The SECURE Act 2.0 and Your Retirement Plan

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the SECURE 2.0 Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) which made dozens of changes to rules related to retirement savings. We highlight just a few of them here.

The Age for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Increases

The threshold age for RMDs from individual IRAs and workplace retirement plans increases from age 72 to 73 in 2023 and to age 75 in 2033.

The Penalties for Failure to Take RMDs Decreases

Prior to 2023, the penalty for failing to take RMDs as required was 50% of the undistributed amount. That penalty is now 25% and may be reduced even further when certain conditions are met.

Catch-up Contributions to 401(k) and Employee-Sponsored Plans Increase

If you are age 50 or older, the amount you can contribute to your workplace retirement plan beyond the maximum contribution has increased to $7,500 per year in 2023 and to $10,000 in 2025. Employees who reach age 60 to 63 in 2025, will be able to contribute the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the “standard” catch-up amount for 2024. If your wages exceed $145,000 in 2023, there are requirements that apply to your contributions beginning in 2024.

Student Loan Debt

To encourage employees who are paying off student loans to save for retirement, employers will be allowed to make contributions on their behalf that match the amount the individual’s annual debt repayment.

Emergency Withdrawals

The 10% penalty assessed against individuals taking distributions from their retirement accounts prior to age 59 and ½ is waived if an individual 1) has a terminal illness with a seven year or less prognosis 2) is a victim of domestic abuse and takes a hardship withdrawal of $10,000 or 50% of their vested share of the retirement account, or 3) uses the withdrawal (of no more than $2500 per year) to pay premiums on specific types of long-term care contracts. Each penalty exception has different effective dates, limits and repayment requirements.

Part-Time Workers

The Act changes the requirement that part-time employees work for at least 500 hours in three consecutive years before they are eligible to participate in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans to two years of service for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024.

But Wait, There’s More!

We’ve only touched on a few of the provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act and on only some elements of the few we’ve highlighted. As a result of this Act, there may be additional opportunities to reach your retirement goals more quickly. Please contact us to learn more.

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