How to maximize your federal TSP retirement contributions

I did the math so that you don't have to. If you're a federal employee and want to maximize your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement contributions for 2026, read on!

FOR ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

• The TSP contribution limit for elective deferrals in 2026 is $24,500. Your maximum contribution per pay period should be $942.

• The first pay period in which you can make TSP contributions for 2026 is Pay Period 25, which starts this year, on December 14, 2025. All contributions for Pay Period 25 will go toward your 2026 TSP savings.

• To ensure your 2026 contributions start on time, update your payroll contribution at your agency's personnel profile (such as EPP) by the end of THIS pay period (November 28).

FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WILL BE 50-59 IN 2026, OR ARE OVER AGE 64

• In addition to the $24,500 annual limit, you can contribute up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions.

• Your maximum contribution per pay should be $1,250.

FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WILL TURN 60-63 IN 2026

• In addition to the $24,500 annual limit, your catch-up contribution limit is $11,500.

• Your maximum contribution per pay period should be $1,384.

ABOUT CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS

• You no longer need to make a separate election for catch-up contributions.

• Excess contributions will automatically be deposited up to the $8,000 limit.

• Note that federal employees aged 50+ who earned over $145,000 in the past year must make catch-up contributions to the Roth TSP instead of the Traditional TSP.

• Contributions in excess of the $24,500 limit will automatically go into your Roth TSP.

TSP is a great retirement savings plan for many federal employees. If you want to maximize your contributions and the agency matching contributions, contribute the amounts specified above, spread evenly across all 26 pay periods.