Roth IRA Calculator
Estimate your tax-free Roth IRA balance at retirement using 2026 contribution limits, your timeline, and expected investment returns.
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Adjust the inputs on the left to see your tax-free balance at retirement.
A Roth IRA flips the usual retirement-tax deal: you contribute money you've already paid income tax on, and in exchange, qualified withdrawals in retirement — both your contributions and decades of investment growth — are completely tax-free. This calculator compounds your current balance and annual contributions to your chosen retirement age under the 2026 IRS limits.
How it's calculated
The model adds one contribution per year, then applies your expected return:
for each year until retirement:
contribution = min(your contribution, $7,500 + $1,100 catch-up if age ≥ 50)
balance = (balance + contribution) × (1 + annual return %)
For 2026, per IRS Notice 2025-67 and Rev. Proc. 2025-32, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, with an additional $1,100 catch-up for savers aged 50 and older ($8,600 total). The calculator automatically raises your cap in the years you are 50+, so you can set the contribution slider to the maximum and let the limit do the work.
Why "tax-free" matters
Because qualified Roth withdrawals are excluded from gross income, the entire "Total Growth" figure shown above is money you never pay federal income tax on — unlike a traditional 401(k) or IRA, where withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Qualified means you're at least 59½ and your first Roth contribution was made at least five years earlier (the 5-year rule). Roth IRAs also have no required minimum distributions during the owner's lifetime.
Assumptions and limitations
- Contributions are annual with year-end compounding; monthly contributions would grow slightly more.
- 2026 limits are held flat for all future years rather than indexed for inflation.
- Income phase-outs are not modeled. For 2026, the ability to contribute directly to a Roth IRA phases out at higher modified AGI levels (different ranges for single and married-filing-jointly filers). High earners often use a backdoor Roth conversion instead — talk to a tax professional.
- Contributions also require earned income at least equal to the amount contributed.
Pair this with the 401(k) calculator to see how a workplace plan plus a maxed Roth IRA stack up by retirement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 IRA limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up for those 50 or older ($8,600 total), per IRS Notice 2025-67. The limit is shared across all of your traditional and Roth IRAs combined.
Are Roth IRA withdrawals really tax-free?
Qualified withdrawals are 100% federal-tax-free: you must be 59½ or older and have held a Roth IRA for at least 5 years. Your original contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time without tax or penalty.
Can high earners contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
Direct contributions phase out above certain modified AGI thresholds (this calculator does not model them). Earners above the phase-out commonly use a backdoor Roth — contributing to a non-deductible traditional IRA and converting it.
Roth IRA vs. traditional IRA — which is better?
Roth tends to win if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today (common for young savers); traditional wins if you expect a lower rate. Roth also has no lifetime required minimum distributions, which helps estate planning.
Does this calculator account for the 5-year rule?
No — it assumes your withdrawals at retirement are qualified. If you open your first Roth IRA within 5 years of retiring, earnings withdrawn before the 5-year mark could be taxable.
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Results from this calculator are estimates for informational use only — not financial, medical, or professional advice. Read our full disclaimer before acting on any number you see here.