2026 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
The IRS announced the 2026 cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for retirement plans and IRAs.
Here are the new rates for 2026 in a summary table.
| 2026 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), 457 Elective Deferral Limit | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Catch-Up Contribution Limit (age 50 and older) | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| Higher Catch-up Contribution Limit (Ages 60-63) | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| Annual Compensation Limit | $360,000 | $350,000 |
| Defined Contribution Limit | $72,000 | $70,000 |
| Highly Compensated Employee | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| IRA Contribution Limit | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| IRA Catch-Up Contributions (age 50 and older) | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| SIMPLE Plan Deferral/Catch-Up Limit | $17,000/$4,000 | $16,500/$3,500 |
| SIMPLE Plan Higher Catch-up Contribution Limit (Ages 60-63) | $5,250 | $5,250 |
| SSA Taxable Wage Base | $184,500 | $176,100 |
| HSA Contribution Limit (Individual) | $4,400 | $4,350 |
| HSA Contribution Limit (Family) | $8,750 | $8,550 |
| HSA Catch-up Contribution Limit (Age 55+) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
A higher catch-up contribution limit applies for employees aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who participate in these plans. For 2026, this higher catch-up contribution limit remains at $11,250.
Effective January 1, 2026, catch-up contributions are required to be made on a Roth basis for employees whose FICA wages (from the same employer) were greater than $150,000 in the preceding calendar year. For this purpose, wages are those as defined in Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 3121(a), wages subject to FICA (Form W-2 Box 3 wages for Social Security taxation purposes). Individuals earning $150,000 or less, adjusted for inflation going forward, will be exempt from the Roth requirement.
Other key limits include the following:
Defined benefit limit (ages 62-65) increased to $290,000, up from $280,000.
The limit used to define a “key employee” is increased to $235,000, up from $230,000.
