Retirement Savings Contribution Limits

Contributions to retirement savings plans are subject to annual limits under federal tax laws, which may change every Jan. 1.

Summary of 2026 Contribution Limits

Pre-Tax Limit (includes pre-tax TDA, pre-tax CRA, plus Roth)	$24,500
Pre-Tax Age 50 Catch-Up Limit _{Catch-up contributions can only be in Pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. Participants over the age of 50 who contribute only after-tax CRA contributions will not satisfy the IRS requirements for the catch-up contribution. As a result, some contributions may be refunded.} _{Participants between the ages of 60 and 63 by 12/31/2026 are eligible for a higher amount of additional contributions, $11,250 in Pre-tax and/or Roth contributions.} Beginning January 1, 2026, employees age 50 and older who earned FICA wages greater than $150,000 in 2025 will need to make their catch-up contributions on a Roth basis	$8,000
Born between 1963 -1966 (Age 60-63 Catch-Up)	$11,250
Born between 1967-1976 or 1962 or earlier (Age 50 Catch-Up)	$8,000
Total Contribution Limit (Not including Catch-Up)	$72,000
Annual Compensation Limit	$360,000

View an overview of 2026 limits here

Additional Information on Limits

Contributions to retirement savings plans are subject to many annual limits under the Federal Internal Revenue Code. These limits include:

Pre-tax (and Roth) contribution limits
Total contribution limit
Annual compensation limit
Non-discrimination limit

These limits apply to contributions made to TDA, CRA, and Roth accounts of the Stanford Contributory Retirement Plan (SCRP). Therefore, you can reach the annual limits several ways based on your:

TDA contributions alone
CRA contributions alone
Roth contributions alone
A combination of TDA, Roth, and CRA contributions, or
Contributions to Stanford plans plus contributions to any other non-Stanford plans.

Important

Stanford reserves the right to stop or reduce contributions if IRS limits are reached. You are responsible for ensuring that your annual contributions do not exceed IRS limits. You are also responsible for monitoring your limits and paying any taxes, penalties, or interest due as a result of excess contributions. If you have questions, contact the University HR Service Center or a tax advisor.

Pre-Tax Contributions Limit

This limit includes pre-tax contributions to the TDA and CRA, as well as the Roth 403(b) -- even though the Roth contributions are made on an after-tax basis. It does not apply to after-tax employee contributions in the CRA. This limit applies to all pre-tax employee contributions you make this year to any employer savings plan under IRC Sections 403(b) and 401(k). If you worked for any other employer during the year, you are responsible for monitoring the annual limit.

Catch-Up Contributions

If you are age 50 or older, the pre-tax limit includes an additional "catch-up" amount that may change each year.

Additionally, if you are a plan participant, have worked at Stanford for 15 years or more, and have not maximized your prior annual contributions, you may be eligible to increase your Total Contribution Limit by as much as $3,000, for up to five years. To see if you qualify for this special 15-year catch-up:

Contact the University HR Service Center to request a special 15-year catch-up calculation.
The university will not allow you to contribute to this 15-year catch-up without a catch-up limits calculation provided by Stanford Benefits.

Total Contribution Limit

The total contribution limit for the 2026 calendar year is determined based on your year of birth and is set at $72,000, $80,000, or $83,250, or 100% of your compensation, whichever is lower. This limit may be adjusted annually by the IRS. The contribution limit applies to the combined total of:

Employee contributions to the TDA, Roth, and CRA accounts of the SCRP, including any Catch-Up contributions for individuals over age 50 or 60-63,
Plus Stanford matching and basic contributions to the SCRP

Note: The total contribution limit also applies to any contributions you make to another tax-deferred annuity plan, a Keogh plan, or a qualified plan of an employer you control, such as a business you own. If you worked for any other employer during the year, you are responsible for monitoring the annual limit.

Annual Compensation Limit

The IRS limits the maximum annual compensation on which qualified retirement benefits can be calculated. This annual compensation limit may be adjusted each year by the IRS.

If contributions stop because you reach the limit, they will automatically restart at the beginning of the next calendar year, as long as you are an eligible employee.

Non-Discrimination Limit

In accordance with IRS requirements, the plan must pass a non-discrimination test each year. This test ensures that after-tax contributions, basic contributions, and matching contributions for higher-paid employees (as an average percentage of regular salary) are not substantially more than those for other eligible employees.

If the test is not satisfied, actions will be taken to bring the plan into compliance. For example, basic and matching contributions for highly-paid employees may be reduced. If adjustments are made to pass non-discrimination tests, and you are one of the affected plan participants, you will be notified in writing.