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 | 20071 | 20062 | 20053 | 20044 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |
| Elective Deferrals (401(k) and 403(b); not including adjustments and catch-ups) | $15,500 | $15,000 | $14,000 | $13,000 | $12,000 | $11,000 | $10,500 | $10,500 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $9,500 | $9,500 |
| 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) Limits (not including catch-ups) | $15,500 | $15,000 | $14,000 | $13,000 | $12,000 | $11,000 | $8,500 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $7,500 | NA |
| Section 414(v) Catch-Up Deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), or SARSEP Plans for Individuals Over Age 505 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Defined Benefit Plans | $180,000 | $175,000 | $170,000 | $165,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $140,000 | $135,000 | $130,000 | $130,000 | $125,000 | $120,000 |
| Defined Contribution Plans (annual additions limit) | $45,000 | $44,000 | $42,000 | $41,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 | $35,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $225,000 | $220,000 | $210,000 | $205,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $170,000 | $170,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $150,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit for Grandfathered Participants in Governmental Plans Which Followed 401(a)(17) Limits (With Indexing) on July 1, 1993 | $335,000 | $325,000 | $315,000 | $305,000 | $300,000 | $295,000 | $285,000 | $275,000 | $270,000 | $265,000 | NA | NA |
| Highly Compensated Employee (“HCEs”) | $100,000 | $100,000 | $95,000 | $90,000 | $90,000 | $90,000 | $85,000 | $85,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 | $80,000 | NA |
| Key Employee/Officer | $145,000 | $140,000 | $135,000 | $130,000 | $130,000 | $130,000 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), for individuals 49 and below | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), for individuals 50 and above | $5,000 | $5,000 | $4,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| SIMPLE Retirement Accounts | $10,500 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $9,000 | $8,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | NA |
| SEP Coverage | $500 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $450 | $400 | $400 | $400 | $400 |
| SEP Compensation | $225,000 | $220,000 | $210,000 | $205,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $170,000 | $170,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $150,000 |
| Tax Credit ESOP Maximum Balance | $915,000 | $850,000 | $850,000 | $830,000 | $810,000 | $800,000 | $780,000 | $755,000 | $735,000 | $725,000 | $710,000 | $690,000 |
| Amount for Lengthening of 5-Year ESOP Period | $180,000 | $175,000 | $170,000 | $165,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $155,000 | $150,000 | $145,000 | $145,000 | $140,000 | $135,000 |
| Excess Distribution Threshold | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | $160,000 | $155,000 |
| Qualified Police and Firefighters’ DB Benefit Limit | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | $70,000 | NA |
| Income Subject to Social Security Tax | $97,500 | $94,200 | $90,000 | $87,900 | $87,000 | $84,900 | $80,400 | $76,200 | $72,600 | $68,400 | $65,400 | $62,700 |
| FICA Tax for employers | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 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% | 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% | 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% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% |
| Medicare Tax for employees and employers | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 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% | 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% | 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% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% | 2.90% |
12007 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2006-98, 2006-46 I.R.B. 906 (November 13, 2006) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 18, 2006).
22006 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2005-75, 2005-45 I.R.B. 929 (November 7, 2005) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 14, 2005).
32005 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2004-72, 2004-46 I.R.B. 840 (November 15, 2004) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 19, 2004).
42004 limits reflect issuance of IRS Notice 2003-73, 2003-45 I.R.B. 1017 (November 10, 2003) and the corresponding Social Security Administration News Release (October 16, 2003).
5 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.