Ghaline Financial Tools

TSP Catch-Up Contribution Calculator

Want to make the most of your Thrift Savings Plan before the year ends? Use this TSP catch-up contribution calculator to estimate how much you may need to contribute from each remaining paycheck to reach your annual contribution goal.

Enter your age, annual salary, contributions so far, and remaining pay periods to estimate your contribution target. You can explore regular and catch-up contribution amounts and see how your remaining savings goal translates into a per-paycheck figure.

2026 contribution planning • Paycheck-based estimates • Free to use

This calculator provides estimates, not payroll or tax advice. Catch-up eligibility and applicable contribution limits depend on your circumstances. Confirm your limits and payroll elections with official TSP guidance before making changes.

Plan Your TSP Contributions

Estimate your contribution per paycheck and track your progress toward your annual TSP savings goal.

NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED

Your contribution details

Age you will reach by December 31, 2026

Your age may affect which TSP catch-up contribution limit applies.

Annual gross salary (USD)

Employee contributions already made in 2026 (USD)

Include your own Traditional and Roth TSP employee contributions, not agency matching contributions.

Pay periods remaining

Pay frequency

Annual contribution target

Your estimated results

Suggested contribution per remaining pay period $1,730.77

Based on your selected target and remaining pay periods.

Selected annual target $32,500

Amount remaining $22,500

Regular limit remaining $14,500

Potential catch-up room $8,000

Suggested share of gross pay 45.0%

Age-based maximum used $32,500

Estimate calculated. Verify your applicable limit and payroll settings before changing contribution elections.

Progress toward your selected target

Contributed

$10,000

Still needed

$22,500

Annual target

$32,500

Contributed Remaining Target

Planning estimate only. This tool does not access your TSP account or verify your eligibility or payroll records. It may not reflect every tax, payroll, or special-service rule. Confirm the applicable 2026 limits with official TSP and IRS guidance before changing your contribution elections.

A SIMPLE THREE-STEP GUIDE

How to Use the TSP Catch-Up Contribution Calculator

Planning your Thrift Savings Plan contributions starts with knowing how much you have already contributed and how much you want to save by the end of the year. Follow these three steps to estimate your remaining contribution needs.

Enter Your Age and Contributions

Enter the age you will reach by December 31, your annual gross salary, and your year-to-date employee contributions. These details help establish the applicable planning target.

Choose Your Annual Contribution Target

Select the maximum eligible employee contribution amount, the regular annual limit, or a custom target. Enter the number of pay periods remaining in the calendar year.

Review Your Per-Paycheck Estimate

Check the amount remaining, potential catch-up contribution room, and estimated amount per paycheck. Compare the result with your budget and actual payroll deductions.

Before you change your contributions: Confirm the current-year TSP contribution limits, your catch-up eligibility, and your actual year-to-date employee deferrals. The calculator provides an estimate; your payroll records and official TSP guidance should determine your final contribution election.

KNOW YOUR ANNUAL LIMIT

Understanding TSP Contribution Types

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) allows eligible federal employees and service members to save for retirement through payroll contributions. If you are approaching retirement or want to increase your savings, understanding the regular TSP contribution limit and age-based catch-up contributions can help you set a realistic annual target.

2026 · REGULAR LIMIT

Regular TSP Contributions

$24,500

This is the 2026 employee elective deferral limit for eligible participants. Traditional and Roth TSP employee contributions count toward the same regular limit.

2026 · AGE 50 AND OLDER

Standard Catch-Up Contributions

+$8,000

Participants who are eligible for catch-up contributions and reach age 50 or older during 2026 can generally contribute an additional $8,000 above the regular limit.

2026 · AGES 60–63

Higher Catch-Up Limit

+$11,250

Eligible participants who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026 may qualify for the higher catch-up limit instead of the standard $8,000 amount.

Contribution category	2026 limit	Combined employee limit
Regular contributions only	$24,500	$24,500
Regular + standard catch-up	$24,500 + $8,000	$32,500
Regular + higher catch-up	$24,500 + $11,250	$35,750

Important: Catch-up contributions are additional employee contributions, not agency matching contributions. The higher limit applies to eligible participants who turn 60–63 during the calendar year, rather than everyone who is simply between those ages on the date they use the calculator. Your applicable limit and payroll rules should always be verified.

