What Are the 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits for 2026?

Short answer: For 2026, the 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500, and the IRA limit is $7,500, according to the IRS. Savers 50 and older can contribute more through catch-up contributions: an extra $8,000 in a 401(k) and an extra $1,100 in an IRA. Workers aged 60 through 63 get an even higher 401(k) catch-up of $11,250.

What Is the 401(k) Limit for 2026?

The IRS announced the 2026 limits in November 2025. The employee deferral limit, which is the most you can contribute from your paycheck, rose to $24,500 from $23,500 in 2025. The same limit applies to:

• 401(k) plans
• 403(b) plans
• Governmental 457 plans
• The federal Thrift Savings Plan

Employer matching contributions don't count toward this $24,500 employee limit. They fall under a separate, higher overall limit set by the IRS.

How Do Catch-Up Contributions Work in 2026?

If you're 50 or older by the end of the calendar year, you can contribute more than the standard limit, as long as your plan allows catch-up contributions. For 2026:

Your age in 2026	Extra 401(k) catch-up	Total you can defer
Under 50	None	$24,500
50 to 59, or 64 and older	$8,000	$32,500
60, 61, 62 or 63	$11,250	$35,750

The higher catch-up applies to employees who turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year. It comes from the SECURE 2.0 Act, and it's worth checking whether your plan offers it, since plans set their own features within the IRS limits.

Starting in 2026, there's a new rule for higher earners. If your prior-year wages from the employer sponsoring the plan were more than $150,000, your catch-up contributions must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions, according to the IRS. Ask your plan administrator how your plan handles this.

What Are the IRA Limits for 2026?

The combined limit for traditional and Roth IRA contributions is $7,500 for 2026, up from $7,000. If you're 50 or older, you can add a $1,100 catch-up, up from $1,000, for a total of $8,600.

This limit is shared across all your IRAs. If you have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, your total contributions to both can't exceed $7,500, or $8,600 with the catch-up.

Who Can Contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?

Roth IRA contributions phase out as income rises. For 2026, the phase-out ranges based on modified adjusted gross income are:

Filing status	2026 Roth IRA phase-out range
Single or head of household	$153,000 to $168,000
Married filing jointly	$242,000 to $252,000
Married filing separately	$0 to $10,000

Within the range, the amount you can contribute shrinks. Above it, you can't contribute directly to a Roth IRA.

Can You Deduct Traditional IRA Contributions?

Anyone with earned income can contribute to a traditional IRA, but the deduction can phase out if you or your spouse are covered by a retirement plan at work. For 2026:

• Single filers covered by a workplace plan: $81,000 to $91,000
• Married filing jointly, contributor covered by a workplace plan: $129,000 to $149,000
• Married filing jointly, contributor not covered but spouse is: $242,000 to $252,000
• Married filing separately, covered by a workplace plan: $0 to $10,000

If neither you nor your spouse is covered by a workplace plan, these phase-outs don't apply.

How Can You Use These Limits in Your Plan?

The limits are maximums, not targets. A few practical steps:

1. Check whether you're contributing enough to get your full employer match, if your plan offers one.
2. If you turn 50, or 60, during 2026, ask payroll to raise your contribution to use the catch-up.
3. Review your contribution rate when you get a raise.
4. Confirm your Roth IRA eligibility before contributing if your income is near the phase-out range.

The Bottom Line

For 2026, you can put up to $24,500 into a 401(k) and $7,500 into an IRA, with extra room if you're 50 or older and a larger 401(k) catch-up between ages 60 and 63. Because tax rules and plan features vary, consider confirming the details with your plan administrator or a tax professional. To see what a bigger contribution could add up to, try our retirement savings calculator, or explore more in our retirement guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

The IRS set the 2026 employee deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the Thrift Savings Plan at $24,500, up from $23,500 for 2025.

How much can I put in my 401(k) if I'm over 50 in 2026?

Workers 50 and older can contribute an extra $8,000 in 2026, for a total of $32,500. If you're 60, 61, 62 or 63, the catch-up limit is $11,250 instead.

What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?

You can contribute up to $7,500 to IRAs for 2026. People 50 and older can add a $1,100 catch-up contribution.

Can I contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA?

Yes. The 401(k) and IRA limits are separate. Your ability to deduct traditional IRA contributions, or to contribute to a Roth IRA, can depend on your income and whether you're covered by a workplace plan.

What are the Roth IRA income limits for 2026?

For 2026, the Roth IRA phase-out range is $153,000 to $168,000 for single and head-of-household filers and $242,000 to $252,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Sources

1. IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111)
2. IRS: Retirement topics - Catch-up contributions
3. IRS Notice 2025-67: 2026 Amounts Relating to Retirement Plans and IRAs

This guide is general information, not personal advice. Your situation may differ, so consider talking with a qualified professional, such as a fiduciary financial adviser, CPA or licensed agent, before making a decision.