Year-end money moves (2026): a cash and savings checklist
- 401(k) limit, 2026$24,500IRS
- IRA limit, 2026$7,500IRS
- HSA family, 2027$9,000IRS
- FDIC insurance$250,000per insured bank, at least
An educational checklist of cash and savings items with year-end dates: contribution limits, I bond purchase caps, T-bill and CD maturities, RMD dates and deposit insurance.
Every figure links to the IRS, TreasuryDirect or the FDIC and was checked Oct 23, 2026.
Figures as of Oct 23, 2026, from IRS.gov, TreasuryDirect and FDIC.gov.
The checklist
- Retirement plan deferrals for 2026. The 2026 employee deferral limit for 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the TSP is $24,500, with an $8,000 catch-up at 50 and older and $11,250 at ages 60 to 63 (IRS). Workplace deferrals generally run through payroll, so plan rules and payroll timing set the practical cutoff.
- IRA contributions. The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500 plus a $1,100 catch-up at 50 and older (IRS). Per the IRS, contributions for a year can be made until that year's tax filing deadline, not including extensions (IRS).
- HSA contributions. 2026 limits are $4,400 self-only and $8,750 family (Rev. Proc. 2025-19); 2027 limits are $4,500 and $9,000 (Rev. Proc. 2026-24). IRS Publication 969 shows that contributions for a year can be made through the following April filing deadline (IRS Pub. 969).
- I bond purchase limit. Up to $10,000 in electronic I bonds per Social Security Number or EIN per calendar year (TreasuryDirect). The limit resets each calendar year.
- T-bill and CD maturity timing. A T-bill pays its face value when it matures (TreasuryDirect), so the maturity date determines which calendar year the interest lands in. CD terms and payout dates are set by each bank. The latest 13-week bill auction (Oct 19) produced an investment rate of 4.195% (auction results). The ladder calculator maps maturities across months.
- Required minimum distributions. Per the IRS, the first RMD is for the year a person reaches age 73 and can be delayed until April 1 of the following year; later RMDs are due by Dec 31 each year (IRS RMD FAQs).
- FDIC insurance limit. Deposits are insured to at least $250,000 at each FDIC-insured bank (FDIC). Treasury bills and money market funds are not FDIC deposits.
Official limits, 2026 and 2027
| Item | 2026 | 2027 | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and TSP: employee deferral | $24,500 | Not yet announced | IRS, Nov 13, 2025; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and older (401(k)-type plans) | $8,000 | Not yet announced | IRS; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| Higher catch-up, ages 60 to 63 (401(k)-type plans) | $11,250 | Not yet announced | IRS; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| Traditional and Roth IRA contribution | $7,500 | Not yet announced | IRS; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| IRA catch-up, age 50 and older | $1,100 | Not yet announced | IRS; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| HSA, self-only coverage | $4,400 | $4,500 | Rev. Proc. 2025-19 · Rev. Proc. 2026-24; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| HSA, family coverage | $8,750 | $9,000 | Rev. Proc. 2025-19 · Rev. Proc. 2026-24; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| Electronic I bonds, per SSN or EIN per calendar year | $10,000 | $10,000 (no change announced) | TreasuryDirect; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
| FDIC deposit insurance | At least $250,000 per insured bank | Same | FDIC; as of Oct 23, 2026 |
All figures checked against the linked official pages on Oct 23, 2026. 2027 401(k) and IRA limits are left blank until the IRS publishes them; unofficial projections are not shown.
Not included
2027 401(k), IRA and catch-up limits (not yet published by the IRS as of Oct 23, 2026). Projections from private forecasters are not shown.
Related: where to park cash: T-bills vs CDs vs savings · I bond vs T-bill vs CD · CD and T-bill ladder calculator · Treasury auction results · FDIC national CD and savings rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Has the IRS announced the 2027 401(k) and IRA limits?
Not as of Oct 23, 2026. The IRS usually publishes them in November; the 2026 limits were announced on Nov 13, 2025. This page lists only official figures, so 2027 401(k) and IRA limits will be added once the IRS publishes them. The 2027 HSA limits are already official (Rev. Proc. 2026-24).
What is the deadline for 2026 IRA contributions?
According to the IRS, IRA contributions for a tax year can be made until that year's tax return filing deadline, not including extensions.
How much in I bonds can be bought in a calendar year?
TreasuryDirect states that one Social Security Number or one Employer Identification Number may purchase up to $10,000 in electronic I bonds per calendar year.
How much does FDIC insurance cover?
The FDIC states that deposits are insured to at least $250,000 at each FDIC-insured bank. Treasury bills are not FDIC-insured; they are backed by the U.S. government.
Is this checklist personalized advice?
No. It is an educational list of published limits and dates from the IRS, TreasuryDirect and the FDIC. Individual situations differ; a tax or financial professional can address specifics.