2026 Retirement Contribution Limits: Your Quick Reference Guide
Good news: You can save more for retirement in 2026 than you could in 2025. The IRS just announced the updated contribution limits, and nearly every category got a bump.
If you're already maxing out your contributions, you'll want to adjust your payroll elections. If you're not quite there yet, these increases give you more room to grow your retirement savings.
Here's everything you need to know.
401(k), 403(b), and 457 Plans
Standard contribution limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025)
This is the basic amount anyone can contribute to their workplace retirement plan, regardless of age. That extra $1,000 might not sound like much, but over time it adds up.
Catch-up contributions (age 50+): $8,000 (up from $7,500 in 2025)
Once you turn 50, you get to save even more. Combined with the standard limit, that's $32,500 total you can put away in 2026.
Super catch-up (ages 60-63): $11,250 (unchanged from 2025)
If you're between 60 and 63, you get an even bigger catch-up allowance. That means you can contribute up to $35,750 total ($24,500 + $11,250).
Important reminder for high earners: If you earned more than $150,000 in 2025, your catch-up contributions must be made to a Roth account starting in 2026.
Traditional and Roth IRAs
Standard contribution limit: $7,500 (up from $7,000 in 2025)
Catch-up contribution (age 50+): $1,100 (up from $1,000 in 2025)
Total possible contribution if you're 50 or older: $8,600
These limits apply whether you're contributing to a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or splitting between both. You can't contribute $7,500 to each—it's $7,500 total across all your IRAs.
Income phase-out ranges for Roth IRAs:
- Single filers: $153,000 - $168,000
- Married filing jointly: $242,000 - $252,000
Income phase-out ranges for deductible traditional IRA contributions (if covered by a workplace plan):
- Single filers: $81,000 - $91,000
- Married filing jointly: $129,000 - $149,000
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
While not technically a retirement account, HSAs are one of the best retirement savings tools available if you have a high-deductible health plan.
Individual coverage: $4,400 (up from $4,300 in 2025)
Family coverage: $8,750 (up from $8,550 in 2025)
Catch-up contribution (age 55+): $1,000 (unchanged)
What Should You Do Now?
1. Update your payroll contributions. If you were maxing out in 2025, your current dollar amount won't automatically max you out in 2026. Adjust your elections to take advantage of the new limits.
2. Don't forget your IRA. You have until April 15, 2027 to make your 2026 IRA contribution, but the sooner your money is invested, the sooner it starts working for you.
3. Coordinate with your spouse. If you're married, look at your household retirement savings as a whole. Make sure you're optimizing as a team.
Work with Your Financial Advisor
These contribution limits are just one piece of your overall retirement strategy. Your financial advisor can help you determine:
- How much you should be contributing based on your retirement goals
- Whether to prioritize traditional or Roth contributions
- How to balance retirement savings with other financial priorities
- Whether the new mandatory Roth catch-up rule affects you and how to plan for it
- How these contributions fit into your broader tax strategy
The right contribution strategy isn't just about hitting the maximum—it's about making sure every dollar you save is working efficiently toward your specific goals.
These increases might seem small year to year, but they compound significantly over time. Taking full advantage of tax-advantaged accounts is one of the most straightforward ways to build long-term wealth. If you're not maxing out yet, that's okay. Even increasing your contribution by 1% can make a meaningful difference. The key is to start where you are and increase when you can.
