Employee Benefits

Making Limits Greater Again – IRS Issues Guidance on Cost of Living Adjustments

Nov 13, 2018
Matthew P. Chiarello, Partner
Matthew P. Chiarello,
Partner

The IRS recently announced cost-of-living adjustments for 2019 in Notice 2018-83 and related guidance.  The key dollar limits for qualified retirement plans and health and welfare plans are noted below.

Qualified Retirement Plan Dollar Limits

  2018 2019
Limit on Section 401(k) deferrals (Section 402(g)) $18,500 $19,000
Dollar limitation for catch-up contributions (Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i)) $6,000 $6,000
Limit on deferrals for government and tax-exempt organization deferred compensation plans (Section 457(e)(15)) $18,500 $19,000
Annual benefit limitation for a defined benefit plan (Section 415(b)(1)(A)) $220,000 $225,000
Limitation on annual contributions to a defined contribution plan (Section 415(c)(1)(A)) $55,000 $56,000
Limitation on compensation that may be considered by qualified retirement plans (Section 401(a)(17)) $275,000 $280,000
Dollar amount for the definition of highly compensated employee (Section 414(q)(1)(B)) $120,000 $125,000
Dollar amount for the definition of a key employee in a top-heavy plan (Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i)) $175,000 $180,000
Dollar amount for determining the maximum account balance in an ESOP subject to a five-year distribution period (Section 409(o)(1)(C)(ii)) $1,105,000 $1,130,000
SIMPLE retirement account limitation (Section 408(p)(2)(E)) $12,500 $13,000
Social Security Taxable Wage Base $128,700 $132,900

Health and Welfare Plan Dollar Limits

  2018 2019
Annual Cost Sharing Limit (self-only coverage) $7,350 $7,900
Annual Cost Sharing Limit (other than self-only coverage) $14,700 $15,800
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Maximum (self-only coverage) $6,650 $6,750
HDHP Out-of-Pocket Maximum (family coverage) $13,300 $13,500
Annual HDHP Deductible (self-only coverage) Not less than $1,350 Not less than $1,350
Annual HDHP Deductible (family coverage) Not less than $2,700 Not less than $2,700
Maximum Annual HSA Contributions (self-only coverage) $3,450 $3,500
Maximum Annual HSA Contributions (family coverage) $6,900 $7,000
Maximum HSA Catch-Up Contribution $1,000 $1,000
Health Flexible Spending Account Maximum $2,650 $2,700
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