Roth IRA worksheet

1. Roth IRA at age 50: $12,415.64

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or above $10,000.00, the top of the phase-out range, so you can't put money in a Roth directly

   $\text{allowed}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$5,500.00, \$0.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,500.00}\times \left(1+0.07\right)+\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$4,815.00}$

6. Repeat that for 15 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 50}$$=\mathrm{\$12,415.64}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$12,415.64}-\mathrm{\$4,500.00}-\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$7,915.64}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 15% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 5.95% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$12,415.64}-\mathrm{\$10,708.46}$$=\mathrm{\$1,707.18}$

2. Roth IRA at age 55: $809,326.79

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $242,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$9,000.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$6,000.00}\times \left(1+0.1\right)+\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$$=\mathrm{\$14,100.00}$

6. Repeat that for 25 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 55}$$=\mathrm{\$809,326.79}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$809,326.79}-\mathrm{\$6,000.00}-\mathrm{\$193,000.00}$$=\mathrm{\$610,326.79}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 13% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 8.7% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$809,326.79}-\mathrm{\$662,504.68}$$=\mathrm{\$146,822.12}$

3. Roth IRA at age 65: $1,897,273.55

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $153,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$7,250.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$7,250.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$5,500.00}\times \left(1+0.07\right)+\mathrm{\$7,250.00}$$=\mathrm{\$13,135.00}$

6. Repeat that for 43 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 65}$$=\mathrm{\$1,897,273.55}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$1,897,273.55}-\mathrm{\$5,500.00}-\mathrm{\$311,750.00}$$=\mathrm{\$1,580,023.55}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 9% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 6.37% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$1,897,273.55}-\mathrm{\$1,584,108.31}$$=\mathrm{\$313,165.25}$

4. Roth IRA at age 60: $20,472.22

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or above $10,000.00, the top of the phase-out range, so you can't put money in a Roth directly

   $\text{allowed}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$8,500.00, \$0.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,500.00}\times \left(1+0.06\right)+\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$4,770.00}$

6. Repeat that for 26 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 60}$$=\mathrm{\$20,472.22}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$20,472.22}-\mathrm{\$4,500.00}-\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$15,972.22}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 18% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 4.92% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$20,472.22}-\mathrm{\$15,686.56}$$=\mathrm{\$4,785.66}$

5. Roth IRA at age 64: $244,056.66

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or above $10,000.00, the top of the phase-out range, so you can't put money in a Roth directly

   $\text{allowed}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$7,400.00, \$0.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$6,000.00}\times \left(1+0.09\right)+\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$6,540.00}$

6. Repeat that for 43 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 64}$$=\mathrm{\$244,056.66}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$244,056.66}-\mathrm{\$6,000.00}-\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$238,056.66}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 15% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 7.65% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$244,056.66}-\mathrm{\$142,808.72}$$=\mathrm{\$101,247.94}$

6. Roth IRA at age 55: $302,605.03

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $153,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$6,600.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$6,600.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,500.00}\times \left(1+0.06\right)+\mathrm{\$6,600.00}$$=\mathrm{\$11,370.00}$

6. Repeat that for 22 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 55}$$=\mathrm{\$302,605.03}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$302,605.03}-\mathrm{\$4,500.00}-\mathrm{\$145,200.00}$$=\mathrm{\$152,905.03}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 13% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 5.22% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$302,605.03}-\mathrm{\$274,636.94}$$=\mathrm{\$27,968.10}$

7. Roth IRA at age 50: $278,127.75

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $153,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$4,000.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$4,000.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,000.00}\times \left(1+0.09\right)+\mathrm{\$4,000.00}$$=\mathrm{\$8,360.00}$

6. Repeat that for 22 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 50}$$=\mathrm{\$278,127.75}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$278,127.75}-\mathrm{\$4,000.00}-\mathrm{\$88,000.00}$$=\mathrm{\$186,127.75}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 16% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 7.56% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$278,127.75}-\mathrm{\$229,907.56}$$=\mathrm{\$48,220.20}$

8. Roth IRA at age 80: $4,894,683.57

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $153,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$8,250.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,400.00}\times \left(1+0.07\right)+\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$$=\mathrm{\$12,208.00}$

6. Repeat that for 56 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 80}$$=\mathrm{\$4,894,683.57}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$4,894,683.57}-\mathrm{\$4,400.00}-\mathrm{\$442,500.00}$$=\mathrm{\$4,447,783.57}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 18% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 5.74% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$4,894,683.57}-\mathrm{\$3,001,619.24}$$=\mathrm{\$1,893,064.33}$

9. Roth IRA at age 50: $645,515.50

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or below $242,000.00, where the phase-out starts, so you can put in the full amount

   $\text{allowed before other IRAs}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$7,500.00, \$7,500.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$6,200.00}\times \left(1+0.08\right)+\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$$=\mathrm{\$14,196.00}$

6. Repeat that for 26 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 50}$$=\mathrm{\$645,515.50}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$645,515.50}-\mathrm{\$6,200.00}-\mathrm{\$195,000.00}$$=\mathrm{\$444,315.50}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 16% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 6.72% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$645,515.50}-\mathrm{\$527,484.08}$$=\mathrm{\$118,031.42}$

10. Roth IRA at age 65: $14,933.83

1. Start with the 2026 IRA limit for people under 50

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$7,500.00}$

2. Your income (MAGI) is at or above $10,000.00, the top of the phase-out range, so you can't put money in a Roth directly

   $\text{allowed}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

3. So this is your 2026 Roth IRA limit

   $\text{limit}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

4. This year you put in your planned amount or the limit, whichever is smaller

   $\text{min(\$7,000.00, \$0.00)}$$=\mathrm{\$0.00}$

5. Each year the balance earns its return, then that year's money is added

   $\text{balance after year 1}$$=\mathrm{\$4,000.00}\times \left(1+0.05\right)+\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$4,200.00}$

6. Repeat that for 27 years to get the balance when you retire

   $\text{Roth IRA at age 65}$$=\mathrm{\$14,933.83}$

7. Find the growth: the final balance minus what you started with and what you put in

   $\mathrm{\$14,933.83}-\mathrm{\$4,000.00}-\mathrm{\$0.00}$$=\mathrm{\$10,933.83}$

8. Compare with a taxable account. If 14% of the growth is taxed each year, the money grows at only 4.3% a year, so you'd end up with this much less

   $\mathrm{\$14,933.83}-\mathrm{\$12,466.26}$$=\mathrm{\$2,467.56}$