The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday announced the 2026 benefit and contribution limits for qualified retirement plans, including contribution maximums for Section 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). Notably, the maximum contribution limit for 401(k) plans is increasing by $1,000.
Notice 2025-67 provides updated dollar limits for a variety of qualified retirement plans and accounts, covering both traditional and Roth IRAs.
Contribution Limits for Key Plans
- 401(k) Plans and Equivalents: The amount individuals can contribute to 401(k) plans will rise to $24,500 in 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025. This new limit also applies to Section 403(b) and most Section 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan.
- Traditional and Roth IRAs: The annual contribution limit for traditional and Roth IRAs increased by $500 to $7,500.
Catch-Up Contribution Limits
- Standard Catch-Up: The catch-up contribution limit, available to participants aged 50 and over in most 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan, increased by $500 to $8,000 for 2026.
- IRA Catch-Up: The IRA catch-up contribution limit for individuals 50 and older increased to $1,100, up from $1,000 in 2025.
- SECURE 2.0 Higher Catch-Up: Under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, a higher catch-up contribution limit applies to employees aged 60, 61, 62, and 63 who participate in the specified workplace plans. For 2026, this higher limit remains at $11,250.
Income Phaseout Ranges for Deductions and Contributions
The income thresholds used to determine eligibility for making deductible contributions to traditional IRAs, contributing to Roth IRAs, and claiming the Saver’s Credit have all increased for 2026.
Traditional IRA Deduction Phaseouts
Taxpayers may deduct contributions to a traditional IRA, but the deduction is subject to phaseouts if the taxpayer or their spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, depending on filing status and income. (Note: The phaseouts do not apply if neither spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan.)
| Filing Status | Workplace Coverage | 2026 Phaseout Range | 2025 Phaseout Range |
| Single | Covered by a plan | $81,000 to $91,000 | $79,000 to $89,000 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | Contributor covered by a plan | $129,000 to $149,000 | $126,000 to $146,000 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | Contributor not covered, spouse is covered | $242,000 to $252,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 |
| Married, Filing Separately | Covered by a plan | $0 to $10,000 (No annual COLA) | $0 to $10,000 |
Roth IRA Contribution Phaseouts
| Filing Status | 2026 Phaseout Range | 2025 Phaseout Range |
| Single/Head of Household | $153,000 to $168,000 | $150,000 to $165,000 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $242,000 to $252,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 |
| Married, Filing Separately | $0 to $10,000 (No annual COLA) | $0 to $10,000 |
Saver’s Credit Adjusted Gross Income Limits
The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limit for the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit (Saver’s Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers has also increased:
- Married Filing Jointly: $80,500 (up from 79,000$ in 2025)
- Heads of Household: $60,375 (up from 59,250$ in 2025)
- Single/Married Filing Separately: $40,250 (up from 39,500$ in 2025)