457(b) Plan All employees or independent contractors as defined under the plan of an entity that is a: State government that establishes a 457(b) plan, or Tax-exempt entity that establishes a 457(b) plan "Employee" - Each natural person, whether appointed or elected, who is employed by the employer as a common law employee, excluding any employee who is included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that does not specifically provide for participation in the plan. Note: An employer is not required to offer a 457(b) plan to all its employees and may exclude specific classes of employees.