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Significant Overhauls to Pension Catch-Up Contributions

Individuals aged 50 and above are eligible for enhanced annual “catch-up” contributions to various salary reduction plans, including 401(k) Deferred Compensation, 403(b) TSA, 457(b) Government, and SIMPLE Plans.

Catch-Ups for Age 50+: For 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, the catch-up contributions for eligible individuals aged 50 or older have been capped at $7,500 between 2023 and 2025, while SIMPLE Plans offer a $3,500 cap. These figures are subject to inflation adjustments.

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New Catch-Ups for Ages 60-63: From 2025 onward, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces additional catch-up contributions for taxpayers aged 60 to 63. These ages are often seen as pivotal for individuals seeking to maximize their retirement savings, as they might have more disposable income at these stages.

The SECURE 2.0 Act stipulates that these catch-up limits increase to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the standard catch-up amount, which leads to a maximum catch-up of $11,250 in 2025 for individuals aged 60-63. For SIMPLE Plans, the maximum catch-up will rise to $5,250, or $6,350 for employers with 25 or fewer employees.

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Mandatory Roth Contributions for High Earners: Effective January 1, 2026, employees earning over $145,000 in the previous year from employers sponsoring the plan must designate catch-up contributions as Roth contributions. The $145,000 threshold will be adjusted for inflation going forward.

  • Under the Threshold: Other eligible employees can choose to designate their catch-up as Roth contributions.

  • Absence of a Roth Plan: In scenarios where employers lack designated Roth plans, employees earning above the threshold cannot make catch-up contributions.

  • No Previous Employment History: Employees joining mid-year are subject to the Roth catch-up mandate only if their earnings in the prior year surpass the threshold.

Tax Planning Opportunities: The Roth designation offers a strategic advantage for taxpayers, particularly for hedging against fluctuating future tax rates. Roth accounts allow tax-free withdrawals on contributions and earnings, given conditions such as the age of 59½ and meeting the five-year rule. This adds significant value for estate planning since Roth accounts do not mandate distributions during the original owner’s lifetime.

  • Five-Year Rule Explained: A distribution won't qualify unless it's made after five continuous taxable years following the first plan contribution. The holding period is uniquely defined for each plan. Special guidelines exist for Roth plan rollovers. Consult this office for more depth.

Timing Strategy: Individuals should strategically time their Roth contributions. Younger, high-income earners may benefit from initiating Roth contributions earlier to satisfy the five-year rule before retirement. For those near retirement, alternative methods might be necessary.

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If you have any questions or require further assistance, please reach out to our office.

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