2026 limits at a glance
| Rule | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit | $7,500 (+$1,100 at age 50+) |
| Roth IRA phase-out | $153,000–$168,000 single, $242,000–$252,000 joint |
| Traditional IRA deduction phase-out (covered by a work plan) | $81,000–$91,000 single, $129,000–$149,000 joint |
| 401(k) employee limit | $24,500 (+$8,000 at 50+, +$11,250 at 60–63) |
| RMDs begin | Age 73 (75 if born in 1960 or later) |
| Federal estate tax exemption | $15,000,000 per person, 40% top rate |
| Annual gift exclusion | $19,000 per recipient |
Three ideas behind every result
Compounding. Growth earns growth, so time matters as much as the rate. The same contributions started ten years earlier can be worth twice as much.
Today's dollars. A million dollars in 30 years buys far less than today. The retirement tool shows results after inflation so you can compare them with today's spending.
Fees and taxes. A 1% yearly fee can take a fifth or more of a portfolio's growth over decades, and the account type decides when tax is paid. The fee and IRA tools show both.
Figures come from IRS announcements for 2026; returns are your assumptions, not forecasts.