It’s official – nearly all qualified retirement plan limits will increase significantly in 2022, something the industry hasn’t seen across the board in years.
Employee deferral limits for 401(k) plans will increase from $19,500 to $20,500 next year. Participants over 50 years old, will also see their catch-up contributions rise from $6,000 to $6,500. Additionally, we will also see maximum annual increases for defined contribution plans go from $58,000 up to $61,000, one of the highest increases we’ve seen in recent years. The stated increases will affect 401(k), 403(b) and eligible 457 plan elective deferrals as well as designated Roth contributions.
These increases are reflections of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) from third quarter 2020 to third quarter 2021, according to Mercer, a wealth management consulting firm.
Inflationary levels are responsible for the highest increase in plan limits since 2008, possibly 1990, according to Mercer, causing some limits to increase an equivalent of up to three years’ worth of ordinary increases.
According to The Senior Citizens League, a nationwide nonpartisan advocacy group, the annual increase for social security cost of living adjustment will be 5.9% which is the highest in four decades based on CPI data.
Inflation makes goods and services more expensive to purchase, therefore, government agencies recognize that devaluation of the dollar triggers necessary increases in contribution limits to keep in step with retirement needs.
This is a great time to discuss how to get your employees retirement ready and help them set up what they need to live out their golden years as comfortably as possible.
About Us
Direct Advisors, LLC has provided bona fide benefit plan consulting and third-party administrative services to merit shop (non-union) construction companies that are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act and state prevailing wage regulations for over 20 years. Our clients are located throughout the United States.
Editor’s note: This content was originally published October 15, 2021 and has been updated for accuracy.