New Dollar Limitations for 2012 Retirement PlansNew Dollar Limitations for 2012 Retirement Plans

The IRS just released new dollar limitations for retirement plans for 2012

Please click on the link for more details:
http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=96461,00.html

A few things to note:
 
The elective deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans increases to $17,000 in 2012 ($16,500 in 2011).  The limitation on catch up contributions stays the same at $5,500.

The maximum “annual addition” limit for a defined contribution plan increases to $50,000 in 2012 ($49,000 in 2011).

The defined benefit limit increases to $200,000 in 2012  ($195,000 in 2011).

The annual dollar limit on compensation that can be taken into account increases to $250,000 in 2012 ($245,000 in 2011).

Compensation for determining highly compensated employee (“HCE”) status increases to $115,000.  The increased dollar amount generally won’t have any effect until the 2013 plan year.  Ex: Employees earning more than $115,000 in 2012 will be considered HCEs for 2013 plan year testing.