If you're between the ages of 60 and 63, 2026 brings a retirement savings opportunity that didn't exist before: the ability to contribute up to $35,750 to your 401(k)—more than any other age group and significantly more than the standard limits.

This "super catch-up" contribution, created by the SECURE 2.0 Act passed in late 2022, is now active for the first time. For workers in this narrow age window, it represents a chance to turbocharge retirement savings during prime earning years—but only if your employer's plan has updated to allow it.

Breaking Down the 2026 Contribution Limits

Here's how the new contribution structure works:

Standard Contribution (All Ages): $24,500

Standard Catch-Up (Age 50+): $24,500 + $8,000 = $32,500

Super Catch-Up (Ages 60-63): $24,500 + $11,250 = $35,750

The super catch-up essentially provides an additional $3,250 over the standard catch-up contribution for workers in this specific four-year age window. Once you turn 64, you revert to the standard catch-up limit of $8,000.

Why These Ages Matter

The logic behind targeting ages 60-63 is straightforward: these are typically peak earning years when workers have the most capacity to save, yet they're close enough to retirement that additional contributions can meaningfully impact their nest egg.

Consider the math: An additional $3,250 per year for four years (ages 60-63) equals $13,000 in extra principal. With even modest investment returns, that could grow to $15,000-$20,000 or more by retirement age, providing an extra cushion for the final working years.

For workers who got a late start on retirement savings or experienced setbacks during their careers, the super catch-up offers a chance to make up ground during the home stretch.

The Roth Twist for High Earners

There's an important catch for high-income workers: if your prior-year W-2 wages from a single employer exceeded $150,000, all of your catch-up contributions (whether standard or super) must be made to a Roth account.

This mandatory Roth requirement, also a SECURE 2.0 provision, means high earners can't use catch-up contributions to reduce their current taxable income. Instead, they're forced into Roth contributions that are taxed now but grow tax-free.

For many workers, this isn't necessarily bad news—Roth contributions in your 60s can provide valuable tax diversification in retirement. But it does change the immediate tax calculus for those who were counting on the deduction.

Check Your Plan Immediately

Here's the critical action item: not all employer plans have been updated to allow super catch-up contributions. The provision is relatively new, and plan administrators have had to scramble to implement the changes.

If you're aged 60-63 and want to maximize this opportunity in 2026, take these steps:

  • Contact your HR department or plan administrator to confirm whether super catch-up contributions are available
  • Review your current contribution election and increase it if you're not already maxing out
  • Understand the Roth requirement if your wages exceeded $150,000 last year
  • Calculate your paycheck impact before making changes—contributing $35,750 over 26 pay periods means over $1,375 per paycheck

The Bigger Picture on Retirement Savings

The super catch-up is just one element of the expanded retirement contribution limits for 2026. Here's the complete picture:

  • 401(k)/403(b)/457 Limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025)
  • IRA Contribution Limit: $7,500 (up from $7,000 in 2025)
  • IRA Catch-Up (Age 50+): $1,100 (new for 2026)
  • Total IRA (Age 50+): $8,600
  • SIMPLE IRA Limit: $17,000 (up from $16,500)

For a worker aged 60-63 maximizing both a 401(k) and an IRA, the total tax-advantaged retirement savings possible in 2026 reaches $44,350—a remarkable opportunity for those with the income to support it.

Don't Let This Window Close

The super catch-up is available only for ages 60-63. If you turn 60 this year, you have exactly four years to take advantage of the higher limit. If you're already 63, this is your last year of eligibility.

Time in the market matters, but so does maximizing contributions during your highest-earning years. If you're in the sweet spot and have the financial capacity, the super catch-up is an opportunity worth seizing.

The Bottom Line

The SECURE 2.0 super catch-up provision is one of the most significant retirement savings enhancements in years—but it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. Workers aged 60-63 can now contribute up to $35,750 to their 401(k) in 2026, $3,250 more than the standard catch-up allows.

If you're in this age window, contact your plan administrator today to confirm the feature is available and update your contributions accordingly. This four-year opportunity won't come around again.