On November 13, the IRS announced the annual contribution limits for qualified contribution plans and individual retirement accounts for the 2026 tax year. There are increases almost across the board. Most significantly, the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans (as well as 403(b), most 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan) in 2026 has increased to $24,500, up from $23,500 for 2025.
*Catch-Up Contributions can be made any time during or after the year in which the retirement plan participant turns 50. IRS notice 2025-67 stated that participants who will reach ages 60, 61, 62, or 63 by the end of the calendar year may use an alternate increased catch-up contribution amount of $11,250, which remains unchanged in 2026. This provision is optional.
The FICA wage threshold requiring Catch-Up Contributions to be made in Roth form starting in 2026 was indexed from the statutory threshold, $145,000, to $150,000 for 2025. This means that employees who earned $150,000 or more in FICA wages from the employer in plan year 2025 will be required to make 2026 Catch-Up contributions in Roth form.
**Catch-up contributions can be made any time during or after the year in which the HSA participant turns 55.
Unlike other limits, the HSA catch-up contribution amount is not indexed; any increase would require statutory change.
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