topic Contribute most of earnings to Traditional 401k AND still contribute to a Roth IRA? in Retirement tax questions

Contribute most of earnings to Traditional 401k AND still contribute to a Roth IRA?

maddie7777 — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:38:15 GMT

Hello community!

If I made roughly $35,700 in W-2 income last year and contributed roughly $28,000 of that into my company's Traditional 401k, can I still make max Roth IRA contributions for both my husband and me? Husband did not earn any income in 2025. ChatGPT makes it sound like I can still do this, but i'm trying to confirm. Thank you!

Re: Contribute most of earnings to Traditional 401k AND still contribute to a Roth IRA?

Opus 17 — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:37:58 GMT

Not the maximum. You can only contribute to an IRA if you have "compensation from working." Compensation is your w-2 box 1 wages. If you contribute to a pre-tax 401k, then I expect based on your facts, your W-2 box 1 would be $7,700 (possibly less, if there are other pre-tax deductions.)

Your and your spouses' combined IRA contributions can't be more than your combined total box 1 wages.