A 403(b) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan specifically designed for employees of non-profit organizations, public schools, and certain tax-exempt entities. This plan allows eligible employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax or after-tax earnings toward their retirement, helping them build long-term financial security.
Similar to a 401(k) plan, a 403(b) offers tax-deferred growth, meaning employees do not pay taxes on contributions or investment earnings until they withdraw funds during retirement.
Employee Contributions (Salary Deferral)
Employees can contribute up to $23,500 to a 403(b) plan in 2025 if they are under age 50. Those aged 50 or older can make an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution, increasing their total allowable contribution to $31,000. Additionally, under the SECURE 2.0 Act, employees aged 60 to 63 can contribute up to $34,750, allowing for higher retirement savings during these years.
Employer Contributions (Profit Sharing & Match)
Employers can contribute to a 403(b) plan through profit sharing and matching contributions, with a maximum limit of $70,000 or 100% of the employee's compensation, whichever is lower.
Total Contribution Limit
The total combined contributions from both the employer and employee cannot exceed $70,000 in 2025.
403(b) plans are available to employees of the following organizations:
To learn more about tax considerations for 403(b) distributions, visit our Tax Planning Section.
For more details on 403(b) withdrawals and distributions, see our Tax Planning Section.
Eligibility requirements, such as age and length of employment, are determined by the plan administrator and employer when the plan is set up.
Employers can modify these eligibility rules by updating the 403(b) adoption agreement.
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