See how much a Roth IRA could grow tax-free by retirement, and whether your income lets you contribute. The calculator uses the 2026 contribution limit of $7,500 and the income phase-out for your filing status.
| Age | Contributed | Balance |
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Know More: How the Roth IRA Calculator Works
Updated for 2026. The IRA contribution limit is $7,500 in 2026 (up from $7,000), and the catch-up for people 50 and older rose to $1,100. Roth IRA contributions phase out between $153,000 and $168,000 of modified AGI for single filers and $242,000 to $252,000 for married couples filing jointly (IRS Notice 2025-67).
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How a Roth IRA works
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account funded with money you've already paid tax on. In exchange, it grows tax-free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free, including all the investment growth.
- No tax deduction now, but no tax later.
- No required minimum distributions during your lifetime, so the money can keep growing.
- You can withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any time without tax or penalty.
- You choose the investments: index funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds and more, at almost any brokerage.
For example, someone who starts at 30 with $10,000, contributes $7,500 a year (plus the $1,100 catch-up from 50) and earns 7% a year has about $1.25 million at 65. Of that, $956,694 is growth that is never taxed; at a 22% tax rate that's about $210,000 of tax avoided.
2026 contribution limits
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $7,000 | $7,500 |
| 50 and older | $8,000 | $8,600 |
- The limit is shared across all your traditional and Roth IRAs; it's separate from 401(k) limits.
- You need earned income (wages or self-employment) at least equal to your contribution. A working spouse can fund a spousal IRA for a non-working spouse.
- You can contribute for a tax year until the filing deadline: 2026 contributions until April 15, 2027.
Income phase-outs
How much you can put into a Roth IRA depends on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI):
| Filing status | Full up to | None from |
|---|---|---|
| Single or HOH | $153,000 | $168,000 |
| Married jointly | $242,000 | $252,000 |
| Married separately | $0 | $10,000 |
In between, the limit shrinks proportionally, rounded up to the next $10 (and at least $200). A single filer with $160,000 of MAGI can contribute 8/15 of $7,500 = $4,000. For 2025 the ranges were $150,000 to $165,000 and $236,000 to $246,000.
Withdrawal rules (5-year rule)
- Contributions can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, tax- and penalty-free.
- Earnings are tax-free if you are 59½ or older and your first Roth IRA contribution was at least 5 tax years ago (the 5-year rule). The clock starts January 1 of the year of your first contribution.
- Before then, earnings withdrawn are taxed and usually face a 10% penalty, with exceptions such as up to $10,000 for a first home, disability, and certain education and medical costs.
- Each Roth conversion has its own 5-year period for the 10% penalty if you're under 59½.
Backdoor Roth
If your income is too high to contribute directly, you can use a backdoor Roth IRA:
- Contribute to a traditional IRA without taking a deduction (anyone with earned income can).
- Convert it to a Roth IRA, usually soon after, so little or no growth is taxed.
- Report the nondeductible contribution on Form 8606.
Watch the pro-rata rule: if you have other pre-tax money in traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRAs, part of the conversion is taxable. Many people first roll that money into their 401(k). Some 401(k) plans also allow after-tax contributions converted to Roth (a "mega backdoor Roth").
Examples
$7,500 a year (plus catch-up from 50) to age 65, starting from $0, 7% average return:
| Start at | Contributed | Balance at 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $316,500 | $1,631,649 |
| 30 | $279,000 | $1,138,928 |
| 35 | $241,500 | $787,625 |
| 40 | $204,000 | $537,150 |
| 45 | $166,500 | $358,566 |
Balance at 65 by starting age
$7,500 a year + catch-up, 7% return
Source: Digicalcy calculation.
Starting just 10 years earlier more than doubles the result. Even $3,000 a year from 25 grows to about $640,800 at 7%. Results are estimates; investment returns are not guaranteed. Last reviewed: November 1, 2026.
Roth IRA Calculator FAQs
How much can I put in a Roth IRA?
$7,500 in 2026, or $8,600 if you are 50 or older (2025: $7,000 and $8,000). The limit is shared with traditional IRAs, and you need at least that much earned income. Higher earners can contribute less or nothing.
What are the Roth IRA income limits for 2026?
Single and head of household filers can contribute the full amount with modified AGI up to $153,000, a reduced amount up to $168,000 and nothing above. For married couples filing jointly the range is $242,000 to $252,000.
What if I earn too much for a Roth IRA?
You can use a backdoor Roth: contribute to a traditional IRA without a deduction, then convert it to a Roth IRA. If you have other pre-tax IRA money, the pro-rata rule may make part of the conversion taxable.
When can I withdraw from a Roth IRA?
Your contributions can come out any time, tax- and penalty-free. Earnings are tax-free once you are 59 and a half and the account has been open at least 5 years; earlier, they are usually taxed plus a 10% penalty, with some exceptions.
How much will my Roth IRA be worth?
It depends on how much and how long you invest. $7,500 a year from age 30 to 65 at a 7% average return grows to about $1.1 million, all tax-free in retirement.
More retirement calculators
- 401(k) Calculator: workplace retirement savings with your match
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- Compound Interest Calculator: how savings grow over time