401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026
You can put $24,500 into a 401(k) and $7,500 into an IRA in 2026, more if you are 50 or older. All the 2026 limits in one place.
The IRS raised the main retirement savings limits for 2026, giving Americans room to put more money into tax-advantaged accounts. Knowing the 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 helps you plan how much to save from each paycheck and avoid excess contributions. This guide sets out the 2026 limits for workplace plans and IRAs, the catch-up rules for older savers, the Roth IRA income limits, and how to choose between traditional and Roth contributions.
2026 limits for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans
The employee contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans is $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. This is the most you can defer from your own pay, whether as traditional or Roth contributions.
If you are age 50 or over, you can make a catch-up contribution of $8,000 more, for a total of $32,500. Savers aged 60 to 63 get a higher catch-up of $11,250 instead of $8,000, a rule introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act to help people close to retirement save more. From 2026, workers whose wages in the previous year were above an IRS threshold of about $150,000 must make catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.
For SIMPLE plans, used by many small employers, the limit is $17,000, or up to $18,100 in certain plans.
Employer matching contributions do not count towards your $24,500 employee limit, though there is a separate, higher limit on total contributions from you and your employer combined.
2026 IRA contribution limits
The IRA contribution limit is $7,500 for 2026, up from $7,000. If you are age 50 or over, you can add a catch-up of $1,100, for $8,600 in total. The limit applies across all your traditional and Roth IRAs combined, so you cannot put $7,500 into each. You can make IRA contributions for 2026 until the tax filing deadline in April 2027.
Roth IRA income limits for 2026
Your ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA phases out as your modified adjusted gross income rises. For single filers or heads of household, the phase-out range is $153,000 to $168,000. For married couples filing jointly, it is $242,000 to $252,000. Within the range you can make a reduced contribution, and above it you cannot contribute directly.
Traditional or Roth contributions?
Traditional contributions lower your taxable income now, and you pay tax when you withdraw in retirement. Roth contributions are made from income that has already been taxed, but they grow and come out tax-free in retirement if you meet the rules. A common rule of thumb is that Roth suits you if you expect a higher tax rate later, while traditional suits you if your tax rate today is higher than you expect in retirement. Many people split their savings between the two to spread the risk of future tax changes. Our guide to Roth versus traditional IRAs and 401(k)s explores this in more depth.
How to make the most of the 2026 limits
Get the full employer match first. If your employer matches contributions, contribute at least enough to get the full match, which is an instant return on your money.
Increase contributions gradually. Raising your contribution rate by one percentage point each year, or whenever you get a raise, makes saving more feel painless.
Use an IRA alongside your 401(k). An IRA can give you more investment choices and lower fees than some workplace plans.
Consider an HSA. If you have a high-deductible health plan, a health savings account adds another tax-advantaged way to save; see our HSA guide.
See the effect on your paycheck
A traditional 401(k) contribution reduces your federal income tax but not Social Security or Medicare. Try different contribution percentages in our US paycheck calculator, and see the 2026 brackets in our guide to federal tax brackets and take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
$24,500 in employee contributions, plus catch-up contributions for those aged 50 and over.
What is the IRA limit for 2026?
$7,500, or $8,600 for those aged 50 and over.
What is the catch-up for ages 60 to 63?
$11,250 in workplace plans, instead of the usual $8,000.
Sources
This article is general information, not financial advice.