Nine Big Changes Coming to Retirement Rules

A couple discuss their retirement plan with their wealth adviser. (Kzenon/Shutterstock)

In December 2022, a follow-up package to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act of 2019 was passed. As part of the Consolidate Appropriations Act of 2023, the new SECURE 2.0 Act altered several rules affecting Americans’ retirement savings.

Many in the finance world felt these changes would help empower individuals and help with savings goals. But what do they mean for the average American? Are they really improved, and do they now offer flexibility regarding retirement savings? Here are nine retirement rules changes.

Required Minimum Distribution Changes

The required minimum distribution (RMD) age changed. Before the SECURE 2.0 Act, the age was 72; under SECURE 2.0, it changed to 73 for individuals who reach age 72 after Dec. 31, 2022, and age 73 before Jan. 1, 2033.

It increases to 75 for individuals who reach 74 after December 31, 2032.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t affect people who are due their first RMD under the existing rules on April 1, 2023.

Under the old rules, if a plan didn’t make an RMD when age appropriate, the participant was subject to an excise tax equal to 50 percent of the RMD. The SECURE 2.0 Act changes that amount to 25 percent. This went into effect on Dec. 29, 2022.

Catch-Up Contributions Increased

Not everyone planned ahead for retirement. Some individuals need to “catch up” on the contributions they should have made into their 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans.

Currently, for those 50 years or older, the catch-up maximum contribution limit is $7,500 per year. But the SECURE 2.0 Act changes that.

The maximum contribution has been raised to $10,000. It also now encompasses those who reach the ages of 60–63 during the year to increase their maximum contribution to $10,000. This amount will be indexed in future years.

It allows those creeping into another tax bracket to defer salary for later years.

But for those whose preceding year income exceeded $145,000, catch-up contributions would need to be made on a Roth aftertax basis. This is adjusted for the cost-of-living increases. It is in effect for taxable years beginning Dec. 31, 2023.

(Pickadook/Shutterstock)

Matching Contributions for Student Loans

It started with a letter from the Internal Revenue Service authorizing an employer’s contribution to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan regarding repaying student loans. But now it’s official.

The SECURE 2.0 Act allows employers to treat qualified student loan repayments as employee elective deferrals, even if the employee isn’t contributing to the plan. This means that employers match contributions, or repayment, to the retirement plan. Matching contributions are voluntary so a plan can or cannot adopt this provision at its discretion.

Emergency Expense Distributions

Personal emergency expenses that are unforeseeable or an immediate financial need can now be withdrawn up to $1,000. The plan administrator relies on the employee’s certification that the emergency meets the criteria for withdrawal.

401(K) Plans Auto-Enrollment

In the past, employers had the option to initiate an automatic enrollment into the retirement plan. But now, effective in 2025, unless the employee chooses not to, the employer is required to enroll the employee into the plan automatically. The amount deferred can be 3–5 percent of an employee’s income.

Since most Americans don’t use their workplace retirement plans, the goal is to make it easy for them to participate.

Those companies in business for less than three years or have 10 employees, or fewer are excluded.

Part-Time Employees Participate in Work Retirement Plans

Beginning in 2025, part-time employees will be able to take advantage of workplace plans quicker. To participate in an employer’s plan, the employee must have worked at least 500 hours for two consecutive years. In the past, it was three years.

Savers Match Created

Under the current “savers credit”, lower income individuals can claim a tax credit for contributing to a workplace plan or IRA.

In 2027, the credit will disappear and become the “saver’s match.” The federal government will match up to 50 percent of the first $2,000 saved in a retirement account. This is up to $1,000 matched.

Qualified Charitable Distributions Rules Change

Currently, individuals aged 70½ can donate up to $100,000 from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity. This is the qualified charitable distribution. But that will increase in 2024. This increase is based on the inflation rate.

529 Plan Rollovers

Before the SECURE 2.0 Act, leftover balances in a 529 education plan had to be taken as a non-qualified distribution. That made the earning portion subject to income tax. It also incurred a 10 percent penalty. But beginning in 2024, individuals will be able to roll up to $35,000 of remaining funds into a Roth IRA.

The account must have been in place for 15 years, and the Roth must be in the same name as the beneficiary of the 529 plan. But it does take away the angst about overfunding the plan.

SECURE 2.0 Act Has Many Changes to Retirement Savings

These are just the highlights of some changes. The SECURE 2.0 Act had 92 provisions concerning promoting savings, flexibility for retirement savings, and incentives for businesses.

But what they all mean could be up for debate as we wait for an interpretation from the IRS. Check with your financial advisor to see what changes will affect your retirement plans.

The Epoch Times Copyright © 2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.