SIMPLE IRA Calculator 2026 — Limits, Catch-Up & Employer Match

2026

2026 SIMPLE IRA limit $17,000 ($21,000 at 50+, $22,250 at 60-63; higher at employers with 25 or fewer employees), 3% match or 2% nonelective, projected against a 401(k).

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS

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Your Annual Contribution

$2,250.00

Employer Contribution

$2,250.00

Total Annual

$4,500.00

Projected Balance

$454,828.69

2026 SIMPLE IRA Limits

Age in 2026SIMPLE IRA25 or fewer employees401(k)
Under 50$17,000$18,100$24,500
50-59 or 64+$21,000$21,950$32,500
Turning 60-63$22,250$23,350$35,750

Employer: 3% match (may drop to 1% in 2 of every 5 years) or 2% of pay up to $360,000. Money withdrawn in the first 2 years of participation carries a 25% penalty instead of 10%.

SIMPLE IRA vs 401(k) Comparison

SIMPLE IRA Balance at Retirement$454,828.69
401(k) Balance at Retirement$454,828.69
Difference$0.00

Growth Summary

Total Employee Contributions$67,500.00
Total Employer Contributions$67,500.00
Investment Growth$319,828.69
Projected Balance$454,828.69

Year-by-Year Projection

Age 35$4,815.00
Age 40$34,443.09
Age 45$75,998.03
Age 50$134,280.98
Age 55$216,025.83
Age 60$330,677.20
Age 64$454,828.69

Use the SIMPLE IRA Calculator 2026 — Limits, Catch-Up & Employer Match above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

A SIMPLE IRA splits its annual savings into two streams: what you set aside from your paycheck and what your employer is required to add on top. Knowing the 2026 ceilings for each lets you fund the account fully while staying inside IRS limits, and it gives you a clear target to work toward over the course of the year.

Your contribution comes from elective deferrals, which max out at $17,000 for 2026. Workers aged 50 and over may add a catch-up contribution of $4,000, lifting their personal cap to $21,000, and those who turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2026 get a larger $5,250 catch-up, for $22,250. Employers with 25 or fewer employees automatically have SECURE 2.0's higher limits of $18,100, $21,950 at 50 and $23,350 at 60 to 63 (IRS Notice 2025-67), and employers with 26 to 100 can elect them by paying a 4% match or 3% nonelective contribution. On the employer side, the company picks one of two paths: a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3% of your compensation, or a flat 2% non-elective contribution tied to your pay regardless of whether you defer anything.

Because the employer portion sits outside your personal deferral cap, it stacks on top of your own savings rather than eating into them. Watch the distinction between a SIMPLE IRA and a 401(k) or a Traditional or Roth IRA, since each carries its own thresholds that don't transfer. Confirm which formula your employer uses, match versus non-elective, before you run the numbers, because the two produce different totals.

Example: Maximizing Your 2026 SIMPLE IRA Contributions

  1. 1 Sarah is 45 years old and earns $60,000 annually. Her employer offers a 3% dollar-for-dollar match on her SIMPLE IRA contributions. She wants to contribute the maximum possible for 2026.
  2. 2 Sarah's maximum elective deferral is $17,000. Her employer will match 3% of her compensation, which is 3% of $60,000 = $1,800. Therefore, her total contribution will be $17,000 (employee) + $1,800 (employer).
  3. 3 Sarah's total SIMPLE IRA contribution for 2026 will be $18,800.
  4. 4 This example shows how Sarah, by maximizing her personal contribution and taking full advantage of her employer's match, can significantly boost her retirement savings. Had Sarah been 50 or older, she could have contributed an additional $4,000.

Source: IRS · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SIMPLE IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 SIMPLE IRA employee contribution limit is $17,000, with a $4,000 catch-up at 50 or older ($21,000) and a $5,250 catch-up for those turning 60 to 63 ($22,250). Employers with 25 or fewer employees have higher limits: $18,100, $21,950 at 50 and $23,350 at 60 to 63. Employers must either match up to 3% or contribute 2% of pay (on up to $360,000 of it) for all eligible employees.
What is the difference between a SIMPLE IRA and a 401(k)?
SIMPLE IRAs have lower contribution limits ($17,000 vs $24,500 for 401k in 2026) but are easier and cheaper to administer. SIMPLE IRAs are designed for businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
Can I roll over a SIMPLE IRA to a 401(k)?
Yes, but you must wait at least 2 years from your first SIMPLE IRA contribution before rolling over to a 401(k) or traditional IRA without a 25% early withdrawal penalty.

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