Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA calculator
Compare Traditional vs Roth IRA outcomes with taxes, growth, and retirement income estimates. Explore which option may fit your scenario (not tax advice).
Compare two IRA types with the same contributions and returns — simplified tax view.
Your IRA estimate
Your IRA is one piece of your retirement plan
You are here. Five more steps bring every piece together to answer the bigger question: will your money last as long as you do?
Your IRA is one piece of your retirement plan
Your IRAPieces still to add
- Current age → retirement
- Income
- Annual contribution
Your retirement plan will also answer
- When can I and my spouse retire?
- How much should I save?
- When should I claim Social Security?
- Should I do Roth conversions?
- How much can I safely withdraw?
- Should I pay off debt first?
- Would my plan weather market ups and downs?
How it works · Your path to a full Finance plan
IRA
You are hereTraditional IRA
Income
Current income plus Social Security, pensions and annuities
Expenses
Day-to-day living, healthcare premiums and planned future costs
Assets
Homes, properties, investments and savings
Non-mortgage debts
Car loans, credit cards and other balances
Annual savings and review
Confirm yearly savings, then see your full plan
Interpretation
Understand your results
Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.
Interpretation
Understand your results
Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.
Based on your 22% current rate vs 18% retirement rate, Traditional IRA produces $14,636 more in after-tax retirement wealth. In today's purchasing power, that's $6,030.
Your first-year tax savings from a Traditional contribution: $1,650. Your allowed Roth contribution at your income level: $7,500/yr.
Methodology
How this calculator works
The rules and math behind this estimate.
Methodology
How this calculator works
The rules and math behind this estimate.
Traditional IRA: contributions grow pre-tax each year. At retirement, the balance is taxed at your retirement rate. Tax savings from deductions are assumed to be reinvested in a taxable account, growing at the same return.
Roth IRA: eligible contributions grow after-tax. No tax is applied at withdrawal. Roth contributions phase out based on your modified adjusted gross income and 2026 IRS limits.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.
Traditional or Roth IRA — which is better?
If you expect higher taxes in retirement, Roth often helps. If you expect lower taxes later, Traditional may help more. Splitting between both reduces guesswork.
What are IRA limits?
IRS sets yearly caps that change over time. Check irs.gov or a tax pro for this year's limit and catch-up amounts if you're 50+.
Can high earners use a Roth?
Direct Roth contributions phase out at higher incomes. Some people use a backdoor Roth — ask a tax advisor if that fits you.
Do Roth IRAs have required withdrawals?
Not for the original owner during life. Traditional IRAs do have required withdrawals at certain ages. Inherited accounts have their own rules.
Retirement is more than your money
Your retirement plan is one of five pillars Retirelens helps you plan.
Finance
Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.
Health
Stay on top of coverage, care and habits that keep you well.
Purpose
Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.
Connections
Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.
Legacy
Organize what matters and document so your family isn't left guessing.