The 2019 Roth IRA limits increased by $500 this year.
The Roth 401k contribution limits also increased by $500. It’s time to adjust your contributions if you haven’t already!
The 401k limits and IRA limits are determined based on inflation, but can only increase in $500 increments.
The 2019 social security wage base [1] increased by $4,200.
Roth IRA and Roth 401k Limits
I highlight the Roth IRA and the Roth 401k [2] because they are my favorite retirement plans; the limits for traditional 401ks and IRAs [3] are the same as the Roth 401k and Roth IRAs.
The 2019 limits will increase for the traditional IRA. Limits for the traditional 401k will increase. In addition, the increased limits also apply to 403b plans and most 457 plans.
2018 & 2019 Contribution Limits
Here are the official contribution limits from the IRS [4]:
| Roth 401k Contributions | 2018 | 2019 |
| Maximum | $ 18,500 | $ 19,000 |
| Catch-up 50 and over | $ 6,000 | $ 6,000 |
| Roth IRA Contributions | 2018 | 2019 |
| Maximum | $ 5,500 | $ 6,000 |
| Catch-up 50 and over | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 |
You can make your 2019 contributions as early as January 1, 2019 for the whole year. If you contribute 2019 Roth IRA money between January 1 and April 15, be sure to designate the calendar year 2019 if you have already contributed the maximum for 2018.
Since the 2019 limits will increase for the Roth IRA, if you use automatic investments, you should adjust your contributions to maximize the limit increase. You should contact your HR department to make changes to your Roth 401k deferral rate for 2019 if you want to take advantage of the increase.
To maximize your IRA investments, make sure you aren’t paying extra fees in your IRA. You can transfer your IRA to another broker to avoid annual fees. We use Vanguard for our IRAs.
Roth IRA Income Limits
The income limits for Roth contributions in 2019 went up slightly. You may contribute the full amount to your Roth IRA if your 2019 modified adjusted gross income [5] is below $122,000 for singles ($193,000 for married). You may make partial contributions until your income hits $137,000 ($203,000 for married).
If your income is above that, you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. If you are interested, there is a workaround called the Backdoor Roth IRA [6] if your income is above the limits.
2018 Contribution Deadlines
The deadline for 2018 IRA contributions is April 15, 2019, the same as the tax deadline [7].
401k contribution deadlines are based on the calendar year. 2018 401k contributions were due at the end of the year.
More Helpful Roth Topics
- To Roth 401k or Not to Roth 401k? [8]
- Can You Have a Roth 401k and a Roth IRA at the Same Time? [9]
- 11 Unusual Roth IRA Strategies [10]
- How to Make Early Roth IRA Withdrawals [11]
- Should You Use a Roth IRA as an Emergency Fund? [12]
- What is a Backdoor Roth IRA? [6]
- Open a Roth IRA for your Teen [13]