IRS unveils higher 401(k) contribution cap, leaves IRA limit unchanged for 2025

IRS unveils higher 401(k) contribution cap, leaves IRA limit unchanged for 2025
The federal tax agency has revealed a raft of updates on cost-of-living adjustments to maximum retirement account contributions.
NOV 01, 2024

The Internal Revenue Service has confirmed the annual contribution cap for 401(k) plans will be increasing next year, going up to $23,500 for the 2025 tax period from $23,000 in 2024.

But the contribution limit for IRAs will remain at $7,000, according to a new IRS notice outlining the new cost-of-living adjustments across various retirement savings accounts.

As per IRS Notice 2024-80, the new 401(k) limit affects employees contributing to a range of retirement savings plans, including 403(b) plans, governmental 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan. For workers aged 50 and over, the catch-up contribution limit will remain at $7,500 in 2025, allowing those older employees to generally save up to a combined total of $31,000 annually in their workplace retirement accounts starting next year.

For IRAs, the catch-up contribution limit for account holders aged 50 and over is also unchanged at $1,000, despite a SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 amendment to include an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

The IRS also revised income limits used to determine eligibility for certain retirement-related tax benefits, including deductible contributions to traditional IRAs and Roth IRA contributions.

For traditional IRA contributors, the income phase-out range for single filers covered by a workplace retirement plan has been increased, with eligibility now spanning between $79,000 and $89,000, up from $77,000 to $87,000 in 2024. For married couples filing jointly, where the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the income phase-out range is now between $126,000 and $146,000, up from $123,000 to $143,000.

For cases where the IRA contributor is not covered by a workplace retirement plan but is married to someone who is, the eligibility phase-out has shifted to between $236,000 and $246,000, up from $230,000 to $240,000. The income phase-out for married individuals filing separately who are covered by a workplace retirement plan remains unchanged, staying between $0 and $10,000.

Income phase-out ranges for Roth IRA contributions were also adjusted. For single filers and heads of household, eligibility now falls between $150,000 and $165,000, an increase from the 2024 range of $146,000 to $161,000. Married couples filing jointly will see a new phase-out range of $236,000 to $246,000, compared to $230,000 to $240,000 last year. For married individuals filing separately, the Roth IRA income phase-out remains from $0 to $10,000.

Meanwhile, the phase-out range for married couples filing jointly is now set at $49,500 to $74,250, up from $48,750 to $73,125 in 2024. For heads of household, the range is $37,125 to $55,688, increased from $36,563 to $54,844. Single filers now have a phase-out range of $24,750 to $37,125, up from $24,375 to $36,563.

Latest News

SEC charges Chicago-based investment adviser with overbilling clients more than $2.5M in fees
SEC charges Chicago-based investment adviser with overbilling clients more than $2.5M in fees

Eliseo Prisno, a former Merrill advisor, allegedly collected unapproved fees from Filipino clients by secretly accessing their accounts at two separate brokerages.

Apella Wealth comes to Washington with Independence Wealth Advisors
Apella Wealth comes to Washington with Independence Wealth Advisors

The Harford, Connecticut-based RIA is expanding into a new market in the mid-Atlantic region while crossing another billion-dollar milestone.

Citi's Sieg sees rich clients pivoting from US to UK
Citi's Sieg sees rich clients pivoting from US to UK

The Wall Street giant's global wealth head says affluent clients are shifting away from America amid growing fallout from President Donald Trump's hardline politics.

US employment report reactions: Overall better than expected, but concerns with underlying data
US employment report reactions: Overall better than expected, but concerns with underlying data

Chief economists, advisors, and chief investment officers share their reactions to the June US employment report.

Creative Planning's Peter Mallouk slams 'offensive' congressional stock trading
Creative Planning's Peter Mallouk slams 'offensive' congressional stock trading

"This shouldn’t be hard to ban, but neither party will do it. So offensive to the people they serve," RIA titan Peter Mallouk said in a post that referenced Nancy Pelosi's reported stock gains.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.