With Little Change in IRS Retirement Plan Limits, Ample Room Still to be Creative with Executive Deferred Compensation Plans

The Internal Revenue Service just announced the cost of living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans for the 2013 tax year.  These dollar limitations affect, among other things, the maximum amount that may be contributed by an employee on a pre-tax basis (402(g)), the amount of compensation that may be considered for plan purposes 401(a)(17)), and the compensation threshold used to determine highly compensated status (414(q)(1)(B)).  Below is a table showing both the limitations for the 2012 tax year and the limitations for the 2013 tax year.  With little movement in retirement plan amounts, there remain many opportunities for an employer to design creative non-qualified deferred compensation plans for its executives.

 

Dollar Limitations

2013

2012

401(k) & 403(b) Elective Deferrals (IRC § 402(g)(1))

$17,500

$17,000

Catch-Up Elective Deferrals (IRC § 414(v)(2)(B)(i))

Unchanged

$5,500

Defined Benefit Plan Benefit (IRC § 415(b)(1)(A))

$205,000

$200,000

Defined Contribution Plan Contribution (IRC § 415(c)((1)(A))

$51,000

$50,000

Annual Compensation Limit (IRC § 401(a)(17) and IRC § 404(l))

$255,000

$250,000

457(b) Deferral (IRC § 457(e)(15))

$17,500

$17,000

Highly Compensated Employee (IRC § 414(q)(1)(B))

Unchanged

$115,000

Key Employee in Top-Heavy Compensation (IRC § 416(i)(1)(A)(i))

Unchanged

$165,000

SIMPLE Plan Deferral (IRC § 408(p)(2)(E))

$12,000

$11,500

SIMPLE Plan  Catch-Up Elective Deferrals (IRC § 414(v)(2)(B)(iii))

Unchanged

$2,500

SEP Coverage (IRC § 408(k)(2)(C))

Unchanged

$550

 

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