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In 2026, workers ages 60 to 63 can make a larger “super catch-up” contribution of $11,250 to their 401(k), instead of the regular $8,000 catch-up. That raises the total 401(k) limit to $35,750 for those four years, then it drops back to the standard catch-up at 64.
The SECURE 2.0 Act added a short, four-year window where older workers can supercharge their retirement savings. If you are turning 60 to 63, this is a chance to put away meaningfully more right before retirement. Here is how the super catch-up works, the exact 2026 numbers, and how it fits with the other catch-up rules. For the full set of limits, see our 2026 contribution limits guide and the retirement accounts hub.
- For 2026, the super catch-up for ages 60 to 63 is $11,250, versus the regular $8,000 catch-up at 50+, bringing the total 401(k) limit to $35,750.
- It applies only in the years you are 60, 61, 62, or 63. At 64, you go back to the standard catch-up ($8,000 total $32,500).
- It covers 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans. SIMPLE plans have their own super catch-up of $5,250 for 2026.
- If you are a high earner (over $150,000 in prior-year FICA wages from that employer), this catch-up must be made as Roth under the new 2026 rule.
- It is optional. You can contribute any amount up to the limit; the higher ceiling simply gives big savers more room in the final stretch before retirement.
What is the super catch-up contribution?
A catch-up contribution is an extra amount that workers 50 and older can add to a retirement plan on top of the standard limit. SECURE 2.0 created a larger catch-up, sometimes called the super catch-up, for a narrow age band: 60, 61, 62, and 63. During those four years, the catch-up is set at the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the regular age-50 catch-up, indexed for inflation. For 2026, that works out to $11,250.
So a 61-year-old in 2026 can contribute the $24,500 base plus the $11,250 super catch-up, for a total of $35,750, compared with $32,500 for a 50-to-59-year-old using the regular $8,000 catch-up.
How much can you contribute by age in 2026?
| Age in 2026 | Base limit | Catch-up | Total 401(k) limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | None | $24,500 |
| 50 to 59 | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| 60 to 63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
| 64 and older | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
The figures apply to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans (IRS). The jump at 60 and the drop back at 64 are both automatic based on your age during the year.
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Does it apply to SIMPLE IRAs too?
Yes, in a smaller form. SIMPLE plans have their own catch-up structure. For 2026, the regular SIMPLE catch-up at 50+ is $4,000, and the super catch-up for ages 60 to 63 is $5,250. The same age window and on/off mechanics apply.
How does it interact with the Roth catch-up rule?
Starting in 2026, if your prior-year FICA wages from that employer were more than $150,000, your catch-up contributions (including the super catch-up) must be made as Roth, not pre-tax. So a high earner using the $11,250 super catch-up would put that amount into the Roth side of the plan. If you are under the income threshold, you can choose pre-tax or Roth as usual. We cover this in detail in the new Roth catch-up rule guide.
Is the super catch-up worth using?
If you can afford it, the extra room is valuable precisely because it lands in your highest-earning, closest-to-retirement years, when every additional tax-advantaged dollar has a clear job. Contributing the full $35,750 for four years (ages 60 to 63) puts substantially more into the account than the standard limit would. That said, it is optional and only useful if you have the cash flow; there is no penalty for contributing less. Pair it with a plan for how to invest the money, not just how much to contribute, using our guide on maximizing your 401(k).
Frequently Asked Questions
For 2026, workers ages 60 to 63 can make a $11,250 catch-up contribution to a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b), instead of the regular $8,000. That brings the total 401(k) limit to $35,750 for those years.
Only workers who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 during the year. At 50 to 59 and at 64 and older, the regular $8,000 catch-up applies. Eligibility is based on your age during the calendar year.
No. IRAs have their own catch-up of $1,100 for those 50 and older in 2026, with no special age-60-to-63 amount. The super catch-up applies to workplace plans like the 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b), plus a smaller version for SIMPLE plans.
Yes. If your prior-year FICA wages from that employer exceeded $150,000, the 2026 rule requires catch-up contributions, including the super catch-up, to be made as Roth. Below that threshold, you can choose pre-tax or Roth.
The super catch-up ends. From age 64 on, you revert to the standard age-50+ catch-up ($8,000 for 2026, for a $32,500 total). The higher amount applies only during the ages 60 to 63 window.
The bottom line
The super catch-up lets workers ages 60 to 63 contribute up to $35,750 to a 401(k) in 2026, a four-year window to save more right before retirement. It is optional, applies only in those years, and must be Roth if you are a high earner.
- See all 2026 limits: our 2026 contribution limits guide.
- High earner? Read the new Roth catch-up rule.
- Making the most of your plan? Read how to maximize your 401(k) and the retirement accounts hub.
A quick note: this article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or tax advice. Limits come from the IRS and apply to tax year 2026; verify current figures at IRS.gov and check with your plan administrator or a tax professional about your situation.
