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Essential Insights on Enhanced Pension Catch-Up Contributions

For individuals who have reached the milestone age of 50 and beyond, there is a notable opportunity to boost retirement savings through additional annual “catch-up” contributions. These contributions are applicable to salary reduction plans such as 401(k) Deferred Compensation plans, 403(b) TSA plans, 457(b) Government plans, and SIMPLE plans.

Catch-Up Contributions for Individuals Aged 50+: In plans offering catch-up contributions, individuals aged 50 and over could make additional contributions of $7,500 for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans for the years 2023 through 2025, while SIMPLE plans provide an annual catch-up opportunity of $3,500. These figures are subject to periodic adjustments to reflect inflationary trends.

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Introduction of Catch-Up for Ages 60 to 63: The SECURE 2.0 Act, effective from 2025, introduces a new tier of catch-up contributions designed for those approaching the traditional retirement ages of 60 to 63. Recognizing the heightened focus on retirement savings during this period, the Act has increased the catch-up limit to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the standard catch-up amount. As such, individuals in this age group can potentially contribute up to $11,250 in 2025, while SIMPLE plans adjust their limits to a maximum of $5,250, increasing to $6,350 for firms with 25 or fewer employees.

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Transition to Mandatory Roth Contributions: Starting January 1, 2026, there's a mandate for higher earners—specifically, those with annual wages exceeding $145,000 from their plan sponsor—to allocate their catch-up contributions as Roth contributions. This threshold will continue to be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years. Additionally, this requirement extends to employees even with only partial employment history in the previous calendar year, provided their wages met or exceeded this threshold.

  • Plan Provision Requirements: If a sponsoring employer lacks a designated Roth plan, employees earning above the threshold will be unable to contribute catch-up amounts.
  • Optional Roth Designations for Others: For employees below the income threshold or by choice, catch-up contributions may be made as Roth contributions.

Tax Planning and Strategic Use of Roth Accounts: The Roth contribution requirement opens new avenues for tax planning, especially considering Roth accounts' unique advantages, such as their immunity to future tax rate fluctuations and tax-free withdrawals granted the five-year rule is satisfied.

  • Five-Year Rule Primer: For distributions to qualify, they must occur after five consecutive taxable years have passed since the first contribution. This period varies individually per plan participation, and rollovers from other Roth plans add further complexity. Professional consultation is advised for maneuvering these stipulations.

Considerations Around Timing: Optimal planning of Roth contributions is crucial. Younger, high-income employees are encouraged to commence Roth contributions early to meet necessary holding periods, whereas employees nearing retirement might explore alternative approaches.

At NR CPAs & Business Advisors, we're committed to guiding our clients through these regulatory changes. Please contact our office with any questions or for personalized advice tailored to your financial needs and objectives.

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