403(b) Calculator
Project your 403(b) balance at retirement. 2026 IRS limits with catch-up and super catch-up. For teachers, nonprofit and church employees.
How to use
Enter your annual contribution amount
Set current age, retirement age, and current balance
Choose expected annual return rate
Select your age group for the correct IRS limit
403(b) projection
2026 limits: $24,500 base · +$8,000 catch-up · +$11,250 super catch-up (60–63)
403(b) Growth Examples — $20,000/year at 7% Return
Starting from $0 · illustrative projections only
Assumes $20,000/year contribution, 7% annual return, no prior balance. Actual results will vary. Use the calculator above for personalized projections.
Understanding Your 403(b)
403(b) Contribution Limits 2026
IRS Notice 2025-67 · mirrors 401(k) limits exactly
| Age group | 2026 limit | Extra vs base |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — |
| 50–59 and 64+ | $32,500 | +$8,000 catch-up |
| 60–63 (super catch-up) | $35,750 | +$11,250 super catch-up |
Super catch-up (60–63) requires your plan to have adopted SECURE 2.0 provisions. Employer contributions are in addition to these elective deferral limits. Limits are the same as 401(k).
New in 2026: If your 2025 Social Security wages exceeded $150,000, all catch-up contributions must be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis. This mandatory Roth catch-up rule took effect January 1, 2026 (IRS final regulations, 2025).
403(b) vs 401(k) — Side-by-Side
Same contribution limits, different eligible employers
| Feature | 403(b) | 401(k) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible employers | Public schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, hospitals, churches | For-profit companies |
| 2026 elective limit | $24,500 | $24,500 |
| Catch-up (50–59, 64+) | +$8,000 | +$8,000 |
| Super catch-up (60–63) | +$11,250 (if plan allows) | +$11,250 (if plan allows) |
| Tax treatment | Traditional (pre-tax) or Roth (after-tax) | Same |
| Employer vesting | Often under 15-year special rule | Typically graded 3–6 years |
| Investment options | Often annuities or mutual funds | Usually broad fund menu |
| 15-year service rule | Yes — extra $3K/yr possible | No |
Traditional vs Roth 403(b)
- Contributions are pre-tax — reduces taxable income now
- Earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal
- Withdrawals in retirement taxed as ordinary income
- RMDs required at age 73 (born 1951–1959) or 75 (born 1960+)
- Best if you expect lower tax rate in retirement
- Contributions are after-tax — no deduction now
- Earnings grow completely tax-free
- Qualified withdrawals in retirement are 100% tax-free
- No RMDs during your lifetime (SECURE 2.0)
- Best if you expect higher tax rate in retirement
Many educators split contributions between Traditional and Roth for tax diversification. Use our tax bracket calculator to see your current marginal rate.
Who Can Contribute to a 403(b)?
Eligibility under IRC §403(b)
Teachers, administrators, and staff at public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
Employees of hospitals, charities, social services, research organizations, and other nonprofits
Ministers, priests, clergy, and employees of religious organizations under IRC §414(e)
403(b) plans are governed by ERISA unless they qualify for the governmental or church plan exemption. If you work for a public school or church, your plan may have different rules around vesting and ERISA protections.
Common Questions
403(b) and Roth IRA?
Yes — entirely separate limits. Max $24,500 in 403(b) + $7,500 Roth IRA in 2026 ($8,600 if 50+). See our Roth IRA calculator. Roth IRA calculator
Can I withdraw early?
Before age 59½: 10% early withdrawal penalty + income tax on Traditional 403(b). Exceptions exist for disability, death, SEPP, and separation from service at 55+.
Employer match in 403(b)?
Many schools and nonprofits offer employer matching. Matches go into the plan on top of your elective deferrals and don't count toward your $24,500 limit.
What happens at RMD age?
Traditional 403(b): RMDs start at 73 or 75. Missing an RMD triggers a 25% excise tax. Use our RMD calculator for Traditional balances. RMD calculator
Stacking a 403(b) and 457(b): how teachers and public school employees can save up to $49,000/year pre-tax — and $71,500 with the 60–63 super catch-up in both plans
Source: IRS Notice 2025-67; PLANSPONSOR 2026 403(b)/457(b) deferral limit analysis; IRC §457(b)
One of the most powerful and underused tax strategies for public school teachers and government employees is the ability to contribute to both a 403(b) and a 457(b) plan simultaneously. Unlike 401(k) and 403(b) plans — which share a single IRS limit — the 403(b) and 457(b) have completely separate contribution limits under the tax code.
| Age group | 403(b) limit 2026 | 457(b) limit 2026 | Combined pre-tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | $24,500 | $49,000 |
| 50–59, 64+ (catch-up) | $32,500 | $32,500 | $65,000 |
| 60–63 (super catch-up, both plans) | $35,750 | $35,750 | $71,500 |
| 457(b) 3-year special catch-up* | $24,500 | $49,000 (2× limit) | $73,500 |
*The 457(b) special catch-up: in the final 3 years before your plan's normal retirement age, you may defer up to 2× the standard limit ($49,000 in 2026) in your 457(b) for any years you did not fully fund it in the past. This is NOT the same as the age-based catch-up. PLANSPONSOR notes the mandatory Roth catch-up rule (for 2025 FICA wages >$150K) applies to 403(b) catch-ups but NOT to the 457(b) 3-year catch-up or the 403(b) 15-year catch-up.
