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The Amount You and Your Employees Can Save for Retirement is Going Up Slightly in 2025

How much can you and your employees contribute to your 401(k)s or other retirement plans next year? In Notice 2024-80, the IRS recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that apply to the dollar limitations for retirement plans, as well as other qualified plans, for 2025. With inflation easing, the amounts aren’t increasing as much as in recent years. 401(k) plans.

The 2025 contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k) plans will increase to $23,500 (up from $23,000 in 2024). This contribution amount also applies to 403(b) plans, most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan. The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 or over who participate in 401(k) plans and the other plans mentioned above will remain $7,500 (the same as in 2024). However, under the SECURE 2.0 law, specific individuals can save more with catch-up contributions beginning in 2025.

The new catch-up contribution amount for taxpayers who are age 60, 61, 62 or 63 will be $11,250. Therefore, participants in 401(k) plans who are 50 or older can contribute up to $31,000 in 2025. Those who are age 60, 61, 62 or 63 can contribute up to $34,750. SEP plans and defined contribution plans. The limitation for defined contribution plans, including a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan, will increase from $69,000 to $70,000 in 2025. To participate in a SEP, an eligible employee must receive at least a certain amount of compensation for the year. That amount will remain $750 in 2025. SIMPLE plans The deferral limit to a SIMPLE plan will increase to $16,500 in 2025 (up from $16,000 in 2024).

The catch-up contribution limit for employees who are age 50 or over and participate in SIMPLE plans will remain $3,500. However, SIMPLE catch-up contributions for employees who are age 60, 61, 62 or 63 will be higher under a change made by SECURE 2.0. Beginning in 2025, they will be $5,250. Therefore, participants in SIMPLE plans who are 50 or older can contribute $20,000 in 2025. Those who are age 60, 61, 62 or 63 can contribute up to $21,750. The IRS also announced that in 2025: The limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan will increase from $275,000 to $280,000. The dollar limitation concerning the definition of “key employee” in a top-heavy plan will increase from $220,000 to $230,000. The limitation used in the definition of “highly compensated employee” will increase from $155,000 to $160,000.

The 2025 limit on annual contributions to an individual IRA will remain $7,000 (the same as 2024). The IRA catch-up contribution limit for individuals age 50 or older isn’t subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and will remain $1,000. Plan ahead The contribution amounts will make it easier for you and your employees to save a significant amount in your retirement plans in 2025. Contact us if you have questions about your tax-advantaged retirement plan or want to explore other retirement plan options. © 2024

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401(k) and Profit Sharing Limits for 2022 & 2023

In the downloadable file below, you can find 401(k) and profit sharing limits for 2022 & 2023.

 

Important information for those with a 401(k) account or those considering opening an account:

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules apply to all employer-sponsored retirement plans. RMD rules require those with Traditional and Roth 401(k)s to withdraw a certain amount from their account each year once they turn 72. If the RMD is not withdrawn by the applicable deadline, the individual will be taxed 50% on the amount not withdrawn; individuals can withdraw more than the minimum amount. These withdrawals are considered taxable income. To find your RMD, use this worksheet from the IRS.

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Traditional vs Roth IRAs

People often ask, “Should I invest in a traditional or Roth IRA when planning for retirement? What’s the difference?” To answer this question, let’s discuss the basics.

Traditional vs. Roth

An IRA is an individual retirement account that is not associated with your employer. When opening an IRA, you will have to choose either traditional or Roth. This is not to say that you are limited to one account for your lifespan. Depending on your income and the stage of your career, both types can be beneficial. 

Generally, Roth IRAs are best suited for younger individuals because they have a long working life before they retire, and that large time-frame gives their investments time to increase substantially. This increase will not be taxable when drawn out during retirement. Roth IRAs also come with an income limit, so it is ideal for those at entry-level or mid-level in their careers.

Traditional IRAs are best suited to those who are in a higher tax bracket. These individuals will save significant tax dollars immediately through tax-deductible contributions and will likely be in a lower tax bracket when they retire because their income will be reduced. This usually describes mature individuals who are in their later years of working and usually have higher incomes. Therefore, the tax savings now are greater, and the time for investments to increase in value is shorter. 

Withdrawing Your Savings

When you decide to put money in a retirement account, it is ideal to leave that investment untouched until you are retired. Traditional IRAs have stricter rules about early withdrawals than Roth accounts. The penalty for early withdrawal (before age 59.5) from a Traditional IRA is 10%, and you pay income tax on the amount you withdraw. Roth IRA withdrawals are tax and penalty free if you withdraw upon reaching age 59.5 and the account has been established for five or more years.

Traditional IRAs impose Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) when you turn 72; this is a minimum amount that you must withdraw each year from your account. These withdrawals are considered taxable income. To find your RMD, use this worksheet from the IRS.

Roth IRAs do not impose RMDs, and the withdrawals are not considered taxable income. 

Both Traditional and Roth IRAs have contribution limits and due dates that vary year-to-year. You can find those amounts and dates in the graphic below.

For more information and consultation about IRAs and retirement planning, contact industry leader Gabrielle Lorbiecki or visit https://ata.net/ata-retirement.

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Succession Planning Flowchart

Utilize this flowchart to discover where you are in the process of succession planning. This chart includes links to in-depth videos about succession planning. For more information about leadership succession, contact ATA Employment Solutions.

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Organizing and Utilizing Human Capital

When looking at the individuals in your company, their roles will fall into one of four categories: critical, core, supporting or misaligned. Let’s look at each of these in detail to assist you in mapping out responsibilities.

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How to Plan for Leadership Succession

Although more than 30% of family-owned businesses transition successfully to the second generation, just 12% of those businesses are viable for the third generation, and a mere 3% are operating by the fourth generation, according to Family Business Review. This video series explores practical ways to think outside the box when planning the future of your business such as outsourcing employee functions and creating a strategic succession plan.