Employee Benefits Toolkit
Free reference for open enrollment decisions and year-round benefits planning. Updated each September with current IRS contribution limits. Built for employees and the HR and EAP teams who serve them.
By Jere Salmisto · Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · Last updated 2026-04-29 · 2026 IRS limits in effect
Open Enrollment Decision Tools
Open enrollment (typically October through December) is the annual window for employees to elect or change health insurance, flexible spending accounts, and other benefits. These calculators help estimate the financial impact of common choices.
- HSA Calculator — Compare tax savings across HSA contribution strategies for self-only and family coverage.
- Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator — Estimate tax credits and net cost under different plan scenarios (HDHP, PPO, HMO).
- Benefits Value Calculator — Summarize total compensation, including employer-paid benefits, to set realistic savings and investment targets.
- Take-Home Pay Calculator — Preview paycheck impact of 401(k) deferrals, HSA contributions, and FSA elections before they take effect.
Retirement Contribution Planning
Employees with access to workplace retirement plans (401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE IRA) and those considering IRAs often benefit from understanding the mechanics of matching, catch-up contributions, and Traditional vs. Roth election.
- 401(k) Contribution Calculator — Determine optimal elective deferral based on employer match formula and personal savings goals.
- 401(k) Match Calculator — Calculate the dollar value of employer matching contributions.
- Roth vs. Traditional IRA Calculator — Model tax outcomes under both election strategies given current and projected future tax brackets.
- Mega Backdoor Roth Calculator — Evaluate after-tax contribution strategies when available.
- Retirement Savings Calculator — Project long-term savings growth based on current balance, annual contribution, and assumed rate of return.
Vendor Recordkeeper Calculators
Many employers offer retirement plan recordkeepers that provide their own planning tools. These are frequently used by employees and HR teams:
- TIAA Retirement Income Illustrator — Illustration tool for TIAA participants.
- Fidelity Retirement Score — Retirement readiness assessment for Fidelity plan participants.
- Vanguard Retirement Calculator — Projection tool for Vanguard participants.
- Schwab IRA Calculator — Contribution limit and tax treatment reference for Schwab IRAs.
Listed alphabetically. CalcFi has no affiliation with these firms; see disclaimer below for full statement.
Tax Withholding & Pay
Understanding federal income tax withholding, Social Security tax, and effective tax rate empowers employees to adjust W-4 elections or plan for year-end tax liability.
- Paycheck Calculator — Estimate gross, federal withholding, FICA, and net pay given income and withholding elections.
- Tax Withholding Calculator — Adjust W-4 allowances or extra withholding to reach desired year-end tax liability or refund.
- Tax Bracket Calculator — Determine marginal and effective tax rates based on filing status and total income.
- Social Security Tax Calculator — Illustrate how Social Security wages and self-employment income contribute to future benefit eligibility.
2026 IRS Contribution Limits
These limits apply to the 2026 tax year. Verify with your plan administrator and tax professional before making contributions.
| Limit | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) elective deferral | $24,500 | Employee pre-tax + Roth deferrals combined |
| 401(k) catch-up (age 50+) | $8,000 | Additional if age 50+ at year-end |
| HSA self-only | $4,400 | Individual coverage |
| HSA family | $8,750 | Family or self + family coverage |
| HSA catch-up (age 55+) | $1,000 | Additional if age 55+ at year-end |
| IRA contribution (Traditional + Roth) | $7,500 | Combined limit; verify at IRS Pub 590 |
| FSA (medical) | $3,400 | Subject to annual adjustment; confirm with your plan |
| Dependent Care FSA | $7,500 | Married filing jointly or single (per OBBB Act, effective 2026); $3,750 if married filing separately |
Sources: IRS Notice 2025-67 (2026 retirement plan limits); Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 HSA limits); IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 FSA limits); Dependent Care FSA limit reflects One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act increase effective 2026 (retrieved 2026-04-29)
Methodology & Sources
Primary sources:
- Internal Revenue Service. Notice 2025-67: 2026 retirement plan limits. irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500
- Internal Revenue Service. Rev. Proc. 2025-19: 2026 HSA inflation-adjusted amounts. irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-19.pdf
- Internal Revenue Service. Cost-of-living adjustments for 2026. irs.gov/retirement-plans/cost-of-living-adjustments
- Internal Revenue Service. Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements.
- Internal Revenue Service. Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans.
- U.S. Department of Labor. Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Full methodology: /methodology
Found an error? Email editorial@calcfi.app.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer. This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. CalcFi is not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, retirement plan recordkeeper, or insurance agent, and has no affiliation with TIAA, Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, Voya, or any retirement plan recordkeeper, insurer, or benefits provider. Calculator outputs are estimates based on inputs you provide and the IRS contribution limits in effect on the date shown. Always confirm contribution limits, plan rules, and tax treatment with your employer's benefits team and a qualified tax professional before making decisions.
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