For 2026, the maximum standard employee 401(k) contribution is $24,500 , and if you are age 50 or older, you can contribute $32,500 including catch‑up contributions.

Core 2026 401(k) limits

  • Employee elective deferral limit (under age 50): $24,500.
  • Catch‑up contribution (age 50+): $8,000 , bringing the employee total to $32,500.
  • These limits apply to traditional and Roth 401(k) salary deferrals combined.

Total annual contribution caps

  • Combined employee + employer cap (under age 50): $72,000 in 2026.
  • With age‑50+ catch‑up, the combined cap rises to $80,000 , and certain ages 60–63 can reach about $83,250 if their plan allows the special “super” catch‑up.

Quick notes for planning

  • The limit is per person across all 401(k) and 403(b) plans, not per plan, though each employer’s plan has its own combined cap.
  • Employer matching and profit‑sharing do not count toward the $24,500 employee limit but do count toward the $72,000 overall cap.

Mini “forum style” scoop

  • Many planners suggest spreading contributions over all paychecks so you don’t accidentally hit $24,500 early and miss out on employer match later in the year (unless your plan does a year‑end “true‑up”).
  • With the higher 2026 limits, even an extra $1,000–$2,000 a year can translate into tens of thousands more at retirement over a few decades, depending on returns.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.