Resident · Investing & Retirement
Know your workplace-plan ceiling
2 min read
One hospital may offer several retirement plans. Learn which employee limits overlap—and when a 457(b) gives you a separate lane.
THE IDEA
For 2026, the base employee elective-deferral limit is $24,500. Your employee deferral limit is generally shared across 401(k) and 403(b) plans—even across employers—but an eligible governmental 457(b) has a separate limit; other plan limits may also apply.
$24,500base elective deferral
$72,000total annual additions limit
$8,000age 50+ catch-up
$11,250ages 60–63 catch-up
The age-based totals are $32,500 for age 50+ and $35,750 for ages 60–63. For most residents, the under-50 base limit is the relevant figure. The related compensation limit is $360,000.
Your next steps
- Identify every workplace plan available to you.
- Add your 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferrals across employers.
- Treat an eligible 457(b) separately and check other plan limits.
Check your understanding
Select each question to reveal the answer.
✓ $24,500 total.
✓ No. It has a separate limit.
✓ No. The employee limit is generally aggregated across employers.
✓ Every workplace plan available to you and the limits that apply to each.
Planning questions
- Which 401(k), 403(b), and eligible 457(b) plans are available through your current employers?
- What contribution amount or payroll percentage will you set for each plan?