How much can I contribute to a 401(k) in 2026?
For 2026 the employee elective deferral limit is $24,500. If you're 50 or older you can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total). The combined employee + employer limit (Section 415(c)) is $72,000 for 2026.
What is the 60–63 super catch-up?
Under SECURE 2.0, participants who are age 60, 61, 62, or 63 during the year get an enhanced catch-up of $11,250 for 2026 — about 50% more than the standard $8,000. It replaces the regular catch-up for those four ages only; at 64 you go back to $8,000. Most calculators miss this, so it's built in here.
Does my employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 (plus catch-up) limit is for your own elective deferrals. Employer match is separate and counts only toward the higher combined Section 415(c) cap — $72,000 for 2026. The match is also computed only on pay up to the $360,000 compensation limit.
Should I choose Traditional or Roth?
Traditional contributions are pre-tax — they lower your taxable income now and are taxed as ordinary income when you withdraw. Roth contributions are after-tax with no deduction now, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free. The rule of thumb: if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today, Roth usually wins; if lower, Traditional. The calculator shows the after-tax value of each.
What is the Roth catch-up mandate?
Starting in 2026, SECURE 2.0 requires that if your prior-year FICA (Social Security) wages from your employer exceeded $150,000 (the 2026 indexed figure), any catch-up contributions must be made to a Roth account. You still get the catch-up — it just has to be after-tax.
What's a common employer match?
Safe Harbor — 100% of the first 3% of pay you contribute, plus 50% of the next 2% — is very common and maxes out at a 4% match when you defer 5% or more. Another frequent formula is 50% up to 6% (a 3% max match). Always contribute at least enough to get the full match; it's an immediate, guaranteed return.
Are these numbers inflation-adjusted?
No. The projected balance is in nominal (future) dollars. Real purchasing power will be lower because of inflation. Treat the result as a planning estimate, not a guarantee — actual returns and future contribution limits will differ.
Does this include state taxes or IRAs?
No. It uses 2026 federal 401(k) limits only and ignores state income tax, IRA contributions, and plan-specific details like vesting schedules or employer match true-up timing. It's an estimate for planning, not tax advice.
What happens to my 401(k) when I change jobs?
Four options: leave it in the old plan (usually allowed if the balance is $7,000+), roll it into your new employer's 401(k), roll it into an IRA, or cash out. Cashing out is the worst — ordinary income tax plus a 10% early-withdrawal penalty before 59½. Prefer a direct trustee-to-trustee rollover; an indirect rollover check comes with 20% mandatory withholding and counts as a taxable distribution if you miss the 60-day redeposit window.
When can I withdraw without a penalty?
The baseline is age 59½. The Rule of 55 is the big exception: leave your employer in or after the year you turn 55 and that employer's 401(k) can be tapped penalty-free (the exception disappears if you roll it to an IRA). Disability and certain hardship withdrawals also qualify. On the other end, required minimum distributions start at 73 for Traditional balances — Roth 401(k)s are RMD-free since 2024 under SECURE 2.0 — and skipping an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax on the shortfall.