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IRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2026

IRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2026

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    Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. While some of the limits remain unchanged for 2026, other key numbers have increased.

    IRA contribution limits

    The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2026 is $7,500 (or 100% of your earned income, if less). The maximum catch-up contribution for those age 50 or older is $1,100. You can contribute to both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA in 2026, but your total contributions cannot exceed these annual limits.

  • 2021 Action Plan

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Income limits for deducting traditional IRA contributions

If you (or if you’re married, both you and your spouse) are not covered by an employer retirement plan, your contributions to a traditional IRA are generally fully tax deductible. If you’re married, filing jointly, and you’re not covered by an employer plan but your spouse is, your deduction is limited if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $242,000 and $252,000, and eliminated if your MAGI is $252,000 or more.

If your 2026 federal income tax filing status is: Your IRA deduction is
limited if your MAGI is
between:
Your deduction is eliminated
if your MAGI is:
Single or head of household $81,000 and $91,000 $91,000 or more
Married filing jointly or qualifying
widow(er)
$129,000 and $149,000
(combined)
$149,000 or more (combined)
Married filing separately $0 and $10,000 $10,000 or more

If your filing status is single or head of household, you can fully deduct your IRA contribution up to $7,500 ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older) in 2026 if your MAGI is $81,000 or less. If you’re married and filing a joint return, you can fully deduct up to $7,500 ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older) if your MAGI is $129,000 or less.


Income limits for contributing to a Roth IRA

The income limits for determining how much you can contribute to a Roth IRA have also increased from 2025.

If your 2026 federal income tax
filing status is:

Your Roth IRA contribution is
limited if your MAGI is:
You cannot contribute to a Roth
IRA if your MAGI is:
Single or head of household More than $153,000 but less than
$168,000
$168,000 or more
Married filing jointly or qualifying
widow(er)
More than $242,000 but less than
$252,000 (combined)
$252,000 or more (combined)
Married filing separately More than $0 but less than
$10,000
$10,000 or more

If your filing status is single or head of household, you can contribute the full $7,500 ($8,600 if you are age 50 or older) to a Roth IRA if your MAGI is $153,000 or less. And if you’re married and filing a joint return, you can make a full contribution if your MAGI is $242,000 or less. Again, contributions can’t exceed 100% of your earned income.


Employer retirement plan limits

The maximum amount you can contribute (your “elective deferrals”) to a 401(k) plan is $24,500 in 2026, increased from $23,500 in 2025. This limit also applies to 403(b) and 457(b) plans, as well as the Federal Thrift Plan. If you’re age 50 or older, you can also make catch-up contributions of up to $8,000 to these plans in 2026. [Special catch-up limits apply to certain participants in 403(b) and 457(b) plans.] The amount you can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA or SIMPLE 401(k) is $17,000 in 2026, and the catch-up limit for those age 50 or older is $4,000.

Plan type: Annual dollar limit: Catch-up limit:
401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b),
Federal Thrift Plan
$24,500 $8,000
SIMPLE plans $17,000 $4,000

Note: Contributions can’t exceed 100% of your income.


IMPORTANT FENIMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT DISCLOSURES

Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax
professional based on his or her individual circumstances. These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable — we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of Fenimore Asset Management or its officers. Fenimore Asset Management or its officers have no editorial control over the content of the article or subject matter, and is independent of Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.

The information herein is subject to change and is not intended to be complete or to constitute all of the information necessary to evaluate adequately the consequences of investing in any securities or other financial instruments or strategies described herein. These materials also include information obtained from other sources believed to be reliable, but Fenimore does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. In no event shall Fenimore be liable for any use by any party of, for any decision made or action taken by any party in reliance upon, or for any inaccuracies or errors in, or omissions from, the information contained herein and such information may not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of participating in any transaction.

In part, the purpose of this presentation may be to provide investors with an update on financial market conditions. The description of certain aspects of the market herein is a condensed summary only. This summary does not purport to be complete and no obligation to update or otherwise revise such information is being assumed. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are not otherwise intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security or other financial instrument. This summary is not advice, a recommendation or an offer to enter into any transaction with Fenimore or any of their affiliated funds.

We undertake no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the information contained in this presentation. In addition, information related to past performance, while helpful as an evaluative tool, is not necessarily indicative of future results, the achievement of which cannot be assured. You should not view the past performance of Fenimore funds, or information about the market, as indicative of future results.

All projections, forecasts and estimates of returns and other “forward-looking” information not purely historical in nature are based on assumptions, which are unlikely to be consistent with, and may differ materially from, actual events or conditions. Such forward-looking information only illustrates hypothetical results under certain assumptions and does not reflect actual investment results and is not a guarantee of future results. Actual results will vary with each use and over time, and the variations may be material. Nothing herein should be construed as an investment recommendation or as legal, tax, investment or accounting advice.

Clients or prospective clients should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. You may obtain a copy of the most recent mutual fund prospectus by calling 800-932-3271 and/or visiting www.fenimoreasset.com.

