Catch-Up Contribution Calculator
See how much extra your 401k and IRA catch-up contributions add to your nest egg — including the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up for ages 60–63.
Without Catch-Up
With Full Catch-Up
Catch-Up Scenarios
2026 Contribution Limits
| Account | Standard | Catch-Up (50+) | Super (60–63) |
|---|
Balance Growth Year by Year
| Age | No Catch-Up | With Catch-Up | With Super (60–63) | Extra Nest Egg |
|---|
2026 Catch-Up Contribution Limits
| Account | Under 50 | Age 50–59 & 64+ | Age 60–63 (SECURE 2.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401k / 403b / 457 | $24,500 | $32,500 | $35,750 |
| IRA (Traditional or Roth) | $7,500 | $8,600 | $8,600 |
| Combined Max | $32,000 | $41,100 | $44,350 |
Who Benefits Most
Catch-up contributions produce the largest benefit when you start at the earliest eligible age (50), have 10+ years to retirement, and keep the portfolio invested for growth. An additional $8,000–$11,250/year over 10–17 years at 7% typically adds roughly $110,000–$265,000 to your retirement balance.
Even starting at 60 is meaningful: $11,250/year (super catch-up) for ages 60–63, then the standard $8,000/year for ages 64–66, at 7% adds approximately $87,000 by age 67 — about $290/month in additional income at a 4% withdrawal rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2026 catch-up contribution limits?
401k standard: $24,500. Catch-up at 50+: additional $8,000 (total $32,500). Super catch-up at 60–63: additional $11,250 instead (total $35,750). IRA: $7,500 standard + $1,100 catch-up at 50+ = $8,600 total.
What is the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up?
Starting in 2025, workers who turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year can make a larger 401k catch-up. For 2026 it remains $11,250 (vs the standard $8,000). At age 64, the standard $8,000 catch-up resumes. This was created by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.
Do catch-up contributions reduce my taxable income?
Pre-tax 401k and traditional IRA catch-ups reduce taxable income in the year contributed. At 22% bracket, an $8,000 catch-up saves $1,760 in federal taxes that year while the money compounds tax-deferred.
What is the impact of starting at 50 vs 60?
Starting at 50: $8,000/year extra at 7% for 17 years (retiring at 67) ≈ $247,000 extra. Starting at 60: ≈ $69,000 extra (before counting the larger age 60–63 super catch-up). Starting earlier magnifies the result dramatically due to compounding.
Does catch-up apply to both traditional and Roth 401k?
Yes — any split between traditional and Roth 401k, if your plan offers both. Starting in 2026, if your 2025 FICA wages from the employer sponsoring the plan exceeded $150,000, your catch-up contributions to that plan must be made as Roth (SECURE 2.0; threshold per IRS Notice 2025-67).
Can I make catch-up contributions if my plan doesn't allow it?
The IRS permits it, but your employer plan document must include catch-up provisions. Most large plans do. If not available in your 401k, IRA catch-up contributions are always available independently.
Sources & method
This calculator implements the IRS catch-up and SECURE 2.0 super catch-up limits.
Source: IRS — 401(k) contribution limits; 2026 figures ($24,500 deferral, $8,000 catch-up, $11,250 age 60–63 catch-up, $7,500 IRA limit, $1,100 IRA catch-up, $150,000 Roth catch-up wage threshold) from IRS Notice 2025-67 (verified 28 September 2026)
Not financial or tax advice. This is an educational estimator. It does not know your full situation, and tax rules change. Akshaya Panda, who builds and verifies these tools, is an engineer — not a financial adviser, accountant, or tax professional. Before acting on a result that matters, check it with someone licensed to advise you.