Investing for a 22-Year-Old
Age 22 is the typical college graduation year. If you are starting your first full-time job this year, you likely have access to a 401(k) for the first time. Contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match. The Roth IRA income phase-out begins at $150,000 for single filers (2026 figures), so most 22-year-olds qualify for the full $7,000 contribution.
Priority order at 22: emergency fund covering three months of expenses, then capture the full 401(k) employer match, then max the Roth IRA, then increase 401(k) contributions toward the annual limit ($23,500 for 2026). Revisit this order after the emergency fund is fully funded.