How Much Can You Contribute to 403(b) & 457(b) Plans?

403(b) Contribution Limit

Your maximum allowable contribution (MAC) to the 403(b) plan depends on your age and years of service with the Employer. Also, the elective deferral limits are indexed and periodically increase in $500 increments. For additional details on your 403(b) MAC calculation, click here for 2012 limits and click here for 2013 limits.

457(b) Contribution Limit

If your Employer sponsors a 457(b) Plan, your maximum allowable contribution (MAC) to the 457(b) plan depends on your age and your normal retirement age. Again, the contribution limits are indexed to keep pace with inflation, so the limits have continued to increase over the years. For additional details on 457(b) MAC calculation, click here for 2012 limits and click here for 2013 limits.

Request A Personal Calculation

If you are interested in maximizing your contributions and would like to have a personal calculation of your contribution limit performed, just Contact Us. CCC makes these calculations for employees of plans CCC administers as part of our compliance assurance and plan administration services.

Frequently Asked Questions by Employees

Chances are, it's been asked before. If after reviewing subject-specific pages on this site you still have questions about your employer's CCC-administered 403(b) Plan, review these answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) by Employees. Learn More 403(b) Learn More 457(b)

Ask Your Own Questions

Click on this link to pose your own questions to Carruth Compliance Consulting, by electronic mail (email), telephone, fax, or any standard mail carrier. Learn More

2012 Contribution Limits To Both

During 2012 you are allowed to contribute up to $17,000 to the 403(b) TSA and an additional $17,000 to the 457(b) DCP (if your Employer offers a 457(b) Plan), for a total of $34,000, provided your gross income is sufficiently larger than $34,000 to allow such contributions. Moreover, if your 50th birthday occurs on or before December 31, 2012, you are allowed to contribute an additional $11,000 to the combination of plans, for a total of $45,000, again if your Employer offers a 457(b) Plan. Furthermore, if you will have completed 15 years of full-time equivalent service with the Employer by December 31, 2012, you may be eligible to contribute an additional $3,000, for a total of $37,000 if under age 50 and a total of $48,000 if age 50 or over. Finally, if 2012 is one of the three calendar years preceding your normal retirement age, your combined limit could be as high as $59,500. You may not feel that you are able to contribute the maximum allowable amounts to the TSA and/or DCP programs. However, any amounts you are able to contribute will help to ensure a more comfortable retirement income for you, when your TSA and DCP contributions with earnings are combined with Social Security and your State pension plan benefits.

2013 Contribution Limits To Both

During 2013 you are allowed to contribute up to $17,500 to the 403(b) TSA and an additional $17,500 to the 457(b) DCP (if your Employer offers a 457(b) Plan), for a total of $35,000, provided your gross income is sufficiently larger than $35,000 to allow such contributions. Moreover, if your 50th birthday occurs on or before December 31, 2013, you are allowed to contribute an additional $11,000 to the combination of plans, for a total of $46,000, again if your Employer offers a 457(b) Plan. Furthermore, if you will have completed 15 years of full-time equivalent service with the Employer by December 31, 2013, you may be eligible to contribute an additional $3,000, for a total of $38,000 if under age 50 and a total of $49,000 if age 50 or over. Finally, if 2013 is one of the three calendar years preceding your normal retirement age, your combined limit could be as high as $61,000. You may not feel that you are able to contribute the maximum allowable amounts to the TSA and/or DCP programs. However, any amounts you are able to contribute will help to ensure a more comfortable retirement income for you, when your TSA and DCP contributions with earnings are combined with Social Security and your State pension plan benefits.