Maximum Pension Plan Contributions
Software reference · Written guide Content date 5 min read
| 2026 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $7,500 Age 50 or older = $8,600 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $72,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
25% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $72,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (standard) (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $17,000 Age 50-59 = $21,000 ($17,000 + $4,000 catch-up) Age 60-63 = $22,250 ($17,000 + $5,250 catch-up) |
|
SIMPLE IRA (small employer) (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $18,100 Age 50-59 = $22,100 ($18,100 + $4,000 catch-up) Age 60-63 = $23,350 ($18,100 + $5,250 catch-up) |
| 2025 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $7,000 Age 50 or older = $8,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $70,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
25% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $70,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (standard) (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $16,500 Age 50-59 = $20,000 ($16,500 + $3,500 catch-up) Age 60-63 = $21,750 ($16,500 + $5,250 catch-up) |
|
SIMPLE IRA (small employer) (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $17,600 Age 50-59 = $21,100 ($17,600 + $3,500 catch-up) Age 60-63 = $22,850 ($17,600 + $5,250 catch-up) |
| 2024 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $7,000 Age 50 or older = $8,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $69,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
25% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $69,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $16,000 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $19,500 |
| 2023 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $6,500 Age 50 or older = $7,500 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $66,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $66,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $15,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $19,000 |
| 2022 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $6,000 Age 50 or older = $7,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $61,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $61,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $14,000 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $17,000 |
| 2021 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $6,000 Age 50 or older = $7,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $58,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $58,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $13,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $16,500 |
| 2020 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $6,000 Age 50 or older = $7,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $57,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $57,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $13,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $16,500 |
| 2019 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $6,000 Age 50 or older = $7,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $56,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $56,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $13,000 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $16,000 |
| 2018 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $5,500 Age 50 or older = $6,500 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $55,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $55,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $12,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $15,500 |
| 2017 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $5,500 Age 50 or older = $6,500 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $54,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $54,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $12,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $15,500 |
| 2016 Maximum Pension Plan Contribution Amount | |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | Under age 50 = $5,500 Age 50 or older = $6,500 |
|
SEP-IRA (employees) |
25% of wages up to $53,000 |
|
SEP-IRA (self-employed) |
20% of net SE income after one-half SE tax deductions, up to $53,000 |
|
SIMPLE IRA (employees and self employed) |
Under age 50 = Elective deferrals up to $12,500 Age 50 or older = Elective deferrals up to $15,500 |
Note: This article is a summary of pension contribution limits. It is not intended as tax advice. Confirm any figures with IRS information in the current year or prior year publications listed below.
Additional Information:
Publication 590-A - Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
Publication 560 - Retirement Plans for Small Business
IRS: COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions