Retirement rules in the US change annually and the differences are rarely trivial — a few thousand dollars of extra contribution room, or a phase-out threshold you did not know you had crossed. These guides track the current numbers, explain who each rule applies to, and link to the IRS notice behind every figure.
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The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment is 2.8%, the taxable maximum is $184,500, and the earnings test limits have moved again. Here is every figure the Social Security Administration has published for 2026, and which of them will actually change what reaches your account.
The 2026 HSA limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage. Three new rules take effect this year, including bronze exchange plans and direct primary care.
The 2026 elective deferral limit is $24,500 and the IRA limit is $7,500. Here is what changed from 2025, who qualifies for each catch-up tier, and how the income phase-outs actually work.