Roth and 457 For All Webinar Resources
The PERA Defined Contribution Team is available for questions related to plan and contribution options. Reach them by phone at 303-398-7665 or by email at DefinedContribution@copera.org
The PERA Employer Relations Team is available for questions related to file specifications, reporting requirements, the optional 457 enrollment/change form (available in late December 2026), help with navigating questions with payroll vendors and more. Reach them at 303-398-3724 or EmployerRelations@copera.org.
Roth 457 for All Colorado House Bill 26-1026
Communications Toolkits
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Has 457 Plan and Roth
As a Colorado PERA member, you have access to the suite of retirement savings options including the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans. These plans also allow you to elect traditional (pre-tax) or Roth (post-tax) options. If you currently have a 457 Plan or are considering enrolling, the process for signing up and managing will change starting in 2027.
The PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans have different features and rules that may be important when considering your retirement savings options.
Roth is an option for these plans that affects how the taxes will be treated on them. Traditional 401(k) and 457 contributions are made pre-tax, which means they are contributed before taxes are taken out of the contributions. When you take out payments in your retirement from your traditional 401(k) or 457 plan, taxes will be owed on the amounts. Roth is a post-tax plan where taxes are taken before the contributions are made. When certain conditions are met, this can result in tax-free withdrawals upon retirement.
To help you understand the differences, PERA has a side-by-side comparison of the available plans and contribution types.
Review the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plan comparison to learn more about the differences between the plans, including contribution options, catch-up provisions, distribution rules, and other important features.
Additionally, the enrollment and deferral change process for the PERAPlus 457 Plan is moving from Empower to our payroll system in January 2027! More information about how to enroll or make changes to your contributions will be provided by us. Starting December 2026, we will be accepting enrollments and deferral changes that are effective January 2027.
PERA offers live webinars and on-demand videos to help you learn more about your PERA benefits. You can register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom, or watch an On Demand Video here.
Has 457 Plan but not Roth
New PERAPlus savings options offered through Colorado PERA are coming January 1, 2027!
Beginning January 1, 2027, you will have additional options to save for your retirement the PERAPlus Plans.
For the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans, you will now be able to choose whether your contributions to either plan are made on a traditional pre-tax or Roth (post-tax) basis.
The PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans have different features and rules that may be important when considering your retirement savings options. There are also tax implications for traditional pre-tax and Roth options that may be important to consider depending on your financial needs. To help you understand the differences, Colorado PERA has a side-by-side comparison of the available plans and contribution types.
Review the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plan comparison to learn more about the differences between the plans, including contribution options, catch-up provisions, distribution rules, and other important features.
PERA offers live webinars and on demand videos to help you learn more about your PERA benefits. You can register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom, or watch an On Demand Video here.
Additionally, the enrollment and deferral change process for the PERAPlus 457 Plan is moving from Empower to our payroll system in January 2027! We will provide additional information about how to enroll and make changes to your contributions as it becomes available. Starting December 2026, we will be accepting enrollments and deferral changes that are effective January 2027.
Does not have 457 Plan or Roth
New PERAPlus savings options offered through Colorado PERA are coming January 1, 2027!
Beginning January 1, 2027, you will have additional options to save for your retirement through the PERAPlus Plans.
In addition to the PERAPlus 401(k) Plan, you will have access to the PERAPlus 457 Plan. You will also be able to choose whether your contributions to either plan are made on a traditional pre-tax or Roth (post-tax) basis.
The PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans have different features and rules that may be important when considering your retirement savings options. To help you understand the differences, Colorado PERA has a side-by-side comparison of the available plans and contribution types.
Review the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plan comparison to learn more about the differences between the plans, including contribution options, catch-up provisions, distribution rules, and other important features.
PERA offers live webinars and on-demand videos to help you learn more about your PERA benefits. You can register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom or watch an On Demand Video here.
We will provide additional information about how to enroll and make changes to your contributions as it becomes available.
Has Roth but not 457 Plan
New PERAPlus savings options offered through Colorado PERA are coming January 1, 2027!
Beginning January 1, 2027, you will have additional options to save for your future through the PERAPlus Plans.
In addition to the PERAPlus 401(k) Plan, you will have access to the PERAPlus 457 Plan. You will also be able to choose whether your contributions to either plan are made on a traditional pre-tax or Roth (post-tax) basis.
The PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plans have different features and rules that may be important when considering your retirement savings options. To help you understand the differences, Colorado PERA has a side-by-side comparison of the available plans and contribution types.
Review the PERAPlus 401(k) and 457 Plan comparison to learn more about the differences between the plans, including contribution options, catch-up provisions, distribution rules, and other important features.
PERA offers live webinars and on-demand videos to help you learn more about your PERA benefits. You can register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom or watch an On Demand Video here. If you would like to participate in the PERAPlus 457 Plan, you will be able to start contributing to this plan effective January 1, 2027.
We will provide additional information about how to enroll and make changes to your contributions as it becomes available.
Information about the account types are located on the 401(k)/457 Plans (PERAPlus) for Employers page.
Additional Resources
Educational Resources For Your Organization
Watch the “Enrolling in PERAPlus” webinar for your employees and staff to learn all about the 401(k) and 457 plans and traditional and Roth contribution options.