Deferred compensation plans tend to offer better investment options than most 401(k) plans, but are at a disadvantage regarding liquidity. The City of Houston 457 Deferred.Compensation Plan is a powerful tool to help you reach your retirement dreams. 401(k)s and 457(b)s are both taxdeferred retirement plans. Deferred compensation allows individuals to set aside income to be paid at a later date, offering potential tax advantages and retirement savings opportunities. 457(b) plans and 401(k) plans are very similar. Both offer you the opportunity to make tax-deferred contributions to a retirement account. The City of Houston Deferred. Compensation plan allows voluntary contributions. This article focuses on a comparison of accumulations in and distributions from 457 government plans and 401(k) plans and on other closely related matters.