# Supercharge Retirement Savings While Working

> Five overlooked strategies to boost retirement savings without maxing out your 401(k).
- Title: Supercharge Retirement Savings While Working · Kiplinger
- Summary: Five overlooked strategies to boost retirement savings without maxing out your 401(k). People who maxed their 401(k) match can use HSAs, pretax/Roth choices…
- Keywords: 401(k), hsa, roth, mega backdoor roth, backdoor roth ira, taxable brokerage account, retirement planning, tax advantages, financial planning, Supercharge, Retirement, Savings
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/ways-to-supercharge-retirement-savings-while-still-working
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: 401(k), hsa, roth, mega backdoor roth, backdoor roth ira, taxable brokerage account, retirement planning, tax advantages, financial planning
## Maxed 401(k) match? Start here
If you've already captured your full 401(k) match, you've covered the basics but missed bigger opportunities for retirement savings.
## HSA's triple tax benefits
Health savings accounts offer a rare triple tax advantage: pretax contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.
## 2026 HSA contribution limits
For 2026, self-only HSA contributions cap at $4,400 and family coverage at $8,750, plus $1,000 if 55 or older.
## HSA flexibility for medical costs
You can pay medical costs out of pocket now, let the HSA grow untouched for decades, and reimburse yourself years later for eligible expenses.
## Pretax vs. Roth 401(k) choices
Most people never actively decide between pretax contributions that reduce taxable income now or Roth contributions that offer tax-free withdrawals later.
## 2026 401(k) deferral limits
For 2026, the 401(k) employee deferral limit is $24,500, with an additional $8,000 available if 50 or older.
## 2026 Roth catch-up rule
If your 2025 FICA wages exceeded $150,000, your 2026 catch-up contributions must be made as Roth contributions.
## Mega backdoor Roth for higher earners
Higher earners who've maxed out 401(k) accounts can save beyond standard limits by using after-tax contributions converted to Roth.
## 2026 mega backdoor Roth limits
For 2026, the combined 401(k) employee-and-employer contribution limit is $72,000, or 100% of your compensation if less.
## Backdoor Roth IRA stacking
You can fund a backdoor Roth IRA and execute a mega backdoor Roth in the same year if you're eligible for both strategies.
## Taxable brokerage account benefits
Taxable brokerage accounts offer no contribution limits, no income caps, and no early withdrawal penalties for flexible retirement savings.
## 2026 capital gains tax brackets
For 2026, married couples filing jointly can enjoy 0% federal long-term capital gains tax on income up to $98,900.
## Tax-loss harvesting
Selling investments at a loss can offset capital gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income, subject to wash-sale rules.
## Start with your tax situation
Prioritize strategies that fit your tax bracket, savings capacity, and need for flexibility before retirement age.
## Key takeaway

People who maxed their 401(k) match can use HSAs, pretax/Roth choices, mega backdoor Roths, backdoor Roth IRAs, and taxable accounts to grow tax-advantaged retirement savings.