PERAC Memo #1 - 2018: 2018 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
2018 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
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This memo publishes the 2018 federal compensation and benefit limits applicable to Massachusetts public retirement systems under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002. For 2018, the general compensation limit under IRC § 401(a)(17) is $275,000 and the general benefit limit under IRC § 415 is $220,000 per year for retirement at age 65 (reduced for earlier retirement). These limits are indexed annually and affect only the highest-paid employees.
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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: All Retirement Boards
FROM: Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director
RE: 2018 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
DATE: January 2, 2018
Prior PERAC Memos (# 27/2002, # 45/2002, and #17/2003) briefly outlined Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002. This law brought the Massachusetts Retirement Law into compliance with Federal Limitations on the compensation used to calculate retirement allowances and the dollar amounts of retirement allowances. This provision generally affects only the highest paid employees and will not apply to most retirement system members.
The regulations regarding Section 401(a)(17) (compensation limit) and Section 415 (benefit limit) of the Internal Revenue Code are quite complex and can vary under individual circumstances. The general compensation limit for 2018 is $275,000. The general benefit limit for 2018 is $220,000 per year for a member retiring at age 65 although this limit is generally reduced for retirement prior to age 62. These limitations are indexed each year.
Please contact our Actuary, Jim Lamenzo, if you have any questions.