How much can I put in a traditional IRA in 2026?

$7,500, or $8,600 from the year you turn 50, shared across all your IRAs. You need at least that much earned income, or a spouse who has it.

Is my traditional IRA contribution deductible?

In full if neither you nor your spouse has a workplace retirement plan. If you are covered by one, the deduction starts to phase out at $81,000 of modified AGI (single) or $129,000 (married filing jointly) for 2026. A contribution that is not deductible can still go in.

When is a traditional IRA better than a Roth?

When your tax rate when you take the money out is lower than your rate now. The deduction saves tax at today's rate; withdrawals are taxed at the rate you have then. At equal rates the two come out the same; the calculator shows both on the same money.

When do I have to take money out?

Required minimum distributions start at 73 or 75, depending on the year you were born. Taking money out before 59½ usually adds a 10% additional tax, with some exceptions.

IRA calculator

See what a traditional IRA could grow to by the age you take it out, the tax a deductible contribution saves now, and the tax you would pay on the way out.

Your traditional IRA at 60, in today's money:

$443,578

$20,000 now, $187,500 paid in over 25 years and $236,078 of growth at 5% above inflation. Taken out at a 12% rate, the tax would be $53,229, leaving $390,349.

Tax a deductible contribution saves this year, at 22%: $1,650
The same money taxed now at 22% instead (a Roth): $345,991; The traditional IRA leaves $44,358 more, because your rate later is lower.

Your age nowFrom 18 to 75.Age you would take it outFrom 19 to 80.Traditional IRA balance nowFrom 0 to 10,000,000.$Yearly contributionThe 2026 limit is $7,500, plus $1,100 from the year you turn 50, across all your IRAs. From 0 to 100,000.$Return above inflation, %Your assumption. Not a forecast. From 0 to 10, up to 2 decimal places.Your federal tax rate now, %Your marginal rate this year. From 0 to 37, up to 2 decimal places.Your federal tax rate when you take it out, %Your best guess at your marginal rate then. From 0 to 37, up to 2 decimal places.

Not modeled: whether your contribution is deductible (it depends on a workplace plan and your income), state tax, required minimum distributions, and the 10% additional tax before 59½. The limit is held at its 2026 value in today's money. The link carries your figures after the #, so you can save or share it. Your figures are not sent to us.

Tax deferred is not tax saved

A deductible contribution lowers this year's tax bill, and the money grows without tax until you take it out. Then every dollar is taxed as income, including the growth.

So the gain is the gap between your rate now and your rate later. Someone in the 22% bracket while working who draws the money down in the 12% bracket keeps the difference; someone whose rate is the same later mostly just moves the tax in time.

Questions people ask

How much can I put in a traditional IRA in 2026?: $7,500, or $8,600 from the year you turn 50, shared across all your IRAs. You need at least that much earned income, or a spouse who has it.
Is my traditional IRA contribution deductible?: In full if neither you nor your spouse has a workplace retirement plan. If you are covered by one, the deduction starts to phase out at $81,000 of modified AGI (single) or $129,000 (married filing jointly) for 2026. A contribution that is not deductible can still go in.
When is a traditional IRA better than a Roth?: When your tax rate when you take the money out is lower than your rate now. The deduction saves tax at today's rate; withdrawals are taxed at the rate you have then. At equal rates the two come out the same; the calculator shows both on the same money.
When do I have to take money out?: Required minimum distributions start at 73 or 75, depending on the year you were born. Taking money out before 59½ usually adds a 10% additional tax, with some exceptions.

Sources: IRS 2026 contribution limits and deduction phase-outs.