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The 401(k) is the most widely used employer-sponsored retirement savings vehicle in the United States. For participants navigating the plan in 2026, the rules are meaningfully different from prior years - new contribution limits took effect January 1, a mandatory Roth catch-up requirement now applies to higher-earning participants, and plan design features like automatic enrollment and auto-escalation continue to reshape how workers build retirement savings. This article covers the core mechanics, the 2026 figures, and the provisions most relevant to active participants.