The IRS specifies various limits that apply to qualified plans. Many of these limits are adjusted each year, based on cost of living increases and other financial indices. These amounts are the maximum dollar limits, but lower limits may apply in some cases based on a participant’s income.
Retirement Plan Limits for 2024
$23,000
Deferral Limit - § 402(g)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute out of their paycheck in a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan
$23,000
$7,500
Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(i)
Participants over age 50 are permitted to exceed the 402(g) limit by this amount
$7,500
$345,000
Maximum Compensation - § 401(a)(17)
Gross pay in excess of this amount is not recognized for plan purposes
$345,000
$69,000
Annual Additions Limit for DC Plans - § 415(c)
The maximum amount that any employee can receive, inclusive of deferrals, matching contributions, profit sharing, and allocation of forfeitures in a single plan year
$69,000
$275,000
Maximum Benefit Limit for DB Plans - § 415(b)
The maximum annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity payable at age 65
$275,000
$155,000
HCE Threshold - § 414(q)
Employees whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Highly Compensated Employees for the following plan year
$155,000
$220,000
Officer Compensation - § 416(i)(1)(A)(i)
Employees who are officers of the employer and whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Key Employees for the following plan year
$220,000
$168,600
Taxable Wage Base
The amount of income subject to Social Security OASDI taxes
$168,600
$16,000
SIMPLE 401(k) Limit - § 408(p)(2)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute to their employer's SIMPLE 401(k) plan
$16,000
$3,500
SIMPLE Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(ii)
Participants over age 50 may exceed the annual limit in their SIMPLE 401(k) plan by this amount
$3,500
Section 125 Limits for 2024
$3,200
Health Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a health care flexible spending account
$3,200
$5,000
Dependent Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account
$5,000
$4,150 self
/
$8,300 family
Maximum HSA Contribution
The maximum annual contribution to a health savings account
$4,150 self
/
$8,300 family
$1,000
HSA Catch-up Limit
For individuals age 55 or older
$1,000
$1,600 self
/
$3,200 family
HDHP Minimum Deductible
Annual deductible minimum for a high deductible health plan
$1,600 self
/
$3,200 family
$8,050 self
/
$16,100 family
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Max
The annual out-of-pocket maximum (not including premiums) for a high deductible health plan
$8,050 self
/
$16,100 family
Retirement Plan Limits for 2023
$22,500
Deferral Limit - § 402(g)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute out of their paycheck in a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan
$22,500
$7,500
Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(i)
Participants over age 50 are permitted to exceed the 402(g) limit by this amount
$7,500
$330,000
Maximum Compensation - § 401(a)(17)
Gross pay in excess of this amount is not recognized for plan purposes
$330,000
$66,000
Annual Additions Limit for DC Plans - § 415(c)
The maximum amount that any employee can receive, inclusive of deferrals, matching contributions, profit sharing, and allocation of forfeitures in a single plan year
$66,000
$265,000
Maximum Benefit Limit for DB Plans - § 415(b)
The maximum annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity payable at age 65
$265,000
$150,000
HCE Threshold - § 414(q)
Employees whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Highly Compensated Employees for the following plan year
$150,000
$215,000
Officer Compensation - § 416(i)(1)(A)(i)
Employees who are officers of the employer and whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Key Employees for the following plan year
$215,000
$160,200
Taxable Wage Base
The amount of income subject to Social Security OASDI taxes
$160,200
$15,500
SIMPLE 401(k) Limit - § 408(p)(2)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute to their employer's SIMPLE 401(k) plan
$15,500
$3,500
SIMPLE Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(ii)
Participants over age 50 may exceed the annual limit in their SIMPLE 401(k) plan by this amount
$3,500
Section 125 Limits for 2023
$3,050
Health Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a health care flexible spending account
$3,050
$5,000
Dependent Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account
$5,000
$3,850 self
/
$7,750 family
Maximum HSA Contribution
The maximum annual contribution to a health savings account
$3,850 self
/
$7,750 family
$1,000
HSA Catch-up Limit
For individuals age 55 or older
$1,000
$1,500 self
/
$3,000 family
HDHP Minimum Deductible
Annual deductible minimum for a high deductible health plan
$1,500 self
/
$3,000 family
$7,500 self
/
$15,000 family
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Max
