401(k) retirement plan contribution limit increases for 2018; most other limits are stagnant

Retirement plan contribution limits are indexed for inflation, but with inflation remaining low, most of the limits remain unchanged for 2018. But one piece of good news for taxpayers who’re already maxing out their contributions is that the 401(k) limit has gone up by $500. The only other limit that has increased from the 2017 level is for contributions to defined contribution plans, which has gone up by $1,000.

Type of limit	2018 limit
Elective deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) plans	$18,500
Contributions to defined contribution plans	$55,000
Contributions to SIMPLEs	$12,500
Contributions to IRAs	$5,500
Catch-up contributions to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) plans	$6,000
Catch-up contributions to SIMPLEs	$3,000
Catch-up contributions to IRAs	$1,000

If you’re not already maxing out your contributions to other plans, you still have an opportunity to save more in 2018. And if you turn age 50 in 2018, you can begin to take advantage of catch-up contributions.

Higher-income taxpayers should also be pleased that some limits on their retirement plan contributions that had been discussed as part of tax reform didn’t make it into the final legislation.

However, keep in mind that there are still additional factors that may affect how much you’re allowed to contribute (or how much your employer can contribute on your behalf). For example, income-based limits may reduce or eliminate your ability to make Roth IRA contributions or to make deductible traditional IRA contributions.

If you have questions about how much you can contribute to tax-advantaged retirement plans in 2018, check with us.

© 2017