Roth IRA Calculator
Free Roth IRA calculator with MAGI phase-out, age-50 catch-up, and side-by-side Roth vs Traditional vs Taxable account comparison with Excel export.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Roth IRA contribution limit in 2026?
The IRS Roth IRA contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500, plus a $1,100 catch-up contribution for savers age 50 and older, for a max of $8,600. Contributions are further limited or eliminated once your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds the phase-out threshold for your filing status.
What is the Roth IRA MAGI phase-out for 2026?
For 2026: Single and Head of Household phase out from $153,000 to $168,000; Married Filing Jointly phases out from $242,000 to $252,000; Married Filing Separately phases out from $0 to $10,000. Inside the band, your allowed contribution is reduced pro-rata. Above the ceiling, you cannot contribute directly — consider a backdoor Roth conversion.
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA — which is better?
The rule of thumb: Roth wins if your tax rate in retirement will be equal to or higher than today's; Traditional wins if it will be lower. This calculator does the math for you on an equal after-tax cost basis — meaning Traditional gets a larger pre-tax deposit to reflect the current tax deduction. Roth also wins on flexibility: no required minimum distributions during your lifetime, tax-free inheritance, and contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free at any age.
What is a backdoor Roth IRA?
A backdoor Roth is a workaround for high earners above the MAGI phase-out ceiling. You contribute to a nondeductible Traditional IRA (no income limit for nondeductible contributions), then convert it to a Roth IRA. The conversion is generally tax-free if you have no other pre-tax IRA balances (otherwise the pro-rata rule applies). This calculator does not model the conversion itself, but flags when your MAGI makes it necessary.
Are Roth IRA earnings taxed?
No, qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are 100% tax-free — both your contributions and all investment earnings. To qualify, the account must be open at least 5 years and you must be 59½ or older (with some exceptions for first-home purchase up to $10k, disability, and death). Non-qualified early withdrawals of earnings trigger income tax plus a 10% penalty.
How does the taxable brokerage account compare?
A taxable brokerage account grows more slowly than a Roth because you owe tax on dividends, interest, and realized capital gains every year. This calculator uses your retirement marginal rate as a conservative annual tax drag on returns — a proxy for the mix of qualified dividends and periodic capital gains realization over long horizons. Actual outcomes depend on turnover, tax-loss harvesting, and step-up-at-death treatment.