Retirement contribution limits for 2026

Each year, the IRS adjusts retirement account contribution limits to reflect inflation. For 2026, those updates may allow you to save more, especially if you participate in a workplace retirement plan.

Here’s a breakdown of the expected changes across 401(k)s, 403(b)s, most 457 plans, federal Thrift Savings Plans, IRAs, SIMPLE plans and more.

Workplace retirement plan contribution limits

Employees contributing to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans or the federal Thrift Savings Plan can expect a limit increase of $1,000 in 2026. That brings the maximum annual contribution to $24,500, up from $23,500 in 2025.

SIMPLE retirement accounts also see an increase. The standard limit rises to $17,500, while eligible participants under SECURE 2.0 may contribute up to $18,100.

Catch-up contributions for workplace retirement plans

Catch-up contributions for those age 50 and older has increased to $8,000, allowing a total contribution of $32,500 for 2026.

However, SECURE 2.0 introduced higher catch-up limits for participants aged 60–63. These individuals may contribute an additional $11,250, instead of the standard $8,000.¹

For SIMPLE plans, the catch-up limit for those 50+ rises to $4,000. Participants aged 60–63 may qualify for a higher catch-up amount of $5,250.¹

Roth catch-up contributions: New requirement for high earners

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, certain catch-up contributions must be made as Roth (after-tax) contributions:

• Applies to employees age 50+ participating in a 401(k), 403(b) or governmental 457(b) plan.
• Mandatory for those who earned more than $150,000 in FICA wages with the sponsoring employer in the prior calendar year (subject to cost-of-living adjustments).
• These employees must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. Pre-tax contributions are allowed only up to the standard deferral limit; any additional catch-up amounts must be Roth.
• If the employer’s plan does not offer a Roth option, affected employees will not be able to make catch-up contributions at all.

This change is part of the SECURE 2.0 legislation and is designed to increase after-tax retirement savings for higher-income earners.

IRA contribution limits

Traditional and Roth IRA contribution limits increase to $7,500 for 2026. Taxpayers age 50 and older can contribute an additional $1,100, for a total of $8,600.

Keep in mind that Roth IRA eligibility depends on income. For 2026:

• Single and head-of-household filers can contribute the full amount if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below $153,000. Contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000, and are disallowed above $168,000.
• Married couples filing jointly can contribute fully with MAGI below $242,000. The phase-out range is $242,000 to $252,000, with no contributions allowed above $252,000.

Traditional IRA contributions are not subject to income limits, but deductibility may be affected.

IRA deduction phase-out thresholds

If you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan, your ability to deduct traditional IRA contributions may be limited:

• Single filers: $81,000–$91,000
• Married filing jointly (covered spouse): $129,000–$149,000
• Married filing jointly (non-covered contributor, covered spouse): $242,000–$252,000
• Married filing separately: $0–$10,000 (unchanged)

Saver’s Credit income limits

The Saver’s Credit helps eligible taxpayers reduce their federal tax bill when contributing to retirement accounts. For 2026, the income thresholds are:

• $80,500 for married couples filing jointly
• $60,375 for heads of household
• $40,250 for single filers and married filing separately

For a full breakdown of IRS retirement contribution limits, visit Voya’s IRS Limits page.