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At 50, an extra $8,000 a year for fifteen years is about $200,000 by 65.

The catch-up contribution exists for exactly this window. Used every year from 50 to 65 at 7% growth, it adds roughly $201,032 on top of everything else.

You asked for the catch-up card. It is below, as the slides from the post, then the one move, then the tool the chart points at.

Slide 1 of 7: At 50, an extra $8,000 a year for fifteen years is about $200,000 by 65.Slide 2 of 7: Fifteen years of the catch-up contribution, grown at 7%, becomes about $200,000.Slide 3 of 7: The catch-up is there because most people's highest-earning years are also their last chance to save at scale.Slide 4 of 7: Eight thousand dollars extra a year is out of reach for many people at 50, and the post still applies.Slide 5 of 7: Between 60 and 63 the catch-up rises again, to $11,250, then drops back at 64.Slide 6 of 7: For the year you turn 50, or for someone who already has.Slide 7 of 7: Save this for the year you turn 50, then send it.

For the year you turn 50, or for someone who already has.

  1. 01
    Check that the plan allows catch-up contributions.Nearly all do. HR confirms in one line.
  2. 02
    Raise the contribution in the year of the birthday, not the year after.The whole year counts.

The tool this chart points at

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For the IRA, the index fund and the rollover. Broad index funds with expense ratios under 0.1%.

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Sources: IRS IR-2025-111 for the limit; arithmetic for the growth.

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