IRA Calculator
Roth vs traditional · growth at retirement · eligibility check
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Workplace coverage limits when a traditional IRA deduction can be taken at higher incomes.
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Projected balance at retirement
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2025 annual cap (with catch-up)
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Your best IRA type
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Total contributions
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Investment growth
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Tax saved per year (trad)
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After-tax value at retirement
Maxing beats timing
A lump-sum yearly IRA contribution in January beats twelve monthly contributions nearly every year the market rises. Everything else equal, contribute as early as you can.
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How Roth vs traditional eligibility actually works
IRA rules look simple until the IRS phase-outs kick in. Think of them as two separate doors — one on each account type:
- Roth contribution door: income too high and it closes. 2025 phase-out: $150k–$165k (single), $236k–$246k (married filing jointly). Above the top you can still convert — the backdoor.
- Traditional deduction door: only limits you if you (or a spouse) are covered by a workplace plan. 2025 phase-out: $79k–$89k (single with plan), $126k–$146k (married with plan), $236k–$246k (spouse not covered, but you are). No workplace plan = always deductible.
Two doors, one ruleset: above both doors? Make a non-deductible traditional contribution, then convert to Roth (backdoor). Above only the Roth door? Direct traditional is your answer if deductible; otherwise use the backdoor. The math on this page handles the growth — use IRS Phase-out rules for the final tax filing call.
Watch for RMDs
Traditional IRAs (and 401(k)s eventually rolled to IRA) start Required Minimum Distributions at age 73 under SECURE 2.0, rising to 75 for those born after 1960. Failure to withdraw costs up to 25% of the shortfall. Roth IRAs have no RMDs for the original owner — a quiet but powerful difference.