U.S. Retirement

401(k) Contribution Calculator 2026

See your 2026 employee elective-deferral limit and how much you would need to contribute from each remaining paycheck to reach it.

2026 limits used

Age at year-end	Employee elective-deferral limit
Under 50	$24,500
50–59 or 64+	$32,500 if the plan permits catch-up contributions
60–63	$35,750 if the plan permits the higher SECURE 2.0 catch-up

The regular 2026 elective-deferral limit is $24,500. The general age-50 catch-up is $8,000, while employees age 60–63 can have a higher $11,250 catch-up limit.

Calculation method

Determine the age-based 2026 employee deferral ceiling.
Limit employee deferrals to compensation when compensation is lower than the statutory limit.
Subtract employee deferrals already made.
Divide the remaining amount by remaining paychecks.

This calculator covers the employee elective-deferral limit, not the full employer-plan contribution limit. Employer matching and nonelective contributions use separate rules and generally count toward the overall defined-contribution limit. Your plan can also impose a lower limit.

Beginning in 2026, certain higher-paid participants making catch-up contributions may be required to make those catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. Check your plan administrator and current IRS guidance.

Primary sources

Methodology & verification

Regular employee deferral limit: $24,500 for 2026.
General catch-up: $8,000 for eligible participants age 50+.
Age 60–63 catch-up: $11,250 for 2026.
Overall defined-contribution limit: $72,000 before qualifying catch-up contributions.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-17

Read Solveberry’s calculation methodology.