The IRS unveiled contribution limit changes for popular retirement plans, including 401(k) plans and IRAs.
Americans who contribute to 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as governmental 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan, will see their contribution limit rise to $24,500 in 2026 — an increase from $23,500 in 2025 — the IRS announced in November.
The IRA contribution limit is also rising in the new year, increasing to $7,500 in 2026 from $7,000 in 2025.
People aged 50 and up who are looking to ramp up their retirement savings through the use of catch-up contributions to IRAs will be able to contribute an extra $1,100 to their IRA starting in 2026 — up from an additional $1,000 in 2025. That change came about due to a provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act requiring an annual cost-of-living adjustment.
For workers aged 50 and up who participate in 401(k), 403(b), government 457 plans and the federal Thrift Savings Plan will have their catch-up contribution limit increase to $8,000 in 2026, an increase from $7,500 in 2025.
That means workers who are eligible for catch-up contributions and participate in such plans would see their total contribution limit rise to $32,500 starting in 2026.
A policy change from the SECURE 2.0 Act also created a higher catch-up contribution limit for workers aged 60 through 63 who participate in those plans. They will have a catch-up limit of $11,250 — rather than the $8,000 for younger savers — which will remain unchanged in 2026.