457(b) Contribution Limit 2026
Updated for the 2026 tax year · Last updated June 13, 2026
Employee deferral limit (under 50)
$24,500
2026 · up from $23,500 in 2025
| Limit | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee deferral (under 50) | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Catch-up (age 50+, governmental) | $8,000 | $7,500 |
| Catch-up (age 60–63, governmental) | $11,250 | $11,250 |
What changed for 2026
The 457(b) deferral limit rose to $24,500 for 2026. A key advantage: a governmental 457(b) limit is separate from your 401(k)/403(b), so someone with both can defer $24,500 to each — up to $49,000 combined.
How it works
- •457(b) plans are offered by state and local governments and some tax-exempt employers.
- •Unlike a 401(k), a governmental 457(b) has no 10% early-withdrawal penalty after you leave the employer.
- •If you have both a 401(k)/403(b) and a governmental 457(b), the limits are separate — a major double-up opportunity.
- •457(b) plans also offer a special 'final 3-year' catch-up that can be larger than the age-50 catch-up (but you cannot use both at once).
457(b) Contribution Limit 2026 FAQ
What is the 457(b) contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 457(b) employee deferral limit is $24,500, up from $23,500, with an $8,000 age-50 catch-up in governmental plans.
Can I contribute to both a 457(b) and a 401(k)?
Yes. A governmental 457(b) limit is separate from your 401(k)/403(b), so you can defer $24,500 to each — up to $49,000 in 2026.
Does a 457(b) have early withdrawal penalties?
Governmental 457(b) plans have no 10% early-withdrawal penalty once you separate from the employer, unlike a 401(k).
Related 2026 limits
See all calculators and limits on the retirement & tax hub.
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 retirement plan limits). For informational purposes only, not tax advice.