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

$7,500, or $8,600 from the year you turn 50. The limit is shared across all your IRAs, Roth and traditional, and you need at least that much earned income.

What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?

Direct contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 of modified AGI for single filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. Above the top you cannot contribute directly.

What is the Roth IRA five-year rule?

Earnings come out tax-free once 5 years have passed since 1 January of the tax year your first Roth IRA contribution was for, and you are 59½, disabled, or taking up to $10,000 for a first home (or the account passes on at death). Your own contributions, not converted money, can come out at any time, tax-free and penalty-free.

A Roth is taxed now and tax-free later; a traditional IRA can save tax now and is taxed later. Which comes out ahead depends mostly on whether your tax rate later will be higher or lower than now.

Roth IRA calculator

See what your Roth IRA could grow to by the age you take it out, at the 2026 contribution limit, and whether your income lets you contribute directly.

Your Roth 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. Earnings come out tax-free after 59½ (or on death or disability, or up to $10,000 for a first home) once five years have passed since your first Roth IRA contribution.

Can you contribute directly?: At $90,000 of modified AGI you can contribute to a Roth IRA directly (the 2026 phase-out starts at $153,000).

Your age nowFrom 18 to 75.Age you would take it outFrom 19 to 80.Roth 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.

Filing status

SingleMarried, jointly

Modified AGI this yearYour income for the Roth limit (IRS Publication 590-A). From 0 to 10,000,000.$

Not modeled: the reduced contribution inside the phase-out, the backdoor route, state tax, and the rules for taking out contributions (always tax-free) versus earnings. 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.

Why tax-free growth matters most when you are young

In a Roth IRA you pay tax on the money before it goes in, and nothing on what it earns after. Over decades most of the balance is growth, so the longer the money stays in, the larger the share that never meets a tax bill.

Contributions can come back out at any time without tax or penalty, which makes a Roth IRA a common part of a bridge for people retiring before 59½. Earnings are the part that usually has to wait, with exceptions for disability, a first home and death.

Questions people ask

How much can I put in a Roth IRA in 2026?: $7,500, or $8,600 from the year you turn 50. The limit is shared across all your IRAs, Roth and traditional, and you need at least that much earned income.
What is the Roth IRA income limit for 2026?: Direct contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 of modified AGI for single filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. Above the top you cannot contribute directly.
What is the Roth IRA five-year rule?: Earnings come out tax-free once 5 years have passed since 1 January of the tax year your first Roth IRA contribution was for, and you are 59½, disabled, or taking up to $10,000 for a first home (or the account passes on at death). Your own contributions, not converted money, can come out at any time, tax-free and penalty-free.
Roth or traditional?: A Roth is taxed now and tax-free later; a traditional IRA can save tax now and is taxed later. Which comes out ahead depends mostly on whether your tax rate later will be higher or lower than now.

Sources: IRS 2026 contribution limits, IRS Notice 2025-67 and IRC §408A.