IRS Announces 2012 Pension and Related Limitations

October 26, 2011

On October 20, 2011, the Internal Revenue Service announced the dollar limitations for pension plans and other items beginning January 1, 2012. Some of the limits, which had been largely unchanged since 2009, are listed below.

Limitation      2011 Amount 2012 Amount

Maximum Annual Compensation taken into account for determining benefits or contributions to a qualified plan

  $245,000 $250,000

Basic Elective Deferral Limitation for 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) Plans

  $16,500 $17,000

Catch-up Contribution Limit for Persons Age 50 and older in 401(k),
403(b) or SARSEP Plans

  $5,500
 
$5,500
 

Limitation on Annual Additions to a Defined Contribution Plan

  $49,000  $50,000 
Limitation on Annual Benefits from a  Defined Benefit Plan
 
  $195,000 $200,000 
Highly Compensated Employee Compensation Threshold 
 
  $110,000 $115,000 
SEP Compensation Threshold    $550 $550
Social Security Taxable Wage Base for Social Security Tax (6.2%) 
For Medicare Tax (1.45%) 
 


$106,800
No Limit 


$110,100
No Limit 

Health Savings Accounts:    
  • Individual Contribution Limit
  • Family Contribution Limit
  • Catch-Up Contributions
  $3,050
$6,150
$1,000
 
$3,100
$6,250
$1,000