The author of this site has now retired. The contents of this site are maintained for archival purposes only, and may not be up to date.

| Type of Limitation | 20271 | 20262 | 20253 | 20244 | 20235 | 20226 |
| Elective Deferrals (401(k) and 403(b); not including adjustments and catch-ups) | $25,500 | $24,500 | $23,500 | $23,000 | $22,500 | $20,500 |
| 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) Limits (not including catch-ups) | $25,500 | $24,500 | $23,500 | $23,000 | $22,500 | $20,500 |
| Section 414(v) Catch-Up Deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or SARSEP Plans for Individuals Over Age 507 | $8,500 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $6,500 |
| Section 414(v) Catch-Up Deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or SARSEP Plans for Individuals Ages 60-638 | NA | $11,250 | $11,250 | NA | NA | NA |
| Social Security wages requiring Roth to be used for catch-up9 | $155,000 | $150,000 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Defined Benefit Plans | $300,000 | $290,000 | $280,000 | $275,000 | $265,000 | $245,000 |
| Defined Contribution Plans (annual additions limit) | $75,000 | $72,000 | $70,000 | $69,000 | $66,000 | $61,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $375,000 | $360,000 | $350,000 | $345,000 | $330,000 | $305,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit for Grandfathered Participants in Governmental Plans Which Followed 401(a)(17) Limits (With Indexing) on July 1, 1993 | NA | $535,000 | $520,000 | $505,000 | $490,000 | $450,000 |
| Highly Compensated Employee (“HCEs”) | $170,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $155,000 | $150,000 | $135,000 |
| Key Employee/Officer | $245,000 | $235,000 | $230,000 | $220,000 | $215,000 | $200,000 |
| Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), for individuals 49 and below | NA | $7,500 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,000 |
| Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), for individuals 50 and above | NA | $8,600 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| SIMPLE Retirement Accounts | NA | $17,000 | $16,500 | $16,000 | $15,500 | $14,000 |
| SEP Coverage | NA | $800 | $750 | $750 | $750 | $650 |
| SEP Compensation | $375,000 | $360,000 | $350,000 | $345,000 | $330,000 | $305,000 |
| Tax Credit ESOP Maximum Balance | NA | $1,455,000 | $1,415,000 | $1,380,000 | $1,330,000 | $1,230,000 |
| Amount for Lengthening of 5-Year ESOP Period | NA | $290,000 | $280,000 | $275,000 | $265,000 | $245,000 |
| Maximum Amount for Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract Purchases | NA | $210,000 | $210,000 | $200,000 | $155,000 | $145,000 |
| Income Subject to Social Security Tax | $192,300 | $184,500 | $176,100 | $168,600 | $160,200 | $147,000 |
| FICA Tax for employers | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% |
| FICA Tax for employees | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% |
| Social Security Tax for employers | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% |
| Social Security Tax for employees | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% |
| Medicare Tax for employees and employers10 | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% |
| SECA Tax for self-employed workers | 15.30% | 15.30% | 15.30% | 15.30% | 15.30% | 15.30% |
| Social Security Tax for self-employed workers | 12.40% | 12.40% | 12.40% | 12.40% | 12.40% | 12.40% |
| Medicare Tax for self-employed workers | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% |
12027 limits are estimated, thanks to John Feldt ERPA CPC QPA. Figures shown as “NA” are those that are not yet available. The Social Security figures were announced in Social Security Administration News Release (October 14, 2026).
22026 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2025-67, 2025-49 I.R.B. 761 (December 1, 2025), and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 24, 2025).
32025 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2024-80, 2024-47 I.R.B. 1120 (November 18, 2024), and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 10, 2024).
42024 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2023-75, 2023-47 I.R.B. 1256 (November 20, 2023) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 12, 2023).
52023 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2022-55, 2022–45 I.R.B. 443 (November 7, 2022) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 13, 2022).
62022 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2021-61, 2021–47 I.R.B. 738 (November 22, 2021) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 13, 2021).
7 This number is only the catch-up available under Code section 414(v). Code sections 457(b)(3) and 402(g) provide separate catch-up rules, which must also be considered in appropriate cases.
8 This additional catch-up only became effective in 2025.
9 The requirement that catch-ups be made as Roth if Social Security wages were above a certain limit only became effective in 2026.
10 Beginning in 2013, there is also a 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax that applies to an individual’s wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation, and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individual’s filing status. The threshold amounts are $250,000 for married taxpayers who file jointly, $125,000 for married taxpayers who file separately, and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. An employer is responsible for withholding the Additional Medicare Tax from wages or compensation it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year.
