# What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

*Workers aged 50 and over can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000 in most plans, and the limit on annual contributions to an IRA is $7,500.*

- Type: Explainer
- Section: Business
- By: Business Desk
- Published: 2026-11-11T22:27:09-05:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T22:27:09-05:00
- URL: https://factsdesk.com/business/what-is-the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-2026/

## Key facts

- The 401(k) contribution limit for employees is $24,500 for 2026, up from $23,500 for 2025, the Internal Revenue Service said. Source: [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500). Confirmed 2026-11-11T22:26:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/business/what-is-the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-2026/#the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-employees-is-24-500-for
- The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over in most 401(k) plans is $8,000 for 2026, up from $7,500 for 2025. Source: [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500). Confirmed 2026-11-11T22:26:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/business/what-is-the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-2026/#the-catch-up-contribution-limit-for-employees-aged-50-and
- A higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for 2026 to employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63. Source: [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500). Confirmed 2026-11-11T22:26:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/business/what-is-the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-2026/#a-higher-catch-up-contribution-limit-of-11-250-applies-for
- The limit on annual contributions to an IRA is $7,500 for 2026, up from $7,000, and the IRA catch-up limit for people aged 50 and over is $1,100. Source: [Internal Revenue Service](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500). Confirmed 2026-11-11T22:26:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/business/what-is-the-401-k-contribution-limit-for-2026/#the-limit-on-annual-contributions-to-an-ira-is-7-500-for

The 401(k) contribution limit for 2026 is $24,500, up from $23,500 for 2025, the Internal Revenue Service said in a [news release](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500) on November 13, 2025. The same annual limit applies to employees who participate in 403(b) plans, governmental 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan.

## The 2026 limits

The figures below come from the [IRS release](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500), which the agency numbered IR-2025-111 and which cites Notice 2025-67.

| Limit | 2026 | 2025 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Employee contributions to a 401(k) | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Catch-up, aged 50 and over | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| Annual contributions to an IRA | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| IRA catch-up, aged 50 and over | $1,100 | $1,000 |

The IRS [table of yearly limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/cola-increases-for-dollar-limitations-on-benefits-and-contributions) lists the same four figures for 2026 and 2025.

## Catch-up contributions for older workers

The catch-up contribution limit that generally applies to employees aged 50 and over in most 401(k) plans is $8,000 for 2026, according to the [release](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500). The IRS said participants in those plans who are 50 and older generally can contribute up to $32,500 each year, starting in 2026.

A higher catch-up limit applies to employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 under a change made in the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. For 2026 that higher limit remains $11,250 instead of $8,000, the [release](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500) said. The IRS page on [401(k) contribution limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits) gives the same $24,500, $8,000 and $11,250 figures for 2026.

## The IRA limit

The limit on annual contributions to an IRA is $7,500 for 2026, up from $7,000, the [release](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500) said. The IRA catch-up contribution limit for people aged 50 and over is $1,100 for 2026, up from $1,000 for 2025. The IRS said that catch-up limit was amended under SECURE 2.0 to include an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

For another yearly adjustment, see [What is the Social Security COLA for 2027?](/business/what-is-the-social-security-cola-for-2027/)

## Sources

1. [401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500), Internal Revenue Service, 2025-11-13 (primary source)
2. [COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/cola-increases-for-dollar-limitations-on-benefits-and-contributions), Internal Revenue Service, 2026-08-24 (primary source)
3. [Retirement topics: 401(k) and profit-sharing plan contribution limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits), Internal Revenue Service, 2026-04-08 (primary source)