Prior to 2020 the maximum age limit to contribute to a traditional IRA was 70-½. Beginning in 2020 with the passage of the SECURE Act, there is no maximum age to make a contribution.1
Maximum Age Limit for IRA Contributions
- Roth IRA: There is no upper age limit to make a contribution to a Roth IRA. You must have earned income though. So, if neither your or your spouse are working then you cannot contribute to a Roth regardless of age.
- Traditional IRA: For a Traditional IRA, as of January 1, 2020 there is no maximum age at which you can make a contribution as long as you have sufficient earned income to support the contribution amount.
No IRA Age Limit on IRA Rollovers or Transfers
Don’t confuse IRA contributions with an IRA rollover or transfer. Some retirees mistakenly thought they could not open an IRA account and then roll their lump sum pension distribution or 401(k) plan to the IRA because they exceed the IRA age limit under the old rules. This is incorrect!2
An IRA contribution is not the same thing as an IRA rollover or IRA transfer. When you move money from a company sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b), directly to an IRA, that is called a rollover. You can do this at any age. When you transfer money from one IRA to another IRA it is called an IRA transfer and you can do this at any age.
A contribution is new money, that was not previously in a tax-deferred account, and now you are putting it into an IRA.
Do not confuse Roth conversions with contributions either. There is no upper age limit on your ability to convert Traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA. You can do this at any age, however conversions can’t be done on amounts that must be distributed from your traditional IRA for a particular year. This includes the calendar year in which you turn 72 under required minimum distribution rules.3
Spousal IRA Contributions
Many people are not aware that they can make a spousal contribution to an IRA on behalf of a non-working spouse as long as one of you has enough earned income.
For example, let’s assume you have reached the Traditional IRA age limit of 70 ½ and can’t contribute, but your spouse is younger than you. You should still be able to make what is called a Spousal IRA contribution to their Traditional IRA, which would allow you to use the tax deduction for the IRA contribution. Spousal IRA contributions to Roth IRAs are also allowed.4
Minimum Age Limit for IRA Contributions
There is not a minimum age limit to make any type of IRA contribution. However to be eligible to make an IRA contribution you must have earned income in an amount that equals or exceeds the amount of your IRA contribution. Earned income is income that is considered taxable compensation – income from wages that you worked for.2
For minors, as a general rule, income earned from household chores doesn’t count, although there are ways minors can earn enough that parents can fund a Roth for them.5
Other Age-Related IRA Rules
There are two additional age-related IRA rules that all IRA account holders should know.
1. Age 59½: this is the age at which you can access your IRA money and take withdrawals and the IRA early withdrawal penalty tax will not apply. However, ordinary income taxes will still apply. This age 59 1/2 rule applies primarily to Traditional IRAs. Roth IRAs work a little differently. With a Roth, you can withdraw your contributions anytime without an age restriction – but if investment gains or converted amounts are withdrawn then age limits or time limits are applied to determine what portion will be taxed.3
2. Age 72: this is the age at which you must begin to take withdrawals from Traditional IRAs and most qualified retirement plan money (such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, SEPs, etc.). These withdrawals are called required minimum distributions. Required minimum distribution rules do not apply to Roth IRAs while you are alive, however, they do apply to Designated Roth Accounts offered in a 401k plan, and they do apply to Roth IRA accounts that are inherited