401(k) and IRA contribution limits 2027: $25,500 expected

Quick answer: The IRS usually announces next year's retirement limits in late October or mid-November. Based on the final inflation data, actuaries at Milliman and Marsh both project the 2027 401(k), 403(b), 457 and TSP limit at $25,500 (up from $24,500), the age-50 catch-up at $8,500 (from $8,000) and the age 60–63 "super catch-up" at $11,750 (from $11,250). The IRA limit is expected to stay at $7,500. We will update this page with the official IRS notice.

Key takeaways

• Projected 2027 maximum for most workers: $25,500; age 50–59 or 64+: $34,000; age 60–63: $37,250.
• Employer plus employee money together is capped at a projected $75,000 (up from $72,000).
• High earners: catch-up contributions must go in as Roth if your prior-year FICA wages were over the threshold ($150,000 for 2026).
• Change your payroll percentage in December or January so you don't miss part of the higher limit.

#2027 limits (projected) vs 2026 (official)

Projected figures come from Milliman's final 2027 forecast (15 October 2026) and Marsh's projections, which agree on the 401(k) numbers. Treat them as very likely but not official until the IRS notice is out.

#How much you could put away in 2027

You qualify for the age-50 catch-up if you turn 50 by 31 December. The super catch-up applies in any year you turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the calendar year.

Example: To max out $25,500 over 26 biweekly paychecks, contribute about $981 per paycheck. On a $110,000 salary, that is roughly 23.2% of pay.

#The Roth catch-up rule for high earners

Under SECURE 2.0, if your FICA wages from your current employer in the prior year were above the threshold — $150,000 for wages earned in 2025 (applied in 2026), projected at $155,000 for 2027 — your catch-up contributions must be made as Roth (after-tax). Regular deferrals up to the base limit can still be pre-tax. If your plan has no Roth option, you may not be able to make catch-up contributions at all, so check with HR.

#Traditional or Roth?

Pre-tax contributions cut your tax bill now; Roth contributions are taxed now but come out tax-free in retirement. If you expect a higher tax rate later — or you are early in your career — Roth often wins. We compare them in detail in Roth vs traditional IRA, and the 2026 rules are in 401(k) and IRA limits 2026.

#What to do before 2027

1. Capture the full match. Contribute at least enough to get every dollar your employer matches — it is an instant return.
2. Raise your percentage in January. Many plans let you set an automatic yearly increase.
3. Check for a "true-up". If you max out early in the year, some employers stop matching unless the plan has a true-up provision.
4. Don't forget the HSA. If you have a high-deductible health plan, the 2027 HSA limit is $4,500 / $9,000.

See what steady contributions can grow to with our compound interest calculator.

#Frequently asked questions

What is the 401(k) limit for 2027?

It is projected at $25,500 for employee deferrals, up $1,000 from 2026. The IRS confirms the figure in its annual notice, usually in late October or November.

What is the catch-up contribution for 2027?

Projected at $8,500 for ages 50–59 and 64+, and $11,750 for ages 60–63.

Will the IRA limit go up in 2027?

Forecasts are split. Most expect it to stay at $7,500, because IRA limits rise only in $500 steps and use a different inflation calculation. The IRA catch-up is expected to stay at $1,100.

Do employer matches count toward the $25,500?

No. The $25,500 is your own deferral limit. Employer contributions count toward the separate total-additions limit, projected at $75,000.

#Sources

• Milliman — 2027 IRS limits: final estimates
• Marsh (Mercer) — projected 2027 retirement plan limits
• IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 limits
• IRS — 401(k) contribution limits