Application of "Plan limit" to catch ups when plan has post tax & pre tax

[Guest RGlaser]

If a plan provides for both pre tax and post tax contributions, with a combined limit, can a person exceed the "plan limit" on deferrals and be eligible to make age 50 catch up contributions?

For example, a plan offers pre tax contribs up to 15%, and post tax contribs up to 15%, but the combined contribution total cannot exceed 15%. In the extreme, say an age 50 person contributes 15% on a post tax basis. Since they are then technically limited to 0% pre tax, can they then put in an additional amount of pre tax dollars up to the age 50 catch up limit for the year?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[QDROphile]

Yes.