The 2026 401(k) contribution limit is $24.5K for employees under 50. Workers aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $8K, bringing their total to $32.5K. Those aged 60 to 63 qualify for a higher catch-up contribution of $11.25K, allowing them to save up to $35.75K.
The IRS hasn't announced the 2027 401(k) contribution limits yet, but early forecasts suggest the standard limit could rise to $25.5K. Here's how the current limits work, what could change in 2027, and how much to save from each paycheck to max out your retirement contributions.
401(k) contribution limits at a glance
The IRS increased most retirement contribution limits for 2026, including the standard 401(k) limit and catch-up contributions for workers aged 50 and older. The higher catch-up limit for ages 60 to 63 remained unchanged.
Every limit rose for 2026 except the super catch-up for ages 60 to 63.
Limit | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
Employee contribution (401(k), 403(b), gov't 457, TSP) | $23.5K | $24.5K | TBA |
Catch-up, age 50+ | $7.5K | $8K | TBA |
Super catch-up, ages 60-63 | $11.25K | $11.25K | TBA |
Most you can put in at 50+ | $31K | $32.5K | TBA |
Total employee + employer, 415(c) | $70K | $72K | TBA |
IRA | $7K | $7.5K | TBA |
IRA catch-up, 50+ | $1K | $1.1K | TBA |
SIMPLE IRA / SIMPLE 401(k) | $16.5K | $17K | TBA |
The IRS raised the standard employee contribution limit by $1K for 2026. The combined employee and employer contribution limit also increased to $72K.
How much to put in each paycheck to max out in 2026
To max out your 401(k) in 2026, you'll need to spread your contributions across your paychecks. The amount depends on your age, contribution limit, and how often you're paid.
The older you are, the more each paycheck needs to set aside to hit the 2026 max.
Who | Weekly | Every 2 weeks | Twice a month | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 50 ($24.5K) | $471 | $942 | $1.02K | $2.04K |
50-59 or 64+ ($32.5K) | $625 | $1.25K | $1.35K | $2.71K |
60-63 ($35.75K) | $688 | $1.38K | $1.49K | $2.98K |
These amounts assume you contribute throughout the full calendar year and are rounded.
Before increasing your contributions, check how your employer handles matching contributions. Some plans stop matching once you've reached your annual contribution limit, while others offer a year-end true-up to make up the difference.
2026 401(k) catch-up contribution limits for ages 50 and older
Workers who turn 50 at any point during 2026 can contribute an additional $8K to their 401(k), bringing the maximum employee contribution to $32.5K.
Those who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during the year qualify for a higher $11.25K super catch-up contribution, raising their total limit to $35.75K. Once you turn 64, the regular $8K catch-up limit applies again.
Savers 60 to 63 Can Defer $11.25K More Than Under-50s
Most you can defer from your own paycheck in 2026, by age.
Bar chart. Max deferral ($). Under 50: 2026 max deferral ($) $25K. 50-59 or 64+: 2026 max deferral ($) $33K. 60-63: 2026 max deferral ($) $36K.
New for 2026: Roth catch-ups for higher earners
Starting in 2026, certain higher-income workers must make their 401(k) catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.
If you earned more than $150K in wages from the employer sponsoring your plan in 2025, your 2026 catch-up contributions generally must be made after tax rather than through traditional pre-tax contributions.
The IRS outlined the new Roth catch-up requirements, which affect how eligible employees receive tax benefits from their additional retirement savings. For more details, see our guide on how to prepare for the Roth catch-up contribution rule.
Does your employer match count toward the limit?
No. Your employer's matching contributions do not count toward the $24.5K employee contribution limit for 2026.
However, the IRS sets a separate $72K combined contribution limit for employee and employer contributions, excluding eligible catch-up contributions.
For example, if you contribute $24.5K and your employer adds $10K, your combined contributions would total $34.5K, well below the annual limit.
This higher combined ceiling also matters for retirement savings strategies such as the mega backdoor 401(k) and solo 401(k) plans for freelancers.
403(b), 457, and TSP limits for 2026
The 2026 employee contribution limit of $24.5K also applies to 403(b) plans, governmental 457(b) plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Eligible workers aged 50 and older can generally make an additional $8K in catch-up contributions, while those aged 60 to 63 may qualify for the $11.25K super catch-up.
Some 403(b) and 457(b) plans offer additional special catch-up provisions, so your individual contribution limit may differ depending on your plan and eligibility.
Roth 401(k) vs traditional: one shared limit
Roth and traditional 401(k) accounts share the same annual employee contribution limit.
For 2026, you can contribute a combined amount of $24.5K across both types of contributions if you're under 50. You cannot contribute $24.5K to each account separately.
For example, you could contribute $12.25K to a Roth 401(k) and $12.25K to a traditional 401(k) without exceeding the annual limit.
The main difference is how contributions are taxed. Traditional 401(k) contributions generally reduce your taxable income today, while Roth contributions are made after tax and can provide tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement.
IRA and Roth IRA limits for 2026
Individual retirement accounts have their own separate ceiling of $7.5K in 2026, plus a $1.1K catch-up once you turn 50, and that sits on top of whatever you put in your workplace plan.
Income decides whether you can use a Roth IRA at all. The phase-out range runs from $153K to $168K for single filers and heads of household, and $242K to $252K for married couples filing jointly. Traditional IRA deductions phase out too when you're covered by a workplace plan, between $81K and $91K for singles.
2027 401(k) limits: when they'll be announced and what to expect
The IRS announced the 2026 figures on Nov. 13, 2025, and issues these adjustments each fall. Expect the 2027 numbers in late October or November.
Milliman's Sept. 11, 2026 forecast projects a $25.5K deferral limit for 2027, an $8.5K catch-up at 50 and over, $11.75K for ages 60 to 63 and a $75K total 415(c) cap. Every one of those is a projection until the IRS confirms it.
Milliman also noted the deferral limit could land at $25K instead if September 2026 inflation came in very low, and we’ll fill in the 2027 column the day the IRS makes it official.
The employee limit has risen $4K since 2022, and the biggest single jump came in 2023, when it climbed $2K to $22.5K.
The 401(k) Limit Has Climbed $4K Since 2022
Annual employee deferral limit, 2022-2026. The 2027 limit hasn’t been announced yet.
Bar chart. Employee limit ($). 2022: Employee limit ($) $21K. 2023: Employee limit ($) $23K. 2024: Employee limit ($) $23K. 2025: Employee limit ($) $24K. 2026: Employee limit ($) $25K.
Common questions about 401(k) limits
Can you max out both a 401(k) and an IRA in the same year?
Yes. The two limits are independent, so you can defer $24.5K into a workplace plan and still fund an IRA. Whether your IRA contribution is deductible depends on your income.
When will the IRS announce the 2027 401(k) limits?
Late October or November 2026 is the likely window, based on the agency's annual pattern. Official limits typically arrive by mid-November.
Does my employer match count toward the $24.5K limit?
No. Only your own deferrals count against $24.5K, while the match counts toward the separate $72K combined cap.
Is the 401(k) limit per person or per plan?
Per person. If you switch jobs mid-year and contribute to two plans, your combined deferrals still can't exceed $24.5K in 2026.
What is the super catch-up for ages 60 to 63?
It’s an $11.25K catch-up that replaces the standard $8K in the years you turn 60 through 63, and the amount stayed flat from 2025 to 2026.
Do Roth and traditional 401(k) contributions share one limit?
Yes, they share a single $24.5K ceiling in 2026. You choose the mix, and the tax treatment is the only difference.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not tax or investment advice.
