WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has announced that employees in 401(k) and 403(b) plans will be able to contribute up to $19,500 (unchanged from 2020) next year. The IRS announced this and other changes in Notice 2020-79, posted on IRS.gov. This guidance provides cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2021.
| Item | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| 401(k), 403(b), 457 Elective Deferral Limit | $19,500 | $19,500 | $19,000 |
| Catch-Up Contribution Limit (age 50 and older) | $6,500 | $6,500 | $6,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $290,000 | $285,000 | $280,000 |
| Defined Contribution Limit | $58,000 | $57,000 | $56,000 |
| Defined Benefit Limit | $230,000 | $230,000 | $225,000 |
| Definition of Highly Compensated Employee | $130,000 | $130,000 | $125,000 |
| Key Employee | $185,000 | $185,000 | $180,000 |
| IRA Contribution Limit | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| IRA Catch-Up Contributions (age 50 and older) | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Highlights of Changes for 2021
The limit on contributions by employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan remains unchanged at $19,500.
The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in these plans remains unchanged at $6,500.
The annual compensation limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan increased to $290,000 from the 2020 limit of $285,000.
The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to contribute to Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit all increased for 2021.
Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or his or her spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction may be reduced, or phased out until it is eliminated depending on filing status and income. (If neither the taxpayer nor his or her spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, the phase-outs of the deduction do not apply.) Here are the phase-out ranges for 2021:
The income phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $125,000 to $140,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $124,000 to $139,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range is $198,000 to $208,000, up from $196,000 to $206,000. The phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
The income limit for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is $66,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $65,000; $49,500 for heads of household, up from $48,750; and $33,000 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $32,500.
Key employee contribution limits remain unchanged
The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains unchanged at $6,000. The additional catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $1,000.
*Cambridge does not offer Tax advice