Free, open-source Roth IRA retirement calculator with 2026 contribution limits.
Calculate your projected tax-free retirement savings with compound growth, catch-up contributions, and a full year-by-year breakdown.
Use the Roth IRA Calculator on BullRun Forever Tools — includes interactive charts, CSV export, shareable links, and dark mode.
- 2026 Roth IRA contribution limits ($7,000 under 50 / $8,000 age 50+)
- Automatic catch-up contribution calculations at age 50
- Year-by-year tax-free growth breakdown
- Compound interest projections to retirement
- 30-year extended projection
- Estimated tax savings vs. traditional IRA
- Zero dependencies — pure JavaScript math
| Age Group | Annual Limit | Catch-Up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $7,000 | — | $7,000 |
| 50 and older | $7,000 | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| Filing Status | Full Contribution | Phase-Out Range | No Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | < $150,000 | $150,000 – $165,000 | > $165,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | < $236,000 | $236,000 – $246,000 | > $246,000 |
npm install
npm run devOpen http://localhost:5173 to use the calculator locally.
The calculator projects year-by-year Roth IRA growth using compound interest with annual contributions capped at IRS limits:
For each year from current age to retirement age:
1. Start with beginning-of-year balance
2. Determine contribution limit based on age (under 50: $7,000 / 50+: $8,000)
3. Add contribution (capped at limit)
4. Apply annual return: growth = balance × rate
5. End-of-year balance = balance + growth
Inputs:
- Current Age: 25
- Retirement Age: 65
- Current Balance: $5,000
- Annual Contribution: $7,000
- Expected Return: 8%
Year 1:
Starting Balance: $5,000
Contribution: $7,000 (under limit of $7,000)
Balance after contribution: $12,000
Growth: $12,000 × 0.08 = $960
Ending Balance: $12,960
Year 2:
Starting Balance: $12,960
Contribution: $7,000
Balance after contribution: $19,960
Growth: $19,960 × 0.08 = $1,596.80
Ending Balance: $21,556.80
This continues for 40 years. At age 50, the contribution limit increases to $8,000.
Final Result (40 years):
Total Value: ~$1,932,528 (tax-free!)
Total Contributed: ~$289,000
Tax-Free Earnings: ~$1,643,528
| Calculation | Formula |
|---|---|
| Contribution Limit | age >= 50 ? $8,000 : $7,000 |
| Annual Growth | balance × (annualReturn / 100) |
| Total Earnings | finalValue - totalContributed |
| ROI | (totalEarnings / totalContributed) × 100 |
| Tax Savings (est.) | totalEarnings × marginalTaxRate |
| Rule of 72 | 72 / returnRate = years to double |
import { calculateRothIRA } from './src/calculator.js';
const result = calculateRothIRA({
currentAge: 25,
retirementAge: 65,
currentBalance: 5000,
annualContribution: 7000,
annualReturn: 8
});
console.log(result.totalValue); // ~$1,932,528
console.log(result.totalEarnings); // ~$1,643,528
console.log(result.yearlyBreakdown); // Array of yearly data{
totalValue: number, // Final Roth IRA balance at retirement
totalContributions: number, // Sum of all contributions
totalEarnings: number, // Tax-free earnings (value - contributions)
returnOnInvestment: number, // ROI percentage
years: number, // Years until retirement
yearlyBreakdown: [ // Year-by-year detail
{
year: number,
age: number,
startingBalance: number,
contribution: number,
contributionLimit: number,
growth: number,
endingBalance: number,
totalContributed: number,
totalEarnings: number
}
],
thirtyYearProjection: { // Extended projection (if < 30 years to retirement)
totalValue: number,
totalContributed: number,
totalEarnings: number
}
}A Roth IRA is one of the most powerful retirement tools available:
- Tax-free withdrawals — All qualified withdrawals in retirement pay $0 federal income tax
- No Required Minimum Distributions — Unlike traditional IRAs, you're never forced to withdraw
- Contribution flexibility — Withdraw your contributions anytime, tax-free and penalty-free
- Estate planning — Pass tax-free assets to heirs
- 30+ million Americans use Roth IRAs (Investment Company Institute)
| Feature | Roth IRA | Traditional IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Tax on contributions | After-tax (no deduction) | Pre-tax (deductible) |
| Tax on withdrawals | Tax-free | Taxed as income |
| RMDs | None | Required at 73 |
| Early withdrawal | Contributions anytime | 10% penalty before 59.5 |
| Best if | Higher tax bracket in retirement | Lower tax bracket in retirement |
What are the 2026 Roth IRA contribution limits? $7,000 if you're under 50. $8,000 if you're 50 or older ($1,000 catch-up contribution). Subject to income restrictions.
Can I withdraw from my Roth IRA early? You can withdraw your contributions (not earnings) at any time, tax-free and penalty-free. Earnings withdrawn before 59.5 incur a 10% penalty unless you qualify for an exception.
What is a backdoor Roth IRA? A strategy for high earners: contribute to a Traditional IRA (non-deductible), then convert to Roth IRA. Consult a tax professional about the pro-rata rule.
What return rate should I use? The S&P 500 has historically averaged ~10% before inflation (~7% after). Use 7-8% for conservative planning.
This calculator is part of the BullRun Forever Toolkit — 16 free financial calculators including:
- 401(k) Calculator — Employer match & tax-deferred growth
- Investment Calculator — Compound interest projections
- Debt Strategy Planner — Snowball vs. avalanche comparison
- Freedom Number Calculator — FIRE number & 4% rule
- Net Worth Calculator — Total net worth with projections
MIT License — use freely in your own projects.
This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized recommendations. Past market performance does not guarantee future results.
Built by BullRun Forever
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