Retirement topics: Catch-up contributions

 

Individuals who are age 50 or over at the end of the calendar year can make annual catch-up contributions.

Annual catch-up contributions up to $7,500 in 2023 and 2024 ($6,500 in 2021-2020; $6,000 in 2015 - 2019) may be permitted by these plans:

  • 401(k) (other than a SIMPLE 401(k))
  • 403(b)
  • SARSEP
  • governmental 457(b)

Elective deferrals are not treated as catch-up contributions until they exceed the limit of $23,000 in 2024 ($22,500 in 2023; $20,500 in 2022; $19,500 in 2020 and 2021; $19,000 in 2019) or the ADP test limit of section 401(k)(3) or the plan limit (if any).

A participant can make catch-up contributions for a year up to the lesser of the following amounts:

  • The catch-up contribution dollar limit, or
  • The excess of the participant's compensation over the elective deferral contributions that are not catch-up contributions.

Plan participants must make catch-up contributions to a retirement plan via elective deferrals. Catch-up contributions must be made before the end of the plan year.

SIMPLE plan catch-up amounts

A SIMPLE IRA or a SIMPLE 401(k) plan may permit annual catch-up contributions up to $3,500 in 2023 and $3,000 in 2015 - 2022. Salary reduction contributions in a SIMPLE IRA plan are not treated as catch-up contributions until they exceed $15,500 in 2023 ($14,000 in 2022; $13,500 in 2020 and 2021; and $13,000 in 2015 - 2019).

403(b) plan catch-up amounts

Employees with at least 15 years of service may be eligible to make additional contributions to a 403(b) plan in addition to the regular catch-up for participants who are age 50 or over. See the discussion of 403(b) contribution limits for details.

IRA catch-up Amounts

You can make catch-up contributions to your traditional or Roth IRA up to $1,000 in 2015 - 2023. Catch-up contributions to an IRA are due by the due date of your tax return (not including extensions).

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