Retirement Plan Limits for 2013 and Earlier

Note: The 2011 limits are the same as those for 2009 & 2010.

Adobe Acrobat PDF version of limits

Limit and IRC Section 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
Defined Benefit Plan Dollar Limit
IRC §415(b)(1)(A)
$205,000
$200,000
$195,000
$195,000
$195,000
Defined Contribution Plan Limit
IRC §415(c)(1)(A)
$51,000
$50,000
$49,000
$49,000
$49,000
401(k)/403(b) Elective Deferral Limit
IRC §402(g)(1)
$17,500
$17,000
$16,500
$16,500
$16,500
Governments/Tax-Exempts Deferral Limit
IRC §457(e)(15)
$17,500
$17,000
$16,500
$16,500
$16,500
401(k)/403(b)/457/SARSEP “Catch Up” Limit
IRC §414(v)(2)(B)(i)
$5,500
$5,500
$5,500
$5,500
$5,500
Annual Compensation Limit
IRC §§401(a)(17), 404(l)
$255,000
$250,000
$245,000
$245,000
$245,000
Highly Compensated Employee (HCE) Limit
IRC §414(q)(1)(B)
(Compensation exceeding limit will make someone an HCE next year.)
$115,000
$115,000
$110,000
$110,000
$110,000
Key Employee Officer Compensation
IRC §416(i)(1)(A)(i)
$165,000
$165,000
$160,000
$160,000
$160,000
SEP Minimum Compensation
IRC §408(k)(2)(C)
$550
$550
$550
$550
$550
SEP Compensation
IRC §408(k)(3)(C)
$255,000
$250,000
$245,000
$245,000
$245,000
SIMPLE Employee Contribution Limit
IRC §408(p)(2)(E)
$12,000
$11,500
$11,500
$11,500
$11,500
SIMPLE “Catch Up” Deferral Limit
IRC §414(v)(2)(B)(ii)
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500