Quick answer
Your rollable balance depends on which NDPERS plan you are in
Legacy Main DB Hybrid plan members who terminate can roll over a refund of their accumulated account balance to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding physical metals. The monthly defined benefit is not rollable. New employees in the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan, a 401(a), have a fully portable account at separation. The NDPERS 457 Companion Plan qualifies as a governmental 457(b) and follows its own rollover path.
North Dakota public employees navigating the NDPERS system face a decision that depends heavily on which benefit track they are in. The plan structure changed significantly on January 1, 2025, when the state closed the Main DB Hybrid plan to new hires under HB 1040 and opened enrollment in a defined contribution tier. Legacy members and new employees work under different rules, and the rollover options differ at each level. This guide walks through the rollover mechanics for each NDPERS component, the federal withholding rules, the North Dakota state tax context, and how a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible physical metals receives the funds.
Two plan tracks inside NDPERS after January 2025
The North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System underwent a structural shift that took effect at the start of 2025. House Bill 1040 closed the Main DB Hybrid plan to new hires on January 1, 2025, and state employees who joined after that date were enrolled in the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan instead (NDPERS, ndpers.nd.gov). The two plans operate under different rules, and the rollover question has a different answer for each.
Members hired before January 1, 2025 remain in the Main DB Hybrid plan unless specific conditions trigger a plan change. Their benefit combines a defined benefit component, which pays as a monthly allowance at retirement, with an accumulated account that tracks member contributions and credited earnings. The monthly defined benefit is not an eligible rollover distribution. The accumulated account balance is a separate matter.
Employees who joined NDPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2025, are in the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan, which operates as a defined contribution 401(a) account. The full account balance, including the vested portion of employer contributions, is portable at separation. This is a fundamentally different rollover position from the legacy plan members.
Both groups may also participate in the NDPERS 457 Companion Plan, a voluntary supplemental 457(b) deferred compensation account. That plan follows its own rollover process and applies to both legacy and new-tier members who have chosen to participate.
For members hired before January 1, 2025
Main DB Hybrid Plan
- Monthly defined benefit at retirement: NOT rollover-eligible (annuity, not account balance)
- Accumulated account balance refund at termination: generally rollover-eligible as a lump-sum distribution
- Taking the refund typically forfeits the employer-funded deferred benefit
- Vesting rules govern the employer contribution share; verify with NDPERS
- 20 percent mandatory withholding applies to direct cash payments; direct rollover avoids it
For members hired on or after January 1, 2025
DC 2025 Tier 3 (401(a))
- Fully defined contribution; no monthly annuity component
- Vested account balance at separation: generally fully rollover-eligible
- Rolls to a traditional IRA by direct rollover
- Vesting schedule determines the employer-funded portion; verify with NDPERS
- 20 percent mandatory withholding applies to direct cash payments; direct rollover avoids it
What each NDPERS component can and cannot roll over
The table below summarizes the rollover eligibility of each NDPERS component. “Eligible” means the distribution generally qualifies as an eligible rollover distribution under IRS rules. The specific forms, timing, and forfeiture consequences depend on the current NDPERS plan documents; verify at ndpers.nd.gov before electing.
| NDPERS Component | Rollover Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main DB Hybrid: monthly defined benefit | No | Pays as a lifetime annuity from the trust fund, not as an account balance |
| Main DB Hybrid: accumulated account balance refund | Yes | Lump-sum of member contributions and credited earnings; taking it typically forfeits the employer-funded deferred benefit |
| DC 2025 Tier 3 (401(a)): vested account balance | Yes | Fully portable at separation; non-vested employer contributions may be forfeited depending on vesting schedule |
| 457 Companion Plan (governmental 457(b)) | Yes | Pre-tax balance to traditional IRA; Roth subaccount if any to Roth IRA; no 10 percent early withdrawal tax on direct 457(b) distributions (loses after rollover to IRA) |
| Any required minimum distribution amount | No | RMD portion must be distributed first; rolling an RMD creates an excess IRA contribution |
Main DB Hybrid plan: the accumulated account balance refund path
The Main DB Hybrid plan combines a defined benefit annuity component with an individual account that accumulates member contributions and credited earnings. When a member terminates employment before reaching the plan’s retirement age, the plan generally offers two options: leave the benefit deferred and collect the monthly allowance at the applicable retirement age, or request a refund of the accumulated account balance as a lump sum.
