Built on the original SECURE Act of 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act (SECURE 2.0) was signed into law on December 29, 2022.
The SECURE Act of 2019 made major changes to retirement provisions, including the required minimum distribution (RMB) rules. Here are some additional changes you should be aware of with SECURE 2.0.
Increased age for beginning RMDs
Employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans, traditional IRAs, and individual retirement annuities are all subject to RMB rules, which require that distribution begins by a specified start date.
Under the SECURE 2.0 law, as of January 1, 2023, the start date will increase from age 72 to age 73. On January 1, 2033, this will increase to age 75.
Higher “catch-up” contributions
Currently, participants in certain retirement plans are able to make additional catch-up contributions once they reach age 50 or older, with a limit on catch-up contributions to 401(k) plans of $7,500 for 2023.
With SECURE 2.0, this limit is increased for individuals between the ages of 60 and 63 to $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up amount, whichever is greater. The provision will be effective for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025 (along with increased catch-up amounts for SIMPLE plans).
After 2025, the increased amounts will be indexed for inflation.
Allowance of tax-free rollovers
With SECURE 2.0, beneficiaries of 529 college savings accounts will be permitted to make direct trustee-to-trustee rollover contributions from a 529 account to a Roth IRA in their names, without tax or penalty.
This provision is effective for distributions after December 31, 2023, and several rules still apply.
“Matching” contributions for employees with student loan debt
SECURE 2.0 will allow employers to make matching contributions to 401(k) and certain other retirement plans for qualified student loan payments. As a result, employees who are repaying student loan debt and cannot afford to save for retirement can still receive matching contributions from employers in their retirement plans.
This will be effective beginning January 1, 2024.
Changes to ABLE accounts
There are also changes to non-retirement plan provisions, including a change to tax-exempt Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts, which are designed to assist individuals with disabilities.
Currently, ABLE account beneficiaries must have experienced a disability or blindness before age 26. With SECURE 2.0. This age limit is increased to 46, making more people eligible for ABLE account benefits.
This is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Questions? Contact us
These are only some of the many changes brought about by SECURE 2.0. If you have any questions about how the new law will affect you, contact us.