The IRS has not released the official 2027 401(k) contribution limits yet. Milliman projects the employee deferral limit will rise from $24,500 to $25,500, with the age 50+ catch-up rising to $8,500 and the ages 60 to 63 super catch-up rising to $11,750. IRA projections are split between $7,500 and $8,000. HSA limits are already official: $4,500 self-only and $9,000 family. Final retirement numbers are expected by mid-November 2026.
It is mid-October, and your HR portal just sent the annual reminder: review your benefits, update your 401(k) percentage, and pick next year’s elections. You want to bump your savings, but you have no idea what the 2027 401(k) contribution limits will be. Should you set your rate to max out at $24,500 again, or is the ceiling going up?
You’re not the only one in this situation. Open enrollment season usually lands before the IRS publishes the new retirement limits, so millions of workers are making decisions with a missing number. The good news is that the projections are tight, and some 2027 limits (like HSAs) are already locked in.
This guide lays out what is official, what is projected, and what is changing for older and higher-earning savers. You will also get a simple plan for setting contributions now and adjusting once the IRS confirms.
What Are the 2027 401(k) Contribution Limits?
Quick take: The official 2027 401(k) contribution limits are not out yet, but the leading projection is $25,500, a $1,000 increase from 2026. The IRS typically announces final numbers in late October or by mid-November.
The IRS announced the 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500. That limit applies to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan. For 2027, benefits consulting firm Milliman projected a rise to $25,500 in its August forecast, as reported by 401k Specialist.
Here is the projected picture next to the confirmed 2026 numbers:
- Employee deferral: $24,500 in 2026, projected $25,500 in 2027
- Total annual additions (you plus employer): $72,000 in 2026, projected $75,000 in 2027
- Compensation limit used for contributions: $360,000 in 2026, projected $375,000 in 2027
- Highly compensated employee threshold: $160,000 in 2026, projected $170,000 in 2027
There is one wrinkle. Milliman noted that if September 2026 inflation came in very low, the deferral limit could rise only to $25,000. That is why some earlier forecasts landed at $25,000. The consumer price data for September was released on October 14, so the official IRS notice should follow within weeks.
“Set your 2027 contribution rate now, then fine-tune it once the IRS confirms the limit.”
Catch-Up Contributions for Savers 50 and Older
Quick take: If you are 50 or older, the regular catch-up is projected to rise from $8,000 to $8,500 in 2027. That would let most 50+ savers put up to $34,000 into a 401(k).
Catch-up contributions exist so workers who started late, or who had lean years, can save more as retirement gets closer. They are made on top of the standard deferral limit. The National Association of Plan Advisors summarized Milliman’s projection of an $8,500 catch-up for 2027.
Here’s how the math could look for a saver age 50 or older:
- 2026 total possible: $24,500 + $8,000 = $32,500
- 2027 projected total: $25,500 + $8,500 = $34,000
- Low-inflation scenario: $25,000 + $8,000 = $33,000
Catch-ups are not automatic. You usually have to elect them or set your contribution rate high enough that your plan treats the overflow as catch-up money. Check with your plan administrator about how yours works.
The Super Catch-Up for Ages 60 to 63
Quick take: Workers who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2027 receive a larger catch-up instead of the regular one. Milliman projects it will rise from $11,250 to $11,750.
This “super catch-up” came from the SECURE 2.0 Act and started in 2025. It is designed for the final stretch before many people retire. Once you turn 64, you drop back to the regular 50+ catch-up.
What a 60- to 63-year-old saver could contribute:
- 2026 total possible: $24,500 + $11,250 = $35,750
- 2027 projected total: $25,500 + $11,750 = $37,250
- Who qualifies: Anyone who reaches age 60, 61, 62, or 63 by December 31, 2027
Not every plan offers the super catch-up, since employers decide whether to include it. If you are in this age window, it is worth a quick call to HR. For many people in their early 60s, this option is the single biggest tax-advantaged savings opportunity they will ever have.
“Your early sixties may be your best window ever for tax-advantaged retirement saving.”
The Roth Catch-Up Rule for High Earners
Quick take: If your prior-year wages from your employer topped the IRS threshold, your catch-up contributions must go in as Roth (after-tax) money. The threshold was $150,000 for 2026 and is projected to be $155,000 for 2027.
This is another SECURE 2.0 change, and it took effect January 1, 2026. CAPTRUST’s summary of the final IRS regulations explains that the test uses FICA wages from the prior year. The final regulations take full effect for tax years starting in 2027, after a good-faith compliance period in 2026.
What this change means in practice:
- Who is affected: Workers 50+ whose prior-year FICA wages from that employer exceeded the threshold
- 2027 test: Based on your 2026 wages, against a projected $155,000 threshold (per Milliman)
- What changes: Your catch-up dollars are taxed now, but qualified withdrawals later are tax-free
- What does not change: Your regular deferral (up to $25,500 projected) can still be pre-tax
If your plan does not offer a Roth option, affected high earners generally cannot make catch-up contributions at all. Paying tax now is not necessarily bad. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth money can work in your favor. Our breakdown of Roth vs. traditional IRA choices covers the same trade-off.
