Financial Planning Strategies, Don Leander, CFP - Retirement Plan Limits : Article: Retirement Plan Limits

How Much Money Can I Put into My IRA or Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan?

All types of IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government. The limits are generally adjusted periodically to compensate for inflation and the increase in the cost of living.

IRAs

For the 2010 tax year, you can contribute up to $5,000 to all IRAs combined, the limit will be adjusted for inflation annually. For instance, if you have a traditional IRA as well as a Roth IRA, you can only contribute a total of the annual limit in one year, not the annual limit to each.

If you are age 50 or older, you can also make an annual $1,000 “catch-up” contribution.

Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, have a 2010 contribution limit of $16,500; individuals aged 50 and older can contribute an extra $5,500 as a catch-up contribution.

If you are currently contributing to an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan, it may be wise to check the contribution limit each year in order to put aside as much as possible.

Distributions from traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty if taken prior to reaching age 59 ½. If you participate in both a traditional IRA and an employer-sponsored plan, your IRA contributions may or may not be tax deductible, depending on your adjusted gross income.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.

Required Disclosure: Don Leander is primarily a fee-only financial adviser (dba: Financial Planning Strategies) and a registered investment advisory firm, and is not employed by any brokerage firm. Schwab Institutional is the primary brokerage recommended to provide client statements, online services, and securities transaction clearing. Don is also a licensed insurance agent, and when requested, will work for clients as an independent agent recommending various kinds of insurance or annuities, when appropriate, which can result in commission compensation. A copy of Don Leander's disclouure brochure (Form ADV Part II) is available upon request. Don Leander is available to work with a limited number of clients in all 50 states, but primarily focuses on clients in the states of Colorado and Texas.