2027 Per-Paycheck Calculator

Employer Match & True-Up Explained

Short answer: If your employer matches per paycheck and your plan does not have a year-end true-up, maxing out your 401(k) early can cause you to lose employer matching dollars on the remaining paychecks of 2027.

Check Your Match & True-Up in the Calculator →

What a True-Up Does

Most 401(k) plans calculate employer match paycheck-by-paycheck (for example, 100% of your deferral up to 4% of that paycheck’s gross pay). If you hit the $25,500 IRS cap in October, your employee deferrals drop to $0 for November and December—so per-paycheck matching drops to $0 too.

A year-end true-up reconciles your total annual compensation and total annual deferrals after December 31 and deposits the missing match. If your plan has no true-up (or you are not sure), spreading contributions evenly across every remaining paycheck protects your full match.

2027 401(k) Contribution Limits

Official IRS Notice 2026-66 limits: $25,500 base, $34,000 at 50+, $37,250 at 60–63, and $75,000 total 415(c).
How Much Per Paycheck to Max Out in 2027

Exact per-paycheck amounts for weekly, biweekly (26 and 27), semi-monthly, and monthly schedules.
2027 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions (50+)

How the $8,500 catch-up works, the Dec 31 age rule, and why 64+ returns to $8,500.
Ages 60–63 Super Catch-Up ($11,750)

How SECURE 2.0 replaces the $8,500 catch-up with $11,750 for ages 60–63 ($37,250 total).
Mandatory Roth Catch-Up ($155,000 Rule)

SECURE 2.0 Section 603: why 2026 FICA wages over $155,000 require Roth catch-up contributions in 2027.
27 Biweekly & 53 Weekly Paychecks in 2027

Why Jan 1, 2027 (Friday) creates 27 biweekly or 53 weekly paydays—and how constructive receipt applies.
401(k) Limits When Changing Jobs Midyear

The $25,500 elective deferral limit is per person across all employers, not per plan.
How 401(k) Contributions Affect Take-Home Pay

Why pre-tax deferrals reduce federal/state income tax withholding—but never Social Security or Medicare.