Roth IRA Calculator

See your tax-free retirement balance

A Roth IRA is one of the most powerful retirement accounts available: you invest after-tax dollars, and every dollar of growth comes out tax-free in retirement. Enter your current balance, annual contribution, expected return, and ages — the calculator projects your balance at retirement and shows how much of it is pure investment growth.

Why tax-free growth is such a big deal

In a regular taxable brokerage account you owe capital-gains tax on your profits. In a Roth, that tax disappears — over decades of compounding, sheltering the growth can save tens of thousands of dollars. The calculator estimates the long-term capital-gains tax you'd otherwise pay so you can see the Roth advantage.

How to get the most from it

• Contribute early in the year so your money has more time to compound.
• Automate contributions and aim for the annual limit if you can.
• Pair it with the math behind compound interest, and compare it with a traditional IRA to pick the right account for your tax situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a Roth IRA taxed?

You contribute money you have already paid tax on, so it grows and is withdrawn in retirement completely tax-free (after age 59½ and a 5-year holding period). That is the opposite of a traditional IRA, where you get the deduction now and pay tax on withdrawals later.

What is the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit?

For 2026 the limit is $7,000, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older. High earners may be limited or phased out based on income — check the current IRS income limits before maxing out.

What return rate should I assume?

Roth IRAs are usually invested in stock-market funds for the long run. Many people model 6–8% as a rough long-term average (not guaranteed). Use a conservative figure so your projection is not over-optimistic.