The Internal Revenue Service has announced cost-of-living-adjusted limits for 2023 that affect the operation of tax-qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans and certain other types of employee benefit plans, such as deferred compensation plans that may be subject to Internal Revenue Code §409A. The amount by which the limits are adjusted each year is based on a cost-of-living index, and not all limits increase every year. For 2023, however, all of the plan-related, cost-of-living-adjusted limits listed below have increased from 2022. In connection with the increased limits for 2023, employers should revise participant communications and election forms, amend plan documents and summary plan descriptions, and update all payroll and/or human resources systems with the new dollar amount limitations.

The Social Security Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) taxable wage base, which governs the amount of pay subject to Social Security tax withholding and affects plans that are “integrated” with Social Security, also is subject to adjustment annually. For 2023, the OASDI taxable wage base has been increased to $160,200.

Adjusted limits