Free catch-up contribution calculator for 2025. Find your extra savings by plan type, age bracket, and SECURE 2.0 super catch-up rules for ages 60-63.
The Catch-Up Contribution Calculator determines the additional amount you can save across every major retirement plan once you turn 50. Catch-up contributions are an IRS provision that allows older workers to accelerate their retirement savings during their peak earning years.
For 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduces a new super catch-up for ages 60-63, which increases the standard catch-up amount by 50% for 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans, and by 150% for SIMPLE plans. This calculator shows every limit by plan type and age bracket so you can maximize your total savings.
Understanding these limits is critical: workers over 50 can save thousands more per year than younger participants, and the new 60-63 window provides a short but powerful boost. For someone maximizing a 401(k) with catch-up from age 50 to 65, the additional contributions alone could grow to over $300,000 assuming average market returns. Starting catch-up contributions as early as you are eligible maximizes this powerful compounding advantage.
Many workers don't realize how much extra they can contribute starting at age 50. Missing catch-up contributions over a decade can cost $100,000+ in lost retirement savings. This calculator lays out every limit by plan type so you can maximize each account and close the gap between your current savings and your retirement goal.
401(k)/403(b)/Gov 457(b): Base $23,500 + Standard catch-up $7,500 (50+) or Super catch-up $11,250 (60-63) Traditional/Roth IRA: Base $7,000 + Catch-up $1,000 (50+) SIMPLE IRA: Base $16,500 + Standard catch-up $3,500 (50+) or Super catch-up $5,250 (60-63) SEP IRA: No catch-up; limit is 25% of comp up to $69,000
Result: Super catch-up: $11,250 extra in 401(k), total $34,750
At age 62, you are in the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up window (60-63). Your 401(k) catch-up is $11,250 instead of the standard $7,500, bringing your total from $23,500 to $34,750. Combined with an IRA catch-up of $1,000 ($8,000 total), your overall additional savings is $12,250/year.
A worker who maxes out 401(k) catch-ups from age 50 to 65 saves an additional $112,500 in contributions alone (not counting the super catch-up years). With compounding at 7%, that extra savings can grow to over $200,000 by retirement. Combined with IRA catch-ups, the total additional wealth can exceed $225,000.
The most significant change is the super catch-up window at ages 60-63. This recognizes that many workers enter their final saving sprint in their early 60s. The 50% increase to $11,250 provides four years of enhanced savings, adding up to $15,000 more than the standard catch-up over that window.
Start catch-up contributions as soon as you turn 50 and treat them as non-negotiable retirement funding. If cash flow is tight, consider reducing other discretionary spending first. The tax deduction (if pre-tax) partially offsets the paycheck impact. If you're near FIRE or targeting early retirement, maximizing catch-ups in your final working years is one of the highest-impact financial moves available.
You must be at least 50 years old by the end of the calendar year to make catch-up contributions. For 401(k), 403(b), and SIMPLE plans, there is an additional super catch-up window from age 60 to 63 under SECURE 2.0. This provision started in 2025.
The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced higher catch-up limits for participants aged 60-63. For 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) plans, the limit increases to $11,250 (from $7,500). For SIMPLE plans, it increases to $5,250 (from $3,500). At age 64, the limits revert to the standard catch-up amounts.
No. SEP IRAs do not have a catch-up contribution provision. The SEP IRA limit (25% of compensation up to $69,000 in 2025) applies uniformly regardless of age. This is one reason why a Solo 401(k) often allows more savings for self-employed individuals over 50.
Yes. 401(k) and IRA have separate contribution limits. If you're 50+, you can make a $7,500 catch-up to your 401(k) (or $11,250 at 60-63) AND a $1,000 catch-up to your IRA. These limits stack because they are independent plan types.
You can choose either. Currently, catch-ups can be pre-tax or Roth (if the plan offers a Roth option). Starting in 2026, SECURE 2.0 requires that catch-ups for employees earning over $145,000 be made as Roth only in 401(k)/403(b) plans.
Catch-up contributions typically do not receive an employer match, though a small number of plans do match them. The employer match formula usually applies only to the base contribution up to the standard deferral limit. Check your specific plan document.
The IRA catch-up has remained at $1,000 since it was introduced. Unlike 401(k) catch-ups, it is not indexed to inflation. SECURE 2.0 will begin indexing the IRA catch-up to inflation starting in 2024, but it still has not changed due to rounding.