401(k) and IRA Catch-Up Contributions for 2026
Looking for more ways to build up your retirement nest egg? Take advantage of catch-up contributions to enjoy a nice boost.
What are catch-up contributions?
Catch-up contributions are rules established by the IRS to help savers aged 50+ save more for retirement, specifically allowing you to contribute additional funds to your 401(k), IRA, and health savings accounts (if you’re at least 55) beyond standard limits.
2026 catch-up contribution limits
The IRS establishes catch-up contribution limits each year that vary depending on your retirement plan. You can start making catch-up contributions at any time during the calendar year when you turn 50, meaning you don’t need to wait until your actual birthday and are eligible beginning January 1st of that same year. These limits for different investment types based on 2026 contribution limits are as follows:
· IRAs: $1,100, resulting in a total contribution of $8,600 (with a standard limit of $7,500)
· 401(k)s: $8,000, resulting in a total contribution of $32,500 (with a standard limit of $24,500), which also applies to other workplace retirement vehicles such as 403(b)s, most 457s, and the government’s Thrift Saving Plan (TSP)
· SIMPLE 401(k)s: $4,000, resulting in a total contribution of $21,000 (with a standard limit of $17,000)
· Health savings accounts (HSAs): Anyone aged 55+ not enrolled in Medicare can contribute an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution to a health savings account, resulting in a total contribution of $5,400 for individuals (with a standard limit of $4,400) or $9,750 for families (with a standard limit of $8,750).
Special catch-up contributions for investors aged 60 to 63
The Secure Act 2.0, signed into law in December 2022, resulted in sweeping changes to retirement plans—including catch-up contributions. One key provision made effective in 2025 is that employees aged 60 to 63 can now make a “super” catch-up contribution for 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored plans such as 403(b)s, 457s, and the government’s Thrift Saving Plan (TSP) as follows for 2026:
· 401(k)s: $11,250, making maximum contributions $43,750 (including an $8,000 catch-up contribution and a standard limit of $24,500)
· SIMPLE 401(k)s: $5,250, making maximum contributions $26,250 (including a $4,000 catch-up contribution and a standard limit of $17,000)
New provisions for high earners making catchup contributions
The IRS considers you a “high earner” if you earned more than $145,000 in wages subject to FICA (includes salaries, wages, bonuses, tips, commissions and taxable fringe benefits, reflected in Box 3 on your W-2) from your employer in 2025.
That means if you contribute to an employer-sponsored plan—such as a 401(k), 403(b), or a government 457(b)—you must now make catch-up contributions to a Roth version of your respective retirement plan in 2026, a change made to help fund the SECURE Act 2.0. Here are other important rules to consider:
The threshold changes annually
The $145,000 threshold is adjusted annually for inflation, with this amount changing each year.
If you start a new job, you won’t be impacted (at least initially)
The lack of a prior-year wage history with a new employer makes you exempt from the new Roth rule during your first year of employment, regardless of your salary. You may also remain unaffected in your second year depending on your earnings.
If the 2026 income threshold is $150,000, for example, this will impact your contributions in 2027; in this case, starting a new job on July 1, 2026 and earning $280,000 a year wouldn’t subject you to the new mandate in 2026 given the lack of a prior-year earnings history. You’d also be exempt in 2027 as your earnings history with your new employer would be approximately $140,000 (given only a half year of employment).
Super catch-up contributions count too
These are also subject to the new Roth catch-up contribution requirement.
You may need a different strategy
If your employer doesn’t offer a Roth version of their retirement plans, you unfortunately cannot make catch-up contributions whether pre-tax or Roth and will thus need to consider an alternative approach—possibly taking the funds you would have used for catch-up contributions to instead open and contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
New Roth catchup contribution rules: potential benefits
· Roth account monies will grow tax-free.
· Roth account withdrawals will be tax-free, provided you keep the account for a minimum of 5 years and are older than 59½ years old (exceptions do apply).
· Paying taxes upfront means you’re no longer subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the Roth account.
· You might have more diversification in your retirement portfolio
New Roth catchup contribution rules: potential drawbacks
· Roth contributions made using after-tax dollars means there is no immediate tax deduction.
· Take-home pay may be a bit more modest given taxes paid upfront.
· If your employer doesn’t offer a Roth version of your plan (which isn’t required), you can’t make any type of catch-up contribution.
· You could potentially move into a higher tax bracket since you’re no longer reducing your taxable income.
Catchup contributions for employees making $145,000 or less
If you earn $145,000 or less and your employer offers Roth catchup contributions, you can choose to make your catch-up contributions on either a Roth or traditional basis.
Reasons to make catch-up contributions
A recent Vanguard 401(k) plan analysis revealed that only 16% of plan participants take advantage of catch-up contributions despite almost all plans (98%) offering this option. While the primary driver of this weak uptake is affordability (workers simply don’t earn enough income to do so), even a little extra savings can make a significant difference for your future. Specific benefits include…
A reduction in taxable income
Catch-up contributions can potentially ease your tax bill—especially if you’re contributing to a 401(k)—as the extra money you sock away will reduce your taxable income.
Enhanced compounding
How much you stand to gain ultimately depends on various factors including the type of plan, how much extra you contribute, and your rate of return. Let’s assume you just turned 50 and your goal is to retire at age 66. Planning to cut a few expenses, you determine you can afford to contribute an extra $250 a month to your 401(k). Assuming your annual rate of return is a conservative 4% (the S&P 500 has delivered an annual return of over 10% since 1957), this would inject an additional $67,000 into your retirement portfolio!
Retirement funding
Also important to keep in mind? Retirement is expensive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently revealed average retiree expenses (for households led by someone aged 65+) total over $61,432 per year (over $5,119 per month). Unfortunately, these numbers only grow for those further away from retirement. Every dollar saved now, likewise, will stand to benefit you later on.
Reasons to consider holding off on catch-up contributions
Making a catch-up contribution is perhaps not in your best interest if you’re already taking withdrawals from a retirement account, need the extra money for other savings goals/to cover essential expenses, or feel confident you’re already saving enough.
How to increase catch-up contributions prior to tax deadlines
IRAs
Those with an IRA account need to contact the account custodian to make catch-up contributions, keeping in mind you’re not required to do so by the end of the calendar year (unlike with 401(k)s); the deadline often falls in mid-April (Tax Day) of the following year, meaning you should circle April 15, 2026 on your calendar if you want to make catch-up contributions for an IRA in 2025.
401(k)s
If you elect to make catch-up contributions to your 401(k) account, meanwhile, ensure your plan allows for it and then contact your benefits department or plan administrator who’ll likely provide authorization to implement your plan.
In sum: catch-up contributions
Catch-up contributions are often a great strategy to save additional money for your future. If it makes sense for your overall financial plan, seek to take advantage of this opportunity and thus give yourself the very best chance to enjoy retirement to the fullest.
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People also ask…
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You can start making catch-up contributions during the year you turn 50. Those celebrating their 50th birthday in August 2026, for example, can begin doing so on January 1, 2026.
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Catch-up contribution tax-filing impacts depend on the type of account you contribute to. Contributions to pre-tax accounts (e.g., a 401(k)), for example, can lower taxable income whereas those to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) provide the benefit of tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
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Disclosures:
This document is a summary only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or business.
