Overview
- Only 40% of Americans ages 61 to 65 are ready for retirement, according to Vanguard reporting cited by Yahoo Finance.
- Reported 2026 catch-up limits include $1,100 for IRAs (total $8,600) and $8,000 for 401(k)s (total $32,500), with a special $11,250 catch-up for ages 60 to 63 lifting the 401(k) maximum to $35,750.
- Workers who earned more than $150,000 in 2025 will be restricted to Roth 401(k) catch-up contributions in 2026, which could limit options if an employer plan lacks a Roth feature.
- For 2025, people 50 and older can add an extra $7,500 to a 401(k) for a $31,000 total and an extra $1,000 to IRAs for an $8,000 total.
- Advisers highlight delaying Social Security to increase benefits about 8% per year past full retirement age up to 70, paying down high-interest debt, tightening budgets or downsizing, and right-sizing risk rather than dumping stocks.