Is a Roth IRA risky if my income later rises above the contribution limit?

Not risky, just something to manage. The Roth income phaseout in 2025 starts around $150,000 (single) and $236,000 (married filing jointly). If a raise or RSU vesting pushes you over, you simply can't contribute directly that year, but everything already in your Roth keeps growing tax-free, you don't lose it. If you accidentally contribute while over the limit, you can recharacterize or withdraw the excess before the deadline to avoid a 6% penalty. High earners often use the "backdoor Roth" instead: contribute to a traditional IRA and convert it. For immigrants whose income climbs fast in tech, this is common, so fund the Roth while you can and learn the backdoor for later. See wealthserene.com/tools/roth-vs-traditional.