Nearing retirement but not sure whether you have enough saved? While there isn’t a time machine that can take you back to when you first started working, rules around 401(k)s and other retirement accounts have shifted to give you an even better chance at catching up.
Starting in 2025, American retirement savers could make super catch-up contributions to their 401(k)s and other workplace plans—if they’re within the right age range. Specifically, super catch-up contributions—which have an even higher limit than standard catch-up contributions—are for adults between the ages of 60 and 63.
Read on as I discuss which accounts are affected by the newly introduced super catch-up contribution limits, how contribution limits differed before the addition of the super catch-up contributions, and what catch-up contributions look like for 2026.
The information and analysis contained within this article appears for your consideration, but it does not constitute individualized financial advice. Always act at your own discretion.
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Which Accounts Added Super Catch-Up Contributions?
In addition to 401(k) accounts, the following equivalent workplace accounts also have new super-catch-up contributions:
— 403(b)
— Governmental 457 plans
— Thrift Savings Plan
— SIMPLE IRA
401(k), 403(b), 457, and Thrift Savings Plans all have the same catch-up contribution limit for adults aged 60 to 63, but the limit for SIMPLE IRAs is different, as we’ll discuss below.
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Do All Accounts Have Super Catch-Up Contributions for Ages 60-63?
No, not every retirement account has super catch-up contributions.
For instance, an individual retirement account (IRA) doesn’t have super catch-up contributions, but it does have regular catch-up contributions. For 2026, the contribution limit for an IRA is $7,500 (up from $7,000 in 2025), and the catch-up contribution limit for an IRA is $1,100 (up $100 from 2025). To qualify for catch-up contributions, you must be at least 50 years old.
While not technically a retirement account, many people use health savings accounts (HSAs) as a retirement savings vehicle. The HSA contribution limits for 2026 are $4,400 (self-only coverage) and $8,750 (family coverage), while the catch-up contribution limit—for those age 55 and older—is $1,000, same as it was in 2024.
Related: How to Invest for (and in) Retirement
2026 Contribution Limits Under Age 50
Good news for retirement savers of all ages: Contribution limits in 2026 have gone up across the board!
In 2026, the annual contribution limit for people under age 50 who are saving in a 401(k) or equivalent is $24,500, up $1,000 from 2025. Employer contribution limits have also jumped by $1,000, to $47,500, for a combined limit of $72,000.
For SIMPLE IRAs, the baseline employee contribution limit is $17,000, which is also up $500 from 2025. However, employees who work for an employer with 1-25 employees, or for an employer with 26-100 employees that also provides one of the qualifying higher employer contributions, enjoy a higher contribution limit of $18,100 in 2026.
2026 Catch-Up Contribution Limits
The regular catch-up contribution for 2026 was increased by $500, to $8,000, while the super catch-up contribution was maintained at the $11,250 it began at in 2025. So, here’s what the larger catch-up situation looks like for 2026:
— Ages 50-59, 64+: Your catch-up contribution limit is $8,000.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $32,500
–> Total employee/employer contribution limit: $80,000
— Ages 60-63: You have a super catch-up contribution limit of $11,250.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $35,750
–> Total employer contribution limit: $83,250
For SIMPLE IRAs, the 2026 baseline catch-up contribution limit for those ages 50-59 and 64-plus has grown by $500, to $4,000. However, the catch-up contribution limit for employees of businesses with 1-25 employees or with 26-100 employees and a qualifying employer match or contribution is actually a little less than that, at $3,850.
The super catch-up contribution limit for employees ages 60-63 is the greater of $5,000 or 150% of the regular SIMPLE IRA contribution limit, regardless of employer size. That’s $5,250 in 2026, which is unchanged from 2025.
In other words …
— Ages 50-59, 64+ (company has 26-100 employees, makes 3% match or 2% contribution): Your catch-up contribution limit is $4,000.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $21,000
— Ages 50-59, 64+ (company has 1-25 employees, or 26-100 employees and employer makes a 4% match/3% contribution): Your catch-up contribution limit is $3,850.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $21,950
— Ages 60-63 (company has 26-100 employees, makes 3% match or 2% contribution): Your catch-up contribution limit is $5,250.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $22,250
— Ages 60-63 (company has 1-25 employees, or 26-100 employees and employer makes a 4% match/3% contribution): Your catch-up contribution limit is $5,250.
–> Total employee contribution limit: $23,350
Meanwhile, the SIMPLE IRA additional nonelective contribution for 2026 is the lesser of up to 10% of compensation or $5,300.
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Should I Take Advantage of The Super Catch-Up Contribution Limit?
Generally, the more money you contribute to retirement accounts, the better. But your 401(k) or equivalent may not be the only retirement account you have. Usually, your order of operations should be as follows:
— Employer retirement account match
— Max out an HSA (if you’re eligible for one), including catch-up contributions
— Max out an IRA, including catch-up contributions
— Max out your 401(k), including catch-up/super catch-up contributions
— Invest in a taxable brokerage account
If you can afford to do so, making super catch-up contributions is an excellent way to boost your retirement savings.
One more consideration is whether you have any high-interest debt, such as credit card debt or a payday loan. In this situation, you likely want to prioritize paying off your high-interest debt before making any catch-up contributions to retirement accounts.
Related: What to Do With Your 401(k) When You Retire
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How Else Can I Save for Retirement?
As I touched upon in the last section, a traditional or Roth IRA and HSA—all tax-advantaged accounts—are wonderful ways to save for retirement.
— Traditional IRA earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis and, if you don’t have a workplace retirement plan, contributions may be tax-deductible.
— Comparatively, Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax funds. The money grows tax-free and withdrawals during retirement are tax-free (assuming you are at least 59½ and the account has been open for at least five years).
— HSA contributions are tax-deductible (even if you don’t itemize), contributions grow tax-deferred, and any money withdrawn for qualified medical expenses isn’t taxed.
You can also invest for retirement through a taxable brokerage account. There are no tax benefits, but there are no contribution limits either.
A few other options include (but aren’t limited to) setting up an annuity, buying alternative investments, or investing in real estate.
Not confident in your best course of action? Consider discussing your retirement goals with a financial advisor who can help you develop a retirement plan.
Related: 10 Worst 401(k) Money Mistakes to Avoid
Want to talk more about your financial goals or concerns? Our services include comprehensive financial planning, investment management, estate planning, taxes, and more! Schedule a call with Riley to discuss what you need, and what we can do for you.
Related: What’s Your Standard Deduction in 2026?
For most people, their largest and most important tax deduction is the standard deduction. However, the standard deduction amounts change every year to account for inflation. Plus, the standard deduction isn’t the same for everyone.
So, before start your tax return or jumping into tax planning mode, you’ll need to know how much your standard deduction will be for the tax year.
Related: What Tax Bracket Are You In for 2026?
Perhaps the best way to lower your federal income tax bill is push yourself down into a lower tax bracket to reduce your tax rate. On the flip side, you certainly want to avoid getting kicked into a higher bracket and increasing your tax rate.
But, of course, under either scenario you need to have a good feel for where you are right now. For that purpose, check out the federal tax brackets and rates that will apply for your next federal tax return.
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