Pension Plan Limitations Announced for the 2015 Tax Year

The Internal Revenue Service announced adjustments to the cost-of-living for the 2015 tax year that will affect dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related taxes. Pension plan limitations are changing because of an increase in the cost-of-living index, but other limitations will remain unaffected.

For a detailed list of some of the adjusted and unchanged pension plan limitations, please see the below table.

You can also visit the IRS website for more information: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Announces-2015-Pension-Plan-Limitations;-Taxpayers-May-Contribute-up-to-$18,000-to-their-401(k)-plans-in-2015

Code Section

2015

2014

Elective deferral (contribution) limit under Code section 402(g) $ 18,000 $ 17,500
Catch-up contribution limit under Code section 414(v)(2)(B)(i) $ 6,000 $ 5,500
Annual compensation limit under Code section 401(a)(17) $ 265,000 $ 260,000
Maximum defined benefit annuity limit under Code section 415(b)(1)(A) $ 210,000 $ 210,000
Maximum defined contribution annual additions limit under Code section 415(c)(1)(A) $ 53,000 $ 52,000
Highly compensated employee threshold under Code section 414(q)(1)(B) $ 120,000 $ 115,000
Key employee threshold under Code section 416(i)(1)(A)(i) $ 170,000 $ 170,000
Exclusion for elective deferrals under Code section 402(g)(3) $ 18,000 $ 17,500
Annual compensation limit under Code section 401(a)(17), 404(l), 408(k)(3)(C),and 408(k)(6)(D)(ii) $ 265,000 $ 260,000
Dollar limitation concerning the definition of key employee in a top-heavy plan under Code section 416(i)(l)(A)(i) $ 170,000 $ 170,000
Allowed cost of living adjustments to the compensation limitation under Code section 401(a)(17) $ 395,000 $ 385,000
Deferred compensation plans of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations under Code section 457(e)(15) $ 18,000 $ 17,500
Compensation amounts of the income Tax Regulations concerning the definition of “control employee” for fringe benefit valuation purposes under Code section 1.61-21(f)(5)(i) $ 105,000 $ 105,000
Compensation regarding simplified employee pensions (SEPs) under Code section 408(k)(2)(C) $ 600

$ 550

Limitation regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts under Code section 408(p)(2)(E) $ 12,500

$ 12,000

Deductible amount for an individual making qualified retirement contributions under Code section 219(b)(5)(A) $ 5,500

$ 5,500