The SECURE 2.0 Act continues to reshape retirement savings, offering new opportunities for many to strengthen their financial future. Key updates include a higher required minimum distribution (RMD) age and expanded eligibility for 401(k) plans, making it easier for part-time workers to participate.
A major highlight for 2025 is the enhanced catch-up contribution limits for individuals ages 60 to 63. If you’re in this age group, you can now contribute up to $11,250 to your 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457 plan, far above the standard catch-up amount.
These increased retirement contributions help you maximize your savings during your peak earning years and can lower your taxable income and reduce your overall tax liability.
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Here’s what you need to know about how the new “super catch-up contributions” work.
Related: IRS Updates Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Thresholds
Standard 401(k) and IRA Catch-Up Contribution Limits
Before we dive into so-called “super catch-ups,” it helps to review standard catch-ups. (Catch-up contributions are additional retirement savings allowances for individuals 50 and older, designed to help boost their retirement savings.)
These provisions allow eligible savers to contribute beyond the standard annual limits in various retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs.
This could help make up for years of inadequate savings or maximize your tax-advantaged retirement funds. However, note that catch-ups are optional for eligible employees.
- For the 2025 tax year (returns you'll file in 2026), the standard annual deferral limit is $23,500, and the catch-up contribution limit for those age 50 and older is $7,500.
- For 2026 (returns typically filed in early 2027), the annual deferral limit is $24,500, and the catch-up contribution limit for those age 50 and older will be $8,000.
SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up contributions for ages 60-63
Under SECURE 2.0, beginning this year, 2025, individuals ages 60 to 63 are eligible for increased catch-up contributions in their retirement plans.
This applies to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans that currently offer catch-up contributions. It’s also important to note that this change is optional for employers. So, each plan sponsor will decide whether to implement this feature in their retirement plans.
This enhanced catch-up contribution limit is $10,000 or 150% of the standard age 50+ catch-up contribution limit, whichever is greater.
For example, the catch-up limit for those 50+ for 2024 was $7,500. So, the IRS has announced that for 2025, the enhanced catch-up contribution limit for those 60-63 is $11,250. (For 2026, that amount remains the same.)
To qualify for the enhanced catch-up contributions, participants must meet specific criteria:
- Be 60, 61, 62, or 63 by the end of the calendar year
- Generally already contributed the maximum deferral amount
Note: Once participants turn 64, they revert to the standard age 50+ catch-up contribution limit.
And, of course, catch-up contributions are optional for employees.
2025 Enhanced Catch-up Contribution
Participant Age in 2025 | 2025 Standard Annual Deferral Limit | Catch-up Contribution for 2025 | Total 2025 Annual Contribution Limit |
50-59 OR 64 or older | $23,500 | $7,500 | $31,000 |
60-63 | $23,500 | $11,250 | $34,750 |
2026 Enhanced Catch-up Contribution: Just Announced by the IRS
For 2026 (returns filed in 2027) the following chart shows newly announced annual contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.
- The 2026 Standard Annual Deferral Limit has increased from $23,500 to $24,500.
- The 2026 catch-up contribution for ages 50-59 and 64 or older has increased from $7,500 to $8,000.
- The special "super catch-up" for ages 60-63 remains at $11,250.
Participant Age in 2026 | 2026 Standard Annual Deferral Limit | Catch-up Contribution for 2025 | Total 2025 Annual Contribution Limit |
50-59 OR 64 or older | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
60-63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
New Roth catch-up contribution rules for high-income earners
SECURE 2.0 also includes new provisions regarding Roth contributions for high earners. As Kiplinger has reported, full implementation of the IRS rules for this provision has essentially been delayed until 2026.
However, generally, as of 2025, if a participant's wages exceed $145,000 in the previous year (subject to cost-of-living adjustments), they must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.
Making catch-up contributions on an after-tax Roth basis means paying taxes on your retirement savings during years when you sometimes earn more.
For more information, see: New IRS Start Date for Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Contributions.
Super catch-up contributions: Bottom line
Introducing enhanced catch-up contributions under SECURE 2.0 is part of a broader effort to encourage more workers to save for retirement.
With that in mind, allowing increased savings during key pre-retirement years could help some who haven’t been able to save as much earlier in their careers.
However, whether this is a good idea for you will depend on several factors, including employers' ability and willingness to adapt their plans and systems.
Also:
- Setting aside an extra $11,250 a year might not be practical if you’re juggling other financial responsibilities, like paying down debt or handling medical bills.
- As mentioned, as of 2026, if you earn over $145,000, new rules will fully be implemented, so these extra contributions must go into a Roth account, which means paying taxes upfront. That can reduce your take-home pay and might not make sense if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement.
- Plus, if you already have a healthy retirement balance, focusing on other goals, like building an emergency fund or investing in more flexible accounts, could be beneficial.
Before making large catch-up contributions, consider your overall finances and priorities to determine whether this strategy is right for you.
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