What Is the 401(k) Roth Catch-Up Rule Starting in 2026?
Beginning January 1, 2026, SECURE 2.0 requires that catch-up contributions must be designated Roth (after-tax), but only for certain high earners: • If your FICA wages from the prior year exceed $150,000, all catch-up amounts you make in 2026 must be Roth — not pre-tax. That means the extra $8,000 or $11,250 in catch-up contributions must be made with after-tax dollars, deposited into a Roth 401(k).