The participants in a governmental nonqualified deferred compensation plan covering state judges are taxed under the rules applicable to funded or unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plans [but a plan is not subject to the requirements of 457 as deferred compensation, especially 457(f)] if:
(1) the plan has been continuously in existence since December 31, 1978;
(2) the plan requires all eligible judges to participate and contribute the same fixed percentage of their basic or regular compensation;
(3) the plan provides no judge with an option as to contributions or benefits, which, if exercised, would affect the amount of his or her includable compensation;
(4) retirement benefits under the plan are a percentage of the compensation of judges holding similar positions in the state; and
(5) benefits paid to any participant in any year do not exceed the limitation of IRC Section 415(b) ( Q 3868).1
However, plans for judges that do not meet these conditions must comply with requirements of a Section 457(b) eligible or 457(f) ineligible plan, as applicable.
1. Rev. Act of 1978 § 131 (as amended by TEFRA 1982 § 252); TRA 1986 § 1107(c)(4); PL 97-514 (TEFRA), Section 252, and reaffirmed in Prop. Treas. Reg. Section 1.457-11(b)(1), REG 1147197, June 22, 2016. See also
Foil v. Comm., 91-1 USTC ¶ 50,016 (5th Cir. 1990);
Yegan v. Comm., TC Memo 1989-291.