401(k) contribution limits 2026: $24,500 plus catch-up
Quick answer: for 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 of your pay to a 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans or the federal Thrift Savings Plan. If you are 50 or older, you can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000, for $32,500 in total. If you are aged 60 to 63, the catch-up is higher, $11,250, for $35,750 in total. These figures come from the IRS.
2026 retirement contribution limits
| Account | 2026 limit | 2025 limit |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), 457, TSP employee deferral | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| Catch-up, age 60-63 (“super catch-up”) | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| Total possible, age 50-59 or 64+ | $32,500 | $31,000 |
| Total possible, age 60-63 | $35,750 | $34,750 |
| IRA (traditional and Roth combined) | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| IRA catch-up, age 50+ | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| SIMPLE IRA / SIMPLE 401(k) | $17,000 | $16,500 |
| SIMPLE catch-up, age 50+ | $4,000 | $3,500 |
Source: IRS announcement of 2026 cost-of-living adjustments.
What counts toward the $24,500
The $24,500 limit covers your own salary deferrals, both pre-tax (traditional) and Roth 401(k), added together. Employer matching and profit-sharing contributions do not count toward it. They fall under a separate, much higher overall limit for combined employee and employer contributions.
If you have two jobs, the $24,500 limit applies to you across all your 401(k) and 403(b) plans combined.
Catch-up contributions in 2026
- Ages 50 to 59 and 64+: $8,000 extra.
- Ages 60 to 63: $11,250 extra, under the SECURE 2.0 Act. Your age at the end of the calendar year decides which applies.
- New Roth rule for higher earners: starting in 2026, if your FICA wages from that employer were over a set threshold in the previous year (about $150,000), your catch-up contributions must go in as Roth (after-tax) contributions. Check with your plan administrator.
How much should you contribute?
- At least enough to get the full employer match. It is an instant return on your money.
- Then consider building an emergency fund and paying off high-interest debt.
- Then increase contributions toward the maximum as your budget allows. Raising your rate by 1% a year is an easy habit.
To max out $24,500 over 26 biweekly paychecks, contribute about $942 per paycheck. Over 24 semi-monthly paychecks it is about $1,021.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional contributions lower your taxable income now and are taxed when withdrawn. Roth contributions are taxed now and come out tax-free in retirement if rules are met. The same trade-off applies to IRAs; see Roth IRA vs traditional IRA.
Related guides
- How to roll over a 401(k) when you change jobs
- Required minimum distributions once you retire
- The 4% rule for how much you can withdraw
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026? $24,500 for employee contributions, plus catch-up contributions from age 50.
Does the employer match count toward the limit? No, only your own contributions count toward $24,500.
What happens if I contribute too much? Ask your plan to return the excess before the tax filing deadline to avoid being taxed twice.
This article is general information, not tax or financial advice. Check current rules with the IRS or a qualified advisor.