DERRICK FINANCIAL GROUP - Insurance, Investments, Financial Services - 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.

This material was written and prepared by Emerald.
© 2010 Emerald Publications

Charles Richard Derrick, Registered Representatives of Park Avenue Securities, LLC (PAS). Securities products and services are offered through PAS, 954 Ridgebrook Road, Suite 300, Sparks, Md. 21152, 410-828-5400. Field Representatives, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, New York. PAS is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian. Derrick Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.

Stephen Lee Derrick and Charles Lee Derrick, Registered Representatives and Financial Advisors of Park Avenue Securities, LLC (PAS). Securities products/services and advisory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, 954 Ridgebrook Road, Suite 300, Sparks, Md. 21152, 410-828-5400. Field Representatives, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, New York. PAS is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Guardian. Derrick Financial Group is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.

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