The regular employee elective deferral for a 401(k), 403(b), or most 457(b) plans is $24,500 in 2026. If you are 50 or older and the plan allows catch-up, you can add more:
- Ages 50–59 and 64+: $8,000 extra (total $32,500)
- Ages 60–63: $11,250 extra if the plan has the SECURE 2.0 higher catch-up (total $35,750)
Age 62, $30,000 already deferred: room left $5,750.
Run the 401(k) catch-up calculator →
Catch-up is optional for the plan. Ages 60–63 do not automatically get $11,250. Employer match does not use this extra. Estimate, not tax advice. See 401(k) contribution limits.
Direct answer: $30,000 at 62 → $5,750
- Base = $24,500
- Enhanced catch-up = $11,250
- Total limit = $35,750
- Room = $35,750 − $30,000 = $5,750
base = $24,500 catch-up = $0 if age < 50; $8,000 if 50–59 or 64+; $11,250 if 60–63 total = base + catch-up remaining = max(0, total − YTD)
Checks you can re-run
| Age | YTD | Catch-up | Total limit | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | $11,000 | $0 | $24,500 | $13,500 |
| 55 | $0 | $8,000 | $32,500 | $32,500 |
| 62 | $20,000 | $11,250 | $35,750 | $15,750 |
| 62 | $30,000 | $11,250 | $35,750 | $5,750 |
| 52 | $33,000 | $8,000 | $32,500 | $0 (excess $500) |
| 64 | $0 | $8,000 | $32,500 | $32,500 |
Age 64 drops back to the $8,000 catch-up. The higher $11,250 band is only 60 through 63.
Under 50, this page is the same remaining-room math as 401(k) deferral limit. IRA catch-up is a different dollar: IRA uses $8,600 at 50+, not $32,500.
What this is not
- Not the $72,000 annual-additions cap (employee + employer).
- Not an IRA.
- Not a loan or an early withdrawal.
Only if the plan offers the SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up. The engine assumes it does when you enter age 60–63.
No. Match sits on the combined annual-additions limit, not on this elective-deferral total.
Yes. The $24,500 plus catch-up is combined across Roth and traditional deferrals.