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Key Takeaways
- In 2026, you can save more for retirement with higher 401(k) and IRA limits, but older workers earning more than $150,000 may need to make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.
- When you get a pay raise, consider putting some of it toward your retirement account to grow your savings faster.
Higher 401(k) limits, new rules for Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and a fresh calendar year: 2026 offers a real chance to get ahead on retirement—if you know where to start.
We spoke with financial planners about the moves worth making right now.
Key Changes in 2026
With the New Year comes increases in retirement account limits. In 2026, people can put more money in 401(k)s and IRAs.
For 2026, the 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500, up from $23,500 in 2025. Additionally, the maximum annual contribution for IRAs is $7,500 in 2026, up from $7,000 last year.
Plus, if you’re a worker aged 50 or older who plans to make catch-up contributions to your 401(k) in 2026, there could be big changes in how you make those contributions.
One wrinkle for higher earners: Under Secure 2.0, workers 50 and older who made more than $150,000 last year must now make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis—meaning after-tax dollars go in, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
Use Your Pay Raise To Save For Retirement
If you got a pay raise this year, consider putting that money to work by stashing some of it in a retirement account, said Byrke Sestok, a certified financial planner (CFP) and partner at MONECO Advisors.
“When you come to pay raise time, take some of it and increase your 401(k) contributions by that amount,” Sestok said. “So if you get a 3% raise, increase your 401(k) contributions by 1%.
Automate Your Savings
Maryanne Gucciardi, a CFP and founder of Wealthmind Financial Planning, recommends setting up automatic contributions, which you can do for a 401(k), IRA, brokerage account, and more.
“Make your contributions automatic. That way it’s easy to be disciplined,” Gucciardi said.
She suggests reviewing your budget to identify additional savings, then periodically checking your progress and celebrating any small wins along the way.
For example, rather than unsubscribe from all of the streaming services, consider keeping one if there’s a particular show you’re watching. And instead of buying a latte every day, consider making it a twice-a-week habit.
“Positive emotions make habits permanent,” Gucciardi said. “Celebrating and feeling really good about what you’ve just accomplished is the most important thing to making it permanent.”
