With a couple of months left in the year, there is still time to increase retirement contributions for 2026. Workplace plan contributions generally must come out of paychecks by December 31, while IRA contributions for 2026 can be made until the tax filing deadline in April 2027.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 employee contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans is $24,500.
- Catch-up contributions for people 50 and over are $8,000; ages 60 to 63 can contribute up to $11,250 in catch-up.
- The IRA limit is $7,500, with a $1,100 catch-up for those 50 and over.
- From 2026, higher earners must make workplace catch-up contributions as Roth contributions.
Workplace plan limits for 2026
- Employee deferrals: $24,500
- Catch-up, age 50 and over: $8,000, for a total of $32,500
- Catch-up, ages 60 to 63: $11,250, under a SECURE 2.0 provision, if your plan offers it
These limits apply to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal Thrift Savings Plan.
IRA limits for 2026
- Contribution limit: $7,500
- Catch-up, age 50 and over: $1,100
Income limits apply to deducting traditional IRA contributions if you have a workplace plan, and to contributing directly to a Roth IRA. Check the IRS phase-out ranges for your filing status.
The Roth catch-up rule
Under SECURE 2.0, starting in 2026, workers whose prior-year FICA wages from the employer exceeded $150,000 (indexed) must make any catch-up contributions to workplace plans as Roth (after-tax) contributions. If your plan does not offer a Roth option, you may not be able to make catch-up contributions. Check with your plan administrator.
HSA limits for 2026
- Self-only coverage: $4,400
- Family coverage: $8,750
- Catch-up, age 55 and over: $1,000
HSA contributions for 2026 can generally be made until the April 2027 tax deadline.
Year-end steps
- Check year-to-date contributions on your latest pay stub.
- Increase your contribution rate for the remaining paychecks if you want to contribute more. Make sure you do not exceed the limit if you changed jobs this year, since the employee limit applies across all employers.
- Capture the full employer match. Some plans match per paycheck, so maxing out early can mean missing matches later in the year unless the plan has a true-up.
- Plan IRA contributions before the April deadline, specifying the tax year.
- Required minimum distributions: if you are subject to RMDs, take them by December 31 to avoid penalties.
2027 limits
The IRS announces next year’s limits each autumn. Check IRS.gov for the 2027 figures before setting next year’s contribution rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employer contributions count toward the $24,500 limit? No. Employer contributions count toward a separate, higher total limit.
What if I contribute too much? Contact your plan or IRA provider to withdraw the excess, plus earnings, before the tax deadline to avoid penalties.
Can I contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA? Yes, though deductibility of traditional IRA contributions may be limited.
The bottom line
Check your pay stub, raise contributions if you can, make sure you get the full match and note the April deadline for IRAs and HSAs.
