Do you have a 401(k) plan through work? You can still contribute to a Roth IRA (individual retirement account) and/or a traditional IRA as long as you meet the IRAs eligibility requirements.
You might not be able to take a tax deduction for your traditional IRA contributions if you also have a 401(k), but that will not affect the amount you are allowed to contribute. As of 2023, you can put in up to $6,500, or $7,500 if you are 50 or older and want to make up the difference. In 2024, those amounts are $7,000 and $8,000, respectively.
It usually makes sense to put as much money as possible into your 401(k) so that your employer can match as much as possible. But adding an IRA to your retirement mix after that can provide you with more investment options and possibly lower fees than your 401(k) charges. A Roth IRA will also give you a source of tax-free income in retirement, provided youve had the account for at least five years. Here are the rules you need to know.
Retirement planning doesn’t necessarily stop once you’ve retired, Many of us wonder if we can still contribute to our retirement accounts after we’ve left the workforce It’s a great question – especially if you’re working part-time in retirement or just want to keep growing your nest egg,
Let’s dive into whether you can contribute to a 401(k) and IRA after retirement, and what rules you need to know.
The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Earned Income
The truth is that you can put money into both a 401(k) and an IRA after you retire, but only if you still have a job. The most important thing that determines your ability to keep contributing is this.
For those of us enjoying our golden years while still earning some income, this opens up opportunities to continue building our retirement savings. But there are some important rules and limitations you should know about.
Contributing to a 401(k) After Retirement
When it comes to 401(k) contributions after retirement, here’s what you need to know:
- You must be employed: To contribute to a 401(k), you need to work for an employer that offers this retirement plan.
- Part-time work counts: If you’ve “retired” from your main career but picked up a part-time job that offers a 401(k), you can still contribute.
- Contribution limits still apply: For 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 to a 401(k), plus an additional $7,500 if you’re over 50 as a catch-up contribution.
- Higher catch-up for ages 60-63: Starting in 2025, if you’re between 60 and 63 years old, you can make an even larger catch-up contribution of $11,250.
You can still put money into your 401(k) even if you’ve retired from your main job and started working part-time for a company that offers one. This is a great way to keep your tax-advantaged savings growing.
Contributing to an IRA After Retirement
IRAs have different rules than 401(k)s. and they can actually be more flexible for retirees
- You must have earned income: The fundamental requirement for IRA contributions is having earned income (wages, salaries, self-employment income, etc.).
- No age limits for traditional IRAs: Thanks to the SECURE Act passed in 2019, there’s no longer an age limit for contributing to a traditional IRA. Previously, you couldn’t contribute after age 70½.
- Contribution limits: For both 2024 and 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000 to an IRA, plus an additional $1,000 if you’re 50 or older.
It gets interesting here: the amount you put into your IRA can’t be more than your earned income for the year. That means that if you worked part-time and only made $5,000, that’s the most you could put into your IRA.
Spousal IRAs: A Special Option
If you’re married and your spouse is still working, you might qualify for a spousal IRA even if you personally don’t have earned income:
- A working spouse can contribute to an IRA for a non-working spouse
- The total combined contributions can’t exceed the taxable compensation reported on your joint tax return
- This effectively allows the working spouse to contribute up to $14,000 ($16,000 if both spouses are 50+) across both IRAs in 2025
This is super helpful for couples where one person has fully retired but the other is still earning income.
Income Limits and Tax Deductibility
Now, here’s where things get a bit more complicated. Even if you can contribute, there are income limits that affect whether those contributions are tax-deductible or even allowed:
Traditional IRA Deductibility for 2025
If you or your spouse has a workplace retirement plan (like a 401(k)), these income limits determine if your traditional IRA contribution is deductible:
| Tax-Filing Status | Income for Full Deduction | Income for Partial Deduction | No Deduction Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Less than $79,000 | $79,000 to $89,000 | More than $89,000 |
| Married, filing jointly | Less than $126,000 | $126,000 to $146,000 | More than $146,000 |
| Married, filing separately | $0 | $0 to $10,000 | More than $10,000 |
Roth IRA Contribution Eligibility for 2025
For Roth IRAs, these income limits determine if you can contribute at all:
| Tax-Filing Status | Full Contribution | Partial Contribution | No Contribution Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Less than $150,000 | $150,000 to $165,000 | More than $165,000 |
| Married, filing jointly | Less than $236,000 | $236,000 to $246,000 | More than $246,000 |
| Married, filing separately | $0 | $0 to $10,000 | More than $10,000 |
I know this looks complicated, but it basically means that higher-income retirees who are still working might face restrictions on their IRA contributions or deductions.