Key 457(b) advantages
- No 10% early withdrawal penalty — distributions are penalty-free when you separate from service, at any age (not just 59½)
- Government 457(b) plans qualify for rollovers to IRA or another employer's plan upon separation
- Separate catch-up structure: the 3-year catch-up allows up to $49,000/year regardless of age (governmental plans only)
- If your employer contributes to the 457(b), those contributions reduce your employee deferral space (unlike 403(b))
Plans that share limits — common misconception
401(k) + 403(b): share one limit
If you contribute $15,000 to a 403(b), only $9,500 remains for a 401(k) in the same year. These are treated as a single bucket under §402(g).
403(b) + 457(b): completely separate
Max 403(b) AND max 457(b) in the same year — the IRS treats them as entirely different plans.
Why many 403(b) plans for public school teachers are ERISA-exempt — and how annuity fees can cost you $400,000+ in lost retirement wealth compared to a low-cost index fund option
Source: GAO-22-104439 (2022); IRC §403(b) / ERISA §4(b)(1); IRS Publication 571 (01/2026); 403bwise.org
The 403(b) originated as a "tax-sheltered annuity" (TSA) plan, and insurance companies dominated the market for decades. Governmental 403(b) plans — covering most public K-12 teachers — are explicitly exempt from ERISA under ERISA §4(b)(1), because states and government employers are excluded from federal labor law regulation. This exemption has two major practical consequences:
What ERISA requires (but governmental 403(b) plans don't have to follow)
- Employer fiduciary duty to select and monitor prudent, cost-effective investment options
- Annual fee disclosure to participants (DOL 408(b)(2) and 404a-5 rules)
- Ability for participants to sue under ERISA §502(a) for breach of fiduciary duty
- Strict prohibited transaction rules limiting conflicts of interest in provider selection
- Plan must file Form 5500 with the DOL annually (public accountability)
Variable annuity fee breakdown (typical governmental 403(b))
The compounding impact: 30-year fee drag example
A teacher contributing $20,000/year for 30 years at a 7% gross annual return:
Low-cost index fund (0.05% expense ratio)
~$1.88M
Effective net return: ~6.95%
Variable annuity (2.5% total annual cost)
~$1.07M
Effective net return: ~4.5% — $810,000 less
The fee difference is not a performance difference — it is purely the cost of the insurance wrapper, compounded over 30 years.
What to do:
- Ask your plan administrator for a full list of investment options and their expense ratios
- Check if your district offers low-cost providers like Fidelity, Vanguard, or TIAA (which offers low-cost index accounts alongside its annuity products)
- Use 403bwise.org to research 403(b) vendors in your state and district
- Before switching vendors, check surrender charges — they may lock you in for up to 10 years
- Church plans also operate outside ERISA; request a fee schedule from the plan provider directly
The §415 combined limit ($72,000 for 2026), after-tax 403(b) contributions, and the 403(b) mega-backdoor Roth: how to save beyond the $24,500 elective deferral cap in a single plan
Source: IRC §415(c)(1)(A); IRS Notice 2025-67; IRS §402(g); IRS Publication 571 (01/2026)
Most people know the $24,500 elective deferral limit for 403(b) plans. But there is a much higher ceiling: the §415(c)(1)(A) combined limit — $72,000 for 2026 — which caps the total of all contributions (employee elective deferrals + employer contributions + after-tax contributions) to a single plan in a year.
| Contribution type | 2026 limit | Counts toward §415? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee elective deferrals (pre-tax or Roth) | $24,500 | Yes | This is the §402(g) limit — the 'regular' limit most people know |
| Age-based catch-up (50–59, 64+) | +$8,000 | Yes for §415 but excluded from §402(g) cap | Total: $32,500 with base deferrals |
| Super catch-up (60–63) | +$11,250 | Yes for §415 | Total: $35,750; plan must have adopted SECURE 2.0 |
| Employer matching contributions | No separate cap | Yes | Reduces remaining §415 headroom |
| After-tax (non-Roth) contributions | Up to §415 minus other contributions | Yes | If plan allows — not all 403(b) plans offer after-tax contributions |
| §415 combined ceiling (2026) | $72,000 | n/a | Absolute maximum; includes all sources |
The 403(b) mega-backdoor Roth — if your plan allows it
If your 403(b) plan allows after-tax (non-Roth) contributions AND in-plan Roth conversions, you can effectively place large amounts into a Roth account that grows tax-free:
- Contribute after-tax dollars beyond the $24,500 elective limit (up to §415 headroom)
- Request an in-plan Roth conversion — the plan converts the after-tax amount to Roth. Only earnings (if any) between contribution and conversion are taxable
- The converted balance grows tax-free and qualifies for tax-free withdrawal after 59½ and 5 years
Example: $24,500 elective + $12,000 employer match = $36,500. §415 headroom = $72,000 - $36,500 = $35,500 available for after-tax/mega-backdoor Roth contributions.
