Catch-Up Contributions at Oracle
If you are 50 or older, catch-up contributions let you save more as you prepare for retirement. Oracle's 401(k) plan offers several ways to take advantage of this benefit. In this guide, we’ll look at how catch-up contributions work and how to make the most of them during your time at Oracle.
Key Takeaways
In 2026, employees age 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 to their 401(k) through catch-up contributions.
Employees between 60 and 63 get a super catch-up contribution of $11,250.
Starting in 2026, high earners must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis rather than pre-tax.
What Are Catch-Up Contributions?
Catch-up contributions let employees who are nearing retirement age contribute more to their 401(k). If you are 50 or older, you can make a catch-up contribution of $8,000 on top of the standard limit of $24,500, for a grand total of $32,500 in 2026.
The IRS established this rule so workers who are closer to retirement can save more aggressively during their final working years. This will likely also capture your peak earning years, making it easier than ever to save.
The rule applies to the entire year in which you turn 50. Even if you will not turn 50 until later in the year, you can still make additional contributions now.
Super Catch-Up Contributions
Employees between the ages of 60 and 63 get an even bigger boost to their savings. In 2025, the SECURE 2.0 Act introduced super catch-up contributions for workers between the ages of 60 and 63. If you are (or will be) 60–63 in 2026, you can contribute $11,250 beyond the standard limits to your Oracle 401(k). This brings your total limit to $35,750.
However, this higher limit is only available up until the year when you turn 63. If you are turning 64 at any point during this year, you are only eligible for the usual $8,000 catch-up amount.
New Rule: Mandatory Roth Catch-Up for High Earners
Starting in 2026, another rule under SECURE 2.0 limits how some employees can make catch-up contributions. Previously, employees could choose to make their catch-up contributions on either a pre-tax or Roth basis. Under the new rule, if your FICA wages from Oracle exceeded $150,000 in 2025, any catch-up contributions you make this year must go into a Roth account rather than a pre-tax account. This threshold is based on your Box 3 FICA wages from Oracle specifically, not your total household income or wages from any other employer.
Fortunately, even if you exceeded the threshold last year, Oracle's 401(k) plan already offers Roth contributions. You can continue making catch-up contributions without interruption.
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How Catch-Up Contributions Work in Oracle's 401(k) Plan
Oracle's 401(k) plan is administered through Fidelity, and as mentioned, it supports both pre-tax and Roth catch-up contributions. You typically do not need to make a separate election to start catch-up contributions. Once your regular contributions reach the standard annual limit, any additional eligible contributions are automatically treated as catch-up contributions for the rest of the year.
Unfortunately, Oracle’s 401(k) match for employee contributions does not apply to catch-up contributions. Contributing beyond the standard limits will not increase your match. Still, the additional savings and room for investment growth are well worth taking advantage of.
Bonus Savings Opportunity: The Mega Backdoor Roth
If you’ve already maxed out your regular and catch-up contributions, Oracle's 401(k) plan offers another way to save even more: the mega backdoor Roth. This strategy lets you contribute additional after-tax dollars beyond even the catch-up limits, then convert those dollars to a Roth account.
Here’s how it works:
Once you’ve maxed out your employee contributions and received Oracle’s employer match, you can contribute additional after-tax funds up to a higher limit of $72,000.
Simply subtract your regular deferrals, any catch-up contributions, and Oracle's match from that $72,000 limit to determine how much room remains for after-tax contributions.
Once the after-tax contributions are in your account, you can convert them to a Roth, either through an in-plan conversion or by rolling them over to a Roth IRA.
Because there are no income limits for the mega backdoor Roth, this is an especially valuable strategy for high earners who would be phased out of contributing directly to a Roth IRA. However, the mega backdoor Roth is nothing if not complex. If you’re considering this option, it’s worth talking to a fiduciary financial advisor to make sure it fits into your broader retirement plan.
How TrueWealth Financial Partners Can Help
At TrueWealth Financial Partners, we help employees like you build retirement and tax strategies that can grow your wealth for years to come. Catch-up contributions are just one piece of that picture, and we can help you put them to work alongside everything else.
We will:
Take time to discuss your finances, goals, and timeline
Build a personalized retirement strategy that works for you
Develop tax-efficient strategies so you can keep more of what you earn
Coordinate your Oracle benefits with your broader financial plan, including healthcare coverage and estate planning
If you’re planning to retire soon and want help structuring your financial strategy, schedule a free 15-minute call with TrueWealth today. We’re standing by to give you a helping hand.
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FAQs about Catch-Up Contributions at Oracle
Do I need to elect catch-up contributions separately?
In most cases, catch-up contributions happen automatically once your regular contributions reach the standard annual limit. Any additional eligible contributions from that point forward are treated as catch-up contributions.
Will Oracle match my catch-up contributions?
No, Oracle's match applies only to your regular contributions, up to the plan's standard limit. Catch-up contributions are not eligible for additional employer match.
When can I start making catch-up contributions?
You can make catch-up contributions if you are 50 or older. If you turn 50 at any point during the year, you can make catch-up contributions for that full year.
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