When planning for retirement, it’s important to remain up-to-date with changing regulations, updated limits and new policies that could impact you, and 2026 brings several key updates. Here, we offer an at-a-glance summary to keep you informed and on track.

Retirement Account Contribution Limits

The IRS has raised 2026 contribution limits to keep up with inflation.

• Employer-sponsored retirement plans – The employee contribution limit for 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457 plans has increased to $24,500 in 2026, up from $23,500 in 2025.

• Catch-up contributions – Those aged 50 and older can make an additional catch-up contribution of $8,000 to their employer-sponsored retirement plan, for a total contribution of $32,500 in 2026.

• Super catch-up contributions – Plan participants between the ages of 60 and 63 are eligible for a super catch-up contribution of up to $11,250 to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, for a total contribution of $35,750 in 2026.

• IRAs – IRA limits increased to $7,5000 in 2026.

• IRA catch-up contributions – Those aged 50 and older can contribute an extra $1,100 catch-up contribution, for a total IRA contribution of $8,600.

Social Security Updates

The following changes impact Social Security in 2026.

• Full retirement age (FRA) – FRA, or the age at which an individual can begin receiving full Social Security benefits, has increased to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.

• Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) – Social Security benefits received a 2.8% COLA boost, which adds approximately $56 per month to the average retiree’s check.

• Earnings limit – The earnings limit for those younger than FRA who work while receiving Social Security benefits has increased to $24,480 in 2026, up from $23,400 in 2025. The earnings limit for those who reach FRA in 2026 is $65,160. The earnings limit no longer applies once an individual reaches full retirement age.

• Social Security tax threshold – The maximum amount of income subject to Social Security tax has increased to $184,500 in 2026, up from $176,100 in 2025.

New Rules for High Earners

Effective in 2026, employees participating in an employer-sponsored retirement who earned more than $150,000 in the previous year must make catch-up contributions to a Roth account using after-tax funds. This means they can no longer use pre-tax contributions to reduce their taxable income in the current year.

Healthcare Savings Updates

Both Medicare and health savings accounts (HSAs) a subject to a cost-of-living increase in 2026.

• Medicare Part B premiums – The standard monthly premium has increased to $202.90 in 2026, up from $185 in 2025, and the annual deductible has increased to $283.

• HSA contribution limits – HSA limits have increased to $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families in 2026.

New “Senior Deduction”

As part of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), individuals aged 65 and older with income below $75,000 (or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly) may qualify for a $6,000 to $12,000 tax deduction to help offset federal taxes on Social Security and other retirement income.

If you could use some help determining how these updated retirement planning numbers may impact your financial strategies, we would love to have a conversation. Please reach out to schedule a call with a member of our team.