401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Calculator
See how much extra you can add to your 401(k) after age 50, plus the per-paycheck cost and tax savings of 2026 catch-up contributions.
401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Calculator
Annual Salary
Your Age
Sets your catch-up tier. Catch-up starts the year you turn 50.
Current 401(k) Contribution
Your existing base deferral (before catch-up).
Catch-Up Type
Pay Frequency
Filing Status
State (optional)
Used only to estimate state tax savings. Leave on "No state tax" for federal-only.
Paycheck & Tax Impact
Estimates only. Not tax or legal advice. Consult a tax professional for accuracy.
Track Every Paycheck All Year
The Pay44 app handles 401(k) deductions, overtime, bonuses, and taxes in all 50 states, so you always know what lands on payday.
2026 401(k) catch-up contribution limits
Catch-up contributions let older workers stash away more than the standard limit as retirement gets closer. For 2026, the base employee deferral limit is $24,500. The catch-up is additive: it stacks on top of the base, so maxing out the base limit never eats into how much catch-up you can add.
| Age Group | Base Limit | Catch-Up | Total Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | $0 | $24,500 |
| Age 50 to 59 | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| Age 60 to 63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
| Age 64 and older | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
You're eligible for the catch-up during the entire calendar year you turn 50, even if your birthday lands in December. Employer match dollars don't count against these elective deferral limits. The match counts toward the higher combined limit instead ($72,000 for 2026).
How catch-up contributions affect your paycheck
The catch-up amount isn't what actually leaves your take-home pay. Spread an $8,000 catch-up across 26 biweekly checks and it works out to about $307.69 per paycheck. With pre-tax (traditional) contributions, that money lowers your taxable income, so your real take-home hit is smaller than the face value.
Here's a worked example. Say you're in the 22% federal bracket and add the $8,000 catch-up pre-tax. Each $307.69 paycheck contribution only cuts your take-home by about $240, because roughly $67.69 of it would have gone to federal tax anyway. Over the year, that $8,000 catch-up saves around $1,760 in federal income tax, plus any state savings on top.
Roth catch-up works differently. You contribute after-tax dollars, so the full amount comes out of your paycheck and there's no up-front deduction. The payoff is that qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. To weigh the two side by side, try our Roth vs. Traditional 401(k) Calculator, or see your full deferral and match picture with the 401(k) Contribution Calculator.
The age 60 to 63 super catch-up explained
SECURE 2.0 created a higher "super catch-up" for a narrow age band. In 2026, workers who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 can add $11,250 instead of the standard $8,000, pushing their total limit to $35,750. The window is tied to your age during the year, so once you turn 64, the catch-up drops back to $8,000.
A couple of things worth knowing. The super catch-up is optional for plans, so check with your plan administrator that yours has actually adopted it. And because eligibility resets year by year, it's worth front-loading these years if you can afford the higher deferral. If you also save in an IRA, the IRA Contribution Calculator can help you round out the rest of your retirement savings.
New Roth catch-up rule for high earners (2026)
Starting in 2026, if your prior-year FICA wages were $150,000 or more, your catch-up contributions have to be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. This applies only to the catch-up portion, not your base $24,500 deferral, and only if your income clears the threshold.
In practice, high earners lose the up-front tax deduction on their catch-up dollars but get tax-free growth and tax-free qualified withdrawals later. The trade is paying tax now at your current rate instead of later at an unknown rate. If you expect your tax rate to be lower in retirement, the lost deduction stings more; if you expect it to be higher, the Roth treatment can work in your favor.
Want this math built into your everyday pay tracking? Get the Pay44 app to see deductions and take-home pay on every paycheck.
Estimates only. Not tax or legal advice. Verify current limits with the IRS and consult a tax professional before making decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about 401(k) catch-up contribution calculator
How much can I contribute to my 401(k) with catch-up contributions in 2026?
In 2026 the base employee deferral limit is $24,500. If you're age 50 to 59 (or 64 and older), you can add $8,000 in catch-up for a total of $32,500. If you're 60 to 63, you can add $11,250 (the super catch-up) for a total of $35,750. Catch-up amounts stack on top of the base limit.
What is the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit for age 50 and older?
It's $8,000 for 2026. The catch-up sits on top of the $24,500 base limit, so most workers 50 and older can defer up to $32,500. You're eligible for the whole calendar year in which you turn 50, even if your birthday is in December.
What is the "super catch-up" contribution for ages 60 to 63?
Under SECURE 2.0, workers who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 get a larger catch-up of $11,250 in 2026 instead of $8,000, bringing the total limit to $35,750. Once you turn 64 the catch-up drops back to the standard $8,000. Your plan has to adopt the higher amount for you to use it.
How much extra will catch-up contributions cost me per paycheck?
Divide the catch-up amount by your number of pay periods. An $8,000 catch-up across 26 biweekly checks is about $307.69 each. With pre-tax (traditional) contributions your take-home drops by less than that, because the deferral lowers your taxable income. The calculator above shows your per-paycheck cost and the take-home impact.
How much tax do 401(k) catch-up contributions save?
For pre-tax catch-up, multiply the amount by your marginal tax rate. At a 22% federal rate, an $8,000 catch-up saves roughly $1,760 in federal income tax, plus any state savings on top. Roth catch-up gives you no up-front deduction, so the estimated tax savings is $0.
Do I have to make catch-up contributions to a Roth 401(k) in 2026?
If your prior-year FICA wages were $150,000 or more, 2026 rules require your catch-up contributions to be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. If you earned less than that, you can choose pre-tax or Roth. The rule applies only to the catch-up portion, not your base deferral.
Are catch-up contributions on top of the regular $24,500 limit?
Yes. Catch-up is additive. The $8,000 or $11,250 stacks on top of the $24,500 base, so a 55-year-old can defer up to $32,500 and someone aged 61 up to $35,750. Maxing the base limit does not reduce how much catch-up you can add.
Does my employer match count toward the catch-up contribution limit?
No. Employer match counts toward the combined employer plus employee limit ($72,000 for 2026), not your personal deferral limit. Your catch-up only counts against your own elective deferral cap, so match dollars never eat into your $8,000 or $11,250.