Retirement — Private Sector
About this plan
Defined Benefit plans — including traditional pensions and cash balance plans — promise employees a guaranteed income in retirement. NBS administers these plans end-to-end, coordinating closely with actuarial partners to keep everything accurate, compliant, and on track.
What's Included
For Employers
Defined Benefit plans are complex — but they're one of the most powerful retention tools you can offer. NBS coordinates with your actuary and handles every administrative detail so the plan runs smoothly year after year.
For Participants
A Defined Benefit plan means your employer has committed to providing a specific monthly income when you retire. NBS makes sure that promise is properly administered and protected.
IRS Contribution Limits
Annual limits set by the IRS for tax-advantaged retirement contributions.
Elective Deferral Limit
All eligible employees
Age 50+ Catch-Up Contribution
Employees age 50 and older
Available if your plan permits.
Super Catch-Up Contribution
Employees ages 60–63 (SECURE 2.0)
Available if your plan permits.
Maximum Annual Additions
All contributions combined (employer + employee)
Age 50–59 & 64+
$32,500
Base $24,500 + catch-up $8,000
Ages 60–63 (SECURE 2.0)
$35,750
Base $24,500 + super catch-up $11,250
Combined totals assume your plan permits the applicable catch-up.
Catch-up contributions are plan-optional — your plan document governs which are available. Limits updated annually by the IRS. SECURE 2.0 super catch-up (ages 60–63) continues for 2026. View on IRS.gov →
Key Retirement Dates
Important annual deadlines for plan sponsors and participants.
January
- Jan 1
Plan Year Begins
New plan year starts for all calendar-year retirement plans.
July
- Jul 31
Form 5500 Filing Deadline
Annual return/report for calendar-year ERISA plans. File Form 5558 by this date to receive a 2.5-month extension.
October
- Oct 15
Extended Form 5500 Deadline
Final deadline for Form 5500 if a 2.5-month extension was filed by July 31.
December
- Dec 31
Plan Year End / RMD Deadline
Last day of the plan year for calendar-year plans. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be taken by this date for participants who have reached RMD age.
Dates reflect typical annual deadlines for calendar-year plans. Actual deadlines vary by plan document and filing elections. Consult your tax advisor or plan document for plan-specific due dates.
NBS administers more than Defined Benefit Plans
Many employers use NBS across multiple benefit types — consolidating administration simplifies vendor management and gives your employees a consistent experience. You may also be interested in these related plans.
