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Roth IRA Calculator
Project your Roth IRA balance and tax-free growth using 2026 contribution limits and phase-out rules.
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Projected Roth IRA Balance
Tax-Free Growth
Total Contributions
Effective Annual Contribution
Roth IRA projections are estimates based on constant returns and 2026 IRS limits. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Calculated in your browser. We never see your numbers.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your current age and target retirement age, then provide your current Roth IRA balance and how much you plan to contribute annually (up to the 2026 IRS limit). Set your expected average annual return — 7% is a common long-term estimate for a diversified portfolio. Select your filing status and enter your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Click Calculate to see your projected balance, total tax-free growth, and effective contribution after phase-out rules are applied.
Roth IRA Growth Formula
The projected balance uses the future value of a growing annuity formula: FV = B × (1 + r)^n + (C/12) × ((1 + r)^n − 1) / r, where B is your current balance, r is the monthly return (annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100), n is total months until retirement, and C is your effective annual contribution after phase-out. For example, starting with $10,000 at age 35, contributing $7,000/year at 7% return until age 65 yields approximately $878,000 — the vast majority of which is tax-free growth.
Example Calculation
Suppose you are 35 years old, retiring at 65, with $10,000 in your Roth IRA. You contribute $7,000/year (the 2026 limit for under-50), earn 7% annually, file as single, and have a MAGI of $120,000 (below the phase-out). After 30 years, your projected Roth IRA balance would be approximately $878,000. Your total contributions over 30 years would be $210,000, meaning roughly $668,000 of pure tax-free growth — money you will never owe taxes on in retirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings account funded with after-tax dollars. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but qualified withdrawals in retirement — including all growth — are completely tax-free. This makes a Roth IRA especially powerful for younger investors who expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement.
What is the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limit?
For 2026, the Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,000 per year for individuals under age 50. Those aged 50 and older can contribute up to $8,000 per year thanks to the $1,000 catch-up contribution. These limits apply per person, not per account, and cannot exceed your earned income for the year.
What is the difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA?
The key difference is when you pay taxes. With a Traditional IRA, contributions may be tax-deductible now and withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. With a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars but all qualified withdrawals — including decades of growth — are completely tax-free. Roth IRAs also have no required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the owner's lifetime, offering greater flexibility.
What is a backdoor Roth IRA?
A backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy for high-income earners who exceed the MAGI phase-out limits for direct Roth IRA contributions. It involves making a non-deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA and then immediately converting it to a Roth IRA. While technically allowed under IRS rules, consult a tax advisor to ensure you avoid the pro-rata rule, which can make the conversion partially taxable if you hold other pre-tax IRA funds.
Who is eligible for a Roth IRA in 2026?
To contribute to a Roth IRA in 2026, you must have earned income and your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) must be below the phase-out limits. For single filers, contributions phase out between $150,000 and $165,000. For married filing jointly, the phase-out range is $236,000 to $246,000. Above these limits, direct Roth IRA contributions are not allowed — but the backdoor Roth strategy may still be an option.
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