Free IRA calculator. Project IRA (Traditional or Roth) balance growth from annual contributions and expected annual returns, using 2026 IRS contribution limits.
An IRA calculator projects how your Individual Retirement Account balance grows over time from annual contributions and compound investment returns, applying the IRS annual contribution limit for the year.
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Projected balance at retirement
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IRA Calculator
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a tax-advantaged account designed specifically for retirement savings, available to anyone with earned income regardless of whether their employer offers a 401(k). The tax advantages — either an upfront deduction (Traditional) or tax-free withdrawals later (Roth) — make consistent IRA contributions one of the most effective ways to build long-term retirement wealth.
This calculator projects how a fixed annual contribution grows over time through compound returns, showing the difference between what you actually contribute and what compound growth adds on top by the time you reach retirement age.
Traditional vs. Roth
The core investment math is identical for both account types — the same contribution and return rate produce the same account balance over time. What differs entirely is the tax treatment: Traditional IRA contributions often reduce your taxable income now, but every dollar withdrawn in retirement is taxed as ordinary income, including all the growth.
Roth IRA contributions offer no upfront tax break, but qualified withdrawals in retirement — contributions and decades of investment growth alike — come out completely tax-free. Which is better generally depends on whether you expect your tax rate to be higher or lower in retirement than it is today.
Contribution Limits
IRA contribution limits are relatively modest compared to 401(k) limits, which means consistently maxing out your IRA every year has an outsized impact on long-term growth simply because you're starting that compounding process as early as possible in each tax year.
The catch-up contribution available at age 50 and older exists specifically to help people who started saving later, or want to accelerate savings as retirement approaches, contribute more without penalty. This calculator automatically applies the higher limit once your projected age reaches 50.
Limitations
This calculator assumes a constant annual contribution and a constant average annual return, which simplifies reality — actual market returns vary significantly year to year, and few people contribute the exact same amount every single year for decades.
It also doesn't account for potential future changes to IRS contribution limits (which are typically adjusted for inflation periodically), investment fees, or Roth income eligibility phase-outs, all of which can meaningfully affect the real-world outcome compared to this simplified projection.
Practical Use Cases
Planning your annual contribution
Seeing how consistently maxing out your IRA affects your projected retirement balance.
Comparing Traditional vs. Roth scenarios
Projecting the same growth path to inform your account type decision based on expected future tax rates.
Estimating retirement readiness
Seeing whether your current contribution pace puts you on track for a target retirement balance.
Deciding on catch-up contributions
Understanding the long-term impact of contributing the higher limit once you turn 50.
Setting a savings goal
Working backward from a target balance to figure out what annual contribution is needed.
Traditional IRA contributions are typically tax-deductible now, with withdrawals taxed as income in retirement. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, but qualified withdrawals in retirement — including all investment growth — are completely tax-free. This calculator projects balance growth the same way for both; the difference is in how withdrawals are taxed later.
For 2026, the IRS annual IRA contribution limit is $7,500 for those under 50, and $8,600 for those 50 and older (which includes a $1,100 catch-up contribution). This limit applies to your combined Traditional and Roth IRA contributions, not each account separately.
Yes — you can contribute to both an employer 401(k) and an IRA in the same year, though your Traditional IRA contribution's tax deductibility may be limited if you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan and your income exceeds certain thresholds. Roth IRA eligibility has its own separate income limits.
Historical long-term average annual returns for a diversified stock portfolio have been in the 7-10% range before inflation, though actual returns vary significantly year to year and aren't guaranteed. A conservative planning assumption (6-7%) is often used to avoid overestimating future balances.
No — this calculator assumes you're eligible to contribute the full amount you enter. Roth IRA eligibility phases out at higher income levels (adjusted gross income thresholds that change annually), so high earners should verify their eligibility before assuming they can contribute the full limit.