Choices and control over how your account balance is invested in any combination of investment options offered under your plan.
  • Withdrawals of your 457 contributions and earnings prior to age 59½ are not subject to an IRS 10% premature distribution penalty tax (distributions will be taxed as ordinary income when distributed; any amounts rolled into the 457(b) Plan from a non-457 plan will still be subject to the IRS 10% premature distribution penalty tax unless an exception applies)
  • Portability of your account to another eligible retirement plan
  • A variety of payout options at retirement

Loans

  • One loan is allowed every 12 months
  • Minimum account balance of $2,000 required
  • Minimum loan amount is $1,000
  • The loan interest rate will be a fixed rate for the term of the loan and will be based off the Moody’s Monthly Average Corporates at the time of loan request. All loan repayments, principal and interest, will be deposited into your retirement account.
  • $75 per loan initiation fee
  • $25 per loan annual administration fee

Note: To initiate a loan from your Plan account, please call the Retirement Readiness Service Center at (800) 584-6001, from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. CT, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.

Distributions

Several payout options are available to you when you are ready to receive a distribution. With these options, the emphasis is on flexibility. You can receive your benefits in any one of the following ways. Remember, taxes are due at withdrawal, so we suggest you discuss your income tax liability with your accountant or attorney before choosing an option:

  • distribution over your lifetime;
  • distribution over your lifetime and the lifetime of your designated beneficiary;
  • distribution over a set time period not extending beyond your life expectancy;
  • distribution over a set time period not extending beyond the joint and last survivor life expectancy of both you and your beneficiary;
  • a lump-sum, or partial lump-sum distribution in combination with one of the other options;
  • an estate conservation option that allows you to receive only the minimum amount required by law at either age 72 or retirement, whichever comes later; or
  • a systematic withdrawal option that provides periodic income for either a specific investment amount, a specific dollar amount, or a specified time period (including your life expectancy) at retirement or separation from service.

Withdrawals

Generally, withdrawals from a deferred compensation plan are not allowed unless you sever from employment, die, or incur an "unforeseeable emergency" as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. An unforeseeable emergency means a severe financial hardship to the participant resulting from:

  • an illness or accident of the participant or beneficiary, the participant's or beneficiary's spouse or dependent;
  • loss of the participant's or beneficiary's property due to casualty; or
  • similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the participant or the beneficiary.

This definition does not generally include the purchase of a principal residence or payment of college expenses.

A governmental 457 plan may also include provisions allowing for additional access to funds in your account. Funds may be withdrawn by an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order once your account is divided in accordance with a court order. You may also be able to transfer funds from the 457(b) Plan to the state defined benefit plan, for the purchase of service credit under the state defined benefit plan.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable product and its underlying fund options carefully before investing. The prospectuses contain this and other information, and can be obtained by contacting your local representative. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

Variable annuities are long-term investments for retirement purposes. Withdrawals from a 457(b) plan are generally permitted upon severance from employment, death, or the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. Amounts distributed from the annuity will be taxed as ordinary income when distributed. Account values fluctuate with market conditions, and when withdrawn, the principal may be worth more or less than the original amount invested. Tax deferral is provided by the plan and the annuity does not provide any additional tax deferral benefit. Annuities may be subject to additional fees and expenses to which other tax-qualified plan funding vehicles may not be subject. However, annuities provide features and benefits such as lifetime income payments and death benefits which may be valuable to you.