The deferred monthly benefit is not an eligible rollover distribution under federal law because it will pay as a lifetime annuity stream from the trust fund, not from a separate account balance that the member controls (IRS, Rollovers of Retirement Plan and IRA Distributions). Once a member starts collecting the monthly annuity, those payments are ordinary income in the year received and cannot be redirected to an IRA.
The accumulated account balance is a different matter. This is the sum of the member’s own contributions to the plan plus the interest or earnings credited by NDPERS over the membership period. When a terminating member requests a refund of this balance, that payment is generally an eligible rollover distribution. If the refund is $200 or more, it can move by direct rollover to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible precious metals, under IRS Publication 590-A.
The decision carries a significant trade-off. Taking the refund typically forfeits the employer-funded portion of the deferred benefit and closes the NDPERS account for that period of service. A vested member who waits until the applicable retirement age would otherwise receive the defined benefit annuity that includes both the member-funded and employer-funded portions. Once the refund is taken, the path to the employer-funded lifetime benefit tied to that service period is generally closed.
Federal withholding rules apply to the lump-sum refund. If NDPERS pays the accumulated account balance directly to the member, 20 percent mandatory federal income tax withholding applies to the eligible rollover distribution portion (IRS rollover rules). The member who intends to roll the full amount must deposit money from another source to make the IRA deposit equal to the gross distribution. A direct rollover, where NDPERS sends the payment directly to the receiving IRA custodian, avoids the withholding because the funds never pass through the member’s hands.
If the member is under age 59 and a half and takes the refund as a direct cash payment without rolling it over, an additional 10 percent federal tax may apply on top of regular income tax on the taxable portion (IRS Retirement Topics, Tax on Early Distributions). A direct rollover to a traditional IRA preserves the tax-deferred status and avoids both the withholding and the early distribution penalty on the rolled amount. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
DC 2025 Tier 3: the portable 401(a) plan for new employees
Employees who enrolled in NDPERS for the first time on or after January 1, 2025 are in the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan, which operates as a governmental 401(a) defined contribution account. The structure is straightforward for rollover purposes: the member’s vested account balance at separation is an eligible rollover distribution. There is no annuity component to leave behind and no trade-off between a refund and a deferred monthly benefit.
A 401(a) account balance can move by direct rollover to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible precious metals under Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m)(3). The custodian accepts the rollover, credits the funds to the new IRA, and the account holder directs the purchase of eligible metals. The metals are then stored at a qualified depository in the name of the custodian.
Vesting determines how much of the employer contribution the member retains at separation. The non-vested portion, if any, is generally forfeited when the member leaves employment before meeting the vesting schedule. Verify the current DC 2025 Tier 3 vesting schedule with NDPERS at ndpers.nd.gov before separating, because the forfeiture rules affect the total rollover amount.
The same mandatory withholding rules apply. A direct payment from the 401(a) account to the member triggers 20 percent federal withholding on the eligible rollover distribution. A direct rollover sent from the 401(a) plan administrator to the receiving IRA custodian avoids the withholding. If the member is under 59 and a half and does not roll the funds into a qualifying retirement account, the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty applies in addition to regular income tax on the distribution. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
For DC 2025 Tier 3 members approaching the applicable RMD age under SECURE Act 2.0, the required minimum distribution amount cannot be rolled over. The RMD portion must be taken as a direct payment first, and only the remaining balance is eligible for rollover. Rolling over an RMD by mistake produces an excess contribution in the receiving IRA, which carries an annual excise tax until corrected (IRS Publication 590-B).
