Deferred compensation plans tend to offer better investment options than most 401(k) plans, but are at a disadvantage regarding liquidity. This booklet describes the City of New York Deferred Compensation Plan, an umbrella program consisting of the 457 Plan and the 401(k) Plan.457(b) plans and 401(k) plans are very similar. Both offer you the opportunity to make tax-deferred contributions to a retirement account. A 401(k) plan is a qualified deferred compensation plan. Deferred compensation refers to money received in one year for work performed in a previous year often many years earlier. I'm a reasonably well-informed investor and it just seems to me that the Deferred Compensation Plan is an unimpressive investment vehicle.