Why Contribute to Both After Retirement?
You might be wondering why you should put money into both types of accounts after you retire. Here are some good reasons:
- Employer match: If your part-time employer offers a 401(k) match, that’s essentially free money you don’t want to miss out on.
- Tax diversification: Having both pre-tax (traditional) and after-tax (Roth) accounts gives you more flexibility in managing your tax situation in retirement.
- More investment options: IRAs typically offer more investment choices than employer 401(k) plans.
- Continued tax advantages: Both accounts provide tax-advantaged growth that you can’t get in regular taxable investment accounts.
A Real-World Example
Let’s look at a practical example of how this might work:
Maria retired from her full-time corporate job at 67 but started working part-time as a consultant for a small company that offers a 401(k) with a match. She earns about $30,000 per year from this work.
Maria could:
- Contribute up to $23,500 plus the $7,500 catch-up (total $31,000) to her new employer’s 401(k)
- Additionally contribute up to $7,000 plus the $1,000 catch-up (total $8,000) to an IRA
However, since her total earned income is only $30,000, she couldn’t max out both accounts (which would total $39,000). She’d need to decide how to allocate her contributions based on factors like employer match, investment options, and tax considerations.
Avoiding Mistakes with Retirement Contributions
There are a few pitfalls to be aware of when contributing to retirement accounts after retirement:
- Over-contributing: The IRS imposes a 6% excise tax on excess contributions to IRAs. Make sure you don’t contribute more than allowed!
- Missing the deadline: Contributions for a tax year must be made by the tax filing deadline (usually April 15 of the following year).
- Forgetting about RMDs: If you’re over 73, you’ll still need to take Required Minimum Distributions from your traditional retirement accounts, even if you’re still contributing to them.
Bottom Line: Yes, You Can Contribute After Retirement (With Conditions)
To sum everything up:
- You can contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA after retirement IF you have earned income
- For a 401(k), you need to be working for an employer that offers this benefit
- There are no age limits for contributions as long as you’re earning income
- Income limits may affect your ability to deduct traditional IRA contributions or make Roth IRA contributions
- Your total contributions across all IRAs can’t exceed your earned income for the year
Retirement planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” activity. Even after you’ve officially retired, there might be opportunities to continue building your nest egg through retirement account contributions.
I always tell my clients that as long as they’re earning income, they should consider taking advantage of these tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicles. After all, who couldn’t use a little extra financial cushion in their golden years?
Have you continued contributing to retirement accounts after leaving your main career? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Tax rules and retirement account regulations change frequently. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making significant financial decisions.
Traditional IRAs
Contributions to a traditional IRA are often tax-deductible. But if you are covered by a 401(k) or any other employer-sponsored plan, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) will determine how much of your contribution you can deduct, if any.
