How to use this calculator
- Age this year: your age at the end of this year. At 50 and over, the limit includes the catch-up.
- Retirement age: contributions stop the year before.
- Current Roth IRA balance: what’s already in your Roth.
- Annual contribution: what you plan to put in each year. Anything above the limit for your age is capped automatically.
- Expected annual return: a long-run average growth rate.
- Tax rate now and Tax rate in retirement: your marginal rate (federal plus state) today and what you expect when you withdraw.
The headline is your Roth balance at retirement, all of which you can withdraw tax-free if the withdrawals are qualified. The chart and stats compare it with two alternatives that cost you the same out of pocket each year.
2026 IRA limits and Roth income phase-outs
| Limit (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| IRA contribution limit (traditional + Roth combined) | $7,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50 and older | $1,100 |
| Maximum at 50 or older | $8,600 |
You can contribute the full amount only if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below the phase-out range. Within the range the limit shrinks, and above it you can’t contribute directly:
| Filing status | 2026 phase-out range |
|---|---|
| Single or head of household | $153,000 – $168,000 |
| Married filing jointly | $242,000 – $252,000 |
| Married filing separately (lived with spouse) | $0 – $10,000 |
The calculator holds these limits at 2026 levels for every future year. The IRS adjusts them for inflation, and hadn’t announced 2027 figures as of early November 2026.
How the comparison works
All three options cost you the same after-tax dollars each year. Contributions go in at the start of each year and earn the same return.
- Roth IRA: you contribute after-tax money; the balance grows untaxed and comes out tax-free.
- Taxable account: the same money in a regular brokerage account, with each year’s return taxed at your current rate. The after-tax return is:
- Traditional IRA: because contributions are deductible, the same out-of-pocket cost buys a bigger pre-tax contribution, C ÷ (1 − tax rate now), up to the limit. Any tax savings that don’t fit under the limit go into the taxable account. The IRA is taxed at your retirement rate when you withdraw.
Worked example
You’re 30 with $10,000 in a Roth IRA, contribute the 2026 maximum of $7,500 a year until 65, and expect a 7% return. Your tax rate is 22% now and in retirement.
- You contribute $262,500 over 35 years. With your starting $10,000, the Roth grows to about $1,216,117, including about $943,617 of tax-free growth.
- The same money in a taxable account would be worth about $850,585, roughly $365,532 less.
- A traditional IRA would be worth about $1,147,902 after tax. With equal tax rates you might expect a tie, but at the $7,500 cap the Roth shelters more: $7,500 in a Roth is like $9,615 of pre-tax money, which wouldn’t fit in a traditional IRA.
When the Roth wins, and when it doesn’t
Same example, changing tax rates:
| Tax now | Tax in retirement | Roth IRA | Traditional IRA (after tax) | Taxable account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22% | 12% | $1,216,117 | $1,261,794 | $850,585 |
| 22% | 22% | $1,216,117 | $1,147,902 | $850,585 |
| 22% | 32% | $1,216,117 | $1,034,009 | $850,585 |
| 12% | 22% | $1,216,117 | $1,081,163 | $999,079 |
If you contribute less than the maximum, say $5,000 a year, equal tax rates produce exactly the same result (about $846,333 each), and the decision comes down to whether you expect your rate to rise or fall. Many younger workers in lower brackets favor the Roth for that reason.
Starting early matters even more than the account type. With no starting balance and $7,500 a year to 65 at 7%, starting at 25 grows to about $1,602,072, at 35 about $758,048, and at 45 about $328,989.
Tips
- Contribute early in the year if you can. Every month invested earlier is more tax-free growth.
- Check your income first. If you’re close to the phase-out range, wait until you know your MAGI, or ask a tax professional about a backdoor Roth.
- Contribute to your 401(k) up to the match first. The 401(k) calculator shows what a match is worth. A Roth IRA is a common next step.
- Look at your whole plan. The retirement calculator checks whether your total savings cover the income you want, and the income tax calculator helps you find your current bracket.
Assumptions and limitations
Returns are constant, contributions are made at the start of each year, and limits stay at 2026 levels. The taxable account is a simplified model that taxes all returns yearly at your current rate. The calculator doesn’t check income eligibility or the rule that you need earned income at least equal to your contribution, and it doesn’t include state-specific rules.
Sources
- IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111)
- IRS: Retirement topics, catch-up contributions
- IRS: Retirement topics, IRA contribution limits
- IRS: Publication 590-B, Distributions from IRAs
- IRS: Required minimum distributions
- IRS: Roth IRAs
This calculator is for planning purposes only and isn’t tax advice. Tax rules are complex, so check with a tax professional for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
The 2026 limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you're 50 or older thanks to the $1,100 catch-up. The limit is shared across all your traditional and Roth IRAs, and you can't contribute more than your taxable compensation for the year. The IRS had not announced 2027 limits as of early November 2026.
What are the 2026 Roth IRA income limits?
The amount you can contribute directly phases out at modified adjusted gross income between $153,000 and $168,000 for single and head-of-household filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. For married filing separately (if you lived with your spouse) the range is $0 to $10,000.
Is a Roth IRA better than a traditional IRA?
It mostly comes down to tax rates. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today, the Roth usually wins; if you expect a lower rate, the traditional IRA's upfront deduction usually wins. When you contribute the maximum, the Roth has an extra edge because the same dollar limit shelters more after-tax money.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA tax-free?
Your contributions can come out at any time without tax or penalty. Earnings are tax-free in a qualified distribution, which generally means you're at least 59½ and it has been at least five years since your first Roth IRA contribution. Taking earnings out earlier can trigger income tax and a 10% penalty, with some exceptions.
Why does the taxable account grow more slowly?
In a regular brokerage account, interest, dividends and realized gains are taxed along the way, which leaves less money compounding. This calculator models that as a yearly tax at your current rate on each year's return. In practice, long-term capital gains and qualified dividends are often taxed at lower rates, so the real drag may be smaller.
Do Roth IRAs have required minimum distributions?
No. The original owner of a Roth IRA doesn't have to take required minimum distributions, unlike a traditional IRA. That lets the money keep growing tax-free for as long as you like.
Updated November 2026. Results are estimates for educational purposes and depend on the inputs you provide.