Planning Ahead for 2026 Catch-Up Contributions

Effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, catch-up contributions for certain participants in a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan could be affected by proposed regulations by the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service. The proposed regulations would require that high-income earners who are aged 50 or older make catch-up contributions as Roth contributions rather than pre-tax contributions. In this case, a high-income earner is defined by prior-year FICA wages exceeding $145,000. This requirement, introduced in the SECURE 2.0 Act in December 2022, was delayed to allow for an administrative transition period. With the rules expected to be finalized in 2025, some review steps now can help minimize any last-minute uncertainty.

Catch-up contributions allow participants who are age 50 or older to contribute above the standard IRS deferral limit, which is $23,500 for 2025. The standard catch-up contribution limit for 2025 is $7,500, with a higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 for those aged 60-63. If permitted by the plan document, catch-up contributions can currently be withheld as either pre-tax or Roth deferrals.

Since the regulations are not yet finalized, the important action now is to simply be aware of the possible requirement and consider if the plan and participants will be affected so you can be prepared. Here are a few items to consider:

• Identify which employees will be age 50 or older in 2026. Likewise, determine if they are eligible during the 2026 plan year.
• Review estimated annual 2025 FICA wages for these employees. Income from other employers is not considered in this case; only the income paid by the employer who sponsors the plan is applicable to the $145,000 threshold.
• Does the plan permit Roth deferrals? If not, based on the proposed regulations, the higher-income earners won’t be able to make catch-up contributions unless the plan is amended to allow for Roth deferrals.

Understanding which participants may be affected will ensure timely communication as soon as the regulations become final. When 2025 comes to a close, it will be important to gather year-end census data promptly so these participants can make the proper deferral elections for 2026. We can look at these details with you and help plan ahead together.