Retirement Plan Contribution Limits

Contributions to retirement savings plans are subject to annual limits under federal tax laws, which may change every Jan. 1.

If you’re eligible for multiple retirement plans, there’s a cap on the combined amount that you can contribute through payroll deductions. The IRS sets and enforces these limits, which are summarized below.

Summary of Contribution Limits
Additional details and aggregation limits are detailed in the sections following the chart.

Description 2024 2025
Employee contributions to each IU supplemental retirement plan (pre-tax and Roth contributions combined) $23,000 $23,500
Age 50 and older catch-up limit $7,500 $7,500

This information is based on the university’s current understanding of complex Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and U.S. Treasury Department regulations. The university does not provide tax advice and it is the responsibility of the individual to comply with federal limits. Questions or concerns regarding these limits, should be addressed to a qualified tax adviser.

For questions about IU-sponsored retirement plans, email or call (812) 856-1234.

IRC 402(g) – Employee Elective Deferrals

Summary:

  • $23,000 for 2024 / $23,500 for 2025 for all employer and employee contributions, both pre-tax and after-tax Roth.
  • Plus an additional $7,500 for 2024 / 2025 if you are age 50+ or an additional $23,000 for 2024 / $23,500 for 2025 if you are age 62, 63, or 64. The age 62, 63, or 64 catch-up is a calculation of the employee’s under-utilized amount. Not all employees are eligible.

This limit applies to the following IU and non-IU plans combined:

  • IU Tax Deferred Account Plan
  • IU Health 401(k) 
  • 403(b) or 401(k) plan to which you make elective deferrals sponsored by any other employer
  • If you own 50% or more of an employer (such as a faculty practice plan), that employer's defined contribution 403(b) or 401(k) plan
  • Salary deferrals to a SARSEP (a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan set up before 1997 that includes a salary reduction arrangement)

IRC 457(b) – All Contributions (Employer & Employee)

Summary:

  • $23,000 for 2024 for all employer and employee (both pre-tax and after-tax Roth) contributions.
  • Plus an additional $7,500 for 2024 if you are age 50+ or an additional $23,000 for 2024 if you are age 62, 63, or 64. The age 62, 63, or 64 catch-up is a calculation of the employee’s under-utilized amount. Not all employees are eligible.

A participant cannot make both an age 50 or older catch-up contribution and an age 62, 63, or 64 catch-up contribution to the plan in the same year.

This limit applies to the following IU and non-IU plans combined:

  • The IU 457(b) Retirement Plan.
  • A 457(b) plan sponsored by an employer in the same control group as IU.
  • A 457(b) plan you participate in that is sponsored by any other employer.

IRC 401(a)(17) – Compensation Limit for Employer Contributions

Summary:

  • Limits maximum annual compensation on which retirement contributions can be made to $345.000 for 2024 / $350,000 for 2025  (may not apply to all participants)

This limit applies to the following plans combined:

  • The IU Retirement Plan, which is a 403(b). 
  • A 403(b) plan sponsored by employer in the same control group as IU.

This limit also applies to the following plans combined:

  • The IU Retirement & Savings Plan, which is a 401(a).
  • The IU Supplemental Early Retirement Plan, which is a 401(a).
  • A defined contribution 401(a) plan (including 401(k)) sponsored by an employer in the same controlled group as IU.

IRC 415(c) - All Contributions (Employer & Employee)

Note: This limit only applies to a small number of employees.

Summary:

  • Lesser of 100% of an employee’s compensation or $69,000 for 2024 / $70,000 for 2025 for all contributions (employer, employee pre-tax, and employee after-tax Roth).

Generally, this limit applies in aggregate to plans of the same kind. This means that this limit applies to the following IU and non-IU plans combined:

  • The IU Retirement Plan, which is a 403(b).
  • The IU TDA Plan, which is a 403(b).
  • The IRC 403(b) plan portion of the 18/20 Retirement Plan on behalf of a participant.
  • A 403(b) plan sponsored by an employer in the same control group as IU.
  • If you own 50% or more of an employer (such as a faculty practice plan), that employer's defined contribution 403(b), 401(a), 401(k) plan or SEP.

This limit also applies to the following IU and non-IU plans combined:

  • The IU Supplemental Early Retirement Plan, which is a 401(a).
  • The IU Retirement & Savings Plan, which is a 401(a).
  • A defined contribution 401(a) plan or 401(k) plan sponsored by an employer in the same controlled group as IU.
  • A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) to which you or another employer contribute.

Age 50+ catch-up contributions and contributions made to the IU 457(b) Plan are notincluded when calculating this limit.

Take Action

Change your contribution type or amount at any time.

Learn about the Roth option.

Learn how to roll funds from your existing retirement accounts into your IU accounts.