Catch-Up Contribution Calculator
See your total 401(k) or IRA contribution limit including the age-50 catch-up amount for the year.
How it works
Total limit = base contribution limit + (age-50 catch-up if you are 50 or older). 2024: 401(k) $23,000 base + $7,500 catch-up; IRA $7,000 base + $1,000 catch-up.
Retirement accounts cap how much you can contribute each year, but savers aged 50 and over get an extra catch-up allowance on top of the standard limit to help them build savings faster near retirement. This calculator adds the base limit and, if you are 50 or older, the catch-up amount for your account type. The figures shown are the 2024 limits; the IRS adjusts them periodically for inflation, so confirm the current year’s numbers.
Worked example
For a 401(k) at age 52, the 2024 base limit is $23,000 and, because you are over 50, you can add a $7,500 catch-up — a total of $30,500 you can contribute this year. An IRA at the same age would allow $7,000 plus a $1,000 catch-up, or $8,000.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2024 contribution limits?
The 401(k)/403(b) employee limit is $23,000 with a $7,500 catch-up at 50+. The IRA limit is $7,000 with a $1,000 catch-up at 50+. These are the amounts this calculator uses; the IRS updates them for inflation.
Can I contribute the catch-up to both a 401(k) and an IRA?
Yes. The limits are separate, so at 50+ you could add both the $7,500 401(k) catch-up and the $1,000 IRA catch-up in the same year, subject to the usual income and plan rules for each account.
When does the catch-up start?
You qualify in the calendar year you turn 50 — you do not have to wait until your birthday. Some plans also offer larger catch-ups in specific age bands under newer rules, so check your plan’s details.
Related calculators
Educational estimate only, not tax advice. Contribution limits, catch-up amounts and tax rules change with each year and depend on your income and plan — confirm current figures with a qualified tax professional.