Financial Answer Center
- A Tax-Free Way to Save: the Roth IRA
- The Traditional IRA
- Catch-Up Contributions
- Will My Contribution Be Deductible?
- The Traditional IRA vs. the Roth IRA
- What Type of Assets Can You Contribute to Your IRA?
- Setting up an IRA
- Investment Considerations for Your IRA
- When Is the Best Time to Contribute?
- Spousal IRAs
- Advantages and Disadvantages of IRA Accounts
- Rollovers to Your IRA
- Converting a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA
- Roth IRA and 401(k)
- Choosing between the Roth IRA and Other Vehicles
- Roth IRA Conversions
You can establish a traditional IRA whether or not you are covered by any other retirement plan. Wages or net earnings from self-employment can serve as the basis for a traditional IRA contribution. Traditional IRA contributions are not limited by annual income.
The SECURE Act of 2019 removed the age limit at which an individual can contribute to a traditional IRA. Prior to 1/1/2020, an individual could not contribute after age 72 (70 ½ if you reach 70 ½ before January 1, 2020). The Act now allows anyone that is working and/or has earned income to contribute to a Traditional IRA regardless of age.
You can contribute up to the lesser of 100% of your earned income or $6,000 for 2019. For 2020, you can contribute up to the lesser of 100% of your earned income or $6,000. Once you reach age 50, contribution limits on IRAs increase by another $1,000. This allows for a "catch-up" contribution for those nearing retirement.
Total annual contributions to your traditional and Roth IRAs combined cannot exceed:
2019: $6,000, 2020: $6,000 (under age 50)
2019: $7,000, 2020: $7,000 (age 50 or older)
You can wait as long as April 15 of the following year (the due date of your individual income tax return) to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA account.
