Most of us are guilty of not contributing regularly to our retirement fund. So as we grow older, retirement feels like a fast approaching deadline. Are my investments on track? Have I saved enough for retirement? Questions like this loom large especially if you are 50 or older. Most of us are guilty of not contributing regularly to our retirement fund. So as we grow older, retirement feels like a fast approaching deadline. Are my investments on track? Have I saved enough for retirement? Questions like this loom large especially if you are 50 or older.
If you are at least 50 years old and are wondering if you have stashed enough for your retirement fund or not, here’s the good news. Catch-up contributions enable you to make additional savings to your IRA and 401(k) as you near retirement.
Most of the people are either unaware of this provision or they think that they cannot afford it. Hence, they are unable to take advantage of it to boost their retirement savings.
Here’s what you need to know about catch-up contributions to make the most of them for your retired life:
Catch-Up Contribution Limits?
Like most tax-favored retirement accounts with IRS limits on their contributions, there are certain limits on the catch-up contributions also.
- If you own a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA, the amount which you can contribute if you are 50 years or older, increases by $1,000. The maximum limit for contribution for both these IRAs is $7,500 in 2023.
- If you have a 401(k) plan, you can usually contribute as much as $22,500 to your retirement plan in 2023.
- If you have a Simple IRA, you can generally contribute as much as $15,500 in 2023. If you are 50 years or older and your employer also allows catch-up contributions, your contribution limit raises by $3,500.
- If you are 50 years or older and your employer allows catch-up contributions, your limit is raised by $7,500. This holds true for a Roth 401(k) or Roth 403(b) also. The total elective contribution limit in 2023 is $30,000.
- SEP IRAs don’t allow catch-up contributions. However, if you have a plan called SARSEP – a plan in which a small business employer contributes to your SEP IRA, you may be able to contribute an additional $7,500 in 2023. The contribution rules for these plans are complicated so it is better to consult an IRA advisor for a better understanding.
What Are the Advantages of Catch-Up Contributions?
Here’s why you should not miss out on catch-up contributions:
- While taxes aren’t the primary reason for you to take advantage of catch-up contributions for your 401(k) plan, that incentive can help you save a lot of money. Employees can make a contribution of $22,500 per year to their 401(k) tax deferred. Those over the age of 50 can contribute an additional amount of $6,500. This brings the tax deferred income to $30,000 a year. Hence, the more you contribute and move in to a higher tax bracket, the more you can benefit from the catch-up contributions for your 401(k).
- Usually most employers provide some kind of match to your retirement plan such as a 401(k). For e.g., an employer may offer a match of up to 6% for employee contributions. While not every company practices the same policy when it comes to matching the catch-up contributions, a lot of companies do. As per the Plan Sponsor Council of America, catch-up contributions are permitted for 97.1% of all 401(k) plans and 36% of plans match the contributions.
- Also, the catch-up contributions for a Roth IRA allow the investors to boost their after-tax investment. The investors thus end up with a larger account balance in their retirement when they can withdraw the principal, earnings and interest tax-free. If you expect your tax rate to increase as you grow older, maximizing your catch-up contributions and your Roth IRA can be a perfect and cost-effective way for investing for your retirements.
If you want to learn more about how you can use catch-up contributions to boost your retirement savings, get in touch with our expert IRA advisors at SD Retirement LLC today.
Rick Pendykoski is the owner of Self Directed Retirement Plans LLC, a retirement planning company based in Goodyear, AZ. He has over three decades of experience working with investments and retirement planning, and over the last ten years has turned his focus to self-directed ira accounts and alternative investments. If you need help and guidance with traditional or alternative investments, call him today (866) 639-0066.
