457 Top Hat Plans

Targeted deferred compensation for select leadership.

Already an NBS client?

Log in to your portal, upload documents, or find forms.

Retirement — Gov & Nonprofit

About this plan

A 457 Top Hat plan is an unfunded deferred compensation arrangement available to a select group of management or highly compensated employees of governmental and tax-exempt organizations. It operates outside the standard 457(b) limits and provides a flexible supplemental benefit for key personnel.

What's Included

Available to select management or highly compensated employees
No IRS contribution limits — flexible employer contributions
Unfunded arrangement backed by employer's general assets
Defers income tax until distribution
DOL top hat plan filing requirements handled by NBS
Coordinates with existing 403(b) and 457(b) strategy
Effective recruitment and retention tool for leadership
Plan document preparation and ongoing compliance

For Employers

When you need to attract or retain executive-level talent, a 457 Top Hat plan lets you offer deferred compensation beyond standard plan limits. NBS handles the documentation and compliance.

For Participants

A 457 Top Hat plan defers a portion of your compensation until a future date — typically retirement or separation. The arrangement provides additional savings beyond your regular retirement plan limits.

NBS administers more than 457 Top Hat Plans

Many employers use NBS across multiple benefit types — consolidating administration simplifies vendor management and gives your employees a consistent experience. You may also be interested in these related plans.

Questions? We're here to help.

Whether you're an existing client, a participant with a question, or exploring NBS for the first time — our team is ready.