Is a 457b a qualified retirement plan?

A 457(b) plan is a type of deferred compensation retirement plan offered by governmental and certain non-profit employers. While it is not classified as a "qualified" plan under the Internal Revenue Code like 401(k) or 403(b) plans, it shares similarities in that it allows employees to defer a portion of their salary for retirement. Contributions to a 457(b) plan grow tax-deferred until withdrawal, typically in retirement. However, the rules governing withdrawals and contributions differ from those of qualified plans.