Set the tax year and ages
Choose the tax year, current age, and review age. Their difference sets the number of annual compounding periods.
RETIREMENT PLANNING TOOL
2026 rules configured
IRA Calculator
Compare four common IRA types, estimate a contribution ceiling, and see how a starting balance plus recurring deposits could grow over time.
No account, email, or brokerage login is required.
Illustrative planning estimate — not tax, legal, or investment advice.
01
YOUR INPUTS
Build an IRA estimate
Choose an account type first. All fields are used locally in this browser; the result is a planning scenario, not a tax filing.
Your age, income, balance, and assumptions are calculated in this browser and are not sent to a calculation server.
02
YOUR ESTIMATE
Contribution limit and growth
This projection uses your return assumption and deposit timing. Review the notes below.
Estimated contribution ceiling
Within the estimated limit
$7,500/ year
This page compares account types with a deliberately transparent model. Traditional and Roth IRA contributions share the standard annual limit. SEP and SIMPLE values are simplified plan scenarios; employer contributions, deductions and every plan-specific rule are outside the calculator.
Projected balance at retirement
Illustrative estimate
$912,622
at age 65
Total contributions$272,500
Investment growth$640,122
Inflation-adjusted value$384,552
Simplified taxable account comparison
$0
Estimated IRA advantage under these simplified assumptions
Projected IRA balance over time
The table below is the accessible text version of the trend visualization. Values are rounded to the nearest dollar.
Starting balanceRetirement
Hide annual table
| Age | Years invested | Projected balance | Contributions | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| 35 | 5 | $55,660 | $47,500 | $8,160 |
| 40 | 10 | $116,764 | $85,000 | $31,764 |
| 45 | 15 | $198,535 | $122,500 | $76,035 |
| 50 | 20 | $307,963 | $160,000 | $147,963 |
| 55 | 25 | $454,403 | $197,500 | $256,903 |
| 60 | 30 | $650,371 | $235,000 | $415,371 |
| 65 | 35 | $912,622 | $272,500 | $640,122 |
This estimate assumes a constant annual return and does not predict actual market performance.
Choose an account type first. All fields are used locally in this browser; the result is a planning scenario, not a tax filing.
A SIMPLE WORKFLOW
How to use this IRA calculator
Use the calculator for two planning answers: your estimated direct contribution room and a recurring savings projection under steady assumptions.
Add income and filing details
Select filing status, then enter modified AGI and taxable compensation to estimate phase-out effects and the income ceiling.
Describe your savings plan
Enter your current IRA balance, planned annual contribution, and other IRA contributions. Choose beginning- or end-of-year deposits.
Review both results
Review the direct limit, projected balance, contributions, growth, inflation-adjusted value, chart, and annual table.
READ THE OUTPUT
What the IRA calculator result means
These result lines separate potential contribution room from the projection built from your savings plan.
Estimated direct contribution limit
This approximate regular contribution room reflects the annual IRA limit, taxable compensation, other IRA contributions, filing status, and income phase-out.
Projected balance at retirement
This scenario combines your starting balance, annual deposits, and compound growth between your current and retirement ages.
Contributions versus investment growth
Displayed contributions include the starting balance and planned deposits. Investment growth is the projected balance minus that total.
Inflation-adjusted value
This future balance is expressed in today’s dollars using your inflation assumption. It is a planning comparison, not a purchasing-power forecast.
