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The IRS raised the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026, along with the income ranges that decide who can use one.
Below: the official numbers, what changed from 2025 and when a Roth IRA can make more sense than adding to your 401(k).
Key takeaways
- The IRA limit rose by $500, and the age-50 catch-up rose to $1,100.
- The $7,500 cap is shared across all your traditional and Roth IRAs.
- Roth contributions are not deductible, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
- You need earned income to contribute, and there is no age limit.
Official 2026 limits
| IRA rule | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit | $7,500 | $7,000 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Roth phase-out, single | $153,000–$168,000 | $150,000–$165,000 |
| Roth phase-out, married joint | $242,000–$252,000 | $236,000–$246,000 |
| Roth phase-out, married separate | $0–$10,000 | $0–$10,000 |
| 401(k) rule | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee contribution limit | $24,500 | $23,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ | $8,000 | $7,500 |
Figures as of September 2026, from IRS news release IR-2025-111. The single range also applies to heads of household. Workers aged 60 to 63 get a higher 401(k) catch-up of $11,250 in 2026. The same 401(k) limits cover 403(b) plans, most 457 plans and the Thrift Savings Plan.
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What changed vs last year
- Higher limits: $500 more for IRAs and $1,000 more for 401(k) plans.
- Bigger IRA catch-up: it moved from $1,000 to $1,100.
- Roth catch-up for higher earners: from 2026, if your prior-year wages from the employer topped $150,000, your 401(k) catch-up must go in as Roth, per the IRS. This comes from the SECURE 2.0 Act.
- Wider income ranges: each Roth phase-out moved up by $3,000 to $6,000.
Roth IRA vs 401(k): which to fund first
Many savers start with the 401(k) up to any employer match, since a match is extra money. After that, a Roth IRA often wins in three cases:
- You expect your tax rate in retirement to be higher than today.
- Your 401(k) menu has only high-cost funds.
- You want flexibility. IRS Publication 590-B says regular contributions come out first, and they are not taxed.
Earnings are different. Taking them before 59½ can trigger income tax plus the 10% additional tax on early distributions, unless an exception applies. Unlike a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA has no required withdrawals for the original owner.
Saving for a child with earnings? See Roth IRAs for kids and the new Trump Accounts.
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How to open and fund a Roth IRA
- Check your modified AGI against the ranges above.
- Pick a provider. Compare fees in our list of investment apps and brokerages for beginners.
- Contribute by your tax filing deadline, not including extensions. A tax refund is a common source; see our 2026 tax refund guide.
- Invest the money. Cash left in the account earns little. Waiting to invest? A high-yield savings account is a short-term parking spot.
Four providers from our research, as of September 2026:
- Fidelity Roth IRA: $0 minimum and $0 account fees, per Fidelity.
- Schwab Roth IRA: $0 minimum deposit and $0 online listed equity trade commissions, per Schwab.
- Vanguard Roth IRA: Vanguard ETFs trade online with $0 commissions through Vanguard Brokerage, per Vanguard.
- Robinhood Retirement: a 1% match on annual contributions, or 3% with Robinhood Gold at $5 a month, per Robinhood. Matched funds must stay 5 years to avoid an early match removal fee.
How we compared
- Checked: every limit on irs.gov and each provider’s official page on September 23, 2026.
- Order: providers are not ranked; they appear in alphabetical order.
- Independence: no provider paid for placement. Ieveera SEO is not the IRS or a tax advisor.
FAQ
Is there a Roth IRA calculator?
Brokers offer them; Schwab, for example, has a Roth vs. Traditional IRA calculator. The math starts with the table above: $7,500, or $8,600 at 50 and over, reduced inside the phase-out range.
Roth IRA vs 401(k): can I have both?
Yes. The limits are separate. In 2026 you can put up to $24,500 into a 401(k) and up to $7,500 into IRAs, if you qualify.
Roth IRA vs traditional IRA: what is the difference?
A traditional IRA may give a deduction now, and withdrawals are taxed later. A Roth IRA gives no deduction, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
What is the Roth IRA max contribution for 2026?
$7,500 under age 50 and $8,600 at 50 and over, or your taxable compensation if less.
What if my income is above the limit?
You cannot contribute directly once modified AGI passes $168,000 (single) or $252,000 (married filing jointly). A tax professional can explain other options.
For the full picture, see our hub How to Start Investing 2026 (US), how to start investing with just $100 and the best ETFs for long-term growth.
Sources
- IRS — 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111)
- IRS — Retirement topics: IRA contribution limits
- IRS — Retirement topics: Catch-up contributions
- IRS — Traditional and Roth IRAs
- IRS — Publication 590-B, Distributions from IRAs
- IRS — Topic 557, Additional tax on early distributions
- Fidelity — Roth IRA
- Charles Schwab — Roth IRA
- Vanguard — Roth IRA
- Robinhood — Retirement and IRA match
Ieveera SEO is an independent publisher, not a bank or financial advisor; content is for information only and may include paid affiliate links that never affect our rankings — always confirm current rates and terms with the provider. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Not investment advice.