There is no guarantee that any of the estimates, targets or projections illustrated in this summary will be achieved. Any references herein to any of Fenimore’s past or present investments, portfolio characteristics, or performance, have been provided for illustrative purposes only. It should not be assumed that these investments were or will be profitable or that any future investments will be profitable or will equal the performance of these investments. There can be no guarantee that the investment objectives of Fenimore will be achieved. Any investment entails a risk of loss. An investor could lose all or substantially all of his or her investment. Unless otherwise noted, information included herein is presented as of the date indicated on the cover page and may change at any time without notice.

Fenimore Asset Management Inc. is an SEC registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made.

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Five Lessons on Long-Term Investing

FIVE LESSONS ON LONG-TERM INVESTING

In this video from a recent speaking engagement, retired Fenimore CIO, John Fox, CFA®, shares these five Fenimore lessons on long-term investing.

  1. Inflation. To preserve wealth, you must grow your capital greater than the rate of inflation.
  2. How do you do that? You own stocks. If the businesses you own grow faster than the rate of inflation, your money grows.
  3. Why does this work? The U.S. economy historically grows faster than inflation and corporate profits grow faster than the economy, fueling stock returns.
  4. Even though it works, sometimes it can try our patience. Despite market downturns, history shows markets recover and go on to reach new highs.
  5. Stay the course. There will be times we’re going to be out of sync with the market. We’re going to stick to our criteria – only investing in companies that meet our rigorous quality standards.
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Research Team Succession

Research Team Succession

CEO Anne Putnam and Founder & Executive Chairman Tom Putnam explore Fenimore’s enduring commitment to investment excellence through:

  • A team of diverse, collaborative research analysts who bring unique perspectives.
  • A unified, team-based approach in pursuit of investment performance excellence.
  • A steadfast dedication to perpetuating Fenimore’s market-tested research process and cultivating its next generation of talent.
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Thank You for Helping Us Fill the Truck with Warmth!

Thank You for Helping Us Fill the Truck with Warmth!

This past weekend, our team, Frank Adams Jewelers and the community came together in a powerful way to support the City Mission of Schenectady and neighbors in need through the “Fill the Truck” event. Thanks to your generosity, we collected hundreds of new and gently used clothing items for men, women, and children — all sizes, all styles, all donated with love.

We’re especially grateful to our investors and every individual who stopped by, donated, and helped spread the word.

Our team was thrilled and deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness. This event was more than a clothing drive, it was a reminder that investing in our community means showing up, giving back, and lifting each other up.

Thank you to everyone for helping us make this event a true success.

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Investing in What Matters: Giving Back to Organizations That Give So Much

Investing in What Matters: Giving Back to Organizations That Give So Much

This fall, our team came together to support two incredible organizations that each play vital roles in our community, Double H Ranch and Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County.

At Double H Ranch known for creating experiences that capture the magic of the Adirondacks for families and children, we spent the day cleaning cabins and preparing the space for future visitors. It was a small gesture to help a place that brings so much joy to others.

We also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, lending a hand at the ReStore through painting, learning, and meaningful teamwork. It was an opportunity to connect with their mission and contribute in a hands-on way.

These projects reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in the communities where we live and work. We’re proud to support organizations that give so much and honored to support their missions.

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Letter From Cobleskill: Autumn 2025

Letter From Cobleskill

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    Dear Fellow Investor,

    The late author and naturalist Hal Borland wrote, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

    As the Fenimore team enters 2025’s final quarter, we are taking the wisdom we have accumulated over the first nine months of this year ― and across the last five-plus decades ― and putting it to work every day on our investors’ behalf. We continue with our mission of seeking to protect and grow your capital over the long term, and we are pleased and humbled to have you with us on the journey.

  • Letter from Cobleskill Spring 2021

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IT HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR

Maybe not gangbusters like we hoped, but through three quarters the stock market and economy have both performed well, overall, in a challenging environment.

Stocks and bonds are up. The current annual return on cash equivalents, like money market accounts and treasury bills, is healthy. Furthermore, publicly traded real estate investment trusts have sound performance in general.

Adding to our encouragement, as Fenimore’s research team travels the country, we are routinely hearing our holdings’ management teams talk positively about earnings growth and the reinvestments they are making ― both in their own company and through acquisitions. These businesses are the compass we primarily focus on as we navigate the always unpredictable, occasionally turbulent world of investments and they have helped guide us successfully for more than a half-century.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

At Fenimore, we ask ourselves big-picture questions every day as we strive to make the most informed investment decisions:

  • Where are interest rates headed? What is the latest on tariffs? How is employment?
    How about inflation? Is there a recession around the corner?

However, the most important question is at the company level:

  • What are the companies in which we invest doing to stay strong and keep growing
    no matter the answers to those macro questions?

Investing in what we believe are quality businesses with strong financials ― including significant free cash flow generation, high profitability, and manageable debt ― has been the foundation of Fenimore’s investment philosophy since day one. And a key factor in these businesses’ success is always an astute leadership team that anticipates and prepares for almost every possibility.

