Roth IRA Calculator

Creating a Roth IRA can make a big difference in your retirement savings. There is no tax deduction for contributions made to a Roth IRA, however all future earnings are sheltered from taxes. The tax shield is better than a Variable Annuity or a Traditional IRA that only provides tax deferred growth. The Roth IRA provides truly tax-free growth. This Financial Calculator requires a Browser with Java™ applet Support. If you are seeing this message you will need to download SUN's Java™ Plug-in. This can be done simply, and automatically, by clicking the link below: Get the Java™ Plug-in!

Definitions Annual contribution The amount you will contribute to your ROTH IRA each year. This calculator assumes that you make your contribution at the beginning of each year. In 2005, the maximum annual IRA contribution is $4,000 per individual. It is important to note that this is the maximum total contributed to all of your IRA accounts. This maximum will increase to $5,000 by 2008. The table below summarizes IRA annual contribution limits. Year IRA contribution limit 2002-2004 $3,000 2005-2007 $4,000 2008 and after* $5,000 *Beginning in 2009, the contribution limit will adjust annually for inflation in $500 increments If you are 50 or older you can make additional "catch-up" contributions of $500 more than the normal limits in 2002 through 2005. Starting in 2006, the "catch-up" amount will increase to $1,000. In order to qualify for the "catch-up" contribution, you must turn 50 by the end of the year in which you are making the contribution. It is important to note that Roth IRA contributions are limited for higher incomes. If your income falls in a "phase-out" range you are allowed only a prorated Roth IRA contribution. If your income exceeds the phase-out range, you do not qualify for any Roth IRA contribution. For the purposes of this calculator, we assume that your income does not limit your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA. The table below summarizes the income "phase-out" ranges for Roth IRAs. Tax filing status Income Phase-Out Range Married filing jointly or Head of household $150,000 to $160,000 Single $95,000 to $110,000 Married filing separately $0 to $10,000 Expected rate of return The annual rate of return for your IRA. This calculator assumes that your return is compounded annually and your contributions are made at the beginning of each year. The actual rate of return is largely dependant on the type of investments you select. From January 1970 to December 2004, the average compounded rate of return for the S&P 500, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 11.5% per year. During this period, the highest 12-month return was 64%, and the lowest was -39%. Savings accounts at a bank pay as little as 1% or less. It is important to remember that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. Current age Your current age. Age of retirement Age you wish to retire. This calculator assumes that the year you retire, you do not make any contributions to your IRA. So if you retire at age 65, your last contribution is assumed to have happened when you were actually 64. Monthly payment (PITI) Monthly payment including principal, interest, home owners insurance and property taxes. Marginal tax rate The marginal tax rate you expect to pay on your taxable investments. Roth total at retirement Total value in your Roth IRA at your retirement. Total taxable savings The total amount you would have accumulated by retirement in a taxable savings account. Information and interactive calculators are made available to you as self-help tools for your independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We can not and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regards to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues. Back to Calculators