Roth IRA Calculator
Modify the values and click calculate
Roth IRA Details
Projected Balance (Tax-Free)
Enter your Roth IRA details to project your retirement balance.
This calculator provides an educational estimate only and is not tax or financial advice. Annual contribution limits and income-based eligibility phase-outs set by the IRS are not modeled here -- consult a qualified professional.
Understanding the Roth IRA
A Roth IRA flips the tax treatment of a Traditional IRA: you contribute money you've already paid tax on, so there's no deduction today -- but in exchange, the entire balance, including every dollar of growth, comes out completely tax-free at qualified withdrawal. This calculator projects that balance and makes the tax-free framing explicit.
Tax-Free at Withdrawal
Because contributions are already taxed, qualified withdrawals in retirement -- both your contributions and all the growth on top of them -- owe no federal income tax at all.
No Deduction Today
Unlike a Traditional IRA, a Roth contribution doesn't lower this year's taxable income -- the tax benefit arrives later, at withdrawal, instead of now.
Catch-Up Contributions at 50+
Once you turn 50, the IRS allows an additional "catch-up" contribution on top of the standard annual limit -- useful if you're getting a later start or want to accelerate savings as retirement nears.
Roth vs. Traditional IRA
A Roth IRA is the mirror image of a Traditional IRA: after-tax money in, tax-free money out. If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than you are today, Roth often wins; if you expect a lower bracket later, Traditional often wins. See our IRA Calculator to compare.
Worked Example
Suppose you start with a $20,000 balance, contribute $7,000 per year, and expect a 7% annual return over 25 years:
- Projected balance: approximately $551,292 -- and this whole amount is available tax-free at qualified withdrawal.
- Total contributions: $7,000 × 25 = $175,000.
- Total tax-free growth: approximately $356,292.
All Tax-Free
- Starting Balance: $20,000.00
- Contributions: $175,000.00
- Growth: $356,291.92
- Total (Tax-Free): $551,291.92
Key Takeaways
- The Whole Balance Is Tax-Free: Unlike a Traditional IRA, there's no tax bill waiting for you at withdrawal -- what you see projected here is what you get.
- No Upfront Deduction: You're contributing money you've already paid tax on -- the payoff comes later, not on this year's return.
- 50+? Catch Up: If you're 50 or older, catch-up contributions let you save beyond the standard annual limit.
- This Is an Estimate: IRS contribution limits and income-based eligibility phase-outs aren't modeled here -- treat this as a directional projection.