For NQDC plan participants, it’s time again to make like an autumn squirrel and decide how much to store for the future. In November and December, many executives and key employees who participate in nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans must decide how much of next year’s salary to defer. Factors in this decision about nonqualified plans include the IRS limits that apply to qualified retirement plans (and this year also the outlook for future tax rates under legislation in Congress). The IRS just set the qualified plan limits for 2022.
The contribution limits of qualified plans are the major reason for the existence of nonqualified plans: to allow executives and key employees to squirrel away additional amounts for retirement with an elective nonqualified plan or an excess 401(k) plan.
The IRS changes in limits from 2021 to 2022 are relatively small. If you’ve already maxed out your qualified plan contributions for 2021, you will probably do the same in 2022, so you will need NQDC plans to defer any salary and bonus increases you expect in 2022. Also, depending on tax legislation in Congress, there may be higher tax rates in 2022 and/or beyond, increasing the need to defer income.
Contribution type/limit | 2021 | 2022 |
Compensation allowed in qualified deferral and match calculation | $290,000 | $305,000 |
Elective comp deferrals | $19,500 | $20,500 |
Catchup contributions for people 50+ | $6,500 | $6,500 |
Total defined contribution limits (employee and employer contributions) | $58,000 + catchup contribution | $61,000 + catchup contribution |
Defined benefit plan payout limits | $230,000 | $245,000 |
Income threshold defining key employees for top-heavy plans and six-month delay on payout upon separation | $185,000 | $200,000 |
Income threshold defining highly compensated employees for the purposes of nondiscrimination testing | $130,000 | $135,000 |
Set by the Social Security Administration, the Social Security wage cap will rise in 2022 to $147,000, a slight increase from $142,800 in 2021. With the 6.2% rate of Social Security tax, the maximum possible Social Security withholding is $8,853.60 in 2021 and will rise to $9,114 in 2022. Social Security tax (up to the yearly limit) and Medicare tax (uncapped) are withheld at the time of deferral, as shown by an FAQ at myNQDC with an annotated diagram of Form W-2 showing where these amounts are included.
For a table comparing the features of 401(k) plans and NQDC plans, and their relative advantages and disadvantages, see an FAQ at myNQDC. See also our FAQ on the top NQDC-related year-end-planning issues.
Premium Memberships And Corporate Licensing
Full access to myNQDC is available through individual subscriptions to premium membership or through corporate licensing. To start or renew your Premium Membership at myNQDC, please contact us (617-734-1979, editors@mystockoptions.com). Our online payment system is undergoing technical modifications. We can process your membership directly by phone or email you an invoice.
To learn about our corporate services, see the About Us and Licensing sections of myNQDC. Please contact us (617-734-1979, info@mystockoptions.com) to obtain more information about licensing content for your website, print materials, and/or newsletters, and for premium memberships at special bulk rates for your staff.
Need CE credits before year-end? Premium members have access to all of myNQDC, including the Learning Center, which offers up to 6 continuing education credits for CFPs, 6 PACE credit hours for CLU® and ChFC® professionals, and 12 CPE hours for ASPPA members.
The Editorial Team
myNQDC.com