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How to Maximize Retirement Contributions
Maximizing retirement contributions in the years leading up to retirement is one of the highest-return financial moves available to pre-retirees.
For 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 to a 401(k) or 403(b), with an additional $7,500 catch-up for those 50 and older, and an enhanced catch-up of $11,250 available under SECURE 2.0 for those ages 60 through 63. IRA contributions are limited to $7,000, or $8,000 with the catch-up for those 50 and older. If you have access to a Health Savings Account (HSA), contributing the maximum ($4,300 for individuals, $8,550 for families in 2026) provides a triple tax advantage: deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. Self-employed individuals may be eligible for SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions significantly higher than standard limits. Even small increases in annual contributions in the final working years can meaningfully improve retirement income due to tax-deferred compounding. Moore Invested helps clients identify all available contribution avenues and build a savings plan aligned with their retirement timeline.
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