Can I Contribute to an IRA and a 401(k)?

You can contribute to both an IRA and a 401(k), but there are limitations you need to know.

By Robin Hartill, CFP – Updated Nov 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM

Key Points

You can contribute to both a 401(k) and IRA in the same year.
Roth IRAs offer tax-free withdrawals, but income limits apply.
Both 401(k)s and IRAs have annual contribution limits, influenced by age and income levels.

A work 401(k) is a nice perk that can help you increase your retirement savings. However, if you're also trying to save outside of your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might run into some problems.

The good news is that you can contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) even if you also contribute to a 401(k) at work. There are certain limitations you should consider, though.

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An infographic outlining the pros of contributing to both an employer-sponsored 401(k) and an IRA. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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With a traditional IRA, there are specific income limitations for people who are eligible to participate in an employer's retirement plan.

For 2025, the income limits are:

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Data source: IRS.

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For 2026, the income limits are:

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Data source: IRS.

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Data source: IRS.

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For 2026, the income limits for contributing to a Roth IRA increase to:

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Data source: IRS.

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Related retirement topics

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About the Author

Robin Hartill, CFP, is a contributing writer at The Motley Fool. Robin’s work has also been published by Yahoo Finance, USA Today, and Penny Hoarder. She is a graduate of the University of Florida.

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