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Each year the U.S. government adjusts the limits for qualified plans and Social Security to reflect cost-of-living adjustments and changes in the law. Many of these limits are based on the “plan year” as defined in the plan document. The elective deferral and catch-up limits are always based on the calendar year.
| Limitation | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum annual pretax and/or Roth elective deferrals for employees under age 50 (401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans). | $24,500 | $23,500 | $23,000 |
| “Catch-up” pretax and/or Roth contribution for employees who turn age 50 by the last day of the calendar year (401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans). | $8,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| “Catch-up” pretax and/or Roth contribution for employees who are age 60-63 by the last day of the calendar year (401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans). | $11,250 | $11,250 | N/A |
| Maximum annual additions limit of combined employee and employer contributions for 401(k) or 403(b) plans (Catch-up contributions are not counted towards limit). | $72,000 | $70,000 | $69,000 |
| Income limit used to determine following years highly compensated employees (HCE). “HCE” in 2022 will include an employee paid more than $130,000 in 2021. “HCE” in 2023 will include an employee paid more than $135,000 in 2022. “HCE” in 2024 will include an employee paid more than $150,000 in 2023. | $160,000 | $160,000 | $155,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit (Compensation above this limit is not counted for plan purposes). | $360,000 | $345,000 | $330,000 |
| Threshold for High Earners who are required to contribute Catch-Up Contributions on a Roth Basis | Social Security Wages (Box 3 of the W-2) of $150,000 or more in 2025 | NA | NA |
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Annual Limits Apply |
| January 31 | Forms 1099-Rs to participants who took a distribution in the previous calendar year |
| March 15 | Return of excess contributions for failed ADP and ACP Tests |
| March 15 | Employer contributions due for calendar year partnerships, S Corps, and LLCs taxed as partnerships (unless tax extension is filed) |
| April 1 | Initial Required Minimum Distributions must be made |
| April 15 | Employer contributions due for corporations and LLCs taxed as corporations (unless tax extension is filed). |
| April 15 | Return of excess deferrals |
| June 30 | Return of excess contributions for failed ADP and ACP Tests for EACA Plans (only) |
| July 31 | IRS Form 5500 and schedules due (unless extension form 5558 is filed by this date). |
| September 30 | Summary Annual Report (SAR) to be distributed to participants and beneficiaries (unless extension form 5558 is filed). |
| September 30 | Last Day to Adopt a Safe Harbor Plan for the Current Year |
| October 15 | IRS Form on IRS Form 5558 Extension Due |
| December 1 | Distribution of Annual Notices |
| December 15 | Summary Annual Report (SAR) to be distributed to participants and beneficiaries for plans that filed a 5558. |
| December 31 | Ongoing Required Minimum Distributions must be made |
| Plan-Year End | 5500 Filing Deadline | SAR Distributed to Participants Deadline | With Extension 5500 Deadline (Form 5558 Filed) | SAR Distributed to Participants Deadline (Form 5558 Filed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/31 | 8/31 | 10/31 | 11/15 | 1/15 |
| 2/28 | 9/30 | 11/30 | 12/15 | 2/15 |
| 3/31 | 10/31 | 12/31 | 1/15 | 3/15 |
| 4/30 | 11/30 | 1/31 | 2/15 | 4/15 |
| 5/30 | 12/31 | 2/28 | 3/15 | 5/15 |
| 6/30 | 1/31 | 3/31 | 4/15 | 6/15 |
| 7/31 | 2/28 | 4/30 | 5/15 | 7/15 |
| 8/31 | 3/31 | 5/31 | 6/15 | 8/15 |
| 9/30 | 4/30 | 6/30 | 7/15 | 9/15 |
| 10/31 | 5/31 | 7/31 | 8/15 | 10/15 |
| 11/30 | 6/30 | 8/31 | 9/15 | 11/15 |
