Your retirement contribution limit depends on how old you turn this year — not just the plan you use. This tool applies the 2026 IRS limits, the age 50 catch-up, and the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for ages 60-63.
These scenarios are computed with the same formula the calculator uses. 2026 figures come from IRS Notice 2025-67.
Profile: Jordan turns 30 in 2026 and contributes to a 401(k).
Profile: Priya turns 52 in 2026 and maxes out her 401(k).
Profile: Marcus turns 61 in 2026, inside the 60-63 super catch-up window.
Profile: Elena turns 55 and contributes to a Roth IRA.
Profile: Devon turns 60 and contributes to a SIMPLE IRA at a small employer.
The IRS adjusts contribution limits for inflation each year and applies age-based catch-up rules. Your age on December 31 of the tax year determines which limit applies, so a person who turns 50 in November can still use the catch-up for that whole year.
| Plan | Under 50 | Age 50-59 | Age 60-63 | Age 64+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k)/403(b) | $24,500 | $32,500 | $35,750 | $32,500 |
| IRA (Trad/Roth) | $7,500 | $8,600 | $8,600 | $8,600 |
| SIMPLE IRA | $17,000 | $21,000 | $21,000 | $21,000 |
| SEP IRA | $72,000 (all ages, no catch-up) | |||
Starting in 2025, SECURE 2.0 replaced the standard catch-up with a larger catch-up for workers aged 60 through 63. In 2026 that means $11,250 instead of $8,000 — an extra $3,250 of tax-deferred space. The window applies only in the four years before you reach 64, then reverts to the standard $8,000 catch-up.
Who uses this: high-income workers in their early 60s who are still employed and want to accelerate savings in the final years before retirement. The extra amount is inflation-indexed and the age band is fixed by statute.
The 402(g) deferral limit above is what you can elect from your paycheck. Employer match and profit-sharing go on top, and those are capped by the separate 415(c) annual additions limit — $72,000 in 2026 ($80,000 including catch-up). If your plan is generous, your true ceiling is the 415(c) number, not the deferral limit shown here.
Anyone deciding how much to defer per paycheck should check their age band first. A 49-year-old planning a catch-up next year, a 61-year-old with one more high-earning year, and a 70-year-old still working all face different ceilings. Payroll systems often apply the standard limit by default, so employees who qualify for the catch-up must explicitly elect the higher amount in their benefits portal.
Two strategies compete for the same paycheck: front-load contributions early in the year to capture compounding, or spread them evenly for smoother cash flow. Because the catch-up is an annual limit and not a monthly one, you can contribute the entire $35,750 across as few paychecks as you like — as long as you do not exceed the cap by December 31. Excess deferrals corrected after the deadline are taxed twice, once in the year contributed and again when distributed.
IRAs have a much smaller limit but far more investment freedom and no employer involvement. The IRA catch-up ($1,100) is smaller than the 401(k) catch-up and is not eligible for the super catch-up. High earners may also face IRA deduction phase-outs or Roth contribution income limits that this calculator does not model — check the plan-specific pages linked below.
⚠️ Important: Contribution limits and eligibility rules are set annually by the IRS and can change. This calculator uses 2026 figures from IRS Notice 2025-67 and does not model income-based phase-outs, Roth income limits, or employer-imposed caps. Verify with your plan administrator or a tax professional before making contribution decisions.