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IRA & Roth limits (2026)

IRA Calculator: Roth vs. Traditional Comparison

Projects Roth and Traditional IRA balances to your retirement age with the same contribution and return on both sides, then taxes the Traditional total at your retirement rate. Enforces 2026 caps ($7,500, or $8,600 at 50+), Roth MAGI phase-outs, and Traditional deductibility when workplace-covered. Deduction savings are shown separately—not reinvested. Federal illustrative model; not tax advice.

By Jeff Beem

Updated

01

Personal profile

For catch-up eligibility

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For phase-out calculations

Affects Traditional IRA deductibility

02

IRA type

"Help Me Choose" will compare both options

03

Contributions & growth

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2026 Max: $7,500 (Under 50)

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%
04

2026 tax lens

%

Your tax bracket today

%

Projected bracket in retirement

0%15%50%

Adjust to see how tax bracket affects your choice

Balance at age 65 (illustrative)Eligible for full contribution
Roth IRA
$758.0K
Tax-free withdrawal
Higher after-tax outcome
Traditional IRA
$644.3K
After tax at withdrawal
Comparison
Roth IRA

Roth wins due to tax-free growth advantage

After-tax advantage: $113.7K
Annual tax savings (deduction)$1.6K

Roth vs. traditional balance over time

$758,048 $606,438 $454,829 $303,219 $151,610 $0 Age 35 Age 45 Age 55 Age 65 Age Roth (tax-free)Traditional (after tax)

How to use this calculator

Fill sections 01–04, then read the Roth and Traditional columns at your retirement age and the chart below the form. Help Me Choose keeps both columns visible; Roth or Traditional focuses the eligibility chip. The contribution field caps at the age-based IRS max only; it does not auto-reduce for Roth phase-out inside the range.

Reading the Roth vs Traditional comparison panel

The dark card shows tax-free Roth balance next to Traditional after your retirement tax rate. Eligibility chips reflect MAGI, filing status, and the workplace-plan checkbox.

Example: age 35, $7,500/yr, retire at 65

By default: single, MAGI $75,000, not workplace-covered, $7,500/yr, $0 balance, 7% return, current tax 22%, retirement tax 15%. At age 65 the panel reads about $758.0K Roth (tax-free) and $644.3K Traditional after tax (~$114K gap). Annual deduction savings line: $1,650. Chip: eligible for full Roth and full Traditional deduction.

Retirement tax slider (section 04)

Traditional = compounded balance × (1 − retirement rate); Roth ignores withdrawal tax. Move the slider to stress-test the Traditional column—the green Roth line on the chart does not move with retirement tax.

Phase-out and Backdoor chips

Raise MAGI or check workplace coverage to change the chip (full, phase-out, ineligible, or Backdoor note). Roth and Traditional use different MAGI bands. The contribution field caps at the age-based IRS max only—it does not auto-reduce to the Roth phase-out allowance; lower the dollar amount yourself if you are in the range.

IRA calculator: Roth vs Traditional comparison

Federal illustrative model with 2026 caps and MAGI phase-outs. Deduction savings are not reinvested. Not tax advice.

What this calculator does

Side-by-side Roth and Traditional IRA projections to a target retirement age, with 2026 contribution caps, Roth and Traditional eligibility chips, optional Backdoor Roth callout, and a growth chart. Inputs live in sections 01–04 of the form.

How the math works

Each year:
Bt+1=(Bt+C)×(1+r)B_{t+1} = (B_t + C) \times (1 + r)
Roth retirement value = final balance. Traditional retirement value = same balance × (1 − retirement tax rate). Annual deduction savings = deductible amount × current marginal rate, shown separately and not compounded.

Limits of the comparison

Equal nominal contributions on both sides (Roth is not reduced for tax paid out of pocket). No state tax, RMDs, spousal IRA rules, or Backdoor pro-rata conversion math. Real decisions also depend on reinvesting Traditional tax savings and future bracket changes. Confirm limits with IRS publications linked below or a tax preparer.

IRA Calculator FAQ

What are the 2026 IRA contribution limits on this page?

The widget caps contributions at $7,500 under age 50 and $8,600 at age 50+ (an extra $1,100 catch-up). That limit is combined across all IRAs—you cannot fund $7,500 in Roth and another $7,500 in Traditional in the same year.

How does the Roth MAGI phase-out work here?

For 2026 the tool uses IRS ranges: single $153,000–$168,000, married filing jointly $242,000–$257,000, married filing separately (lived with spouse) $0–$10,000. Below the range: full contribution chip. Inside: phase-out chip (reduce contribution manually—the field still caps only at the age-based IRS max). Above: ineligible chip and Backdoor Roth note.

When is my Traditional IRA contribution deductible in the widget?

Uncheck “covered by a workplace plan” and the full contribution is deductible at any MAGI. When covered, deductibility phases out: single $81,000–$96,000, married filing jointly $129,000–$144,000 (2026). Partial deductions show a phase-out chip; $0 deduction triggers the Backdoor Roth callout.

Why does Roth usually show higher on the results card?

Both sides compound the same nominal contribution. Roth stays tax-free at withdrawal; Traditional is multiplied by (1 − retirement tax rate). At any positive retirement rate, Roth’s headline balance is at least as high. The Traditional annual tax savings (deduction) line is separate—it is not reinvested into the balance.

Does SECURE 2.0 “Super Catch-Up” apply to IRAs?

No. The $11,250 super catch-up for ages 60–63 applies to workplace plans (401(k), 403(b)), not IRAs. IRA catch-up here stays $1,100 on top of the $7,500 base for age 50+.

How is this different from the Roth IRA Calculator?

This page compares Roth vs Traditional side-by-side with deductibility and the retirement tax slider. The Roth IRA Calculator focuses on Roth eligibility and Roth vs taxable account growth—not Traditional deductibility.

Sources & citations

References used for the calculation method and definitions. Links open in a new tab when available.

[1]
IRS – Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)

Overview of Traditional and Roth IRAs with links to current-year limits.

[2]
IRS – Retirement topics: IRA contribution limits

Annual IRA contribution limits and Roth income phase-outs.

[3]
IRS – IRA Deduction Limits

Traditional IRA deductibility when covered by a workplace retirement plan.

Financial Estimation Note

General Projections: Results are mathematical estimates based on the rates and formulas currently loaded for this tool, including year-specific tax data where noted. They are intended for high-level planning only.

No Advice Provided: This site does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. Using this tool does not create a client-advisor relationship with CalcRegistry.

Confirm Numbers: Financial laws change frequently. Please verify all results with a qualified professional (CPA, Financial Planner, or Lawyer) before making significant financial decisions.

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