Roth IRA calculator

IRA/Roth growth comparison without statutory contribution limits, income phaseouts, deductibility or withdrawal eligibility. Assumes fully pretax traditional assets and qualified tax-free Roth withdrawals using entered tax rates. Equal existing balances do not imply equal pretax cost.

What this tool does

Compares a Roth IRA with a Traditional IRA under identical assumptions, treating Roth contributions as after-tax and qualified withdrawals as untaxed.

How to use it

Enter the starting balance and annual contribution.
Enter the number of years and the annual return rate.
Enter your current and expected retirement tax rates.
Run it and compare both balances and after-tax spendable amounts.

Worked example

Starting 1,000 with 100 a year for two years at 0% return, 20% now and 25% at retirement, gives Traditional 1,200 and Roth 1,160 — but the after-tax spendable ranking can flip depending on the rate assumptions.

Frequently asked questions

How do I judge which is better?: If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth tends to win; if lower, Traditional does. Vary the two rates and compare the after-tax figures.
Does it check income limits?: No. Roth income phase-outs, contribution caps, and the five-year rule are not evaluated. Confirm eligibility with official sources.

What this tool does not cover

It assumes US accounts and a constant return, excluding fees, inflation, future tax-law changes, and early-withdrawal penalties.

Result