Historical Roth IRA Contribution Limits

What are the historical Roth IRA contribution limits?

Below is a list of past years and their accompanying maximum contribution amounts by age:

2015

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,500

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,500

2014

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,500

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,500

2013

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,500

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,500

2012

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,000

2011

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,000

2010

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,000

2009

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,000

2008

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$5,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$6,000

2007

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$4,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$5,000

2006

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$4,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$5,000

2005

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$4,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$4,500

2004

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$3,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$3,500

2003

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$3,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$3,500

2002

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$3,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$3,500

2001

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$2,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$2,000

2000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$2,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$2,000

1999

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$2,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$2,000

1998

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those Less Than 50 Years Old:
$2,000

Maximum Contribution Limit for Those 50 Years Old or Older:
$2,000

Since the Roth IRA didn't exist prior to 1998, all past annual Roth IRA contribution limits are listed above.

Roth IRA Contribution Limit History

Knowing the historical Roth IRA contribution limits can come in handy for:

• Projecting future IRS limits
• Back testing investment returns
• Checking past IRS compliance

It's important to remember that if you failed to make a maximum contribution in a previous, the opportunity is forever lost.

The only exception is the most recent year (you have until the April 15th tax deadline to make a Roth IRA contribution for the previous calendar year).

If you haven't always made the maximum contribution, don't continue to compound your mistake! Max out your Roth IRA contribution for the current year, and budget your money in future years so that you can realize the full benefits of a well-funded Roth IRA retirement plan.