Money calculators · Updated September 3, 2026
Roth IRA Calculator
See what steady Roth contributions could grow to by retirement, how much of that is earnings, and what the tax-free treatment is worth compared with a taxable account.
The same contributions in a taxable account, with growth taxed each year at your rate, would reach $760,169.
| Age | Contributed that year | Roth balance | Taxable account |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | $7,000 | $54,281 | $52,081 |
| 40 | $7,000 | $116,387 | $106,976 |
| 45 | $7,000 | $203,493 | $178,584 |
| 50 | $7,000 | $325,665 | $271,997 |
| 55 | $7,000 | $497,018 | $393,852 |
| 60 | $7,000 | $737,348 | $552,811 |
| 65 | $7,000 | $1,074,424 | $760,169 |
How the Roth IRA calculator works
Each year the balance grows by your expected return, then the year's contribution is added. Growth inside a Roth IRA is never taxed on qualified withdrawal, so the ending balance is spendable. The taxable comparison taxes each year's growth at the rate you enter.
balance(next year) = balance × (1 + return) + contribution taxable(next year) = taxable × (1 + return × (1 − tax rate)) + contribution earnings = ending balance − total contributions
Contributions are capped by the IRS each year ($7,500 in 2026, plus $1,100 catch-up from age 50) and phase out above the income limits in IRS Publication 590-A; the calculator does not enforce the limits, so check the help text if you enter more.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026?
The IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500, with an additional $1,100 catch-up for people 50 and older, across all your traditional and Roth IRAs combined. Contributions are also limited to your earned income and phase out at higher incomes (IRS Notice 2025-67).
How is Roth IRA growth calculated?
The calculator compounds your balance once a year at the return you enter and adds your contribution at the end of each year: balance = balance × (1 + return) + contribution. Roth growth is never taxed when withdrawn in retirement after age 59½ and five years, so the ending balance is what you keep.
What does the taxable account comparison mean?
It applies the same contributions and return to an account where each year's growth is taxed at the rate you enter. The gap between the two is the value of the Roth's tax-free growth. Real taxable accounts are taxed on dividends and realized gains only, so the comparison is a simplification that slightly overstates the drag.
What return should I assume?
A diversified stock portfolio has returned roughly 7% a year after inflation over long periods, which is why 7% is the default. Use a lower number for a bond-heavy mix or to be conservative; the difference compounds enormously over 30 years, so try a range.
Are Roth IRA contributions tax-deductible?
No. You contribute after-tax money and pay no tax on qualified withdrawals. A traditional IRA is the reverse: deductible now, taxed later. The Roth tends to win when you expect a higher tax rate in retirement than today.
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Sources and updates
Figures are for tax year 2026 and were checked against the sources below on . Rates change every January; we review every data file at the start of each year and whenever a state announces a mid-year change.
- IRS, 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026; IRA limit rises to $7,500 (Notice 2025-67)
- IRS Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements
- Investor.gov (SEC), compound interest calculator and formula
This calculator gives estimates for information only and is not tax, legal or financial advice. Your employer's payroll system, local taxes, benefits and year-to-date wages can change the exact amounts on your pay stub. See how we calculate.