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Roth IRA calculator
See your tax-free Roth IRA balance at 65. After-tax contributions today, zero tax on growth or withdrawals later. Free, with 2026 IRS limits built in.
2026 Roth IRA contribution limits
- Under 50: $7,000/year ($583/month)
- 50 and over: $8,000/year ($666/month) with catch-up
- Phase-out (single): $150,000–$165,000 MAGI
- Phase-out (married filing jointly): $236,000–$246,000 MAGI
Above the phase-out, you can still use a backdoor Roth: contribute to a non-deductible Traditional IRA, then convert to Roth.
Why the Roth IRA is so powerful
Three tax advantages stack: contributions grow tax-free, qualified withdrawals are tax-free, and there are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime. Compare to a taxable brokerage where dividends and capital gains hit you every year.
Example: $7,000/year for 35 years at 8% grows to ~$1.30M. Withdraw at 65 — all $1.30M is tax-free. In a taxable account, you'd owe 15–20% long-term capital gains on roughly $1.0M of growth, ~$150–200k in taxes you skip.
Roth IRA growth at 8% annual return
| Monthly contrib. | Years | Total contributed | Final balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300 | 30 | $108,000 | ~$447,000 |
| $500 | 30 | $180,000 | ~$745,000 |
| $583 (max) | 30 | $210,000 | ~$868,000 |
| $583 (max) | 35 | $245,000 | ~$1.30M |
| $583 (max) | 40 | $280,000 | ~$1.93M |
Roth IRA Calculator FAQ
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make too much?
Above the income phase-out ($150k single, $236k joint MAGI for 2026), direct Roth contributions are not allowed. Use the backdoor Roth instead: make a non-deductible Traditional IRA contribution, then convert it to Roth. Watch the pro-rata rule if you hold other pre-tax IRA dollars.
Roth IRA vs Roth 401(k) — which is better?
Same tax treatment (after-tax in, tax-free out), but Roth 401(k) has higher limits ($23,500 vs $7,000) and no income cap. Roth IRA has more investment flexibility (any broker, any fund) and no RMDs. Most people max the Roth IRA first, then go heavy on Roth 401(k).
Can I withdraw Roth IRA contributions early?
Yes — contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn anytime, tax- and penalty-free. Earnings withdrawn before age 59½ owe tax + 10% penalty unless they qualify (first home, disability, qualified higher education). This makes the Roth a flexible secondary emergency fund.
What's a Roth conversion ladder?
A strategy for early retirees. Convert Traditional IRA dollars to Roth each year up to your low retirement tax bracket. After a 5-year seasoning period, you can withdraw those converted amounts penalty-free — even before age 59½. Critical for FIRE plans.
Should I prioritize Roth IRA over 401(k)?
Get the full 401(k) match first (free money). Then max the Roth IRA ($583/mo). Then go back to maxing the 401(k). This sequence balances tax-free growth, tax diversification, and employer match capture.
Are Roth IRA earnings really 100% tax-free?
Yes — for qualified withdrawals (after age 59½ AND the account is at least 5 years old). No federal tax, no state tax on the growth, no capital gains tax. It's the most tax-efficient account in the US tax code.