The 2026 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500, and the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, the IRS announced on November 13, 2025, in news release IR-2025-111. As of November 6, 2026, the IRS has not yet published its 2027 retirement plan limits, so the 2026 figures are the ones that apply to contributions for this year.
This explainer lays out the 2026 limits for 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts, the catch-up amounts for older savers, the IRA deduction and Roth IRA income ranges, and how to check where you stand before the year ends.
Key takeaways
- Employees can defer up to $24,500 into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plan or the TSP in 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025.
- The catch-up for workers age 50 and older is $8,000, and a higher catch-up of $11,250 applies to those age 60 to 63.
- The IRA limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up for people 50 and older, for a total of $8,600.
- Roth IRA eligibility phases out between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- The IRS had not announced 2027 limits as of November 6, 2026; check the IRS newsroom for the update.
What the IRS announced for 2026
In IR-2025-111, dated November 13, 2025, the IRS raised the main workplace plan and IRA limits for 2026 and updated the income ranges that determine IRA deductions, Roth IRA eligibility and the Saver’s Credit. The technical details are in IRS Notice 2025-67.
A note on timing: these amounts apply to 2026. When we checked the IRS newsroom on November 6, 2026, the most recent release (IR-2026-133, dated November 5, 2026) covered tax-year 2027 inflation adjustments such as tax brackets, but no release on 2027 retirement plan contribution limits had been posted. We will update this guide when it is.
2026 401(k) contribution limit and other workplace plans
The same elective deferral limit applies to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, most governmental 457 plans and the federal Thrift Savings Plan.
| Workplace plan limit | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferrals (401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, TSP) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
| Catch-up contribution, age 50 and older | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Total possible for age 50 and older (deferral plus catch-up) | $31,000 | $32,500 |
| Higher catch-up, age 60 to 63 | Not stated in the 2026 release | $11,250 |
The 2025 total of $31,000 is simply the 2025 deferral limit plus the 2025 catch-up. Your plan documents or plan administrator can tell you how employer contributions and catch-ups work in your specific plan.
Hypothetical arithmetic for planning
- To reach the $24,500 limit by contributing evenly over 26 biweekly paychecks, you would set aside about $942.31 per paycheck ($24,500 divided by 26).
- A worker age 50 to 59 (or 64 and older) could contribute up to $32,500 in total ($24,500 plus the $8,000 catch-up).
- For a worker age 60 to 63 who uses the $11,250 higher catch-up, $24,500 plus $11,250 comes to $35,750.
These are maximums, not targets. Many people contribute less, and it is often worth having an emergency cushion first; see our guide on how to build an emergency fund.
SIMPLE retirement accounts
Employees in SIMPLE retirement accounts have their own limits. For 2026, the SIMPLE contribution limit is $17,000 (up from $16,500). Certain applicable SIMPLE plans have a higher limit of $18,100. The age-50 catch-up for most SIMPLE plans is $4,000; for certain applicable SIMPLE plans it is $3,850, and the catch-up for ages 60 to 63 is $5,250.
2026 IRA contribution limits
For 2026, total contributions to all of your traditional and Roth IRAs combined cannot exceed $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (the $7,500 limit plus a $1,100 catch-up). In 2025, the limit was $7,000 with a $1,000 catch-up.
Two other rules from the IRS page on IRA contribution limits are worth knowing:
- If your taxable compensation for the year is less than the limit, your IRA contributions are capped at the amount of that compensation.
- For 2020 and later years, there is no age limit on making regular contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs.
Hypothetical example: contributing $625 a month for 12 months adds up to the $7,500 limit.
Traditional IRA deduction phase-out ranges for 2026
Anyone with taxable compensation can contribute to a traditional IRA, but whether the contribution is tax-deductible depends on your income and whether you or your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan. The deduction is phased out as income rises through the ranges below.
| Situation | 2025 range | 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Single, covered by a workplace plan | $79,000 to $89,000 | $81,000 to $91,000 |
| Married filing jointly, contributing spouse covered by a workplace plan | $126,000 to $146,000 | $129,000 to $149,000 |
| Not covered, but married to someone who is covered | $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 (not adjusted for inflation) |
Roth IRA income limits for 2026
Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, but eligibility to contribute phases out as income rises. The 2026 ranges are:
| Filing status | 2025 phase-out range | 2026 phase-out 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 (not adjusted for inflation) |
The IRS calls these income phase-out ranges: the amount you can contribute shrinks as your modified adjusted gross income moves through the range. Check the IRS rules for your exact figure if your income is close to or inside a range.
Saver’s Credit income limits for 2026
The Saver’s Credit (formally, the retirement savings contributions credit) has its own income limits. IR-2025-111 sets the 2026 income limits at $80,500 for married couples filing jointly (up from $79,000), $60,375 for heads of household (up from $59,250) and $40,250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately (up from $39,500).
Key dates and how to check your own contributions
Because the limits apply per year, the end of 2026 is a natural checkpoint. Here is a practical sequence:
- Add up your 2026 workplace deferrals so far. Your latest pay stub or plan account usually shows year-to-date contributions. Compare the total with $24,500 (or $32,500 or $35,750 if catch-up rules apply to you).
- Check your IRA total across all accounts. The $7,500 (or $8,600) limit covers traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
- Know the IRA contribution window. IRS guidance has allowed IRA contributions for a year to be made into the following spring; for example, its IRA year-end reminders page said 2024 contributions could be made until April 15, 2025. Confirm the date for 2026 contributions with the IRS before you rely on it.
- Estimate your modified adjusted gross income to see whether the deduction or Roth ranges above apply to you.
- Watch for the 2027 announcement on the IRS newsroom so you can update your payroll election for January.
If you are comparing other ways to save, our explainers on I bonds and FDIC insurance cover other ways to save. For the tax side, see our guide to the 2027 tax brackets and standard deduction.
Note: This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules can change, so confirm details with the official source or a qualified professional. See our Disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
Employees can defer up to $24,500 in 2026 into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plan or the Thrift Savings Plan. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up, and a higher catch-up limit of $11,250 applies to those age 60 to 63.
Have the 2027 401(k) and IRA limits been announced?
Not as of November 6, 2026. The IRS’s latest newsroom releases at that date covered 2027 tax brackets and other inflation adjustments but not retirement plan limits. We will update this guide once the IRS publishes its 2027 retirement figures.
How much can I put in an IRA for 2026?
Up to $7,500 across all traditional and Roth IRAs combined, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older. If your taxable compensation for the year is lower than the limit, your contributions are capped at that compensation.
Can I contribute to an IRA after age 73?
The IRS says that for 2020 and later there is no age limit on making regular contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs. You still need taxable compensation, and the income rules for deductions and Roth eligibility still apply.
Is there a Roth IRA income limit for 2026?
Yes. Eligibility phases out between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers and heads of household, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. For married people filing separately, the range is $0 to $10,000.
What are the 2026 limits for SIMPLE retirement accounts?
The basic SIMPLE limit for 2026 is $17,000, up from $16,500 in 2025, and certain applicable SIMPLE plans allow up to $18,100. The age-50 catch-up is $4,000 for most SIMPLE plans and $3,850 for certain applicable SIMPLE plans. For participants age 60 to 63, the SIMPLE catch-up is $5,250.
Official sources
- 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111) – Internal Revenue Service
- Retirement topics – IRA contribution limits – Internal Revenue Service
- IRA year-end reminders – Internal Revenue Service
- Newsroom – Internal Revenue Service
Last checked: November 6, 2026. We review this guide when the official rules change.