The IRA contribution limits for 2026 rose from those in 2025, with the maximum amount a person can contribute to their Roth IRA now at $7,500. This number is up from $7,000 in 2025 to keep up with inflation.
If you are 50 years old or older, you can now contribute an additional $1,100, making your total annual contribution $8,600. This exception is designed for older people who started investing late. But people who want to pad their retirement accounts before leaving the workforce can also contribute this maximum.
There are income limits for Roth IRAs. If you make over a certain amount, you can no longer fund this account. These income limits are based on your tax status and adjusted gross income.
Single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI*) of less than $153,000 can make the full contribution. Those with a MAGI between $153,000 and $168,000 are eligible for a partial contribution, and those earning $168,000 or more are not eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA.
For married couples filing jointly, the full contribution is available to those with a MAGI of less than $242,000. A partial contribution is allowed for those with a MAGI between $242,000 and $252,000, and those earning $252,000 or more are ineligible. Married individuals filing separately can make a partial contribution if their MAGI is less than $10,000, but those with a MAGI of $10,000 or more cannot contribute to a Roth IRA.
We've broken down the 2026 contribution rules into three tables.
* MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) is your adjusted gross income (AGI) plus certain deductions added back in, used by the IRS to determine eligibility for tax benefits like Roth IRA contributions.
Single or head of household
| MAGI | Maximum annual contribution |
|---|---|
| Less than $153,000 | $7,600 ($8,600 for age 50+) |
| $153,000 - $168,000 | Reduced contribution |
| $168,000 and up | No allowable contribution |
Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
| MAGI/Married6 | Maximum annual contribution |
|---|---|
| Less than $242,000 | $7,500 ($8,600 for age 50+) |
| $242,000 - $252,000 | Reduced contribution |
| Above $252,000 | No allowable contribution |
Married filing separately
| MAGI/Married individuals filing separately | Maximum annual contribution |
|---|---|
| Less than $10,000 | Reduced contribution |
| $10,000 and up | No allowable contribution |
What are the withdrawal rules?
You can withdraw the money that you contribute to a Roth IRA at any point. Say you contributed $4,000 to a Roth in 2024, and the market earns you $500. You can take out the $4,000 at any time without having to pay any taxes, penalties or fees. The government allows this because you've already paid tax on your contributions.
If you want to take out the $500 of market returns (your earnings), you can do that, but it may come with fees and taxes. If you've had the account for over five years and one of the four following scenarios exists, you're exempt from fees and taxes when the market earnings are withdrawn:
- You are 59.5 years old or older
- You withdraw up to $10,000 for a first-time home purchase
- You've become disabled
- You pass away and your inheritor is withdrawing the money
If you want to withdraw your market earnings from your Roth for any other reason, you’ll pay a 10% tax rate as a penalty on top of your current tax rate. Avoid withdrawing your IRA because these taxes and fees can add up. Plus, taking money out of the market means you lose your chance for further market growth.
Now, when it comes to regular withdrawals (not early ones), there are no required minimum distributions like there are for traditional IRAs and 401(k) accounts. You can leave the money in your Roth IRA once you reach retirement age. This means your money can keep growing in the market.
Who can open a Roth IRA?
Anyone at least 18 years old with earned income can open a Roth IRA. Earned income means money that you can prove to the government that you earned, like a job at your local grocery store. It doesn't usually imply money earned "under the table" (off the record), like the kind you make babysitting.
If you don't have earned income but want to open a Roth IRA at 18, you can open one with an adult who does have earned income. For example, parents who work can open a Roth IRA with their child. The brokerage will use the employment history of the parents to open the account, but the child will have full access to the account and funds.
IRAs are designed to be available to many people. Many retirement accounts are linked to employment (like a workplace-sponsored 401(k)), but IRAs are not. The Roth IRA eligibility is purposely broad.
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Chris Clark
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Chris Clark is a Kansas City–based freelance contributor for Moneywise, where he writes about the real financial choices facing everyday Americans—from saving for retirement to navigating housing and debt.
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