The annual out-of-pocket maximum (not including premiums) for a high deductible health plan
$7,500 self
/
$15,000 family
Retirement Plan Limits for 2022
$20,500
Deferral Limit - § 402(g)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute out of their paycheck in a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan
$20,500
$6,500
Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(i)
Participants over age 50 are permitted to exceed the 402(g) limit by this amount
$6,500
$305,000
Maximum Compensation - § 401(a)(17)
Gross pay in excess of this amount is not recognized for plan purposes
$305,000
$61,000
Annual Additions Limit for DC Plans - § 415(c)
The maximum amount that any employee can receive, inclusive of deferrals, matching contributions, profit sharing, and allocation of forfeitures in a single plan year
$61,000
$245,000
Maximum Benefit Limit for DB Plans - § 415(b)
The maximum annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity payable at age 65
$245,000
$135,000
HCE Threshold - § 414(q)
Employees whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Highly Compensated Employees for the following plan year
$135,000
$200,000
Officer Compensation - § 416(i)(1)(A)(i)
Employees who are officers of the employer and whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Key Employees for the following plan year
$200,000
$147,000
Taxable Wage Base
The amount of income subject to Social Security OASDI taxes
$147,000
$14,000
SIMPLE 401(k) Limit - § 408(p)(2)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute to their employer's SIMPLE 401(k) plan
$14,000
$3,000
SIMPLE Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(ii)
Participants over age 50 may exceed the annual limit in their SIMPLE 401(k) plan by this amount
$3,000
Section 125 Limits for 2022
$2,750
Health Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a health care flexible spending account
$2,750
$5,000
Dependent Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account
$5,000
$3,650 self
/
$7,300 family
Maximum HSA Contribution
The maximum annual contribution to a health savings account
$3,650 self
/
$7,300 family
$1,000
HSA Catch-up Limit
For individuals age 55 or older
$1,000
$1,400 self
/
$2,800 family
HDHP Minimum Deductible
Annual deductible minimum for a high deductible health plan
$1,400 self
/
$2,800 family
$7,050 self
/
$14,100 family
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Max
The annual out-of-pocket maximum (not including premiums) for a high deductible health plan
$7,050 self
/
$14,100 family
Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
$19,500
Deferral Limit - § 402(g)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute out of their paycheck in a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plan
$19,500
$6,500
Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(i)
Participants over age 50 are permitted to exceed the 402(g) limit by this amount
$6,500
$290,000
Maximum Compensation - § 401(a)(17)
Gross pay in excess of this amount is not recognized for plan purposes
$290,000
$58,000
Annual Additions Limit for DC Plans - § 415(c)
The maximum amount that any employee can receive, inclusive of deferrals, matching contributions, profit sharing, and allocation of forfeitures in a single plan year
$58,000
$230,000
Maximum Benefit Limit for DB Plans - § 415(b)
The maximum annual benefit, expressed as a life annuity payable at age 65
$230,000
$130,000
HCE Threshold - § 414(q)
Employees whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Highly Compensated Employees for the following plan year
$130,000
$185,000
Officer Compensation - § 416(i)(1)(A)(i)
Employees who are officers of the employer and whose gross compensation is greater than this amount will be considered Key Employees for the following plan year
$185,000
$142,800
Taxable Wage Base
The amount of income subject to Social Security OASDI taxes
$142,800
$13,500
SIMPLE 401(k) Limit - § 408(p)(2)
The maximum amount that an employee can contribute to their employer's SIMPLE 401(k) plan
$13,500
$3,000
SIMPLE Catch-up Limit - § 414(v)(2)(B)(ii)
Participants over age 50 may exceed the annual limit in their SIMPLE 401(k) plan by this amount
$3,000
Section 125 Limits for 2021
$2,750
Health Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a health care flexible spending account
$2,750
$5,000
Dependent Care FSA
The maximum annual contribution to a dependent care flexible spending account
$5,000
$3,600 self
/
$7,200 family
Maximum HSA Contribution
The maximum annual contribution to a health savings account
$3,600 self
/
$7,200 family
$1,000
HSA Catch-up Limit
For individuals age 55 or older
$1,000
$1,400 self
/
$2,800 family
HDHP Minimum Deductible
Annual deductible minimum for a high deductible health plan
$1,400 self
/
$2,800 family
$7,000 self
/
$14,000 family
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Max
The annual out-of-pocket maximum (not including premiums) for a high deductible health plan
$7,000 self
/
$14,000 family