401k Calculator & Guide
The official 2028 401(k) contribution limits have not yet been published by the IRS. This page tracks the upcoming limits and explains what the latest official retirement-plan rules mean for your 2028 planning.
The IRS adjusts certain retirement-plan dollar limits for cost-of-living changes. The official amount for each year should be taken from the IRS announcement for that year.
The currently published IRS 401(k) figures are for 2026. The IRS states that applicable retirement-plan limits are subject to cost-of-living adjustments. Until the IRS publishes the 2028 amounts, this page clearly identifies them as pending.
The 2028 basic employee elective-deferral limit has not yet been officially published.
2028 PENDINGThe 2028 standard catch-up amount has not yet been officially published.
2028 PENDINGThe enhanced 2028 catch-up amount has not yet been officially published.
2028 PENDINGThe 2028 defined-contribution annual-additions limit has not yet been officially published.
2028 PENDINGThe table separates future 2028 figures from the latest official IRS amounts currently available.
| 401(k) Limit | 2026 Official | 2028 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral | $24,500 | Not announced |
| Age 50+ catch-up contribution | $8,000 | Not announced |
| Age 60–63 higher catch-up | $11,250 | Not announced |
| Defined-contribution annual additions | $72,000 | Not announced |
| Annual compensation limit | $360,000 | Not announced |
| Highly compensated employee threshold | $160,000 | Not announced |
Source: Internal Revenue Service. The 2026 figures shown here are official IRS amounts. The 2028 figures will be updated when the IRS publishes the applicable limits.
Several different limits can apply to contributions made to a defined-contribution retirement plan.
Catch-up contributions can provide eligible older workers with additional contribution room above the basic annual elective-deferral limit.
The 2026 standard catch-up contribution is $8,000. The corresponding 2028 amount is not yet official.
The 2026 enhanced catch-up amount is $11,250. The corresponding 2028 amount is not yet official.
Certain higher-paid participants can be subject to Roth catch-up requirements under applicable SECURE 2.0 rules.
Catch-up amounts are subject to applicable cost-of-living adjustments.
Your employer's matching contribution does not simply replace your employee elective-deferral limit. Employer contributions are relevant to the overall annual-additions rules.
You choose how much of your eligible compensation to contribute, subject to your plan and applicable annual limits.
Your employer may make matching or nonelective contributions according to the terms of the plan.
Employee and employer contributions can be subject to the applicable overall annual-additions limit.
Recent official limits demonstrate why the 2028 amount should come from the IRS announcement rather than an unofficial estimate.
Source: Internal Revenue Service, retirement-plan cost-of-living adjustment tables.
You can review your retirement contribution strategy now without knowing the final 2028 IRS dollar amounts.
Check how much of your salary you currently contribute to your 401(k).
Review your Summary Plan Description for the matching formula, eligibility rules and vesting schedule.
Once the IRS publishes the 2028 figures, compare the official limits with your planned contributions.
Connect this annual-limit page with the broader contribution, calculator and source clusters.
Common questions about the upcoming 2028 retirement-plan contribution limits.
Review your current contribution rate, understand your employer match and use our calculators while you wait for the official IRS 2028 figures.
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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