RetireWise

Roth IRA calculator

See what steady Roth IRA contributions grow to by retirement, all of it tax-free, using the 2026 contribution limits.

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Capped at the IRS limit
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For the Traditional comparison

Tax-free at 65

$1,064,368

about $448,494 in today's dollars, from $284,000 of contributions.

Growth, never taxed
$780k
Same in Traditional, after 18% tax
$873k
$0$500k$1M$1.50M$2M3035404550556065
Roth (tax-free)Traditional after taxAge →

The Traditional line ignores the tax deduction you'd get upfront. For a fair like-for-like comparison, use the Roth vs Traditional calculator.

Ask about your result

An AI reads the numbers above and explains what they mean for you, in plain English. It only runs when you press the button.

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Roth IRA rules for 2026

Rule2026
Contribution limit$7,500
Catch-up at 50++$1,100
Phase-out, single$153,000–$168,000
Phase-out, married filing jointly$242,000–$252,000
Required minimum distributionsNone for the original owner

Source: IRS Notice 2025-67.

Why tax-free growth matters most for young savers

In a Roth, you pay tax on the money going in and never again. The longer the money sits, the bigger the untaxed growth becomes relative to what you put in: in the example above, most of the final balance is growth. That growth would be taxed as income in a Traditional IRA and as capital gains in a regular brokerage account.

Traditional IRA instead?

A Traditional IRA may give you a deduction today, but withdrawals are taxed and RMDs start at 73 or 75. If you expect a lower tax rate in retirement than now, Traditional can come out ahead. If you're thinking of moving old Traditional money into a Roth, try the Roth conversion calculator.

Questions people ask

How much can I put in a Roth IRA in 2026?

$7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (a $1,100 catch-up). The limit is shared across all your IRAs, Roth and Traditional combined, and you can't contribute more than your earned income for the year.

Is there an income limit for a Roth IRA?

Yes. For 2026 the amount you can contribute phases out between $153,000 and $168,000 of modified AGI for single filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. Above that, people often use a "backdoor" Roth: a nondeductible Traditional contribution converted to Roth.

When can I take money out tax-free?

Your own contributions can come out any time, tax and penalty-free. Earnings are tax-free once you are 59½ and the account has been open at least five years. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions for the original owner.

What is a Traditional IRA calculator result, by comparison?

The same deposits in a Traditional IRA grow to the same balance, but every dollar withdrawn is taxed as income. Enter your expected retirement tax rate to see what the Traditional balance would be worth after tax.

What return should I use?

A long-term stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned around 6–8% a year before inflation, but with big swings. Use 6% for a cautious projection and check the result in today's dollars.