Each year the IRS releases new limits that often allow you to save even more in your retirement plan. The table below shows the maximum allowable contributions for most plan types as well as a number of plan thresholds. For individuals contributing to multiple plans, the limits are generally not per plan but apply across all plans. 457(b) plans are independent of the other plan combined limits.
If you are age 50 or older, you may be eligible for a catch-up contribution. Please note that if you have a governmental 457(b) plan, you can’t use both the age-based and the service-based catch-up provision in the same year. However, you can use whichever is greater. The age-based catch-up provision is not available to participants in nongovernmental 457(b) plans. Your financial professional can assist you in determining your limit.
Limits for retirement plan contributions
Employer-sponsored plans: 403(b), 401(k), 457(b) and SARSEP | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Pretax and designated Roth contributions combined | ||
Elective salary deferral limit for 403(b), 401(k) and SARSEP1 | $23,500 | $24,500 |
Deferral limit for 457(b) (including employee and employer contributions, if any) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
| Age-based catch-up contributions | ||
| Age 50 to 59 and 64+ limit* (not applicable to nongovernmental 457(b) plans)2 | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Age 60 to 63 catch-up limit* (not applicable to nongovernmental 457(b) plans)3 | $11,250 | $11,250 |
| *Social Security FICA wage threshold (403(b), 401(k), and governmental 457(b) plans only) If Social Security FICA wages earned in the prior year exceed the threshold, any age-based catch-up contributions must be designated Roth contributions4 | $145,000 | $150,000 |
| Service-based catch-up contributions | ||
| 403(b) service-based catch-up limit (for employees with 15 or more years of service who work for a qualifying employer and have undercontributed in prior years) | $3,000 | $3,000 |
457(b) service-based catch-up limit (for employees who have undercontributed in prior years and are within the last three taxable years ending the year before the year they attain normal retirement age as specified under the plan) 457(b) age-based and service-based catch-up contributions cannot be combined, but you may choose the higher of the two | $23,500 | $24,500 |
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) | 2025 | 2026 |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | ||
| Contribution limit | $7,000 | $7,500 |
| Age 50+ catch-up contribution limit | $1,000 | $1,100 |
| SIMPLE IRA | ||
| Salary deferral limit (general) | $16,500 | $17,000 |
| Salary deferral limit (employers with 25 or fewer employees)5 | ———— | $18,100 |
| Age 50 to 59 and 64+ catch-up contribution limit (general) | $3,500 | $4,000 |
| Age 50 to 59 and 64+ catch-up contribution limit (employers with 25 or fewer employees)6 | ———— | $3,850 |
| Age 60 to 63 catch-up contribution limit (all) | $5,250 | $5,250 |
Other limits | 2025 | 2026 |
| 415 limit for defined contribution plans (limit on total employer and employee contributions, whether elective or not; does not apply to 457(b) plans) | $70,000 | $72,000 |
| 415 limit for defined benefit plans | $280,000 | $290,000 |
| Highly compensated minimum salary | $160,000 | $160,000 |
| 401(a)(17) compensation limit (may be considered under a tax-qualified plan unless grandfathered government plan) | $350,000 | $360,000 |
| Social Security wage base (gross earnings subject to Social Security taxes in a given year) | $176,100 | $184,500 |
It’s not just the money you contribute that adds up. It’s what you earn on your money that has the opportunity to snowball far beyond what you save yourself. It’s called compounding, and its impact multiplies the longer you invest.
See how earnings may grow over time7
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