2026 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits: 401(k)s, IRAs & Employer Plans

Each retirement account type has caps on how much you can contribute each year, and those limits vary by plan. For 2026, the IRS raised several key thresholds including higher limits for 401(k)s and IRAs and updated total contribution caps for employer plans.

If you’re age 50 or older, many retirement plans also offer catch-up contributions that let you save beyond the standard annual limit. These amounts adjust periodically, and several plans have higher catch-up caps for 2026.

The SECURE 2.0 Act also introduced new catch-up provisions that expand savings opportunities for older workers.

Notably:

• Ages 60–63 qualify for a larger “super catch-up” amount.
• Beginning in 2026, “higher-income” participants must make catch-up contributions to a Roth account, which changes the tax treatment of those dollars.

Learn more about these “super catch-up changes.”

The table below shows the 2026 contribution limits for the most common retirement plans, including both standard and catch-up allowances.

Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, which can lower your taxable income. How much you can deduct depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), your filing status, and whether you, or your spouse, are covered by a workplace retirement plan. 

Here’s how the deduction works: 

• Below the MAGI minimum: You can take a full deduction. 
• Between the MAGI ranges: You’re eligible for a partial deduction. 
• At or above the MAGI maximum: You can’t deduct contributions. 

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) 

• If you (or both spouses) are covered by a workplace retirement plan: $126,000 – $146,000 
• If you are not an active participant but your spouse is: $236,000 – $246,000 

Single or head of household 

• $79,000 – $89,000 

Married filing separately 

• Less than $10,000: Partial deduction available 
• $10,000 or more: No deduction 

Roth IRAs have income limits to participate 
Roth IRAs have income limits that determine whether you can contribute and how much. These limits are based on your MAGI and your tax filing status. 

Here’s how eligibility works: 

• Below the MAGI minimum: You can make a full contribution. 
• Within the MAGI phase-out range: You can make a reduced contribution. 
• At or above the maximum MAGI: You can’t contribute to a Roth IRA. If this applies to you, consider these alternative strategies. 

Single or head of household 

• $150,000 – $165,000 

Married filing jointly 

• $236,000 – $246,000 

Married filing separately 

• $0 – $10,000 

Consider these tips to make the most out of the investment that you're making into your retirement savings plan:

1. Make a plan to save regularly
To make sure you don't put your retirement savings on the back burner, consider either having the money deducted from your paycheck or setting up a monthly automatic account transfer.

2. Get the matching contribution
If you have an employer-sponsored account that offers matching contributions, make sure you're contributing enough to take advantage of the full match. If you don't, you're leaving free money on the table.

3. Leverage the maximums for all accounts
It's important to realize that contributing to one type of retirement account doesn't prevent you from contributing to another. For instance, if you have a 401(k) and are putting in enough to reach the employer match, consider next focusing on funding a traditional or Roth IRA that has a wider range of investment options. Once you max out on IRAs, go back to putting more in your 401(k).

4. Don't let limits restrict your savings
If you've hit the 401(k) contribution limits for 2026 or the max for other types of accounts, it doesn't mean you have to stop saving. Consider other investment options that could help your money grow, such as brokerage accounts or mutual funds.

5. Beware of penalties for overfunding
Keep in mind as you aim to max out your tax-advantaged retirement savings options that it is possible to go over the limit, and you may end up having to pay taxes and penalties on the overage.

• If you contribute too much to an employer-sponsored account, such as a 401(k), you could end up being taxed and penalized on the amount you overcontributed unless you take out the excess by the tax filing deadline. And if you haven't yet reached age 59½, you'll likely also have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty on the earnings.
• If you overcontribute to an IRA, you'll owe a 6% excise tax for every year that you don’t remove the excess (and any related earnings) before your tax filing deadline. Any earnings will be taxed when you remove the excess contribution.