Few Changes Are Made to 2016 Benefit Plan Limits

On October 21, 2015 the IRS announced 2016 cost-of-living adjustments for annual contribution and other dollar limits affecting 401(k) and other retirement plans.   There are few changes to be noted, as the increase in the cost-of-living index stayed below many thresholds necessary to trigger adjustments. Citations below are to the Internal Revenue Code.

Limits That Remain the Same for 2016 Are As Follows:

–The annual Salary Deferral Limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans, currently $18,000, stays the same.

–The age 50 and up catch-up limit, currently $6,000, also remains the same. For 2016 as in this year, the maximum plan deferral an individual age 50 or older may make is $24,000.

–Maximum total annual contributions to a 401(k) or other “defined contribution” plans under 415(c) remains at $53,000 ($59,000 for employees aged 50 and older).

–The maximum annual benefit under a defined benefit plan remained at $210,000.

–Maximum amount of compensation on which contributions may be based under 401(a)(17) remains at $265,000.

–The compensation threshold for determining a “highly compensated employee” remains unchanged at $120,000.

–The compensation dollar limit used to determine key employees in a top-heavy plan remains unchanged at $170,000.

–The compensation threshold for SEP participation remained the same at $600.

–The SIMPLE 401(k) and IRA contribution limit remained the same at $12,500.

–Traditional and Roth IRA contributions and catch-up amounts remain unchanged at $5,500 and $1,000, respectively.

–The Social Security Taxable Wage Base for 2016 remains at this year’s level, $118,500.

Limits That Changed for 2016 Are As Follows:

• The deductibility of IRA contributions made by someone who is not covered by an employer’s retirement plan but is married to someone who is, phases out if their joint income is between $184,000 and $194,000, up from $183,000 and $193,000.
• The deductibility of contributions to a Roth IRA phases out over the following adjusted gross income ranges:
  • $184,000 to $194,000 for married couples filing jointly, also up from $183,000 and $193,000;
  • $117,000 to $132,000 for singles and heads of households, up from $116,000 to $131,000.
• The retirement savings contribution tax credit (saver’s credit) for low and moderate-income workers is limited to those whose adjusted gross income does not exceed:
  • $61,500 for married couples filing jointly, up from $61,000;
  • $46,125 for heads of households, up from $45,750; and
  • $30,750 for married filing separately and for singles, up from $30,500.