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Significant Updates for Retirement Plan Catch-Up Contributions

For those aged 50 and above, retirement planning options are enhanced by the availability of additional annual "catch-up" contributions. These can be made to salary reduction plans including 401(k) Deferred Compensation plans, 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) plans, 457(b) Government plans, and SIMPLE plans.

Catch-Up Contributions for Ages 50+: Participants in 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans have had the opportunity for catch-up contributions of $7,500 from 2023 to 2025, while SIMPLE plan participants have a limit of $3,500. These amounts are periodically adjusted in response to inflation.

Introduction of 60-63 Age Catch-Ups: With the SECURE 2.0 Act in 2025, an additional catch-up contribution was introduced for those aged 60 to 63, recognizing these years as critical for accelerating retirement savings. Thus, for 2025, eligible individuals can contribute the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the regular catch-up amount, totaling $11,250. SIMPLE plans calculate differently, with a $5,250 limit ($6,350 if the employer has 25 or fewer employees).

Mandatory Roth Contributions for High Earners: Effective January 1, 2026, employees earning above $145,000 from plan-sponsoring employers must allocate catch-up contributions to Roth accounts.

  • Inflation Adjustments: The $145,000 threshold will be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years.

  • Option for Other Employees: Eligible employees under the threshold may choose Roth contributions for their catch-up contributions.

  • Designated Roth Plan Requirement: Employees at companies without a designated Roth plan cannot make catch-up contributions if their wages surpass the specified threshold.

  • Partial Year Employment: Employees employed part-time last year must comply with the Roth requirement if their wages exceeded the threshold during that period.

Tax Planning Strategies: Leveraging this legislative change can significantly benefit taxpayers' tax planning strategies, especially with Roth contributions offsetting potential future tax rate hikes. Roth withdrawals offer tax-free access to both contributions and accrued earnings, given conditions such as the taxpayer being 59½ years old and the fulfillment of the five-year rule. This benefit extends to estate planning, as Roth accounts do not mandate distributions during the account holder's lifetime.

  • Five-Year Rule Clarification: A distribution is deemed non-qualified if it occurs before the completion of five tax years since the initial contribution. This period varies per each Roth 401(k) if an employee participates in multiple accounts. Unique rules apply to Roth rollovers; consulting this office is advisable for specific cases.

Strategic Timing of Contributions: Taxpayers, particularly younger high-income earners, should strategically plan early Roth contributions to satisfy the five-year period. Conversely, individuals nearing retirement might need to consider alternative tactics.

For further advice or support, please don't hesitate to contact this office.

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