The IRS and the Social Security Administration have announced the cost-of-living adjustments for various benefit plan limits for 2006. Certain limits affecting retirement plans are shown directly below and the limits for health and certain other fringe benefit plans are shown on the following page.

Retirement Plan Limits

These adjustments are effective for the plan year that begins on or after January 1, 2006. Some of these increases in limitations result from the enactment of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”). Other increases reflect cost-of-living adjustments. The 2006 limits, as well as the 2005 limits, are as follows:

Health Plan and Fringe Benefit Plan Limits

These adjustments are effective January 1, 2006. Most of the increases reflect cost-of-living adjustments, while some of the increases in limitations are based on statute. The 2006 limits, as well as the 2005 limits, are as follows:

Social Security Wage Base

The Social Security Administration has also published its new 2006 figures for the Social Security wage base. The taxable wage base (tax rate 6.2%) has increased from $90,000 in 2005 to $94,200 in 2006.