Updated 2026-03-30
401(k) Catch-Up Contributions Guide for 2026
Catch-up contributions allow workers aged 50 and older to save more for retirement beyond the standard contribution limit. The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced a new super catch-up for ages 60-63.
2026 Catch-Up Limits
| Age Group | Standard Limit | Catch-Up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | $0 | $24,500 |
| Age 50-59 | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| Age 60-63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
| Age 64+ | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
SECURE 2.0 Act Changes
Important for 2026: High earners ($145,000+ in prior year wages) must make catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis only. This applies to both the $8,000 standard catch-up and the $11,250 super catch-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can start making catch-up contributions in the year you turn 50. For example, if you turn 50 in December 2026, you can make catch-up contributions for all of 2026.
No. The super catch-up ($11,250) only applies to ages 60, 61, 62, and 63. At age 64 and older, you revert to the standard $8,000 catch-up contribution limit.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-30