IRA Contribution Limits 2026: How Much Can You Put in a Roth or Traditional IRA?
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older. Here is everything you need to know about how much you can contribute and the rules around splitting between accounts.
2026 Limits at a Glance
The Combined Limit Rule
The $7,500 limit applies across all your IRAs combined. You can split contributions between Roth and Traditional however you like, but the total cannot exceed $7,500 ($8,600 with catch-up).
Allowed
- $7,500 in Roth + $0 in Traditional
- $4,000 in Roth + $3,500 in Traditional
- $0 in Roth + $7,500 in Traditional
Not Allowed
- $7,500 in Roth + $7,500 in Traditional = $15,000 total
- This exceeds the combined limit by $7,500
- Triggers a 6% excess contribution penalty
Contribution Deadline
You can contribute for tax year 2026 from January 1, 2026 through the tax filing deadline of April 15, 2027.
This means right now (April 2026):
- 1.You can still contribute to your 2025 IRA until April 15, 2026
- 2.You can contribute to your 2026 IRA starting January 1, 2026
Pro tip: contribute as early in the year as possible to maximize the time your money has to grow.
Historical IRA Contribution Limits
| Year | Under 50 | Catch-Up (50+) | Total (50+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $7,000 |
| 2021 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $7,000 |
| 2022 | $6,000 | $1,000 | $7,000 |
| 2023 | $6,500 | $1,000 | $7,500 |
| 2024 | $7,000 | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| 2025 | $7,000 | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| 2026 | $7,500 | $1,100 | $8,600 |
SECURE 2.0 indexed the catch-up contribution to inflation starting in 2024. The 2026 catch-up increased to $1,100, reflecting this change.
How 401(k) and IRA Limits Interact
Having a 401(k) does not reduce your IRA contribution limit. The two limits are completely separate:
IRA Limit (2026)
$7,500
$8,600 with catch-up
401(k) Deferral Limit (2026)
$24,500
$31,000 with catch-up (50+)
However, having a workplace plan does affect whether your Traditional IRA contribution is tax-deductible. See income limits for the deduction phase-out ranges.
Spousal IRA: Double Your Household Contributions
A non-working spouse can contribute to their own IRA based on the working spouse's earned income. The limit is the same: $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+).
Household Maximum (2026)
Both spouses under 50: $15,000 combined
Both spouses 50+: $17,200 combined
The key requirement: you must file a joint tax return, and the working spouse's earned income must be at least as much as the combined IRA contributions.