Deposits into your IRA do not have to be made at the same time. (For example: In the year 2008, a 35 year old woman could deposit $416.67 into her IRA each month. At the end of the year, it would add up to the maximum $5,000.)
Due to the tax advantages of investing through an IRA, it is normally best to try and make the maximum annual contribution. The use-it-or-lose-it nature of contributions makes this all the more important (e.g., If you deposit $3,000 in 2008, you can't deposit $7,000 in 2009 [the $5,000 + the $2,000 you didn't deposit the year before]. You cannot contribute more than the total allowable amount during any fiscal year.)
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IRA Contribution Limits
| YEAR | AGE 49 & BELOW | AGE 50 & ABOVE |
| 2002-2004 | $3,000 | $3,500 |
| 2005 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
| 2006-2007 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| 2008 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2009 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2010 | Indexed to Inflation | Indexed to Inflation |
