Age Limits for IRA Contributions

The IRA contribution age limit has changed over the years, allowing more flexibility for individuals saving for retirement. Traditional IRAs once had an upper age limit for contributions, but this restriction was removed with the SECURE Act of 2019, enabling individuals to continue contributing as long as they have earned income. While there has never been a Roth IRA age limit, income limits still apply. These rules remain in effect for the 2026 tax year, allowing retirees and late-career workers to keep contributing if income requirements are met.

If you have questions about retirement planning or need help managing your IRAs, consider working with a financial advisor.

Are There Age Limits for IRA Contributions?

As mentioned above, there are no longer any age limits for contributions to traditional IRAs. As of tax year 2026, contributions are allowed at any age with earned income. However, required minimum distributions (RMDs) apply beginning at age 73 in 2026, with the RMD age scheduled to rise to 75 in 2033.

For Roth IRAs, there is also no age limit for contributions and no lifetime RMD requirement for original account holders. SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs similarly have no age limit for contributions, but RMDs apply starting at age 73 in 2026.

There also are no contribution or age limits for rollovers, conversions or transfers between retirement accounts. You can initiate these transactions no matter your age, and the amount will not count towards your annual contribution limit.

Contribution Limits for IRAs

For the 2026 tax year, the contribution limit for both traditional and Roth IRAs is $7,500. Americans who are 50 or older can save an additional $1,100 in catch-up contributions. The IRS stipulates this so those nearing retirement can set aside a bit more.

However, there are other types of IRAs beyond the traditional and Roth varieties. For Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans, employers can contribute the lesser of 25% of an employee’s compensation to a SEP-IRA, up to $72,000 for 2026.

For Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRAs, the 2026 contribution limit has increased to $17,000 for employees under age 50, with an additional $4,000 allowed for those age 50 and older. Certain SIMPLE plans permit a higher catch-up contribution of $3,850. Employees between ages 60 and 63 may continue to make an enhanced catch-up contribution of up to $5,250 under SECURE 2.0 rules.

For any type of IRA account, your contributions cannot exceed the amount of taxable income you earn that year. Additionally, those who are participating in another employer plan during the year cannot contribute more than $24,500 cumulatively across all of their plans as of 2026.

Roth IRA Income Limits

The ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA is based on a person’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). For 2026, single filers and heads of household can make full contributions below $153,000, with a phase-out up to $168,000. Married couples filing jointly can make full contributions below $42,000, with a phase-out up to $252,000. Married individuals filing separately continue to face a $0 to $10,000 phase-out range.

Other IRA Age Rules to Consider

You can begin contributing to traditional, Roth and SIMPLE IRAs at any age. Only SEP IRAs require participants to be at least 21 years of age.

When it comes to accessing your retirement funds, most plans only allow penalty-free IRA withdrawals once you reach age 59 ½, or you’ll face certain circumstances. This rule is intended to deter working Americans from tapping into their nest egg prematurely. Due to a Roth IRA’s after-tax status, however, you can withdraw your original contributions at any time without paying a penalty. Withdrawing earnings before age 59 ½ would still trigger the 10% penalty, though.

While you can continue to contribute to an IRA at any age, most IRAs enforce RMDs once you reach age 73 (75 if you were born in 1960 or later). This goes into effect whether you are still working or not.

The RMD directive ensures that you pay taxes on your savings after enjoying years of tax-deferred growth. Roth IRAs are the only accounts that do not require minimum distributions at any age. Since these accounts are funded with after-tax dollars, Uncle Sam will not benefit from your withdrawals. This, of course, assumes you meet the “qualifying” withdrawal rules the IRS has set.

Earned Income and Spousal IRA Rules

Rather than age, IRA contribution eligibility depends on earned income. Earned income generally includes wages, salaries, tips and self-employment income; it does not include Social Security benefits, pensions, annuity payments or investment income. To contribute to any IRA in a given tax year, your total contributions cannot exceed your earned income for that year, even if you are otherwise eligible.

Spousal IRA rules allow married couples filing jointly to continue contributing even if one spouse has little or no earned income. In this case, the working spouse’s earned income can be used to support contributions for both spouses, as long as the combined contributions do not exceed the working spouse’s total earned income. This can allow households with one earner to keep building retirement savings for both individuals.

The same contribution limits apply under spousal IRA rules. Each spouse may contribute up to the annual IRA limit, plus any applicable catch-up contribution if they are age 50 or older. Income limits still apply for Roth IRAs, and deductibility rules still apply for traditional IRAs, depending on household income and access to workplace retirement plans.

Bottom Line

A couple reviewing the age limits for IRA contributions.

If you’re struggling to determine which IRA plan is right for you, their rules can help you decide. However, age limits are effectively eliminated from IRAs, so there’s no need to worry about them anymore. Choosing the right IRA, though, could depend more on what type of tax structure you need. For instance, a Roth IRA might be better than a traditional IRA for individuals to save on taxes at retirement when they expect to earn more later than they do now.

Tips for Retirement Planning

Choosing the right retirement savings vehicle isn’t always easy. In addition to the multiple IRA options, there are employer-sponsored plans and health savings accounts. Talking to a financial advisor can help you decide. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Don’t be afraid to make a change if you feel your first choice wasn’t right. The retirement plan you started a decade or two ago may not offer the benefits you need now. Luckily, converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is fairly simple – especially if you plan on keeping the same brokerage firm.