Traditional IRA Calculator
Project a traditional IRA balance, the tax saved on contributions today and the after tax value at retirement.
A traditional IRA gives you the tax break now. Contributions may be deductible, and the money grows untaxed until you withdraw it.
Withdrawals are then taxed as income. This calculator shows both sides of that deal.
How it works
The balance grows with monthly compounding. The tax saved today is your contributions times your current tax rate.
The after tax value applies your retirement tax rate to the whole balance.
The formula
Tax saved today = contributions x current tax rate.
Tips
- Traditional wins if your tax rate falls in retirement. Roth wins if it rises.
- Required minimum distributions start in your seventies. Plan for them.
Frequently asked questions
Are traditional IRA contributions always deductible?
No. If you or your spouse have a workplace plan, the deduction phases out above certain incomes.
Can I have both a traditional and a Roth IRA?
Yes, but the annual contribution limit is shared between them.
This is not financial advice. Nothing on this site is investment, tax, legal or financial advice of any kind.
The calculators give simplified estimates from the numbers you enter. They ignore taxes, fees, rate changes and real market returns, and they can be wrong.
Do not make financial decisions based on these results. Speak to a licensed financial adviser, accountant or lender before acting, and read the full disclaimer.