Roth vs Traditional IRA Calculator: Which Wins for You?
Compare the after-tax retirement value of a Roth and a Traditional IRA based on your tax rates, with a 2026 eligibility check. Free and private.
Last updated: June 2026
The trade-off: a Traditional IRA deducts your contribution now and taxes withdrawals later; a Roth IRA taxes nothing on the way out. The right pick depends on whether your tax rate is higher now or in retirement.
2026 max: $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+). IRS Notice 2025-67, Nov 2025.
After-tax value at retirement
- Roth IRA
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- Traditional IRA
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- Years invested
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Roth eligibility
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Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions at age 73; Roth IRAs have none during your lifetime.
Pay tax now, or pay tax later
The Roth versus Traditional IRA question comes down to one thing: when do you want to pay the tax? This Roth vs Traditional IRA calculator projects the after-tax value of each at retirement and tells you which comes out ahead for your situation.
The model is fair to both. The Roth grows tax-free, so its full balance is yours. The Traditional is taxed at your retirement rate, but it also gives you a deduction today, and the calculator credits that upfront saving as if reinvested. The result is the clean rule that Roth wins when your retirement tax rate is at or above your current rate, and Traditional wins when it is lower.
There is also an eligibility gate. Roth contributions phase out at higher incomes, so the tool checks your income against the 2026 phase-out range for your filing status. If you are above it, a Traditional IRA or a backdoor Roth may be the route. To round out your retirement plan, use the 401k calculator, the US paycheck calculator and the retirement calculator.
Disclaimer: IRA deductibility and Roth eligibility depend on income and workplace plan coverage. This is a simplified estimate, not financial advice. See IRS Publication 590-A/590-B or consult an adviser. Full disclaimer.
How it works
Three quick steps โ no account, nothing uploaded to a server.
Enter your details
Add your age, contribution and expected return.
Set your tax rates
Enter your current and expected retirement tax rates.
See the winner
Compare after-tax value and check your Roth eligibility.
Rates and rules on this page are verified against IRS retirement plans guidance. Last checked July 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (a $1,100 catch-up), per IRS Notice 2025-67. This limit is combined across all your IRAs, Traditional and Roth together. You need earned income at least equal to your contribution, and Roth contributions phase out at higher incomes.
What is the difference between a Roth and Traditional IRA?
A Traditional IRA gives you a tax deduction now (if eligible) and taxes withdrawals in retirement. A Roth IRA gives no deduction now but grows tax-free, so qualified withdrawals are never taxed. The best choice depends on whether your tax rate is higher today or expected to be higher in retirement.
When does Roth beat Traditional?
As a rule of thumb, Roth wins when your tax rate in retirement is at or above your current rate, because you lock in today's lower rate by paying tax now. Traditional wins when you expect a lower rate in retirement. This calculator applies that logic and credits the Traditional account for reinvesting its upfront tax saving.
What are the Roth IRA income limits for 2026?
For 2026, Roth IRA contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single filers, and between $242,000 and $252,000 for married filing jointly. Above the upper figure you cannot contribute directly, though a backdoor Roth may be possible. Enter your income to see where you fall.
Do IRAs have required minimum distributions?
Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions starting at age 73, which are taxed as income. Roth IRAs have no required distributions during the original owner's lifetime, so the money can keep growing tax-free for as long as you like, which is a meaningful advantage for estate planning.
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