New Dollar Limits Applicable to Qualified Plans Released
The IRS issued new dollar limitations that are applicable to qualified retirement plans for plan years beginning in 2021 (except for the 401(k) deferral limit and Catch-Up Contribution limit, which apply on a calendar year basis). Some of the most commonly noted limitations are as follows: The limit on contributions by employees who participate in 401(k)s, 403(b)s, most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $19,500. The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and older who participate in these plans remains unchanged at $6,500. The limitation for defined contribution (DC) plans under Section 415(c)(1)(A) (annual additions) has been increased for 2021 to $58,000 from $57,000. The limitation used in the definition of “highly compensated employee” under Section 414(q)(1)(B) remains unchanged at $130,000. The limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan under Section 415(b)(1)(A) remains unchanged at $230,000. Details on these and other retirement-related cost-of-living adjustments for 2021 can be found here, and are in IRS Notice 2020-79.