401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Calculator (Age 50+)
Find your maximum 401(k) contribution including age-50+ catch-up and the SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for ages 60–63. Editable limits. Educational, not financial advice.
2025: $23,500. Verify current year.
2025: $7,500.
2025: $11,250 (SECURE 2.0).
The IRS lets workers 50 and older add a catch-up contribution above the base elective-deferral limit. Under SECURE 2.0, those aged 60–63 get a larger “super” catch-up. Limits shown default to 2025 IRS figures and are indexed annually — verify the current year at IRS.gov; they are editable here. This covers employee elective deferrals only, not employer match or the higher overall 415(c) limit. Not financial advice — consult a professional. Everything runs in your browser.
About this tool
The IRS caps how much an employee can contribute to a 401(k) each year through elective salary deferrals, but it gives older workers a chance to save more through catch-up contributions — a recognition that many people need to accelerate retirement saving in their final working years. Once you reach age 50, you can contribute a catch-up amount on top of the standard elective-deferral limit. The SECURE 2.0 Act added a further wrinkle: workers aged 60, 61, 62, and 63 get an even larger 'enhanced' or 'super' catch-up, set at 150% of the regular catch-up amount, before it drops back to the standard catch-up at 64. This calculator combines your age with the limits to show your personal maximum: it determines which catch-up tier you fall into (none under 50, standard at 50–59 and 64+, enhanced at 60–63), adds the right catch-up to the base limit, and compares the total against your planned contribution to show remaining room or flag an over-contribution. Because these dollar limits are indexed for inflation and change every year, the calculator ships with the 2025 IRS figures as editable defaults — you should confirm the current year's amounts at IRS.gov and update them. A few scope notes: this covers employee elective deferrals only, not your employer's matching contributions, and not the separate, higher overall limit (the 415(c) limit) that caps employee plus employer contributions combined. Catch-up rules can also differ between traditional and Roth treatment under recent law. This is educational and not financial advice — consult a qualified professional. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to use it
- Enter your age — it determines your catch-up tier.
- Enter the amount you plan to contribute this year.
- Confirm the base deferral limit and catch-up amounts (defaulted to 2025; verify the current year at IRS.gov).
- Read your maximum contribution and whether you have room left or are over the limit.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I contribute to a 401(k) with catch-up?
- Your base elective-deferral limit plus a catch-up if you are 50 or older. For 2025 the base is $23,500 and the standard catch-up is $7,500 (total $31,000); ages 60–63 get an enhanced catch-up of $11,250 (total $34,750). Verify current-year figures.
- What is the SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up?
- Starting in 2025, workers aged 60 through 63 can make a larger catch-up contribution — 150% of the regular catch-up amount. At 64 it reverts to the standard catch-up. This calculator applies the right amount for your age.
- Do catch-up contributions apply at exactly age 50?
- Yes — you are eligible for the catch-up in the calendar year you turn 50, even if your birthday is late in the year. The same applies to the 60–63 enhanced window based on your age during the year.
- Does this include my employer match?
- No. This covers only your own elective deferrals. Employer matching is separate and counts toward a higher overall limit (the 415(c) limit) on combined employee and employer contributions.
- Why are the limits editable?
- IRS contribution limits are indexed for inflation and change annually. The defaults are 2025 figures; rather than risk showing stale numbers, the tool lets you confirm and enter the current-year limits from IRS.gov.
- Is this financial advice?
- No. It is an educational calculator. Contribution rules (including Roth catch-up requirements for high earners) evolve. Verify with IRS.gov and consult a professional. Nothing is uploaded.