Important rules and caveats
- After-tax contributions are NOT mandatory Roth catch-up contributions — the $150,000 FICA wage threshold rule only applies to elective catch-up deferrals
- After-tax availability varies by plan — ERISA-covered nonprofit 403(b) plans are more likely to offer it than governmental plans; check with your plan administrator
- If you take a plan loan, it reduces your 403(b) balance but does NOT increase your §415 limit
- The §415 limit applies per employer — if you work for two qualifying employers simultaneously, each plan has its own $72,000 limit
- 15-year special catch-up ($3,000/year extra for 15+ years of service at the same employer) counts toward §415 — it is not exempt from the combined limit
The projected balance, total contributions, and investment growth shown above come from the amounts you enter—not a third-party feed. We cap your annual contribution at the 2026 IRS elective deferral limit for your age group, compound your account each year at the return rate you choose, and add your annual contribution at the end of each year. Below are the formulas, the order we follow, and worked examples you can check by hand.
Formulas
| Line | Formula |
|---|---|
| Years contributing | Retirement age − current age (minimum 0) |
| IRS elective deferral cap | Under 50: $24,500 · 50–59 or 64+: $32,500 · 60–63: $35,750 |
| Capped annual contribution | min(entered contribution, IRS cap for age group) |
| Year-end balance (each year) | Prior balance × (1 + return rate) + capped contribution |
| Total contributions | Starting balance + (capped contribution × years contributing) |
| Investment growth | Balance at retirement − total contributions |
| Balance at retirement | Ending balance after the final year's growth and contribution |
Order of operations
Calculate years until retirement
Years = retirement age − current age
We project forward from your current age to the retirement age you enter. If retirement age is not greater than current age, we show zero years and no future contributions.
Apply the IRS contribution cap
Capped contribution = min(your amount, age-based 2026 limit)
403(b) elective deferrals follow the same IRS limits as 401(k) plans in 2026: $24,500 base, plus $8,000 catch-up for ages 50–59 and 64+, or $11,250 super catch-up for ages 60–63 under SECURE 2.0. If you enter more than the cap, we flag it and use the capped amount in the projection.
Compound balance year by year
Each year: balance = balance × (1 + r) + contribution
Starting from your current balance, we apply your annual return rate to the existing balance, then add that year's capped contribution. Contributions are assumed at year-end—matching a simplified annual compounding model.
Sum contributions and growth
Total contributions = start + contributions × years · Growth = ending − total contributions
Total contributions include your starting balance plus every annual deposit. Investment growth is everything above that—the compound return earned on the balance over time.
Worked example
$20,000/year, age 40 → 65, 7% return
Retirement age 65 − current age 40 = 25 years contributing
$20,000 annual contribution (under $24,500 limit for Under 50)
Each year: balance × 7% growth + $20,000 contribution → $1,264,981 after 25 years
Total contributions $500,000 + investment growth $764,981 = $1,264,981 at retirement
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Years contributing | 25 |
| Annual contribution (capped) | $20,000 |
| IRS max for age group | $24,500 |
| Starting balance | $0 |
| Total contributions | $500,000 |
| Investment growth | $764,981 |
| Balance at retirement | $1,264,981 |
| Assumed annual return | 7% |
Catch-up (50–59): Age 55 → 65, $30,000/year, $50,000 starting balance, catch-up eligible → balance at retirement $512,851 ($162,851 growth on $350,000 contributed).
Super catch-up (60–63): Age 61 → 65, max super catch-up $35,750/year (SECURE 2.0 ages 60–63) → $158,728 at retirement using $35,750/year cap.
Over limit: $40,000 entered but under-50 cap is $24,500 — projection uses capped amount → projection uses $24,500/year, balance $122,500 over 5 years at 0% return.
Constants we use
| Parameter | What we use |
|---|---|
| 2026 base elective deferral limit | $24,500 |
| 2026 catch-up (ages 50–59, 64+) | +$8,000 ($32,500 total) |
| 2026 super catch-up (ages 60–63) | +$11,250 ($35,750 total) |
| Default return assumption | 7% per year |
| Combined §415 limit (not modeled) | $72,000 |
What we do not model on this page
We model elective deferral growth only—not employer match, 15-year-of-service special catch-up ($3,000 extra), mandatory Roth catch-up for high earners, plan fees or expense ratios, loan balances, after-tax mega-backdoor Roth contributions, §415 combined limit enforcement, 457(b) stacking, variable contribution amounts year to year, or tax on withdrawals in retirement. Return rate is a single fixed assumption—not historical market performance. For employer match on a 403(b), use our 401(k) match calculator as a rough parallel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. It is not investment or tax advice. Actual growth depends on investment performance, fees, and market conditions. Consult a financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.