IRA Calculator — See How Much Your Retirement Account Will Grow

TL;DR

• Enter your current balance, annual contribution, expected return rate, and years to retirement in the IRA Calculator to project your final balance
• The 2026 IRS contribution limit is $7,000 under age 50, or $8,000 with the catch-up provision at age 50 and older
• Traditional IRA contributions are typically tax-deductible now; Roth IRA qualified withdrawals are tax-free in retirement
• Required minimum distributions from traditional IRAs begin at age 73; Roth IRAs have no RMDs during your lifetime
• Runs in your browser: no signup required

The IRA Calculator projects how much your individual retirement account will be worth at retirement. It compounds your contributions annually at the rate you set and shows your projected final balance alongside how much came from contributions versus growth.

How to Use the IRA Calculator

Enter your current IRA balance, or 0 if you are just getting started. Enter your planned annual contribution: the 2026 limit is $7,000 if you are under 50, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older. Enter your expected annual return rate: 7% is a frequently cited estimate based on long-term inflation-adjusted market averages. Enter the number of years until you plan to retire. The calculator shows the projected balance, total contributions over that period, and total growth earned through compounding.

When to Use This Calculator

Choosing between traditional and Roth: Run the same contribution and return numbers for both. The growth projection is identical: the difference is when tax is paid. A tax advisor can help determine which is better for your income and tax situation.

Setting a savings target: Decide what retirement balance you need, then adjust the annual contribution in the calculator until the projection reaches that number.

Catch-up contributions: If you are 50 or older, enter $8,000 instead of $7,000 and see how the extra $1,000 per year changes your balance over the remaining years.

Comparing return assumptions: Run the numbers at 5%, 7%, and 9% to see how much your final balance depends on market performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IRA contribution limit for 2026? The IRS limit is $7,000 per year for people under 50. For those 50 and older, the catch-up provision raises the limit to $8,000. You can only contribute up to your earned income for the year if that is less than the annual limit. Income limits apply to Roth IRA eligibility and to the deductibility of traditional IRA contributions when you also have a workplace retirement plan.

What is the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA? Traditional IRA contributions are typically deductible from taxable income today, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. Roth contributions are made with after-tax money, so qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. A traditional IRA is generally better when you expect a lower tax rate in retirement; a Roth is better when you expect the same rate or higher.

When can I withdraw from an IRA without penalty? Penalty-free withdrawals begin at age 59½ for both account types. Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions starting at age 73. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions during your lifetime, which can be useful for estate planning.

The IRA Calculator is free to use and requires no account. All projections run in your browser.