This guide also covers the closely related rollover path for government employees who have a 457(b) account: see 457(b) to Gold IRA Rollover: Government Employee Guide for a full treatment of the rules that apply when the rollover source is a governmental deferred compensation plan.
NDPERS 457 Companion Plan: the supplemental savings path
NDPERS offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan as a voluntary supplement to the main pension benefit. This plan is a governmental 457(b). Members of both the Main DB Hybrid plan and the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan can participate if their employer makes the plan available. The account balance in the 457 Companion Plan is separate from the pension benefit and from the DC 2025 Tier 3 account.
At separation from a participating North Dakota public employer, the pre-tax balance in the 457 Companion Plan can generally be rolled over to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible metals. A Roth designated subaccount, if any, rolls to a Roth IRA. The rollover runs through the 457 plan administrator, not through NDPERS pension services. The request forms and processing timeline for the 457 Companion Plan are separate from those used for the Main DB plan or the DC 2025 Tier 3 account.
One feature of governmental 457(b) plans stands out in rollover planning. Direct cash distributions from a governmental 457(b) account are not subject to the 10 percent early withdrawal tax that applies to 401(k) and 403(b) distributions before age 59 and a half (IRS, Tax on Early Distributions). A member who separates before age 59 and a half and takes a direct cash distribution from the 457 Companion Plan owes regular income tax on the distribution but not the 10 percent penalty. This is a significant distinction from the 401(a) DC 2025 Tier 3 account.
The exception applies only to contributions originally made to the 457(b) plan. Amounts that were rolled into the 457(b) from a different plan type retain the early-withdrawal character of the original source. Rolling the 457(b) balance into a traditional IRA also changes the rules going forward: the IRA early withdrawal rules then apply to subsequent distributions from that IRA before age 59 and a half. The advantageous 457(b) penalty-free treatment does not survive the rollover into an IRA. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Funding a self-directed gold IRA from an NDPERS source
A self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible physical precious metals receives the rollover from an NDPERS plan through the same trustee-to-trustee process used for any qualified plan rollover. The receiving custodian is a private qualified IRA custodian, not NDPERS. The sequence is the same regardless of whether the source is the Main DB Hybrid accumulated account refund, the DC 2025 Tier 3 account, or the 457 Companion Plan.
- Open the self-directed IRA. Choose a qualified custodian that accepts self-directed IRAs holding precious metals. The custodian issues a letter of acceptance or rollover authorization form identifying the new account.
- Request the rollover distribution from NDPERS. Submit the applicable NDPERS rollover request form, specifying a direct rollover to the receiving custodian. The current forms are available at ndpers.nd.gov. For the 457 Companion Plan, the request goes through the 457 plan administrator separately.
- The plan administrator issues the check. NDPERS or the 457 administrator issues a check made payable to the receiving custodian for the benefit of the account holder. This check structure is what makes the transfer a direct rollover rather than a distribution.
- The custodian credits the IRA. The custodian deposits the funds into the self-directed IRA account. At this point, no taxable event has occurred.
- Direct the metals purchase. The account holder instructs the custodian to purchase IRS-eligible metals from a precious metals dealer. The dealer delivers the metals to a qualified depository in the custodian’s name. The account holder does not take physical possession until a qualifying distribution event.
Eligible metals are defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m)(3). American Gold Eagles named in 31 U.S. Code Section 5112(a)(7) through (10) qualify by statute. Other gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion qualifies if it meets the fineness thresholds required for delivery on a regulated futures contract market: 99.5 percent for gold, 99.9 percent for silver, 99.95 percent for platinum and palladium. Collectible coins outside these categories are not eligible.
The account holder must not take personal possession of the metals while they are held inside the IRA. Home storage of IRA metals is not permitted. The metals must remain at a qualified depository in the IRA custodian’s name until the account holder takes a distribution. An in-kind distribution ships the physical metal to the account holder; a cash distribution sells the metal inside the IRA and distributes the proceeds. Both are taxable events in the year received. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
For broader context on holding precious metals inside a retirement account as a North Dakota resident, see Gold IRA Guide for North Dakota Residents.
