2027 401(k) Limit: $25,500 Projected — 5 Moves Before It's Official

Описание: The projected 2027 401(k) limit is $25,500 — $1,000 more than 2026. But it's NOT official yet. Here's what's projected vs. what's already official, the catch-up numbers for ages 50+ and 60-63, the Roth catch-up rule high earners keep missing, and the 3 moves to make this week before January payroll changes lock in.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 — The $25,500 projection (and why it's not official yet)
1:00 — Projected vs. official: say it plainly
2:00 — The 2026 → 2027 limit table
3:30 — Catch-up + super catch-up math (up to $37,250 projected)
5:00 — The Roth catch-up mandate for $150k+ earners
6:30 — What's flat: IRA, Roth phase-outs, FSA
7:30 — Do now vs. wait + the Saver's Match
8:00 — Do this week + the payoff mistake

THE NUMBERS (2026 official → 2027 projected):
• 401(k)/403(b)/457(b)/TSP employee deferral: $24,500 → $25,500 projected
• Catch-up age 50+: $8,000 → $8,500 projected
• Super catch-up ages 60-63: $11,250 → $11,750 projected
• Total annual additions (employee + employer): $72,000 → $75,000 projected
• Compensation limit: $360,000 → $375,000 projected
• IRA limit: $7,500 flat + $1,100 catch-up at 50+
• Roth IRA phase-out single: $153,000-$168,000 → $158,000-$173,000 projected
• Roth IRA phase-out married filing jointly: $242,000-$252,000 → $250,000-$260,000 projected
• FSA limit: $3,400 → $3,500 projected
• Roth catch-up wage threshold: $150,000 (2026 official) → $155,000 projected
• Math: maxing $25,500 vs. $24,500 = $1,000 more per year; at a $100,000 salary, $25,500 = 25.5% of pay; age 60-63 projected max = $25,500 + $11,750 = $37,250

OFFICIAL 2027 (already published):
• HSA limits: $4,500 self-only / $9,000 family (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24)
• Saver's Match: up to $1,000 (50% of the first $2,000) for 2027 contributions, claimed on Form 8880-A with the 2027 return filed in 2028 (IRS Notice 2026-48)

SOURCES (official first, projections labeled):
• IRS Notice 2025-67 — 2026 retirement plan limits (official): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25...
• IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24 — 2027 HSA limits (official): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-2...
• IRS Notice 2026-48 — Saver's Match guidance (official): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26...
• Milliman 2027 retirement plan limit projections (PROJECTION, not official — reported via Plan Sponsor Council of America / retirement industry coverage)
• IRS 401(k) plans page: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/...

IMPORTANT: All 2027 401(k), catch-up, IRA, and FSA figures in this video are PROJECTIONS. The IRS has not published the official 2027 limits yet (expected late October / November 2026). Confirm the official notice and your plan administrator's adoption before changing elections.

This video is for education only and is not financial advice. Tax rules are complex and individual — consult a qualified tax or financial professional about your situation.

#401k #RetirementPlanning #IRS2027