# IRS boosts 401(k) limit to $25,500 for 2027. Here's what changes

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-11-13 11:20 UTC · Category: Business

## Executive Summary
The IRS raised the 2027 401(k) contribution limit to $25,500, a $1,000 increase from 2026, and lifted catch-up limits for workers 50 and older.

## Intelligence Brief
The IRS announced on Thursday that the annual contribution limit for 401(k) plans will rise to $25,500 in 2027, up $1,000 from the 2026 limit, according to KCRA. The same $25,500 limit applies to 403(b) plans, governmental 457 plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan. The IRA contribution limit will stay at $7,500 for 2027, unchanged from 2026.


For workers aged 50 and over, the catch-up contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, and Thrift Savings Plans will increase by $500 to $8,500 in 2027, up from $8,000 in 2026. This means eligible participants 50 and older can contribute up to $34,000 total next year.


A higher catch-up limit of $11,750 applies specifically to employees aged 60 to 63 in those plans, allowing a maximum contribution of $37,250 for 2027. The IRA catch-up contribution limit remains unchanged at $1,100 for 2027.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| The Globe and Mail | 401(k) Contribution Limits Are Increasing in 2027. Here's How Much You Can Save | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi8gFBVV95cUxNamZmbEZsME53Wnd6MUpxVXJDN1RuRzUtVEM2QndDdkdnVUxSY2hPbUxmQmJmdnN0Z1hqZFhXN0U0N0RiMDJ2NGxTVzFsSXhNc2ttRnNza1N2dUppNFlTb1h2ckktYmo5X21YTks4d2FQbURxWjgzcW9rbGxOclk2VUNUdHllX2FkaUJRMGZQMEZESjBSMV8wUXY1aG5UellVM3pqclVsMTBQd1Ixd3Excy1mLU1uZlVaRi1FRUd3U3F3MENGX21zYzlSRi1wc2VwTFRFUHJ6Smk1Y1lkeEdYVGJfdXZQNFQ0eDJmSmkzaFhpUQ?oc=5) |
| Spectrum News | Employees will be able to contribute more to 401(k)s in 2027, IRS says | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxOdDZlSUNGbUw0M2J5Zlg1dkdzMWhTZmFScks1YVM5MG8ySHZSMHpQeW9TWDJOQVdfcmliejl0cHU1emJMdklJektkaHIydXd0bDU4eXZPTmlDdkI3VmtZRmROTERkNVBaQkdIa2JNUFI1b2VZTXo1Rlp0a3lpaXd0YWh5U2lFa2RlVzYwUWU0Y2FOSkpKczJLWGpKRzR0eXE1ODlF?oc=5) |
| AOL.com | IRS announces 401(k), IRA contribution limits for 2027 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidkFVX3lxTE1WS1NBS2JPUHRKcG8yczFId1ltdzltUXp0SDEwelhKU0FqdU5tTGd2cnI0UFJndkZ5dVF5dXZKaWtqN1g2aUxlYk1INVNmQXVucDZhbldxZ0FwMlpGTW01RzlSb1RtUnczOWZFREJrTVlzOWVOMmc?oc=5) |
| AOL.com | 2027 Retirement Contribution Limits: How to Maximize the New $25,500 401(k) Cap and $37,250 Super Catch-Up | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxONjU1enNqdmUwcHIzTzdpYWloS2g1TDdEWXpaTExMeGE0aWtXS0RKb0NKWHJCRFFqdW1hdnJsWEhnMW9yNF9mbWd4OUtDUmxIaWNLQW0zMWRPemY2bUpXWmVHYy0yel9USS15aktDSGhhOEZZSkNobVdpQWRoaVZkSUkwbEt3eXBLSDkzUjhKSVFiUQ?oc=5) |
| KCRA | IRS announces new 401(k) contribution limit for 2027 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxQN1AxM2EtU2UtY2lNZHhZdXRhNElYYnM4UmNFUWlwZGN0TGh4RTR5YUxMcVhtWGh3UlgwLW9rbXVXVllycUZjWlktXzhKaHNha1NDWEZ6d1Q3R3dhcS1uaHNJOXhtVVByR1BvejF5eUNTeXViZ21UUGVORW1SQ1VZTzY0SQ?oc=5) |
| Forbes | 2027 Retirement Contribution Limits—What Changed From 2026 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxONFRGVUprc3B2QmdGLU1DaUVIdi1KR3dkVFNHS09idGg2MDNTOFNsaHBpR0dRSUdEaktWeEVKU3hYNldhRWVFNTAxczhBa2hOS3F0MHdqeFRONDgzNTNvNU5HVFdkN3RXS1B1dmJIcGdFODBmLTdSY2RoZHVaVjlUTzJqZGtUSlJaN2VpejREV0t1M3lVRGtNNE1GVTRXQlQ1bkZTZTJfaVhTelRZbjkzN2xINA?oc=5) |
| Newsweek | 401(k) Contribution Limit Rises for 2027: What Americans Need To Know | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxPeEtNSzFuRS1IT19PazFrSjFGcnlMbkszUFR4R3VYb0Y2YVk3N2hvbGhvMFEzZkoxRjcyb1ZCbkJiVDhkWHZBaFpvdnFhWDZhNlo0SXpwMXpsRHFJSXFjNXg0SGJFUDNMMngzZmVxZUUwYW1MUXZ3am5kc1FZX1J0Q1dqTVdtN0dpMkdXNl9Tdw?oc=5) |
| Detroit Free Press | IRS announces new 401(k) limits in 2027 for savers who hit the max | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi6gFBVV95cUxNem50NDctbWF3c1dlV3J0ZVBMN183XzhBNkdxUkNZcXg0VS12ZGg4LURTWHVjbXhEQ2VKRDVIRzZwa3picnliRFlUNVFfYjlvZWkyQUV3TDk3cURrTHB4c1hoSnJXTzhYWE05UHUxV2RvaEpMU2dzNHVoYTl1S05oZE1fOGsybDRFUjlwSzh6eEh5b2o2SWRNMkJWYW9IYU43T1owd19wbzBTRWtyWnBZYURvd2NrVC0xYlItOGxTUWtQWjVyVmhxMVBZVFY0cFFTR09wQUFOVTJ2MUttOExLUE5SandINm5qWUE?oc=5) |

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