The 2026 401(k) elective-deferral limit is $24,500 (IRS Notice 2025-67) — plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ and $11,250 at ages 60–63. Enter your salary and contribution below to see your annual savings and employer match.
2026 limits per IRS Notice 2025-67: $24,500 base, +$8,000 catch-up (50+), +$11,250 enhanced catch-up (ages 60–63).
The 2026 401(k) max contribution is $24,500 in elective deferrals (IRS Notice 2025-67). Workers 50+ can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total); ages 60–63 get $11,250 ($35,750 total). Enter your salary above to see your annual savings plus employer match.
Most people set their 401(k) percentage on day one and never touch it again. If that’s you, you’re leaving free money behind. The fix takes 90 seconds — here’s exactly how the math works.
How to use this 401(k) max contribution calculator
Four steps, two minutes, one number you can act on:
- Enter your gross annual salary — the pre-tax figure on your offer letter.
- Set your contribution percentage — your current per-paycheck rate is fine to start.
- Add your employer match and pick your age band — Under 50, 50+, or 60–63 — since your IRS ceiling depends on it.
- Read your total — your contribution capped at the IRS limit, plus the employer match, plus the per-paycheck figure.
2026 401(k) contribution limits
The IRS sets the ceiling; your plan can set a lower one. Here are the 2026 federal maximums per IRS Notice 2025-67 and SECURE 2.0:
| Your age in 2026 | Max you can contribute | Catch-up included |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — |
| 50+ | $32,500 | +$8,000 |
| 60–63 | $35,750 | +$11,250 enhanced |
One catch: some plans cap contributions below the IRS limit — confirm with your plan documents.
The max-contribution formula, explained
Annual savings = min(your contribution, IRS limit for your age band) + employer match. Two caps, one addition — that’s the whole formula.
Run it with real numbers. On a $90,000 salary at 10%, you put in $9,000. A 50% match up to 6% of salary covers 6% × $90,000 = $5,400 — half of that, $2,700, lands in your account. Total: $9,000 + $2,700 = $11,700.
To max the full $24,500 on $90,000, contribute $24,500 ÷ $90,000 — about 27% of each paycheck. Steep, but now it’s a target, not a guess.
When maxing out makes sense — and when it doesn’t
Max out when three things line up: you’re in a high bracket now, you’ve captured the full employer match, and a 3–6 month emergency fund sits untouched. Three green lights — go.
Hold off when: high-interest debt is eating you alive — a 24% APR beats any market return — or maxing out leaves you cash-strapped. The order that never fails: full match first, then +1% per raise.
401(k) max contribution FAQs
What is the maximum 401(k) contribution for 2026?
$24,500 in elective deferrals if you’re under 50. At 50 or older, add an $8,000 catch-up for $32,500 total. Ages 60–63 get an enhanced $11,250 catch-up — $35,750 total. All three figures come from IRS Notice 2025-67, and SECURE 2.0 created the 60–63 tier.
What percentage of my salary do I need to contribute to max out?
Divide $24,500 by your salary. On $100,000, that’s 24.5%; on $150,000, it’s 16.3%. But don’t fixate on the max — contribute at least enough to capture your full employer match first, then nudge your rate up 1% with every raise until you hit the ceiling.
Does my employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 cap covers only your elective deferrals. Employer matching dollars sit outside it, under a separate $70,000 annual-additions limit for 2026 that covers your contributions, the match, and any after-tax contributions combined. The match never crowds out your own contributions.
What happens if I contribute too much to my 401(k)?
You must withdraw the excess — plus any earnings on it — by April 15 of the following year. Miss that deadline and the excess gets taxed twice: once going in, again coming out in retirement. Payroll usually caps you, but watch out if you switch jobs mid-year.
Should I choose Roth or pre-tax 401(k) contributions?
Pre-tax contributions cut this year’s taxable income; Roth contributions are after-tax but grow and withdraw tax-free. Pick pre-tax if you’re in a high bracket now, Roth if you expect higher taxes in retirement. Note: under SECURE 2.0, higher earners’ catch-up contributions must go to Roth.
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Estimates only — not tax advice. Limits per IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026). Plan rules, vesting, and investment options vary — confirm with your plan administrator.