By Dr. Jim Dahle, WCI FounderContribution limits for 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, FSAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and SEP-IRAs are all indexed to inflation. While the retirement contribution limits do not go up every year, and while every account does not use the same formula for when there will be an increase, you will generally see an increased contribution every year or two.
Although inflation exploded in 2022, meaning the 2023 contribution limits increased in a relatively significant way, it's mostly been tamed in the past three years, and as a result, the increases in those limits for 2026 are back to normal. If you know the latest inflation numbers, it is possible to calculate the increase even before the IRS announces it in October or November (in 2024, the IRS officially released its figures on November 1).
Note that 2022's Secure Act 2.0 changed catch-up contributions in significant ways. The 401(k)/403(b) catch-up for those 50 years old or older has always been indexed to inflation. But the law stated that, starting in 2024, if you have Social Security wages of $145,000+ (indexed to inflation), those catch-up contributions would now have to come on the Roth side. In 2026, the Social Security wage threshold will rise to $150,000+. That means tax-deferred catch-up contributions would no longer be allowed for these high earners.
Eventually, the IRS announced that it was pushing back that provision until 2026, so unless something changes in the next few months, catch-up contributions for most white coat investors will have to come via Roth [in September 2025, this provision was moved back to 2027].
Also remember that beginning in 2025, catch-up contributions were increased even more for those who are 60-63 years old (it'll be the larger of $10,000 or 50% more than the regular catch-up contributions).
All that said, here are the limits for 2026 retirement plan contributions.
2026 401(k) and 403(b) Employee Contribution Limit
The total employee contribution limit to all 401(k) and 403(b) plans for those under 50 will go up from $23,500 in 2025 to $24,500 in 2026. The catch-up contribution limit will rise from $7,500 in 2025 to $8,000 in 2026, so if you're 50+, your 401(k) employee contribution limit will be $32,500 in 2026.
But if you are aged 60-63 by the end of 2026, your catch-up contribution will be $11,500, meaning you can contribute a total of $36,000. [FOUNDER'S NOTE: Still researching this, it may be as high as $12,000, 150% of $8,000.]
2026 401(k)/403(b)/401(a) Total Contribution Limit
The total of all employee and employer contributions per employer will increase from $70,000 in 2025 to $72,000 in 2026 for those under 50. With the catch-up increasing to $8,000, the total contribution for those 50+ will be $80,000. If you're 60-63, that contribution increases to $83,500.
Note that the 401(a) limit is separate from the 403(b) limit. So, you could theoretically get $72,000 into each of them.
2026 457(b) Contribution Limit
457(b) contribution limits will increase from $23,500 in 2025 to $24,500 in 2026. 457(b)s have unique catch-up contribution rules, so consult with your plan administrator if you are interested in putting more in your 457(b).
2026 Traditional and Roth IRA Contribution Limits
IRA contribution limits will increase from $7,000 in 2025 to $7,500 in 2026. The catch-up contribution limit will rise from $1,000 in 2025 to $1,100 in 2026.
2026 SEP-IRA Contribution Limits
SEP-IRA contribution limits will increase from $70,000 per year for 2025 to $72,000 in 2026.
2026 SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) Contribution Limits
The SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k) contribution limits will increase from $16,500 in 2025 to $17,000 in 2026.
2026 Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution Limits
For single people, the HSA contribution limit will increase from $4,300 in 2025 to $4,400 in 2026. Family coverage will increase from $8,550 to $8,750. The $1,000 catch-up contribution for those 55+ remains the same.
2026 Flexible Savings Account (FSA) Contribution Limits
Healthcare FSA contribution limits will increase from $3,300 in 2025 to $3,400 in 2026. Note that there are other types of FSAs (such as dependent care FSAs) with different limits.
Other Interesting Increases
The 401(a) compensation limit (the amount of earned income that can be used to calculate retirement account contributions) will increase from $350,000 in 2025 to $360,000 in 2026. This is always 5X the maximum 401(k) plan total contribution limit.
The deductibility phaseout for IRA contributions for those with a retirement plan at work increases from $79,000-$89,000 in 2025 for singles to $81,000-$91,000 in 2026, and it'll move from $126,000-$146,000 in 2025 for those Married Filing Jointly to $129,000-$149,000.
The Roth IRA Direct Contribution Limit phaseout will increase from $150,000-$165,000 in 2025 for singles to $153,000-$168,000 and from $236,000-$246,000 in 2025 for those Married Filing Jointly to $242,000-$252,000. If your MAGI is above that, you'll need to contribute indirectly via the Backdoor Roth IRA process.
