Formula Used
Contribution eligibility
Age-based limit = base IRA limit + eligible age-50 catch-up.
Income-reduced limit = age-based limit × (phase-out end − MAGI) ÷ phase-out width.
Available Roth amount = minimum of the income-reduced limit and remaining combined IRA capacity.
Remaining room = available Roth amount − Roth contributions already made.
Growth projection
The calculator adds each scheduled contribution at the beginning or end of its period, applies an equivalent periodic return, deducts periodic fees, and repeats through retirement.
Periodic return = (1 + annual return)^(1 ÷ periods) − 1
Real balance = nominal balance ÷ (1 + inflation)^years
Goal estimate
Income target balance = desired monthly income × 12 ÷ withdrawal rate
A binary search solves for the first-year annual contribution that reaches the larger target.
Conversion estimate
Pretax ratio = (aggregate IRA value − nondeductible basis) ÷ aggregate IRA value
Taxable conversion = conversion amount × pretax ratio
Estimated conversion tax = taxable conversion × entered current tax rate
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the contribution tax year and enter age, filing status, MAGI, and taxable compensation.
- Add Traditional IRA contributions and Roth contributions already made during the same tax year.
- Use spousal compensation only when eligible joint-return rules apply to your situation.
- Enter the current Roth balance, planned contribution, return, fees, inflation, and retirement age.
- Set a desired retirement balance or monthly income target for goal analysis.
- Enter current and retirement tax rates for the Roth-versus-Traditional comparison.
- Complete the withdrawal section when distribution ordering or possible taxes need estimating.
- Use the excess section to screen contributions that might require correction.
- Use the conversion section to estimate pro-rata taxable and nontaxable amounts.
- Choose variability settings, calculate, and review every warning before using results.
- Download CSV reports or use printing to save the result page as PDF.
Example Scenarios
| Scenario | Age | Filing status | MAGI | Compensation | Planning focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full eligibility example | 35 | Single | $90,000 | $85,000 | Maximum contribution and long-term growth |
| Phase-out example | 42 | Single | $160,000 | $170,000 | Reduced direct Roth contribution |
| Catch-up example | 53 | Married filing jointly | $180,000 | $120,000 | Age-50 catch-up contribution |
| Spousal IRA example | 38 | Married filing jointly | $110,000 | $0 | Eligible spouse compensation |
| Conversion example | 48 | Head of household | $125,000 | $140,000 | Pro-rata conversion estimate |
Understanding Roth IRA Planning
Start with eligibility before projecting growth
A Roth IRA projection is useful only when its contribution estimate is realistic. Begin with the tax year, filing status, modified adjusted gross income, age, and eligible compensation. The annual IRA limit applies across Traditional and Roth IRAs combined. Income can reduce the direct Roth amount even when compensation is sufficient. Limited compensation may also create a lower ceiling regardless of income phase-outs. Joint filers may sometimes use eligible spousal compensation, but the couple’s combined deposits remain limited by qualifying compensation.
Separate current limits from future assumptions
Current limits are known, while future limits are uncertain. This calculator lets you estimate future limit growth and optionally cap planned contributions against that estimate. Treat this setting as a scenario rather than a promise. Check actual eligibility every tax year before contributing. Deposits to a Traditional IRA reduce remaining combined IRA room. Workplace plans, including designated Roth accounts, generally have separate contribution limits, although they affect the broader retirement and tax picture.
Use ranges instead of one perfect forecast
Long-term balances react strongly to investment returns, fees, timing, and years invested. A two-point return difference can create a substantial retirement-value difference. The variability simulation adds perspective by sampling changing annual results. Its percentiles are not guarantees or probabilities for a particular portfolio. They show how identical average assumptions can produce very different ending balances when yearly returns vary. Comparing conservative, entered, and optimistic cases is more informative than relying on one forecast.
Compare account choices after tax
Roth contributions use after-tax money, while a deductible Traditional contribution can create present tax savings. A fair comparison states whether equal account contributions or equal out-of-pocket costs are being modeled. It also decides whether tax savings are spent or invested. Retirement tax rates matter because Traditional withdrawals may be taxable. Qualified Roth distributions can be tax-free, but eligibility and distribution requirements still apply. Future laws, state treatment, deductions, credits, taxable-account drag, and investment expenses can alter the outcome.
Maintain withdrawal and conversion records
Roth withdrawals generally follow ordering rules. Regular contributions are treated first, conversion principal follows, and earnings come last. Conversion amounts may carry separate five-year considerations. Qualified earnings commonly require an account five-year period plus an eligible condition. Some exceptions can remove an additional tax without making earnings tax-free. Accurate basis, conversion dates, previous withdrawals, and supporting documents are therefore essential for estimates and tax reporting.
Review excess contributions promptly
Excess contributions can result from high income, limited compensation, combined IRA deposits, or overlooked prior transactions. A six-percent excise tax may continue while an excess remains. Correction methods and deadlines can depend on timing, related earnings, recharacterizations, and return filings. Use this calculator as an early warning, then verify the correction under current instructions. Strong Roth planning combines annual eligibility checks, realistic investment ranges, reliable records, coordinated tax planning, and regular progress reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does a Roth IRA have a maximum contribution age?
No maximum age is modeled. Eligible taxable compensation and all other contribution restrictions still apply.
2. Do Roth and Traditional IRAs share one limit?
Yes. The calculator subtracts entered Traditional IRA contributions when estimating remaining Roth capacity.
3. What happens inside the MAGI phase-out range?
The direct Roth limit is reduced using the chosen tax-year range and filing status.
4. Can a nonworking spouse contribute?
An eligible jointly filing couple may use joint compensation. The calculator includes spouse compensation and spouse contribution fields.
5. Are projected returns guaranteed?
No. Fixed-return, scenario, and variability outputs are illustrations based entirely on entered assumptions.
6. Why show an inflation-adjusted balance?
It expresses the future balance in approximate current purchasing-power terms using the entered inflation rate.
7. Are Roth IRA contributions deductible?
They are generally not deductible. The comparison treats Roth deposits as after-tax contributions.
8. Can regular contributions be withdrawn tax-free?
Regular contribution basis is generally ordered before conversions and earnings. Records must support the basis amount.
9. Are all Roth five-year rules identical?
No. Qualified distributions and conversion recapture considerations can use distinct five-year measurements.
10. Does a conversion use the contribution limit?
A conversion differs from a regular contribution. This page estimates conversions in a separate section.
11. Does the original owner have lifetime RMDs?
The original Roth IRA owner generally has no lifetime required minimum distributions. Beneficiary rules can differ.
Tax-Year Reference Used by This Calculator
| Tax year | Base IRA limit | Age-50 total | Single/head phase-out | Joint phase-out | MFS lived together |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,000 | $8,000 | $146,000–$161,000 | $230,000–$240,000 | $0–$10,000 |
| 2025 | $7,000 | $8,000 | $150,000–$165,000 | $236,000–$246,000 | $0–$10,000 |
| 2026 | $7,500 | $8,600 | $153,000–$168,000 | $242,000–$252,000 | $0–$10,000 |
Verify current IRS publications before acting. Limits, phase-outs, deadlines, and distribution rules can change.