Major Updates to Pension Catch-up Contributions

Individuals aged 50 and above have the opportunity to enhance their retirement savings through additional annual "catch-up" contributions to various salary reduction plans. These plans include 401(k) Deferred Compensation, 403(b) TSA, 457(b) Government, and SIMPLE plans.

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Catch-up Contributions for Ages 50+: In 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, individuals eligible for catch-up contributions have an allowance of $7,500 for years 2023 through 2025, while SIMPLE plans offer $3,500. These thresholds are subject to periodic inflation adjustments.

Introducing Catch-up Contributions for Ages 60-63: The SECURE 2.0 Act, effective in 2025, brings a new provision enabling taxpayers aged 60-63 to make enhanced catch-up contributions. This age group, nearing retirement, is projected to have more disposable income for bolstering their retirement funds.

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Under this act, the catch-up contribution limits elevate to either $10,000 or 50% more than the standard catch-up amount, allowing a potential maximum of $11,250 for those aged 60-63. In SIMPLE plans, the maximum contribution aligns differently, reaching $5,250, or $6,350 for employers with 25 or fewer employees.

Mandatory Roth Contributions for High-Income Earners: Beginning January 1, 2026, employees with prior year wages exceeding $145,000 (inflation-adjusted annually) from the plan's sponsor must allocate catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.

  • Inflation Adjustment: The $145,000 income threshold will incorporate future inflation adjustments.

  • Flexibility for Lower Income Employees: Employees below this income threshold have the option to assign their contributions as Roth.

  • Employer’s Plan Specifications: In scenarios where employers do not offer a designated Roth plan, employees surpassing the wage cap will be unable to make catch-up contributions.

  • Considerations for Intermittent Employees: Employees working part of the previous year for the sponsoring employer will adhere to this requirement only if their wages from the previous year reach the full threshold.

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Strategic Tax Planning Opportunities: This regulatory evolution presents significant avenues for retirement and tax planning strategies. Opting for Roth contributions empowers retirees to mitigate tax rate variability, enabling them to access both taxed and untaxed accounts. Roth accounts offer tax-exempt withdrawals on contributions and gains, predicated on meeting criteria such as reaching age 59½ and the five-year rule.

  • Clarification on the Five-Year Rule: Distributions are deemed non-qualified if extracted during the initial five-year period from the first contribution to a plan. Holding periods are assessed independently for each participating plan, creating multiple timelines for those with diverse Roth 401(k) deferrals. Special regulations apply for Roth plan rollovers; contact this office for further insight.

Optimal Timing Considerations: It's prudent for taxpayers to strategically schedule Roth contributions. Younger high-income earners may find value in initiating contributions now to satisfy the five-year holding requirement pre-retirement, whereas those closer to retirement age should explore alternative financial strategies.

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