North Dakota state tax treatment
A direct trustee-to-trustee rollover from an NDPERS plan to a traditional IRA is not a taxable event for North Dakota income tax purposes. The federal Form 1099-R reports a direct rollover with code G, and North Dakota follows the federal characterization. No income tax is owed in the year of the rollover for either the federal or the state return.
Subsequent IRA distributions in retirement are taxable as ordinary income to North Dakota residents. North Dakota taxes individual income, including retirement distributions, under its income tax structure. Rates have been reduced in recent legislative sessions, and North Dakota’s income tax rates are relatively modest compared to many other states. The exact current rates and any applicable brackets should be verified at tax.nd.gov before planning a distribution strategy, because rates and rules change with each legislative session.
Public pension payments from NDPERS may receive specific state tax treatment depending on the circumstances. Verify whether any public pension exemption applies to the Main DB Hybrid deferred benefit payments with the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner at tax.nd.gov. Note that a lump-sum accumulated account balance refund rolled to an IRA defers the North Dakota tax until the IRA distributes funds in a later year, and the North Dakota residency at the time of each IRA distribution, not at the time of the rollover, determines the state tax exposure.
A retiree who later moves to a state with no income tax on retirement income may receive IRA distributions free of state income tax in the new state of residence, subject to the rules of that state. The rollover itself does not permanently tie the North Dakota tax treatment to future distributions. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Three scenarios for North Dakota public employees
The three scenarios below illustrate how the rules apply to common fact patterns among NDPERS members. These are illustrative profiles, not real individuals. Specific tax outcomes depend on filing status, state of residence, other income, and timing. Consult your tax advisor and a licensed advisor before electing any distribution.
Scenario A: Legacy Main DB Hybrid member, age 49, leaving state employment after 14 years
This member joined NDPERS before January 1, 2025 and has 14 years of creditable service under the Main DB Hybrid plan. At age 49 and below the minimum retirement age, the member is deciding between leaving the deferred benefit in place or taking the accumulated account balance refund.
The deferred monthly benefit, if left in place, would pay at the applicable retirement age based on the formula tied to years of service and salary history, and it includes the employer-funded portion. Taking the accumulated account balance refund retrieves the member’s own contributions plus credited earnings but typically forfeits the employer-funded deferred benefit and closes the NDPERS account for those 14 years.
If the member elects the refund and processes it as a direct rollover to a self-directed IRA, the 20 percent mandatory withholding is avoided and no income tax is owed in the rollover year. A direct cash payment would trigger the 20 percent withholding and possibly the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty, since the member is under 59 and a half. The rollover preserves the full accumulated balance inside the IRA, where it grows tax-deferred and can be used to purchase IRS-eligible metals. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Scenario B: DC 2025 Tier 3 member, age 32, separating after 3 years of state service
This employee joined NDPERS after January 1, 2025 and is enrolled in the DC 2025 Tier 3 401(a) plan. After 3 years, the member is leaving for a private-sector employer. The account holds both member contributions and employer contributions, subject to the DC 2025 Tier 3 vesting schedule.
The vested portion of the account balance is an eligible rollover distribution. The non-vested employer share, if any under the applicable vesting schedule, is forfeited at separation. The member processes a direct rollover of the vested balance to a traditional IRA. No income tax is owed in the rollover year, and the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty is avoided because the funds move by direct rollover.
This member also participates in the 457 Companion Plan with a separate account. That balance rolls on a separate request through the 457 plan administrator. The two rollovers run on separate timelines and use different forms. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Scenario C: Dual-track retiree, age 67, receiving Main DB Hybrid annuity with a 457 Companion Plan balance
This member retired at 62, is now collecting the Main DB Hybrid monthly annuity, and holds a 457 Companion Plan account balance from prior active employment. The monthly annuity cannot be rolled to an IRA because it pays as a lifetime allowance from the trust fund, not as an account balance. Those payments are ordinary income each year and are not movable.
