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IRA Calculator

Project your IRA balance at retirement and see whether a traditional or a Roth IRA leaves you more after tax. Enter your age, balance and yearly contribution — or the 2026 maximum — plus your tax rate now and the rate you expect in retirement.

Quick examples
$

Traditional (pre-tax) money already in the account.

%
%

Your federal plus state marginal rate.

%

The rate you expect to pay on withdrawals.

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IRA balance at retirement$672,836.20
Total contributions
$204,000.00
Investment growth
$443,836.20
Starting balance
$25,000.00
Traditional IRA, after tax
$571,910.77
Roth IRA, after tax, same cost to you
$534,310.25
Leaves you more
Traditional IRA
Tax saved by this year’s traditional contribution
$1,650.00
Where the balance comes from
  • Starting balance
  • Contributions
  • Growth

Balance by age

AgeContributedBalance

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    Results you calculate here are kept on this device so you can come back to them.

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      Formula

      Each year: balance = (balance + contribution) × (1 + return)
      Traditional, after tax = balance × (1 − retirement tax rate)
      Roth at the same cost to you: contributions × (1 − today’s tax rate), grown the same way and withdrawn tax-free
      Tax saved by a deductible contribution = contribution × today’s tax rate

      How to use it

      1. Enter your age, retirement age and current IRA balance.
      2. Choose the 2026 maximum or enter your yearly contribution.
      3. Enter your marginal tax rate now and the rate you expect on withdrawals.
      4. Compare the after-tax figures to see which account type comes out ahead.

      Worked examples

      Age 40 with $25,000, contributing the maximum to 65 at 7%, taxed 22% now and 15% in retirement

      IRA balance at retirement
      $672,836.20
      Total contributions
      $204,000.00
      Investment growth
      $443,836.20
      Traditional IRA, after tax
      $571,910.77
      Roth IRA, after tax, same cost to you
      $534,310.25
      Leaves you more
      Traditional IRA
      Tax saved by this year’s traditional contribution
      $1,650.00

      $7,000 a year from 30 to 40 at 6%, taxed 12% now and 22% later

      IRA balance at retirement
      $97,801.50
      Total contributions
      $70,000.00
      Traditional IRA, after tax
      $76,285.17
      Roth IRA, after tax, same cost to you
      $86,065.32
      Leaves you more
      Roth IRA
      Tax saved by this year’s traditional contribution
      $840.00

      Same tax rate now and later: $5,000 a year from 45 to 65 at 5%, 24% both times

      IRA balance at retirement
      $173,596.26
      Traditional IRA, after tax
      $131,933.16
      Roth IRA, after tax, same cost to you
      $131,933.16
      Leaves you more
      Either — the same

      Traditional or Roth: it comes down to tax rates

      A traditional contribution is deducted now and taxed when withdrawn; a Roth is taxed now and withdrawn tax-free. If both cost you the same take-home pay, the traditional IRA wins when your tax rate in retirement is lower than today, the Roth wins when it is higher, and they tie when the rates are equal. With $5,000 a year for 20 years at 5% and 24% both times, each leaves $131,933.16 after tax.

      The comparison assumes the money you would have paid in tax goes into a Roth instead, so both choices cost you the same.

      US IRA rules

      For 2026 the IRS limit is $7,500 across all your IRAs, or $8,600 from age 50. A traditional contribution is fully deductible if neither you nor your spouse has a workplace retirement plan; otherwise the deduction phases out at incomes the IRS sets each year. Withdrawals before 59½ generally add a 10% penalty, with exceptions. Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions starting at 73 (75 for people born in 1960 or later); Roth IRAs do not for the original owner.

      Contributions are made at the start of each year and returns compound yearly; the maximum option holds the limit at 2026 levels. This is an estimate, not tax or financial advice.

      Questions people ask

      Should I choose a traditional or Roth IRA?

      Compare your tax rate now with the one you expect in retirement. At 22% now and 15% later, maxing out from 40 to 65 at 7% leaves $571,910.77 after tax in a traditional IRA versus $534,310.25 in a Roth that costs you the same.

      What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?

      $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older. The limit covers traditional and Roth IRAs combined.

      How much tax does a traditional IRA contribution save?

      Your marginal rate times the deductible amount. A $7,500 contribution at 22% saves $1,650; $7,000 at 12% saves $840.

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