Guide ยท tax year 2026
401(k), IRA, HSA and FSA limits for 2026
How much you can put into each tax-favored account in 2026, and what it does to your paycheck.
Figures checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.
| Account | 2026 limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, TSP | $24,500 | Your own contributions, traditional and Roth combined |
| Catch-up, age 50 or over | $8,000 | On top, for a total of $32,500 |
| Catch-up, ages 60 to 63 | $11,250 | Instead of the $8,000, where the plan allows |
| IRA, traditional or Roth | $7,500 | $1,100 more at age 50 or over |
| HSA, self-only cover | $4,400 | Needs a high-deductible health plan |
| HSA, family cover | $8,750 | Needs a high-deductible health plan |
| Health FSA | $3,400 | Through your employer |
What they do to your paycheck
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal income tax and, in most states, state income tax. Social Security and Medicare are still charged on them.
HSA and health FSA contributions made through your paycheck come out before federal income tax and before Social Security and Medicare, which makes them the most tax-efficient dollars on a pay stub. California and New Jersey still tax HSA contributions for state purposes.
Roth contributions come out after tax and do not change your paycheck's tax lines.
Example: maxing out a 401(k) on $85,000
Putting in the full $24,500 lowers federal income tax from $9,870 to $5,080, so take-home pay falls by $19,710, not by the full $24,500. In a state with an income tax the saving is larger.
Questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
$24,500 for employee contributions, plus $8,000 if you are 50 or over ($11,250 if you are 60 to 63 and your plan allows it).
Does the employer match count toward the limit?
No. The employee limit covers only what you put in.
What is the HSA limit for 2026?
$4,400 with self-only cover and $8,750 with family cover.