The 457 Companion Plan account is separately rollover-eligible. The member can request a direct rollover of the pre-tax 457(b) balance to a self-directed traditional IRA at any time after separation, subject to the RMD rules. At age 67, the member has not yet reached the SECURE Act 2.0 RMD age of 73 for the 457(b) account, so no RMD must be distributed before the rollover. After the rollover, the IRA RMD rules apply in the year the member reaches the applicable RMD age.
The 457(b) balance rolls by direct rollover to a self-directed IRA custodian. The custodian credits the funds and the member directs the purchase of IRS-eligible metals at the quoted spot price plus dealer premium. The metals are stored at a qualified depository. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I roll my NDPERS pension to a gold IRA?
It depends on which NDPERS plan you are in and what distribution you elect. The monthly defined benefit from the Main DB Hybrid plan cannot be rolled over because it pays as a lifetime annuity, not as an account balance. If you terminate employment and request a refund of your accumulated account balance before collecting the deferred benefit, that lump-sum refund is generally an eligible rollover distribution that can move to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible precious metals. Members of the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan have a fully portable 401(a) account at separation. The NDPERS 457 Companion Plan is a governmental 457(b) and is also rollover-eligible after separation. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
What is the DC 2025 Tier 3 plan and can it roll to a gold IRA?
The DC 2025 Tier 3 is the defined contribution plan that NDPERS enrolled new state employees into beginning January 1, 2025, following changes enacted through HB 1040. It operates as a 401(a) plan. At separation from employment, the vested account balance in a 401(a) plan is generally an eligible rollover distribution under IRS rules. The balance can move by direct rollover to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible precious metals under Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m)(3). Verify the current vesting schedule and rollover procedures with NDPERS at ndpers.nd.gov before requesting any distribution. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Does the NDPERS 457 Companion Plan qualify for a gold IRA rollover?
NDPERS administers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan alongside the main pension benefit. This is a governmental 457(b) plan. At separation from a participating North Dakota public employer, the pre-tax account balance can generally be rolled over to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible metals. Governmental 457(b) plans are not subject to the 10 percent early withdrawal tax that applies to 401(k) early distributions, but rolling the balance into a traditional IRA changes the early-withdrawal rules going forward to the IRA rules. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
What is the 20 percent withholding rule on an NDPERS distribution?
Federal law requires pension and 401(a) plans to withhold 20 percent of any eligible rollover distribution paid directly to the member, even if the member states intent to deposit the funds into an IRA. A direct rollover, where the payment goes from the plan administrator to the receiving IRA custodian rather than to the member personally, avoids the mandatory withholding entirely. The same 20 percent rule applies to 457 Companion Plan distributions paid directly to the participant. A direct rollover is the cleaner path: it avoids the withholding and eliminates the need to supplement the rollover out of pocket to make the IRA deposit whole.
What metals can a self-directed IRA hold after the rollover?
Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m)(3) governs the metals an IRA may hold. American Gold Eagles described in 31 U.S. Code Section 5112(a)(7) through (10) qualify by name. Other gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion qualifies if it meets the minimum fineness required for delivery on a regulated futures contract market. The fineness thresholds commonly applied are 99.5 percent for gold, 99.9 percent for silver, and 99.95 percent for platinum and palladium. The metals must be held at a qualified depository in the name of the IRA custodian, not in the account holder’s physical possession, until a qualifying distribution event.
How does North Dakota tax an NDPERS rollover?
A direct trustee-to-trustee rollover from an NDPERS plan to a traditional IRA is not a taxable event. The rollover is reported on Form 1099-R with code G and is not counted as income in the year of transfer on either the federal or the North Dakota return. Subsequent IRA distributions in retirement are taxable as ordinary income to North Dakota residents in the year received. North Dakota income tax rates have been reduced in recent legislative sessions. Verify the current rates and any applicable public pension exemptions at tax.nd.gov. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
Can I roll the Main DB Hybrid accumulated account balance into a gold IRA?
