Traditional vs Roth IRA Calculator - Compare After Tax Retirement Savings
Compare Traditional and Roth IRA outcomes by age, contribution, return, and tax rate.
Tool Interface
Traditional IRA
Roth IRA
Comparison uses equal yearly effort: the Traditional deposit is the full before tax amount, while the Roth deposit is what is left after paying today tax rate on the same amount. That is why the Roth yearly deposit looks smaller. Traditional withdrawals are taxed in retirement; qualified Roth withdrawals are tax free. Estimates only, not tax advice.
Required withdrawals: Traditional IRAs require minimum withdrawals starting at age 73, or age 75 if born in 1960 or later. Roth IRAs have no required withdrawals for the owner. IRS yearly limits apply to what you can deposit (for 2026: 7500, or 8600 if age 50 or older). Check the IRS limit for the year you contribute.
How to use
- Enter your ages. Current age and the age you plan to retire set the number of saving years.
- Enter what you can set aside. Use the before tax yearly amount, plus anything already saved.
- Enter your tax rates. Your rate now and the rate you expect in retirement drive the whole result.
- Press Compare. Read the verdict, then the two cards, to see which account leaves you more after tax.
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About This Tool
About This Tool
The Traditional vs Roth IRA Calculator compares the two accounts side by side on one fair basis: the same yearly effort before tax. Enter your ages, what you can set aside each year, your tax rate now and in retirement, and an expected yearly return. The calculator shows each account yearly deposit, balance at retirement, tax at withdrawal, and after tax value, plus a verdict on which account leaves you more.
Key Features
- Fair equal effort comparison: Traditional gets the full before tax amount, Roth gets what is left after today tax rate
- After tax verdict: Roth wins, Traditional wins, or an exact tie when rates match
- Tax at withdrawal shown for Traditional, zero for qualified Roth withdrawals
- Starting balance included, so existing savings count in both scenarios
- Required withdrawal note: Traditional minimum withdrawals from age 73, or 75 if born in 1960 or later; Roth has none for the owner
- Private in your browser: no signup, no upload, nothing stored
How to Use
- Enter your current age and retirement age to set the saving years.
- Enter the amount you can set aside each year before tax, plus anything already saved.
- Enter your tax rate now and the rate you expect in retirement.
- Press Compare and read the verdict, then the two cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Roth yearly deposit look smaller than the Traditional deposit?
Because the comparison uses equal yearly effort before tax. A Traditional deposit goes in before tax, so the full amount lands in the account. A Roth deposit is made with after tax money, so what lands in the account is the set aside amount minus today tax rate. Showing both deposits keeps the comparison honest.
What happens if my tax rate is the same now and in retirement?
It is a tie. With equal rates, paying tax now (Roth) and paying tax later (Traditional) leave you the same after tax amount. The difference appears only when your retirement rate differs from today.
When does the Traditional IRA win?
When your retirement tax rate is lower than your rate today. You defer tax from high rate years to low rate years, and the saving beats the Roth.
When does the Roth IRA win?
When your retirement tax rate is higher than your rate today. You pay tax cheaply now and withdraw tax free later. The Roth also has no required withdrawals for the owner.
Does the calculator include IRA contribution limits?
No. IRS yearly limits apply to what you can deposit (for 2026: 7500, or 8600 if age 50 or older). If your set aside amount is above the limit for your year, lower it before relying on the result.
Is this tax advice?
No. The results are estimates based on the numbers you enter and a steady yearly return. Real returns vary, and tax law changes. Talk to a tax professional for decisions about your own accounts.
How is this different from the Roth IRA Calculator on Trencada?
The Roth IRA Calculator projects one Roth account alone. This tool compares Traditional and Roth side by side, so you can see which account leaves you more after tax for your own rates.