If you’re actively saving for retirement, now’s a good time to review the contributions made so far this year to your retirement accounts to see if you’re on track to meet your 2026 retirement savings goals.
There are many types of retirement accounts. The two most popular are individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans (or similar plans). If you’re self-employed, own a small business, or work for a small business, perhaps your retirement savings are tucked in a solo 401(k), Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA. You can also use a health savings account (HSA) to save for retirement.
However, which type of retirement account you’re using isn’t the most important thing, as long as you’re stuffing as much money as you can handle into one or more of them. That’s because each account comes with its own blend of tax breaks that makes their use a no-brainer for anyone saving for retirement.
Immediate tax breaks are available for contributions to some of these accounts, and all of them offer either tax-free or tax-deferred growth (depending on whether it’s a “traditional” or “Roth” account). There’s even a special tax credit—the Saver’s Credit—that’s worth up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return) for low- and moderate-income retirement savers.
So, what should you do near the end of each year to make sure you’re taking full advantage of these retirement accounts? At this time of year, you should be focusing on two things: The limits and the deadlines for making contributions to your retirement accounts for the 2026 tax year, and then planning for 2027 deadlines and contribution limits second.
To ensure you’re making the most of your retirement dollars, let’s go over the 2027 contribution limits and deadlines for all the most common types of retirement accounts. We’ll also include the 2026 limits for anyone still looking to contribute more before the year is over.
401(k) and Similar Plans
A 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged account offered by businesses to help eligible employees save money for retirement. Employees who choose to participate in the plan can contribute to their personal 401(k) account through payroll deductions.
Don’t have a 401(k) plan at work? Maybe your employer offers a 403(b) or 457 plan instead. If you work for the federal government, there’s the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). These are all similar to a 401(k) plan.
2026 Contribution Limits for 401(k)s and Similar Plans
For 2026, the limit for 401(k)s and similar plans has been increased by $1,000, to $24,500.
Workers ages 50 to 59, as well as those 64 and older, can put in an additional $8,000 in “catch-up” contributions for a total of $32,500 in 2026. Meanwhile, a “super” catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 is offered to people reaching age 60, 61, 62, or 63 in 2026, resulting in a total contribution of $35,750. A special rule for 457 plan participants within three years of their full retirement age increases the catch-up contribution limit to $24,500 in 2026 (so, a total of $49,000).
You also can’t contribute more than your compensation for the year.
These limits apply to all of your 401(k)s or similar accounts. So, for example, if you switched jobs this year and contributed to two separate accounts in 2026, the total amount can’t exceed the $24,500, $32,500, or $35,750 cap in 2026 (depending on your age).
In addition, if your employer offers a matching contribution, the combined total of employee and employer contributions to your account in 2026 can’t exceed $72,000; $80,000 for people ages 50-59 or 64-plus making catch-up contributions (other than for 457 plans); or $83,250 for people ages 60-63 making super catch-up contributions (other than for 457 plans).
Related: Should You Max Out Your 401(k) Each Year? [Yes … and No]
2027 Contribution Limits for 401(k)s and Similar Plans
For 2027, the limit for 401(k)s and similar plans has been increased by another $1,000, to $25,500.
Regular catch-up contributions have been stepped up, too, by $500. So now, workers ages 50-59 and 64-plus can put in an additional $8,500 for a total of $34,000 in 2027. The super catch-up contribution was boosted by $500 too, to $11,750, for a total of $37,250 in 2027. 457 plan participants within three years of full retirement age may make catch-up contributions of up to $25,500 in 2027, for a total of $51,000.
The combined total of employee and employer contributions to your account in 2027 can’t exceed $75,000; $83,500 for people ages 50-59 or 64-plus making catch-up contributions (other than for 457 plans); or $86,750 for people ages 60-63 making super catch-up contributions (other than for 457 plans).
We provide more details in our primer on 2027 401(k) contribution limits and deadlines.
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for 401(k) and Similar Plan Contributions
The deadline for 2026 401(k) contributions is Dec. 31, 2026, while the deadline for the 2027 tax year is Dec. 31, 2027. Pretty simple.
However, contributions to your 401(k) account are taken out of your paycheck and deposited into your account by your employer. You can’t just send money to the 401(k) plan administrator on your own and have it deposited into your account (as you can with an IRA). If you’re not sure how to have your 401(k) contribution increased, contact your employer’s HR department or the plan administrator.
IRAs
An individual retirement account (IRA) is a retirement savings account you set up on your own through a brokerage firm. You can open a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, and each option has its own tax advantages.
