Deferred compensation plans tend to offer better investment options than most 401(k) plans, but are at a disadvantage regarding liquidity. How do I make contributions to my DCP account?At enrollment, select a percentage of pay or dollar amount to contribute each pay period. The City of Los Angeles Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary tax-advantaged governmental 457(b) plan that allows you to save a portion of your salary now. 457(b) plans and 401(k) plans are very similar. Both offer you the opportunity to make tax-deferred contributions to a retirement account. However, the Deferred Compensation plan is a viable option to save additional money for retirement. What is Deferred Compensation? Many of these plans are structured in a way that the executive has to stay with the company for a certain period or they forfeit their deferred compensation. This hypothetical illustration is intended to show a comparison between investing in a tax-deferred versus a taxable investment vehicle.