IRS Limits on Retirement Benefits and Compensation
As published in IRS News Release IR-2021-216, Nov. 4, 2021
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| 401(k), 403(b), 457 Elective Deferral Limit | $20,500 | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Catch-Up Contribution Limit (age 50 and older) | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $305,000 | $290,000 | $285,000 |
| Defined Contribution Limit | $61,000 | $58,000 | $57,000 |
| Defined Benefit Limit | $245,000 | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| Definition of Highly Compensated Employee | $135,000 | $130,000 | $130,000 |
| Key Employee | $200,000 | $185,000 | $185,000 |
| IRA Contribution Limit | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| IRA Catch-Up Contributions (age 50 and older) | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
For more information about retirement plan limits, please contact your financial professional, or click here1.
Highlights of Changes for 2022
The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan has increased to $20,500.
The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in these plans remains unchanged at $6,500. The limitation regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts for 2022 has increased to $14,000.
The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to contribute to Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit all increased for 2022.
Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or his or her spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, depending on filing status and income. (If neither the taxpayer nor his or her spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, the phase-outs of the deduction do not apply.)
Here are the phase-out ranges for 2022:
- For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $68,000 to $78,000, up from $66,000 to$76,000.
- For married couples filing jointly, where the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $109,000 to $129,000, up from $105,000 to $125,000.
- For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $204,000 and $214,000, up from $198,000 and $208,000.
- For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
The income phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $129,000 to $144,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $125,000 to $140,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range is $204,000 to $214,000, up from $198,000 to $208,000. The phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
The income limit for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is $68,000 or married couples filing jointly, up from $66,000; $51,000 for heads of household, up from $49,500; and $34,000 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $33,000.
Key limit remains unchanged
The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains unchanged at $6,000. The additional catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $1,000.
Details on these and other retirement-related cost-of-living adjustments for 2022 are in Notice 2021-216 (PDF)1, available on IRS.gov.
1 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-61.pdf
RPAG is not in the business of providing legal advice with respect to ERISA or any other applicable law. The materials and information do not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal advice. The materials are general in nature and intended for informational purposes only.
For more information, please contact Preston Englund at 402-461-4893 or .
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The information given herein is taken from sources that IFP Advisors, LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), IFP Securities LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), and it advisors believe to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by us as to accuracy or completeness. This is for informational purposes only and in no event should be construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or products. Please consult your tax and/or legal advisor before implementing any tax and/or legal related strategies mentioned in this publication as IFP does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors. Prepared by 3rd party.
ACR# 3903341 11/21