If you terminate employment before collecting the deferred monthly benefit, you generally have the option to request a refund of your accumulated account balance. That refund is a lump-sum of your own contributions plus credited earnings. It is generally an eligible rollover distribution that can move to a traditional IRA, including a self-directed IRA holding IRS-eligible metals, through a direct rollover. Taking the refund typically forfeits the employer-funded portion of your deferred benefit and closes your NDPERS account for that service period. Verify the exact refund terms and forfeiture consequences with NDPERS before electing. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation.
What happens if I miss the 60-day rollover window?
If you receive a direct payment from an NDPERS account and do not complete a rollover into a qualifying IRA or employer plan within 60 calendar days, the distribution becomes taxable ordinary income in the year received and may be subject to the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59 and a half. The IRS has a self-certification waiver process for some missed deadlines caused by circumstances outside the taxpayer’s control, but approval is not guaranteed. A direct rollover bypasses the 60-day window entirely because the funds never pass through the member’s hands.
Are required minimum distributions affected by an NDPERS rollover?
Required minimum distributions are excluded from the definition of an eligible rollover distribution under federal law. If you have reached the applicable RMD age under SECURE Act 2.0, the RMD-calculated portion of any account-based NDPERS distribution must be taken as a direct payment before the remaining balance can be rolled over. Rolling an RMD into an IRA creates an excess contribution in the receiving account, subject to additional excise taxes until corrected. Verify the RMD start date with the plan administrator before requesting a rollover if you are near or past the applicable RMD age.
How do I start the gold IRA rollover process from NDPERS?
Open a self-directed IRA with a qualified custodian that accepts precious metals accounts. The custodian provides a letter of acceptance or rollover authorization form that you submit to NDPERS or the 457 plan administrator when requesting the distribution. The plan administrator issues the rollover check payable to the receiving custodian for the benefit of the account holder. The custodian credits the funds, and you direct the purchase of eligible metals through a precious metals dealer. The metals are stored at a qualified depository in the custodian’s name. Review the current rollover request forms and processing timelines at ndpers.nd.gov before starting.
Sources and methodology
This guide describes the NDPERS plan structure, the rollover eligibility of each component, federal withholding and early withdrawal rules, and North Dakota state tax treatment based on publicly available sources. Every factual claim links to a primary institutional source. NDPERS plan documents and federal law may change; verify the current rules at ndpers.nd.gov and irs.gov before submitting any distribution election. This guide does not give investment, tax, or retirement planning advice.
- North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS), ndpers.nd.gov: plan descriptions, Member Handbook, distribution forms, and DC 2025 Tier 3 plan details including HB 1040 transition information.
- IRS, Rollovers of Retirement Plan and IRA Distributions: eligible rollover distribution definition, 20 percent mandatory withholding, direct rollover mechanics, 60-day window.
- IRS Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), including rollover rules from qualified employer plans.
- IRS Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), including RMD rules and excess contribution correction.
- IRS, Required Minimum Distributions: RMD start ages under SECURE Act 2.0, and the exclusion of RMDs from eligible rollover distributions.
- IRS Retirement Topics, Tax on Early Distributions: 10 percent additional tax rules, governmental 457(b) exemption, and applicable exceptions.
- 26 U.S. Code Section 408 (Cornell Law): Individual retirement accounts, including the IRS-eligible precious metals carve-out at subsection (m)(3).
- 31 U.S. Code Section 5112 (Cornell Law): Denominations and specifications of U.S. coins, including American Gold Eagles at subsection (a)(7) through (10).
- FINRA, Investor Alert: Precious Metals Fraud: red flags for fraudulent precious metals schemes used to protect investor awareness.
- North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner, tax.nd.gov: current individual income tax rates, public pension income treatment, and residency-based tax filing requirements.
- Goldiew, Gold IRA Guide for North Dakota Residents: state-specific context for North Dakota retirees considering a precious metals IRA.
- Goldiew, 457(b) to Gold IRA Rollover: Government Employee Guide: full treatment of governmental 457(b) rollover mechanics including the 10 percent early withdrawal tax carve-out and post-rollover IRA rules.