2026 Retirement Updates

As we ring in the new year, we want to remind you that updates are being made to retirement savings at Northside in 2026. Below are some key points you should share with your team:

The standard deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500.

• All employees can contribute up to $24,500 to their 403(b) Savings Plan.
• Employees eligible for the 457 Savings Plan can double their savings by contributing up to $24,500 to both plans, for total savings of $49,000 (including both employee contributions and the Northside match to the 457 plan).

403(b) catch-up limits:

• All employees 50 or older in 2026 can contribute up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions, for total savings of up to $32,500.
• All employees turning ages 60–63 in 2026 can make additional “super catch-up contributions” of up to $3,250, for total catch-up contributions of $11,250, for total savings of up to $35,750.
• 457-eligible employees age 62–64 in 2026 may be eligible for catch-up contributions; employees must open an AskHR request for more information.
• New IRS regulations stipulate that those who earned $150,000 or more in 2025 must make their catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. Once an employee’s pre-tax contributions hit the standard deferral limit of $24,500, all remaining 403(b) payroll deductions will automatically be made as Roth contributions to meet IRS regulations. Employees do not need to take any action unless they want to change or stop their contributions.
• All affected employees received an email on December 29, 2025, with the applicable information.