by Dan Whitaker, CFP®
Vice President
Administrative Services
As we head into 2026, you may be navigating the year-over-year changes and asking yourself: What has changed and what should I care about? From retirement account contribution limits to rollover rules and required distributions, a few key updates are worthy of your attention.
Each year, the IRS reviews and adjusts contribution limits for retirement plans and tax-advantaged health accounts with inflation and changing economic conditions in mind. Given that these adjustments reflect inflation, maximizing contributions, paired with the appropriate long-term investment strategy, helps preserve the real (inflation-adjusted) value of your retirement savings over time.
Non-IRA Retirement Account Contribution Limits
One of the most broadly applicable changes for 2026 affects employer-sponsored retirement accounts. If you contribute to a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k), Roth 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b), you’ll have a bit more room to save in 2026:
The employee elective deferral limit is now $24,500, up $1,000 from 2025.
The total combined employee and employer contribution limit has risen to $72,000, an increase of $2,000.
This higher overall cap makes employer matching and profit-sharing contributions especially valuable, as they can boost total retirement savings without additional employee deferrals.
For those participating in SIMPLE retirement plans, the standard 2026 contribution limit has increased to $17,000. In addition, a provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act allows certain eligible SIMPLE plans to permit contributions of up to $18,100, depending on employer structure and plan design. Check with your plan administrator to determine your plan’s eligibility.
Catch-Up Contributions for Savers Aged 50 and Older
For individuals age 50 and above, the standard “catch-up” contribution limit has increased by $500 to $8,000 for 2026.
There is also a special “super catch-up” provision for savers aged 60 to 63, which replaces the standard catch-up amount. This enhanced catch-up remains $11,250 for 2026. In some cases, this allows for total contributions of up to $35,750 when combined with the standard elective deferral limit.
These provisions are great for those who started saving later, experienced income volatility earlier in their careers, or are focused on maximizing savings as they approach retirement.
One important planning note: individuals earning more than $150,000 in FICA wages, (i.e. social security wages) in the prior year may be required to make catch-up contributions to employer plans on a Roth (after-tax) basis. This rule can affect tax planning strategies and is worth reviewing in advance.
IRA Contribution Limits
Contribution limits for Traditional and Roth IRAs have also received a boost for 2026:
The standard contribution limit is now $7,500, up $500 from 2025.
For individuals age 50 or older, the catch-up contribution has increased to $1,100.
As with past years, you can contribute based on spousal income, and prior year contributions can be made through the April 15 tax filing deadline.
While income limits apply to deductible traditional IRA and direct Roth IRA contributions, they do not apply to non-deductible IRA or backdoor Roth contributions. IRAs can complement workplace retirement plans and provide additional flexibility—particularly for diversifying between tax-deferred and Roth savings, when appropriate.
Health-Related Tax-Advantaged Account Contribution Limits
The IRS has also updated contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in 2026. While these increases may appear modest, HSAs can be powerful tools for households with ongoing health care expenses or those seeking additional tax-efficient savings options.
For individuals enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP):
The individual HSA contribution limit has increased to $4,400.
The family coverage contribution limit has risen to $8,750.
HSA contributions can be made until the federal tax filing deadline, typically April 15.
If you are age 55 or older by the end of the tax year and not enrolled in Medicare, you are eligible to make an additional catch-up contribution of $1000. This amount remains the same from 2025. However, there are important nuances to note for married couples that are both eligible for the catch-up contributions:
Each of you must have your own separate HSA to utilize the additional $1000 catch-up. You cannot both use one HSA for two catch-up contributions.
Spousal catch-up contributions are treated as deductible on each spouse’s individual tax return, assuming the catch-up contributions are not made via pre-tax payroll deductions
HSAs offer a unique triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. Over time, maximizing HSA contributions can help build a dedicated, tax-efficient reserve for future health care costs.
Check with Your Trusted Advisors
While annual changes to contribution limits may not make headlines, staying current allows you to make the most of the opportunities available to support your long-term financial and retirement goals. Early planning, especially at the beginning of the year, can make these updates even more impactful.
If you have questions about how these changes apply to your situation, we encourage you to consult with your tax advisor or your portfolio manager and client relationship associate. Thoughtful coordination across your advisory team can help ensure these updates are aligned with your broader financial strategy.
Ferguson Wellman, Octavia Group and West Bearing do not provide tax, legal, insurance or medical advice. This material has been prepared for general educational and informational purposes only and not as a substitute for qualified counsel. You should consult qualified professionals to understand how this information may, or may not, apply specifically to you.