Assumes one contribution per year, compounded annually at a fixed rate.
2026 IRA contribution limit
$7,000 per year ($8,000 if age 50 or older)
Set by the IRS; check current limits before relying on this figure.
Results
Calculated
Projected balance at retirement
—
Future value of the IRA
Total contributions
—
Starting balance + all deposits
Total investment growth
—
Earnings from compounding
Years until retirement
—
Time horizon used above
Ready
Enter your age, balance, contribution, and expected return, then press Calculate.
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How to use this calculator
This IRA calculator projects your account balance at retirement by combining your current balance with annual contributions, growing at compound interest each year until you reach your chosen retirement age. Enter your current age, retirement age, current IRA balance, annual contribution, and expected annual return, then click Calculate to see your results instantly. Click Clear to reset all fields to their defaults.
The formula
The calculator uses the standard future-value-with-annuity formula. Your current balance grows on its own: balance × (1 + r)^n. Each year's contribution also compounds for the years remaining, and summed across all years this becomes contribution × [((1 + r)^n − 1) / r], where r is the annual return as a decimal and n is the number of years until retirement. Adding those two pieces gives the projected balance at retirement.
Interpreting the results
The highlighted card shows your projected balance at retirement. Total contributions is simply your starting balance plus every deposit you make along the way, with no growth applied. Total investment growth is the difference — the projected balance minus total contributions — which shows how much of the final total came from compounding rather than money you put in. If results look off, double-check that your retirement age is greater than your current age and that the return rate is entered as a percentage (7, not 0.07).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this IRA calculator work?
It projects your balance at retirement using the standard future-value-with-annuity formula: your current balance compounds at your expected annual return for every year until retirement, and each year's contribution is added and compounds for the years remaining. The result adds those two growth streams together.
Does this account for the IRA contribution limit?
No — you enter your own annual contribution amount, so it's on you to keep it within the IRS limit for the tax year (for 2026 that's $7,000, or $8,000 if you're 50 or older). The calculator does not apply or enforce any limit automatically.
Does this calculator account for taxes?
No. It projects pre-tax growth only. A Traditional IRA is generally taxed on withdrawal, while a Roth IRA grows and withdraws tax-free if the rules are met — those tax treatments change your real take-home amount but are not modeled here.
What assumptions does this calculator make?
It assumes a fixed annual return applied once per year, one contribution per year of the same amount, and no withdrawals before retirement. Real investment returns vary year to year, so this is a planning estimate, not a guarantee — actual results will differ from a smooth compounding curve.