457(b) Deferred compensation plan Contribution Limits
The maximum annual contribution limit for 457(b) plans is $23,500 for 2025 (or 100% of gross annual compensation, if less).
| Year | Annual 457(b) Contribution Limits |
| 2025 | $23,500 |
| 2024 | $23,000 |
Cost of living adjustments may allow for additional increases to these limits in increments of $500 per year.
Catch-up Contributions
A special catch-up limit allows participants who are age 50 and over to contribute an additional amount each year (the optional SECURE 2.0 Act additional amount of "catch-up" for those ages 60-63 will be implemented in 2026).
| Year | Annual 457(b) Contribution Limits | Additional Catch Up Limit | Total 457(b) Contribution Limit |
| 2025 | $23,500 | $7,500 | $31,000 |
| 2024 | $23,000 | $7,500 | $30,500 |
Cost of living adjustments may allow for additional increases to these limits in increments of $500 per year.
If you are within three years of attaining the normal retirement age of 65, another catch-up limit allows you to contribute up to twice the "annual contribution limit." The maximum amount allowed is actually the lesser of:
- twice the annual limit, or
- the annual limit, plus the total amount of underutilized contributions from prior years.
Participants who use this catch-up limit cannot also use the "age 50" catch-up limit in the same year.
EXAMPLE
Let's assume it is 2025, Jane is 62 years old, and she is within three years of her normal retirement age of 65. Let's also assume that she contributed $6,000 in 2022, $7,000 in 2023, and $8,000 in 2024, for a total of $21,000. However, she could have contributed $66,000 in those three years ($20,500 + $22,500 + $23,000) for an extra $45,000. Because Jane is within three years of her normal retirement age, she can contribute the lesser of:
- $47,000 (twice the annual 2025 limit of $23,500); or
- $68,500 (the 2025 limit of $23,500, plus the $45,000 "left over" amount from the three previous years).
In this example, Jane would be allowed to contribute $47,000 in 2025.