You can fund your IRA with an ACH transfer from your bank or a personal check. Bank transfers can be made online through your brokerage account or you can send a check directly to your brokerage firm.
You can also roll over funds from an existing retirement account into an IRA.
2026 Contribution Limits for IRAs
When compared to 401(k) plans, the contribution limits are much lower for IRAs, and can even be reduced (potentially down to $0) for Roth IRA contributions if your income is too high.
For the 2026 tax year, you can put just $7,500 into an IRA if you’re under age 50. If you’re at least 50 years old, you can top that off with an extra $1,100 catch-up contribution, so $8,600 total. As with 401(k) plans, the annual limit is a combined limit that applies to all your IRAs.
This year’s annual contribution limit for Roth IRAs starts to phase out if your modified adjusted gross income is:
- At least $242,000 but less than $252,000 if your tax filing status is married filing jointly or surviving spouse in 2026
- At least $153,000 but less than $168,000 if your filing status is single, head of household, or married filing separately and you didn’t live with your spouse at any time during the year in 2026
- $0 to $10,000 if your filing status is married filing separately and you lived with your spouse at any time during the year
2027 Contribution Limits for IRAs
When compared to 401(k) plans, the contribution limits are much lower for IRAs, and can even be reduced (potentially down to $0) for Roth IRA contributions if your income is too high.
The IRA contribution limit for 2027 ($7,500) has been kept level, as has the IRA catch-up limit ($1,100), so the total cap for those age 50 and older is $8,600. Again, that annual limit is a combined limit applying to all of your IRAs.
This year’s annual contribution limit for Roth IRAs starts to phase out if your modified adjusted gross income is:
- At least $250,000 but less than $260,000 if your tax filing status is married filing jointly or surviving spouse in 2027
- At least $158,000 but less than $173,000 if your filing status is single, head of household, or married filing separately and you didn’t live with your spouse at any time during the year in 2027
- $0 to $10,000 if your filing status is married filing separately and you lived with your spouse at any time during the year
Looking for more details? Check out all the 2026 and 2027 IRA contribution limits.
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for IRA Contributions
If you’re a procrastinator, the good news about IRAs is you actually have until later to put money in an IRA. The 2026 deadline is April 15, 2027, and the 2027 deadline is April 18, 2028. (The deadline is Tax Day, but April 15 falls on a Saturday in 2028. As a result, Emancipation Day—which in Washington, D.C., is celebrated on April 16 or the nearest weekday—is pushed forward to the following Monday (the 17th), and Tax Day is moved to Tuesday (the 18th).
But why wait? If you can swing it, the better option is to contribute to an IRA before the end of the year and start reaping the benefits of tax-deferred growth (traditional IRA) or tax-free growth (Roth IRA) right away.
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HSAs
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are primarily used to offset medical costs now and in the future. However, once you turn 65, money in an HSA can be used for any purposes without penalty. As a result, many people use HSAs as a supplemental retirement savings account.
2026 and 2027 Contribution Limits for HSAs
For 2026, the HSA contribution limits are:
- $4,400 if you have self-only coverage under a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
- $8,750 if you have family coverage under an HDHP
Then for 2027, those limits are raised to …
- $4,500 for self-only coverage
- $9,000 for family coverage
You can learn more in our article about 2026 and 2027 HSA contribution limits.
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for HSA Contributions
As with IRAs, you have until April 15, 2027, to stash money in an HSA for the 2026 tax year, and you have until April 18, 2028, for the 2027 tax year. But, again, you’re losing out on tax-free growth by putting it off until then.
Related: How to Invest HSA Funds [Level Up Your Retirement Savings]
Solo 401(k) Plans
You can open a solo 401(k) if you’re self-employed or own a business with just one employee who is your spouse. (Solo 401(k) plans are sometimes called one-participant 401(k) plans, individual 401(k) plans, or uni-401(k) plans.)
Solo 401(k) plans are basically “regular” 401(k) plans, but as a self-employed person or small business owner you can make contributions as both an employer and an employee.
2026 and 2027 Contribution Limits for Solo 401(k) Plans
You can contribute up to $24,500 to a solo 401(k) as an employee in 2026 if you’re under age 50, or up to $32,500 if you’re aged 50 and over. (Those figures increase to $25,500 and $34,000, respectively, in 2027). Also in 2026, people age 60-63 can make an even bigger catch-up contribution of $11,250, for a contribution max of $35,750. In 2027, that super catch-up limit becomes $11,750, for a combined limit of $37,250.