The following tables break it down:
| Deductibility of IRA Contributions If You Also Have an Employer Plan for 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax-Filing Status | Income to Deduct Full Contribution | Income for Partial Deduction | Above This Income, No Deduction | Contribution Limit |
| Single | Less than $73,000 | $73,000 to $83,000 | More than $83,000 | $6,500 + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married, with your own 401(k) | Less than $116,000 | $116,000 to $136,000 | More than $136,000 | $6,500 each + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married, spouse has a 401(k) | Less than $218,000 | $218,000 to $228,000 | More than $228,000 | $6,500 each + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married with own 401(k), filing own return | $0 | $0 to $10,000 | More than $10,000 | $6,500 + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Deductibility of IRA Contributions If You Also Have an Employer Plan for 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax-Filing Status | Income to Deduct Full Contribution | Income for Partial Deduction | Above This Income, No Deduction | Contribution Limit |
| Single | Less than $77,000 | $77,000 to $87,000 | More than $87,000 | $7,000 + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married, with your own 401(k) | Less than $123,000 | $123,000 to $143,000 | More than $143,000 | $7,000 each + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married, spouse has a 401(k) | Less than $230,000 | $230,000 to $240,000 | More than $240,000 | $7,000 each + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
| Married with own 401(k), filing own return | $0 | $0 to $10,000 | More than $10,000 | $7,000 + $1,000 more if youre 50+ |
IRS Publication 590-A explains how to calculate your deductible contribution if either you or your spouse is covered by a 401(k) plan.
Even if you dont qualify for a deductible contribution, you can still benefit from the tax-deferred investment growth in an IRA by making a nondeductible contribution. If you do that, you will need to file IRS Form 8606 with your tax return for the year.
What If You Contribute Too Much to an IRA?
If you discover that you contributed more to your IRA than youre allowed, youll want to withdraw the amount of your overcontribution—and fast. If you don’t do it on time, you might have to pay a 6% excise tax every year on the amount that goes over the limit.
The penalty is waived if you withdraw the money before you file your taxes for the year in which the contribution was made. You also need to calculate what your excess contributions earned while they were in the IRA and withdraw that amount from the account, as well.
The investment gain must also be included in your gross income for the year and taxed accordingly. Whats more, if you are under 59½, youll owe a 10% early withdrawal penalty on that amount.
New 2024 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits
FAQ
Can I contribute to an IRA if I am already retired?
Yes, you can contribute to an IRA after retiring if you have earned income, though a traditional IRA has an age limit for contributions, while a Roth IRA does not.
Can you contribute to a 401k after retirement?
No, you cannot contribute to a 401(k) after you leave your job and retire because contributions are tied to being an active employee with earned income.
How much can I contribute to an IRA if I also have a 401k?
You can contribute the annual maximum to your IRA and 401(k)s separately, as these are distinct accounts with separate contribution limits. For 2025, the limit for traditional or Roth IRAs is $7,000, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed for those age 50 and over.
Where is the safest place to put your 401k after retirement?
The safest place to put your retirement funds is in low-risk investments and savings options with guaranteed growth. Low-risk investments and savings options include fixed annuities, savings accounts, CDs, treasury securities, and money market accounts. Of these, fixed annuities usually provide the best interest rates.
Can I contribute to an IRA if I have a 401(k)?
While you can still put money into both your IRA and 401(k), the good news is that you can combine the two. There are certain limitations you should consider, though. Image source: The Motley Fool. Although a 401 (k) and an IRA will both help you save for your retirement, there are a few important differences.
Can I have a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?
Yes, you can have both a Roth IRA and a 401(k) if you can contribute to both.
Should you put money in a 401(k) or IRA?
When you put money into an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401 (k) and also contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA), you can max out your limits and make the most of their tax advantages. Doing this helps you build your retirement savings faster and allows you to diversify your savings portfolio.
Is a 401(k) better than an IRA?
A 401 (k) may have a company match contribution, and a 401 (k) may have more limited investment options than an IRA. If you have a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, you may be able to contribute to an IRA and get a tax break. It depends on how much money you make and whether you want to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
Can a 401(k) and an IRA be combined?
This guide explains how to coordinate these complementary retirement vehicles to potentially accelerate your savings and create more financial security for your retirement years. You can contribute to both a 401 (k) and an IRA in the same year, which can accelerate the growth of your retirement savings.
Can I add more money to my 401(k) & IRA?
For individuals over 50, additional contributions are permitted, enabling you to allocate more funds to your 401 (k) and IRA. In 2024 and 2025, you can contribute an extra $7,500 to your 401 (k) and an extra $1,000 to your IRA. The ability to contribute to Roth and traditional IRAs is subject to income thresholds.