Mega Backdoor Roth
retirementAlso known as: mega backdoor Roth, mega backdoor
Updated · Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev
Detailed explanation
Requires (1) your 401(k) plan to allow after-tax (non-Roth) contributions and (2) in-plan Roth conversions or in-service withdrawals. The 2026 total 401(k) limit (employee + employer + after-tax) is $73,000. After maxing your $24,500 employee deferral and getting your employer match (~$5,000-$10,000), you have ~$40K+ of headroom for after-tax contributions. Convert these to Roth quickly to avoid taxable growth. Result: up to ~$46,500 of additional Roth savings annually. This strategy is particularly powerful for high-income tech workers (Google, Meta, etc.) whose 401(k) plans support it.
Use these calculators to apply this concept
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