Does the $24,000 limit include employer match?

No, the $24,000 cap is only your own elective deferrals. Employer matching and profit-sharing add on top, subject to the $71,000 combined cap.

Can I contribute to a 401(k) and an IRA in the same year?

Yes. The 401(k) limit and the IRA limit ($7,000 / $8,000 in 2026) are completely separate, so you can max both in the same tax year.

What is the deadline for 2026 401(k) contributions?

Employee deferrals must be made through payroll by December 31, 2026, unlike IRAs, there is no extension into the next tax-filing window for elective deferrals.

Rules · Retirement · 2026

401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026

By Yinka Olayokun Published May 12, 2026 Verified May 10, 2026

2026 at a glance

For 2026, the employee 401(k) elective-deferral limit is $24,000, plus a $7,500 catch-up at age 50+ (total $31,500). Workers aged 60–63 get a SECURE 2.0 'super catch-up' of $11,250 instead of $7,500, lifting their max to $35,250. The combined employee-plus-employer cap is $71,000 ($78,500 with the standard catch-up).

2026 401(k) limits at a glance

Item	2026 limit
Employee elective deferral (under 50)	$24,000
Catch-up contribution (50–59 and 64+)	+$7,500 ($31,500 total)
SECURE 2.0 super catch-up (ages 60–63)	+$11,250 ($35,250 total)
Combined employee + employer cap (under 50)	$71,000
Annual compensation limit	$355,000

How the combined cap works

The employee deferral limit ($24,000) is what comes out of your paycheck. The combined cap ($71,000) adds employer matching, profit-sharing, and after-tax employee contributions on top. High-savers in plans that allow the mega-backdoor Roth use the gap between these two numbers.

If you work two jobs, the $24,000 elective limit is per-person across all employers, but the $71,000 combined cap applies per-plan, so it's possible to exceed $71,000 in total contributions across two unrelated employer plans.

Catch-up gotchas under SECURE 2.0

Starting in 2026, employees earning more than $145,000 (indexed) in the prior year must make catch-up contributions as Roth, pre-tax catch-up is not available at that income level. Lower earners can still choose pre-tax or Roth for the catch-up.

The super catch-up only applies in the year you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63. At age 64 you revert to the standard $7,500 catch-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the $24,000 limit include employer match?: No, the $24,000 cap is only your own elective deferrals. Employer matching and profit-sharing add on top, subject to the $71,000 combined cap.
Can I contribute to a 401(k) and an IRA in the same year?: Yes. The 401(k) limit and the IRA limit ($7,000 / $8,000 in 2026) are completely separate, so you can max both in the same tax year.
What is the deadline for 2026 401(k) contributions?: Employee deferrals must be made through payroll by December 31, 2026, unlike IRAs, there is no extension into the next tax-filing window for elective deferrals.

Primary sources

IRS Retirement Topics, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan Contribution Limits , Internal Revenue Service. Verified May 10, 2026.
SECURE 2.0 Act, Section 109 (Super catch-up) , U.S. Congress. Verified May 10, 2026.

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