See the actual after-tax balance difference based on your specific tax rates and timeline.
Retirement Planning
Roth vs Traditional IRA comparison that shows the real difference.
Model annual contributions, current and retirement tax rates, expected returns, and existing balances to see which IRA type produces more after-tax wealth at retirement.
Direct answerA Roth vs Traditional IRA calculator compares after-tax retirement balances by applying different tax treatment to contributions and withdrawals, showing which account type produces more spendable income based on your specific tax rates and timeline.
Browser-first workflowAfter-tax comparisonRMD impact included
1. Enter your details
CalculatorEnter contribution amount, current and retirement tax rates, and expected return to compare Roth and Traditional IRA outcomes.
Enter your retirement assumptions or load a sample scenario to compare IRA types.
Live Tool
Roth vs Traditional IRA Calculator in the browser
Enter your assumptions and compare both IRA types side by side.
Privacy-first workflow
This page runs in the browser. No financial data is sent to any server.
What this IRA comparison solves
The Roth vs Traditional decision depends on tax rates now versus retirement. This calculator quantifies the difference instead of relying on rules of thumb.
Traditional IRAs force withdrawals at 73 that can push you into higher brackets. Roth IRAs have no RMDs.
Include current Traditional and Roth balances to see the total projected retirement picture.
Key signals
After-tax balance comparison, tax savings, and breakeven rate analysis.
Decision support
Guidance on which IRA type to prioritize given your inputs.
Detailed breakdown
Year-by-year growth, tax impact, and final after-tax comparison.
Converts both account types to after-tax dollars so the comparison is apples-to-apples.
See how different retirement tax rates change which account type wins.
Include current Traditional and Roth balances for a complete projection.
Projects growth over your full accumulation period with annual compounding.
Guide Below The Tool
How to use the Roth vs Traditional IRA calculator well
Key concepts, practical steps, and decision guidance for retirement account selection.
A Roth vs Traditional IRA calculator compares the after-tax retirement value of each account type by applying different tax treatment to contributions and withdrawals over your accumulation period.
Anyone deciding between Roth and Traditional IRA contributions, financial advisors modeling client scenarios, and retirement planners evaluating tax diversification strategies.
The relationship between your current marginal tax rate and your expected retirement tax rate is the single biggest driver. Time horizon and contribution amount amplify the difference.
Workflow
Four practical steps
Use this calculator during open enrollment, when changing jobs, or during annual financial planning reviews.
1
Enter your annual contribution amount.Use the maximum allowed ($7,000 in 2024, $8,000 if 50+) or your planned contribution.
2
Set your current and retirement tax rates.Your current marginal rate is on your tax return. Estimate retirement rate based on expected income sources.
3
Enter ages and expected return.The gap between current age and retirement age determines the compounding period. Use 6-8% for a diversified portfolio.
4
Compare the after-tax outcomes.The calculator shows which account type produces more after-tax wealth. Use this to guide your contribution decision.
Review Checklist
What to validate first
Key assumptions that affect the Roth vs Traditional comparison most.
Your marginal rate (not effective rate) determines the tax cost of Roth contributions and the tax savings of Traditional contributions.
Consider Social Security income, pension, RMDs, and other retirement income when estimating your future tax bracket.
Higher returns amplify the difference between account types. Use conservative estimates for planning.
Required minimum distributions starting at age 73 force taxable withdrawals that can push you into higher brackets.
Direct Roth IRA contributions phase out at higher incomes ($161,000-$176,000 for single filers in 2024).
Having both Roth and Traditional balances gives flexibility to manage taxable income in retirement.
Why This Page Exists
Built to quantify the Roth vs Traditional decision instead of relying on rules of thumb
Most advice says "Roth if you expect higher taxes later." This calculator puts actual numbers behind that guidance so you can see the dollar difference.
See the actual after-tax balance difference, not just a general recommendation.
Model different retirement tax scenarios to understand where the breakeven point lies.
Ledger Summit can build retirement planning tools for advisors. This page delivers value for individuals right now.
FAQ
Roth vs Traditional IRA questions, answered directly
Short answers for searchers and answer engines.
Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible now but withdrawals are taxed. Roth IRA contributions are after-tax but qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free.
A Roth IRA typically wins when you expect your tax rate in retirement to be equal to or higher than your current rate, especially for younger workers with decades of tax-free growth ahead.
For 2024, the annual IRA contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). This limit is shared across all your Traditional and Roth IRA accounts combined.
Yes. Traditional IRA owners must start taking RMDs at age 73. Roth IRAs have no RMDs during the owner's lifetime.
No. All projections run in your browser. No financial data is uploaded.
Next Step
Need retirement planning tools for your advisory practice?
Use the free calculator for personal planning. If you need client-facing retirement projections or practice management tools, Ledger Summit can build the next layer.
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