For 2026, the IRS limit on employee contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan is $24,500, and the limit on combined traditional and Roth IRA contributions is $7,500. This is a reminder with the year drawing to a close: both figures come from the IRS's annual cost-of-living adjustments, announced in November 2025 in IRS news release IR-2025-111 and detailed in Notice 2025-67. The figures below reflect IRS guidance as we reviewed it on September 30, 2026. The IRS had not yet published 2027 limits at that time; it has typically announced them in the fall, so check the IRS's cost-of-living table before planning for next year.
These are ceilings, not targets. What you contribute depends on your cash flow, your other goals, and what your plan allows. The sections below cover what changed, who is affected, and what to confirm with your plan administrator or tax professional.
What are the 2026 retirement contribution limits at a glance?
| Limit | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), and Thrift Savings Plan employee deferrals | $23,500 | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and over (most 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) plans) | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Catch-up, ages 60 to 63 (same plans) | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| Traditional and Roth IRA contributions combined | $7,000 | $7,500 |
| IRA catch-up, age 50 and over | $1,000 | $1,100 |
| SIMPLE plan employee deferrals | $16,500 | $17,000 |
| SIMPLE catch-up, age 50 and over | $3,500 | $4,000 |
| Defined contribution plan annual additions (employee plus employer) | $70,000 | $72,000 |
| Maximum compensation that can be counted for plan purposes | $350,000 | $360,000 |
Sources: IRS release IR-2025-111 and the IRS cost-of-living table.
How much can I contribute to a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) in 2026?
The IRS's 401(k) contribution limits page sets the 2026 limit on employee elective deferrals at $24,500. The same figure applies to 403(b) plans and governmental 457(b) plans. The limit covers pre-tax and Roth deferrals combined. Under IRS guidance on participating in more than one plan, it is your individual limit however many plans you are in, and it must be added together across 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE, and SARSEP plans. A 457(b) plan has a separate limit.
Your plan may set a lower limit than the IRS does. Owners, managers, and highly compensated employees may also face lower limits if the plan has to pass nondiscrimination testing. The IRS's 2026 threshold for defining a highly compensated employee is $160,000.
Employer matching contributions do not count against the $24,500 employee limit. They count toward a separate overall limit, described below.
What are the 2026 catch-up contribution limits?
Participants who are age 50 or older by the end of the calendar year may be able to contribute more, if their plan permits it. The IRS's catch-up contribution guidance lists these 2026 amounts:
- Age 50 and over: an additional $8,000 in most 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans, for a possible total of $32,500.
- Ages 60, 61, 62, and 63: a higher catch-up of $11,250 instead of $8,000, for a possible total of $35,750. The IRS describes this as applying to employees who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during the calendar year.
- IRAs: an additional $1,100 for those 50 and over, for a possible total of $8,600.
- SIMPLE plans: $4,000 for those 50 and over, or $5,250 for ages 60 to 63.
Catch-up contributions are not required to be offered. Ask your plan administrator whether your plan allows them.
Some 403(b) plans also allow an extra "15 years of service" catch-up of up to $3,000 for employees of certain organizations, such as public schools and hospitals, subject to lifetime limits described on the IRS 403(b) page.
Do higher earners have to make Roth catch-up contributions in 2026?
Possibly. A rule from the SECURE 2.0 Act takes effect in 2026. Under it, if your prior-year wages from the employer sponsoring the plan exceeded a threshold, your catch-up contributions must be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. The IRS set that threshold at $150,000 of 2025 wages for 2026 catch-up contributions, up from $145,000. Notice 2025-67 as published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin says the requirement does not apply to SEP or SIMPLE IRA plans, and the IRS's catch-up page states the basic rule.
Two details to keep in mind:
- The rule concerns the catch-up portion only. Your regular $24,500 in deferrals can still be pre-tax or Roth, as your plan allows.
- Roth contributions are included in your taxable income now, which can change your current-year tax bill. Whether pre-tax or Roth is the better fit depends on your own situation, and a tax professional can help you weigh it.
What is the overall limit on employee and employer contributions?
A second limit applies to everything going into your account from one employer. Under the IRS's rules, total annual additions (your deferrals, employer match, employer nonelective contributions, and forfeiture allocations, but not catch-up) cannot exceed the lesser of 100% of your compensation or $72,000 in 2026. With catch-up contributions, the IRS says the figure is $80,000, or up to $83,250 for participants ages 60 to 63.
How much can I put in an IRA for 2026?
For 2026, the IRS's IRA contribution limits page says the total you contribute to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs combined cannot exceed $7,500 ($8,600 if you are 50 or older), or your taxable compensation for the year if that is less.
A few points from the IRS:
- The limit is shared. You cannot put $7,500 in a traditional IRA and another $7,500 in a Roth IRA.
- Spousal IRAs. If you file jointly, you may be able to contribute for a spouse with little or no income, as long as your combined contributions do not exceed the taxable compensation on your joint return.
- No age cap. For 2020 and later, there is no age limit on regular contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs, as long as you have taxable compensation.
- Excess contributions cost money. The IRS imposes a 6% tax each year on excess IRA contributions that remain in the account. Contributions generally can be corrected by withdrawing the excess and its earnings by your tax return due date, including extensions.
Can I deduct a traditional IRA contribution in 2026?
