Dec 22, 2025 New Retirement Rule Coming in 2026 for High-Income Earners: Roth Catch-Up Contribution

Starting January 1, 2026, a change under the SECURE 2.0 Act will affect how some employees age 50 and older make catch-up contributions to their workplace retirement plans.

What’s Changing?

If you turn 50 or older in 2026 and your 2025 FICA wages (Box 3 of your W-2) with your current employer were over $150,000*, any catch-up contributions you make in 2026 must be made as Roth (after-tax). A Catch-up contribution is any amount above the regular deferral of $23,500 for 2025 and goes up to $24,500 in 2026. Pre-tax catch-up contributions will no longer be allowed for affected participants. Your regular deferral can be either pre-tax or Roth.

If your 2025 FICA wages were $150,000 or less, you may continue to choose pre-tax or Roth catch-up contributions, depending on your plan.

Why This Matters

Roth contributions are taxed now but can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement if qualified. Because they don’t reduce taxable income today, you may see a slight decrease in take-home pay compared to pre-tax contributions.

What to Do Next

  • Review your 2025 W-2 to confirm your FICA wages or you can look at your most recent paystub
  • Check your retirement plan’s rules
  • Update your contribution elections if needed
  • Talk with a financial advisor about how this change fits into your tax and retirement strategy

*Income threshold indexed for inflation in future years.

Important: This summary reflects current guidance and may change. Always verify with your plan and tax professional. For personalized advice, contact our team.
Disclosure: For informational purposes only; not tax or legal advice. Rules and thresholds are subject to change and plan availability. Consult your tax professional.

Company News

Welcome, Kayla!

Happy Retirement, Molly!

Congratulations, Glenn!

Congratulations to Gunnar & Ellie!

Shreds & Meds Day – April 26th

Market Commentary

2025 3rd Quarter Investment Commentary

2025 2nd Quarter Investment Commentary

Celebrating Independence—Both National and Financial

2025 1st Quarter Investment Commentary

Market Update: March 2025

Retirement Planning

Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2026

2024 IRA & HSA Contribution Deadline

Social Security Benefits Increase by 2.5% for 2025

2024 Key Financial Changes

Social Security Benefit Increase of 3.2% for 2024

Tax Planning

The One Big Beautiful Bill – Bite by Bite

Changes to Washington’s Capital Gains Tax: What You Need to Know

2024 IRA & HSA Contribution Deadline

Summary of 2025 Key Financial Changes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and Potential 2026 Tax Changes

Cyber Security

Stay Safe: A Reminder to Be Vigilant Against Phishing Attempts

Red Flags When Transferring Money

Cybersecurity 101 – 2022 Update

Cybersecurity 101

New Changes to Web-Portal Password Requirements

Important Disclosures

Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors, PLLC (“LRIA”), is an SEC registered investment adviser located in the State of Washington. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For information pertaining to the registration status of LRIA, please contact LRIA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).

This is provided for general information only and contains information that is not suitable for everyone. As such, nothing herein should be construed as the provision of specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed herein will come to pass. This newsletter contains information derived from third party sources. Although we believe these third-party sources to be reliable, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party incorporated herein and take no responsibility therefore.

Any projections, forecasts and estimates, including without limitation any statement using “expect” or “believe” or any variation of either term or a similar term, contained here are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain current assumptions, beliefs and expectations that LRIA considers reasonable or that the applicable third parties have identified as such. Forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions or beliefs underlying the forward-looking statements will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results or outcomes. Some important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in interest rates and general economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, changes in the liquidity available in the market, change and volatility in the value of the U.S. dollar, market volatility and distressed credit markets, and other market, financial or legal uncertainties. Consequently, the inclusion of forward-looking statements herein should not be regarded as a representation by LRIA or any other person or entity of the outcomes or results that will be achieved by following any recommendations contained herein. While the forward-looking statements here reflect estimates, expectations and beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. LRIA has no obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, including any revisions to reflect changes in economic conditions or other circumstances arising after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of events (whether anticipated or unanticipated), even if the underlying assumptions do not come to fruition. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or particular needs of all investors.

For additional information about LRIA, including fees and services, please contact us for our Form ADV disclosure brochure using our contact information herein. Please read the disclosure brochure carefully before you invest or send money.