Tax-Advantaged Accounts Comparison 2026 β 401(k), IRA, HSA, 529, Trump Account
Compare all 2026 tax-advantaged account contribution limits: 401(k) $24,500, IRA $7,500, HSA $4,400/$8,750, 529, and Trump Account $5,000. See tax treatment, optimal contribution order, and 30-year growth projections.
Affects catch-up limits (50+, 60-63 super)
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Affects Roth IRA eligibility and Traditional IRA deductibility %
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Lower rate benefits Traditional accounts; higher favors Roth 2026 Tax-Advantaged Accounts β Your Contribution Limits & Tax Treatment
| Account | Your 2026 Limit | Tax Treatment | Eligible? | Annual Tax Savings |
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Max Contribution (Your Situation)
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Total Annual Tax Savings
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Roth IRA Status
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Traditional IRA Deductible?
2026 Tax-Advantaged Account Limits (OBBBA-Updated)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) updated several contribution limits and added new accounts effective 2026. Here is a complete reference guide.
Account Comparison at a Glance
401(k)/403(b)/457(b): $24,500 | $31,500 (50+) | $37,250 (60-63 super)
IRA (Traditional/Roth): $7,500 | $8,500 (50+)
Roth IRA income limits: Single $150Kβ$165K phaseout | MFJ $236Kβ$246K
HSA (Individual): $4,400 | HSA (Family): $8,750
529 Plan: $20,000 annual OBBBA exclusion per beneficiary
Trump Account (Section 530A): $5,000/year, $1,000 govt. seed for newborns
Tax Treatment:
Pre-tax (Traditional 401k/IRA): deduct now, pay tax at withdrawal
After-tax (Roth/HSA med.): pay now, never pay tax on growth or withdrawal
529/Trump Account: no deduction (federal), tax-free growth + qualified withdrawal
IRA (Traditional/Roth): $7,500 | $8,500 (50+)
Roth IRA income limits: Single $150Kβ$165K phaseout | MFJ $236Kβ$246K
HSA (Individual): $4,400 | HSA (Family): $8,750
529 Plan: $20,000 annual OBBBA exclusion per beneficiary
Trump Account (Section 530A): $5,000/year, $1,000 govt. seed for newborns
Tax Treatment:
Pre-tax (Traditional 401k/IRA): deduct now, pay tax at withdrawal
After-tax (Roth/HSA med.): pay now, never pay tax on growth or withdrawal
529/Trump Account: no deduction (federal), tax-free growth + qualified withdrawal
Contribution Priority Order
Optimal order for most people:
1. 401(k) up to employer match β always first (free money)
2. HSA if eligible β triple tax advantage
3. Roth IRA (or backdoor Roth) β tax-free forever, no RMDs
4. 401(k)/403(b) to max limit β major income reduction
5. 529 if you have education expenses β state deduction in most states
6. Taxable brokerage β least tax-efficient but most flexible
1. 401(k) up to employer match β always first (free money)
2. HSA if eligible β triple tax advantage
3. Roth IRA (or backdoor Roth) β tax-free forever, no RMDs
4. 401(k)/403(b) to max limit β major income reduction
5. 529 if you have education expenses β state deduction in most states
6. Taxable brokerage β least tax-efficient but most flexible
Extended
30-Year Growth Projections & Optimal Contribution Order
See how each account grows over 30 years after tax and the priority order for maximum savings
30-year after-tax value of contributing the full annual limit to each account type. Uses your marginal and retirement tax rates entered above.
| Account | Annual Contribution | Pre-Tax Cost (after deduction savings) | Balance at 30 Years | After-Tax Value at 30 Years | Net Benefit vs Taxable |
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Contribution Priority Recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2026 contribution limits for 401(k) and IRA accounts?
For 2026 (OBBBA-updated limits): 401(k)/403(b)/457(b): $24,500 standard deferral, $31,500 for age 50β59 or 64+ (catch-up), and $12,750 super catch-up for ages 60β63 (making total $37,250 for that age group). IRA (Traditional and Roth): $7,500 standard, $8,500 for age 50+. Roth IRA income phase-outs: Single $150,000β$165,000, MFJ $236,000β$246,000. HSA: $4,400 individual, $8,750 family. 529 Plan: no annual federal limit; $20,000 OBBBA gift-tax annual exclusion per beneficiary. Trump Account (Section 530A): $5,000/year with $1,000 government seed for newborns.
What is the optimal order for contributing to tax-advantaged accounts?
The general priority order for maximizing tax efficiency: (1) 401(k) up to employer match β free money, never skip; (2) HSA if eligible β triple tax advantage (deduction, growth, and withdrawal all tax-free for medical expenses); (3) Roth IRA if eligible β tax-free growth and withdrawals, no RMDs; (4) 401(k)/403(b) up to annual limit β reduces taxable income; (5) Backdoor Roth if income too high for direct Roth IRA; (6) 529 for education savings β state tax deduction in many states; (7) Taxable brokerage for anything beyond. This order optimizes the combination of immediate tax benefits, long-term tax-free growth, and flexibility.
What is the triple tax advantage of an HSA?
An HSA (Health Savings Account) offers three layers of tax benefits, making it arguably the most tax-efficient account available: (1) Contributions are tax-deductible (or pre-tax if through payroll), reducing your AGI; (2) Investment growth is tax-free β contributions can be invested in mutual funds and grow without taxation; (3) Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are completely tax-free. After age 65, you can withdraw for any reason (non-medical withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, like a Traditional IRA). To contribute, you must be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
What is the Trump Account (Section 530A) and how does it work?
The Trump Account, established by the OBBBA as Section 530A, is a new tax-advantaged savings account for children under 18. The federal government provides a one-time $1,000 seed contribution for newborns who are US citizens. Families can contribute up to $5,000/year. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for certain purposes (education, first home purchase, business startup after age 18) are also tax-free. The account is similar to a Roth IRA for children but with broader withdrawal flexibility. Details are still being finalized in regulations as of early 2026.
Can I contribute to both a Traditional and Roth IRA in the same year?
Yes β you can contribute to both Traditional and Roth IRAs in the same year, but your total contributions across both accounts cannot exceed the annual limit ($7,500, or $8,500 age 50+). For example, you could contribute $4,000 to a Traditional IRA and $3,500 to a Roth IRA. The tax treatment differs: Traditional IRA contributions may be deductible depending on income and workplace plan coverage. Roth IRA contributions are never deductible but provide tax-free growth and withdrawals. If your income exceeds Roth IRA limits, use the backdoor Roth strategy instead.