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401k and Retirement Plan Limits for the Tax Year 2021

On October 26, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service announced that employees in 401k plans will be able to contribute up to $19,500 next year.

The IRS announced this and other changes in Notice 2020-79. This guidance provides cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2021.


Chart of Select Limits              
               
401k Plan Limits for Year 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
401k Elective Deferrals $19,500 $19,500 $19,000 $18,500 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000
Annual Defined Contribution Limit $58,000 $57,000 $56,000 $55,000 $54,000 $53,000 $53,000
Annual Compensation Limit $290,000 $285,000 $280,000 $275,000 $270,000 $265,000 $265,000
Catch-Up Contribution Limit $6,500 $6,500 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000
Highly Compensated Employees $130,000 $130,000 $125,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000 $120,000
 
Non-401k Related Limits
403b/457 Elective Deferrals $19,500 $19,500 $19,000 $18,500 $18,000 $18,000 $18,000
SIMPLE Employee Deferrals $13,500 $13,500 $13,000 $12,500 $12,500 $12,500 $12,500
SIMPLE Catch-Up Deferral $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000
SEP Minimum Compensation $650 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600
SEP Annual Compensation Limit $290,000 $285,000 $280,000 $275,000 $270,000 $265,000 $265,000
Social Security Wage Base $142,800 $137,700 $132,900 $128,400 $127,200 $118,500 $118,500


Highlights of Changes for 2021

Effective January 1, 2021, the limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan under § 415(b)(1)(A) remains unchanged at $230,000.

For a participant who separated from service before January 1, 2021, the participant’s limitation under a defined benefit plan under § 415(b)(1)(B) is computed by multiplying the participant’s compensation limitation, as adjusted through 2020, by 1.0122.

The limitation for defined contribution plans under § 415(c)(1)(A) is increased for 2021 from $57,000 to $58,000.

The Code provides that various other dollar amounts are to be adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as the dollar limitation of § 415(b)(1)(A). After considering the applicable rounding rules, the amounts for 2021 are as follows:

The limitation under § 402(g)(1) on the exclusion for elective deferrals described in § 402(g)(3) remains unchanged at $19,500.

The annual compensation limit under §§ 401(a)(17), 404(l), 408(k)(3)(C), and 408(k)(6)(D)(ii) is increased from $285,000 to $290,000.

The dollar limitation under § 416(i)(1)(A)(i) concerning the definition of "key employee" in a top-heavy plan remains unchanged at $185,000.

The dollar amount under § 409(o)(1)(C)(ii) for determining the maximum account balance in an employee stock ownership plan subject to a 5-year distribution period is increased from $1,150,000 to $1,165,000, while the dollar amount used to determine the lengthening of the 5-year distribution period remains unchanged at $230,000.

The limitation used in the definition of "highly compensated employee" under § 414(q)(1)(B) remains unchanged at $130,000.

The dollar limitation under § 414(v)(2)(B)(i) for catch-up contributions to an applicable employer plan other than a plan described in § 401(k)(11) or § 408(p) for individuals aged 50 or over remains unchanged at $6,500. The dollar limitation under § 414(v)(2)(B)(ii) for catch-up contributions to an applicable employer plan described in § 401(k)(11) or § 408(p) for individuals aged 50 or over remains unchanged at $3,000.

The annual compensation limitation under § 401(a)(17) for eligible participants in certain governmental plans that, under the plan as in effect on July 1, 1993, allowed cost-of-living adjustments to the compensation limitation under the plan under § 401(a)(17) to be taken into account, is increased from $425,000 to $430,000.

The compensation amount under § 408(k)(2)(C) regarding simplified employee pensions (SEPs) is increased from $600 to $650.

The limitation under § 408(p)(2)(E) regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts remains unchanged at $13,500.

The limitation on the aggregate amount of length of service awards accruing with respect to any year of service for any bona fide volunteer under § 457(e)(11)(B)(ii) concerning deferred compensation plans of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations remains unchanged at $6,000.

The limitation on deferrals under § 457(e)(15) concerning deferred compensation plans of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations remains unchanged at $19,500.

The limitation under § 664(g)(7) concerning the qualified gratuitous transfer of qualified employer securities to an employee stock ownership plan remains unchanged at $50,000.

The compensation amount under § 1.61-21(f)(5)(i) of the Income Tax Regulations concerning the definition of "control employee" for fringe benefit valuation purposes remains unchanged at $115,000. The compensation amount under § 1.61-21(f)(5)(iii) is increased from $230,000 to $235,000.

The dollar limitation on premiums paid with respect to a qualifying longevity annuity contract under § 1.401(a)(9)-6, A-17(b)(2)(i) of the Income Tax Regulations remains unchanged at $135,000.


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