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The Internal Revenue Service publishes, on a yearly basis, certain Pension Plan Limitations for the coming year. We have outlined the most commonly applied limits for your reference.
Maximum Annual Additions Limit:
In a Defined Contribution Plan, which includes Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans, the Internal Revenue Code sets limits on contributions made to a participant's account. The Code uses the term "annual additions" which represents both employee and employer contributions as well as reallocated forfeitures. Effective January 1, 2012, the annual dollar limit for defined contribution plans has risen to the lesser of 100% of compensation or $50,000.
Maximum Benefit Limit:
In a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, the Internal Revenue Code sets limits on the ultimate benefit that may be funded for at retirement. Effective January 1, 2012, the annual dollar benefit under a defined benefit pension plan has risen to the lesser of 100% of compensation or $200,000.
Annual Compensation Limit:
Effective January 1, 2012, the annual compensation limit has risen to $250,000. Compensation in excess of the limit will be disregarded for all computation purposes.
Key Employee defined for TopHeavy determination:
1. A 5% owner, without regard to compensation, or
2. 1% owner whose annual compensation is over $165,000, or
3. Officers with annual compensation in excess of $165,000.
Highly Compensated Employee (HCE) defined for 401(k) / 401(m) testing:
1. A 5% owner of an Employer or an Affiliate in the current or the immediately preceding plan year, or
2. Any employee earning more than $110,000 in 2011 ($115,000 for 2012)
Constructive ownership rules apply attributing ownership to spouses and lineal ascendants and descendants (parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren) of the owner in both of the above employee definitions.
Maximum Pre-Tax Limit on Elective Deferral Contributions:
A participant's elective deferral contributions under all 401(k) plans in which he or she participates during any taxable year has risen to $17,000 for the 2012 Calendar Year.
Dollar Limitation for catch-up contributions:
401(k) plans may permit participants who have reached age 50 by the end of the plan year to make annual catch-up contributions once the annual dollar limit or a plan-imposed limit on elective deferrals has been reached. For calendar year 2012, the limit remains unchanged at $5,500.
Taxable Wage Base:
The Taxable Wage Base for 2012 has risen to $110,100.
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