U.S. 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2025 and 2026

Use the employee ceiling for salary deferrals

The $24,500 figure applies to the standard 2026 employee salary deferral. Traditional and designated Roth deferrals generally count together toward that ceiling. The IRS says participants generally aggregate elective deferrals across the plans in which they participate, so a change of employer can require combining the amounts from two payrolls. Source 2

Add the catch-up for the applicable age

An eligible worker using the standard 2026 catch-up can reach $32,500 in employee deferrals, calculated as $24,500 plus $8,000. An eligible worker aged 60 to 63 uses the $11,250 enhanced catch-up in place of the standard amount and can reach $35,750. Check whether the plan permits catch-up contributions. Source 1 Source 2

Read the $72,000 figure as a different limit

The general 2026 annual additions ceiling accounts for employee deferrals, relevant employer contributions and forfeitures allocated to the account. The overall annual additions rule also limits contributions to 100% of compensation if that is lower. Eligible catch-up contributions are handled outside the annual additions calculation. Source 2

Combine traditional and Roth IRAs for the annual ceiling

For 2026, someone aged 50 or older can generally contribute up to $8,600 across their traditional and Roth IRAs, subject to taxable compensation. A Roth IRA contribution can also be limited by income and filing status. A traditional IRA deduction has separate eligibility rules, including whether the contributor or spouse is covered by a workplace plan. Source 3 Source 1

Sources

• IRS 2026 retirement contribution adjustments
• IRS 401(k) and profit-sharing plan contribution limits
• IRS IRA contribution limits