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)
- 2025 cost-of-living adjustments for pension plans and retirement-related items (IR-2024-285)
- COLA table PDF for prior years' dollar limitations and Internal Revenue Code references.
| IRAs | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit | $7,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,000 |
| IRA catch-up contributions | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Traditional IRA AGI deduction phase-out starting at | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint return | 126,000 | 123,000 | 116,000 | 109,000 |
| Single or head of household | 79,000 | 77,000 | 73,000 | 68,000 |
| SEP | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEP minimum compensation | 750 | 750 | 750 | 650 |
| SEP maximum contribution | 70,000 | 69,000 | 66,000 | 61,000 |
| SEP maximum compensation | 350,000 | 345,000 | 330,000 | 305,000 |
| SIMPLE plans | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIMPLE maximum contributions | 16,500 | 16,000 | 15,500 | 14,000 |
| Catch-up contributions | 3,500* | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,000 |
*Under a change made in SECURE 2.0, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who participate in SIMPLE plans. For 2025, this higher catch-up contribution limit is $5,250.
| 401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing plans, etc. | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual compensation | 350,000 | 345,000 | 330,000 | 305,000 |
| Elective deferrals | 23,500 | 23,000 | 22,500 | 20,500 |
| Catch-up contributions | 7,500** | 7,500 | 7,500 | 6,500 |
| Defined contribution limits | 70,000 | 69,000 | 66,000 | 61,000 |
| ESOP limits |
1,415,000 280,000 |
1,380,000 275,000 |
1,330,000 265,000 |
1,230,000 245,000 |
**Under a change made in SECURE 2.0, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who participate in these plans. For 2025, this higher catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500.
| Other | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCE threshold | 160,000 | 155,000 | 150,000 | 135,000 |
| Defined benefit limits | 280,000 | 275,000 | 265,000 | 245,000 |
| Key employee | 230,000 | 220,000 | 215,000 | 200,000 |
| 457 elective deferrals | 23,500 | 23,000 | 22,500 | 20,500 |
| Control employee (board member or officer) | 140,000 | 135,000 | 130,000 | 120,000 |
| Control employee (compensation-based) | 285,000 | 275,000 | 265,000 | 245,000 |
| Taxable wage base | 176,100 | 168,600 | 160,200 | 147,000 |