401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits for 2026 — Everything You Need to Know
Every year, the IRS adjusts contribution limits for retirement accounts based on inflation, and 2026 brings several important changes that could affect how much you can save. Whether you're maximizing your 401(k) through your employer, funding a Roth IRA on your own, or running a small business with a SEP IRA, understanding these limits is the first step toward building a tax-efficient retirement strategy. The numbers matter more than most people realize. The difference between contributing $23,500 to a 401(k) versus the old $23,000 limit may seem small in a single year, but compounded over a 30-year career at a 7% average annual return, that extra $500 per year grows to over $47,000 in additional retirement savings. With the Federal Reserve having cut rates from 4.33% in August 2025 to 3.64% in January 2026, the economic backdrop is shifting — and making the most of tax-advantaged accounts has rarely been more important. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of every retirement account contribution limit for 2026, including catch-up provisions for workers aged 50 and older, income phase-out ranges for Roth IRAs, and strategies for maximizing your savings across multiple account types.