You can also contribute up to 25% of your compensation as an employer in 2026, but the combined total of all 2026 contributions can’t exceed $72,000, $80,000 if you’re at least 50 years old, or $83,250 if you’re 60-63. And those numbers jump to $75,000, $83,500 if you’re 50-59 or 64+, or $86,750 if you’re 60-63 in 2027.
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for Solo 401(k) Plan Contributions
The deadline for contributing to a solo 401(k) is a bit different than for regular 401(k) plans. You generally have until April 15 to fund a solo 401(k). So, the 2026 deadline is April 15, 2027, while the 2027 deadline is April 18, 2028.
However, if you requested an extension to file your 2026 federal income tax return, you’ll have until Oct. 15, 2027, to put money in a solo 401(k) account and have it count toward your 2026 limit. It would be Oct. 16, 2028, for the 2027 tax year. (Oct. 15 falls on a Sunday.)
SEP IRAs
Like solo 401(k) plans, SEP IRAs are available to small businesses owners and self-employed people. If you’re self-employed, you simply contribute to your own SEP IRA. However, if you’re a business owner with employees, you must also set up and contribute to a SEP IRA for each eligible employee. The employees can’t contribute their own money to their account, though.
In all cases, contributions are based on a percentage of the account holder’s compensation. The self-employed person or business owner sets the percentage each year. However, for business owners with employees, the contribution percentage must be the same for all eligible workers.
2026 and 2027 Contribution Limits for SEP IRAs
The annual contribution limit for SEP IRAs is fairly straightforward. For 2026, total contributions to a SEP IRA can’t exceed $72,000 or 25% of the first $360,000 of compensation, whichever is lower. The 2027 thresholds are $75,000 or 25% of the first $375,000 of compensation, whichever is lower.
Catch-up contributions aren’t allowed.
(We have the 2026 and 2027 SEP IRA contribution limits in more detail, too.)
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for SEP IRA Contributions
The deadline for SEP IRA contributions is the same as the deadline for solo 401(k) deposits. For 2026 contributions, you have until April … or until October if you extended the filing due date for your 2026 return. The same is true for 2027 contribution deadlines.
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SIMPLE IRAs
A SIMPLE IRA is another option for self-employed people and small businesses owners (generally up to 100 employees) looking for a retirement savings vehicle. Unlike SEP IRAs, both employers and employees can contribute to a worker’s SIMPLE IRA.
In fact, employer contributions are actually required with SIMPLE IRAs.
2026 and 2027 Contribution Limits for SIMPLE IRAs
For 2026, an employer must contribute one of the following to each eligible employee’s SIMPLE IRA account:
- A dollar-for-dollar match of the employee’s contribution, up to 3% of the employee’s compensation
- 2% of the first $360,000 of the employee’s compensation ($375,000 in 2027)
In addition, workers under 50 can contribute up to $17,000 to a SIMPLE IRA for the 2026 tax year ($17,500 in 2027). Catch-up contributions up to $4,000 (for a total of up to $21,000) are allowed for 2026 if you’re ages 50 to 59, or 64 and older, and that number grows to $5,250 for those ages 60 to 63 for a total of $52,500.
The catch-up contribution limits are the same in 2027. So the combined cap is $21,500 for ages 50 to 59 or 64 and older, and $22,750 for those ages 60 to 63.
Different Limits for Small Businesses
However, in 2024, contribution rules changed to provide higher limits for all employers with no more than 25 employees, as well as employers of 26-100 employees who chose to offer either a 4% match or 3% non-elective contribution.
For those companies, workers under 50 can contribute up to $18,100 to a SIMPLE IRA in 2026 ($19,100 in 2027). If you’re age 50 to 59, or 64 and older, you can make a slightly smaller catch-up contribution of $3,850 in 2026, for a total of $21,950. The super catch-up contribution for those ages 60 to 63 is $5,250, for a total of $23,350.
Again, the catch-up amounts stay the same for 2027. So the combined cap is $22,950 for ages 50 to 59 or 64 and older, and $24,350 for anyone between the ages of 60 to 63.
2026 and 2027 Deadlines for SIMPLE IRA Contributions
When contributions are due depends on the type of contribution. As with 401(k) plans, contributions for 2026 must have been made by Dec. 31, 2026 (2027 contributions are due by Dec. 31, 2027). Employee contributions are made through payroll deductions (again, like 401(k) contributions). So, if you want to increase your contribution amount, contact your employer to see how that’s done.
Employers have more time to complete the mandatory contributions to their employees’ SIMPLE IRA accounts. Those contributions are due by the deadline for filing the business’s federal income tax return (including extensions) for the taxable year for which the contributions are made.
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