---
title: "401(k) Contribution Limits by Year"
description: "Historical 401(k) employee deferral limits, catch-up contributions, & Section 415 annual addition limits from 2001 through 2026, sourced from IRS publications."
canonical: https://www.getswoopr.com/tables/retirement/401k-contribution-limits/
source: "Swoopr Investment: https://www.getswoopr.com"
---

## Direct Answer

> The 401(k) employee deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500, with a standard catch-up of $8,000 for workers age 50 or older. Workers age 60-63 have an enhanced SECURE 2.0 catch-up of $11,250. The combined employee-plus-employer Section 415 limit is $72,000.

# 401(k) Contribution Limits by Year

## 401(k) contribution limits by year (2001-2026)

The IRS adjusts these limits annually for inflation in $500 increments. Limits held flat during low-inflation years and rose sharply after 2022.

| Year | Employee Deferral | Catch-up (Age 50+) | Total with Catch-up | Sec. 415 Limit |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | $10,500 | $1,000 | $11,500 | $35,000 |
| 2002 | $11,000 | $1,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 |
| 2003 | $12,000 | $2,000 | $14,000 | $40,000 |
| 2004 | $13,000 | $3,000 | $16,000 | $41,000 |
| 2005 | $14,000 | $4,000 | $18,000 | $42,000 |
| 2006 | $15,000 | $5,000 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 2007 | $15,500 | $5,000 | $20,500 | $45,000 |
| 2008 | $15,500 | $5,000 | $20,500 | $46,000 |
| 2009 | $16,500 | $5,500 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 2010 | $16,500 | $5,500 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 2011 | $16,500 | $5,500 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 2012 | $17,000 | $5,500 | $22,500 | $50,000 |
| 2013 | $17,500 | $5,500 | $23,000 | $51,000 |
| 2014 | $17,500 | $5,500 | $23,000 | $52,000 |
| 2015 | $18,000 | $6,000 | $24,000 | $53,000 |
| 2016 | $18,000 | $6,000 | $24,000 | $53,000 |
| 2017 | $18,000 | $6,000 | $24,000 | $54,000 |
| 2018 | $18,500 | $6,000 | $24,500 | $55,000 |
| 2019 | $19,000 | $6,000 | $25,000 | $56,000 |
| 2020 | $19,500 | $6,500 | $26,000 | $57,000 |
| 2021 | $19,500 | $6,500 | $26,000 | $58,000 |
| 2022 | $20,500 | $6,500 | $27,000 | $61,000 |
| 2023 | $22,500 | $7,500 | $30,000 | $66,000 |
| 2024 | $23,000 | $7,500 | $30,500 | $69,000 |
| 2025 | $23,500 | $7,500 / $11,250 (age 60-63) | $31,000 / $34,750 | $70,000 |
| 2026 | $24,500 | $8,000 / $11,250 (age 60-63) | $32,500 / $35,750 | $72,000 |

![Line chart of 401(k) contribution limits by year (2001-2026), 2001 to 2026, with 2 series. Employee Deferral starts at $10,500, peaks at $24,500 in 2026, falls to a low of $10,500 in 2001 and ends at $24,500 in 2026.](https://www.getswoopr.com/images/charts/tables-retirement-401k-contribution-limits-1.webp)
*401(k) contribution limits by year (2001-2026), charted from the table above. Select the chart to open it full size.*

Source: [IRS: Retirement Topics - 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan Contribution Limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits). Last verified: September 2026. Verify current-year figures at IRS.gov before making decisions.

## Note on 2025 enhanced catch-up contributions

The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced an enhanced catch-up for workers age 60 through 63, effective 2025. This group can contribute $11,250 instead of the standard $7,500. Workers turning 64 revert to the standard $7,500. The age-60-63 window is strictly defined; a worker who turns 64 during the year uses the standard catch-up for that full year.

## Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

The employee deferral limit for 2026 is $24,500. Workers age 50 or older can add a standard catch-up contribution of $8,000, bringing the total to $32,500. Under SECURE 2.0, workers age 60-63 have an enhanced catch-up limit of $11,250 in 2026, for a total of $35,750. The combined employee plus employer limit under IRC Section 415 is $72,000.

Do 401(k) limits change every year?

The IRS adjusts 401(k) contribution limits for inflation, but only in $500 increments, so they do not change every year. Between 2015 and 2018, the employee deferral limit stayed flat while the economy saw modest inflation. Since 2022, limits have risen more quickly due to higher inflation. The IRS typically announces the following year's limits in late October.

What is the difference between the employee deferral limit and the Section 415 limit?

The employee deferral limit ($24,500 in 2026) is the maximum you can contribute from your own paycheck. The Section 415 annual addition limit ($72,000 in 2026) is the total cap on all contributions from all sources, including your deferrals, employer matching, and profit-sharing contributions. High earners at companies with generous matches may need to watch both limits.

## Cite This Page

If you reference this table in your own work, use the following citation format and add the date you accessed it:

> Swoopr Editorial Team. (2026). *401(k) Contribution Limits by Year*. Swoopr Investment. [https://www.getswoopr.com/tables/retirement/401k-contribution-limits/](https://www.getswoopr.com/tables/retirement/401k-contribution-limits/)

Check the figures against the primary sources listed under References before you rely on or republish them; the series they come from are revised.

## References

- [IRS: Retirement Topics - 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan Contribution Limits](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits)

[Swoopr Editorial Team](https://www.getswoopr.com/authors/swoopr-editorial-team/) produces independent investment education and research content. Our writers and editors do not receive compensation from issuers, brokers, or asset promoters. For personal holdings disclosure, see our [conflicts-of-interest policy](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/conflicts-of-interest/).

Content is reviewed for factual accuracy before publication. Corrections and editorial feedback can be submitted through our [corrections policy](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/corrections-policy/). This article reflects our [editorial standards](https://www.getswoopr.com/legal/editorial-policy/).