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Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Calculator (SECURE 2.0)

See whether SECURE 2.0's new rule forces your 401(k) catch-up contribution into Roth in 2026, and what that's worth in tax paid now versus tax-free growth later.

Quick answer: Check whether SECURE 2.0's mandatory Roth catch-up rule applies to you, and estimate the tax and growth impact of being forced into after-tax catch-up contributions instead of pre-tax. Enter 2025 Wages From This Employer, Your Age (as of Dec 31, 2026), Planned Catch-Up Contribution, and Current Marginal Tax Rate (%) to personalize the estimate. It returns Forced-Roth Future Value (Tax-Free), Your 2026 Catch-Up Contribution Limit, and Catch-Up Amount Modeled so you can compare the impact before choosing a next step. Use it to compare long-term value, tax impact, risk, time horizon, and contribution choices.

SWReviewed by SwitchWize Research Desk · Last reviewed August 20, 2026
Forced-Roth Future Value (Tax-Free)
$18,018
Forced-Roth Future Value (Tax-Free)
$18,018
Your 2026 Catch-Up Contribution Limit
$8,000
Catch-Up Amount Modeled
$8,000
Pre-Tax Catch-Up After-Tax Value (Hypothetical)
$13,693
Forced Roth vs. pre-tax catch-up, at withdrawal
Roth-Minus-Pretax Future Value Difference (Signed)
$4,324
This Year's Extra Tax Cost From Losing the Deduction
$2,560
Diagnostic

Yes -- the SECURE 2.0 mandatory Roth catch-up rule applies to you. Your $165,000 in 2025 wages from this employer is above the $150,000 threshold, so at age 55 your $8,000 catch-up contribution must go in as Roth (after-tax), not pre-tax.

Modeled over 12 years at a 7.00% return, that Roth catch-up grows to $18,018 tax-free -- $4,324 more than the $13,693 the same dollars would have been worth after-tax under the old pre-tax rules. The trade-off: you lose $2,560 in current-year tax savings, since this contribution no longer reduces this year's taxable income.

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What to do next

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Your action plan
  1. 1

    Review the risk level and primary pressure point

    Check whether SECURE 2.0's mandatory Roth catch-up rule applies to you, and estimate the tax and growth impact of being forced into after-tax catch-up contributions instead of pre-tax.

  2. 2

    Check the assumptions before using the result for a high-stakes decision

    Assumptions change the answer, especially when rates, taxes, or timing matter.

  3. 3

    Save the result to Money Map or use the linked next action

    Turn the result into a prioritized action instead of treating it as a one-off number.

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This is an educational estimate, not tax, legal, investment, or lending advice. Tax rules, rates, and eligibility change and depend on your full situation. Confirm with a qualified professional or the provider before acting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

Who does the SECURE 2.0 mandatory Roth catch-up rule apply to?
Starting January 1, 2026, it applies to 401(k), 403(b), and governmental 457(b) participants who are age 50 or older and whose prior-year (2025) Social Security wages from the single employer sponsoring the plan exceeded $150,000, per IRS Notice 2025-67. Wages from other employers, or household income, are not combined in — the test is employer-by-employer.
What are the 2026 catch-up contribution limits?
For 2026, the standard catch-up limit is $8,000 for participants age 50-59 and 64 and older. Participants who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026 get a higher 'super catch-up' limit of $11,250 instead of (not in addition to) the standard amount.
What happens if my plan doesn't offer a Roth option?
IRS transition guidance allows a plan without a Roth feature to simply bar catch-up contributions for affected high earners rather than adding Roth. Check with your plan administrator to see how your specific plan is handling the rule.
Is the Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Calculator (SECURE 2.0) free to use?
Yes. SwitchWize calculators are free, and you do not need an account to run scenarios or view the result.
Does using the Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Calculator (SECURE 2.0) affect my credit score?
No. Using a calculator does not trigger a credit check. A credit impact can occur only if you apply directly with a lender, card issuer, or provider.
Are the results personalized financial advice?
No. Calculator outputs are educational estimates based on the inputs you enter. Review assumptions and confirm terms directly with providers before making a financial decision.
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Can Money Map use this result?
Yes. Money Map is the broader diagnostic path: it compares savings, mortgage, cards, and debt so you can see whether this calculator result is your highest-impact next move.

Why This Matters

Starting in 2026, workers 50 and older whose prior-year wages from their employer topped $150,000 must make catch-up contributions as Roth, not pre-tax. That's a real, immediate tax bill this year in exchange for tax-free growth at withdrawal — not a minor paperwork change.

How to Use It

  1. 1Enter your 2025 W-2 wages from the employer sponsoring this plan
  2. 2Enter your age and planned catch-up contribution amount
  3. 3Set your current and expected retirement tax rates
  4. 4See whether the mandate applies to you, and the future-value and current-year tax trade-off either way
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