IRS Announces Limits for 2020: The IRS has released new contribution limits and other updates for retirement plans in 2020. This article will explore the changes, including new limits for 401(k), IRA, and other qualified retirement plans, and how they may impact your retirement savings strategy. Keep reading to stay up to date on the latest IRS guidelines and maximize your retirement savings potential.

On November 6, 2019, the IRS announced the cost of living adjustments affecting the dollar limitations for retirement plans.

Contribution and benefit increases are based on a calculated change in the Consumer Price Index and are intended to allow participant contributions and benefits to keep up with the “cost of living” from year to year. Here are some highlights from the 2020 changes:

  • The elective deferral limit for 2020 has increased from $19,000 to $19,500. This deferral limit applies to each participant on a calendar year basis. The limit applies to 401(k) plans, including Roth and pre-tax contributions, 403(b) and 457(b) plans.
  • Catch-Up contributions increased to $6,500 and are available to all participants age 50 or older in 2020.
  • The 2020 annual contribution limit has increased to $57,000. This limit indicates the maximum allowable dollar amount that can be contributed to a participant’s retirement account in a defined contribution plan. The limit includes both employee and employer contributions as well as any allocated forfeitures. For those over age 50, the annual addition limit increases by $6,500 to include catch-up contributions.
  • The annual benefit limit which applies to participants in a defined benefit plan has increased to $230,000 for 2020.
  • Compensation thresholds that affect retirement plans have also increased for 2020. The maximum amount of compensation that can be considered in retirement plan compliance has been raised to $285,000. In addition, income subject to Social Security taxation has increased to $137,700 and thresholds for determining key and highly compensated employees have increased to $185,000 and $130,000 respectively.
Annual Plan Limits202020192018
Contribution and Benefit Limits
Elective Deferral Limit$19,500$19,000$18,500
Catch-Up Contributions$6,500$6,000$6,000
Annual Contribution Limit$57,000$56,000$55,000
Annual Contribution Limit including Catch-Up Contributions$63,500$62,000$61,000
Annual Benefit Limit$230,000$225,000$220,000
Compensation Limits
Maximum Plan Compensation$285,000$280,000$275,000
Income Subject to Social Security$137,700$132,900$128,400
Key EE Compensation Threshold$185,000$180,000$175,000
Highly Compensated EE Threshold$130,000$125,000$120,000
IRA Limits
SIMPLE Plan Elective Deferrals$13,500$13,000$12,500
SIMPLE Catch-Up Contributions$3,000$3,000$3,000
Individual Retirement Account (IRA)$6,000$6,000$5,500
IRA Catch-Up Contribution$1,000$1,000$1,000

The increases in the annual limits allow employers and participants to contribute more toward retirement. If you have any questions on how these increases can affect your plan, please contact us.

 

 


This newsletter is intended to provide general information on matters of interest in the area of qualified retirement plans and is distributed with the understanding that the publisher and distributor are not rendering legal, tax or other professional advice. Readers should not act or rely on any information in this newsletter without first seeking the advice of an independent tax advisor such as an attorney or CPA.

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