Free · Pre-tax · 2026 limits
Traditional IRA calculator
Project your Traditional IRA at retirement with pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and 2026 IRS limits. Deduct now, pay tax on withdrawals at 73+.
Traditional vs Roth IRA — the tax timing trade
Traditional IRA: contributions are tax-deductible (subject to income limits if you have a workplace plan), growth is tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRA flips it — pay tax now, never again.
The math is symmetric if your tax bracket today equals your tax bracket at withdrawal. Pick Traditional if you're in your peak earning years (24–37% bracket) and expect a lower retirement bracket. Pick Roth if early-career or expecting higher future income.
2026 deduction phase-outs (if covered by workplace plan)
- Single covered by 401(k): deduction phases out $79,000–$89,000 MAGI
- Married joint, you're covered: $126,000–$146,000 MAGI
- Married joint, spouse covered: $236,000–$246,000 MAGI
- Not covered by workplace plan: fully deductible at any income
Required Minimum Distributions
At age 73 (SECURE 2.0), you must start withdrawing from your Traditional IRA each year. The first-year RMD divisor is 26.5, so on $1M you'd withdraw about $37,700. Skip an RMD and the IRS hits you with a 25% penalty (reduced to 10% if corrected quickly).
Roth IRAs have no lifetime RMDs — one reason to convert Traditional → Roth in low-income years before RMDs kick in.
IRA Calculator FAQ
How much can I contribute to a Traditional IRA in 2026?
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$7,000 if under 50, $8,000 with the $1,000 catch-up if 50 or older. This limit is shared with the Roth IRA — combined contributions to all your IRAs can't exceed it.
Is my IRA contribution tax-deductible?
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Fully deductible if neither you nor your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan. If covered, the deduction phases out based on MAGI (see phase-out table above). You can always contribute, but the deduction may be limited or denied.
What's the tax hit when I withdraw from a Traditional IRA?
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Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate in the year of withdrawal. Before age 59½, add a 10% early-withdrawal penalty. After 73, you must take Required Minimum Distributions or face a 25% penalty.
Can I do a Traditional → Roth conversion?
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Yes. You pay ordinary income tax on the converted amount in the year you convert, then it grows tax-free in the Roth. Common strategies: convert during low-income years (early retirement, sabbatical) or fill up the 12% bracket each year.
Traditional IRA vs 401(k) — should I prioritize one?
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Get the 401(k) match first. Then choose IRA over 401(k) if your 401(k) has high fees or limited fund choices. Otherwise max the 401(k) ($23,500 vs $7,000) for the bigger pre-tax shelter.
Can I have both a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
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Yes — but combined contributions across both accounts can't exceed $7,000 ($8,000 with catch-up). Splitting ($3,500 each) is a way to build tax diversification.