2026 401(k) limits at a glance
| Who | Employee limit |
|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 |
| Age 50–59 and 64+ | $32,500 (incl. $8,000 catch-up) |
| Age 60–63 | $35,750 (incl. $11,250 super catch-up) |
Source: IRS 2026 cost-of-living adjustments. From 2026, catch-up contributions for people who earned more than $150,000 (indexed) from that employer the year before must go in as Roth.
How the match changes the maths
A 50% match on the first 6% of pay is an instant 50% return on those dollars before any market gain. That is why the usual order of operations is: contribute enough to get the whole match, then fund an IRA or HSA if you want more choice, then come back and raise your 401(k) rate.
The calculator raises your salary each year by your raise rate, so both your contribution and your match grow with it. It assumes contributions go in at the end of each year, which slightly understates growth compared with per-paycheck investing.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Many plans offer both. Traditional lowers your tax bill now; Roth makes withdrawals tax-free later. The better choice depends on your tax rate today versus in retirement. The Roth vs Traditional calculator works it out.
Questions people ask
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
The IRS limit on your own (employee) 401(k) deferrals is $24,500 for 2026. If you are 50 or older you can add a catch-up of $8,000, and at ages 60 to 63 the SECURE 2.0 "super catch-up" raises that to $11,250. Employer contributions count toward a separate, higher total limit.
How does an employer match work?
A common formula is "50% of what you put in, up to 6% of pay": contribute 6% and your employer adds 3%. Contribute 4% and you only get 2%. The calculator shows how much match you are leaving behind if you contribute less than the match cap.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, enough to collect the full employer match, since that is an immediate return on your money. Many planners suggest saving 15% of pay in total including the match for a retirement starting in your 20s or 30s; later starters need more.
Is the result before or after tax?
The balance is shown before tax. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income; Roth 401(k) withdrawals are tax-free if the rules are met. Use the Roth vs Traditional calculator to compare.
Do I need to account for inflation?
The result is shown both in future dollars and in today's dollars using your inflation rate, so you can compare the balance to prices you know.