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Navigating Major Updates in Pension Catch-Up Contributions

For those aged 50 and over, additional annual "catch-up" contributions to salary reduction plans like the 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and SIMPLE plans can significantly bolster retirement savings. Let's unpack what this means for your retirement strategy and upcoming legislative changes.

Catch-Up Contributions for Age 50+: The threshold for catch-up contributions for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans remains a steady $7,500 for the years 2023 through 2025, while SIMPLE plans offer a $3,500 limit. It's important to note that these figures are subject to periodic inflation adjustments.

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Enhanced Catch-Up for Ages 60-63: Starting 2025, the SECURE 2.0 ACT introduces a beefed-up catch-up opportunity for those between 60 and 63 years old, recognizing this as a critical time before retirement when individuals might have more disposable income to build their nest egg. The catch-up limit is set to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the regular catch-up contributions, resulting in a maximum of $11,250 for 2025. For SIMPLE plans, the computations are slightly different, with a $5,250 cap rising to $6,350 if the associated business has no more than 25 employees.

Mandatory Roth Contributions for High Earners: Beginning January 1, 2026, employees earning over $145,000 from their employer in the previous year must allocate catch-up contributions to a Roth account. This threshold will be adjusted for inflation. Employers lacking a Roth option cannot accommodate catch-up contributions for employees exceeding the wage threshold, challenging strategic tax planning for high earners.

  • Adjusting for Inflation: Note that the $145,000 income barrier is designed to evolve with inflation, ensuring future relevance.
  • Catch-Ups for Lower Earners: Employees beneath this income threshold retain the option to designate their contributions as Roth or traditional.
  • No Roth Plan Available: Without a Roth account, high earners will not be able to make catch-up contributions, affecting their retirement savings strategy.
  • Partial-Year Employment Impact: An individual employed for a portion of the prior year is judged on the full year's earnings against the Roth requirement, affecting eligibility.

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Strategic Tax Planning and Opportunities: These changes present new planning avenues. By utilizing Roth contributions, retirees can enjoy tax-exempt growth and withdrawals, significantly mitigating future tax rate volatility. Moreover, Roth accounts provide substantial benefits for estate planning, given that they do not require minimum distributions during the owner’s lifetime.

  • The Five-Year Rule Explained: Distributions that occur before five consecutive full taxable years from the first contribution aren't qualified for tax exemption. This holding period may vary across different Roth plans a participant might have, with special rules applicable to rollovers. Consider consulting with us for detailed guidance.

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Timing is Everything: Strategic timing of Roth contributions is vital. Younger, high-income employees might benefit from initiating Roth contributions sooner, aiming to satisfy the five-year rule well before retirement, whereas those entering the twilight years of their career may need alternative approaches.

If you have queries or require guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to offer expert assistance tailored to your unique financial situation and goals.

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