2026 IRS Contribution Limits: IRA & 401(k)
Direct Answer
For 2026, the IRA limit is $7,000 (standard) or $8,000 (age 50+). The SECURE 2.0 Super Catch-up raises the 401(k) limit to $12,750 in additional contributions for individuals aged 60–63.
The Super Catch-up is calculated at 150% of the standard age-50+ catch-up limit, indexed for inflation. It applies to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans — not directly to IRAs. Source: SECURE 2.0 Act; IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-57.
IRA Standard
$7,000
Under age 50 · per year
IRA Age 50+ Catch-up
$8,000
Ages 50–59 & 64+ · per year
SECURE 2.0 Super Catch-up
$12,750
Ages 60–63 · 401(k)/403(b)/457(b)
401(k) Standard
$23,500
All ages · per year
401(k) Age 50+ Total
$31,000
Including catch-up · ages 50–59 & 64+
401(k) Ages 60–63 Total
$36,250
$23,500 + $12,750 Super Catch-up
2026 Gold Purity Standards for IRA Eligibility
Direct Answer
Under LBMA GPMC v3 and IRC §408(m), IRS-approved precious metals must meet minimum fineness thresholds: gold .9950, silver .999, platinum .9995, and palladium .9995.
The American Gold Eagle is the sole statutory exception to the gold purity rule, approved at .9167 fineness under IRC §408(m)(3)(A)(i). All bars must bear an assay mark from an LBMA-approved refiner. Source: IRS Pub 590-B; LBMA GPMC v3.
Gold: .9950 minimum
Silver: .999 minimum
Platinum: .9995 minimum
Palladium: .9995 minimum
Gold Eagle exception: .9167 (statutory)
IRS-Approved Coins by Metal
Direct Answer
Approved gold coins include the American Gold Eagle, American Gold Buffalo (.9999), Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (.9999), and Austrian Philharmonic (.9999). Approved silver coins include the American Silver Eagle and Canadian Silver Maple Leaf (.9999).
All IRA-eligible bars must come from LBMA-listed refiners such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, or the Perth Mint. Collectible, numismatic, or non-LBMA-listed coins are prohibited under IRC §408(m)(2) and trigger a taxable distribution.
| Coin / Bar | Metal | Fineness | IRA Eligible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Gold Eagle | Gold | .9167 | Yes | Statutory exception — IRC §408(m)(3)(A)(i) |
| American Gold Buffalo | Gold | .9999 | Yes | Highest purity US gold coin |
| Canadian Gold Maple Leaf | Gold | .9999 | Yes | LBMA-listed · widely accepted |
| Austrian Philharmonic | Gold | .9999 | Yes | Euro-denominated · LBMA-listed |
| LBMA-Certified Gold Bars | Gold | .9999 | Yes | Must bear LBMA assay mark |
| American Silver Eagle | Silver | .999 | Yes | Most popular US silver IRA coin |
| Canadian Silver Maple Leaf | Silver | .9999 | Yes | LBMA-listed |
| American Platinum Eagle | Platinum | .9995 | Yes | Only US platinum IRA coin |
| Numismatic / Collectible Coins | Various | Varies | Prohibited | Triggers taxable distribution |
Gold vs. Silver: Choosing Your Precious Metals Allocation
Direct Answer
Gold and silver serve different roles in a retirement portfolio: gold is primarily an inflation hedge and store of value, while silver has greater industrial demand and higher price volatility relative to gold.
Most Gold IRA specialists recommend a gold-dominant allocation (70–80% gold, 20–30% silver) within the precious metals portion of a portfolio. The gold-to-silver ratio in 2026 fluctuates around 80–90:1. This is not financial advice — consult a licensed adviser.
| Factor | Gold | Silver |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Inflation hedge · Store of value | Industrial demand · Inflation hedge |
| Volatility | Lower relative volatility | Higher volatility (industrial cycles) |
| Storage Cost | Lower per $ of value | Higher per $ of value (bulkier) |
| IRS Purity | .9950 min | .999 min |
| LBMA Benchmark | AM/PM Fix (London) | LBMA Silver Price |
| COMEX Pricing | GC Futures contract | SI Futures contract |
| Typical IRA Mix | 70–80% of PM allocation | 20–30% of PM allocation |
Wealth Preservation Calculator: Gold & Silver IRA Projector
Direct Answer
This calculator projects how a gold and silver allocation within a Self-Directed IRA would grow to your retirement date, factoring in 2026 IRS contribution limits, your existing portfolio, and assumed annual return rates for each metal.
