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The 2027 401(k) limit has not been announced yet. The IRS usually releases retirement-plan limits in the fall, and last year’s 2026 numbers came in November. Until then, the best estimate is $25,500, up $1,000 from 2026, according to a projection by the consulting firm Milliman reported by Forbes on October 6. This guide separates what is official (the 2026 limits) from what is projected (2027), and shows how to plan around the gap. It is general information, not financial advice.
The official 2026 numbers
The 2026 limits come from IRS Notice 2025-67:
- 401(k) employee deferral limit: $24,500, up from $23,500.
- Catch-up, age 50 and older: $8,000, up from $7,500.
- Catch-up, ages 60 to 63: $11,250, unchanged.
- IRA limit: $7,500, up from $7,000, with a $1,100 catch-up at 50 and older.
- Combined employee and employer limit: $72,000, up from $70,000.
- Compensation limit: $360,000, up from $350,000.
- Roth catch-up wage threshold: $150,000. For 2026, catch-up contributions must be Roth if your prior-year wages exceeded that amount.
The IRS 401(k) limits page lists the same 2026 figures, along with a $17,000 limit for SIMPLE 401(k) plans.
What the 2027 401(k) limit is projected to be
Forbes reports Milliman’s projections for 2027: a 401(k) limit of $25,500, a catch-up of $8,500 for people 50 and older (for a total of $34,000), and an extra $11,750 for ages 60 to 63 (for a total of $37,250). It puts the combined employee and employer limit at about $75,000. Most projections keep the IRA limit at $7,500 because it adjusts only in $500 steps. These numbers are estimates until the IRS confirms them, and the final figures can differ.
When the IRS is expected to announce
Forbes says the announcement is expected in late October or November. That tracks with last year, when the 2026 limits were announced in November. We will not know the real 2027 401(k) limit until the IRS publishes its notice, so check that notice before changing your contributions. Our look at the projected 2027 tax brackets covers the other IRS adjustments still pending.
How to plan before the 2027 401(k) limit is official
You do not need the final number to make a plan. Here is the per-paycheck math for the 2026 limit and the projected 2027 limit:
| Pay schedule | To reach $24,500 (2026) | To reach $25,500 (2027, projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly (12) | $2,041.67 | $2,125.00 |
| Every two weeks (26) | $942.31 | $980.77 |
- Finish 2026 first. If you want to hit the $24,500 limit this year, check your year-to-date contributions and adjust your percentage for the remaining paychecks.
- Raise your 2027 percentage once the limit is confirmed. A higher limit only helps if you can afford to contribute more.
- Know which catch-up applies to you. The 60-to-63 catch-up is larger than the standard one, and the Roth catch-up rule depends on last year’s wages.
- Do not forget the match. Employer contributions do not count toward your employee limit, but they do count toward the combined limit.
Editor’s take
A $1,000 higher 401(k) limit matters to a small share of savers, because most people do not reach the cap. The more useful question is whether your contribution rate is high enough to get your full employer match. If you are close to the limit, or over 50, the exact 2027 numbers are worth waiting for. If you are not, there is no reason to wait. Market swings are also a reason to review your plan; see what the recent selloff means in our piece on the AI stock selloff and your 401(k).
