2027 Retirement Contribution Limits: 401(k) Up to $25,500, IRA at $7,500, HSA at $9,000 — Totals and Income Limits

The IRS just announced the 2027 retirement plan limits on Nov. 12, 2026 (IR-2026-136 / Notice 2026-66), and the HSA limits earlier this year (Rev. Proc. 2026-24).

Here’s everything in one place — totals and income limits.

1. 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and TSP — up $1,000

• Employee deferral: $25,500, up from $24,500 in 2026
• Age 50+ catch-up: $8,500, up from $8,000
  • Total at 50+: $34,000
• Ages 60-63 super catch-up (SECURE 2.0): $11,750, up from $11,250
  • Total at 60-63: $37,250

These apply to paychecks dated in calendar year 2027, so a change you make in open enrollment hits with your first January paycheck.

Total annual additions limit for defined contribution plans (employee + employer combined): $75,000, up from $72,000.

2. IRA — unchanged, but income limits rise

• Traditional + Roth IRA combined: $7,500, unchanged from 2026
• Age 50+ catch-up: $1,100, unchanged
  • Total at 50+: $8,600

You can make IRA contributions for 2027 from Jan. 1, 2027 until the tax filing deadline in April 2028.

Traditional IRA deduction phase-outs — if you or your spouse is covered by a workplace plan

If neither of you is covered, these phase-outs don’t apply.

• Single, covered: $83,000 to $93,000, up from $81,000 to $91,000
• Married filing jointly, contributor covered: $133,000 to $153,000, up from $129,000 to $149,000
• Married, contributor not covered but spouse is covered: $250,000 to $260,000, up from $242,000 to $252,000
• Married filing separately, covered: $0 to $10,000, unchanged

Roth IRA income phase-outs

• Single / head of household: $158,000 to $173,000, up from $153,000 to $168,000
• Married filing jointly: $250,000 to $260,000, up from $242,000 to $252,000
• Married filing separately: $0 to $10,000, unchanged

Below the bottom of the range, you can make a full contribution. Above the top, you can’t contribute directly to a Roth IRA.

3. SIMPLE IRA and SIMPLE 401(k)

• Standard deferral: $17,500, up from $17,000
• Higher limit for certain applicable SIMPLE plans (SECURE 2.0): $19,100, up from $18,100
• Catch-up 50+ (most SIMPLE plans): $4,000, unchanged
• Catch-up 50+ (certain applicable SIMPLE plans): $3,850, unchanged
• Catch-up 60-63 (SIMPLE plans): $5,250, unchanged

4. SEP IRA

• Maximum contribution: $75,000, up from $72,000

5. Saver’s Credit income limits

• Married filing jointly: $83,000, up from $80,500
• Head of household: $62,250, up from $60,375
• Single / married filing separately: $41,500, up from $40,250

6. HSA — Health Savings Account

An HSA isn’t technically a retirement account, but for financial freedom it acts like one — triple tax-advantaged: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. And unlike a Roth IRA, there’s no income limit to contribute.

You just need to be covered by an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

• Self-only coverage: $4,500, up $100 from $4,400 in 2026
• Family coverage: $9,000, up $250 from $8,750 in 2026
• Age 55+ catch-up: $1,000, unchanged — it’s fixed by law and doesn’t adjust for inflation
  • Total at 55+: $5,500 self-only, $10,000 family

Employer contributions count toward those same totals.

To qualify as an HDHP in 2027, your plan must have

• Minimum deductible: $1,750 self-only / $3,500 family, up from $1,700 / $3,400
• Maximum out-of-pocket: $8,700 self-only / $17,400 family, up from $8,500 / $17,000

New since 2026: Bronze and Catastrophic Marketplace plans now count as HSA-compatible, even if they don’t meet those regular HDHP numbers.

Like an IRA, you have until the tax filing deadline to fund it — so 2027 HSA contributions can generally be made until April 2028.

What should you do now?

1. If you have a 401(k), bump your contribution to hit the new $25,500 — that’s about $1,062.50 per paycheck if you’re paid twice a month, or $2,125 per month.
2. If you’re 50+ or turning 60-63 in 2027, check your catch-up — the extra $500 this year adds up.
3. If your income was just over a Roth or traditional IRA limit in 2026, re-check for 2027. The higher phase-outs might make you eligible again.
4. If you have an HDHP, don’t ignore your HSA — maxing it is one of the best tax moves available, with no income limit.
5. Don’t wait on your IRA or HSA — you have until April 2028 to fund 2027, but earlier means more time in the market.

Bottom line: workplace savers get more room in 2027, IRA savers get the same room but higher income doors, and HSA savers get a little more room too. Use the extra space intentionally — it’s one of the simplest levers for financial freedom.

This post is for general information only and isn’t tax or investment advice. Talk to a tax professional about your specific situation.

Sources: IRS Notice 2026-66 (IR-2026-136, Nov. 12, 2026) and IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24 for HSA limits.