Annual Plan Limit Chart
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Compensation | $250,000 | $245,000 | $245,000 | $245,000 |
| Limits on benefits and contributions: | ||||
| Defined contribution plans | $50,000 | $49,000 | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| Defined benefit plans | $200,000 | $195,000 | $195,000 | $195,000 |
| 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plan elective deferrals | $17,000 | $16,500 | $16,500 | $16,500 |
| SIMPLE plan elective deferrals | $11,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| IRA | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Catch-up contributions: | ||||
| 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| SIMPLE plans | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| IRA | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| "Highly Compensated" definition | $115,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| "Key Employee" definition: | ||||
| Officer | $165,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| 1% owner | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| Social Security: | ||||
| Taxable wage base | $110,100 | $106,800 | $106,800 | $106,800 |
| Social Security tax rate (employer) | * 6.20% | * 6.20% | 6.20% | 6.20% |
| Medicare tax rate | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% |
| Combined tax rate | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% | 7.65% |
* The employee Social Security tax rate for 2011 is 4.2%. |
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