Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain family caregivers to make additional catch-up contributions to their retirement plans and IRAs. It establishes a new category of eligibility for these contributions, defining a "qualified family caregiver" as an individual who provides at least 500 hours of unpaid care annually while working fewer than 500 paid hours.

This caregiver status is limited to a total of five taxable years and applies to unpaid family members, foster parents, or other adults who are unemployed or severely underemployed and provide in-home care for children or adults with special needs. Caregiving tasks include assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and transportation. Employer plans can rely on an individual's written self-certification for this status.

Qualified family caregivers would be treated similarly to individuals aged 60-63 for determining the applicable dollar amount for catch-up contributions to employer-sponsored plans and IRAs. This legislation aims to support caregivers by enhancing their ability to save for retirement, with these amendments taking effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.