Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Section 415

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service today announced cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations on benefits under qualified defined benefit pension plans and to other provisions affecting such plans.

Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code provides for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under these plans. It also requires that the Commissioner annually adjust these limits for cost-of-living increases. Effective Jan. 1, 1989, the maximum limitation for the annual benefit under section 415(b)(1)(A) for defined benefit plans is increased from $94,023 to $98,064.

The limitation for defined contribution plans under section 415(c)(1)(A) remains at $30,000 for 1989 since the law provides that it shall not be changed until the section 415(b)(1)(A) limit for benefits exceeds $120,000.

The Code provides that various other dollar amounts are to be adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as the dollar limitation of section 415(b)(1A) is adjusted. These dollar amounts and the adjusted amounts are as follows:

The special limitation for qualified police or firefighters under Section 415(b)(7)(G) is increased from $52,235 to $54,480.

The limitation on the exclusion for elective deferrals under section 402(g)(1) is increased from $7,313 to $7,627.

The dollar amounts under section 409(o)(1)(C)(ii) for lengthening the distribution period of that section for tax credit employee stock ownership plans are increased from $104,470 to $108,960 and from $522,350 to $544,800.

The threshold amount under section 4980A(c)(1) regarding excess distributions is increased from $117,529 to $122,580.

The limitations used in the definition of highly compensated employee under section 414(q) of $75,000 and $50,000 are respectively increased to $81,720 and $54,480.

Because the $200,000 annual compensation limit under section 401(a)(17) and 404(1) of the Code is first effective for this year, such amounts will not be increased until 1990.

The compensation amount under section 408(k)(2)(C) regarding simplified employee pension plans (SEPs) is increased from $313 to $327. However, the compensation amount under section 408(k)(3)(C) is reduced, in accordance with the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, from $208,940 to $200,000.

Administrators of benefit or defined contribution plans that have received favorable determination letters should not request new determination letters solely because of yearly amendments to adjust maximum limitations in the plans.

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