How much can I contribute to a 401(k) and IRA?

In 2026, the standard contribution limit for a 401(k) is $24,500, while the limit for IRA contributions is $7,500. That means you can contribute up to $31,000 between a 401(k) and IRA, though if you earn less than that amount, you're limited to your earned income for the year. If you're 50 or older, you can make additional catch-up contributions to both a 401(k) and IRA.

Can you max out a 401(k) and IRA in the same year?

Yes, you can max out both a 401(k) and IRA in the same year, assuming you earned enough income to make the maximum contribution for each account.

Can I contribute to an IRA if I have a 401(k) at work?

Yes, you can contribute to an IRA if you have a 401(k) at work. However, you'll need to make sure your contributions don't exceed your earnings for the year. Also, if you or your spouse have access to a workplace retirement account, you may not be eligible to deduct your contributions to a traditional IRA.

Bars

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

By Robin Hartill, CFP – Updated Apr 23, 2026 at 2:13 PM EST | Fact-checked by Margo Winton Parodi

Key Points

You can contribute to both a 401(k) and IRA in the same year.
Whether your traditional IRA contribution is tax-deductible depends on your income and whether you or your spouse have access to a workplace retirement plan.
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. But if you want to save beyond what your employer's plan allows, or if you want more control over your investment options, you might be wondering whether you can also contribute to an IRA.

The good news is yes, you can. There are some limitations to know about, though, particularly around whether your contributions will be tax-deductible.

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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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Check your eligibility

If you have a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, your eligibility to contribute to an IRA and take a tax deduction depends on your income and which type of IRA you'd like to contribute to -- traditional or Roth IRA.

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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:

Data source: IRS.
Tax Filing Status	AGI Limit for Full Traditional IRA Contribution Deduction	Phaseout for Traditional IRA Contribution Deduction
Single or head of household	$79,000	$89,000
Married, filing jointly	$126,000	$146,000
Married, filing separately	$0	$10,000

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For 2026, the income limits are:

Data source: IRS.
Tax Filing Status	AGI Limit for Full Traditional IRA Contribution Deduction	Phaseout for Traditional IRA Contribution Deduction
Single or head of household	$81,000	$91,000
Married, filing jointly	$129,000	$149,000
Married, filing separately	$0	$10,000

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Here's what this means: If you participate in an employer's retirement plan, such as a 401(k), and your adjusted gross income (AGI) is equal to or less than the number in the first column for your tax filing status, you are able to make and deduct a traditional IRA contribution up to the maximum of $7,000 (or $8,000 if you're 50 or older) in 2025 and $7,500 (or $8,600 if you're 50 or older) in 2026.

If your AGI is between the numbers in both columns, you are eligible to deduct a partial traditional IRA contribution. Finally, if your AGI is as much as or more than the phaseout limit in the last column, you are ineligible for the traditional IRA deduction.

Keep in mind these are the limits for taking a traditional IRA deduction. If your income is above the limit, you can still make nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA. That's useful if you also don't qualify to contribute to a Roth IRA, and you can execute the backdoor Roth IRA strategy.

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How much can you contribute to a 401(k) and IRA in the same year?

The contribution limits are separate -- maxing out your 401(k) doesn't reduce how much you can put into an IRA. For 2026, the limits are:

401(k): $24,500 if you're under 50; $32,500 if you're 50 to 59 or 64 and older; $35,750 if you're 60 to 63
IRA: $7,500 if you're under 50; $8,600 if you're 50 or older

So in 2026, a 55-year-old could theoretically contribute $32,500 to a 401(k) and $8,600 to an IRA in the same year, $41,100 in total tax-advantaged savings, subject to the deductibility limits above.

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Why contribute to a traditional IRA if you already have a 401(k)?

Even when your traditional IRA contributions aren't deductible, there are reasons to consider one:

More investment flexibility. Most 401(k) plans limit you to a menu of 20 or fewer mutual funds. An IRA opened at a major brokerage gives you access to virtually any stock, bond, ETF, or fund you want — which can mean lower costs and more control over your portfolio.
A staging ground for the backdoor Roth. If you're a high earner, nondeductible traditional IRA contributions followed by a Roth conversion let you access Roth tax treatment that you'd otherwise be ineligible for.
Separation from your employer. If you change jobs frequently or work for employers with poor 401(k) options, an IRA you control independently of any employer is a consistent, stable piece of your retirement strategy.

The bottom line is that a traditional IRA can add real flexibility to your retirement strategy even alongside a 401(k), particularly if your employer's plan has high fees or limited investment options.

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Contributing to a 401(k) and IRA FAQs

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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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