On October 19, 2017, in Notice 2017-64, the IRS announced the effect of cost-of-living adjustments on certain 2018 dollar limits for various retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans). Several of the limits will not change for 2018 because the increase in the cost-of-living index did not meet statutory thresholds that trigger their adjustment. However, several limits will increase, to reflect certain cost-of-living adjustments. Here are the most notable figures for the majority of defined contribution plans:
- Compensation: The annual limit on compensation that can be taken into account for purposes of contributions and deductions will increase from $270,000 to $275,000. See Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 401(a)(17), which relates to contributions, and Code Section 404(l), relating to deductions.
- Elective Deferrals: The elective deferral contribution limit will increase from $18,000 to $18,500 (not including catch-up contributions). See Code Section 402(g).
- Catch-Up Contributions: This limit for participants who will be at least 50 years of age at any point during 2018 will remain at $6,000. See Code Section 414(v).
- Highly Compensated Employees: The compensation threshold for determining who is a highly compensated employee will remain unchanged at $120,000. (Note that a participant’s ownership of the plan sponsor and/or a related organization may also affect this determination.) See Code Section 414(q).
- Annual Additions: The limit on the combination of employee contributions, employer contributions, and forfeiture allocations credited to a participant’s account will increase from $54,000 to $55,000. See Code Section 415(c).
- Key Employees: The compensation amount for determining which officers are key employees (which is important for top-heavy plan purposes) will remain unchanged at $175,000. See Code Section 416(i).
For more information, here is a link to Notice 2017-64: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-17-64.pdf
In addition, on October 13, 2017, the Social Security Administration announced that the Social Security taxable wage base will increase from $127,200 to $128,700 for 2018. The announcement can be accessed here: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/#/post/10-2017-1
Individuals who administer retirement plans (e.g., Human Resources, Payroll, service providers) should start planning to implement the 2018 limits. This may involve steps such as drafting communications to employees, revising plan administration forms and manuals, and revising payroll systems.