Significant Updates in Pension Catch-up Contributions

Individuals aged 50 and older are permitted to make additional "catch-up" contributions to various salary reduction plans. These include 401(k) Deferred Compensation plans, 403(b) TSA plans, 457(b) Government plans, and SIMPLE plans.

Catch-up Contributions for Age 50+: For 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, the age 50 and above catch-up contributions have been consistently set at $7,500 for the years 2023 through 2025, with a $3,500 threshold for SIMPLE plans. These figures are subject to periodic inflation adjustments.

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New Catch-up Contributions for Ages 60-63: Effective 2025, under the SECURE 2.0 ACT, individuals aged 60 through 63 will have increased contribution allowances. The rationale is to enable those nearing retirement to augment their savings as their financial capacity potentially increases.

The SECURE 2.0 Act stipulates that catch-up contribution limits will escalate to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the ordinary catch-up amount. This adjustment translates to a maximum of $11,250 for those aged 60 through 63 in 2025. For SIMPLE plans, different computations apply, setting the 2025 cap at $5,250—or $6,350 when the employer maintains a workforce of 25 or fewer.

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Mandatory Roth Contributions for High-Income Earners: Starting January 1, 2026, employees with previous year's earnings exceeding $145,000 from the plan sponsor must designate catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.

  • Inflation-adjusted Threshold: The $145,000 threshold will be inflation-adjusted in future periods.

  • Below-Threshold Employees: Those eligible for catch-up contributions may opt for Roth contributions irrespective of income.

  • Absence of Employer Designated Roth Plan: If an employer lacks a Roth plan, employees earning above the threshold cannot deposit catch-up contributions.

  • No Historical Employment with Employer: Employees with partial prior-year employment meet Roth requirements only if exceeding the full threshold.

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Key Opportunities in Tax Planning: This legislative update creates additional strategic opportunities for tax-efficient planning. Roth accounts allow retirees to mitigate future tax variability risks, providing tax-free withdrawals of both contributions and earnings, assuming that eligibility requirements such as being age 59½ and meeting the five-year rule are satisfied. Roth accounts also offer significant estate planning advantages by eschewing lifetime distribution obligations.

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  • Five-Year Rule Clarification: Withdrawals are not considered qualified within five consecutive taxable years following the initial contribution to a Roth account. Each plan's holding period must be tracked individually, especially following Roth account rollovers. Please consult our office for further specifics.

Strategic Timing for Roth Contributions: Precise timing when making Roth contributions is essential. Younger, high-income earners should consider beginning contributions early to satisfy the five-year requirement before retirement. Conversely, those nearing retirement must explore alternate strategies.

For further inquiry or specialized assistance, please connect with our office.

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We’ve helped countless individuals and businesses get back on track with the IRS. Reach out today for a confidential consultation and start moving toward financial relief.
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