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Catch-up Contributions: Overview, Rules, Example

By Kristi WaterworthUpdated Jun 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM | Fact-checked by Robin Hartill, CFP

Key Points

  • Catch-up contributions allow people 50 and older to invest beyond normal limits to bolster their retirement funds.
  • The base catch-up contribution limits are $7,500 for 401(k)s and $1,000 for IRAs in 2025.
  • Workplace plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, have catch-up contributions of up to $11,250 for people ages 60 to 63.

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