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Investing

401(k) & IRA contribution

Compare workplace 401(k), personal Traditional/Roth IRA, and workplace SIMPLE IRA (with required employer contributions).

Account type401(k): workplace elective deferrals + optional match. SIMPLE IRA: workplace plan with required employer contributions (often a 3% match). IRA: personal Traditional or Roth contributions (no employer match).
Contribution yearIRS contribution and catch-up limits change by calendar year.
For 401(k): gross pay for deferral %. For IRA: taxable compensation caps how much you can contribute.
$
Percent of salary (401(k)) or taxable compensation (IRA) you plan to put in.
%
Employer match formulaHow the employer match is calculated. Simple = 100% of your deferrals up to a % of salary. Classic = 100% on the first 3% of salary, then 50% on the next 2% (a common 401(k) formula; max employer cost is 4% of pay when you defer 5%+).
Catch-up ageAge 50+ can contribute extra catch-up dollars. 401(k) and SIMPLE IRA may allow higher ages 60–63 super catch-up if the plan allows. Personal Traditional/Roth IRAs only have standard age-50+ catch-up.
How many years to project growth of this year’s contributions. Set to 0 to skip the growth estimate and only show annual contribution amounts.
Assumed average yearly growth rate for the projection only — not a guarantee. A common long-term stock mix planning range is roughly 6–8%; use 0 for no growth.
%

Total annual contribution

$14,000

You $10,000· Match $4,000

Breakdown
Base annual limit$24,500
Catch-up limit (if eligible)$0
Age-based max (before other caps)$24,500
Effective max this year$24,500
Room left$14,500
Overall plan limit (employee + employer)$72,000
Projected balance$573,937
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k) elective deferrals share one IRS limit ($24,500 for 2026).
  • Employer match formula: 100% on first 3% of salary, then 50% on next 2% of salary.
  • Simplified 401(k) model: elective deferrals + tiered match. Omits mega backdoor, true-up, vesting, and high-earner Roth catch-up mandates.
Frequently asked questions

Read 401(k), SIMPLE IRA & IRA contribution basics

What is the difference between 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and IRA mode?

401(k) mode uses workplace elective deferral limits (traditional + Roth 401(k) share one limit) and optional employer match formulas (classic 3%+2%, simple % of pay, or custom). SIMPLE IRA mode uses lower workplace salary-reduction limits and a typical flat match. Personal IRA mode uses much lower traditional/Roth limits with no employer match.

What are the IRA limits?

Under age 50: $7,000 in 2025 and $7,500 in 2026. Age 50+: add $1,000 (2025) or $1,100 (2026). Contributions also cannot exceed taxable compensation. Direct Roth IRA contributions are further limited by modified AGI phase-outs.

How do Roth IRA MAGI phase-outs work here?

When you select Roth IRA, enter filing status and modified AGI. Full direct contributions are allowed below the phase-out start; the limit declines through the range; above the end of the range the direct Roth limit is $0. Ranges use IRS figures for 2025 and 2026 (for example, 2026 single is $153,000–$168,000). Backdoor Roth is not modeled.

What about catch-up contributions?

401(k): age 50+ standard catch-up is $7,500 (2025) or $8,000 (2026); ages 60–63 may use $11,250 super catch-up if the plan allows. SIMPLE IRA has its own lower catch-up and super catch-up amounts. Personal Traditional/Roth IRAs only have standard age-50+ catch-up (no separate 60–63 super catch-up).

What is the overall 401(k) plan limit?

Employee plus employer contributions are limited under IRC 415(c)—$70,000 in 2025 and $72,000 in 2026. This tool reduces employer match if needed so the total stays within that cap.

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