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ARTICLE · 13 OCTOBER 2025

IRS Finalizes Catch-Up Contribution Regulations

401(k) plans may allow employees aged 50 or older to make elective deferrals over the annual limit; these deferrals are known as "catch-up" contributions.

United StatesEmployment and HR

401(k) plans may allow employees aged 50 or older to make elective deferrals over the annual limit; these deferrals are known as "catch-up" contributions.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 added a new requirement that higher-paid participants (i.e., participants who earned at least $145,000 of FICA wages in the prior year (as indexed)) must make catch-up contributions (including any super catch-up contributions for participants aged 60–63) on a Roth basis. Roth contributions are included in a participant's gross income in the year of deferral; however, distributions, including any earnings, are generally tax-free if certain requirements are met. Congress implemented this new Roth catch-up mandate to raise tax revenue to pay for other SECURE 2.0 provisions.

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