How Much Money Would You Have in 10 years if You Maxed Out Your 401(k) in 2026?

"In 2026, you can invest a maximum of $24,500 if you are 50 or under. If you are 50 or over, you are eligible for an additional $8,000 catch up contribution, bringing the total amount you are allowed to contribute up to $32,500. And, if you are between the ages of 60 and 63, you can invest an extra $11,250 in catch-up contributions instead of an extra $8,000 - which means that you can put a total of $35,750 into your account."

"The table below shows the amount of money that you would end up with if you maxed out your 401(k), depending on whether you are eligible for catch-up contributions or not. Since the S&P 500 has pretty consistently produced 10% average annual returns, this assumes that you earned 10% per year on your investments. It also assumes you did not get any employer matching contribution, and that you didn't make any other investments over the decade that you left your 401(k) funds in the market."

"This means that maxing out your contributions in a single year and leaving your money alone for a decade could leave you with a retirement account balance almost as large as the $67,796 median 401(k) balance among Americans ages 45-54. If you were able to make catch-up contributions, you would exceed the median. And this doesn't even include an employer match."

Contributing to a workplace 401(k) via payroll deductions is simple and may include employer matching. In 2026, contribution limits are $24,500 for those 50 and under. Individuals 50 and over can add an $8,000 catch-up contribution for a $32,500 total. People aged 60–63 can instead add an $11,250 catch-up, increasing the total to $35,750. Assuming a 10% annual return, no employer match, and no other investments, maxing contributions in 2026 and leaving funds invested for ten years produces substantial growth through compounding. Making catch-up contributions can push balances above the $67,796 median 401(k) for ages 45–54.

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