401k contribution limits 2026

The 401(k) contribution limits for 2026 have been increased by the IRS, letting most workers put more into tax-advantaged retirement accounts than in 2025.

2026 401(k) limits (quick scoop)

• Employee elective deferral limit: $24,500 for 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

• Standard catch-up (age 50+): $8,000 , for a total of $32,500 if you are 50 or older.

• “Super” catch‑up (ages 60–63, if plan allows under SECURE 2.0): total employee limit up to about $35,750 in 2026.

• Combined employee + employer limit (defined contribution/401(k)): $72,000 in 2026; this can be higher in practice once certain catch‑ups are included.

HTML table of key 2026 limits

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Item</th>
      <th>2025 Limit</th>
      <th>2026 Limit</th>
      <th>Notes</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>401(k) employee elective deferral</td>
      <td>$23,500 [web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>$24,500 [web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Applies to 401(k), 403(b), most 457, TSP [web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Catch-up (age 50+)</td>
      <td>$7,500 [web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>$8,000 [web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Standard catch-up; total $32,500 employee if 50+ [web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>“Super” catch-up (ages 60–63)</td>
      <td>$11,250 (pilot under SECURE 2.0) [web:1]</td>
      <td>Up to ~$11,250 on top of base limit [web:1][web:5][web:9]</td>
      <td>Plan must adopt SECURE 2.0 super catch-up [web:1][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Total employee + employer 401(k) limit</td>
      <td>$70,000 [web:1][web:7]</td>
      <td>$72,000 [web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Subject to compensation cap and plan rules [web:1][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Total if age 50+ (employee + employer)</td>
      <td>≈$76,500+ depending on plan [web:1]</td>
      <td>≈$80,000 if 50+; ≈$83,250 if 60–63 [web:1][web:5]</td>
      <td>Includes standard and super catch-up where allowed [web:1][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SIMPLE IRA employee contribution</td>
      <td>$16,500 [web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>$17,000 [web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Higher SIMPLE limit $18,100 in some plans [web:3][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SIMPLE IRA catch-up (50+)</td>
      <td>$3,500 [web:1]</td>
      <td>$4,000 [web:1][web:9]</td>
      <td>Applies to eligible SIMPLE participants [web:1][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

What this means for you in 2026

• If you are under 50, you can defer up to $24,500 of your salary into a traditional or Roth 401(k) (or combination), not counting employer match.

• If you are 50 or older, you can go up to $32,500 in employee contributions, using the $8,000 catch‑up, if your plan supports catch‑ups.

• If you are 60–63 and your plan has implemented SECURE 2.0’s “super” catch‑up, your personal max can be even higher, with totals around $35k+ in 2026 before employer money.

Other 2026 retirement tweaks

• IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500 , with additional catch‑up for those 50+ (unchanged formula but indexed phase‑outs).

• SIMPLE and other workplace plans also see modest increases (for example SIMPLE to $17,000 , or $18,100 in certain enhanced SIMPLEs).

Forum-style takeaway

Many savers are treating the 2026 bump as a chance to “front‑load” contributions in the earlier months of the year, especially those targeting financial independence in their 40s and 50s, while employers update payroll systems and plan documents to handle the higher limits and Roth‑only catch‑ups for higher earners.

If you share your age, income range, and whether your employer offers a match, a tailored example can show exactly how to reach the new 2026 maximum in your situation.