Super Catch Up
Big news for people in their early 60s trying to save more for retirement!
Starting in 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act (passed in 2022) introduces something called the “Super Catch-Up” contribution. This new contribution lets people who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 put even more money into their 401(k), 403(b) or similar retirement plans. If you’re in that age group, you’ll be able to contribute a total “catch up” of $11,250, which means the total amount you can put in jumps to $34,750 for the year. The old rule would have had a $7,500 “catch up” amount.
If you’re younger than 60, there is no change to your options. In 2025, the regular 401(k) contribution limit will be $23,500, and if you’re 50 or older (but not in the 60-63 range), you can add an extra $7,500 as a catch-up, bringing your total to $31,000. The “Super Catch-Up” is just an extra boost for people in their early 60s—it doesn’t replace the regular catch-up option.
The good news? This is completely optional but a big opportunity. Just like the regular catch-up contributions, you can choose to take advantage of it or not. It’s worth noting for the employers sponsoring these retirement plans, they don’t have to update their official plan documents right away—there’s a grace period until the end of 2026. Your plan may not opt-in to offer this in 2025.
One more thing to keep in mind: starting in 2026, if you make $145,000 or more per year, any catch-up contributions (including this “Super Catch-Up”) will have to go into a Roth account. In 2025, you can choose between Roth or pre-tax savings for this amount. In 2026 you must do Roth, you’ll pay taxes on that money now, but it will be tax-free when you withdraw it in retirement (just like any other Roth money).
A final detail to remember: this extra contribution is only available during the calendar years you actually turn 60, 61, 62, or 63. In the year you hit 64, you’re back to the regular $7,500 catch-up limit. If this seems a little silly and unnecessarily precise, I’d agree! Write your Congressional representative to make more commonsense law changes.
Bottom line—if you’re in your early 60s and want to supercharge your retirement savings, this is a great opportunity. It’s worth checking in with your employer or financial advisor to see how you can make the most of it!
Additional Reading:
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/super-catch-up-contribution-for-age-60-63
