457 Plan (Voluntary Contributions)

• You make contributions from each paycheck that are invested with the goal of generating even more savings for your retirement. You choose how your savings are invested.
• You may make contributions on a pre-tax basis (you don't have to pay taxes on these savings until you withdraw them when you retire), or on a Roth (after-tax) basis (you pay taxes on these savings now so you don't have to later).

All BART Employees, officers, and members of the Board of Directors.

If you're re-employed by BART under USERRA, your military service will be counted as service with BART and you may enroll and make contributions to your 457 plan. Please contact the BART Benefits Office for additional information.

1. Log into EmployeeConnect.
2. Go to My Benefits, then click on Savings and Commuter Summary.
3. Click on either Deferred Compensation or Roth 457.
4. Click the yellow Edit button.
5. Enter a new dollar amount or percentage and click Save. All changes are effective on the first day of the following month.
6. If option is not displayed to establish/change Roth contributions, please contact Benefits at (510) 464-6238.

Find contribution limits for your age and specific situation.

Limits are subject to increases in accordance with IRS rules.

BART offers two catch-up contribution types that allow participants to contribute more than the normal maximum contribution amount for each year:

Age 50+ Catch-Up - For participants age 50 or older by the end of the year.

Pre-Retirement Catch-Up - Allows you to make additional contributions to your BART 457 Deferred Compensation Plan in order to make up for years in which you did not contribute the maximum permissible amount. You can review the BART 457 Deferred Compensation Catch-up Provision Packet for details regarding this special provision. The packet will also have instructions on how to get started and who to contact for assistance.

This election is irrevocable after you begin using the Pre-Retirement Catch-Up Provision.

*Please review the BART 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Catch-up Provision Packet.

• When a period of five years has passed since January 1 of the year of your first Roth contribution; and
• You are at least 59½ years old, or disabled; if you have passed away, your beneficiaries may make tax-free withdrawals of your Roth 457 assets upon your death.

It’s easy! Simply log into EmployeeConnect to designate all or part of your contribution as Roth 457 contributions.

If option is not displayed to establish/change Roth contributions, please contact Benefits at (510) 464-6238.

There are two types of changes you can make:

• Changes to how your current account assets are invested (fund-to-fund transfers).
• Changes to how your future contributions are invested (future allocation changes).

You can make changes to your investments by logging into your account or by calling MissionSquare Retirement at 1-833-538-BART (2278) for assistance with your transaction.

There is no early-withdrawal penalty if you withdraw your 457 assets before age 59½.

Yes! Consolidations are allowed into either the 401(a) or 457 Plans. Commonly consolidated accounts are: 401(k), 401(a), 457, 403(b), Traditional IRAs, Federal TSA, and Defined Benefit Pension Lump Sum payouts. You can make this request online or use the Direct Rollover/Transfer to BART Packet to get the process started.