Human Resource Services

Retirement Plan Limits


Employees enrolled in retirement savings plans, such as 403(b) plans -- UF tax-deferred annuity plan (TDA), State of Florida Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), College of Medicine Academic Enrichment Fund plan (AEF), UF Roth post-tax plan -- and the State of Florida 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, should review their retirement deductions each calendar year or when changes in salary occur to ensure they do not exceed the maximum limits allowed by the IRS.

Elective contributions to the university’s 403(b) plans are available only from compensation paid through the university payroll system through payroll deductions. The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of your annual contribution and imposes penalties for over-contributing. It is important to carefully monitor your individual and employer contributions, if applicable, throughout the year to ensure that you are within the limits established for the specific calendar year. Your contribution(s) to the 403(b) plans may be stopped at any time.

The IRS 415 limit (employer and employee contributions) is reduced dollar for dollar by any voluntary contribution you make to another 403(b), 401(k), Federal Thrift Savings, salary reduction SEP or SIMPLE plan. Contributions to a 457 (Deferred Compensation) plan or to a traditional or Roth IRA do not affect the 415 limit.

Your provider company will calculate your maximum contribution level, including catch-up contributions, based on federal guidelines for the applicable calendar year.

Calendar Year Contribution Limits

The maximum contributions that can be made by or for a participant are shown in the table below. This applies to the 403(b) and 457 plans, and is based on the calendar year period:

 

2012

2011

403(b) Elective Deferral Limit
Employee contribution only

$17,000

$16,500

403(b) Lifetime Catch-Up Limit 1
Employee contribution only

+$3,000

+$3,000

415(c) Annual Addition Limits 2
Combined Employee and Employer contribution
403(b) plans only

$50,000

$49,000

457(b) Elective Deferral Limit
Employee contribution only
457 plan only

$17,000

$16,500

414(v) Age 50 Catch-Up Limit 3
Employee contribution only
403(b) and 457(b) plans

+$5,500

+$5,500


1 An employee with 15 years of full-time equivalent service with UF may be eligible to exceed the annual limit on elective deferrals. Contributions made under the 15-year rule have an annual limit of $3,000 per year and a lifetime maximum of $15,000. Please contact your investment provider for further information regarding this provision and to determine if all criteria have been met.

2 Highly compensated employees may need to contribute less than the 403(b) Elective Deferral Limit because the combined amount of the employer and employee contributions cannot exceed the annual limit of $50,000.

3 For participants age 50 (by 12/31 of the calendar year), or older

Note: Employees may defer up to the maximum limits, to both a 403(b) and a 457 plan.


Calendar Year Elective Deductions (for 12-month employees):

 

2012

2011

SUSORP & Deferred Compensation 457b Plans

26

26

UF 403(b) TDA and Roth Plans

24

24


Note: The number of deductions for nine- or ten-month faculty depends on the number of paychecks received in each calendar year.  

Refer to http://www.hr.ufl.edu/academic/hiring.asp#appointments for a link to the Academic Year Appointment Calendar.

Printable Chart -- PDF document


Fiscal Year Compensation Limits


The maximum compensation on which employer retirement contributions can be made is shown below. This is based on the State of Florida’s plan year (7/1 – 6/30):

 401(a)(17)
Compensation Limit

Member of Florida Retirement System on or after 7/1/96

Member of Florida Retirement System prior to 7/1/96

FY2009 – 2010
(7/1/09 – 6/30/10)

$245,000

$354,140


FY2010 – 2011
(7/1/10 – 6/30/11)

$245,000

$359,260

FY2011 - 2012
(7/1/11 - 6/30/12)

$245,000

$363,820

FY2012 - 2013
(7/1/12 - 6/30/13)

$250,000

$375,800