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LEARNING CENTER

Significant Updates on Catch-Up Contributions for Pensions

Individuals aged 50 and above are eligible for additional annual 'catch-up' contributions to various salary reduction plans, such as 401(k) Deferred Compensation plans, 403(b) TSA plans, 457(b) Government plans, and SIMPLE plans.

Age 50+ Catch-ups: The catch-up contributions for those aged 50 and above in 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans have been set at $7,500 for the years 2023 through 2025. For SIMPLE plans, the catch-up is $3,500, with adjustments for inflation occurring periodically.

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Age 60 to 63 Catch-ups: Beginning in 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces an additional catch-up contribution for individuals aged 60 to 63. This new rule acknowledges that these are the years leading to retirement when people generally have more discretionary income to bolster their retirement savings.

The SECURE 2.0 Act increases the catch-up contribution limit to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the usual catch-up amount, translating to a maximum of $11,250 for 2025 for those aged 60 through 63. With SIMPLE plans, the calculation differs slightly, resulting in a maximum catch-up of $5,250, or $6,350 for businesses with no more than 25 employees.

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Mandatory Roth Contribution for Higher Incomes: Effective from January 1, 2026, individuals earning more than $145,000 in the previous year from the employer offering the plan must allocate catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.

  • Inflation-Adjusted: The $145,000 threshold will adjust for inflation in future years.

  • Employees Under the Threshold: Eligible employees not exceeding the income threshold may choose to make these contributions as Roth contributions.

  • Employer Doesn’t Offer a Designated Roth Plan: If an employer lacks a Roth option, employees exceeding the income threshold cannot make catch-up contributions.

  • No Prior Year Employment History: Employees working part-year for their employer the previous year need to exceed the threshold to be required to contribute under the Roth requirement.

Key Tax Planning Opportunities: Taxpayers can use these regulatory changes to diversify their tax planning strategies. Contributing to Roth accounts offers retirees a buffer against variable future tax rates, allowing them to draw from both taxed and untaxed sources. With Roth accounts, both contributions and investment gains can be withdrawn tax-free, provided criteria like the employee's age being over 59½ and adherence to the five-year rule are met. These features make Roth accounts appealing for estate planning purposes as they require no lifetime mandatory distributions.

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  • Understanding the Five-Year Rule - Withdrawals between the first contribution and less than five taxable years later are not qualified distributions. Each plan has its holding period, potentially creating multiple timelines if an employee is contributing to several Roth 401(k)s. Specific rules apply for Roth fund rollovers, so it's advisable to consult with our office for detailed information.

Timing Considerations: Thoughtful timing of Roth contributions is crucial. Younger, affluent employees benefit by commencing contributions early to satisfy the five-year condition ahead of retirement, while those approaching retirement might consider alternative financial strategies.

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact our office.

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