Glossary
SECURE 2.0
SECURE 2.0 is a federal retirement law enacted in December 2022 that made broad changes to retirement plan rules, including a later starting age for required minimum distributions, larger catch-up contributions, and automatic enrollment in most newly created 401(k) plans.
Among its many provisions: RMD ages rise in stages, missed-RMD penalties shrink, employers gain expanded startup tax credits for new plans, some higher earners' catch-up contributions must be made as Roth, employers may match student-loan payments as if they were plan deferrals, and new emergency-savings and penalty-free withdrawal provisions phase in over several years.
Why it matters in practice
The law touches nearly everyone with a retirement account, but on different timelines — provisions take effect across multiple years, and agency guidance has continued to refine details. The practical implication: retirement rules memorized even a few years ago may be out of date, so checking the current-year rule (RMD age, catch-up amounts, credit eligibility) before acting is worth the five minutes.
Related terms: Required Minimum Distribution · Catch-Up Contribution · 401(k) · Pooled Employer Plan · Roth IRA