Here’s What Happens to Your Paycheck When You Max Out Your 401(k) in 2026

One of the golden rules of personal finance is to contribute enough to an employer-based retirement fund to secure the full company match, but what happens to your paycheck if you max out your 401(k)? To get the answer, it’s essential not to think of 401(k) contributions as saving for retirement, but instead to view them as the purchase of a very big tax cut. A Six-Figure Earner Maxes Out In 2026, the IRS allows a maximum contribution of $24,500 to traditional 401(k) plans. Since Bureau of Labor Statis ...