Stay on top of 2025 retirement deadlines with our guide to IRA and 401(k) contributions, withdrawals, and rollovers. Avoid penalties, maximize savings, and plan your retirement with confidence.
Missing a retirement account deadline can cost you money. Whether it's lost contribution opportunities, unexpected penalties, or taxes you didn't need to pay. Timing matters when it comes to your 401(k) and IRA.
This guide covers key retirement deadlines you need to know for 2025, including contribution cutoffs, required withdrawals, and rollover rules.
Why Deadlines Matter
Retirement accounts come with special tax advantages. This includes 401(k)s through your employer and IRAs you set up yourself. In exchange, the IRS sets rules about when you can put money in, when you can take money out, and how long you can leave money untouched.
Missing a deadline can mean:
- Paying avoidable penalties.
- Losing out on contribution opportunities.
- Paying taxes earlier than necessary.
That’s why it’s worth keeping these dates on your radar.
The Most Important Dates (2025)
What is the deadline to contribute to my IRA for 2025?
April 15, 2026. You can make IRA contributions for 2025 until your tax filing deadline, which is typically April 15 of the following year. This gives you extra time beyond December 31 to maximize your retirement savings and reduce your taxable income.
What is the deadline to contribute to my 401(k) for 2025?
December 31, 2025. All 401(k) contributions must come from your paycheck by the last day of the calendar year. Unlike IRAs, you cannot make retroactive 401(k) contributions after December 31.
Contribution Deadlines
401(k) Contribution Deadlines
For 401(k) plans (including 403(b)s and most workplace retirement accounts):
- Deadline: December 31 of the calendar year.
- What this means: Any money you want counted as a contribution for the year must come out of your paycheck by December 31.
- Why it matters: 401(k) contributions come directly from your paycheck; you can’t make retroactive contributions for the year once December 31 passes.
2025 401(k) limits
Once you know your deadline, it’s important to keep the annual contribution limits in mind:
- $23,500 if you’re under 50.
- $31,000 if you’re 50 or older (thanks to a $7,500 catch-up).
Note: Employer contributions also count toward the total limit (employee + employer), but that’s a separate, higher cap.
IRA Contribution Deadlines
For IRAs, you get a little more flexibility:
- Deadline: Tax filing deadline for the year, usually April 15 of the following year.
- What this means: You can make contributions for the previous year even after December 31, as long as it’s before you file your taxes.
- Why it matters: This grace period is one of the perks of IRAs. You have extra time to boost your retirement savings and reduce your taxable income.
2025 IRA Limits
Once you know your deadline, keep the annual contribution limits in mind:
- $7,000 if you’re under 50.
- $8,000 if you’re 50 or older (thanks to a $1,000 catch-up).
Note: The IRA contribution limits apply to the total contributions across both Roth and Traditional IRAs combined.
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Get startedRollover Deadlines
Sometimes, you’ll move money from one account to another, like rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA when you leave a job. Here’s where timing matters.
- 60-day rule: If you take a distribution from a 401(k) or IRA and want to roll it into another account, you have 60 days to get that money deposited into the new account. Miss it, and the IRS may treat it as a taxable withdrawal.
Tip: One of the safest ways to avoid mistakes is to do a direct rollover (where the money goes straight from one account to another) instead of taking the money out yourself. That way, the 60-day rule never comes into play.
Withdrawal Deadlines
The IRS gives you tax breaks to encourage long-term saving, so there are rules about when you can take money out. Withdraw too early, or too late, and penalties may apply.
Early Withdrawal Rule (Before Age 59½)
- In most cases, if you withdraw money from a 401(k) or IRA before age 59½, you’ll pay both regular income tax and a 10% penalty.
- Exceptions exist (like for certain medical expenses, first-time home purchases with an IRA, or disability), but the general rule is. Wait until 59½ if you want to avoid penalties.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
On the other end of the spectrum, the IRS doesn’t let you keep money in your account forever. Starting at a certain age, you must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
- Age: 73, if you turn 73 between 2023–2032.
- Deadline for your first RMD: April 1 of the year after you turn 73.
- After that: December 31 each year.
Example: If you turn 73 in August 2025, your first RMD is due by April 1, 2026. You’ll also have to take your 2026 RMD by December 31, 2026, meaning two distributions in one calendar year if you wait.
Roth IRAs and RMDs
One nice thing about Roth IRAs is that they don’t require RMDs during your lifetime. Roth 401(k)s used to require them, but starting in 2024, they no longer do.
Tax Filing Deadlines and Corrections
Deadlines also matter for fixing mistakes. Knowing the deadlines lets you correct errors before penalties apply, such as:
Excess Contributions
If you contribute too much to your IRA or 401(k), you generally have until your tax filing deadline (including extensions) to fix it. For IRAs, you can withdraw the excess plus any earnings to avoid a 6% excise tax. For 401(k)s, you must notify your plan to remove the excess, which may be taxed as income if not corrected.
Roth IRA Recharacterizations
If you accidentally contribute to a Roth IRA when your income is too high, you can “recharacterize” it to a Traditional IRA. The deadline is your tax filing date (again, including extensions).
Employer Deadlines to Know
If you’re self-employed or run a small business, deadlines look a little different.
- SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k)s: You can generally make contributions up until your business tax filing deadline, including extensions. That means you could be contributing for 2025 well into the fall of 2026 if you filed for an extension.
- Employer 401(k) match: To get your full company match, you’ll usually need to contribute by the end of the calendar year. Some employers match per paycheck, so waiting until December to contribute a lump sum could mean missing out on part of the match.
Extended Deadlines
If you file a tax extension, some retirement contributions for the previous year can be made later than the usual deadlines.
- IRA Contributions: Normally due by April 15, the deadline extends to October 15 if you file for a standard tax extension. This means you can contribute for the previous year up until October 15.
- Self-Employed Plans (SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k)s): Contributions are generally due by your business tax filing deadline. If you file for an extension, the deadline is also extended to October 15 for most individual and business filers, giving you additional time to make prior-year contributions.
A Quick Calendar of Key Retirement Deadlines
Here’s a simple cheat sheet to keep handy:
- Dec 31: Deadline for 401(k) contributions, employer matches, and most workplace plan actions.
- Apr 15 (following year): Deadline for IRA contributions, Roth recharacterizations, and fixing excess contributions (unless you file an extension).
- 60 days: Time limit for indirect rollovers.
- Age 59½: Earliest you can generally withdraw without penalty.
- Age 73: RMDs begin. First RMD due April 1 of the following year, then every December 31.
Tips for Staying on Top of Deadlines
- Set calendar reminders: Add a recurring event in December for 401(k) contributions and April for IRA contributions.
- Check contributions midyear: Don’t wait until December to see how much you’ve saved. You may miss the chance to spread it out.
- Talk to HR: If you’re not sure how your employer match works, ask. Small details can affect your yearly totals.
- Work with a pro if needed: Especially for RMDs and rollovers, a financial advisor or tax preparer can help you avoid mistakes.
Keep Your Retirement on Track
Retirement deadlines aren’t there to trip you up. They’re the IRS’s way of keeping your savings from getting tangled. Miss one, and you could face lost contributions, unexpected penalties, or even two RMDs in a single year. Planning ahead helps your strategy stay on track and your savings work as intended.
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