Mega Backdoor Roth
A strategy inside a 401(k) plan using after-tax (non-Roth) contributions plus in-plan conversions to move up to ~$47k of after-tax money into a Roth bucket per year.
Requires a plan that allows both after-tax contributions (a third bucket, separate from traditional and Roth elective deferrals) and either in-service Roth conversions or in-service distributions to a Roth IRA. The total employee + employer cap is $72,000 in 2026. If employee deferral is $24,500 and employer match is ~$7,500, after-tax room is about $40,000. Big Tech, finance, and many consulting 401(k)s offer this; most mid-market plans do not. Ask HR for 'after-tax contributions with in-plan Roth conversion' specifically.
Related