Roth Catch-Up Contributions: New Rules for High Earners

0:00It's April 1st, from your city to your ears. This is Durham News today, powered by AI. Starting in 2026, folks aged 50 and up earning $150,000 or more in 2025, got a switch there. Catch-up contributions to Roth accounts in their 401K, 457, or 403B plans. No more traditional pre-tax catch-ups for high earners. Base limit jumps to $24,500, with $8,000 catch-up for most over 50, but plans without Roth. Options block those extras entirely. Earlier this year, super catch-up kicked in for ages 60-63, bumping that to $11,250. Good news, this higher limit works with either traditional or Roth, as long as your plan has the Roth setup for high earners. These shifts hit tax planning hard, especially if you're used to all pre-tax savings. High earners lose that deferral on catch-ups, so expect bigger tax bills now.

1:01Folks without Roth plans face zero catch-ups, pushing many to rethink retirement boosts. If your plan skips Roth, look at Roth IRAs based on your income, traditional IRAs with partial deductions, or ramp up taxable brokerage accounts. Married? Max your spouse's plan too. Super catch-up stays flexible for everyone eligible. Bottom line, chat with your financial advisor soon to tweak contributions, and keep stacking that retirement wealth without missing a beat.