Back in August, I suggested that 401(k) limits might be decreasing in 2010. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Rather, the limit on elective deferrals will be holding steady at $16,500/year. This limit not only applies to 401(k) accounts, but to 403(b) and 457(b) accounts, as well. If you are 50 or older, you qualify to make an extra $5500 in “catchup” contributions.

Beyond this, the aggregate limit (employer + employee contributions), which is specified by Section 415(c)(1)(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, will also be unchanged at $49k/year (this is the so-called 415(c) limit).

Given the lack of changes, there’s a good chance that whatever you had planned for last year will hold for this year, as well.