The tax law places limits on the dollar amount of contributions to retirement plans and IRAs and the amount of benefits under a pension plan. IRC Section 415 requires the limits to be adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases.
- Limits by plan type (IRA, 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE IRA, 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit)
- 2019 cost-of-living adjustments for pension plans and retirement-related items (IR-2018-211)
- COLA Table for prior years' dollar limitations and Internal Revenue Code references.
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||
IRAs |
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| IRA Contribution Limit | $6,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 | ||
| IRA Catch-Up Contributions | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
IRA AGI Deduction Phase-out Starting at |
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| Joint Return | 103,000 | 101,000 | 99,000 | ||
| Single or Head of Household | 64,000 | 63,000 | 62,000 | ||
SEP |
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| SEP Minimum Compensation | 600 | 600 | 600 | ||
| SEP Maximum Contribution | 56,000 | 55,000 | 54,000 | ||
| SEP Maximum Compensation | 280,000 | 275,000 | 270,000 | ||
SIMPLE Plans |
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| SIMPLE Maximum Contributions | 13,000 | 12,500 | 12,500 | ||
| Catch-up Contributions | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||
401(k), 403(b), Profit-Sharing Plans, etc. |
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| Annual Compensation | 280,000 | 275,000 | 270,000 | ||
| Elective Deferrals | 19,000 | 18,500 | 18,000 | ||
| Catch-up Contributions | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | ||
| Defined Contribution Limits | 56,000 | 55,000 | 54,000 | ||
| ESOP Limits |
1,130,000 225,000 |
1,105,000 220,000 |
1,080,000 215,000 |
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Other |
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| HCE Threshold | 125,000 | 120,000 | 120,000 | ||
| Defined Benefit Limits | 225,000 | 220,000 | 215,000 | ||
| Key Employee | 180,000 | 175,000 | 175,000 | ||
| 457 Elective Deferrals | 19,000 | 18,500 | 18,000 | ||
| Control Employee (board member or officer) | 110,000 | 110,000 | 105,000 | ||
| Control Employee (compensation-based) | 225,000 | 220,000 | 215,000 | ||
| Taxable Wage Base | 132,900 | 128,400 | 127,200 | ||