Results are rendered directly in the page — no separate API call required. All projections are hypothetical illustrations using compound interest (FV formula). Actual market returns will differ. This is not financial advice.
Your Projection Results
Initial Metals Allocation
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Metals Value at Retirement
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Non-Metals Value at Retirement
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Total Portfolio at Retirement
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Metals % at Retirement
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Total Contributions Made
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Growth from Contributions
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Growth from Compounding
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Portfolio Split at Retirement
Metals —
Non-Metals —
⚠ Projections are hypothetical illustrations only. They do not constitute financial advice. Actual results will vary significantly. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
SECURE 2.0 Super Catch-up: Maximising Ages 60–63
Direct Answer
Individuals aged 60–63 can contribute up to $12,750 in additional 401(k) catch-up contributions in 2026, on top of the $23,500 standard limit — a total of $36,250. This window lasts only four years before reverting to the standard age-50+ catch-up.
The Super Catch-up applies to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans. It does not apply to IRAs, where the age-50+ limit remains $8,000. If you are rolling over a 401(k) during this window, consider maximising contributions before initiating the rollover. Source: SECURE 2.0 Act §109; IRS guidance.
Strategy Note: The 4-Year Window
The Super Catch-up period covers only ages 60, 61, 62, and 63. At age 64 it reverts to the standard age-50+ limit. If you are in this window and considering a Gold IRA rollover, discuss with your adviser whether maximising 401(k) contributions during these four years — before rolling over — may be more beneficial than an immediate rollover.
2026 Contribution Limits by Age Group
Direct Answer
In 2026 there are effectively four contribution tiers by age: under 50 ($7,000 IRA / $23,500 401k), ages 50–59 ($8,000 IRA / $31,000 401k), ages 60–63 ($8,000 IRA / $36,250 401k), and ages 64+ ($8,000 IRA / $31,000 401k).
The IRA limit does not increase at ages 60–63 — the Super Catch-up is exclusively a workplace plan provision. Source: SECURE 2.0 Act; IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-57.
| Age Group | IRA Limit | 401(k) Limit | Catch-up Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $7,000 | $23,500 | None |
| Ages 50–59 | $8,000 | $31,000 | Standard catch-up |
| Ages 60–63 | $8,000 | $36,250 | Super Catch-up · SECURE 2.0 |
| Ages 64+ | $8,000 | $31,000 | Standard catch-up |
Storage & Custody: Where Your Metals Are Held
Direct Answer
All IRA-owned precious metals must be stored at an IRS-approved third-party depository — not at home. Leading depositories include Delaware Depository, Brinks Global Services, IDS, and CNT Depository. Home storage constitutes a taxable distribution.
Segregated storage keeps your specific coins or bars physically separate from other investors' holdings. Commingled storage pools equivalent metals together. Segregated storage costs more ($150–$300/yr vs $100–$175/yr) but provides certainty that you receive your exact metals on distribution. Source: IRS Pub 590-B.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Answer
Common questions about the Gold & Silver IRA Calculator cover how projections are calculated, what the Super Catch-up is, whether you can hold both gold and silver in one IRA, and what purity standards apply in 2026.
All calculator projections use the standard future value formula: FV = PV × (1+r)^n + C × [((1+r)^n − 1) / r]. They are illustrative only. Consult a licensed financial adviser before making any retirement investment decisions.
What is the $12,750 Super Catch-up and who qualifies?
The SECURE 2.0 Super Catch-up allows individuals aged 60–63 to contribute $12,750 in additional catch-up contributions to a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan in 2026 — on top of the standard $23,500 limit, for a total of $36,250. It does not apply to IRAs. The window lasts only four years (ages 60, 61, 62, 63) before reverting to the standard $7,500 catch-up at age 64.
Can I hold both gold and silver in the same Self-Directed IRA?
Yes. A Single SDIRA can hold any mix of IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, and palladium — provided each item meets the applicable fineness standard and is stored at an IRS-approved depository. There is no requirement to hold only one metal type.
How accurate are the calculator projections?
The calculator uses a standard compound interest formula with fixed annual return assumptions. It does not account for market volatility, inflation, changing contribution levels, custodian fees (which reduce net returns), or tax treatment of distributions. Treat results as an order-of-magnitude illustration, not a financial plan.
Does the Super Catch-up apply to a Gold IRA rollover?
Not directly. The Super Catch-up increases the amount you can contribute to your 401(k) during ages 60–63. When you eventually roll that 401(k) into a Gold IRA, the larger balance rolls over. But the rollover itself is not a contribution — rollovers from qualifying plans are not counted against annual IRA contribution limits.