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What Are Super Catch-Up Contributions?

Super catch-up contributions allow certain workers to go beyond standard limits, creating an opportunity to save more for retirement. This can be especially helpful if you started saving later or experienced career interruptions, since it provides a chance to add more as you near retirement.

How Super Catch-Up Contributions Work

The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced super catch-up contributions, which work similarly to catch-up contributions but with higher limits.

Here’s how they work:

  • Eligibility: The higher super catch-up limits apply to employees aged 60 to 63  during the applicable calendar year.
  • Higher contribution limits: For 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans, the 2026 standard contribution limit is $24,500 but super catch-up contributions allow for up to an additional $11,250, replacing the standard catch-up amount for 50+.
  • Saving more when it counts: These higher limits allow eligible workers to contribute more during their later earning years and benefit from compound interest over time.

Super Catch-Up Contributions Across Different Accounts

Super Catch-Up Contributions are available across several workplace retirement plans:

  • 401(k) plans: Employer-sponsored retirement plans commonly offered by private-sector companies.
  • 403(b) plans: Workplace retirement plans for employees of nonprofits, schools, and certain public institutions.
  • Governmental 457(b) plans: Retirement plans for state and local government employees.

This means the opportunity to contribute more isn’t limited to just one type of workplace plan, giving eligible workers added flexibility across multiple retirement accounts.

Why Super Catch-Up Contributions Matter

Careers do not always follow a straight path. Job changes, caregiving responsibilities, or starting to save later can make it harder to reach retirement goals. Super catch-up contributions provide an opportunity to add more to your retirement savings in the years leading up to retirement.

Key benefits include:

  • Higher contribution capacity: The ability to contribute more allows additional savings to benefit from compound interest over time.
  • Tax treatment options: Contributions are tax-deferred in traditional accounts or made with after-tax dollars in Roth accounts, allowing for tax-free growth and withdrawals.
  • Added flexibility: For those who were unable to maximize contributions earlier, super catch-up limits offer another window to increase savings.

By allowing higher contributions later in your career, super catch-up contributions can help support retirement planning during years when income may be at its peak and retirement is closer into view.

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Tips for Super Catch-Up Contributions

  1. Start early in your 60s: Every year counts when compound interest has more time to work.
  2. Check with your employer: Confirm your plan allows super catch-up contributions. Not all plans automatically include the higher limits.
  3. Consider Roth or. Traditional IRAs: Roth contributions are taxed now but can grow tax-free. Traditional contributions reduce taxable income today.
  4. Review your budget: Make sure extra contributions don’t compromise your short-term financial needs.

Take Control with PensionBee

Super Catch-Up Contributions are a practical way to boost retirement savings for those aged 60 to 63. They give you an opportunity to strengthen your retirement savings, maximize tax advantages, and build confidence for your future.

If you’ve had several jobs throughout your career, you might have multiple 401(k)s. At PensionBee, we help make it simple to roll over your old 401(k)s and IRAs into an IRA. You can receive a 1% match on every rollover or contribution to a PensionBee IRA (terms and conditions apply). Many rollovers happen automatically, but if yours needs extra attention, our personal rollover managers, called BeeKeepers, are here to help every step of the way. Your investments are in diversified portfolios with ETFs like SPY and MDY from State Street Investment Management, one of the world’s largest asset managers. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who qualifies for super catch-up contributions?

Employees aged 60 to 63 in the calendar year, in eligible 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plans.

2. How much extra can I contribute with super catch-up contributions?

For 2026, you can contribute up to $11,250 in addition to the standard 401(k) limit of $24,500 if you’re eligible for the super catch-up.

3. Do super catch-up contributions apply to IRAs?

No. IRAs have a smaller catch-up limit of $1,100 for those 50+ in 2026.

4. Are super catch-up contributions mandatory?

No. They’re optional. You decide if and when to contribute extra.

Information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. It is not intended as the primary basis for financial planning or investment decisions and should not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. This material has been prepared for information purposes only and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Be Retirement Confident.

Roll over all your old 401(k)s into a PensionBee Individual Retirement Account (IRA). It takes just a few minutes to sign up.

Get started
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