PERAC Memo #4 - 2025: 2025 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
2025 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
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This memo provides the 2025 IRS compensation and benefit limits applicable to Massachusetts retirement systems under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002. The general IRC Section 401(a)(17) compensation limit for 2025 is $350,000, and the IRC Section 415 benefit limit for a member retiring at age 65 is $280,000 per year (reduced for retirement before age 62). These limits are indexed annually and generally affect only the highest-paid employees.
Full Text
Memorandum TO: All Retirement Boards
FROM: William T. Keefe, Executive Director
RE: 2025 Limits under Chapter 46 of the Acts of 2002
DATE: January 15, 2025
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 2025 is $350,000. The general benefit limit for 2025 is $280,000 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 John Boorack if you have any questions.