What are catch-up contributions?

401K Planning, General, Investment, IRA Contributions, Retirement, Retirement Savings, Retirement Strategy

If you are 50 or older, or you will reach age 50 by the end of the year, you may be able to make contributions to your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan above the normal contribution limit. Catch-up contributions are designed to help you make up any retirement savings shortfall by bumping up the amount you can save in the years leading up to retirement. Catch-up contributions can be made to traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as to 401(k) plans and certain other employer-sponsored retirement plans. But if you participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, check plan rules — not all plans allow catch-up contributions.

How much can you contribute as a catch-up contribution? It depends on the type of retirement plan you have and the tax year for which you are making the contribution.

401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b) plans:*

$24,500 regular annual contribution limit; for those age 50 to 59 and 64 and older, the catch-up contribution limit is $8,000 in 2026; for those who reach age 60 to 63 in 2026, the catch-up contribution is $11,250

SIMPLE plans (more than 25 employees):

$17,000 regular annual contribution limit; for those age 50 to 59 and 64 and older, the catch-up contribution limit is $4,000 in 2026; for those who reach age 60 to 63 in 2026, the catch-up contribution is $5,250

SIMPLE plans (25 or fewer employees):

$18,100 regular annual contribution limit; for those age 50 to 59 and 64 and older, the catch-up contribution limit is $3,850 in 2026; for those who reach age 60 to 63 in 2026, the catch-up contribution is $5,250
Plans with more than 25 employees may elect these higher limits, provided they follow certain rules requiring higher matching and nonelective contributions

Traditional and Roth IRAs:

$7,500 regular annual contribution limit and $1,100 catch-up contribution limit for those age 50 and older in 2026

*403(b) and 457(b) plans also have special catch-up rules that may apply.

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