It depends on your income and on whether you or your spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work. If neither of you is covered, the deduction is not reduced based on income. If one of you is covered, the deduction may be reduced or eliminated. The IRS's 2026 phase-out ranges are:
| Filing situation | 2025 range | 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Single, covered by a workplace plan | $79,000 to $89,000 | $81,000 to $91,000 |
| Married filing jointly, contributor covered by a workplace plan | $126,000 to $146,000 | $129,000 to $149,000 |
| Married filing jointly, contributor not covered but spouse is | $236,000 to $246,000 | $242,000 to $252,000 |
| Married filing separately, covered by a workplace plan | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $10,000 |
The IRS measures these ranges by income, generally modified adjusted gross income. See the IRS's IRA deduction limits page for how it is calculated.
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
Your ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA phases out as income rises. According to the IRS, the 2026 ranges are:
| Filing status | 2025 range | 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Single or head of household | $150,000 to $165,000 | $153,000 to $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $236,000 to $246,000 | $242,000 to $252,000 |
| Married filing separately | $0 to $10,000 | $0 to $10,000 |
Within a range, the amount you can contribute is reduced. Above the range, you cannot contribute directly for that year. You can generally still contribute to a Roth IRA and a workplace plan in the same year, because the IRS notes that participating in an employer plan does not by itself stop you from contributing to an IRA.
What are the 2026 limits for SIMPLE and SEP plans?
Self-employed people and small business owners often use these plans. The IRS's SIMPLE IRA page and SEP page list:
- SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) employee deferrals: $17,000. Under SECURE 2.0, certain applicable SIMPLE plans can allow $18,100 instead. Ask the plan sponsor whether that applies.
- SIMPLE catch-up: $4,000 for those 50 and over, or $5,250 for ages 60 to 63.
- SEP-IRA employer contributions: the lesser of 25% of the employee's compensation or $72,000. The IRS notes that elective salary deferrals and catch-up contributions are not permitted in a SEP plan.
- Compensation counted for these formulas: up to $360,000.
If you also take part in another employer's plan, the IRS notes that your total salary reduction contributions across plans are limited to $24,500. Self-employed contribution calculations have their own worksheet on the IRS website.
What is the 2026 Saver's Credit income limit?
The Saver's Credit (formally the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) is a tax credit for lower- and moderate-income workers who contribute to a retirement plan or IRA. The IRS's 2026 income limits are $80,500 for married couples filing jointly, $60,375 for heads of household, and $40,250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately. Eligibility and the credit amount depend on additional requirements, so review the IRS guidance or consult a tax professional.
Other 2026 figures for plan sponsors
For business owners and plan sponsors, the IRS cost-of-living table also lists a 2026 defined benefit plan limit of $290,000, a key employee compensation threshold of $235,000, and a Social Security taxable wage base of $184,500. Plan design and testing rules are technical, so work with your plan's third-party administrator or an advisor who handles retirement plans.
How can I use these limits in a plan?
Knowing the limits is the first step. A few questions can help you decide what to do with them:
- What does my plan allow? Confirm the plan's own deferral limit, whether it offers catch-up and Roth options, and how any employer match works.
- Is my cash flow ready for higher contributions? Contributing more reduces take-home pay, and money in a retirement account is generally subject to restrictions and possible taxes and penalties if withdrawn early. It may not be the right priority for everyone, especially if you lack an emergency fund or carry high-interest debt.
- Which account type fits my tax situation? Pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax choices involve trade-offs across current and future tax years, and future tax law can change.
- Am I tracking every account? If you change jobs mid-year or have multiple plans, add up your deferrals across the plans that share a limit to avoid exceeding it.
- When are my deadlines? Workplace plan deferrals are generally made through payroll before the plan year ends. The IRS says IRA contributions are generally due by your tax return due date, not including extensions.
If you have contributed more than the limit to a workplace plan, contact your plan administrator promptly. The IRS says you should notify the administrator before April 15 of the following year to have an excess deferral, adjusted for earnings, returned to you.
A retirement planning review can place these limits in the context of your income, savings, and timeline, and tax planning can help you consider how contribution choices interact with your tax return. This article is general education, not personalized advice.
Common questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
The IRS limit on employee elective deferrals is $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. Participants age 50 and over may be able to add $8,000, and those ages 60 to 63 may be able to add $11,250 instead, if their plan allows. Source: IRS.
What is the IRA limit for 2026?
The limit is $7,500 for traditional and Roth IRAs combined, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, but no more than your taxable compensation for the year. Source: IRS.
Can I contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA?
Yes. The IRS says you can contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA even if you participate in an employer plan. The deduction for a traditional IRA and eligibility for a Roth IRA may be limited by your income. Source: IRS.
Do employer contributions count toward my $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit applies to your own elective deferrals. Employer matching and nonelective contributions count toward the separate overall limit of the lesser of 100% of compensation or $72,000. Source: IRS.
Have the 2027 limits been announced?
Not as of September 30, 2026, based on the IRS pages we reviewed. The IRS has typically released the next year's limits in the fall. Check the IRS cost-of-living table for updates.
Sources
- IRS news release IR-2025-111: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500
- IRS Notice 2025-67, 2026 Amounts Relating to Retirement Plans and IRAs
- IRS: COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions
- IRS: 401(k) and profit-sharing plan contribution limits
- IRS: Catch-up contributions
- IRS: IRA contribution limits
- IRS: SIMPLE IRA contribution limits
- IRS: SEP contribution limits
- IRS: 403(b) contribution limits
Tax limits and rules change, and how they apply depends on your plan documents and personal circumstances. Confirm figures with the IRS or your plan administrator before acting. This information is educational and is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and contributing to a retirement account does not guarantee a particular outcome.