History

How the retirement system and its contribution limits got to where they are today.

2 articles in this topic.

How IRS Retirement Limits Have Changed: 2017–2026
A ten-year grid of every major IRS retirement limit, plus the laws and inflation surges that moved them. 401(k), IRA, HSA, caps, and top tax rates.
A Brief History of Retirement: From Augustan Rome to OBBBA
Retirement is a 150-year-old invention built by accident, by war, and by political compromise. A short history of how today's IRS rules came to be.

About this articleThis article is provided by RetirementCheck101™, a free educational resource, for general informational and educational purposes only. It summarizes publicly available rules from the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations, IRS publications, and other primary sources as of 2025. It is not investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice; it does not take into account your specific financial situation, goals, or objectives; and it does not create a fiduciary, advisory, attorney-client, or accountant-client relationship. All examples, calculations, and projections are hypothetical and for illustration only — they are not predictions, guarantees, or recommendations of any specific course of action. Tax laws, IRS limits, and your personal circumstances change. Before acting on anything discussed here, consult a licensed tax advisor, attorney, CPA, or registered financial professional who can evaluate your individual situation. RetirementCheck101 is not registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or with any state securities regulator. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use.

History

How IRS Retirement Limits Have Changed: 2017–2026

A Brief History of Retirement: From Augustan Rome to OBBBA