2026 Retirement Account Contribution Limits
Complete reference guide for IRA, 401(k), and small business retirement plan contribution limits, catch-up amounts, income phase-outs, and key deadlines.
Last updated: February 17, 2026
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IRA Contribution Limits
| Account Type | Under 50 | Age 50+ | Income Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | $7,500 | $8,600 | Deduction phases out based on MAGI if covered by employer plan |
| Roth IRA | $7,500 | $8,600 | MAGI phase-out: $153K–$168K (single), $242K–$252K (MFJ) |
| Spousal IRA | $7,500 | $8,600 | Based on working spouse's earned income |
| Account Type | Under 50 | Age 50+ | Income Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | $7,000 | $8,000 | Deduction phases out based on MAGI if covered by employer plan |
| Roth IRA | $7,000 | $8,000 | MAGI phase-out: $150K–$165K (single), $236K–$246K (MFJ) |
| Spousal IRA | $7,000 | $8,000 | Based on working spouse's earned income |
- Contribution deadlines: April 15, 2027 for 2026 contributions; April 15, 2026 for 2025 contributions.
- Age 50 determination: Based on whether you turn 50 by December 31 of the tax year.
- The limit is a combined limit across all your Traditional and Roth IRAs for that tax year.
- You must have earned income (compensation) at least equal to your contribution amount.
- Married Filing Separately exception: Taxpayers who lived apart from their spouse for the entire year are treated as Single for Roth IRA purposes and may use the Single/HOH phase-out range. Taxpayers who lived with their spouse at any time during the year face a $0–$10,000 phase-out range regardless of income level.
- Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 / IRS.gov
401(k) Contribution Limits
Also applies to 403(b), most 457(b), and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (base) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $8,000 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) SECURE 2.0 | $11,250 |
| Overall limit (employee + employer) | $72,000 |
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (base) | $23,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $7,500 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) | $11,250 |
| Overall limit (employee + employer) | $70,000 |
- SECURE 2.0 change: Participants age 60–63 get an enhanced catch-up of $11,250 (instead of the standard $8,000 for age 50–59/64+).
- Employer matching contributions count toward the total limit but not toward the employee deferral limit.
- Employee deferrals must be made through payroll by December 31, 2026.
- Roth 401(k) contributions are available in most plans. Employer matches on Roth deferrals go into a designated Roth account (SECURE 2.0).
- Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 / IRS.gov
SEP IRA Contribution Limits
| Limit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Max employer contribution | $72,000 |
| % of compensation | 25% |
| Max compensation considered | $360,000 |
| Limit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Max employer contribution | $70,000 |
| % of compensation | 25% |
| Max compensation considered | $350,000 |
- SEP IRAs allow only employer contributions — there are no employee deferrals or catch-up contributions.
- For self-employed individuals, the effective rate is ~20% of net self-employment income (after deducting half of SE tax).
- Establish and fund by: Tax filing deadline including extensions (typically October 15 for most).
- Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 / IRS.gov
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $17,000 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $4,000 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) SECURE 2.0 | $5,250 |
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $16,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $3,500 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) | $5,250 |
- SIMPLE IRA plans are for employers with 100 or fewer employees.
- Employer match: Dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of compensation, or 2% nonelective contribution for all eligible employees.
- Establish by: October 1 of the year the plan is to take effect.
- Employee deferrals are made through payroll by December 31, 2026.
- If you have both a SIMPLE IRA and another employer plan, coordination rules apply to the annual deferral limit.
- Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 / IRS.gov
Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $8,000 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) SECURE 2.0 | $11,250 |
| Total (employee + employer) | $72,000 |
| Max compensation considered | $360,000 |
| Contribution Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $23,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50–59 / 64+) | $7,500 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63) | $11,250 |
| Total (employee + employer) | $70,000 |
| Max compensation considered | $350,000 |
- Solo 401(k) plans are for self-employed individuals with no full-time employees (other than a spouse).
- Employer profit-sharing contribution: Up to 25% of net self-employment compensation (after deducting half of SE tax).
- Establish by: December 31, 2026 (employee deadline is also December 31; employer contribution deadline is tax filing deadline + extensions).
- Roth Solo 401(k) options are available at most custodians.
- Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 / IRS.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500 for individuals under age 50. If you're 50 or older by December 31, 2026, you can contribute an additional $1,100 catch-up for a total of $8,600. This limit applies to your combined Traditional and Roth IRA contributions.
Employer contributions do not count toward the $24,500 employee deferral limit. However, the combined total of employee deferrals plus employer contributions cannot exceed $72,000 for 2026 (or $80,000 if you're age 50–59/64+, or $83,250 if you're age 60–63).
SECURE 2.0 introduced a higher catch-up contribution for 401(k) participants aged 60 through 63. For 2026, the enhanced catch-up amount is $11,250 (instead of the standard $8,000), bringing the total employee deferral to $35,750. This also applies to 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans.
IRA contributions for the 2026 tax year must be made by April 15, 2027. Employer plan deferrals (401(k), 403(b)) must be made by December 31, 2026 through payroll. SEP IRA contributions are due by the tax filing deadline, including extensions.
Yes. IRA and 401(k) contribution limits are separate. You can contribute up to $7,500 to an IRA and up to $24,500 to a 401(k) in 2026. However, your ability to deduct Traditional IRA contributions may be limited if you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan. Roth IRA eligibility depends on your income.
Excess IRA contributions are subject to a 6% penalty tax each year the excess remains in the account. Excess 401(k) deferrals must be corrected by April 15 of the following year to avoid double taxation. The correction method depends on when the excess is discovered and whether the plan has timely distribution provisions.
For 2026, Roth IRA contributions phase out at modified AGI of $153,000–$168,000 for single filers and $242,000–$252,000 for married filing jointly. For 2025, the phase-out range was $150,000–$165,000 (single) and $236,000–$246,000 (MFJ). Above these ranges, direct Roth IRA contributions are not allowed, though a backdoor Roth strategy may be available. Search related posts →
Both are self-employed retirement plans, but they differ in structure. A SEP IRA only allows employer contributions (up to 25% of compensation or $72,000). A Solo 401(k) allows both employee deferrals ($24,500) and employer profit sharing, and may offer higher total contributions at lower income levels. Solo 401(k) plans must be established by December 31; SEP IRAs can be set up until the tax filing deadline. Search related posts →
Historical Contribution Limits
How limits have changed over the past five years.
| Limit | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRA (under 50) | $7,500 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $6,500 | $6,000 |
| IRA (50+) | $8,600 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| 401(k) Deferral | $24,500 | $23,500 | $23,000 | $22,500 | $20,500 |
| 401(k) Catch-Up (50–59/64+) | $8,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $6,500 |
| 401(k) Total (Emp + Er) | $72,000 | $70,000 | $69,000 | $66,000 | $61,000 |
| SEP IRA Max | $72,000 | $70,000 | $69,000 | $66,000 | $61,000 |
| SIMPLE Deferral | $17,000 | $16,500 | $16,000 | $15,500 | $14,000 |
- The IRS adjusts limits annually based on cost-of-living increases, rounded to the nearest $500.
- The age 60–63 enhanced catch-up (SECURE 2.0) first applies in 2025.
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Education-only disclaimer
This page is for general education and information only. The contribution limits shown are based on IRS announcements and are believed to be accurate as of the date shown. This content does not provide individualized investment, tax, or legal advice, and does not establish a client relationship with any firm or individual.
Always consult your own tax professional, financial advisor, or legal counsel before making decisions about your accounts, investments, or retirement strategy.