3 big changes to your money that financial experts say to prepare for in 2026
MarketWatch••business
Key Points:
- Retirement contribution limits for 401(k)s and similar plans will increase to $24,500 in 2026, with catch-up contributions rising to $8,000 for those 50 and older; high earners making over $150,000 in 2025 must make catch-up contributions to Roth accounts starting in 2026.
- Experts emphasize the importance of having emergency savings before maximizing retirement contributions to avoid early withdrawals or debt, which can undermine long-term investment benefits.
- Interest rates are predicted to decline in 2026, with anticipated Federal Reserve cuts in March and June, prompting investors to consider higher-yield, longer-term products like CDs and fixed annuities rather than low-yield cash holdings.
- A new
