26 C.F.R. § 1.415-5 Cost of living adjustments for defined benefit plans.
Title 26 - Internal Revenue
(a) Dollar limitation—(1) In general. Under section 415(d)(1)(A), the dollar limitation described in section 415(b)(1)(A) applicable to defined benefit plans for limitation years to which section 415 applies is adjusted annually to take into account increases in the cost of living. The adjustment of the dollar limitation is made by multiplying an annual adjustment factor by $75,000. For purposes of this paragraph, the annual adjustment factor is to be determined by the Commissioner. (2) Effective date of adjustment. The adjusted dollar limitation applicable to defined benefit plans is effective as of January 1 of each calendar year and applies with respect to limitation years ending with or within that calendar year. (3) Application of adjusted figure. The adjusted dollar limitation is applicable to employees who are participants in a defined benefit plan and to employees who have retired or otherwise terminated their service under the plan with a nonforfeitable right to accrued benefits, regardless of whether they have actually begun to receive such benefits. However, for purposes of this subparagraph, the annual benefit payable to a terminated participant, which is otherwise limited by the dollar limitation, may only be increased in accordance with cost-of-living adjustments of the dollar limitation if the plan specifically provides for such post-retirement adjustments. (b) Average compensation for high 3 years of service limitation—(1) In general. Under section 415(d)(1)(C), with regard to participants who have separated from service with a nonforfeitable right to an accrued benefit, the compensation limitation described in section 415(b)(1)(B) applicable to limitation years to which section 415 applies may be adjusted annually to take into account increases in the cost of living. For any limitation year beginning after the separation occurs, the adjustment of the compensation limitation is made by multiplying the annual adjustment factor (as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section) by the compensation limitation applicable to the participant in the limitation year he separated from the service of the employer. In the case of a participant who has separated from service prior to the first limitation year to which section 415 applies, the cost-of-living adjustment of the compensation limitation under this paragraph for all limitation years prior to the effective date of section 415 is to be determined as provided by the Commissioner. For purposes of the adjustment described in this subparagraph, the annual benefit payable to a terminated participant, which is otherwise limited by the compensation limitation, may only be increased in accordance with cost-of-living adjustments of the compensation limitation if the plan specifically provides for such post-retirement adjustments. (2) Annual adjustment factor for compensation limitation. For any limitation year beginning after the separation occurs, the annual adjustment factor is a fraction, the numerator of which is the adjusted dollar limitation for the limitation year in which the compensation limitation is being adjusted and the denominator of which is the adjusted dollar limitation for the limitation year in which the participant separated from service. In determining the adjusted dollar limitation for purposes of computing the annual adjustment factor under this subparagraph, the rule provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section (relating to the effective date of the adjusted dollar limitation) shall be applicable. (3) Example. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by the following example: Example. X is a participant in a qualified defined benefit plan maintained by his employer. The plan has a calendar year limitation year. Under the terms of the plan, X is entitled to a benefit consisting of a straight life annuity equal to 100 percent of X's compensation for his high 3 years of service. X's average compensation for his high 3 years is $20,000. X separates from the service of his employer on October 3, 1980, with a nonforfeitable right to his accrued benefit, and begins to receive benefit payments on November 1, 1980. Assume that the adjusted dollar limitation for 1980 is $100,000 and that the adjusted dollar limitation for 1981 is $110,000. For the limitation year beginning January 1, 1981 (the first limitation year beginning after X separates from service), the compensation limitation applicable to X may be adjusted for cost of living increases by multiplying the annual adjustment factor by $20,000. The annual adjustment factor for this limitation year is a fraction, the numerator of which is $110,000 (the adjusted dollar limitation for the limitation year in which the compensation limitation is being adjusted) and the denominator of which is $100,000 (the adjusted dollar limitation for the limitation year in which X separates from service). Thus, for the limitation year beginning January 1, 1981, if the plan provides for post-retirement cost of living adjustments, X's maximum annual benefit could be increased to $22,000 ($110,000/$100,000×$20,000). (c) Automatic cost of living adjustments of dollar limitation—(1) General rule. A defined benefit plan may include a provision which provides for an annual automatic cost-of-living adjustment of the dollar limitation described in section 415(b)(1)(A) in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section. However, the provision may only provide for scheduled annual increases in the dollar limitation which become effective no sooner than the date determined in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) Example. The provisions of this paragraph may be illustrated by the following example: Example. Plan A is a defined benefit plan. Effective January 1, 1976, the plan was amended to limit all participants' annual plan benefits, determined on a straight life annuity basis, to $75,000. The amendment also provides that, “as of January 1 of each calendar year, the dollar limitation as determined by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue for that calendar year will become effective as the Maximum Permissible Dollar Amount of the plan for that calendar year. The Maximum Permissible Dollar Amount for a calendar year applies to limitation years ending with or within that calendar year.” The amendment providing for an automatic cost-of-living adjustment of the dollar limitation of Plan A is an example of a provision which satisfies the requirements of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph. [T.D. 7748, 46 FR 1704, Jan. 7, 1981]
Title 26: Internal Revenue
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
§ 1.415-5 Cost of living adjustments for defined benefit plans.
