401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025
The IRS adjusts 401(k) limits most years for inflation. For 2025, the employee limit rose, and a brand-new catch-up tier took effect for workers approaching retirement.
| Category | 2025 Limit | 2024 Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral | $23,500 | $23,000 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50+) | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| Total with standard catch-up (50-59, 64+) | $31,000 | $30,500 |
| "Super" catch-up (ages 60-63, new for 2025) | $11,250 | N/A |
| Total with super catch-up (ages 60-63) | $34,750 | N/A |
| Combined employee + employer limit | $70,000 | $69,000 |
New for 2025: the "super catch-up." Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, workers who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2025 can contribute an extra $11,250 in catch-up contributions instead of the standard $7,500 -- the greater of $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up limit. This tier only applies during those four specific ages; at 64 it reverts to the standard $7,500 catch-up.
Maxing Out at Different Ages
Age 45: Employee Deferral Plus Employer Match
This employee is well under the $70,000 combined limit, so the employer match does not create any excess-contribution issue.
Age 62: Using the New Super Catch-Up
A worker using every available dollar of the 2025 super catch-up can defer $11,750 more than a worker just one year older or younger who is limited to the standard $7,500 catch-up.
Traditional 401(k) vs. Roth 401(k)
The 2025 contribution limits are identical whether you choose traditional, Roth, or a mix of both -- $23,500 total elective deferral either way, or up to $34,750 combined if you qualify for the super catch-up. The difference is when you pay tax.
Traditional 401(k)
Roth 401(k)
You do not have to pick just one. Most plans let you split contributions between traditional and Roth in any proportion you choose, as long as the combined total stays within the $23,500 elective deferral limit (or $31,000 / $34,750 with catch-up).
Front-Loading vs. Spreading Contributions Evenly
Employees who can afford to max out their 401(k) early in the year sometimes "front-load" contributions -- deferring a larger percentage of each paycheck in January through June to hit the $23,500 limit well before December.
Front-loading can cost you part of your employer match. If your plan calculates the match per pay period rather than on an annual true-up basis, hitting the deferral limit early stops your contributions -- and your employer's match -- for the rest of the year. Check with HR whether your plan offers a "true-up" provision before front-loading; if it does not, spreading contributions evenly across all 26 or 24 pay periods is usually the safer way to capture the full match.
What If You Have More Than One 401(k) in the Same Year?
The $23,500 elective deferral limit for 2025 applies to you as an individual, not per employer. If you switch jobs mid-year and contribute to two different 401(k) plans, the combined total across both plans still cannot exceed $23,500 (or $31,000 / $34,750 with catch-up). Each employer's payroll system tracks its own plan independently, so it is entirely possible to accidentally over-contribute across two jobs in the same year.
You are responsible for tracking the combined total. Neither employer's payroll system automatically knows about contributions you made at your prior job. If you overcontribute, you need to request a corrective distribution of the excess (plus any earnings) from one of the plans before the following April 15 to avoid double taxation on the excess amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Figures on this page reflect confirmed 2025 IRS 401(k) contribution limits under Notice 2024-80. Estimates for educational purposes only -- not tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional or plan administrator for guidance specific to your situation.