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119-s-4291119th CongressWALLET

Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

Introduced

Summary

Expands catch-up retirement contributions to unpaid family caregivers. This bill would let qualified family caregivers use the same catch-up rules as older savers for workplace retirement plans and individual retirement accounts, giving caregivers extra room to save when caregiving cuts into paid work.

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  • Families and caregivers: Unpaid caregivers who provide 500 or more hours in a year and have fewer than 500 hours of paid employment could qualify for catch-up treatment. They would get the same catch-up dollar amount as someone who would attain age 60 but not 64 in the taxable year.
  • IRA savers: The age‑50 rule for IRA catch-up contributions is broadened so that meeting the caregiver test also qualifies a person. That lets caregivers under age 50 make IRA catch-up contributions if they meet the hours and employment tests.
  • Employers and retirement plans: Plans may rely on a worker's written self-certification that they are a qualified family caregiver. Qualification is limited to at most one taxable year per year met and no more than five taxable years total, and the rule applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

IRA catch-up tax break for caregivers

This bill would let qualified family caregivers use the special IRA catch-up deductible rule even if they are under age 50. For the deductible catch-up test, you would qualify if you meet the bill's qualified family caregiver definition in section 414(v)(6)(D). The change would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Bigger employer catch-ups for caregivers

This bill would let certain unpaid family caregivers count as eligible for larger employer retirement catch-up rules. You would qualify if you did 500 or more unpaid caregiving hours in the year or in one prior year and worked fewer than 500 paid hours that same year. An individual could be treated as a qualified family caregiver for no more than one year per year met, and no more than five years total. Applicable employer plans would be allowed to rely on your written self-certification. These changes would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

ME • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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