University of California How lifetime and special catch-up contributions work (2024)

If you’re age 50 or older, the IRS has a gift for you. You may already know that the IRS lets you makepretax “catch-up” contributions to your UC 403(b) and 457(b) accounts. But you might not be aware that UC's 403(b) and 457(b) Plans have “lifetime” and “special” catch-up provisions that may let you contribute even more. Here’s how they work.

403(b) Plan: Lifetime Catch-Up Contributions

If you’re not age 50 but have at least 15 years of service with UC, you may be able make pretax catch-up contributions under the 403(b) Plan’s “lifetime” catch-up contributions feature. To qualify, your regular 403(b) Plan contributions over time can total no more than $5,000 multiplied by your years of UC service.

If you do qualify, this provision lets you contribute up to $3,000 per year in lifetime catch-up contributions, up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000.

Beginning the year you reach age 50, you can make regular pretax contributions and regular catch-up contributions as well as lifetime catch-up contributions, up to the IRS limits.

For details and assistance, call a representative at 1-866-682-7787.

457(b) Plan: Special Catch-Up Contributions

If you’re nearing retirement, the 457(b) Plan lets you put away additional money during your last three years at UC.

The limit on these “special" pretax catch-up contributions is a multiple of the current regular pretax contribution limit. Two formulas are used to calculate your limit—you will use whichever formula generates the smaller amount:

  • Formula 1: Multiply the current year’s regular pretax contribution limit by two. This formula gives you the special catch-up contribution limit. For 2024, your special catch-up contribution limit would be $46,000 ($23,000 x 2).
  • Formula 2: Take the current year’s regular pretax limit and add your “unused contribution capacity”—that is, last year’s regular pretax limit minus the amount you actually contributed in previous years. For example, say you contributed $12,000 last year. Subtract that from the 2024 limit of $23,000 to get $11,000. Add that to the $23,000 limit and your special catch-up contribution limit for 2024 is $34,000.

Since Formula 2 generates a smaller amount than the $46,000 limit from Formula 1, your limit for 2024 will be $34,000.

Note that additional limitations may apply to subsequent years of special catch-up contributions, so call a representative at 1-866-682-7787 for details and assistance.

University of California 
    How lifetime and special catch-up contributions work (2024)

FAQs

University of California How lifetime and special catch-up contributions work? ›

LIFETIME AND SPECIAL CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS

How do catchup contributions work? ›

Individuals who are age 50 or over at the end of the calendar year can make annual catch-up contributions. Annual catch-up contributions up to $7,500 in 2023 and 2024 ($6,500 in 2021-2020; $6,000 in 2015 - 2019) may be permitted by these plans: 401(k) (other than a SIMPLE 401(k)) 403(b)

Is there a lifetime limit on catch-up contributions? ›

403(b) Plan: Lifetime Catch-Up Contributions

If you do qualify, this provision lets you contribute up to $3,000 per year in lifetime catch-up contributions, up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000.

What is the special catch-up limit? ›

Special 457(b) catch-up contributions, if permitted by the plan, allow a participant for 3 years prior to the normal retirement age (as specified in the plan) to contribute the lesser of: the elective deferral limit ($23,000 in 2024; $22,500 in 2023; $20,500 in 2022; $19,500 in 2020 and in 2021).

What is supplemental catch-up contributions? ›

A catch-up contribution is an elective deferral made by a participant age 50 or older that exceeds a statutory limit, a plan-imposed limit, or the actual deferral percentage (ADP) test limit for highly compensated employees (HCEs).

Are catch-up contributions worth it? ›

Catch-up contributions are crucial if you are just starting to prepare for retirement in your fifties or if you need to rebuild your retirement savings for any reason. Contributions all year long. You can begin your catch-up contributions in the calendar year you turn 50 – you do not have to wait until your birthday.

Do employers have to match catch-up contributions? ›

Depending on the employer's terms regarding the 401(k) plan offered, catch-up contributions can technically be matched if the employer contributes up to the amount allowed by the IRS. U.S. Department of the Treasury. "Treasury Provides Guidance on Catch-Up Contributions." Internal Revenue Service.

Do catch-up contributions count towards the 401k limit? ›

Overall limit on contributions

The limit applies to the total of: elective deferrals (but not catch-up contributions) employer matching contributions.

How do you calculate 15 year catch-up contribution? ›

There are several calculations to determine a participant's eligibility to make up to a $3,000 catch-up contribution. The amount of the special 15-year catch-up and the underused amount is equal to the lesser of: $3,000; $15,000 reduced by the sum of prior years' 15-year catch-up deferrals; or.

How long can you make catch-up contributions to a 401k? ›

You can make catch-up contributions at any time during the calendar year in which you will turn 50, even if you have not yet reached your 50th birthday. The 401(k) contribution limit increased from $22,500 in 2023 to $23,000 in 2024. The catch-up contribution limit remained at $7,500 for 2023 and 2024.

What is special catch-up? ›

Special catch-up contributions allow a participant to contribute an amount above the regular 457(b) elective deferral limit catch-up limit set by the IRS1 during the last three (3) calendar years before the year the participant reaches Normal Retirement Age (see below for definition).

What is a catch-up percentage? ›

Catch-up takes effect when an investor's returns reach the defined hurdle rate, giving them an agreed level of preferred return. The manager then enters a catch-up period, in which it may receive an agreed percentage of the profits until the profit split determined by the carried interest agreement is reached.

What is the special 457 catch-up provision? ›

The Pre-Retirement Catch-Up Provision For 457 plans

It allows you to make additional contributions to your 457 plan to make up for years in which you didn't contribute the maximum possible amount to your current plan.

How are catch-up contributions taxed? ›

Catch-up contributions are taxed in the same as normal 401(k) contributions. This usually means that your contributions reduce your taxable income for the year, and you pay taxes on the withdrawals later on in retirement.

At what age should I stop contributing to my 401k? ›

The tax-free growth and those extra employer contributions will stall when and if you stop contributing more money to your 401(k). Most experts recommend contributing to your 401(k) for at least as long as you're working.

Are catch-up contributions prorated? ›

Yes, even if your birthday falls on New Year's Eve. Even better, if you only enrolled in an HDHP for part of the year, you can still prorate the catch-up amount by the number of months you had qualifying coverage, as long as you turn 55 before the end of the year.

What are the rules for HSA catch-up contributions? ›

When you reach age 55 and are eligible to have an HSA, you can contribute an additional $1,000 each year through age 65 or until you enroll in Medicare. This is called a catch-up contribution.

Why should I do catch-up contributions? ›

For workers 50 years and older, a major tax benefit is catch-up contributions that shield retirement savings from income tax liability. Each type of retirement account (401(k), IRA, SIMPLE IRA, etc.) have different catch-up contribution amounts.

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