The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced plans to issue regulations for the federal Saver’s Match program, a significant tax initiative aimed at boosting retirement savings for low-income workers beginning in 2027.
On August 7, 2026, Treasury and the IRS issued Notice 2026-48, announcing their intent to propose regulations regarding the Saver’s Match program, which will replace the existing Saver’s Credit for retirement contributions. The notice describes anticipated rules and requests public comments by October 5, 2026.
The Saver’s Match will provide eligible taxpayers with a direct federal matching contribution equal to 50% of the first $2,000 in qualified retirement savings contributions made to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or IRA, for a maximum annual match of $1,000, according to the IRS announcement. Payments will be made starting in 2028 based on contributions made during the 2027 tax year.
Eligibility is based on modified adjusted gross income (AGI). Single filers earning up to $20,500 will qualify for the full 50% match, with the match phasing out between $20,500 and $35,500. For married couples filing jointly, the full match applies to those earning up to $41,000, phasing out up to $71,000, according to the IRS guidance.
A key difference from the Saver’s Credit is that the Saver’s Match is a direct federal contribution deposited into an eligible retirement account, rather than a nonrefundable tax credit. The Saver’s Credit, which remains available through 2026, can only reduce a taxpayer’s tax liability to zero and cannot generate a refund. The Saver’s Match, by contrast, is fully refundable, meaning its value is not limited by tax liability and goes directly into the retirement account.
The announcement implements President Trump’s Executive Order 14403, issued April 30, 2026, which aims to increase public awareness of the Saver’s Match and help workers access eligible retirement savings vehicles. Treasury will officially launch TrumpIRA.gov on January 1, 2027, providing information about low-cost IRA options for workers without access to employer-sponsored plans. The website will list financial institutions offering IRAs that accept Saver’s Match contributions and meet other criteria.
The Saver’s Match was created as part of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, representing a major shift in how the federal government supports retirement savings for lower-income Americans. The program addresses a long-standing issue: the Saver’s Credit has historically had low participation rates among eligible workers, partly because it only reduces tax liability rather than providing cash directly to retirement accounts.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service — official announcement of Notice 2026-48 and Saver’s Match program details, including eligibility thresholds and match amounts
- Plan Sponsor Council of America — confirmation of match structure and refundable nature of the new program
- Center for Retirement Research at Boston College — background on Saver’s Match implementation starting in 2027
- Alight — details on how Saver’s Match differs from Saver’s Credit as a direct contribution versus tax credit
- Pew Charitable Trusts — income eligibility limits and phase-out ranges for various filing statuses
