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Free · Tax-free growth · 2026 limits

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.

Direct answer

How much can a Roth IRA grow tax-free by retirement?

A 25-year-old contributing the 2026 Roth IRA maximum of $7,500 annually at an 8% assumed return grows the account to approximately $2,073,000 by age 65 — every dollar tax-free at withdrawal. Total contributed: $300,000 across 40 years; total tax-free growth: about $1,773,000.

2026 Roth IRA contribution limit: $7,500 under 50, $8,600 age 50+. Single-filer phase-out runs from $153,000 to $168,000 MAGI. MFJ: $242,000–$252,000.

Source: IRS Notice 2025-67 + Pub 590-A

Roth IRA quick facts

  • 2026 contribution limit (under 50): $7,500
    IRS Notice 2025-67
  • 2026 catch-up limit (50+): $8,600 ($1,100 catch-up)
    IRS Notice 2025-67
  • 2026 single MAGI phase-out: $153,000–$168,000
    IRS Pub 590-A
  • 2026 MFJ MAGI phase-out: $242,000–$252,000
    IRS Pub 590-A
  • Growth after 40 years at 8% (maxing $7,500/yr): ≈$2,073,000 tax-free
    Snowballr Research using standard compound math
  • Backdoor Roth availability: Legal for all incomes; 2-step: nondeductible IRA + immediate conversion
    IRS Notice 2018-52
2026 Roth IRA limits · IRS Notice 2025-67 · Pub 590-A
$7,500 contribution cap · $8,600 if 50+
Single-filer phase-out: $153,000–$168,000 MAGI. Married filing jointly: $242,000–$252,000. Above the ceiling, the contribution drops to zero — a hard cliff that catches high earners every January.
We default the calculator to the post-phase-out math because that's where most Roth IRA mistakes happen — not in the contribution year, but in the recharacterization window.

2026 Roth IRA contribution limits

  • Under 50: $7,500/year ($625/month)
  • 50 and over: $8,600/year ($716.67/month) with catch-up
  • Phase-out (single): $153,000–$168,000 MAGI
  • Phase-out (married filing jointly): $242,000–$252,000 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: $7,500/year ($625/month) for 35 years at 8% with month-end deposits grows to ~$1.43M. 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.YearsTotal contributedFinal balance
$30030$108,000~$447,000
$50030$180,000~$745,000
$625 (max)30$225,000~$931,000
$625 (max)35$262,500~$1.43M
$625 (max)40$300,000~$2.18M

Roth IRA Calculator FAQ

Can I contribute to a Roth IRA if I make too much?

Above the income phase-out ($168k single, $252k married filing jointly MAGI for 2026), direct Roth contributions are not allowed. The phase-out ranges are $153k–$168k single and $242k–$252k married filing jointly. Use the backdoor Roth only after checking the pro-rata rule and current IRS guidance.

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 ($24,500 vs $7,500) 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)?

Review the full 401(k) match first if you can do so without missing essential payments, then compare a Roth IRA and additional 401(k) contributions. Vesting, taxes, fees, liquidity and your goals determine the best sequence.

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.

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Which wrapper wins long-term.

Methodology and editorial standards

Each calculator uses its own inputs and method. Review the labels, units and assumption notes shown with the result. Costs, taxes, fees, benefits and other factors are not modeled unless the page or calculator explicitly says they are. A fixed-rate projection is a scenario, not a forecast or personalized recommendation.

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