Don't be shocked if your employer doesn't adopt the higher limit for 2017 if they had already programmed all their systems/communications on the lower limit. It would be fantastic if the IRS would announce these things earlier in the year. It always falls right in the middle of open enrollment/annual enrollment season for large companies who operate on a calendar year plan. We scrambled to let employees contribute the extra $50 next year even though we were 80% done with open enrollment when the announcement came out, but your employer could pick a lower limit if they choose because if you spend all your money in the beginning of the year and then leave - the employer has to eat the loss. This scares some companies so they go with a lower amount.
I hope everyone who is interested in taking advantage of the extra pre-tax savings can do it!