TAX-YEAR CONTEXT
IRA contribution rules used in this estimate
This page compares account types with a deliberately transparent model. Traditional and Roth IRA contributions share the standard annual limit. SEP and SIMPLE values are simplified plan scenarios; employer contributions, deductions and every plan-specific rule are outside the calculator.
| Planning rule | 2026 value | How the tool uses it |
|---|---|---|
| General IRA limit | $7,500 | Shared annual limit across Traditional and Roth IRAs. |
| Age 50+ catch-up | +$1,100 | Raises the combined annual limit to $8,600. |
| Single or head of household phase-out | $153,000–$168,000 MAGI | The direct IRA estimate is reduced in this range. |
| Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse | $242,000–$252,000 MAGI | The direct IRA estimate is reduced in this range. |
| Married filing separately and lived with spouse | $0–$10,000 MAGI | Uses the narrow phase-out range for this filing situation. |
| Taxable compensation ceiling | Your entered amount | The estimate cannot exceed entered compensation. |
This page compares account types with a deliberately transparent model. Traditional and Roth IRA contributions share the standard annual limit. SEP and SIMPLE values are simplified plan scenarios; employer contributions, deductions and every plan-specific rule are outside the calculator.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Example: compare account types before changing a savings plan
Example: At age 30, with $10,000 saved and $7,500 deposited at each year-end until age 65, a 6% return and 2.5% inflation assumption produces an illustrative balance of about $912,622 before inflation.
Contributions total $272,500: the $10,000 starting balance plus 35 deposits. Projected growth is about $640,122, or about $384,552 in today’s dollars.
The prefilled example shows how to read the result; it is not guaranteed, personalized advice, or proof of contribution eligibility.
Time horizon35 years
Annual deposit$7,500
Return assumption6.0%
Inflation assumption2.5%
KNOW THE BOUNDARIES
Assumptions and account-type limits
Read these boundaries before using the result to contribute, change an allocation, or compare account types.
Constant return and inflation
The model holds return and inflation constant. Investments can lose value, returns vary, and fees can reduce compounding.
Simplified contribution rules
The direct contribution estimate uses the selected year, filing status, modified AGI, compensation, other IRA contributions, and a simplified phase-out. It cannot model every IRS worksheet or personal circumstance.
Not a conversion calculator
This page does not calculate IRA conversions, backdoor IRA strategies, conversion tax, pro-rata rules, inherited IRAs, recharacterizations, withdrawal exceptions, state taxes, or retirement tax brackets.
No personal data is required
The calculator needs no name, email, account number, or brokerage login. Do not enter credentials; inputs are calculated in your browser.
Before contributing, confirm current IRS limits and your situation with the IRS or a qualified tax professional.
COMMON QUESTIONS
IRA calculator FAQ
These answers cover the calculator’s scope, result, and simplified assumptions.
What does an IRA calculator estimate?
It estimates regular direct contribution room for the selected year and projects how a balance plus recurring contributions could grow under your return, inflation, timing, and age assumptions.
How much can I contribute to an IRA in 2026?
For 2026, the general limit used here is $7,500, or $8,600 with the $1,100 age-50 catch-up amount. Traditional and Roth IRA contributions share the limit, while compensation and income phase-outs can reduce it.
What does an IRA contribution calculator show about income limits?
Regular direct contributions may be reduced or unavailable based on filing status and modified AGI. This estimate does not cover conversions or backdoor strategies.
How does an IRA growth calculator work?
An IRA growth calculator combines a starting balance, recurring contributions, time horizon, and assumed return to illustrate a possible future value. The result is a scenario, not a guarantee.
Can I use this IRA calculator over time?
Yes. The annual table shows how the balance, contributions, and growth change by age. This version uses annual deposits at the beginning or end of each year rather than monthly compounding.
Does the result include inflation?
Yes. It shows a nominal balance and an inflation-adjusted value in today’s dollars. That figure depends on the inflation assumption entered.
Can this IRA investment calculator compare a taxable account?
You can turn on a simplified comparison using the same deposits and a 0.6% annual tax drag. It is only an illustration because taxable results depend on holdings, turnover, dividends, basis, taxes, fees, and jurisdiction.
Is this IRA calculator tax advice?
No. It is an educational planning estimate. Verify current IRS rules and your contribution situation with the IRS or a qualified tax professional.
READY TO TEST A SCENARIO?
Compare a different IRA scenario
Try a different retirement age, deposit timing, return, or income level. The annual table shows how the result changes instead of relying on one headline number.