Updated for the 2026 tax year. These are the official IRS limits.
Planning your retirement contributions for 2026? The IRS has announced new 401(k) contribution limits, and there's good news: you can save even more this year.
2026 401(k) Contribution Limits at a Glance
- Employee contribution (under 50): $23,500 (+$500 from 2025)
- Catch-up contribution (50+): $7,500
- Total for 50+: $31,000
- Employer + employee combined: $70,000
Standard Employee Contribution: $23,500
For 2026, the standard 401(k) employee contribution limit increases to $23,500, up from $23,000 in 2025. This applies to Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and Thrift Savings Plans (TSP).
Catch-Up Contributions (Age 50+)
If you'll be 50 or older by December 31, 2026, you can contribute an additional $7,500 on top of the standard limit, bringing your total to $31,000.
New Super Catch-Up for Ages 60-63
Thanks to SECURE 2.0, workers aged 60-63 qualify for an enhanced catch-up contribution of $11,250 instead of $7,500. If you're in this age range, your 2026 maximum is $34,750.
IRA Contribution Limits for 2026
- Traditional/Roth IRA (under 50): $7,000
- Traditional/Roth IRA (50+): $8,000
Key Deadlines
- December 31, 2026: 401(k) employee contributions deadline
- April 15, 2027: IRA contributions deadline
Are You On Track for Retirement?
Knowing the limits is just the start. The real question is: are you saving enough to retire when you want?
Find out if you're on track based on your age, savings rate, and retirement goals. No email required to see your results.
