Each year the IRS sets how much you can put into the Thrift Savings Plan, and the numbers usually rise a little with inflation. Knowing the 2026 limits matters because contributing enough to capture the full government match is one of the best financial moves a service member or federal employee can make. Here's what the limits are and how to use them.
| Contribution type | 2026 limit |
|---|---|
| Elective deferral (your own contributions) | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50–59 & 64+ | +$8,000 ($32,500 total) |
| Catch-up, ages 60–63 (special higher limit) | +$11,250 ($35,750 total) |
The elective deferral limit ($24,500 for 2026) is the cap on the money you personally defer from your paycheck into the TSP across Traditional and Roth combined. It does not include the government's automatic and matching contributions.
If you are age 50 or older, you can contribute extra "catch-up" money — an additional $8,000 in 2026. Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act, there's a special higher catch-up for the years you are age 60, 61, 62, or 63, which is $11,250 in 2026. The year you turn 64, you drop back to the standard catch-up amount. You no longer have to file a separate catch-up election; once you hit the regular limit, eligible contributions roll into the catch-up automatically.
Under the Blended Retirement System and FERS, the government's automatic 1% and matching contributions are on top of your elective deferral limit. So if you defer the full $24,500 and also receive a 5% match, your total going into the TSP is higher than $24,500. There is a separate, much larger overall "annual additions" cap that combines your contributions plus agency contributions; almost no one hits it through normal payroll, but you can confirm the current figure at tsp.gov.
Want to see how different contribution rates change your balance at retirement? Plug your numbers into the TSP calculator and watch the projection update.
| Limit type | 2026 amount | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Elective deferral (your contributions) | $24,500 | Everyone |
| Catch-up (age 50+) | +$8,000 | Age 50 and older |
| Higher catch-up (age 60–63) | +$11,250 | Turning 60–63 in 2026 (SECURE 2.0) |
| Annual additions (you + agency) | Much higher combined cap | Rarely reached via payroll; confirm at tsp.gov |
Most service members are paid monthly (12 periods) and most civilians biweekly (26 periods). To reach $24,500 evenly:
| Pay schedule | Contribute per period |
|---|---|
| Monthly (12) | ~$2,042 / month |
| Biweekly (26) | ~$943 / paycheck |
Spreading it evenly matters: because the match is applied each period, front-loading and hitting the cap early can cost you match in the final months of the year.
Beginning in 2026, the TSP is introducing an in-plan Roth conversion option, allowing participants to convert existing Traditional balances to Roth within the plan. You'd owe income tax on the converted amount in the year of conversion, so the tax bill deserves careful planning. This is a notable change — check current tsp.gov guidance for eligibility and mechanics before acting.
Open the TSP calculator →The elective deferral limit — the most you can contribute from your own pay — is $24,500 in 2026, combined across Traditional and Roth.
You can add an $8,000 catch-up in 2026 (total $32,500). If you turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026, the catch-up rises to $11,250 (total $35,750) under SECURE 2.0.
No. The elective deferral limit applies only to your own contributions. Agency automatic and matching contributions fall under a separate, much higher annual-additions cap.
Your contributions stop for the rest of the year — and because the match is applied each pay period, you can miss match in those remaining months. Spread contributions evenly to capture the full match.