Aboon takes on many key administrative duties, but a few dates and actions still require your attention. Here's what has changed for 2026 and how you can prepare for the year ahead.
What’s Changed for 2026
By early January, you should ensure that IRS-updated contribution limits are reflected in your payroll system. Some payroll systems handle these updates for you, while others require you to make adjustments. Contact your provider for more information.
Total annual employee contribution to 401(k), pre-tax or Roth | $24,500 |
Catch-up contribution (age 50+) | $8,000 |
Maximum plan compensation limit | $360,000 |
FICA wage threshold for mandatory Roth catch-up requirement | $150,000 |
Total contribution limit (employee and employer) | $72,000 |
Social Security taxable wage base | $184,500 |
Employee Record Management Best Practices
Review your employee roster before submitting your final 2025 payroll file to your recordkeeper. On an ongoing basis, be sure to:
Add new hires to the recordkeeper, so they can help monitor eligibility status.
Include complete payroll data for all current employees each pay cycle when uploading contributions to your recordkeeper. NOTE: 1099-R independent contractors should be excluded from payroll file submissions to avoid accidentally including them in the plan.
Update employment status changes such as terminations, rehires, or leaves of absence as they happen.
If your roster is incomplete or outdated, eligible employees may miss critical notices about their eligibility, benefits, and plan rights, creating compliance issues. If you’re not sure whether someone should be included, reach out to your relationship manager and we'll walk through it with you.
Key Dates for 2026
January 15 - Verify or update contribution limits in your payroll system
January 31 - Review prior year’s payroll records for accuracy, and process any necessary adjustments
February 20 - Complete your year-in-review data collection on Aboon (10-15 minutes online)
Your tax filing deadline - If you’re making employer contributions to your 401(k) plan, we’ll help with calculations and deposit instructions ahead of your tax filing deadline
July 31 - Filing deadline for 2025 Form 5500 and Form 8955-SSA (without filing an extension)
October 15 - Extended filing deadline for 2025 Form 5500 and Form 8955-SSA
December 31 - Due date for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for 2026. Processing deadline is December 5 to allow time for distribution. NOTE: Only participants who are not considered 5% owners – directly or by attribution of ownership – are able to defer their RMD until retirement.
Fidelity Bond Requirement
Your plan is required by law to have a fidelity bond, which protects plan participants against fraud or theft. The amount is based on plan size (generally a minimum of 10% of assets, capped at $500,000) and reported on your plan’s Form 5500. We handle this for you, review it annually, and obtain additional coverage when needed.
Questions?
This summary covers the most common dates for calendar-year 401(k) plans. A detailed calendar is available in Aboon’s Help Center. Your specific situation may vary based on your plan design, business structure, and operational details. Please reach out to your relationship manager if you need clarification on any deadline or requirement.
NOTE: This summary is prepared for single-employer calendar-year-end plans and employers with a calendar tax year. Adjustments are required for fiscal years and short plan years. This summary attempts to highlight some of the key responsibilities and requirements, but it may not be relied upon as an exclusive and exhaustive source for plan compliance requirements as may arise out of specific circumstances arising in operation. This is for plan sponsor use only.
Aboon Administrative Services, LLC does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Individuals should seek services from the appropriate tax and legal professionals as to the applicability of this information for their individual circumstances.
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