Retirement Retirement contribution limits and deadlines

Planning is an important element when working towards financial goals, especially when thinking about retirement. Learn more about retirement options available for small business employers and individual investors.
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Contribution deadline

Several contributions can be made for the prior year as late as tax filing deadline.

Catch-up contributions

People age 50 and older can save additional money.

IRS refunds

Invest refunds via direct deposit. 

For small business retirement plans

 Contribution maximum

Funding deadline1

Solo 401(k)2026202520262025
Overall contribution if under age 502, 3$72,000$70,000Tax filing deadline + extension
Participant contribution maximum$24,500$23,500Dec. 31Dec. 31

Additional participant catch-up contribution at age 503,4

$8,0006$7,500Dec. 31Dec. 31
Additional super catch-up at contribution for ages 60 - 633,5$11,2506$11,250Dec. 31Dec. 31

New plan deadline for incorporated businesses: Tax filing deadline + extension7

New plan deadline for sole proprietors:  Employer's tax return deadline (no extensions)8

Get started: Complete Solo 401(k) kit

 Contribution maximum

Funding deadline1

SEP IRA2026202520262025
Employer contribution per participant2$72,000$70,000Tax filing deadline + extension

New plan deadline: Tax filing deadline + extension

Get started: Complete SEP IRA Application

 

Contribution Maximum

Funding deadline1

SIMPLE IRA: 25 or less employess

2026

2025

2026

2025

Participant contribution maximum

$18,100

$17,600

Within 7 business days of payroll

Within 7 business days of payroll
Participant catch-up contribution at age 503,4$4,000$3,850Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll

Participant catch-up contribution at 60-633,5

$5,250

$5,250

Within 7 business days of payroll

Within 7 business days of payroll
Employer contribution: match or non-elective9MandatoryMandatoryTax filing deadline + extensionTax filing deadline + extension
Additional employer contribution10$5,300
Conditional		$5,100
Conditional		Tax filing deadline + extensionTax filing deadline + extension
SIMPLE IRA: 26 or more employees

2026

2025

2026

2025

Participant contribution maximum$17,000$16,500Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll
Increased participant deferral contribution (permitted if match is 4% or non-elective is 3%)$18,100
Conditional		$17,600
Conditional		Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll
Participant catch-up contribution at age 503,4$4,000$3,500Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll
Increased participant catch-up contribution at age 50 (permitted if match is 4% or non-elective is 3%)$3,85011$3,850Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll
Participant catch-up contribution at 60-633,5

$5,250

Optional

$5,250

Optional

Within 7 business days of payrollWithin 7 business days of payroll
Employer contribution: match or non-elective9MandatoryMandatoryTax filing deadline + extensionTax filing deadline + extension
Additional employer contributions10$5,300
Optional		$5,100
Optional		Tax filing deadline + extensionTax filing deadline + extension

New plan deadline: Oct. 1

Get started: Complete SIMPLE Plan Establishment Kit for Employers.

 

Contribution maximum

Funding deadline1

Payroll Deduction IRA12

2026202520262025
Traditional and Roth IRAs13$7,500$7,000Dec. 31Dec. 31
Catch-up contributions at age 503,4$1,100$1,000Dec. 31Dec. 31

New plan deadline: None

Get started: Complete Payroll Deduct Employer Application and IRA Application

For individual retirement accounts

Contributing to an IRA can help kick-start retirement savings or boost existing retirement savings strategies while taking advantage of its tax benefits. To support savings efforts, use the IRS’ direct deposit program to invest tax refunds.

 

Contribution maximum

Funding deadlines1

Individual retirement accounts

2026

2025

2026

2025

Traditional and Roth IRAs              

$7,500

$7,000

15-Apr-2715-Apr-26

Catch-up contributions at age 503,4

$1,100

$1,000

15-Apr-2715-Apr-26

IRS income limits

While income limits usually apply when contributing to a traditional or Roth IRA, there’s an exception: if you make a contribution to a traditional IRA without claiming a tax deduction, there are no income requirements. This is called a nondeductible IRA contribution. Learn more about how these plans compare and speak with your financial or tax professional to determine which one is most suitable for your situation.

Traditional IRA deduction range14

2026

2025

Single, covered by a workplace plan           $81,000-$91,000$79,000-$89,000
Joint tax return for person covered by a workplace retirement plan$129,000-$149,000$126,000-$146,000
Married filing separately for person covered by a workplace retirement plan$0-$10,000$0-$10,000
Joint tax return for spouse not covered by a workplace retirement plan$242,000-$252,000$236,000-$246,000
Roth IRA contribution phase-out range1520262025
Single$153,000-$168,000$150,000-$165,000
Married filing jointly$242,000-$252,000$236,000-$246,000
Married filing separate returns$0-$10,000$0-$10,000

Related insights

Other retirement plans

  • 1

    Contributions are processed when funding is received. Invesco does not monitor contributions.
  • 2

    When calculating contributions, compensation is limited to $360,000 for 2026 and $350,000 for 2025. 
  • 3

    The catch-up contributions are in addition to the contribution amount indicated.
  • 4

    Additional contribution permitted beginning January 1st of catch-up age.
  • 5

    Additional contribution permitted beginning January 1 of the year the participant turns 60 and must cease by December 31 of the year they turn 63. 
  • 6

    Effective 1/1/2026, individuals who earned FICA wages of $150,000 or greater as of 12/31/2025 must make catch-up contributions as Roth. 
  • 7

    Incorporated businesses seeking to make salary deferrals have until December 31 to establish a Solo 401(k) plan for the tax year. 
  • 8

    Sole proprietors who establish a Solo 401(k) plan after the tax year (12/31) but before the employer’s tax filing deadline (no extensions) are permitted to make retroactive employee salary deferrals for the prior tax year up to the employee’s tax filing deadline and employer profit-sharing contributions can be made up to the employer’s tax filing deadline plus extensions.
  • 9

    Employer must provide at least 60 days’ advance written notice to all eligible employees prior to January 1, specifying how mandatory contributions—whether matching or non-elective—will be allocated to the SIMPLE IRA plan.
  • 10

    Up to 10% of compensation of each eligible employee not to exceed the applicable COLA limit. 
  • 11

    The SIMPLE increased participant catch-up contribution limit tracks along its own COLA adjustment path, which means some years the regular catch-up contribution will be more beneficial. The regular catch-up contribution is $4,000 for 2026. 
  • 12

    Contributions to a Payroll Deduction IRA may impact contributions to other traditional or Roth IRAs maintained. 
  • 13

    Contributions to traditional and Roth accounts are aggregated. Subject to IRS income limits.
  • 14

    Full deductions are permitted below the income range and reduce to zero at the income maximum.
  • 15

    Full contributions are permitted below the income range and reduce to zero at the income maximum.