Retirement - United States

    401(k) Contribution Calculator

    Estimate your available employee deferral room for 401(k)/403(b)/457 plans using annual IRS limits.

    Tax year: 2026Last updated: May 23, 2026IRS Notice 2025-67 alignedAge-based catch-up handlingContribution-room check
    Inputs

    Configure your scenario

    Enter your age, salary, and planned contribution to check deferral room.

    Max allowed

    $24,500

    Planned

    $20,000

    Room left

    $4,500

    Breakdown

    Detailed estimate

    Age-based max before pay cap
    $24,500
    Allowed max by compensation
    $24,500
    Remaining contribution room
    $4,500
    Potential excess over limit
    $0
    Planned contribution rate
    16.7%
    FAQ

    401(k) - quick answers

    Does this include employer match?+

    No. This page checks employee elective deferrals and catch-up limits only.

    Why does age 60-63 show a different catch-up?+

    SECURE 2.0 introduced a higher catch-up amount for eligible ages 60 through 63.

    Sources & Act Reference

    401(k) contribution references

    Annual deferral cap

    IRS sets elective deferral limits annually with COLA updates.

    Catch-up treatment

    Additional catch-up allowances apply by age and plan eligibility.

    Rule Trace

    Applied rule and official references

    Applied rule: max employee deferral = annual deferral limit + age-based catch-up (if eligible)

    Compliance checklist

    Validate plan-specific restrictions, payroll timing, and whether your employer plan supports higher catch-up treatment.

    Smart Insight

    Your modeled maximum employee contribution is $24,500 for 2026.