About the Roth IRA Calculator
This Roth IRA calculator projects how much your Roth IRA could be worth at retirement from your current balance, a yearly contribution and an expected rate of return. Because Roth contributions are made with after-tax money, every dollar of growth can be withdrawn tax-free after age 59½ once the account has been open five years.
Use it to see what maxing out a Roth each year adds up to, to compare starting now versus later, or to put a number on the tax you avoid on the growth. The chart splits your balance into contributions and investment growth, and the result estimates the monthly income the balance could support using a 4% withdrawal rate.
For 2026 the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up if you are 50 or older; the limit is shared across all your traditional and Roth IRAs. Contributions are spread evenly through the year and returns compound monthly. Results are in future dollars — they are not adjusted for inflation.
With the default inputs, the roth ira balance at retirement is $1,298,251.40. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the roth ira calculator
- 1Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
- 2Enter your current Roth IRA balance and how much you will contribute each year.
- 3Set an expected annual return — 6–8% is common for a stock-heavy portfolio.
- 4Enter the tax rate you expect in retirement to see the value of tax-free growth.
- 5Review the balance, growth and 4%-rule income, then try a higher contribution.
Formula and method
The starting balance B compounds monthly at the annual return r for n years, and your annual contribution C is added in twelve equal monthly deposits, each of which grows for the remaining months. The sum is the projected Roth IRA balance.
Growth is the balance minus everything you put in. Because qualified Roth withdrawals are tax-free, the “tax avoided” figure multiplies that growth by the rate you would otherwise pay. The monthly income estimate applies a 4% first-year withdrawal rate to the final balance.
- B
- Current Roth IRA balance
- C
- Annual contribution
- r
- Expected annual return (decimal)
- n
- Years until retirement
Worked examples
30-year-old maxing out a Roth IRA until 65
Starting with $15,000 and adding $7,500 a year for 35 years at 7% grows to about $1.30 million. Only $277,500 of that is money you put in; the remaining ~$1.02 million is growth you can withdraw tax-free.
Starting at 45 with nothing saved
Twenty years of $7,500 contributions at 7% produce about $325,579. That is about a quarter of the 30-year-old’s result, showing how much time in the market matters.
52-year-old using the catch-up contribution
At 52 the limit is $8,600 ($7,500 + $1,100 catch-up). With a $60,000 balance and 6% returns, 15 years of maximum contributions reach about $355,666.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026?+
For 2026 you can contribute up to $7,500 across all your IRAs, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older thanks to the $1,100 catch-up. You also cannot contribute more than your taxable compensation for the year.
Who can contribute to a Roth IRA?+
You need earned income, and your modified AGI must be below the Roth income limit. For 2026 the allowed contribution phases out between $153,000 and $168,000 of MAGI for single filers and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly ($0–$10,000 if married filing separately); above that, a backdoor Roth conversion is the usual route.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA tax-free?+
Your own contributions can be withdrawn at any time, tax- and penalty-free. Earnings are tax-free once you are 59½ and the account has been open at least five tax years; earlier withdrawals of earnings may be taxed and penalized.
Is a Roth IRA better than a traditional IRA?+
A Roth is usually better when you expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today, are early in your career, or value tax-free income and no RMDs. A traditional IRA wins when your tax rate now is clearly higher than it will be later.
Do Roth IRAs have required minimum distributions?+
No. The original owner never has to take RMDs from a Roth IRA, so the money can keep growing tax-free for as long as you live and be passed to heirs.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.