Historical IRA contributions limits

Can you provide a list, by year, of the maximum allowed regular IRA contributions both for under and above age 50



  • 1975, $1500 (limited to 15% of compensation)
  • 1977, Spousal IRA $250
  • 1982, $2000 (limited to 100% of compensation)
  • 1977, Spousal IRA same as normal contribution limit
  • 2002, $3000, $ 500 (>= 50)
  • 2005, $4000, $ 500
  • 2006, $4000, $1000
  • 2008, $5000, $1000
  • 2013, $5500, $1000
  • 2019, $6000, $1000

Participant:1975 to 1981  $ 1,5001982 to 2001  $  2,000Spouse:1977 to 1981  is it $ 250 or $1,500 limited to 100% of compensationFor both participant and spouse:Are all contributions beginning in 1982 limited to 100% of compensation for both even if only one has compensation?

1977 – 1981, $1500 contribution limit, $250 spousal contribution for a total of $1750, both limited to 15% of the working spouse’s compensation. Starting in 1982 both limited to 100% of the working spouse’s compensation.

Sorry one more clarification. In 2018  both are over 50 years old, if  husband  salary is $ 15,000 and wife $0, they can contribute to an IRA  for $6,500  for both husband and wife or a total of $ 13,000 even though wife did not work. If husband salary is  below $ 13,000 for example $9,000; wife still $0 salary, the maximum IRA contribution would be $9,000 and can be divided whichever amount among spouses.

Correct in both cases.

Not quite right. The 9,000 can be divided between the two in any combination as long as neither spouse receives a contribution exceeding 6,500. Therefore 6500 (H) and 2500 (W) is acceptable and vice versa is acceptable; 4500 each is also acceptable.

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