Playing Catch-Up

You can make additional contributions into tax-advantaged retirement-savings plans if you are 50 or older. Below are the potential increased gains in 15 years if you contribute every year until age 65.

                           Annual catch-up        4 percent          6 percent             8 percent

Account Type                 contribution       rate of return       rate of return       rate of return

401(k), 403(b)

or 457 Plan                       $6,000          $131,000              $154,000             $182,000

SIMPLE Plan                    $3,000             $65,000              $77,000                $91,000

Traditional or Roth IRA           $1,000             $22,000              $26,000                $30,000