Check the latest rules in the official IRS catch-up contribution guidance and the Thrift Savings Plan website. These 2026 figures should be reviewed and updated when new annual limits are announced.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Regular vs. Catch-Up TSP Contributions

The main difference between regular TSP contributions and catch-up contributions is the additional amount eligible participants may contribute toward retirement. Regular contributions count toward the standard annual employee limit. Catch-up contributions can provide additional room when you meet the applicable age and plan requirements.

Feature	Regular contributions	Catch-up contributions
Purpose	Build retirement savings within the standard limit.	Allow eligible participants to save above the regular limit.
Age requirement	Generally no age-50 requirement.	Generally available from age 50, subject to applicable rules.
Annual limit	Subject to the regular employee contribution limit for the year.	Subject to the applicable additional catch-up limit.
Traditional and Roth TSP	Employee deferrals generally count toward the same regular limit.	Catch-up deferrals are subject to the applicable combined limits and tax rules.
Planning approach	Track contributions already made and the remaining annual limit.	Check eligibility, the correct catch-up limit, and remaining payroll periods.

When regular contributions may be enough

If your planned annual savings fit within the regular employee limit, you may not need catch-up contributions. Your target should reflect your circumstances and budget.

When catch-up contributions may help

If you are eligible and want to save more than the regular limit allows, catch-up contributions may help you increase your retirement savings. Confirm the current-year rules before adjusting payroll elections.

Remember: Reaching an eligible age does not automatically mean you can contribute the maximum amount shown by a calculator. Your applicable limit, existing contributions, plan rules, and payroll timing all matter. Higher catch-up limits may apply to eligible participants who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during the year.

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Worked example

How to Calculate Your TSP Catch-Up Contributions

Your catch-up contribution plan depends on how much you have already contributed, the annual limit that applies to you, and how many pay periods remain. Here is a simplified 2026 example.

Example employee

Illustrative annual target $32,500

Contributed so far $10,000

Pay periods remaining 13

Amount still to contribute $22,500

Estimated contribution per pay period

$1,730.77

Divide the remaining $22,500 by 13 pay periods. This is the approximate contribution needed each pay period to reach the example target.

Important: The $32,500 target assumes eligibility for the 2026 regular employee contribution limit of $24,500 plus the standard $8,000 age-50-and-over catch-up limit. Your applicable limit may differ. Actual payroll deductions, eligibility, plan rules, and contribution deadlines can affect your result. Confirm your circumstances with the official Thrift Savings Plan website.

Return to the TSP Catch-Up Contribution Calculator to estimate your own contribution target using your numbers.

Common questions

TSP Catch-Up Contribution Calculator FAQs

Get straightforward answers to common questions about TSP catch-up contributions, eligibility, and planning your contributions for the year.

Who is eligible to make TSP catch-up contributions?

Eligible TSP participants who are age 50 or older by the end of the calendar year may be able to make catch-up contributions, subject to applicable plan and tax rules. Participants who turn 60, 61, 62, or 63 during 2026 may qualify for a higher catch-up limit. Check the current TSP guidance for your circumstances.

What is the TSP catch-up contribution limit for 2026?

For 2026, the standard age-50-and-over catch-up limit is $8,000. Eligible participants who turn 60 through 63 during 2026 may have a higher catch-up limit of $11,250. These amounts are in addition to the regular employee contribution limit of $24,500. Eligibility and applicable rules can affect the amount you may contribute.

How do I calculate how much to contribute from each paycheck?

Start with the total amount you want to contribute for the year, subtract the eligible contributions you have already made, and divide the remaining amount by the number of pay periods left. Treat the result as an estimate and confirm your payroll settings and applicable contribution limits.

Are TSP catch-up contributions separate from regular contributions?

Catch-up contributions are additional employee contributions above the regular annual limit, when you qualify. However, they are subject to applicable combined limits and tax rules. Your regular contributions and catch-up contributions should be considered together when planning your annual total.

Can I contribute more if I am behind on my TSP savings?

If you are eligible for catch-up contributions, you may be able to contribute above the regular annual limit, within the applicable limits. How much you can add depends on your age, contributions already made, remaining pay periods, and relevant tax and plan rules. Review your account and payroll options before changing your contribution rate.

Where can I confirm official TSP contribution rules?

Use the official Thrift Savings Plan website and the IRS catch-up contribution guidance to verify current limits, eligibility, and applicable tax rules.