⚖️ Roth vs Traditional IRA Calculator

Compare which retirement account is better for your situation

Your Information

2025 IRA limit: $7,000/year ($8,000 if age 50+). Consistent maxing out is one of the most powerful FIRE moves.
2024 IRA limit: $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+)
Your age today — used to calculate how many years your money will compound before retirement.
Age 59½ is when you can withdraw from IRAs penalty-free. Early FIRE withdrawers often use a Roth conversion ladder to access funds earlier.
Your marginal tax bracket — the rate on your last dollar earned. 2024 brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%.
Your marginal tax bracket today
Many FIRE retirees are in a lower bracket since they control their income. If you expect to be richer, you might stay high — that favors Roth now.
Your expected tax bracket in retirement
Historical S&P 500 real return (~7% inflation-adjusted). Both accounts grow identically — the difference is only tax treatment.

Comparison Results

🏆 Better Option
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Calculate to see recommendation
Traditional IRA Final Value
$0
After-tax value at retirement
Roth IRA Final Value
$0
Tax-free value at retirement
Difference
$0
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Years Contributing
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Total contributed: $0

Side-by-Side Comparison

Key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs

Feature Traditional IRA Roth IRA
Tax on contributions Pre-tax (deductible) After-tax (no deduction)
Tax on withdrawals Taxed as income Tax-free ✓
2025 contribution limit $7,000 / $8,000 (50+) $7,000 / $8,000 (50+)
Required Minimum Distributions Age 73 None ✓
Income limits Deductibility phases out at high income Contributions phase out ~$161K (single)
Early withdrawal (before 59½) 10% penalty + taxes Contributions can be withdrawn anytime
Best if… Tax rate is higher now than in retirement Tax rate is lower now (young/FIRE)
FIRE friendliness Good — enables Roth conversion ladder Excellent — tax-free growth for decades