Can Top Hat Plan Distributions Be Accelerated?

Q. Can a distribution’s method of payment be accelerated (i.e. from installments to lump sum)? And if so, is it correct that the timing then of a changed distribution must be extended by five years? 

A. You are correct. No acceleration is permitted, however if they change the distribution the change would take effect five years into the future from the election. This is under the current Internal Revenue Code Section 457 regulations.