GASB Proposes Guidance on Internal Revenue Code Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Norwalk, CT, June 28, 2019—The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
has proposed new accounting and financial reporting guidance on
Internal Revenue Code Section 457 deferred compensation plans (Section
457 plans).
The Exposure Draft, Internal Revenue Code Section 457 Deferred
Compensation Plans That Meet the Definition of a Pension Plan and
Supersession of GASB Statement 32, proposes that if a Section
457 plan meets the definition of a pension plan in GASB guidance, the
appropriate GASB pension standards should be applied to the financial
reporting for that plan and for the benefits provided through that plan.
Under existing guidance, Section 457 plans are explicitly excluded from
the pension standards.
The Exposure Draft would enhance the relevance, consistency, and
comparability of accounting and financial reporting by pension plans,
including Section 457 plans, and by the governments that provide
benefits through those plans.
The proposed Statement also would supersede the remaining provisions of Statement No. 32, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Internal Revenue Code Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plans, as amended, regarding investment valuation requirements for Section 457 plans. The proposal would require investments of all Section
457 plans to be valued as of the end of the plan's reporting period in
all circumstances, as is required for all other postemployment benefit
plans.
Provisions of the proposed Statement would be effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2020, and all reporting periods
thereafter. Early application would be encouraged.
The Exposure Draft is available on the GASB website, www.gasb.org. The GASB invites stakeholders to review the proposal and provide comments by September 27, 2019.