Can I contribute to both 401(k) and IRA?

Yes. The limits are independent: $23,500 to 401(k) plus $7,000 to a Roth or Traditional IRA. Income limits restrict direct Roth IRA contributions above $161k single / $240k married (2026 phase-out), but the backdoor Roth has no income limit.

Does my employer match count against $23,500?

No. Employer match counts toward the combined $70,000 cap, not the $23,500 employee limit. A 5% match on $200,000 salary ($10,000) leaves you free to still contribute the full $23,500 yourself.

What's the new age 60–63 super catch-up?

SECURE 2.0 created a higher catch-up window: instead of $7,500 extra, ages 60–63 can contribute $11,250 extra (150% of the standard catch-up, indexed). It reverts to the standard $7,500 at age 64.

Answer · Retirement

What is the 401(k) contribution limit in 2026?

By Yinka Olayokun Published May 12, 2026 Reviewed May 12, 2026

Direct Answer

For 2026, the IRS limit on employee 401(k) deferrals is $23,500. Catch-up contributions for workers age 50+ are an additional $7,500, raising the personal cap to $31,000. The new SECURE 2.0 'super catch-up' for ages 60–63 is $11,250 instead of $7,500. The combined employee + employer cap is $70,000 (or $77,500 with age-50 catch-up).

2026 retirement-account contribution limits

Account / category	Limit
401(k) employee deferral	$23,500
401(k) age 50+ catch-up	+$7,500
401(k) age 60–63 super catch-up	+$11,250 (instead of $7,500)
401(k) employee + employer total	$70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up)
Traditional / Roth IRA	$7,000 ($8,000 if 50+)
HSA individual / family	$4,300 / $8,550

What counts toward the $23,500 limit

Only your own elective deferrals, traditional pre-tax, Roth, or after-tax to a 401(k) plan. Employer match and profit-sharing contributions do not count toward $23,500 but do count toward the combined $70,000 cap. Mega-backdoor Roth uses the gap between $23,500 and $70,000.

Multiple 401(k)s in one year

If you switch jobs, the $23,500 limit applies across all 401(k)s combined, not per plan. Going over triggers a tax penalty and you have until April 15 of the following year to withdraw the excess. The combined $70,000 cap, however, is per employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contribute to both 401(k) and IRA?: Yes. The limits are independent: $23,500 to 401(k) plus $7,000 to a Roth or Traditional IRA. Income limits restrict direct Roth IRA contributions above $161k single / $240k married (2026 phase-out), but the backdoor Roth has no income limit.
Does my employer match count against $23,500?: No. Employer match counts toward the combined $70,000 cap, not the $23,500 employee limit. A 5% match on $200,000 salary ($10,000) leaves you free to still contribute the full $23,500 yourself.
What's the new age 60–63 super catch-up?: SECURE 2.0 created a higher catch-up window: instead of $7,500 extra, ages 60–63 can contribute $11,250 extra (150% of the standard catch-up, indexed). It reverts to the standard $7,500 at age 64.

Sources

401(k) plan contribution limits , Internal Revenue Service. Verified April 30, 2026.

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