The IRS has released the updated retirement plan contribution limits for 2025, effective as of January 1, 2025. This annual adjustment, designed to reflect cost-of-living changes, provides opportunities for individuals to bolster their retirement savings with slightly higher contribution limits. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes.
401(k), 403(b), and Most 457 Plans
The employee contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans will increase to $23,500 in 2025, up from $23,000 in 2024. This $500 increase may seem modest but is a valuable step up, offering employees a chance to put away a bit more in tax-advantaged savings over the coming year.
Catch-Up Contributions for Employees Aged 50 and Over
For individuals aged 50 and older, the catch-up contribution limit remains at $7,500. This means those eligible for catch-up contributions can contribute a total of $31,000 to their 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan in 2025. This steady limit ensures that older employees still have ample opportunity to maximize their retirement savings.
As part of a change made in the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, there is a higher catch-up contribution for employees aged 60, 61, 62, and 63. For 2025 this catch-up amount is $11,250 instead of $7,500.
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
The contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) hold steady at $7,000 for 2025. Although there’s no increase this year, IRAs continue to offer a valuable option for individuals to build tax-deferred (or tax-free, in the case of Roth IRAs) retirement funds outside of employer-sponsored plans.
IRA Catch-Up Contributions
Individuals aged 50 and over can make an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000 to their IRAs, maintaining the total annual IRA contribution limit at $8,000 for this age group. This consistent catch-up provision remains an essential component for those looking to strengthen their retirement savings as they approach retirement.
Saver’s Credit Income Limits
The IRS has also adjusted the income thresholds for the Saver’s Credit, an incentive that provides a valuable tax credit to low- and moderate-income taxpayers who save for retirement. With these thresholds increasing for 2025, more individuals may qualify for this credit, further supporting retirement savings for those in lower income brackets.
What These Changes Mean for You
The 2025 updates reflect the IRS’s commitment to adjusting retirement savings opportunities to keep pace with inflation. For those already committed to retirement saving, the increased contribution limits provide a small but meaningful boost. For those just beginning or resuming contributions, the Saver’s Credit and catch-up provisions offer opportunities to build retirement security.
Remember, the 2025 contribution changes go into effect on January 1, 2025—an ideal time to review and adjust your retirement savings strategy to take full advantage of these updates.
If you have any questions about how these changes may apply to you, please call us at (401) 921-2000 or contact us here.