401k Calculator & Guide
The 2026 401(k) employee contribution limit is $24,500. Learn how catch-up contributions, employer contributions, Roth 401(k) deferrals and the overall annual-additions limit affect how much can go into your retirement plan.
The IRS increased the basic employee elective-deferral limit from $23,500 in 2025 to $24,500 in 2026.
The basic 2026 elective-deferral limit for most 401(k) plans. Traditional and designated Roth employee contributions generally share this limit.
Eligible participants age 50 or older can generally contribute an additional $8,000 if the plan permits catch-up contributions.
Eligible participants who attain age 60, 61, 62 or 63 during 2026 can generally use the higher catch-up limit.
Here are the principal federal retirement-plan limits relevant to a typical 401(k) for 2026.
| Limit | 2026 Amount | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferrals | $24,500 | Basic employee salary-deferral limit. |
| Standard age 50+ catch-up | $8,000 | Additional amount for eligible participants age 50+. |
| Age 60–63 catch-up | $11,250 | Higher catch-up for eligible participants attaining age 60–63 during 2026. |
| Defined-contribution annual additions | $72,000 | General annual-additions limit before applicable catch-up contributions. |
| Maximum compensation considered | $360,000 | Compensation limit used for certain plan calculations. |
| Highly compensated employee threshold | $160,000 | 2026 threshold used for applicable nondiscrimination rules. |
Source: Internal Revenue Service, 2026 cost-of-living adjustments for retirement plans.
Enter your age and planned employee contribution to see the applicable federal employee limit illustrated for 2026.
Catch-up contributions can increase the amount an eligible participant contributes beyond the basic $24,500 employee limit.
No age-based catch-up is included.
$24,500 basic limit plus the $8,000 catch-up.
$24,500 basic limit plus the $11,250 higher catch-up.
The $24,500 limit is the employee elective-deferral limit. Employer matching and other employer contributions are handled under a separate annual-additions limit.
Employer matching contributions can be made in addition to your employee elective deferrals, subject to the plan and applicable annual-additions rules.
An employer may contribute to your account even when the contribution is not based directly on your own salary deferral.
The general 2026 defined-contribution annual-additions limit before applicable catch-up contributions.
The following examples divide the $24,500 annual employee limit evenly across common payroll schedules. Actual payroll amounts depend on your plan and contribution elections.
Yes. Traditional and designated Roth 401(k) employee deferrals generally share the same $24,500 elective-deferral limit for 2026.
Employee elective deferrals are generally made on a pre-tax basis, subject to the plan and applicable tax rules.
Designated Roth contributions are made on an after-tax basis. They generally count toward the same employee elective-deferral limit.
If your plan allows both sources, you can generally split employee contributions between them, but the combined amount remains subject to the applicable limit.
The federal limit is only one part of your contribution planning. Your payroll schedule, employer match and plan rules also matter.
Confirm the contribution options, employer match and any plan-specific restrictions.
Select a contribution percentage that fits your salary and payroll schedule.
Monitor year-to-date employee deferrals, particularly if you participate in more than one applicable plan.
If eligible, determine whether the standard or age 60–63 higher catch-up applies.
Continue through the contribution cluster to understand the rules behind the annual limits.
Use the calculators to turn the 2026 limits into contribution, matching and retirement projections.
Common questions about the federal 401(k) limits for 2026.
Use the current federal limits as your starting point, then calculate contributions, employer matching and long-term growth.
Clear guides, useful calculators and practical retirement resources to help you understand your 401(k), contributions, employer matching, Roth options, rollovers and long-term savings.
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