Turning 50 is a pretty big deal. Sure, it means you're getting a bit older and make have a few more grays than you'd like to acknowledge. But it also means you're getting wiser and, ideally, more financially savvy. With that in mind, here are two things to know about turning 50 in 2026.
1. You can contribute more money to a retirement account
If you've been working since your 20s, it's fair to assume that you'll qualify for Social Security in retirement. But those benefits might only go so far.
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It's important to have savings on top of Social Security so you're able to live comfortably. So as you gear up to turn 50, take the opportunity to see how much retirement savings you've accumulated so far and whether you're on track.
The nice thing about turning 50 is that you become eligible for catch-up contributions in your IRA or 401(k) plan. And it doesn't matter if you aren't 50 at the start of the year. As long as you're 50 by Dec. 31, you can make a catch-up contribution in 2026.
Meanwhile, the contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k)s are rising on a whole in 2026. So you'll have an even greater opportunity to sock money away for retirement.
The 401(k) limit for savers under 50 is rising from $23,500 to $24,500. And the catch-up contribution limit for savers 50 and over is rising from $7,500 to $8,000. So all told, if you're turning 50 in 2026, you can put up to $32,500 into your workplace retirement plan.
IRA limits are also rising. Savers under 50 will be able to contribute up to $7,500 in 2026, up from $7,000 this year. The catch-up contribution limit for IRAs is rising, too, from $1,000 to $1,100. So if you're turning 50 next year, you'll be able to put up to $8,600 into an IRA.
Keep in mind that you don't have to be behind on retirement savings to make an IRA or 401(k) catch-up. As long as you're 50 by the end of the year, you're eligible to take advantage of those higher limits.
2. It's time to start thinking about long-term care insurance
Once you enroll in Medicare, you can expect it cover a number of things. But long-term care isn't one of them.
The cost of long-term care can be significant if you end up needing assisted living, a home health aide, or a room in a nursing home for an extended period of time. So it's important to prepare for that potentially substantial cost. And a good way to do so is to secure long-term care insurance.
You might assume that age 50 is too young to be thinking about long-term care, let alone be buying insurance for it. But actually, age 50 is a great time to start shopping around for policies. At that age, you may be able to lock in competitive premium rates based on your age and health.
Of course, buying long-term care insurance at or around age 50 could mean paying those premiums for a long time. But the longer you wait, the more money you might have to spend on a decent policy, so it pays to at least get the ball rolling.
Turning 50 is definitely something to celebrate. But it's also important to think about where you stand financially at this stage of life, and what steps you can take to secure your finances in the future. That could mean boosting your savings rate in your IRA or 401(k) and looking into long-term care insurance so you're protected against catastrophic costs later on.
