Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Employee Benefit Plan Limits for 2022

Many employee benefits are subject to annual dollar limits that are periodically updated for inflation by the IRS. The following commonly offered employee benefits are subject to these limits:

  • High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs);
  • Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs);
  • 401(k) plans; and
  • Transportation fringe benefit plans.

The IRS typically announces the dollar limits that will apply for the next calendar year well before the beginning of that year. This gives employers time to update their plan designs and make sure their plan administration will be consistent with the new limits.

This is a chart of the inflation-adjusted limits for 2022. Most of the limits will increase, although some limits remain the same for 2022. 

Links and Resources


Limit

2021

2022

Change

HSA Contribution Limit

Self-only

$3,600

$3,650

Up $50

Family

$7,200

$7,300

Up $100

Catch-up contributions

$1,000

$1,000

No change

HDHP Minimum Deductible

Self-only

$1,400

$1,400

No change

Family

$2,800

$2,800

No change

HDHP Out-of-Pocket Maximum

Self-only

$7,000

$7,050

Up $50

Family

$14,000

$14,100

Up $100

Health FSA

Limit on employees’ pre-tax contributions

$2,750

$2,850

Up $100

Carryover limit

$550

$570

Up $20

Dependent Care FSA*

Tax exclusion

$10,500 ($5,250 if married and filing taxes separately)

$5,000 ($2,500 if married and filing taxes separately)

Return to traditional rules

Transportation Fringe Benefits (Monthly Limits)

Transit pass and vanpooling
(combined)

$270

$280

Up $10

Parking

$270

$280

Up $10

401(k) Contributions

Employee elective deferrals

$19,500

$20,500

Up $1,000

Catch-up contributions

$6,500

$6,500

No change

Adoption Assistance Benefits

Tax exclusion

$14,440

$14,890

Up $450

* This limit is not generally subject to annual adjustment for inflation. However, for 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) increased the limit to $10,500 (or $5,250 for married individuals filing separately) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.