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How to Make the Most of Your 401(k) (and IRA) in Your 20s

Jatniel Brito
7 minute read

Maximizing your 401(k) or IRA in your 20s starts with early contributions, consistent saving, and letting your money grow.

In your 20s, it’s easy to let retirement planning be something you’ll deal with later. Between housing costs, student loans, and entry-level salaries, a 401(k) or IRA might feel more like a “nice-to-have” than a “need-to-have.” But here’s the surprising part: the first retirement accounts you open may have the biggest impact on building future wealth.

Retirement savings grow over decades, and paying attention to accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs early in your career can help lay the groundwork for lasting financial security. Whether it’s enrolling in your first job’s 401(k), opening an IRA, or looking at a SEP IRA if you’re self-employed. The earlier you get familiar with these accounts, the more control you’ll have over how your retirement unfolds.

What’s a 401(k)?

A 401(k) is a retirement account you get through an employer. You can put part of your paycheck into the account, and the money is meant to be used once you reach retirement age. Some employers add to your account too, often through something called a “match.”

One unique feature of 401(k)s is the contribution limit. In 2025, you can contribute up to $23,500 if you’re under 50, and an additional $7,500 as a catch-up contribution if you’re 50 or over. That’s much higher than what you can put into an IRA, which we’ll cover in a moment.

Another thing to know is vesting. While your own contributions are always yours, some of your employer’s contributions may only fully belong to you after you’ve stayed at the company for a certain number of years. This is called a vesting schedule.

What’s an IRA?

An IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is similar to a 401(k), but you open it yourself instead of through an employer. There are different types of IRAs, the most common being Traditional and Roth IRAs.

  • Traditional IRA: Contributions may be tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed.
  • Roth IRA: Contributions are made with after-tax money, but qualified withdrawals are tax-advantaged in retirement.

For 2025, the contribution limit for IRAs is $7,000 (or $8,000 if you’re 50 or older). That’s the total across all your IRAs, whether Traditional or Roth.

What’s a SEP IRA? (For the Self-Employed)

Not everyone in their 20s has a traditional employer. If you’re freelancing, side-hustling, or fully self-employed, you may not get access to a 401(k) through work, but you still have retirement options.

One of the main options is a SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension IRA). It works a lot like a Traditional IRA but has much higher contribution limits. With a SEP IRA, you can contribute up to 25% of your net self-employment income, capped at $70,000 in 2025.

For people building their own business or doing gig work, a SEP IRA is often the go-to way to put money aside for retirement in a tax-advantaged account.

Why Your 20s Matter

Here’s the big advantage of starting in your 20s: time. When you put money into a 401(k), IRA, or SEP IRA early on, even in small amounts, you give it more years to grow. That’s because of compound interest: your balance earns returns, and then those returns start earning their own returns. Over decades, this snowball effect can turn modest contributions into something much bigger. These accounts are designed for the long haul, and the extra years you have in your 20s make a real difference by the time you reach retirement.

Using a 401(k) and IRA Together

You don’t have to pick just one type of account. If you have access to a 401(k) through work, you can contribute there and also open an IRA on your own.

Here’s how they complement each other:

  • 401(k)s usually let you contribute more and may include employer contributions.
  • IRAs typically give you more choice in where your money is invested and allow you to pick between Traditional and Roth for different tax advantages.
  • SEP IRAs expand the options for anyone earning income outside of a traditional job.

Together, these accounts give you flexibility for how you save for the long haul.

Rolling Over Accounts When You Change Jobs

In your 20s, it’s not uncommon to switch jobs a few times. Each time, you may leave behind a 401(k) with your old employer. Over time, that can mean having multiple retirement accounts scattered around.

When you leave a job, you typically have the option to roll over your 401(k) into your new employer’s plan, into an IRA, or withdraw the funds. Rolling over into an IRA is often a popular move, since it keeps your savings in one place and helps you see your progress more clearly.

Let’s Make Retirement Simple Together.

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Things to Watch For

401(k)s, IRAs, and SEP IRAs all have rules to be aware of:

Withdrawals before age 59½ usually come with penalties, since the money is meant for retirement.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Traditional 401(k)s, Traditional IRAs, and SEP IRAs require you to start taking money out at age 73. Roth IRAs don’t have RMDs during your lifetime.

Contribution limits: Each account has different annual maximums.

Income Limits (2025)

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) can determine if you are eligible to contribute to certain accounts or get tax deductions. 

For a Traditional IRA, deductibility may be reduced or phased out if you or your spouse has a workplace retirement plan:

Single or Head of Household covered by a plan at work:

  • MAGI $79,000 or less: Full deduction allowed
  • MAGI $79,000 – $88,999: Reduced deduction
  • MAGI $89,000 or more: No deduction

‍Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) covered by a plan at work:

  • MAGI $126,000 or less: Full deduction allowed
  • MAGI $126,000 – $145,999: Reduced deduction
  • MAGI $146,000 or more: No deduction

‍Married filing separately covered by a plan at work (or with a spouse who is covered):

  • MAGI $10,000 or less: Reduced deduction
  • MAGI $10,000 or more: No deduction

‍Single, Head of Household, or qualifying widow(er) NOT covered by a plan at work, but spouse is covered:

  • Any MAGI: Full deduction allowed

Married filing jointly or separately NOT covered by a plan at work, but spouse is covered:

  • MAGI $236,000 or less: Full deduction allowed
  • MAGI $236,000 – $245,999: Reduced deduction
  • MAGI $246,000 or more: No deduction

For a Roth IRA, your ability to contribute depends on your MAGI, and there are income limits you need to know.

Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er):

  • MAGI less than $236,000: Full contribution allowed
  • MAGI between $236,000 and $246,000: Reduced contribution
  • MAGI $246,000 or more: No contribution

Single, head of household, or married filing separately (if you didn’t live with your spouse during the year):

  • MAGI less than $150,000: Full contribution allowed
  • MAGI between $150,000 and $165,000: Reduced contribution
  • MAGI $165,000 or more: No contribution

‍Married filing separately and lived with your spouse at any time during the year:

  • MAGI less than $10,000: Reduced contribution
  • MAGI $10,000 or more: No contribution

For SEP IRA, there are no income limits for participation. Any employee who is at least 21 years old, has worked for the employer for 3 of the last 5 years, and earned at least $750 in 2025 can be included.

Simplifying Your Next Step with PensionBee

Both 401(k)s and IRAs are powerful tools to help you build a comfortable retirement. A 401(k) is ideal for taking advantage of high contribution limits and employer matches, while an IRA offers flexibility and tax advantages tailored to your situation. Using both strategically can help you balance taxes now and later, diversify your investments, and give you more control over your retirement future.

When you’re ready to take the next step, PensionBee can help make it easy to roll over your old 401(k)s and IRAs into a single account, giving you a clear view of your savings. Many rollovers happen automatically, but if yours needs extra attention, our personal rollover managers (called BeeKeepers) are ready to guide you every step of the way. With five investment portfolios built using ETFs from State Street, you can keep your focus on growing your savings and preparing for the retirement you want.

Your investment can go down as well as up. This post, and any associated customer testimonial or third party endorsement, is provided solely for informational and educational purposes, should not be taken as tax, legal, financial or investment advice and is not an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any securities or investments.

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