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PERA 457 [1]

All eligible employees can enroll in the PERA 457 plan. This is a defined contribution plan that employees can choose whether to contribute funds before or after tax.

  • The pretax option lowers your taxable income now. You'll pay taxes on your distributions in retirement.
  • The 457 offers a ROTH option. Consider the ROTH option if you want to contribute after tax, allowing for tax-free growth and tax-free distributions in retirement.

Get started

  Enroll in the PERA 457 [2]

  Access your account [3]

  Enrollment guide [4]

  Plan overview [5]

Attend a webinar [6]

Plan Features  457 pretax and ROTH (after tax)
Plan Administrator PERA/Empower
Who can participate? All CU faculty and staff
How much can you contribute?

Please note: Contribution limits for the 457 Plan are not combined with the 403(b) and 401(k) limits. This is a separate limit. 

 
2025 Maximum:
$23,500
Minimum: N/A
2025 Catch-up contributions:
Ages 50-59 and 64+: $7,500  
Ages 60-63: $11,250
Additional catch-up provisions: For the three consecutive years before your normal retirement age, you may be able to contribute up to twice the available limit if you under-contributed prior years.
When are you vested? Contributions to this account will be 100% vested immediately.
When can you take money out? Qualifying distributions
  • Reach age 59 ½ while employed
  • Retirement
  • Termination of employment
  • Unforseeable emergency
Loans: Members can borrow from their account balances and pay back the loan with interest. See the enrollment guide [4] for details.
 
Investment choices You will have access to the PERAdvantage line of investments, Target Date Funds based on your expected retirement date as well as a self-directed brokerage account.

See PERA's voluntary plan website [7] and related investment  lineup [8].

PERA/Empower offers online advice at no cost and professional management for a fee. For more information, go to coperaplus.org [9], open the Investing drop-down menu and select Investment assistance or call 833-4-COPERA (833-426-7372).

 
What are the fees? The administrative fee is a flat rate of $1.50 per month. If you also participate in the PERA 401(k) plan and/or PERA DC Plan, you will pay a set fee per month for each plan. Participants also pay a 0.03% total asset-based fee. 
Groups audience: 
Employee Services
Right Sidebar: 
ES: Benefits & Wellness - Contact PERA
ES: Benefits & Wellness - Retirement Plans Sidebar

Source URL:https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness/gme-medical-residents/retirement-savings-plans/pera-457

Links
[1] https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness/gme-medical-residents/retirement-savings-plans/pera-457 [2] https://www.cu.edu/docs/pera-457-voluntary-retirement-plan-how-enroll [3] https://www.copera.org/peraplus-401-k-457-plans [4] https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/peraplus-457-plan-enrollment-guide.pdf [5] https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/peraplus-457-plan-overview.pdf [6] https://www.copera.org/webinars [7] https://coperaplus.empower-retirement.com/participant/#/login [8] https://coperaplus.empower-retirement.com/participant/#/articles/COPERA/investmentInformation [9] http://coperaplus.org