SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024-2025
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The 401(k) plan isn't the only employer-sponsored retirement plan around. Instead, the SIMPLE IRA may be an tax-advantaged option for the self-employed and small business owners who want to help their employees save for retirement.
SIMPLE IRA contribution limits 2024
The annual SIMPLE IRA contribution limits in 2024 are:
Under age 50: $16,000.
Age 50 and older: Extra $3,500 catch-up contribution, for a total of $19,500.
However, some participants in applicable plans can contribute more in both 2024 and 2025. As part of a provision in the Secure 2.0 Act, participants in a plan offered by an employer who has no more than 25 employees can contribute $17,600, with a catch-up contribution of $3,850 for those 50 or older. For employers with 26 to 100 employees, these same higher limits may be available if the employer provides either a 4% matching contribution or a 3% employer contribution.
Ask your employer or plan administrator if this higher limit applies to you.
SIMPLE IRA contribution limits 2025
The annual SIMPLE IRA contribution limits for 2025 are:
Under age 50: $16,500.
Age 50 and older: Extra $3,500 catch-up contribution, for a total of $20,000. Those ages 60, 61, 62 or 63 can contribute $5,250 as a catch-up contribution, for a total of $21,750.
SIMPLE IRA limits compared to 401(k) limits
These contribution limits are lower than those for a 401(k). The 401(k) contribution limit is $23,000 in 2024 and $23,500 in 2025. (In 2024 and 2025, people age 50 and older can contribute an extra $7,500 as a catch-up contribution. In 2025, due to the Secure 2.0 Act, those ages 60 to 63 get a higher catch-up contribution of $11,250.)
But people with a SIMPLE IRA may take part in another employer-sponsored plan (say, if a person had more than one job) as well.
What's more, while employers are not required to match employee contributions to a 401(k), generally they must kick in on a SIMPLE IRA, either matching contributions of up to 3% of employee compensation, or fixed contributions of 2% to every eligible employee. (The "SIMPLE" stands for "Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees.")
Aside from the different contribution limits — and the fact that SIMPLE IRAs are available only at companies with fewer than 100 employees — the two work similarly. Just as a 401(k) does, a SIMPLE IRA allows investors to defer taxes on contributions and investment growth until the cash is used in retirement.
Other important notes for a SIMPLE IRA:
Rollover period: Participants in a SIMPLE IRA can roll their cash into a traditional IRA two years after first contributions to the account
Contribution due dates: Employee salary reduction contributions need to be done within 30 days of the last day of the month in which the funds would have been otherwise paid to the employee. Employer matching or nonelective contributions need to be made by the federal income tax return deadline, including extensions.
Big penalty for early withdrawal: As with many tax-advantaged accounts, you face a 10% penalty on top of regular income taxes for withdrawing before age 59½. But for SIMPLE IRA withdrawals within the first two years, that tax penalty is increased to 25%. Other withdrawal rules are similar to those for traditional IRAs.
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