When it comes to retirement savings, having enough money to live comfortably after leaving the workforce is the goal. But what happens when you make too much money to qualify for an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? In this article, we’ll explore what income is too high for an IRA, and what other options are available to ensure you have a successful retirement.
The maximum income for IRA eligibility is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Generally, if your income exceeds the IRS threshold, you are not eligible to contribute to an IRA. The IRS determines the income limit based on your filing status (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, etc). For the 2021 tax year, the income limit for single filers is $139,000, and the limit for married filing jointly is $206,000. If you exceed the income limit, you can still contribute to a Roth IRA.
What Income is Too High for IRA?
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a popular way to save money for retirement. Although anyone can contribute to an IRA, there are certain income levels that may disqualify individuals from contributing to a traditional IRA.
Income Limit for Traditional IRA Contributions
Individuals who are covered by a retirement plan at work are not able to make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is:
- $65,000 or more for single tax filers
- $104,000 or more for married filing jointly
Those who are not covered by a retirement plan at work and are married filing jointly are not able to make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if their MAGI is $196,000 or more.
Income Limit for Roth IRA Contributions
Individuals are not able to make a contribution to a Roth IRA if their MAGI is:
- $137,000 or more for single tax filers
- $203,000 or more for married filing jointly
Exceptions to the Income Limits
Married individuals filing separately who are covered by a retirement plan at work can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if their MAGI is less than $10,000.
Individuals who are not covered by a retirement plan at work and are married filing separately can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if their MAGI is less than $10,000 and their spouse is not covered by a retirement plan at work.
Individuals who are covered by a retirement plan at work and are married filing separately can make a nondeductible contribution to a traditional IRA if their MAGI is more than the income limits listed above.
Conclusion
For individuals who are covered by a retirement plan at work, there are certain income limits that may disqualify them from contributing to a traditional IRA. The income limits for Roth IRA contributions are slightly higher than for traditional IRA contributions. However, there are exceptions to the income limits for certain married individuals filing separately.
Related FAQ
What is an IRA?
An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a type of investment account that allows you to save for retirement in a tax-advantaged way. IRAs have certain tax benefits, such as tax-deferred growth, that you may not find with other types of investment accounts. IRAs can be funded with many different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
What is the Maximum Contribution to an IRA?
The maximum contribution to an IRA is $6,000 in 2021, or $7,000 if you are age 50 or older. However, your ability to contribute to an IRA is based on your income and other factors.
What Income is Too High for an IRA?
If you are married filing jointly, you cannot make a full contribution to an IRA if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is more than $196,000. For single taxpayers, the MAGI limit for contributing to an IRA is $125,000. If your income is above these thresholds, you may not be able to make a full contribution to an IRA.
Are There Other Factors that Affect Eligibility to Contribute to an IRA?
Yes, there are other factors that can affect your eligibility to contribute to an IRA. For example, if you are an active participant in a company retirement plan, such as a 401(k), your ability to contribute to an IRA may be limited. Additionally, if you have a high-deductible health plan, you may be able to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) instead of an IRA.
What Happens if I Earn Too Much to Contribute to an IRA?
If you earn too much to contribute to an IRA, you have other options for investing for retirement. You can contribute to a Roth IRA, which does not have income limits, or you can invest in a taxable brokerage account. For example, you can invest in mutual funds, stocks, and other types of investments in a taxable account.
Are There Tax Benefits to Contributing to an IRA?
Yes, there are tax benefits to contributing to an IRA. Contributions to a traditional IRA are tax-deductible, meaning that you can deduct your contributions from your taxable income in the year you make them. Additionally, the growth of your investments in an IRA is tax-deferred, meaning that you don’t pay taxes on the growth until you withdraw the money. Finally, withdrawals from a traditional IRA are taxed as ordinary income in the year they are taken.
In conclusion, it is important to understand the income limits for an IRA in order to maximize your retirement savings potential. While there is no definitive answer as to what income is too high for an IRA, it is important to be aware of the annual income limits set by the IRS in order to ensure that you are eligible for a tax break for your retirement savings. Knowing the income limits for an IRA can help you make the most of your retirement savings and ensure that you have the best chance of achieving your financial goals.
Andrew Terry is a highly respected economist, who received their graduate education at Harvard University. They have built a reputation as a thought leader in their field, with a particular focus on precious metals investing. Their work has been widely cited in academic journals and publications, and they are frequently invited to speak at conferences and events around the world.