IRA calculator for retirement contributions and growth
Enter your age, IRA balance, planned annual contribution, return, fees and inflation. HitEquals projects every year through retirement and separates deposits from investment growth.
Inputs used by this calculator
IRA Calculator uses the fields below. The starting values reproduce the page example; replace them with values from the same units and time period before using the result.
| Input | Starting example | Accepted value | How it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current age | 35 | 18 to 99 | Supplies the current age quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Retirement age | 65 | 19 to 100 | Supplies the retirement age quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Current IRA balance (USD) | 25,000 | 0 to 1000000000000 | Supplies the current ira balance (usd) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Annual contribution (USD) | 7,500 | 0 to 1000000000 | Supplies the annual contribution (usd) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Estimated annual return (%) | 7 | 0 to 100 | Supplies the estimated annual return (%) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Annual fees (%) | 0.25 | 0 to 20 | Supplies the annual fees (%) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Expected inflation (%) | 2.5 | 0 to 50 | Supplies the expected inflation (%) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Contribution timing | End of each year | End of each year · Beginning of each year | Supplies the contribution timing quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
How the IRA projection works
The calculator compounds the current balance once per modeled year and applies the same planned contribution at the beginning or end of that year.
IRA growth formula
The net modeled return is the entered investment return minus annual fees.
end timing: Bₙ=Bₙ₋₁(1+r)+Cbeginning timing: Bₙ=(Bₙ₋₁+C)(1+r)2026 contribution context
IRS Publication 590-A states that the 2026 IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 for an individual age 50 or older. Eligibility and Roth or deductible traditional IRA limits also depend on income and circumstances.
Traditional and Roth balances
The same account balance can have different after-tax meaning. Traditional distributions may be taxable; qualified Roth distributions can receive different treatment. This tool does not estimate withdrawal tax.
Return, fees and inflation
Investment returns vary and can be negative. Fees reduce the assumed growth rate, while the inflation-adjusted result translates the future balance into today's modeled purchasing power.
What the IRA Calculator answers
Project an IRA balance, contributions, growth and inflation-adjusted value through retirement.
Use IRA Calculator when you know Current age, Retirement age, Current IRA balance (USD), Annual contribution (USD), Estimated annual return (%), Annual fees (%), Expected inflation (%) and Contribution timing and need the relationship expressed by the published equation.
2026 IRA contribution reference
| Age | 2026 general limit |
|---|---|
| Under 50 | $7,500 |
| 50 or older | $8,600 |
Frequently asked questions
Does this enforce IRA contribution eligibility?
No. Income, compensation and filing circumstances can change the amount permitted or deductible.
Does it model a Roth IRA?
It projects account growth but does not estimate Roth eligibility or tax treatment.
Are fees included?
Yes. The entered annual fee rate is subtracted from the modeled return.
Why show inflation-adjusted value?
It estimates the future balance in today's purchasing power under the entered inflation rate.
Are returns guaranteed?
No. The rate is a scenario, and actual investments can gain or lose value.
What question does this IRA Calculator answer?
Project an IRA balance, contributions, growth and inflation-adjusted value through retirement.
What to keep in mind
This is a growth projection, not tax, investment or eligibility advice. Verify annual contribution and deduction limits with the IRS.
Results are rounded for display in US format, with money in dollars and cents; CSV exports keep full calculation precision. This is a calculation summary, not an official certificate.