Milberg Consulting LLC News & Insights

The IRS announced the 2011 dollar limits on benefits and compensation for qualified retirement plans, SEPs and SIMPLEs in IRS News Release IR-2010-108. Note that our annual limits' charts shown below now include the current and historical limits for contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and the interest rates applicable to cash balance pension plan credits.

In the recent past, increases in the contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), SIMPLE, and the “Catch-up” contribution limits increased annually based on cost-of-living adjustments. Any applicable increase is subject to preset minimum increments (except for the Social Security Wage Base) based on the amounts and measuring periods indicated in the chart below. However...

The limits remain unchanged for 2011. Here's why...

The subsequent year's limits (in this case year 2011's limits) adjust annually based on a comparison of the cost-of-living index as of the quarter ending September 30 of the current year (2010) as compared to the index as of the quarter ending September 30 of the prior year (2009). Since the 2010 index was not higher than the 2009 index, no increases apply for 2011.

Access 2007-2011 limits chart here or via link provided below.

2011 IRS Limits for Qualified Retirement Plans, SEPs and SIMPLEs
	2011 Limit	Minimum Increment for COLA Increase	Applicable Measuring Period
Defined Contribution Annual Additions Limit	$49,000	$1,000	Limitation Years ending in 2011
Defined Benefit Annual Benefit Limit	$195,000	$5,000	Limitation Years ending in 2011
Social Security Taxable Wage Base	$106,800	N/A	For Permitted Disparity, Plan Years beginning in '11
Qualified Retirement Plan Compensation Limit	$245,000	$5,000	Plan Years beginning in '11
401(k)/403(b)/457(b) Calendar Year Deferral Limit	$16,500	$500	Calendar Year
SIMPLE Plan Calendar Year Deferral Limit	$11,500	$500	Calendar Year
"Catch-up" Limit (age 50+) 401(k)/403(b)/457 SIMPLE	$5,500 $2,500	$500	Calendar Year
SEP Contribution Eligibility Min. Compensation Required	$550	$50	Limitation Years ending in 2011
HCE Definition Compensation Test	$110,000	$5,000	Look Back Years beginning in 2010
Top heavy Key EE Definition
Top Ten Owner Test	N/A	N/A
Officer Test	$160,000	$5,000	Plan Year that includes the 2011 Top Heavy determination date
1% Owner Test	$150,000	N/A
Health Savings Account (HSA) Calendar Year Limit	Single $3,050 Family $6,150	$50	Calendar Year
HSA Age 55 or older Calendar Year Limit	Single $4,050 Family $7,150	$50	Calendar Year
30-Year Treasury Securities Rate Cash Balance Pension Interest Credit October of Prior Plan Year	3.87%	N/A	October 2010

2007-2011 IRS Limits on Benefits and Compensation for Qualified Retirement Plans, SEPs and SIMPLEs Chart

IRS News Release IR-2010-108

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The information provided is intended as a general resource, not as investment or retirement planning, or legal plan compliance advice or counsel. If you consider any actions discussed in this update, we suggest that you consult a qualified planning, tax or ERISA professional. ERISA Expertise LLC and Barry R. Milberg do not warrant and are not responsible for any errors and omissions from this update. Any tax advice included in this written or electronic communication is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, by the taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by any governmental taxing authority or agency.

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