Starting balance plus modeled deposits.
A retirement-growth reality check
What could $25 a week become?
Estimate a future Roth IRA balance, separate your contributions from projected growth, and see why time can matter as much as the amount invested.
Run your projection01 / Your projection
Give every contribution time to compound.
Adjust the numbers below. The example starts with $25 a week at age 20 and projects through age 65.
ESTIMATED AT AGE 6545 YEARS
Projected Roth IRA balance
$383,247Approximately $126,155 in today's purchasing power using your inflation assumption.Projection above contributions—not guaranteed earnings.
Difference if new contributions begin five years later.
Qualified Roth IRA distributions may be tax-free when IRS requirements are met. This calculator does not determine eligibility, taxes, fees, or withdrawal treatment.
Balance checkpoints
What the same plan could look like over time
| Age | Projected balance | Total contributed | Estimated growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 25 | $7,713 | $6,500 | $1,213 |
| 30 | $18,531 | $13,000 | $5,531 |
| 40 | $54,983 | $26,000 | $28,983 |
| 50 | $126,691 | $39,000 | $87,691 |
| 60 | $267,750 | $52,000 | $215,750 |
| 65 | $383,247 | $58,500 | $324,747 |
02 / Read the projection
Your result contains three different numbers.
A large future balance can look precise while hiding the assumptions underneath it. Separate what you deposit from what the model attributes to growth, then account for inflation.
Total contributions
This is the starting balance plus modeled deposits. It is the portion that comes from the money you put into the account—not from assumed investment performance.
starting balance + future depositsEstimated growth
This is the projected balance minus total contributions. It depends heavily on the return, timeline, contribution timing, fees, and investments held inside the Roth IRA.
projected balance − contributionsToday's purchasing power
A future dollar may buy less than a dollar today. The site discounts the projected balance using your inflation assumption so the number is easier to interpret.
future value ÷ (1 + inflation)yearsWorked example
Small deposit. Long runway.
The default example contributes $25 every week from age 20 to age 65. That equals $1,300 a year before any future change in the contribution amount. The calculator applies a hypothetical 7% annual return and compounds it monthly.
45 years × $1,300$58,500
Starting balance$0
Modeled contributions$58,500
Future resultCalculated live above
Why the result is not a promise
A smooth 7% line is a mathematical assumption. Real returns move up and down, sometimes sharply, and a Roth IRA is an account—not an investment by itself. The securities you choose, their fees, and the sequence of gains and losses determine actual results.
03 / Roth IRA basics
What the account does—and what it does not do.
A Roth IRA is a tax-advantaged retirement account. It changes how eligible contributions and qualified distributions are treated; it does not guarantee returns or choose investments for you.
Contributions are not deductible
Roth IRA contributions are generally made with money that has already been taxed. Unlike a deductible traditional IRA contribution, they do not create an upfront federal deduction.
Qualified distributions may be tax-free
The IRS states that qualified Roth IRA distributions are tax-free when applicable requirements are satisfied. The calculator does not determine whether a withdrawal qualifies.
The limit is shared across IRAs
The annual contribution limit applies to combined traditional and Roth IRA contributions—not separately to each account. Taxable compensation and income rules can reduce the amount.
There are no lifetime RMDs for the owner
The IRS does not require the original Roth IRA owner to take required minimum distributions during their lifetime, although beneficiary rules can apply after death.
04 / Better assumptions
Do not trust a single optimistic scenario.
- 01
Run a conservative return
Start with a lower rate, then compare it with your original assumption. The gap shows how dependent the result is on performance.
- 02
Keep inflation visible
A future balance is easier to understand when you also see an estimate in today's purchasing power.
- 03
Use a contribution you can sustain
A smaller recurring amount can be more realistic than assuming the legal maximum every year. You can increase it later when income allows.
- 04
Remember fees and taxes outside the model
Fund expenses, advisory charges, trading costs, penalties, and nonqualified distribution taxes can reduce real outcomes.
05 / Questions, answered
Roth IRA calculator FAQ
These answers explain the model. Current tax rules and your own eligibility should be confirmed with the IRS or a qualified professional.
What annual return should I enter?
Use a range rather than treating one percentage as a promise. A lower assumption gives you a more conservative scenario; a higher assumption shows how sensitive the result is to performance. Actual returns vary from year to year, and fees, investment choices, and market conditions affect the result.
Does the calculator automatically enforce Roth IRA limits?
No. It displays a warning against the general 2026 IRA limit, but your personal limit may be lower because of taxable compensation, modified adjusted gross income, filing status, or contributions to other traditional and Roth IRAs. The IRS applies one combined annual limit across your traditional and Roth IRAs.
Why does the projection use monthly compounding?
The calculator converts the selected annual return into an equivalent monthly rate and spreads annualized contributions across twelve months. This creates a consistent illustration for weekly, monthly, and yearly contribution inputs. Real investments change in value continuously and do not earn a smooth return every month.
Is the projected balance guaranteed to be tax-free?
No. Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, and qualified distributions may be tax-free when IRS requirements are met. Nonqualified withdrawals, excess contributions, conversions, and other circumstances can have different tax treatment. This calculator cannot determine whether a future distribution is qualified.
What does today's purchasing power mean?
Inflation reduces what a future dollar can buy. The inflation-adjusted result discounts the future balance using the inflation rate you entered, giving an estimate stated in today's dollars. It is not an additional account balance and does not predict future inflation.
Can I contribute if I have a 401(k) at work?
Generally, participating in an employer retirement plan does not by itself prevent an IRA contribution. Roth IRA eligibility and contribution amounts can still be limited by income, filing status, taxable compensation, and the combined IRA contribution rules. Check current IRS guidance for your circumstances.
Why is waiting five years so expensive in the example?
Early contributions have more time to experience compounding. The waiting comparison keeps the other inputs the same but begins new contributions five years later. It is an illustration, not a prediction: actual markets may perform differently, including periods of loss.
Does this site save my financial information?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and does not submit the numbers you enter to a Roth Growth account or application database. Standard hosting and advertising services may process technical information as described on the Privacy page.
Primary references
Rules change. Check the source.
The site's 2026 contribution and income-limit context was checked against official IRS material. Before contributing or withdrawing, verify the rules that apply to the relevant tax year and your filing situation.