What are the 2021 Retirement Plan Limits?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released their 2021 retirement plan limits via Notice 2020-79, containing cost-of-living adjustments for 2021 that affect amounts employees can contribute to 401(k) plans and IRAs, most of which remain unchanged.

Key limits that remain unchanged include the following:

• The employee contribution limit for 401(k) plans will remain $19,500. The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over also remains unchanged at $6,500.
• The employee contribution limit for IRAs will remain $6,000. The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over also remains unchanged, at $1,000.
• The employee contribution limit for SIMPLE IRAs and SIMPLE 401(k) plans will remain $13,500.
• The limits used to define a “highly compensated employee” and a “key employee” will remain $130,000 and $185,000, respectively.

2021 Increases

The following limits increased for 2021:

• The annual limit for defined contribution plans (for example, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, and money purchase plans) is increased to $58,000, up from $57,000.
• The annual compensation limit (applicable to many retirement plans) is increased to $290,000, up from $285,000.

The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional IRAs, to contribute to Roth IRAs, and to claim the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) also increased for 2021. The IRS’ news release contains more details.

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