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401(k) Limit 2027: Projected $25,500, and How to Max Out Your 2026 401(k) Before Year-End
For 2026, you can defer up to $24,500 to a 401(k), plus $8,000 catch-up at 50+ (or $11,250 at ages 60–63). For 2027, the IRS hasn't announced limits yet (usually in October or November), but projections from Milliman and others point to $25,500, with catch-ups of about $8,500 (50+) and $11,750 (60–63). To max out 2026, contributions must come out of paychecks dated by December 31: divide what's left to reach $24,500 by your remaining paychecks and update your deferral percentage now. Don't front-load in a way that makes you lose employer match dollars.
The short version
- 2026 limit: $24,500 (plus catch-ups). Deadline: December 31, 2026.
- 2027 limit: not announced yet. Projected $25,500.
- Action now: check your year-to-date contributions and adjust your deferral for the remaining paychecks.
2026 vs projected 2027 limits
| Limit | 2026 (official) | 2027 (projected) |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k)/403(b)/457/TSP employee deferral | $24,500 | ~$25,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ | $8,000 | ~$8,500 |
| "Super catch-up," ages 60–63 | $11,250 | ~$11,750 |
| Total employee + employer (415(c)) | $72,000 | higher |
| IRA contribution | $7,500 | not yet known |
| IRA catch-up, age 50+ | $1,100 | not yet known |
Sources: IRS (2026); Milliman and other projections as reported (2027). The IRS usually announces next year's limits in October or November. We'll update this page when it does.
Why the increase? Limits are indexed to inflation and rounded down to the nearest $500. With US inflation running above 3% this year, a $1,000 jump is likely.
How to max out your 2026 401(k) before December 31
401(k) contributions only count for the year your paycheck is dated. Once your last 2026 paycheck is processed, the window closes for good.
Step 1: Find your year-to-date total
Log in to your 401(k) provider or check your latest pay stub. Look for "employee deferrals YTD," not the balance.
Step 2: Count your remaining paychecks
From late October, that's typically:
- Biweekly: about 4–5 paychecks
- Semi-monthly: about 4
- Monthly: 2
Step 3: Do the math
Per-paycheck amount = (your limit − YTD contributions) ÷ remaining paychecks
Example: You're 42, paid biweekly with 5 paychecks left, and have contributed $17,000 so far.
($24,500 − $17,000) ÷ 5 = $1,500 per paycheck
If your gross pay is $4,000 per paycheck, set your deferral to 37.5% for the rest of the year (and remember your take-home pay will drop).
Step 4: Update your election now
Payroll changes can take one or two pay cycles to take effect. Make the change this week, and confirm it on your next pay stub.
Step 5: Reset in January
After the final 2026 paycheck, change your deferral back to a level that spreads the 2027 limit across the year.
Don't lose the employer match
This is the most expensive mistake. Some employers match per paycheck. If you hit the $24,500 limit in October, you stop contributing, and you lose the match for the remaining paychecks.
Check your plan for a "true-up" provision, which tops up the match at year-end. If there isn't one, spread contributions evenly across all paychecks instead of front-loading.
The new Roth catch-up rule
Starting in 2026, under the SECURE 2.0 Act, if your FICA wages from your employer were more than $150,000 in the previous year (the threshold is indexed for inflation), your catch-up contributions must go into a Roth 401(k). You pay tax on that money now, but it grows tax-free.
- Your regular $24,500 can still be pre-tax.
- If your plan doesn't offer a Roth option, high earners may not be able to make catch-ups at all.
- Check with HR how your plan is handling this.
Other ways to boost retirement savings before year-end
- Bonus deferral. If you get a year-end bonus, many plans let you defer a higher percentage of the bonus.
- HSA. If you have an HSA-eligible health plan, the 2026 limit is $4,400 (self) / $8,750 (family). See HDHP vs PPO for 2027.
- IRA. You have until April 15, 2027 to contribute up to $7,500 for 2026.
- Roth conversion. A low-income year can be a good time; the deadline is December 31. See how to do a Roth conversion.
Common mistakes
- Changing jobs and doubling up. The $24,500 limit is per person, not per plan. If you changed jobs in 2026, add up contributions at both.
- Thinking employer money counts toward your $24,500. It doesn't. Employer contributions count toward the separate $72,000 total limit.
- Waiting until December. Payroll needs time.
- Cutting take-home pay too much. Maxing out is great, but not if it forces you onto credit cards.
The bottom line
Use the next few paychecks to close any gap to $24,500 (or more, with catch-ups) for 2026. Then plan for a likely $25,500 limit in 2027 and set your January deferral to hit it evenly across the year.
This article is educational and not personalized tax advice. 2027 figures are projections until the IRS announces official limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2027?
The IRS hasn't announced it yet; it usually does in October or November. Projections from actuarial firm Milliman and several calculators point to $25,500 for employee deferrals, up from $24,500 in 2026, but treat that as an estimate until the IRS confirms.
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
$24,500 in employee deferrals. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up, for $32,500 total. Workers aged 60 to 63 get a higher 'super catch-up' of $11,250, for $35,750 total. The combined employee-plus-employer limit is $72,000.
What is the deadline to max out my 2026 401(k)?
December 31, 2026. Unlike IRAs, 401(k) deferrals have to come out of pay you receive during the calendar year, so the last paycheck dated in 2026 is your last chance. You can't contribute for 2026 in 2027.
What is the new Roth catch-up rule?
Starting in 2026, if your FICA wages from your current employer exceeded $150,000 in the prior year (an inflation-adjusted threshold), any catch-up contributions you make must go into the Roth (after-tax) side of your 401(k). Your regular $24,500 can still be pre-tax.
What happens if I contribute too much to my 401(k)?
If you exceed the deferral limit, usually by contributing at two employers in the same year, you need to have the excess and its earnings returned by April 15 of the following year. Otherwise, the excess is taxed twice. Each employer only tracks its own plan, so you have to watch the combined total.
Should I max out my 401(k) or my IRA first?
A common order: contribute enough to your 401(k) to get the full employer match, then fund a Roth or traditional IRA (2026 limit $7,500), then go back and add more to the 401(k). If your 401(k) has very low-cost funds, some people simply max it first.
Primary sources
Data & disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Figures reflect data available as of Oct 28, 2026, and conditions change — always confirm current pricing, rates and rules with the provider before you act. Written by Elizabeta Dimoska. See our editorial standards and disclosure.
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