Just for kicks I went back through my w2s from the last seven years to figure out just how much money I contributed each year to my 401(k). It’s amazing to see how little I was able to contribute in 1999, (the year I graduated college), compared to today.
The dates and corresponding contribution levels are listed below:
1999 — Limit $10,000 — My Contribution $898.49
2000 — Limit $10,000 — My Contribution $4042.65
2001 — Limit $10,500 — My Contribution $6521.03
2002 — Limit $11,000 — My Contribution $10,452.81
2003 — Limit $12,000 — My Contribution $11,843.89
2004 — Limit $13,000 — My Contribution $13,000.00
2005 — Limit $14,000 — My Contribution $14,000.00
Total Contributions = $60,758.87
Wow! That’s great that you’re maxing it out!
You’re doing fabulous — keep maxing it out. If you have any leftover, definitely consider a Roth IRA too.