IRA Calculator: Traditional vs Roth
Project your IRA balance at retirement with 2026 IRS contribution limits, then compare Traditional (pre-tax in, taxed at withdrawal) against Roth (after-tax in, tax-free out) on equal footing.
Educational estimate only — not tax, legal, or investment advice. Verify limits at irs.gov.Project your IRA
Enter your numbers. Contributions are credited at the end of each year and compounded annually.
Your IRA projection
Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
Year-by-year schedule
| Year | Age | Contribution | Traditional balance | Roth balance |
|---|
How the math works
Annual compounding; each yearly contribution is credited at the end of the year, then the balance grows: balance = balance × (1 + r) + contribution.
| Rule | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit (under 50) | $7,500 |
| IRA contribution limit (50+, incl. $1,100 catch-up) | $8,600 |
| RMD starting age (SECURE 2.0) | 73 |
| Early-withdrawal additional tax (before 59½) | 10% |
| Excess-contribution excise tax | 6% / year until removed |
Limits per IRS Notice 2025-67 / IR-2025-111, checked 2026-10-08. The Roth comparison funds the Roth with after-tax dollars using the same out-of-pocket amount, so the verdict compares after-tax values fairly. Deductibility of Traditional contributions and Roth eligibility phase out at certain incomes — this tool does not model phase-outs.
Frequently asked questions
What does this IRA calculator estimate?
It projects the future value of your IRA at retirement from your current balance, yearly contributions, and expected annual return, then shows Traditional and Roth side by side on an after-tax basis so you can compare them fairly.
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026 the IRS limit is $7,500 if you are under 50, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older, per IRS Notice 2025-67. The limit is shared across all your Traditional and Roth IRAs combined, and this calculator clamps yearly contributions to the limit and warns you when it does.
How does the age-50 catch-up contribution work?
Once you turn 50, the IRS lets you contribute an extra catch-up amount, which is $1,100 for 2026, raising the total to $8,600. This calculator automatically applies the higher limit to contribution years when you are 50 or older.
Traditional vs Roth IRA: which one leaves me with more?
It depends on your tax rate now versus in retirement. Traditional contributions are pre-tax and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, while Roth contributions are after-tax and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. If your retirement tax rate is lower than today, Traditional usually wins; if it is higher, Roth usually wins; if they are equal, the math is roughly a tie.
When do required minimum distributions (RMDs) start?
Under SECURE 2.0, Traditional IRA owners must begin required minimum distributions at age 73, rising to 75 for people who reach age 74 after 2032. Roth IRAs have no lifetime RMDs for the original owner. This calculator flags your plan when it reaches RMD age.
What is the penalty for withdrawing from an IRA early?
Withdrawals from a Traditional IRA before age 59 and 1/2 are generally hit with a 10 percent additional tax on top of ordinary income tax, unless an IRS exception applies. Roth IRA contributions can be withdrawn anytime, but earnings withdrawn early face the same 10 percent additional tax unless an exception applies.
Are Roth IRA withdrawals really tax-free?
Yes, qualified Roth IRA distributions are tax-free: the account must be open at least five years and you must be 59 and 1/2 or older, disabled, or using up to $10,000 for a first home purchase. Non-qualified earnings withdrawals are taxed plus the 10 percent additional tax.
Is there an age limit for contributing to an IRA?
No. Since 2020 there is no maximum age for Traditional IRA contributions. You or your spouse need taxable compensation at least equal to your contribution, and the calculator assumes you have eligible earned income each year.
What annual return should I assume?
That is your assumption to make, not a prediction. Many people test a range, such as 4 to 7 percent, to see best and worst cases. Past market performance does not guarantee future results, and this tool compounds the rate you enter once per year.
How does this calculator handle taxes in the comparison?
The Traditional side grows tax-deferred and is reduced by your expected retirement tax rate at withdrawal. The Roth side is funded with after-tax dollars, using the same out-of-pocket amount, and grows tax-free. The verdict compares the two after-tax values.
What happens if I enter a contribution above the IRS limit?
The calculator caps each year at the legal limit for your age that year, $7,500 under 50 or $8,600 at 50 plus for 2026, and shows a warning. In real life, excess IRA contributions face a 6 percent excise tax each year until removed, so the cap keeps the projection realistic.
Is this calculator tax or financial advice?
No. It produces educational estimates from the numbers you enter and the 2026 IRS limits. It is not tax, legal, or investment advice. IRA deductibility and Roth eligibility phase out at certain incomes, so check IRS guidance or a qualified professional for your situation.
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