I’m proud to introduce these two pieces of legislation to make it easier for caregivers to save for retirement.
Allow family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA without the yearly income cap.
Occurrences
introduced two bipartisan bills that would help family caregivers better save for retirement. These bills, the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act, would help address the financial challenges faced by individuals who leave work to care for loved ones.
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow additional catch-up contributions for certain family caregivers.
Ms. Pettersen (for herself and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
The Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act would: Allow family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA... By eliminating this yearly income cap for family caregivers, the bill would help ensure they can continue to save up to $7,000 for retirement even if their wages fall beneath that amount while caring for a loved one.
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA.
Evidence
Last Action Date Listed: April 14, 2026. Action: Ms. Pettersen (for herself and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Bill title states it would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA.
On April 16, 2026, Pettersen's office said she and Rep. Salazar introduced two bipartisan bills, including the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act, which would allow family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA and states current law caps Roth IRA contributions at the lower of $7,000 or yearly income.
Assessments
Pettersen materially advanced the promise during her current federal term by introducing the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act of 2026, which would allow eligible family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA despite limited yearly earned income. The available record shows introduction and referral to the House Ways and Means Committee, not enactment or implementation. Because the bill remains only introduced rather than passed, the promised policy has not yet been delivered, but it is not properly scored as failed while the legislative effort is still pending.
The available evidence shows Rep. Pettersen introduced and publicly promoted the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act in April 2026 to allow certain family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA despite the current earned-income limitation. However, the record provided only shows bill introduction and referral to committee, with no enactment or implementation yet. Because she has made a serious legislative effort during her current federal term but the promised policy outcome has not been achieved, the promise is best rated unresolved at this stage rather than delivered or partial.