Traditional IRA growth calculator: regular contributions, annual return and years to retirement, with the after-tax value of withdrawals shown.
Contributions are assumed at the end of each period. This models a traditional IRA — tax-deferred growth, taxed on withdrawal — which is different from a Roth IRA, where contributions are taxed now and withdrawals are tax-free.
Value at retirement
—How to use this tool
Annual or monthly contributions.
The classic illustration is $6,000 a year at 7% for 30 years — change any figure to your own plan.
In Advanced, enter what is already saved and the tax rate you expect on withdrawals.
Growth is tax-deferred, so the headline value is pre-tax; the after-tax figure is what withdrawals are really worth.
Formula & worked example
$6,000 a year at 7% for 30 years: (1.07³⁰ − 1) ÷ 0.07 ≈ 94.4608, so $6,000 × 94.4608 ≈ $566,764.72 from $180,000 contributed — $386,764.72 of growth. At a 22% withdrawal tax rate the after-tax value is about $442,076.
Limitations — read this before you rely on it
Returns are assumed constant, which real markets are not — actual results vary year to year. Contribution limits, income limits, required minimum distributions and early-withdrawal penalties are not modelled; this is a growth illustration, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
A US retirement account where contributions may be tax-deductible and growth is tax-deferred; withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income.
A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money and withdrawals are tax-free; a traditional IRA defers the tax until withdrawal. This calculator models the traditional version.
At 7% for 30 years, about $566,765 from $180,000 contributed — the growth comes from compounding over decades.
No — withdrawals are taxed. At a 22% rate, $566,765 becomes about $442,076 after tax.
No. Annual IRA limits change over time (and catch-up contributions apply from age 50); check the current IRS limits before planning contributions.