IRA Calculator
Estimate how much your traditional IRA could grow given your contributions, time horizon and expected annual return.
IRA Calculator
Projected IRA balance at retirement
$0
Contributions + starting balance$0
Estimate only. Assumes a constant annual return and the same contribution every year; actual returns vary. 2024+ IRA limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+). Traditional IRA withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Not tax or investment advice.
Example
Starting with $10,000 and contributing $7,000 every year-end for 30 years at a 7% expected return:
- Starting balance grows to: $10,000 × 1.0730 = $76,122.55
- Contributions grow to: $7,000 × ((1.0730 − 1) / 0.07) = $661,225.50
- Projected balance: $737,348.05
- Total contributions: $220,000 · Investment growth: $517,348.05
How it works
Enter your current balance, yearly contribution, years to retirement and expected return; we compound the balance and contributions annually and split the result into money you put in versus growth.
Good to know
This IRA Calculator projects what a traditional IRA might be worth at retirement by compounding a starting balance plus a fixed yearly contribution over a set number of years at an expected annual return. It is built for people mapping out long-term retirement savings who want a quick sense of how their current balance, contribution habit, and time horizon combine, without handing personal financial data to a server.
Reach for it when you are deciding how much to contribute each year, comparing a 20-year versus 30-year horizon, or stress-testing how a more conservative return assumption (say 5% instead of 7%) changes the outcome. The contribution-timing toggle matters here: choosing "Year start" deposits each contribution one period earlier, so it earns an extra year of compounding and produces a slightly higher ending balance than "Year end."
Read the result in three parts. The big number is the projected gross balance; the breakdown then separates the money you actually put in (starting balance plus total contributions) from investment growth, and the two bars show their relative shares. Over long horizons growth typically dwarfs contributions, which illustrates why starting early tends to matter more than contributing slightly more later.
One important caveat: the projection is a gross, pre-tax figure based on a single constant return every year, which real markets never deliver. Traditional IRA withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement, so your spendable amount will be lower than the number shown, and the tool does not enforce annual contribution limits, so it will happily project an amount larger than the IRS permits.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator account for the IRA contribution limit?
No. It projects whatever annual contribution you enter. For 2024 and later, the traditional IRA limit is $7,000 per year, or $8,000 if you are age 50 or older, so keep your entry at or below that to stay compliant.
Are taxes included in the projected balance?
No. Traditional IRA contributions are typically pre-tax and grow tax-deferred, so the projected balance is a gross amount. Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income, meaning your spendable amount will be lower than the figure shown.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No — this calculator runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are educational estimates — consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions.
People also ask
What is the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
A traditional IRA is typically funded with pre-tax dollars that grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income. A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free. This calculator models the traditional IRA's gross, pre-tax balance.
What return rate should I assume for an IRA projection?
There is no single correct figure; long-run U.S. stock market returns have historically averaged roughly 7% to 10% before inflation, while bond-heavy portfolios return less. Many people run the calculator with a conservative rate and a more optimistic rate to see a range rather than relying on one number.
Does the order of contributions affect the final IRA balance?
Yes. Contributing at the start of each year gives every deposit an extra compounding period compared with contributing at year end, so the same contribution produces a modestly larger balance. The calculator's timing toggle lets you compare both.
Can I contribute to an IRA after age 50?
Yes. People age 50 and older are allowed an additional catch-up amount on top of the standard limit, which for 2024 and later brings the traditional IRA limit to $8,000 versus $7,000 for those under 50. The calculator does not enforce these limits, so enter a figure within them yourself.
Does this calculator account for inflation?
No. The projected balance is in nominal future dollars and does not adjust for inflation, so its real purchasing power will be lower than the figure shown. To approximate real growth, you can subtract an estimated inflation rate from your expected return before entering it.
Why is investment growth larger than my total contributions in the result?
Over long time horizons, compounding causes returns to be earned on prior returns, not just on your contributions. With several decades and a positive return, the growth portion commonly exceeds the total of everything you deposited, which is why the calculator separates the two.
What happens to my IRA balance if my actual returns vary year to year?
This tool assumes one constant return every year, but real markets fluctuate, and a sequence of down years early on can produce a different outcome than the smooth projection suggests. Treat the result as a rough midpoint estimate rather than a guaranteed figure.
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