Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026

If you’re saving for retirement, you’ve likely heard about the tax benefits of retirement savings accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as their Roth counterparts. But these accounts have different rules about how money is taxed—and how much you can contribute. Contribution limits also change annually to account for a rise in the cost of living. Let’s break down the rules for contributing to a Roth IRA, including contribution limits and income limits for 2026.

Roth IRA basics

An individual retirement account, or IRA, is a tax-advantaged retirement savings account you can open on your own (unlike a 401(k), which is typically offered by an employer). With a traditional IRA, you typically contribute pre-tax dollars, which can help lower your taxable income now. But when you get to retirement, you’ll pay taxes on withdrawals. You can also expect an extra 10 percent penalty if you withdraw funds prior to age 59½.

With a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars. You can withdraw your contributions at any time, but the rules are a little different for investment gains. Earnings can typically be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free when you’re older than 59½, as long as you’ve owned the IRA for at least five years.

If you’re early in your career, a Roth IRA can be a great option because you’ll likely be in a lower tax bracket today than you will be in retirement, meaning you’ll likely pay less for taxes on your retirement savings in the long run.

But as with any tax-advantaged retirement savings account, the IRS puts limits on how much you can contribute to a Roth IRA in any given year. The amount you can contribute depends on the annual contribution limit, your income and your tax filing status.

What are the rules for Roth IRA contributions in 2026?

Contributions to your Roth IRA are tracked for a period of one year at a time—from January 1 to December 31. However, you’re able to continue making contributions toward an IRA until the tax deadline for that year. That means you could continue putting money into a Roth IRA for the 2025 tax year until April 15, 2026. You’ll just have to specify if those funds are counting toward 2025 or 2026.

Annual income limits also apply. If you make more than a certain amount of money, you won’t be able to directly contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA. These limits exist because the government doesn’t want to offer unlimited access to a Roth IRA’s attractive tax benefits.

Roth IRA contribution limits 2026

Like many other types of retirement accounts, a Roth IRA has an annual contribution limit. This is the maximum amount you can contribute across all your traditional and Roth IRAs in a given year. So if you have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA, you can’t contribute more than the limit across both accounts.

In 2026, the max IRA contribution you’re able to make is $7,500. If you’re 50 or older, you can kick in an additional $1,100 in catch-up contributions for a total of $8,600.

Roth IRA income limits 2026

How much you’re able to contribute to an IRA in any given year will also depend on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) and your tax filing status.

Your MAGI is determined by taking your adjusted gross income and adding certain deductions back in—like student loan interest deductions and traditional IRA deductions.

Below are the 2026 phase-out limits for those who are eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA:

• If you’re married filing jointly or a qualifying widow(er): If your MAGI is less than $242,000, you’re able to contribute up to the $7,500 limit ($8,600 if you’re 50 or older). If your MAGI is between $242,000 and $251,999, you can contribute a reduced amount. This is calculated using a formula based on your MAGI and tax filing status. If your MAGI is higher than $252,000, you’re unable to directly contribute to a Roth IRA.
  
  

• If you’re married filing separately and you lived with your spouse at any time during the year: If your MAGI is less than $10,000, you’re able to contribute a reduced amount. But if it’s $10,000 or greater, you cannot contribute at all.

• If you’re single, a head of household, or married filing separately and you did not live with your spouse at any time during the year: If your MAGI is less than $153,000, you’re able to contribute up to the annual limit. If your MAGI is between $153,000 and $167,999, you’ll be held to a reduced limit. You’re ineligible to contribute to a Roth IRA if your MAGI is over $168,000.

What happens if I put too much in my Roth IRA?

Overcontributing to a 401(k) or IRA means you’re serious about saving for your future and are taking active steps to do so—but you might face a tax penalty on the excess amount. This is why you’ll want to stay on top of contribution limits each year.

If you do exceed the annual limit for your Roth IRA, you’ll have until you file your taxes to correct the error. If you don’t withdraw the excess contributions (and their earnings) before Tax Day, you’ll face a 6 percent tax penalty on the funds every year until you correct the issue. In other words, it’s important that you address it as soon as you notice the error.

If you haven’t started saving for retirement yet, the most important thing is opening a tax-advantaged account and getting started—whether that’s an IRA, 401(k) or other retirement account. It’s never too late to start saving for the future.

What are the contribution limits for custodial Roth IRAs?

If you have a child who is earning income, you may want to consider a custodial Roth IRA. You act as a custodian on the child’s behalf and make contributions and manage the account until the minor reaches the age of majority; this varies by state but is typically 18 or 21. A Roth IRA and a custodial Roth IRA function similarly, as contributions for both are made post-tax and have the same limits. For 2026, the contribution limit for a custodial Roth IRA is $7,500. If the child earns less than that, they are able to contribute only as much as they earn.

Is there a limit to withdrawing from a Roth IRA?

There is no limit to withdrawing from a Roth IRA if it is within the value of your account. But if you withdraw from your account before you reach age 59½, you might face taxes and penalties if you tap into investment gains.

How much should you contribute to an IRA?

A good retirement plan relies on a range of financial options that reinforce each other. How much you put into your IRA will depend on your broader financial plan. To get the most out of your retirement savings, you’ll want to keep your eye on the big picture and have a plan for how all these assets will work together.

Your Northwestern Mutual financial advisor can help you design a plan that meets your savings goals now and in the future. They’ll get to know what matters most to you and then build you a customized plan that includes financial tools to help you grow and protect your money in a way that works toward your individual goals.