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REDDIT

Worth contributing to traditional IRA if I can’t do backdoor Roth?

D
Jan 1, 2026 · 01:48


I’m currently maxing out:

- 401(k) ($23,500 for 2025)
- Mega backdoor Roth
- HSA
- DCA into Taxable brokerage throughout the year

I can’t do a backdoor Roth IRA conversion due to the pro-rata rule (have pre-tax IRA assets I can’t consolidate right now - 5 year hold period for a transfer bonus).

For those in similar situations - do you bother contributing the $7,000 to a traditional IRA anyway? Or do you just keep putting extra money into your taxable brokerage account?

Curious what others prioritize when backdoor Roth isn’t an option.