2027 IRA Contribution Limits: Will They Rise?
Quick take: The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500, and forecasters disagree on 2027. Some project it stays at $7,500, while others expect $8,000. The IRA catch-up for 50+ is $1,100 in 2026.
IRA limits rise in $500 steps, which makes them harder to predict. A small difference in inflation decides whether the limit jumps or stays flat. uDirect IRA Services estimated an $8,000 limit, while US Tax Tools’ tracker kept its projection at $7,500.
Key IRA numbers to know right now:
- 2026 IRA limit: $7,500 (traditional and Roth combined)
- 2026 IRA catch-up (50+): $1,100, for a total of $8,600
- 2027 projections: $7,500 or $8,000, with official numbers due from the IRS
- 2026 Roth IRA income phase-out: $153,000 to $168,000 for single filers, $242,000 to $252,000 for married filing jointly
The encouraging news for IRA savers is timing. You have until the April 2028 tax deadline to make 2027 IRA contributions, so there is no need to guess today. If you are just getting started, our guide on how to start investing with $100 shows that small, steady deposits add up.
2027 HSA Limits Are Already Official
Quick take: The IRS released 2027 HSA limits in June 2026. You can contribute up to $4,500 with self-only coverage or $9,000 with family coverage, plus $1,000 more if you are 55 or older.
HSAs are worth a spot in any retirement conversation. Money goes in tax-free, grows tax-free, and comes out tax-free for qualified medical costs. After 65, you can withdraw for non-medical expenses and pay only ordinary income tax, similar to a traditional IRA.
The official 2027 figures from IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-24, as reported by 401k Specialist:
- Self-only HSA limit: $4,500 (up from $4,400)
- Family HSA limit: $9,000 (up from $8,750)
- Catch-up (55+): $1,000 (fixed by law, not indexed)
- Minimum HDHP deductible: $1,750 self-only, $3,500 family
- Maximum HDHP out-of-pocket: $8,700 self-only, $17,400 family
You must be enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan to contribute. Since many employers hold open enrollment in October and November, now is the right time to compare an HSA-eligible plan with your other options.
How to Plan Your 2027 Contributions Now
Quick take: Pick a contribution rate based on the projected limits, then adjust in January if the official numbers differ. Small changes now compound over decades.
Waiting on the IRS should not freeze your plan. Most payroll systems let you change your 401(k) percentage anytime, so you can set a target today and correct it later.
A simple step-by-step approach:
- Step 1: Divide the projected $25,500 limit by your number of 2027 pay periods (26 for biweekly pay works out to about $981 per check).
- Step 2: Convert that to a percentage of your paycheck, or pick the highest rate your budget allows.
- Step 3: Capture your full employer match first. That is the fastest return you will get.
- Step 4: Raise your rate by 1% each year if you cannot max out yet.
- Step 5: Revisit in November when the IRS posts official limits.
If maxing out feels out of reach, start where you are. Our guide to how much you should save in 2026 by income level offers realistic targets. A qualified financial professional can also help you balance retirement saving against other goals.
Conclusion: Get Ready for 2027 Now
The 2027 401(k) contribution limits are not final, but the picture is clear enough to act on. Key takeaways:
- Expect a bump. Milliman projects $25,500 for 401(k)s, $8,500 for the 50+ catch-up, and $11,750 for ages 60 to 63.
- High earners, plan for Roth. Catch-ups for those above the wage threshold must be Roth accounts.
- HSAs are set. Use the official $4,500 and $9,000 limits in your open enrollment decisions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2027?
The IRS has not announced the official 2027 limit as of mid-October 2026. Milliman projects the employee deferral limit will rise to $25,500, up from $24,500 in 2026. A lower inflation reading could put it at $25,000, and the IRS is expected to confirm by mid-November.
What is the 2027 catch-up contribution limit?
The regular 401(k) catch-up for workers 50 and older is projected to rise from $8,000 to $8,500 in 2027. Workers aged 60 to 63 qualify for a larger super catch-up, projected at $11,750. Both figures are projections until the IRS publishes official limits.
Who has to make Roth catch-up contributions?
Workers 50 and older whose prior-year FICA wages from their employer exceeded the IRS threshold must make catch-up contributions as Roth. The threshold was $150,000 for 2026 and is projected at $155,000 for 2027. Regular deferrals can still be made pre-tax.
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2027?
The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500, with a $1,100 catch-up for people 50 and older. Forecasts for 2027 are split between staying at $7,500 and rising to $8,000. You have until the April 2028 tax deadline to make 2027 IRA contributions.
What are the 2027 HSA contribution limits?
The IRS has already released them. For 2027, you can contribute up to $4,500 with self-only coverage or $9,000 with family coverage. People 55 and older can add a $1,000 catch-up contribution.
