The IRS has announced the official 401(k) contribution limits for 2026.
2026 401(k) Contribution Limits:
| Category | Limit |
| Employee Contribution (Under Age 50) | $24,500 |
| Age 50+ Catch-up Contribution (Ages 50-59, 64+) | $8,000 |
| Age 60-63 “Super” Catch-up Contribution | $11,250 |
| Total Employee + Employer Contributions | $72,000 |
Key Details:
- The employee contribution limit of $24,500 applies to traditional and Roth 401(k) plans, as well as most 403(b) and governmental 457 plans.
- Individuals age 50 and older can make an additional catch-up contribution.
- A special, higher catch-up limit of $11,250 is available for employees aged 60-63, as provisioned by the SECURE 2.0 Act, if their plan allows.
- The total combined limit (employee and employer contributions) for a defined contribution plan increases to $72,000 for those under age 50.
Important Note for High Earners in 2026:
Starting in 2026, participants whose wages exceeded $145,000 (indexed for inflation) in the prior year must make any catch-up contributions to a Roth (after-tax) account. If an employer’s plan does not offer a Roth option, these high earners may lose the ability to make catch-up contributions altogether.
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