Roth IRA Calculator — See Your Tax-Free Retirement Balance
By MoneyDecoded · Last updated June 2026 · 2-minute tool
Enter your age, annual contribution, and expected return to see exactly how much your Roth IRA will be worth at retirement — all of it tax-free. Compare Roth vs. Traditional IRA side by side. No sign-up required.
📋 2026 Roth IRA Limits
$7,000
Annual contribution limit (under 50)
$8,000
Catch-up limit (age 50+)
$150K
Phase-out starts (single filers)
Income phase-out for single filers: $150,000–$165,000 MAGI. Married filing jointly: $236,000–$246,000. Source: IRS 2026.
Roth IRA Calculator
Calculate Your Tax-Free Retirement Balance
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2026 max: $7,000 (under 50) / $8,000 (50+)
$
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S&P 500 historical avg ≈ 7% (inflation-adjusted)
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Used for Roth vs Traditional comparison
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What bracket you expect in retirement
Tax-Free Balance at Retirement
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All withdrawals tax-free
Tax-Free Growth
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Earnings never taxed
Total Contributions
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Your after-tax dollars in
Years of Growth
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Compounding years
Tax Saved vs Traditional
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Based on retirement tax rate
Return Multiple
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$ returned per $ contributed
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Growth
Total Contributions
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Tax-Free Growth
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Starting Balance
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Roth vs. Traditional IRA
Which One Wins for You?
🟢 Roth IRA
Contributions (after-tax)—
Balance at retirement—
Tax on withdrawals$0
After-tax value—
🟡 Traditional IRA
Contributions (pre-tax)—
Balance at retirement—
Tax on withdrawals—
After-tax value—
2026 Contribution Limits
Who Can Contribute and How Much
Filing Status
Full Contribution
Phase-Out Range
No Contribution
Single / Head of Household
Under $150,000
$150,000 – $165,000
Over $165,000
Married Filing Jointly
Under $236,000
$236,000 – $246,000
Over $246,000
Married Filing Separately
$0
$0 – $10,000
Over $10,000
Annual limit: $7,000 (under 50) · $8,000 (age 50+). You can contribute to both a Roth IRA and a 401(k) in the same year — the limits are separate.
Key Strategies
Getting More Out of Your Roth IRA
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Contribute Early in the Year
Contributing on January 1 vs December 31 gives your money an extra year of growth. Over 30 years, this timing difference compounds meaningfully.
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Backdoor Roth if Over Income Limit
If your income exceeds $165,000 (single) or $246,000 (married), contribute to a non-deductible Traditional IRA and then convert it. This backdoor approach has no income limit.
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Invest — Don't Just Save
Many people open a Roth IRA but leave the money in cash. Put it in low-cost index funds. The tax-free benefit only applies to growth — there's no growth if you're not invested.
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Max 401(k) Match First
If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, capture the full match before funding your Roth IRA. An employer match is a 50–100% immediate return on your money — nothing beats it.
Common Questions
Roth IRA FAQ
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026? ▾
$7,000 per year if you're under 50, and $8,000 if you're 50 or older (the extra $1,000 is called a catch-up contribution). These limits phase out based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI): single filers between $150,000 and $165,000, married filing jointly between $236,000 and $246,000.
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA — which is better? ▾
If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are now, the Roth IRA wins — you pay taxes at your current lower rate and withdraw tax-free later. If you expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement, the Traditional IRA may save you more overall. Most younger earners benefit more from a Roth; higher earners closer to retirement often prefer Traditional. Use the comparison table above with your specific tax rates to see the numbers.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA without penalty? ▾
You can withdraw your contributions (the money you put in) at any time, for any reason, without taxes or penalties — since you already paid tax on that money. To withdraw earnings tax-free, you must be at least 59½ AND the account must be at least 5 years old. Unlike Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime.
Can I have both a Roth IRA and a 401(k)? ▾
Yes. Your 401(k) and Roth IRA contribution limits are completely separate. You can max out both in the same year. The 2026 401(k) limit is $23,500 (plus $7,500 catch-up if 50+). Maxing both means $30,500 in annual tax-advantaged retirement savings if you're under 50.
What is the backdoor Roth IRA? ▾
If your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, the backdoor Roth is a workaround: (1) Contribute to a Traditional IRA (no income limit for non-deductible contributions). (2) Convert the Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. You'll owe tax on any earnings or pre-existing pre-tax IRA funds at conversion. If you have other Traditional IRA funds, the pro-rata rule applies and complicates the math — consult a financial advisor before executing this strategy.