Catch-Up Contribution Impact Calculator (Age 50+)
Example: Your current age: 55 · Target retirement age: 65 · Current annual 401(k) contribution: 24500 $ · Expected annual return: 7 %
| Additional retirement wealth from catch-up | $110,532 |
| Additional annual catch-up allowed | $8,000 |
| Portfolio at retirement with full catch-up | $449,035 |
| Portfolio at retirement — base limit only | $338,503 |
| Total extra dollars you contribute | $80,000 |
Worked example
A 55-year-old with 10 years to retirement contributing at the $24,500 base limit (2026) reaches $338,503 in portfolio value, assuming contributions at each year-end and a 7% return. Adding the $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total) grows the portfolio to $449,035 — an extra $110,532 in retirement wealth from catch-up contributions of $80,000. The market multiplies every catch-up dollar by roughly 1.38×.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 401(k) catch-up limits?
For 2026, the base elective deferral limit is $24,500. Workers 50+ can contribute an additional $8,000, for $32,500. Under SECURE 2.0, workers ages 60–63 can contribute a higher super catch-up of $11,250 extra (for a total of $35,750). Two things people get wrong about that band: it is a window, not a floor — at 64 you revert to the ordinary $8,000 — and it is not cumulative with the $8,000. This tool applies the correct amount for your age.
Does catch-up apply to IRAs too?
Yes — the 2026 IRA catch-up for age 50+ is $1,100 on top of the $7,500 base ($8,600 total). The IRA catch-up used to be frozen at a flat $1,000, but SECURE 2.0 indexed it for inflation, and 2026 is the first year the adjustment actually moved it.
Can I contribute catch-up as Roth?
For many people, no longer a choice. The SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up mandate is in force for 2026: if your prior-year FICA wages from the employer sponsoring the plan exceeded $150,000, your catch-up contributions must be made as Roth rather than pre-tax. Below that wage figure, catch-up can still be pre-tax or Roth depending on your plan's options. Note the test is on wages from that one employer, not your total household income.
What if I cannot afford the full catch-up?
Even partial catch-up use is valuable. If you can add an extra $200/month ($2,400/year), run the calculator with that amount. Any amount above the base limit captures compounding years you cannot get back.