2013 Annual Qualified Retirement Plan Limitations
On October 18, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service published (IR-2012-77) cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement related items for Tax Year 2012. Generally speaking, many of the pension plan limitations increased for 2012 because the rise in the cost-of-living index met the statutory thresholds that trigger their adjustment.
The following is a comparison of the 2011 and 2012 limitations:
| Y2012 | Y2013 | |
|---|---|---|
| Limit on Elective Deferrals | $17,000 | $17,500 |
| Highly Compensated Employee Annual Income | $115,000 | $115,000 |
| Defined Benefit Plan IRC §415 Limit on Benefits | $200,000 | $205,000 |
| Defined Contribution Plan IRC §415 Dollar Limit | $50,000 | $51,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $250,000 | $255,000 |
| Catch-up Contributions Limit for Workers Aged 50 or Older | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Key Employee Top Heavy Limit | $165,000 | $165,000 |
| IRAs for Individuals 49 and Below | 5,000 | $5,500 |
| IRAs for individuals 50 and Older | $6,000 | $6,500 |
| SIMPLE Retirement Accounts | $11,500 | $12,000 |
2013 Social Security Adjustments
On October 18, 2012, the Social Security Administration announced that there is an increase in the cost of living adjustment (“COLA”). The Social Security COLA is 1.7% for 2013. For 2012:
- The Social Security Taxable wage base will be $113,700 from $110,100.
- The FICA tax (OASDI and Medicare) payable by both employees and employers remains 7.65% up to the taxable wage base.
- The 1.45% Medicare tax continues to apply to all earnings.
- The Social Security (OASDI) tax, assessed up to the taxable wage base, remains 6.2% for employers and 6.2% for employees. (The workers’ percentage of the OASDI portion of Social Security taxes for workers was reduced in 2011 is expected to revert back to 6.2% in 2012.)