Traditional IRA Calculator
Calculate Traditional IRA growth, check 2026 deduction eligibility if you're covered by a workplace plan, and see your after-tax value at retirement.
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Additional Details
Additional Details
Pre-Tax Balance at Retirement
Estimated • Based on your inputs
After-Tax Value at Retirement
$958,636.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Projects Traditional IRA growth using annual compounding of contributions (capped at the 2026 IRS limit of $7,500, or $8,600 if 50+) at your expected return. If you're covered by a workplace retirement plan, the deduction phases out over the IRS's MAGI range for your filing status; if not covered (and your spouse isn't either), the full contribution is always deductible. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, so the after-tax value applies your expected retirement tax rate to the full pre-tax balance.
How to Use This Investment & Retirement Calculator
- 1
Fill in Current Age, Retirement Age and Current Traditional IRA Balance
Current Age starts at 30; Retirement Age starts at 65; Current Traditional IRA Balance starts at $15,000. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 2
Fill in Planned Annual Contribution, Expected Annual Return and Filing Status (1=Single/HoH, 2=Married Joint, 3=Married Separate)
Planned Annual Contribution starts at $7,000; Expected Annual Return starts at 7%; Filing Status (1=Single/HoH, 2=Married Joint, 3=Married Separate) starts at 1. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 3
Fill in Modified AGI (MAGI), Covered by a Workplace Retirement Plan? (1=Yes, 0=No) and Expected Tax Rate in Retirement
Modified AGI (MAGI) starts at $90,000; Covered by a Workplace Retirement Plan? (1=Yes, 0=No) starts at 1; Expected Tax Rate in Retirement starts at 15%. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 4
Read the results
The calculator leads with Pre-Tax Balance at Retirement and After-Tax Value at Retirement, followed by 4 supporting figures.
Example Calculation
What the calculator above returns before you change anything: a single filer aged 30 with $90,000 of modified AGI, $15,000 already in the IRA, $7,000 added each year for 35 years at a 7% return.
Because a workplace plan covers you, the deduction phases out between $81,000 and $91,000 of MAGI in 2026, so 10% of the contribution is deductible at $90,000. Each year the balance grows 7% and then takes the contribution: $245,000 paid in becomes $1,127,807 at 65, so $867,807 is growth on top of the starting $15,000.
Result: Traditional IRA at 65: $1,127,807. Withdrawals are taxed as income; at the 15% retirement tax rate you enter, that leaves $958,636.
What Affects Your Results
Rate of Return
Even small differences compound massively over time. 7% vs. 8% over 30 years on $100K means a difference of $200K+. Asset allocation drives your expected return.
Time Horizon
Compounding accelerates exponentially. Most of your wealth is generated in the final years — a 30-year investment earns more in its last 5 years than its first 15.
Contribution Consistency
Regular monthly investments (dollar-cost averaging) smooth out market volatility and ensure you're always buying — including during dips when prices are low.
Fees & Expenses
A 1% annual fee vs. 0.1% fee on a $500K portfolio costs you $4,500/year extra. Over 30 years, high fees can consume 25–30% of potential returns. Use low-cost index funds.
Tips & Best Practices
- Start early. Thanks to compounding, $200/month invested from age 25 to 65 at 8% returns grows to ~$700K. Waiting until 35 cuts that to ~$300K — a $400K penalty for the 10-year delay.
- Don't try to time the market. Research consistently shows that time in the market beats timing the market. Missing the 10 best trading days over 20 years can halve your returns.
- Consider tax-advantaged accounts first: 401(k) (especially with employer match), IRA, HSA. These reduce your tax drag — a 25% tax bracket investor keeps more in a tax-deferred account.
- Rebalance annually. If stocks outperform and grow from 80% to 90% of your portfolio, rebalancing back to 80% locks in gains and manages risk.
- Factor in your state's tax treatment of investment income. Some states exempt certain investment income or have lower rates on capital gains.
StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Traditional IRA contribution limit for 2026?
The IRA limit for 2026 is $7,500 ($8,600 if 50 or older) — a combined limit shared with Roth IRA contributions.
Is my Traditional IRA contribution tax-deductible?
If neither you nor your spouse is covered by a workplace retirement plan (like a 401(k)), your full contribution is deductible regardless of income. If you ARE covered, the deduction phases out between $81,000-$91,000 MAGI for single filers (2026), or $129,000-$149,000 for married couples filing jointly where the contributor is covered.
How are Traditional IRA withdrawals taxed?
Withdrawals from a Traditional IRA in retirement are taxed as ordinary income at your tax rate in the year you withdraw — unlike a Roth IRA, which is tax-free. You must also begin Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73; see our RMD Calculator.
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