SECURE 2.0: What Public Service Employers Need to Know

MissionSquare Retirement is your partner in navigating the provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 and optimizing its impact for public service employees.

Actions for Public Service Employers to Take

Take these actions now to align your plan with SECURE 2.0 provisions.

Review the Employer’s Guide to SECURE 2.0

Check out our comprehensive guide on provisions impacting governmental plans

Prepare for Roth Catch-Up Contributions

Take action to include Roth age-based catch-up contributions in your plan, if necessary

Secure 2.0 Checkmark

Make Changes to Your Plan

Access our how-to guide for step-by-step instructions on making amendments to your plan.

Which SECURE 2.0 Provisions Are Effective Now?*

The timing of the new provisions varies. Here's a breakdown of what's in effect and what's ahead.
  • RMD age increases
  • RMD excise tax reduction
  • Eliminate the 457(b) "First day of the month" rule
  • Withdrawal for federally declared disasters
  • Exclusion (up to $3,000) for health insurance payments for retired public safety
  • Expansion of 10% additional tax exception for public safety officers at age 50
  • Self-certification for Hardship and Unforeseeable Emergency Distributions
  • Exemption of pre-death RMDs from Roth accounts
  • Surviving spouse treated as the employee
  • Penalty-free withdrawals for domestic abuse victims
  • EPCRS: Safe harbor for corrections of automatic deferral failures
  • Treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of matching contributions
  • Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses
  • Emergency savings accounts linked to individual account plans
  • Updating dollar limits for mandatory distributions
  • Exemption for certain auto-portability transactions
  • Rollovers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs
  • Catch-up contributions must be made on a Roth basis
  • Higher catch-up contribution limit to apply for ages 60 to 63
  • EPCRS: Expansion
  • Reduced service requirement for long-term, part-time employees
  • Saver’s Credit and promotion of Saver’s Credit
  • Plan amendments
*Effective dates are generalized for illustrative purposes and vary depending on the provision.

SECURE 2.0 Resources

We’ve reviewed SECURE 2.0 through the lens of public service employers, identifying the provisions and opportunities unique to you and your employees.
MissionSquare Retirement does not offer specific tax or legal advice. The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is not to be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is recommended that individuals consult with their personal finance advisor prior to implementing any financial or tax strategy.
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