401(k) Contribution Limits: 2022 and 2023
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The 401(k) contribution limit is $22,500 for those under 50 in 2023.
The 401(k) contribution limit is $30,000 for those 50 or older for individuals in 2023.
401(k) plans are an excellent way to save for retirement, but because 401(k)s are tax-advantaged, the IRS sets a contribution limit on how much you — and your employer — can put into your 401(k) per year.
401(k) contribution limits in 2022 and 2023
If you’re under age 50, your maximum 401(k) contribution is $22,500 in 2023, up from $20,500 in 2022.
If you’re 50 or older, your maximum 401(k) contribution is $30,000 in 2023, because the catch-up contribution rose to $7,500.
For 2023, your total 401(k) contributions — from yourself and your employer — cannot exceed $66,000 or 100% of your compensation, whichever is less.
» Crunch the numbers: Use our free 401(k) calculator to see if you're saving enough for retirement.
Employer match
Employers who match employees' 401(k) contributions often do so between 3% and 6% of the employee's salary. So if you make $50,000, and contribute 5% of your salary ($2,500), and your employer matches that full 5%, you'll add $5,000 to your balance each year.
Can I contribute 100% of my salary to my 401(k)?
It depends on what your salary is. The maximum individuals under 50 can contribute is $22,500 in 2023 ($22,500 in 2022). The limit for those 50 or older is $30,000 in 2023 ($27,000 in 2022).
Roth 401(k) contribution limits
Roth 401(k)s have the same contribution limit as regular 401(k)s. For 2023, the limit is $22,500. You can contribute to both a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) account in the same year, as long as your total contributions don’t exceed that amount. If you’re choosing between the two, learn about the differences between a Roth and traditional 401(k).
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Are there income limits for 401(k)s?
While there's not a universal income limit on 401(k) contributions, in some cases the IRS does impose contribution limits on "highly compensated employees" when a company encounters disproportionate contribution levels among its workers. The IRS has a test that helps employers who sponsor 401(k) plans assess whether employees are participating in their plan at levels proportionate to their compensation.
If the test determines that people across compensation levels aren't participating in a manner the IRS deems proportionate, employee contribution levels for highly compensated employees can be lowered. In these cases, your employer may need to return some of your excess contributions.
The IRS defines a highly compensated employee in one of two ways:
An individual who either owned more than 5% of the interest in a business at any time during the year or the preceding year, no matter how much they were paid.
An individual who received over $135,000 from the business in the preceding year in 2022, or $150,000 in 2023, and, if the employer ranks employees by compensation, was in the top 20%.
Can I have a 401(k) and an IRA?
Yes. You can have both a 401(k) and an IRA. IRAs make a great supplement to retirement savings, especially if you’re contributing enough to receive a full match from your employer, or you’re planning on maxing out your 401(k). If you don’t receive a match on your 401(k), or it has narrow investment options or high fees, it may be a good idea to invest primarily in an IRA. The annual contribution limit for an IRA in 2022 is $6,000; $7,000 for those 50 and up. In 2023, the IRA contribution limit rises to $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. And you can make contributions to an IRA for 2022 until April 18, 2023.
» Ready to try an IRA? Check out our list of the best IRA accounts
What happens if I exceed my 401(k) limit by mistake?
If you contribute too much to your 401(k) and notice your mistake before the tax filing deadline, you can probably correct it with your employer. You’ll need to notify your plan administrator. They’ll return the excess money to you, and you’ll get a new W-2 and pay taxes on your new total taxable wages.
If you don’t catch the mistake before tax day, you may have to pay taxes twice on the amount you contributed over the limit. That’s because the excess contribution can’t be deducted from your taxes in the year it was made, and because the IRS will still count that money as taxable when it’s distributed too.
» Read more about what to do when you contribute too much to a 401(k)
