A fast Roth IRA planner that respects 2025 limits and MAGI rules shows allowed and attempted contributions models fees and inflation compares Roth versus Traditional estimates conversion breakeven produces charts and tables and exports CSV so you decide confidently and share a clear retirement plan today with tips tooltips assumptions and accessibility baked in
Tax year: 2025Last updated: Aug 31, 2025Limits source: IRS
Basics
Determines MAGI phase‑out range.
Annual contributions cannot exceed earned income.
Contributions
Returns, fees & inflation
Benchmark a taxable account Optional
Compare Roth IRA vs taxable after tax‑drag.
Assumptions. This tool applies IRS Roth IRA contribution limits, catch‑up rules at age 50+, and MAGI phase‑outs for 2025. Earnings grow at your net return (after fees). Results are educational, not tax advice.
Final balance (nominal)
$0
Principal vs earnings: 0% earnings
Final balance (real)
$0
Inflation adjusted
Total contributions
$0
Allowed vs attempted: –
Years simulated
0
Compounding: Monthly
Growth over time
Contributions vs earnings
Roth vs Traditional (simple compare)
Quick estimate
Final values at retirement
Interpretation: Roth values are after‑tax; Traditional values are after estimated retirement taxes. This is a simplified model and excludes deduction eligibility rules and RMD timing.
Roth conversion analyzer
Optional
Immediate tax cost
$0
Approx. breakeven (years)
–
Long‑run delta at retirement
$0
Year‑by‑year projection
Real dollars use your inflation rate.
Year #
Age
Attempted contribution
Allowed contribution
Applied contribution
Earnings in year
End balance (nominal)
End balance (real)
How to use
Enter filing status, MAGI, earned income, ages, and current Roth balance.
Choose “max out” or set a custom contribution with frequency and raises.
Set expected return, fees, and inflation; optionally add a taxable benchmark.
Click Calculate to see results, charts, and a downloadable CSV.
Key rules and notes
2025 Roth IRA contribution limit: $7,000, catch‑up $1,000 at age 50+.
Contributions are limited to the lesser of your earned income or the annual limit after phase‑out.
Original Roth IRA owner has no RMDs; five‑year rule applies to earnings.
Educational use only. Consult a qualified professional for personalized advice.
How this Roth IRA calculator works (the math, clearly explained)
This tool estimates how your Roth IRA can grow by combining three ingredients: what you are allowed to contribute each year under IRS rules,
how often money is added (monthly or annually), and your net rate of return after fees. It also reports values in both nominal dollars and
“real” (inflation‑adjusted) dollars so you can judge future purchasing power. Nothing on this page is advice—just transparent math you can audit.
1) Contribution allowance and phase‑out logic
Each simulated year begins by computing your allowed contribution based on filing status, modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), age,
and earned income. Under 2025 rules, the base limit is $7,000 and the catch‑up adds $1,000 at age 50+. If your MAGI falls in a phase‑out range,
the allowed amount reduces linearly. Finally, the allowed figure is capped by earned income, because you cannot contribute more than you earned.
Symbol
Meaning
Formula / Note
L
Annual limit including catch‑up
L = 7000 + (age ≥ 50 ? 1000 : 0)
[Plow, Phigh]
Phase‑out MAGI band
Varies by filing status
Allowed
Permitted contribution
If MAGI < Plow → L; if ≥ Phigh → 0; else L × (1 − (MAGI − Plow)/(Phigh − Plow))
Applied
Used in simulation
min(Allowed, Attempted), and 0 during your optional pause years
2) Compounding and return assumptions
You control compounding as monthly or annual. The calculator applies your stated return minus the expense ratio/advisory fee to get a
net growth rate. With monthly compounding, contributions are spread over 12 deposits, each growing for the remaining months.
With annual compounding, we approximate mid‑year deposits by adding half before growth and half after. The result updates your end‑of‑year balance.
Contributions are dollar‑cost averaged over the year.
Annual (mid‑year approximation)
Byear end = (Bstart + C/2) × (1 + r) + C/2
Saves time while staying close to monthly math for planning.
Real (inflation‑adjusted)
Breal = B / (1 + i)^{years}
Lets you compare future values in today’s dollars.
3) “Max out” vs custom contributions and pauses
If “max out” is on, the attempted contribution equals the allowed figure each year. If it’s off, you set a custom contribution, frequency, and an
annual raise percentage to model step‑ups. You can also simulate life events by pausing contributions for a specified span (e.g., a career break).
4) Roth vs Traditional quick comparison
The comparison section shows rough end balances under two Traditional IRA assumptions: (a) you keep the same out‑of‑pocket cost today—so
Traditional dollars are grossed up by 1/(1 − current tax); and (b) you contribute the same dollar amount to both accounts.
Traditional balances are then reduced by your estimated retirement tax rate to show after‑tax comparability with Roth’s tax‑free withdrawals.
5) Conversion analyzer (breakeven intuition)
A Roth conversion moves money from pre‑tax to Roth and triggers income tax now. The tool multiplies your conversion amount by your stated tax rate to
show the immediate tax cost. The breakeven conceptually occurs when tax‑free future growth on the converted dollars exceeds the taxes paid today,
especially if you can pay the tax from outside cash (preserving more inside the account to compound).
Key limits used in this model
Item
2025 value
Where it matters
Base contribution limit (under 50)
$7,000
Caps annual contributions before phase‑out
Catch‑up (50+)
$1,000
Added to base limit starting the year you turn 50
Phase‑out MAGI – Single / HOH
$150,000 – $165,000
Reduces allowed contribution linearly in range
Phase‑out MAGI – MFJ
$236,000 – $246,000
Reduces allowed contribution linearly in range
Phase‑out MAGI – MFS (lived with spouse)
$0 – $10,000
Most restrictive range
Tip: Use the CSV download to archive scenarios, and the share link to collaborate with a planner or partner. Always double‑check real IRS numbers before filing; this is an educational projection tool.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.