IRA Calculator
Project the future value of a Traditional or Roth IRA from your current balance, annual contributions, expected return, and years to retirement. Shows both the nominal balance and its inflation-adjusted buying power so you can see what your nest egg is really worth.
How to Use
- Enter your current IRA balance.
- Enter your annual contribution (the 2026 limit is $7,000, or $8,000 if you are 50 or older).
- Enter your expected annual return as a percent and the number of years until retirement.
- Enter an assumed inflation rate to translate the result into today's dollars.
- Read the projected nominal balance at retirement and its inflation-adjusted (real) value.
Show Work
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About the IRA Calculator
Whether you are at a desk or on your phone, the IRA Calculator makes personal-finance and money decisions easy — and it is completely free. Project the future value of a Traditional or Roth IRA from your current balance, annual contributions, expected return, and years to retirement. Shows both the nominal balance and its inflation-adjusted buying power so you can see what your nest egg is really worth.
How it works
Type your numbers into the boxes. The answer shows up right away — you do not have to press a button. If you change a number, the answer changes too. So you can try different numbers and watch what happens, or check an answer you worked out yourself. Just make sure each box has the right kind of number in it.
Want the deeper story? The Knowledge Base explains the ideas behind the tools in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Traditional and Roth IRA?
A Traditional IRA may give you a tax deduction now, with growth tax-deferred and withdrawals taxed as income in retirement. A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money, but qualified withdrawals — including all the growth — are tax-free. The projected balance is the same either way; the difference is when you pay tax. This is an estimate, not tax advice.
How much can I contribute to an IRA in 2026?
The 2026 contribution limit is $7,000, plus a $1,000 catch-up if you are 50 or older, for $8,000 total. The limit applies across all your IRAs combined. Roth contributions also phase out at higher incomes, and deductibility of Traditional contributions can be limited if you have a workplace plan.
Why show an inflation-adjusted value?
A large future balance buys less than the same number of dollars today. The real (inflation-adjusted) figure discounts your projected balance back to today's purchasing power, giving a more honest sense of the lifestyle it will support in retirement.
What return rate is reasonable for an IRA?
It depends on your investments. A diversified, stock-heavy portfolio is often modeled at 6%–8% long-run, shifting lower as you approach retirement and add bonds. These are assumptions, not guarantees — actual results vary with the market.
Does this account for taxes and RMDs?
No — it projects the gross balance only. Traditional IRAs require minimum distributions (RMDs) starting in your 70s and are taxed on withdrawal; Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs for the original owner. Treat this as a planning estimate and consult a tax professional for specifics.
How do I use the IRA Calculator?
Just type your numbers. The answer shows up right away — there is no button to press. Change anything and it updates by itself.
Is it free? Does it work without internet?
Yes to both. It is free with no sign-up, and once the page has loaded it keeps working even with no internet.
Where does my data go?
Nowhere — every calculation runs on your own device. Nothing you enter is uploaded, logged, or stored.
Common Use Cases
Projecting your retirement nest egg
See what consistent annual contributions could grow into by your target retirement year.
Deciding Roth vs. Traditional
Use the projected balance alongside your current and expected future tax bracket to weigh paying tax now versus later.
Modeling catch-up contributions
See how the extra $1,000 catch-up after age 50 boosts your ending balance over the final working years.
Checking if you are on track
Compare the inflation-adjusted projection against your retirement spending goal to spot a shortfall early.
Stress-testing return assumptions
Run optimistic and conservative return rates to see how sensitive your nest egg is to market performance.
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