

A 403(b) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement financial savings plan designed for workers of sure tax-exempt organizations, similar to public colleges, faculties, universities, hospitals, and non secular organizations. The plan permits eligible staff to avoid wasting for retirement by making pre-tax contributions, decreasing their taxable earnings and offering tax-deferred development on their investments.
Nonetheless, like all comparable retirement plans (401k or IRA), there are contribution limits to how a lot you possibly can contribute yearly. Listed below are the bounds for 2023, and a fundamental information to how the 403b contribution limits work.
Most worker elective deferral |
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Worker catch-up contribution (if age 50+) |
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Mixed worker and employer contribution |
Because of this for savers below 50, you possibly can defer $22,500 per 12 months, or a complete mixed $66,000. For those who’re over 50, it can save you $30,000 per 12 months, or a mixed restrict of $73,500.

Prior Years’ Contribution Limits
For those who’re on the lookout for reference to previous 12 months’s limits, right here you go:
2022 403b Contribution Limits
This 12 months was the primary 12 months inflation was actually making contribution limits rise.
Most worker elective deferral |
|
Worker catch-up contribution (if age 50+) |
|
Mixed worker and employer contribution |
2021 403b Contribution Limits
Most worker elective deferral |
|
Worker catch-up contribution (if age 50+) |
|
Mixed worker and employer contribution |
2020 403b Contribution Limits
Most worker elective deferral |
|
Worker catch-up contribution (if age 50+) |
|
Mixed worker and employer contribution |
Understanding 403(b) Contribution Limits
There are three fundamental forms of contributions made to a 403b plan:
- Worker elective deferrals: The worker chooses to contribute a portion of their wage to the plan.
- Employer contributions: The employer might select to contribute to the worker’s account, normally by an identical program.
- Non-elective contributions: These are contributions made by the employer on behalf of the worker, no matter whether or not the worker contributes.
Worker Elective Deferrals
In 2023, the utmost quantity an worker can contribute to their 403b plan by elective deferrals is $22,500. This restrict applies to all staff, no matter their age or years of service.
Employer Contributions
There isn’t a particular restrict for employer contributions to a 403b plan. Nonetheless, the full mixed contributions, together with each worker elective deferrals and employer contributions, are topic to a restrict. In 2023, that restrict is $66,000 for workers below 50, and $73,500 for workers over 50.
Complete Mixed Contributions
The overall mixed contributions to a 403b plan in 2023 can not exceed the lesser of:
- 100% of the worker’s includible compensation for the 12 months, or
- $66,000 (topic to cost-of-living changes).
This restrict consists of worker elective deferrals, employer contributions, and non-elective contributions.
Catch-Up Contributions For People Aged 50 And Above
Staff aged 50 or older are eligible to make extra catch-up contributions to their 403b plan. In 2023, the catch-up contribution restrict is $7,500. Because of this an worker aged 50 or older can contribute a complete of $30,000 by elective deferrals ($22,500 + $7,500).
Elements Affecting 403(b) Contribution Limits
There are different components impacts 403b contribution limits, a few of that are distinctive to 403b plans.
Worker’s Age
As talked about earlier, staff aged 50 or older could make extra catch-up contributions, which will increase their total contribution restrict. In 2023, this catch-up contribution for age is $7,500.
Years Of Service
Sure staff with 15 or extra years of service at a qualifying group could also be eligible for an elevated contribution restrict. That is distinctive to 403b plans.
The extra quantity is as much as $3,000 per 12 months, for a most lifetime enhance of $15,000. That is topic to particular plan provisions, so staff ought to seek the advice of their plan paperwork for eligibility and guidelines.
The precise quantity you possibly can contribute could also be decreased based mostly in your earlier contributions to your employer’s plans. You must examine together with your plan earlier than profiting from this selection.
Compensation
The utmost contribution restrict is predicated on the worker’s includible compensation. Includible compensation refers back to the whole taxable earnings an worker receives from their employer, which is used to find out the utmost allowable contribution. You can not contribute greater than 100% of your includable compensation.
Coordination With Different Retirement Plans
Staff who take part in a number of retirement plans, similar to a 403b and a 401k, ought to pay attention to the mixed contribution limits. The overall quantity contributed throughout all plans can not exceed the person limits for every sort of plan.
How To Maximize Your 403(b) Contributions
Maximizing your 403b is an effective way to construct wealth over the long run. Nonetheless, relying in your skill, it might be difficult to do at first. Listed below are some tricks to attempt to maximize your 403b contributions.
Planning Forward
To take advantage of your 403b plan, it is important to plan forward and consider your monetary objectives. Decide how a lot you possibly can afford to contribute and alter your contributions as wanted to achieve your retirement financial savings objectives.
Take Benefit Of Employer Matching
In case your employer gives an identical contribution, attempt to contribute a minimum of sufficient to obtain the total match. That is basically free cash, and it could considerably enhance your retirement financial savings.
Evaluation Your Contribution Limits Yearly
Contribution limits might change attributable to cost-of-living changes introduced by the IRS. The truth is, over the previous couple of years, contributions limits have been rising considerably. Evaluation your contribution limits every year and alter your contributions accordingly to maximise your financial savings potential.
Last Ideas
Understanding and maximizing your 403b contribution limits is essential for a profitable retirement financial savings plan. By staying knowledgeable concerning the varied components affecting your contribution limits and profiting from alternatives to extend your financial savings, you possibly can construct a stable basis for a cushty retirement.
Often Requested Questions
Listed below are among the most continuously requested questions on 403(b) plans and contribution limits.
What’s the 403b contribution restrict for 2023?
The worker elective deferral restrict for 2023 is $22,500. For workers aged 50 or older, they’ll make a further catch-up contribution of $7,500. The general mixed restrict is $66,000.
Can I contribute to each a 401k and a 403b plan?
Sure, you possibly can contribute to each plans, however the mixed contributions can not exceed the person limits for every sort of plan.
Do employer contributions rely in direction of the 403b contribution restrict?
Employer contributions don’t rely in direction of the worker elective deferral restrict however are included within the whole mixed contribution restrict.
How do catch-up contributions work for workers aged 50 and older?
Staff aged 50 or older can contribute a further $7,500 in catch-up contributions to their 403b plan in 2023, bringing their whole elective deferral restrict to $30,000.
Can I enhance my 403b contribution restrict if I’ve 15 years of service?
Sure staff with 15 or extra years of service at a qualifying group could also be eligible for an elevated contribution restrict of as much as $3,000 per 12 months, for a most lifetime enhance of $15,000.