IRS Issues Guidance on Student Loan Matching Contributions

The IRS has issued interim guidance under Notice 2024-63, allowing employers to provide matching contributions to retirement plans based on employees' qualified student loan payments (QSLPs), as authorized by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. This guidance applies to plans such as 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE IRA, starting from plan years after December 31, 2024. Employers can treat QSLPs as if they were elective contributions, enabling employees repaying student loans to benefit from matching contributions without direct retirement plan contributions. The IRS invites public comments for 60 days following the notice's publication, while clarifying that plans must uniformly treat elective deferrals and QSLP matches. The initiative aims to alleviate financial stress for workers burdened by student loans and enhance their retirement savings potential. Further detailed regulations are expected from the IRS in the future.