Why Higher Earners Can't Max Out a Roth IRA

The income limit for opening a Roth IRA—a tax-sheltered retirement account—rises to $153,000 for single filers in 2026 from $150,000 this year. Young professionals in finance, law, and tech in expensive cities are now earning past that threshold. The rules haven't kept pace with real wage growth. A workaround called the backdoor Roth conversion exists, but the underlying problem remains.