What is the 2026 catch-up contribution limit?

In 2026 the standard catch-up for ages 50-59 and 64+ is $8,000, and the enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63 is $11,250. That raises the total employee deferral to $32,500 (ages 50-59 and 64+) or $35,750 (ages 60-63).

Who qualifies for the higher age-60-to-63 catch-up limit?

Only participants who are age 60, 61, 62 or 63 by the end of the calendar year qualify for the enhanced catch-up. At age 64 the limit reverts to the standard catch-up amount.

Does an employer match count toward the employee limit?

No. Employer matching and profit-sharing do not count against your employee elective-deferral limit, but they do count toward the total defined-contribution plan limit ($72,000 for 2026, plus any catch-up).

Do Roth and traditional 401(k) contributions share a limit?

Yes. Traditional pre-tax and Roth employee deferrals share the same annual employee-deferral limit; you cannot contribute the full limit to each separately. Our guide on traditional vs Roth 401(k) explains how to split contributions.

What is the total 401(k) plan contribution limit?

The total defined-contribution limit combining employee and employer contributions is $72,000 for 2026 and $70,000 for 2025, excluding eligible catch-up contributions.

Are projected investment returns guaranteed?

No. All projected returns, salary increases and ending balances are estimates based on your assumptions, not guaranteed outcomes.

How often do IRS contribution limits change?

The IRS reviews retirement-plan limits annually and adjusts them for inflation, so they typically change each year. This calculator stores limits by year so they can be updated without changing the logic.

2026 401(k) Growth and Contribution Calculator

Project 401(k) growth with 2026 contribution limits, age-based catch-up rules, employer match and investment returns.

Reviewed by the Smart Finance Calculators Editorial TeamLast reviewed: July 21, 2026

Contribution limits are year-based. 2026 employee deferral limit $24,500; age 50-59 catch-up +$8,000; enhanced age 60-63 catch-up +$11,250. Projections are estimates, not guaranteed returns.

This calculator needs JavaScript for live results, but here is everything it covers:

How to use it: For the selected year and your age by year end, the tool applies the employee elective-deferral limit plus the age-based catch-up (standard for ages 50-59 and 64+, enhanced for ages 60-63). Employer match and profit-sharing are added but validated against the total defined-contribution plan limit. Each year the balance grows by your expected return net of fees.

Fields: Contribution year, Age by end of year, Retirement age, Current 401(k) balance, Annual salary, Employee traditional contribution, Employee Roth contribution, Employer match, Match limit (% of salary), Employer profit-sharing (per year), Annual salary increase, Annual contribution increase, Expected annual return, Annual fees (of balance), Expected inflation.

Formula: Each year: Balance = Balance × (1 + return − fees) + employee deferral (capped at the age-based limit) + employer contributions (capped so the combined total stays within the plan limit).

Worked example: In 2026 a participant under 50 can defer up to $24,500; ages 50-59 up to $32,500; ages 60-63 up to $35,750 (enhanced catch-up); age 64+ back to $32,500. Employer match and profit-sharing count toward the $72,000 total plan limit but not the employee-deferral limit.

Enter your details

Values update automatically. Currency: USD.

Contribution year

Age by end of year

Retirement age

Current 401(k) balance

Annual salary

Employee traditional contribution

Employee Roth contribution

Employer match

Match limit (% of salary)

Employer profit-sharing (per year)

Annual salary increase

Annual contribution increase

Expected annual return

Annual fees (of balance)

Expected inflation

Beginning in 2026, certain higher-paid participants who make catch-up contributions may be required to make those catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. Eligibility depends on prior-year wages from the plan sponsor and the features of your employer's plan. This calculator does not determine that requirement.

Results

Contribution year: 2026
Age by end of year: 30
Employee contribution (year 1): $5,600.00
Employer contribution (year 1): $2,100.00
Applicable employee limit: $24,500.00
Applicable catch-up limit: None (under 50)
Total plan limit (year 1): $72,000.00
Total annual contribution (year 1): $7,700.00
Projected employee contributions: $338,587.66
Projected employer contributions: $126,970.37
Estimated investment growth: $1,070,333.40
Estimated ending balance: $1,555,891.43
Inflation-adjusted ending balance: $655,607.63
Assumed annual return: 7.00%
Assumed salary increase: 3.00%
Assumed contribution increase: 0.00%
Assumed annual fees: 0.50%

Age	Employee	Employer	Balance
31	$5,600.00	$2,100.00	$29,000.00
32	$5,768.00	$2,163.00	$38,816.00
33	$5,941.04	$2,227.89	$49,507.97
34	$6,119.27	$2,294.73	$61,139.99
35	$6,302.85	$2,363.57	$73,780.50
36	$6,491.93	$2,434.48	$87,502.65
37	$6,686.69	$2,507.51	$102,384.52
38	$6,887.29	$2,582.74	$118,509.54
39	$7,093.91	$2,660.22	$135,966.79
40	$7,306.73	$2,740.02	$154,851.39
41	$7,525.93	$2,822.22	$175,264.88
42	$7,751.71	$2,906.89	$197,315.70

What the 401(k) Growth calculator does

A 401(k) growth calculator projects the future value of an employer-sponsored retirement account, factoring in your employee traditional and Roth contributions, employer matching and profit-sharing, annual raises, fees and investment returns. It applies the correct IRS employee-deferral and catch-up limits for the year and your age.

How the calculation works

For the selected year and your age by year end, the tool applies the employee elective-deferral limit plus the age-based catch-up (standard for ages 50-59 and 64+, enhanced for ages 60-63). Employer match and profit-sharing are added but validated against the total defined-contribution plan limit. Each year the balance grows by your expected return net of fees.

Formula

Each year: Balance = Balance × (1 + return − fees) + employee deferral (capped at the age-based limit) + employer contributions (capped so the combined total stays within the plan limit).

What your results mean

In 2026 a participant under 50 can defer up to $24,500; ages 50-59 up to $32,500; ages 60-63 up to $35,750 (enhanced catch-up); age 64+ back to $32,500. Employer match and profit-sharing count toward the $72,000 total plan limit but not the employee-deferral limit.

Limitations: Contribution limits change yearly and are stored by year. Returns, raises, fees and continued employment are assumptions — projections are estimates, not guaranteed returns.

401(k) contribution limits by year

Year	Employee deferral	Age 50-59 catch-up	Age 60-63 catch-up	Total plan limit
2026	$24,500	$8,000	$11,250	$72,000
2025	$23,500	$7,500	$11,250	$70,000
2024	$23,000	$7,500	$7,500	$69,000
2023	$22,500	$7,500	$7,500	$66,000

2026 Roth catch-up notice

Sources and methodology

Figures are drawn from official Internal Revenue Service guidance and applied using progressive, year-based data configurations.

Last reviewed and verified: July 21, 2026 · Source: Internal Revenue Service

Tax laws and retirement contribution limits may change. Verify important decisions with current IRS guidance or a qualified tax or financial professional.

Frequently asked questions

For 2026 the standard employee elective-deferral limit is $24,500. Employer contributions are separate and do not count against this employee limit.

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Financial disclaimer: Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not professional financial, tax, legal or investment advice. Figures may not reflect your exact situation. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.