SoonerSave Roth 457

As a state employee, you can save additional money for retirement by participating in SoonerSave. You can supplement your OPERS benefit by contributing and investing in the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Even better, the State of Oklahoma provides an employer match of $25 per month through the 401(a) Savings Incentive Plan. With voluntary contributions into the 457(b) plan, you have two available contribution types: pre-tax or Roth.

Contribution limits

The amount you can contribute is established yearly by the IRS. Below you will see the contribution limits for 2026.

50+ and 60-63 Aged-Based Catch-Up

The year you reach age 50, you can take advantage of the age 50+ catch-up limit. The Super Catch-up can be used the years you turn 60, 61, 62, and 63. You cannot use either age-based catch-up provision in the same calendar year you use the Special Three-Year Catch-Up.

High Earners and Age-Based Catch-up

Beginning January 1, 2026, there is a change in federal law that will affect certain retirement plan participants. Participants who had 2025 Social Security (FICA) wages in excess of $150,000 fall under the new rules detailed in Section 603 of the SECURE 2.0 Act. 

Three-Year Special Catch-Up

The 457 Special Three-Year Catch-Up allows you to “make up” for contributions you were eligible for, but did not make. Unlike the age-based catch-ups, which are a specific extra amount, the special three-year catch-up is based on your personal history with SoonerSave.

How it works

Designated retirement age

For this provision, you will designate a retirement age. Your designated retirement age is used to determine the years which you will use the Special Three-Year Catch-up provision; these can be as early as the three years prior to when you are first eligible to retire with your retirement plan.  Your designated retirement age will only be used for this provision. When you reach the age you’d like to retire, you will still need to go through the normal plan retirement process with your employer and your retirement system.

For example, if you designate your retirement age as 65 and you turn 65 in 2030:

Timing: You can use this for the three consecutive years prior to (but not including) the year you reach your designated retirement age.

Amount: You can contribute the lesser of:

• • Twice the regular annual limit (e.g., $24,500 x 2 = $49,000 in 2026).
  • The standard annual limit plus the total of all under-contributed amounts from previous

No stacking catch-up provisions: You cannot use both the age-based catch-up and the Special Three-Year catch-up in the same year.

One-Time Election: You can only use this provision once. When the three-year window begins, it runs for three consecutive years even if you stop contributing.

How to request information on your eligibility

You will need to be approved to participate in the Special Three-Year Catch-up. To start the process, complete the Request for Special Three-year Catch-up form. 

Once we receive your request, we will review your contribution history and calculate the maximum amount you will be allowed to contribute for each year of the three-year catch-up. You will receive this calculation, a history of your contributions and a form to elect participation and the amount you would like to contribute and they contribution type (pre-tax or Roth).

SoonerSave offers two great options for contributing to your retirement savings plan: pre-tax and Roth. Pre-tax contributions are contributions that you pay before any taxes are taken out. Pre-tax contributions lower your taxable income.

With the Roth option, you pay taxes on your contributions now so you don’t have to later. You also get the benefit of not having to pay taxes on the earnings.

When considering if Roth is right for you, keep these four things in mind:

• Your finances
  Are you okay with less take-home pay today in exchange for tax-free income in retirement?
• Your tax benefits
  Would you like to grow your savings and take withdrawals tax-free?
• Your career
  If you’re just starting out in your career, you may have a longer time to invest in your retirement savings.
• Your outlook
  If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket when you retire, making Roth contributions may help you save more money in the long run.

Roth 457: A Road to Retirement

This seminar presented by OPERS provides an overview of the Roth 457 plan. Topics will include explanations of Roth history and benefits, deciding which option is best for you, and managing your contribution options.