The Internal Revenue Service today released Notice 2021-61 announcing cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2022.
Highlights Affecting Plan Sponsors of Qualified Plans 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 is increased from $19,500 to $20,500.
- The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $6,500.
- The limitation under Section 408(p)(2)(E) regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts remains is increased from $13,500 to $14,000.
- 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.
- The limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan under Section 415(b)(1)(A) is increased from $230,000 to $245,000.
- The limitation for defined contribution plans under Section 415(c)(1)(A) is increased for 2022 from $58,000 to $61,000.
- The annual compensation limit under Sections 401(a)(17), 404(l), 408(k)(3)(C), and 408(k)(6)(D)(ii) is increased from $290,000 to $305,000.
- The dollar limitation under Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i) concerning the definition of “key employee” in a top-heavy plan is increased from $185,000 to $200,000.
- The dollar amount under Section 409(o)(1)(C)(ii) for determining the maximum account balance in an employee stock ownership plan subject to a five year distribution period is increased from $1,165,000 to $1,230,000, while the dollar amount used to determine the lengthening of the five year distribution period is increased from $230,000 to $245,000.
- The limitation used in the definition of highly compensated employee under Section 414(q)(1)(B) is increased from $130,000 to $135,000.
The IRS previously updated Health Savings Account limits for 2021. See our post here.
The following chart summarizes various significant benefit Plan limits for 2020 through 2022:
| Type of Limitation | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| 415 Defined Benefit Plans | $245,000 | $230,000 | $230,000 |
| 415 Defined Contribution Plans | $61,000 | $58,000 | $57,000 |
| Defined Contribution Elective Deferrals | $20,500 | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Defined Contribution Catch-Up Deferrals | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| SIMPLE Employee Deferrals | $14,000 | $13,500 | $13,500 |
| SIMPLE Catch-Up Deferrals | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $305,000 | $290,000 | $285,000 |
| SEP Minimum Compensation | $650 | $650 | $600 |
| SEP Annual Compensation Limit | $305,000 | $290,000 | $285,000 |
| Highly Compensated | $135,000 | $130,000 | $130,000 |
| Key Employee (Officer) | $200,000 | $185,000 | $185,000 |
| Income Subject To Social Security Tax (FICA) | $147,000 | $142,800 | $137,700 |
| Social Security (FICA) Tax For ER & EE (each pays) | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% |
| Social Security (Med. HI) Tax For ERs & EEs (each pays) | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% |
| SECA (FICA Portion) for Self-Employed | 12.40% | 12.40% | 12.40% |
| SECA (Med. HI Portion) For Self-Employed | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% |
| IRA Contribution | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| IRA Catch-Up Contribution | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| HSA Max. Contributions Single/Family Coverage | $3,650/ $7,300 | $3,600/ $7,200 | $3,550/ $7,100 |
| HSA Catchup Contributions | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| HSA Min. Annual Deductible Single/Family | $1,400/ $2,800 | $1,400/ $2,800 | $1,400/ $2,800 |
| HSA Max. Out Of Pocket Single/Family | $7,050/ $14,100 | $7,000/ $14,000 | $6,900/ $13,800 |