For 2025, the 401(k) contribution limit for employees is $23,500, or $31,000 if you are age 50 or older. This amount is up modestly from 2024, when the individual 401(k) contribution limit was $23,000, or $30,500 for employees who were 50 or older. 2025 is also the first year that a new, higher catch-up contribution limit applies to workers aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 who can now can contribute up to $34,750.
| 2024 Limit | 2025 Limit |
Maximum employee contribution | $23,000 | $23,500 |
Catch-up Contributions for those 50 to 60 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
Catch-up contributions for those 60 to 63 | No difference | $11,250 |
These individual employee limits are cumulative across multiple 401(k) plans. If you leave one job in order to start a new position in calendar year 2025, your total combined contributions to plans at both employers are limited to $23,500, or $30,500 if you’re 50 or older.
Employer 401(k) matching or non-matching contributions do not count toward your individual contribution limit.
You may also be able to make non-tax-deductible contributions to traditional 401(k)s above the employee contribution limit. About a fifth of 401(k) plans allow employees to make these kinds of contributions, which are still subject to the 2024 maximum of $69,500, or $77,000 if you are 50 or older.