2026 401(k) Limits
2026 401(k) Limits: The Super Catch-Up Rules
A four-year window opens at age 60 that lets you shelter thousands more per year. Here's exactly who qualifies, how much you can contribute, and what changes for high earners in 2026.
In 2026, Brad Pitt turns 63 and has spent four decades aging suspiciously well. He, Halle Berry, and Robert Downey Jr. now share something less obvious than good genes: anyone who is 60 to 63 this year unlocks a larger 401(k) contribution limit called the super catch-up, and it closes the year they turn 64.
For 2026, the standard 401(k) employee contribution limit is $24,500. If you're 50 or older, you can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000. If you're between ages 60 and 63, you qualify for a larger super catch-up of $11,250, which raises your total employee contribution limit to $35,750. The table below shows the 2026 limits by age.
| Age | Base limit | Catch-up | Total employee limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — | $24,500 |
| 50 to 59 | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| 60 to 63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
| 64 and up | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
What is the 401(k) super catch-up contribution?
The super catch-up is an expanded catch-up contribution created by the SECURE 2.0 Act. For 2026, workers ages 60, 61, 62, and 63 can contribute $11,250 in catch-up contributions instead of the standard $8,000. That's 150 percent of the regular catch-up amount. Your employer's plan must offer the super catch-up for you to use it.
EligibilityWho qualifies, and what happens at 64?
You qualify in any calendar year you're 60, 61, 62, or 63. The higher limit applies for those four years only. In the year you turn 64, your catch-up drops back to the standard $8,000.
Contribution LimitsHow much can you contribute at age 60 to 63?
Your employee contribution limit for 2026 is $35,750. That's separate from employer contributions. Combined employee and employer contributions are capped at $72,000 for 2026, and catch-up contributions sit on top of that limit.
High EarnersDo high earners have to use Roth for catch-up?
Yes. Starting in 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in wages from your employer in 2025, your catch-up contributions must go into a Roth (after-tax) account rather than pre-tax. This includes the super catch-up.
Roth money is taxed now but grows and is withdrawn tax-free in retirement, which is an advantage for high earners who expect a sizable balance later. If your plan doesn't offer a Roth option, you may lose the ability to make catch-up contributions at all.
Why the super catch-up is worth it
Contributing the full $11,250 for all four years adds $45,000 to your account. At a 7 percent annual return, that grows to roughly $80,000 by age 70. The extra room exists for four years only, so capturing it is one of the more efficient tax-advantaged moves available late in a career.
Action StepsHow to make sure you capture it
Confirm your plan offers the super catch-up, since it's optional for employers.
Set your contribution rate high enough to reach the limit, because payroll won't adjust it for you.
If you're a high earner, confirm your plan offers a Roth option, because without one you may lose the ability to make catch-up contributions at all.
Frequently asked questions
Four years to move on this. Let's make them count.
A Brooklyn Fi advisor can confirm your plan's rules, model the Roth impact, and help you set the right contribution rate before the window closes.
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