401k vs Roth IRA - 2026 Limits

Always get the match first.
Then max your Roth IRA.

Updated March 2026

If your employer matches 50% up to 6% of salary, that is a 50% instant return on your 401k contribution. No Roth IRA can beat that. Get the full match first, then put the rest in your Roth.

401k limit: $23,500/yrRoth IRA limit: $7,000/yrEmployer match = free money

Your Numbers

$

Before tax

%

e.g. 50 = 50 cents per dollar

%

e.g. 6 = up to 6% of salary

$

Max $23,500/yr

$

Max $7,000/yr

%

22%, 24%, 32%...

%/yr

7% is common long-run estimate

years

Employer match this year

$2,250

Annual 401k tax savings

$990

401k (with employer match)

Your contribution + free employer match, growing tax-deferred

Annual total invested

$6,750

Gross balance in 30 yrs

$682,243

After-tax estimate

$532,150

Roth IRA

After-tax contributions, completely tax-free growth and withdrawals

Annual contribution

$7,000

Balance in 30 yrs

$707,511

After-tax (tax-free)

$707,511

Combined retirement wealth

$1.24M

401k (after tax) + Roth IRA (tax-free) over 30 years at 7% growth. This is why doing both matters.

What the match is worth

Skipping the employer match entirely costs you $227,414 in final balance (before tax). The match is a 50-100% instant return on that portion of your contribution. No investment consistently beats that.

The optimal contribution order

  1. 1

    401k up to the employer match

    Free money. Non-negotiable. Always do this first.

  2. 2

    Max your Roth IRA ($7,000/yr)

    Tax-free growth is valuable. Do this before more 401k.

  3. 3

    Back to 401k up to the max ($23,500)

    Tax deduction now, grows tax-deferred.

  4. 4

    HSA if you have an eligible plan ($4,150 individual)

    Triple tax advantage: deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free for medical.

Common Questions

Should I contribute to my 401k or Roth IRA first?

401k up to the employer match first, always. That match is free money with an instant 50-100% return. After the full match, max the Roth IRA ($7,000). If you have more to invest after that, go back to the 401k up to the $23,500 limit.

What is the 401k contribution limit for 2025?

$23,500 for employee contributions. $31,000 if you are 50 or older (includes $7,500 catch-up). The Roth IRA limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+). Roth IRA contributions phase out at higher incomes - starts at $146,000 single, $230,000 married.

What is the difference between a 401k and a Roth IRA?

401k is employer-sponsored, $23,500 limit, pre-tax contributions (taxed on withdrawal), may include employer match, often limited investment options. Roth IRA is personal, $7,000 limit, after-tax contributions (tax-free growth and withdrawals), no employer match, unlimited investment options at any brokerage.

Can I contribute to both a 401k and a Roth IRA?

Yes. They are separate accounts with separate limits. Contributing to a 401k does not reduce your Roth IRA limit. You can do both in the same year as long as your income is under the Roth IRA phaseout. This is the standard recommended strategy.