While Social Security benefits increased by 8.7% for 2023, the bumps for 2024 and 2025 were much more modest at 3.2% and 2.57%, respectively. The number for 2026 is not yet known.
The definition of a highly compensated employee will remain the same in 2026 at $160,000.
While it feels like all of these are increases, they are really just keeping up with inflation. On a real (after-inflation) basis, they're basically the same as this year.
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What do you think? Are you surprised by any of these? Are you glad they're indexed to inflation?
It looks like the IRS has officially released its numbers – it looks pretty accurate correct? Any changes from the September article?
Thanks!
I think we got it right.
For the 403b contribution limits ($23,000 per year), does money earned from December 2024 that is deposited into accounts on Jan 1, 2025 count towards the 2024 or 2025 limit? I receive paychecks only once per month on the 1st of the month, so this affects how I calculate contributions to the 403b. Thank you!
Usually 2024 but ask HR to be sure.
I am 60 and contribute to a 401(k) and a 457(b) through one employer, no match. In 2025, I plan to contribute the max catch-up to both, which will be $34,750 to the 401(k) [$23,500 + $11,250 60+ catch-up] and $47,000 to the 457(b) [$23,500 + $23,500 traditional catch-up]. The SavingsPlus website states the most I can contribute to the combination of plans is $77,500. I believe that is incorrect. From what I can figure out from links to this article, 401(k) and 457(b) contributions are not aggregated, and catch-up contributions are disregarded in any aggregation. Am I ok with maxing out both plans for 2025?
You are correct, 457(b)s have a totally separate limit from 401(k)s (the 415(c) limit). Yes, go ahead and max out both. 457(b) catch-up contributions can be weird though so make sure you’re choosing one of the possible options your plan offers.
Employed as a W2 at an institution with both 457b and 403b options, both with good choices for investing. Also work on the side as 1099 with another group, with the option for a solo 401k. If I contribute the max in 2025 of $70,000 between the solo 401k and the 403b, can I also put an additional $23,500 in the 457b for a total of $93,500, or is the total allowable maximum $70,000 between the solo 401k and the combination of 403b and 457b at my main employer?
Catch up contributions must be Roth beginning in 2027 (per announcement/clarification last week from the IRS):
“The provisions in the final regulations relating to the Roth catch-up requirement generally apply to contributions in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2026. However, the final regulations provide a later applicability date for certain governmental plans and plans maintained under a collective bargaining agreement. The final regulations also permit plans to implement the Roth catch-up requirement for taxable years beginning before 2027 using a reasonable, good faith interpretation of statutory provisions. ”
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-issue-final-regulations-on-new-roth-catch-up-rule-other-secure-2point0-act-provisions
https://www.groom.com/resources/irs-issues-final-regulations-on-catch-up-rule-changes/
Thanks Tyler. I thought I saw a recent IRS Newswire release about 2027 for mandatory Roth status form401(k) catch up contributions.
Thanks for catching that, Ty. What is this? The third time the Roth catch-up contribution thing has been delayed?
How will this impact Roth savings?
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/high-earners-age-50-and-older-are-about-to-lose-a-major-401-k-tax-break-75572091?mod=mhp
Increase it presumably.
I wanted clarification on the SECURE 2.0 Act for the self-employed. It seems the requirement for the mandate for catch-up 401k contribution may not be required to go to a Roth 401k for those with only self-employed income.
This is from the IRS: “For self-employed individuals with a Solo 401(k), the mandate generally does not apply unless you had over $150,000 in traditional wages from another employer in 2025.”
Interesting. I had not heard that exception before. Can you post a link to your citation?
These citations all state that those with only self-employed income are exempt from the Roth requirement for catch-up 401k contributions. These 3 citations say the rule only applies to “employees” with FICA wages, and self-employed high-earners without W2 income are exempt:
https://retirement.johnhancock.com/us/en/viewpoints/legislative–regulatory/secure-2-0-s-new-roth-catch-up-contribution-rule—manulife-john#:~:text=Participants%20who%20don't%20receive,t%20subject%20to%20the%20rule.
https://irahelp.com/irs-confirms-effective-date-of-mandatory-roth-catch-up-rule/#:~:text=That%20rule%20requires%20high%2Dpaid,but%20instead%20have%20earned%20income.
https://www.greenbushfinancial.com/all-blogs/roth-catch-up-contributions-high-wage-earners-secure-act-2#:~:text=Employees%2520that%2520have%2520%E2%80%9CWages%E2%80%9D,October%2520of%2520the%2520following%2520year.
Thank you!