Roth IRA Calculator
Project a Roth IRA to retirement age with growing contributions and monthly or year-end timing.
Content updated August 2, 2026
| Age | Contribution | Growth | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | $6,000.00 | $1,590.15 | $27,590.15 |
| 35 | $6,494.59 | $4,019.99 | $65,002.62 |
| 40 | $7,170.56 | $8,376.64 | $131,967.08 |
| 45 | $7,916.87 | $14,772.08 | $230,134.43 |
| 50 | $8,740.87 | $24,056.70 | $372,507.42 |
| 55 | $9,650.62 | $37,426.29 | $577,369.04 |
| 60 | $10,655.07 | $56,561.43 | $870,412.95 |
| 65 | $11,764.06 | $83,822.96 | $1,287,731.87 |
Projection only. It does not test taxable compensation, modified AGI, filing status, combined IRA contributions, current IRS limits, fees, inflation, taxes, withdrawals, or investment losses.
A Roth IRA projection combines the amount already invested with future contributions and modeled investment growth. This calculator uses current and retirement ages to set the horizon, then shows selected age milestones rather than only one distant total.
Annual contributions can increase by a fixed percentage each year. Choose whether each year's amount is spread evenly across end-of-month deposits or added once at year end to see how deposit timing changes time in the market.
The Roth IRA formula
Monthly: Bₘ = Bₘ₋₁(1+i) + Cᵧ/12; Year-end: Bᵧ = Bᵧ₋₁(1+R) + CᵧR = entered effective annual return · i = (1+R)^(1/12)−1 · Cᵧ = annual contribution after any modeled yearly increase · horizon = retirement age − current age.
Worked example
From age 30 to 65, a $20,000 starting balance, $6,000 first-year contribution growing 2% annually, 7% annual return, and end-of-month deposits produce a modeled balance of about $1,287,731.87. New contributions total about $299,966.87 in this scenario.
Assumptions, rounding, and limitations
Assumptions
- Current and retirement ages are whole years and the projection contains complete 12-month years.
- The annual return is an effective constant rate converted to an equivalent monthly rate.
- The contribution grows once per year and is deposited either evenly at month ends or once at year end.
- All balance and contribution amounts use the selected currency unit.
Rounding: The projection retains floating-point precision through monthly compounding and annual contribution changes. Currency displays use up to two decimal places.
Limitations
- Supports retirement ages through 120, projection horizons up to 100 years, amounts up to 1 trillion, and non-negative return and contribution-growth rates up to 100%.
- Does not enforce current or future IRA limits, test taxable compensation or MAGI eligibility, combine traditional and Roth IRA contributions, or calculate taxes and penalties.
- Excludes fees, inflation, investment losses, conversions, rollovers, withdrawals, required distribution rules, and contribution dates within each modeled month or year.
Sources
- Topic no. 309, Roth IRA contributions — Internal Revenue Service
- Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements — Internal Revenue Service
- COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions — Internal Revenue Service
Monthly contributions versus one year-end deposit
The entered annual return is converted to an equivalent monthly rate. With monthly timing, one-twelfth of that year's contribution is added after each monthly growth period. With year-end timing, the existing balance grows for the year before the complete contribution is added.
Earlier deposits generally have more time to compound in a positive-return scenario. Real investment returns are uneven, however, so the difference shown here is a model outcome rather than a guaranteed advantage.
Eligibility and annual limits remain separate
The IRS states that Roth IRA contributions depend on taxable compensation and modified adjusted gross income, with the permitted amount also affected by filing status and contributions to other IRAs. Dollar limits can change by year.
Because this calculator does not collect a tax return or complete IRA history, it does not decide whether the entered contribution is allowed. Confirm every year's planned amount against current IRS guidance or qualified tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
▶Does this calculator check Roth IRA income eligibility?
No. It does not calculate modified adjusted gross income or filing-status phaseouts. The entered contribution must be checked separately against current IRS rules.
▶Why does contribution timing change the result?
In a positive-return model, money deposited earlier has more monthly growth periods. Monthly deposits therefore produce a different result from one year-end deposit.
▶Can Roth IRA contributions increase every year?
The calculator can model an annual percentage increase, but the actual amount still cannot exceed the contribution permitted for that person and tax year.
▶Are qualified Roth IRA withdrawals tax-free?
IRS rules provide tax-favored treatment for qualifying distributions, but this projection does not test distribution qualifications or calculate taxes and penalties.
▶Does the expected return include fees or inflation?
No. Enter a return assumption appropriate to the scenario; the calculator does not separately subtract fees or convert the result into today's purchasing power.
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Open calculator →Disclaimer: Roth IRA Calculator results are estimates for general information and education only, and are not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.