The Social Security Administration today announced that the wage base for 2022 will increase to $147,000 from $142,800. In addition, the Department of Labor issued the CPI-U for September, which enables the calculation of several of the 2022 limits the IRS will shortly be announcing. (Thanks to Tom Poje for his calculation spreadsheet!) The limits for 1996 through 2022 (including the actual Social Security limit and the projected IRS limits) are shown at this link.
Tag Archives: 457(b) plans
2022 Social Security Wage Base Increase, and Projected Increases in IRS Limits
New Benefits Guide: Government and Tax-Exempt Organizations
(Posted on December 30, 2020 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Carol V. Calhoun has written a Benefits Guide entitled “Government and Tax-Exempt Organizations” for Bloomberg Law. The Bloomberg Law Benefits Guide is intended to be a resource for non-benefits practitioners that is easy to understand and explains complex topics in a straightforward way. Ms. Calhoun’s guide covers the types of plans maintained by governmental and tax-exempt organizations, determination of whether a plan is governmental, legal requirements and restrictions, and correction methods in case of errors in administration. The Benefits Guide is available to Bloomberg subscribers, or a copy of Ms. Calhoun’s chapter is available at this link.
2021 IRS Benefits & Contributions Limits Announced
(Posted on October 26, 2020 by Carol V. Calhoun)
On October 26, 2020, the IRS issued IRS Notice 2020-79, announcing the changes in pensions and benefits limits for 2021. The maximum limit on annual additions (primarily to defined contribution plans) rose from $57,000 to $58,000 and the annual limit on compensation taken into account rose from $285,000 to $290,000. Most other limits stayed the same.
A chart showing details, and limits from 1996 to 2021, can be found at this link.
457 Answer Book, Eighth Edition, Published
(Posted on June 22, 2020 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The Eighth Edition of the 457 Answer Book was published on June 5, 2020. Carol V. Calhoun is the author of Chapter 1, History of 457 Plans, and Chapter 14, Miscellaneous Issues.
The 457 Answer Book is an in-depth resource that provides answers to the questions that tax-exempt organizations, state and local governments, their accountants, tax and legal advisors, 457 administrators, product providers, and investment counselors need to know.
Guiding readers through all aspects of 457 plan administration — from installation through the audit process — the 457 Answer Book describes: the duties and responsibilities of those performing the functions; the required legal, accounting, and administrative tasks; checklists that facilitate control of each administrative process; and suggested forms.
The 457 Answer Book also provides:
- The history and legal origins of the plan
- Design and drafting standards
- Suggested administrative procedures
- Data processing and payroll considerations
- Operations and fund flow mechanics
- Marketing and sales suggestions
- And much more
Comparison of 457(b) Plans, 401(k) Plans, 403(b) Plans, and Deemed IRAs Updated
(Posted on June 16, 2020 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The Comparison of 457(b) Plans, 401(k) Plans, 403(b) Plans, and Deemed IRAs chart has now been updated to reflect recent developments, including:
- 2020 limits on contributions and benefits
- Changes in the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS)
- Changes in the IRS determination letter program for 401(k) plans
- The IRS opinion letter program for pre-approved 403(b) plans
403(b) and 457(b) Plan Compliance Challenges PowerPoint Now Available
(Posted on August 27, 2019 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Sections 403(b) and 457(b) plan compliance presents significant challenges for employee benefits counsel and plan administrators. Sponsors of 403(b) and 457(b) plans must consider the impact of recent regulatory and litigation developments to ensure strict compliance to avoid potential claims.
As part of a Strafford webinar on “403(b) and 457(b) Plan Compliance Challenges,” Carol V. Calhoun gave a presentation on ways in which new developments create challenges for tax-exempt and governmental organizations which sponsor such plans. A copy of the PowerPoint for her speech can be found at this link.
New article: Executive Compensation Arrangements for Tax-Exempt Organizations
(Posted on September 14, 2018 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Tax-exempt organizations face special legal challenges in developing compensation packages for their executives. A new article published in the Lexis Practice Advisor provides practical guidance on developing benefits for executives of nonprofits.
This article is divided into the following main topics:
“Effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 on Nonprofits and Governments,” PowerPoint now available
(Posted on February 15, 2018 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made a number of changes affecting the compensation and benefits that governmental, church, and other tax-exempt organizations can provide to their employees. Given the short time between introduction and passage of the Act, it is not surprising that many of the new provisions are unclear in their application. Moreover, some of them may produce unintended consequences for these organizations.
As part of a symposium on “Recent Developments in Benefits/Executive Compensation Affecting Tax Exempt Organizations,” Carol V. Calhoun gave a presentation on the ways in which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will affect the compensation and benefits of such organizations. A copy of the PowerPoint for her speech can be found at this link.
Nonprofits and Governments Face Compensation and Benefits Issues under the New Tax Law
(Posted on January 11, 2018 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The recently passed tax bill imposes a 21% excise tax on excess compensation and excess severance benefits of certain executives of nonprofit and governmental employers. The provision has a substantial impact on the compensation and benefits that such organizations can provide for their executives. Moreover, the determination of which employers, and which executives, are covered includes several traps for the unwary.
IRS Issues Self-Assessment Forms for Federal, State, and Local Government Employers
(Posted on July 10, 2017 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The IRS has now issued a series of forms to enable federal, state, and local governments to assess their compliance with federal tax statutes, and has set forth some common errors found in examining such employers. Several of the forms relate to employee benefits issues, and may be of assistance to governments trying to ensure that they comply with all legal requirements.
The forms are as follows:
For use by Federal, State and Local Government Entities
- Form 14581-A Fringe Benefits Compliance Self-Assessment
- Form 14581-B International Issues Compliance Self-Assessment
- Form 14581-D Other Tax Issues Compliance Self-Assessment
- Form 14581-G Worker Status Compliance Self-Assessment
For use by State and Local Government Entities Only