2011 Roth IRA Contribution Limits

The Internal Revenue Service regularly adjusts contribution limits to retirement accounts to keep pace with inflation. In the past the adjustment was made somewhat arbitrarily and in round increments of $500 or $1,000 per year.

Starting in 2010 any adjustments made to contribution limits are indexed to inflation.

For 2011 the contribution limits for a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA will remain unchanged from 2010.

For regular contributions the limit is $5,000 in 2011. For catch-up contributions for individuals over age 50 the contribution limit is an additional $1,000, bringing the total to $6,000 per year.

History of Roth IRA Contribution Limits

Contribution limits have changed significantly since the Roth IRA was introduced. In 2002 the limit was only $3,000 and has now increased 66% from that time to $5,000.

Similar changes have been made to contribution limits. Starting in 2006 the catch-up contribution limit for those over age 50 doubled from $500 to $1,000.

Moving forward the IRS will change the contribution limits based on inflation in the economy.