Traditional IRA Calculator: Project a Pre-Tax Retirement Balance
Project how a traditional IRA could grow when funded with pre-tax dollars and left to compound until retirement.
Adjust the inputs and select Calculate for a full breakdown.
Year-by-year growth schedule
Compare Common Scenarios
How the numbers shift across typical situations for this calculator:
| Scenario | Future value | Total contributions | Total interest earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20k · $500/mo · 7% · 25yr | $519,544.21 | $170,000.00 | $349,544.21 |
| $0 · $400/mo · 8% · 30yr | $596,143.78 | $144,000.00 | $452,143.78 |
| $80k · $600/mo · 6% · 15yr | $370,818.71 | $188,000.00 | $182,818.71 |
| $35k · $250/mo · 7% · 20yr | $271,587.52 | $95,000.00 | $176,587.52 |
How This Calculator Works
Enter the current IRA balance, the average annual return you expect, the years until retirement, and your monthly contribution. The calculator compounds the balance monthly and adds each contribution, showing the projected balance and the share built by growth.
The Formula
Future Value with Regular Contributions
P = starting amount, PMT = monthly contribution, r = monthly rate (annual ÷ 12), n = number of months
Worked Example
With $20,000 saved, $500 added monthly, and a 7% average return over 25 years, a traditional IRA reaches about $519,500. Contributions account for $170,000; investment growth supplies the other $349,500.
Key Insight
A traditional IRA defers tax: contributions may be deductible now, and growth is untaxed until withdrawal, when it is taxed as income. Required minimum distributions eventually force withdrawals, unlike a Roth IRA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a traditional IRA taxed?
Contributions may be tax-deductible in the year they are made, and growth is untaxed until withdrawal. Withdrawals in retirement are then taxed as ordinary income.
How does it differ from a Roth IRA?
A traditional IRA defers tax to retirement; a Roth is funded with after-tax money and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. The traditional suits those expecting a lower future tax rate.
What are required minimum distributions?
From a set age, the IRS requires minimum annual withdrawals from a traditional IRA. They are taxed as income and do not apply to a Roth IRA during the owner's life.
Is there a contribution limit?
Yes. The IRS sets an annual IRA contribution limit, with a higher cap for those 50 and older. Keep your monthly contribution within one-twelfth of the limit.
Are the projected figures before tax?
Yes. The balance is pre-tax. Because withdrawals are taxed as income, the spendable amount in retirement is lower than the projected balance.
Related Calculators
Data Sources & Benchmarks
This calculator draws on 3 independent, dated sources. The starting values for expected annual return are taken from the benchmarks below and refresh whenever the snapshots are updated.
Methodology & Review
The projection compounds the balance monthly at a constant expected return and adds a fixed monthly contribution. It assumes contributions stay within annual IRS limits and excludes fees and future tax.
Written by Ugo Candido · Last updated May 17, 2026.