Catch-Up Contributions: Saving More After 50
Catch-up contributions let workers age 50 and older contribute more to retirement accounts. For 2026, the 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) catch-up is $8,000, the IRA catch-up is $1,100, and a super catch-up of $11,250 applies for ages 60–63.
2026 catch-up contribution limits
| Account Type | Base Limit | Catch-up (50+) | Super Catch-up (60–63) | Total with Catch-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k) / 403(b) | $24,500 | $8,000 | $11,250 | $32,500 |
| 457(b) | $24,500 | $8,000 | — | $32,500 |
| IRA (Roth + Traditional) | $7,500 | $1,100 | — | $8,600 |
| SIMPLE IRA | $17,000 | $4,000 | — | $21,000 |
The super catch-up (ages 60–63)
SECURE Act 2.0 introduced a "super catch-up" for participants who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 at any point during the year. For 401(k) and 403(b) plans, this raises the catch-up amount from $8,000 to $11,250 in 2026 — allowing total contributions of $35,750. This is designed to help people near retirement accelerate their savings.
Roth catch-up requirement for high earners
Under SECURE 2.0, employees who earned more than $145,000 in the prior year (indexed) must make their catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis if the plan offers Roth catch-ups. This requirement takes effect in $2026.
Frequently asked questions
Are 401(k) catch-up contributions pre-tax?
They can be pre-tax or Roth, depending on your plan. High earners (above $145,000 prior-year wages) must use Roth catch-up under SECURE 2.0.
What is the super catch-up for ages 60–63?
For 2026, the super catch-up is $11,250 for 401(k) and 403(b) plans, replacing the standard $8,000 catch-up for those ages.
Sources
Gleefund explains general retirement-account concepts and provides estimates. It does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. See our disclaimer and methodology. Check the current IRS rules before acting.
Figures current as of 2026-09-25. Found an error? Contact us.