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Major Updates to Pension Catch-up Contributions

As retirement approaches, it's crucial to make the most of every opportunity to bolster your nest egg. For individuals aged 50 and over, enhanced "catch-up" contributions to salary reduction plans such as 401(k) Deferred Compensation plans, 403(b) TSA plans, 457(b) Government plans, and SIMPLE plans offer a strategic advantage.

Enhanced Contributions for Those Over 50: For those participating in 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, the catch-up contributions for individuals aged 50 and older remain at $7,500 for the years 2023 through 2025, with SIMPLE plans allowing for $3,500. Inflation-linked adjustments are periodically applied to these figures.

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New Provisions for Ages 60-63: Beginning in 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces an innovative catch-up opportunity for those aged 60 through 63. This strategic enhancement is designed to allow individuals, who are close to retirement, to contribute more towards their pension during a potentially higher-earning period.

The Act allows these individuals to make catch-up contributions up to the greater of $10,000 or 50% more than the existing catch-up amount. Consequently, the maximum allowable catch-up for 2025 stands at $11,250 for standard plans and $5,250 for SIMPLE plans, with a special provision for small businesses—boosting it to $6,350.

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Mandatory Roth Contributions for High Earners: Effective January 1, 2026, for employees earning over $145,000 in the previous year from the sponsoring employer, catch-up contributions are required to be made as Roth contributions. This threshold will also adjust with inflation annually.

  • Inflation Adjustment: The $145,000 income threshold will be adjusted annually for inflation.
  • Roth Optionality for Others: Employees earning below the threshold can choose to designate catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.
  • Lack of a Roth Plan: If the employer does not offer a Roth plan, employees earning above the threshold will be unable to make catch-up contributions.
  • Incomplete Previous Year Employment: Employees who join partway through the year must have surpassed the threshold in annualized wages to be subjected to the Roth mandate in the current fiscal year.

Strategic Tax Planning: These amendments present pivotal tax planning opportunities. By diversifying between taxed and untaxed accounts, retirees can manage future tax variability more effectively. Roth accounts, in particular, offer tax-free withdrawals on both contributions and earnings, provided conditions such as the five-year rule and the age 59½ rule are met, making them a powerful estate planning tool since they do not impose distribution requirements during the original owner's lifetime.

  • Understanding the Five-Year Rule: A distribution is not considered qualified if it's made before five consecutive taxable years pass since the first contribution. Each plan's holding period is separate, and rollovers introduce additional complexities. Consult this office for specific guidance.
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Timing is Key: Timing Roth contributions can be a strategic maneuver. Younger high-income employees benefit significantly by beginning Roth contributions early to fulfill the five-year period before retirement, while those nearing retirement might explore alternative avenues.

For personalized advice or further inquiries, please don't hesitate to contact GeneralCents Accounting. We're here to bring clarity, structure, and insights to your financial strategy, making those smarter money moves a reality.

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