Calculate how much to contribute per paycheck to max your 401k in 2026. IRS limit $24,500 ($35,750 ages 60–63 with SECURE 2.0 super catch-up). Calculator4U
Calculate contributions to max out your 401k.
A 401k max contribution calculator tells you the exact dollar amount to contribute each paycheck so you hit the 2026 IRS limit — no more guessing at percentages or missing the deadline in December.
For 2026, the IRS raised the employee elective deferral limit by $1,000 to $24,500 (per IRS Notice 2025-67, November 2025). Workers age 50–59 and 64+ can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up for a $32,500 total. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, workers ages 60–63 now qualify for an enhanced "super catch-up" of $11,250 — bringing their maximum to $35,750. The combined employer plus employee limit for 2026 is $72,000 (or $72,000 plus applicable catch-up). Maxing out your 401k in the 22% federal tax bracket on the base $24,500 generates $5,390 in immediate federal tax savings.
| Age group | Employee limit | Catch-up | Total max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — | $24,500 |
| Age 50–59 and 64+ | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| Ages 60–63 (SECURE 2.0 super catch-up) | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67. Combined employer + employee limit: $72,000 ($80,000 for ages 50+; $83,250 for ages 60–63).
| Pay frequency | Under 50 ($24,500) | Age 50+ ($32,500) | Ages 60–63 ($35,750) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly (52) | $471.15 | $625.00 | $687.50 |
| Bi-weekly (26) | $942.31 | $1,250.00 | $1,375.00 |
| Semi-monthly (24) | $1,020.83 | $1,354.17 | $1,489.58 |
| Monthly (12) | $2,041.67 | $2,708.33 | $2,979.17 |
Starting January 1, 2026, employees age 50 or older who earned more than $150,000 in FICA wages in 2025 must designate all catch-up contributions as Roth (after-tax). This is a mandatory change under Section 603 of the SECURE 2.0 Act, confirmed in IRS final regulations (September 2025).
Annual tax savings = Contribution amount × Marginal federal tax rate
Net cost to you = Gross contribution − Tax savings
Example (2026): $24,500 × 22% = $5,390 saved. Your take-home pay only drops by $19,110 — but you invest the full $24,500. Add employer match of 5% on a $100,000 salary = $5,000 additional free money.
All figures per IRS Notice 2025-67, effective tax year 2026. Consult a qualified financial advisor or CPA for personalized retirement planning advice. Free — no login, no ads, instant results.
Also try: 401k Growth Calculator, Retirement Calculator, Compound Interest Calculator
Base limit: $24,500 (up $1,000 from $23,500 in 2025). Age 50–59 & 64+: +$8,000 catch-up = $32,500 total. Ages 60–63 SECURE 2.0 super catch-up: +$11,250 = $35,750 total. Combined employer+employee: $72,000 / $80,000 / $83,250 respectively. Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.
Priority order: (1) Get full employer match first — instant 50–100% return; (2) Pay off debt >7–8% APR; (3) Build 3–6 month emergency fund; (4) Max 401k. At 22% bracket: $24,500 contribution = $5,390 federal tax savings. Net cost to take-home pay: only $19,110. Then Roth IRA up to $7,000 for tax diversification.
Benchmarks: Age 30: 1× salary. Age 40: 3×. Age 50: 6×. Age 60: 8×. Age 65: 10×. Contribute 15–20% of gross income including employer match. SECURE 2.0 super catch-up ($35,750 at ages 60–63) is the single most powerful tool to close a late-stage savings gap.
Starting Jan 1 2026: employees age 50+ who earned >$150,000 in FICA wages in 2025 must make ALL catch-up contributions as Roth (after-tax). Mandatory under SECURE 2.0 Section 603. If your plan has no Roth option, high earners may lose catch-up eligibility entirely — contact HR now. Earners ≤$150,000 continue pre-tax catch-ups as before. IRAs not affected.
SECURE 2.0 "super catch-up": $11,250 for ages 60, 61, 62, 63 in 2026 (vs standard $8,000 for ages 50–59 and 64+). Total max for ages 60–63: $35,750. Optional for employers to offer — confirm with HR. Age 64+: reverts to $8,000 standard catch-up. Applies equally to traditional and Roth 401k.
Front-load: more time in market, potentially higher returns. Risk: missing per-paycheck employer match if no true-up policy. Even distribution ($942.31/paycheck bi-weekly): ensures full per-paycheck match capture. Rule: check if employer offers year-end true-up. If yes → front-load safely. If no → even distribution protects up to $5,000/year in matching at a $100k salary.
You miss it if: (1) you contribute less than the match threshold (e.g. 3% when employer matches 5%), or (2) you max out early and employer has no true-up policy. At $100k salary + 5% match: missing the full match = $5,000/year lost = $200,000+ over 20 years at 7% growth. Ask HR specifically: "Does our plan offer a year-end true-up?" If no — use even distribution.