Fenimore’s research analysts are in touch with our companies, and others we are considering, on a regular basis to verify our quality assessments. Sometimes it is a phone check-in. Other times it is a lengthy visit with the C-suite or on the factory floor. In each instance, our message is the same: show us what you are doing to grow earnings, outsmart the competition, minimize debt, and create value for shareholders ― even in times of uncertainty.

We are pleased to say that we like what we are hearing and this gives us a positive long-term outlook.

LET’S TALK

Please do not hesitate to connect with us about your investments and financial goals in our Cobleskill or Albany office, or from the comfort of your own home. Call 800-932-3271 or email us at info@fenimoreasset.com.

Thank you for your confidence in us.

Sincerely,
John D. Fox, CFA®
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER


CELEBRATING A RETIREMENT

John Fox, Chief Investment Officer (CIO), is retiring in December after a successful career at Fenimore of nearly 30 years. His professional and personal contributions have made a positive impact on our investors, firm, and community. We hope that John enjoys his well-deserved retirement and express our heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service!

FOCUSED ON YOU

Fenimore Founder and Executive Chairman Tom Putnam built the framework for a long-term succession plan years ago to ensure the continuity of our investment philosophy and investor experience for decades to come. Fenimore’s succession planning is thoughtful, enduring, and seamless ― always keeping our investors’ best interests in mind.

When associates retire, our highly collaborative process keeps operations running smoothly. Each of the three investment strategy teams (Value, Dividend Focus, and Small Cap) works together as a cohesive unit. They implement our market-tested approach in pursuit of performance excellence, just as they did during John’s time as CIO. What this means is that the teams who pick our stocks remain the same.

Fenimore’s research analysts include three astute industry veterans of more than 30 years as well as generations of talented professionals. We look forward to sustaining our collegial environment as we diligently seek to grow your assets over the long term.


This letter is intended for FAM Shareholders and is authorized for distribution only when preceded or accompanied by a prospectus or summary prospectus for the FAM Value Fund, FAM Dividend Focus Fund and FAM Small Cap Fund. Past performanceis not indicative of future results. Investment returns may fluctuate: the value of your investment upon redemption may be more or less than the initial amount invested. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus for more complete details, including investment objectives, risk considerations and expenses, before you invest. FAM Funds are distributed by Fenimore Securities, Inc., Cobleskill, NY 12043, 800.932.3271. Current performance numbers are available at fenimoreasset.com.

This presentation may contain statements based on the current beliefs and expectations of Fenimore’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any references herein to any of Fenimore’s past or present investments, portfolio characteristics, or performance, have been provided for illustrative purposes only. It should not be assumed that these investments were or will be profitable or that any future investments will be profitable or will equal the performance of these investments. There can be no guarantee that the investment objectives of Fenimore will be achieved. Any investment entails a risk of loss. Unless otherwise noted, information included herein is presented as of the date indicated on thecover page and may change at any time without notice. Fenimore Asset Management Inc. is an SEC registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made.

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Investing in the Future: Court Rehab Dedication with Siena Basketball and Girls Inc.

Investing in the Future: Court Rehab Dedication with Siena Basketball and Girls Inc.

For the third consecutive year, Fenimore proudly partnered with Siena College Men’s and Women’s Basketball to host an annual celebration of community, collaboration, and positive impact at the Court Rehab Dedication & Ice Cream Social.

This year, the community voted to support Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region in Schenectady as the recipient of a fully renovated basketball court. The winning location was chosen by fans during Siena men’s and women’s basketball games last season.

Together with Girls Inc., Siena teams, and local families celebrated making our community better and the lasting impact it will have on kids and their families.

The newly refurbished court is more than a place to play, our hope is that it will be a space to empower and inspire generations of young girls to dream big, stay active, and support one another.

We’re honored to support Girls Inc. and their mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

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RIA Channel Interviews Hunter Frayne, Investment Research Analyst

RIA Channel Interviews Hunter Frayne,

Investment Research Analyst

“We like to craft very concentrated portfolios, anywhere from 25 to 30 companies, we like to look for businesses with very defensible competitive advantages, strong growing cash flow run by what we deem is a great management team, and we try to buy those at a discount – what we think their fair value is. We are truly long-term focused.”

Hunter Frayne, CFA®, Investment Research Analyst, recently joined Julie Cooling, Founder and CEO of RIA Channel, to discuss Fenimore’s investment philosophy.

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SEAT Center: Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce

Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce

The Fenimore team recently spent time at the SEAT Center (Social Enterprise and Training Center) learning about their mission, meeting some of their incredible students, and continuing our tradition of giving back with some painting, cleaning, gardening, and assisting with resumes.

Fenimore’s vision is to transform lives and transform communities for generations and our team was grateful to spend time supporting SEAT’s mission of providing transformative educational and workforce experiences that create a sense of purpose and hope in our communities and connect business to real time solutions.

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