Workers Near Retirement Are Rethinking How Much to Put in Their 401(k) Before Year-End

Workers nearing retirement can contribute up to $24,500 to most 401(k)s in 2026, with additional catch-up room for those 50 and older. Workers ages 60 through 63 may qualify for an $11,250 catch-up. fizkes/Shutterstock

For workers approaching retirement, October can trigger an uncomfortable realization: there aren’t many paychecks left to increase this year’s retirement savings. The good news is that 401(k) contributions before year-end can still make a meaningful difference, particularly for workers age 50 and older who qualify for catch-up contributions. For 2026, the basic employee contribution limit is $24,500, while many workers 50 and older can contribute thousands more. Workers ages 60 through 63 have an even larger catch-up opportunity this year, making the final months especially important for anyone who hasn’t reviewed their payroll percentage lately. Before simply cranking contributions to the maximum, however, near-retirees should look at taxes, cash reserves, employer matching rules and how much they’ll actually need between their final paycheck and retirement income.

Start With the $24,500 Limit