Navigating Recent Updates to 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuities: Essential Insights for Retirement Planning

As a tax preparer and retirement planning expert at Haley Claypool & Associates, I am committed to keeping you informed about critical regulatory changes impacting your retirement accounts. The 403(b) plan, commonly referred to as a tax-sheltered annuity (TSA), remains a cornerstone for educators, healthcare professionals, and employees of nonprofit organizations seeking to build long-term wealth and optimize their retirement strategy. Staying current with IRS adjustments and compliance mandates is vital for leveraging this tax-advantaged vehicle to its fullest potential.

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Core Advantages of 403(b) Plans

  • Tax Deferral: Employee salary deferrals into a 403(b) account lower your current taxable income, deferring federal income taxes on contributions and investment growth until distributions begin in retirement—directly supporting wealth accumulation.
  • Portability: 403(b) balances can be rolled over into 403(b), 401(k), or traditional IRA accounts, giving you flexibility as your career advances and your financial objectives evolve.

Contribution & Limit Updates for 2025

For 2025, the elective deferral limit is $23,500 per participant, exclusive of catch-up options. These figures are reviewed annually and increase periodically due to inflation-based cost-of-living adjustments. Understanding these changing thresholds enables you to strategically maximize your retirement contributions.

Catch-Up Contributions: Maximizing Savings Potential

To help participants close the retirement savings gap, the 403(b) plan allows two major catch-up provisions:

  1. Age-50 Catch-Up: Participants aged 50 and older may defer an additional $6,500 in 2025. If you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 in 2025, a further catch-up of up to $11,250 is available, subject to annual cost-of-living increases.
  2. 15-Year Service Catch-Up: Employees with 15+ years of tenure in qualified organizations (schools, hospitals, or churches) can defer up to an extra $3,000 per year within specific limits, calculated according to IRS formulas considering past deferrals.
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Combined Annual Limits

Total annual additions—including employee salary deferrals, employer matches, and profit-sharing—cannot exceed the lesser of 100% of compensation or $70,000 for 2025. The IRS also caps the considered compensation at $350,000 for 2025. These combined limits apply across all eligible plans (401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE Plans, and 403(b)), but not 457(b) government plans. Coordination across multiple retirement accounts is crucial to remain compliant and avoid unnecessary penalties.

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Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Contributions

Effective January 1, 2026, the SECURE Act 2.0 mandates that all catch-up contributions for participants whose prior year Social Security wages exceed $145,000 must be made as designated Roth contributions. Plans offering Roth catch-up must also extend this election to all eligible participants, creating more diversified tax-planning opportunities.

Compliance Essentials and Common Pitfalls

  • Universal Availability: 403(b) regulations require that all eligible employees receive the opportunity to make elective deferrals, with specific limited exceptions. Employers must carefully administer eligibility to remain compliant.
  • Contribution Excess: Both age-based and service-based catch-ups are subject to annual maximums. Mistakes here can trigger tax penalties if not timely corrected.
  • Timely Remittance: Employers must deposit elective deferrals promptly, per Department of Labor regulations, to safeguard participant assets and avoid serious fiduciary breaches.
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Withdrawal, Rollover & Loan Rules

Distributions are generally permitted at retirement, upon reaching age 59½, or in case of disability or death. Early withdrawals typically incur a 10% penalty unless specific IRS exceptions apply (hardship withdrawals, qualified loans, etc.). Eligible rollovers to other 403(b), 401(k), 457(b), or IRA plans facilitate strategic management of your retirement savings during life transitions.

Special Planning Circumstances

  • Post-Employment Contributions: Certain plans permit employer and employee contributions for a limited time after employment ends—an often-overlooked advantage for maximizing last-minute savings.
  • Intra-Plan Transfers: Transfers between approved providers or investment options within your plan can help you align assets with your risk tolerance and retirement horizon.

Given the evolving landscape of IRS regulations and the unique financial goals of each participant, professional guidance is paramount. At Haley Claypool & Associates, we offer expert consultation on optimizing 403(b) plan participation, ensuring compliance, and implementing sophisticated tax-smart retirement strategies tailored to your personal circumstances.

For personalized tax and retirement planning advice, contact Wendy Claypool, Owner & Senior Tax Preparer, at (818) 338-8700 or wendy.claypool@ipersyst.com. Our Newport Beach office is located at 2549 Eastbluff Drive #448, Newport Beach, CA 91406.

Have Questions?
Let's talk. We are here to help!
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