Secure Act 2.0 Part 3

Catch-Up Contributions under the new Secure Act 2.0

By Ben Dolan

Much of the Secure Act 2.0 provides those saving for retirement, and those sponsoring retirement plans, with greater flexibility regarding saving/contributing and the tax impact of doing so (e.g. creation of Roth SIMPLE Accounts). Not so with changes to Catch-Up Contributions for High Wage Earners.  

Currently, if you’re age 50 or older, you can make catch-up contributions to your retirement accounts. For example, in 2023, those under 50 years old can contribute $22,500 to their 401(k), while those over 50 can contribute $30,000, given the allowable catch-up contribution of $7,500. Depending on the employee selection, catch-up contributions are either pre-tax or Roth.

Starting in 2024, those who are eligible for catch-up contributions in 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans with wages above $145,000 for the preceding calendar year must allocate their catch-up contributions to the Roth portion of their plan. Note, this provision does not apply to catch-up contributions to IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs (which allow for $1,000 and $3,500 in catch-up contributions, respectively, in 2023). Note that the rule applies to those with wages over $145,000 but would not necessarily apply to business owners with income above $145,000 (would apply only if their wages are above $145,000).

The ability to make pre-tax catch-up contributions may arise for those changing jobs even if their wages exceeded $145,000 in the preceding year. As written, the legislation asks the employee if they earned more than $145,000 in the previous year from the employer sponsoring the plan in which they are currently enrolled. Since a job change was made, the answer would be no, and the employee could make catch-up contributions pre-tax until they answer yes in subsequent years.

More to come soon.  

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Ben Dolan and Michael Foster are investment advisor representatives of Dolan Capital Advisors a North Carolina state-registered investment adviser. Investment advice offered through Dolan Capital Advisors, Inc.

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