Project the value of a Roth IRA at retirement, where qualified withdrawals come out entirely tax-free.
What this calculator does
A Roth IRA is funded with money you have already paid tax on. In exchange, everything it earns comes out tax-free after age 59½, provided the account has been open five years. Over decades, that untaxed growth is the whole point.
The comparison against a traditional IRA hinges on one question: will your tax rate in retirement be higher or lower than it is now? If higher, the Roth usually wins.
Worked example
On the values this calculator opens with, the roth IRA at retirement is $1,074,423.96. Underneath, Years invested comes out at 35 years and Total contributed at $255,000. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
How to use it
- Enter your current balance and annual contribution.
- Set your current age and target retirement age.
- Enter your expected return to see the tax-free total.
The calculation
FV = balance × (1+r)ⁿ + contribution × ((1+r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r
qualified Roth withdrawals: no tax on growth
Common questions
Is there an income limit for a Roth IRA?
Yes — contributions phase out above certain modified adjusted gross income levels, which change each year.
Can I withdraw contributions early?
Your own contributions can be withdrawn at any time without tax or penalty. Earnings generally cannot until 59½ and the five-year mark.
Roth or traditional?
Roth if you expect a higher tax rate later; traditional if you expect a lower one. Many people hold both. This is not financial advice.