Roth vs. Traditional Calculator

Compare the after-tax retirement value of the same pre-tax dollar in a Roth versus a traditional account.

This is an estimate based on the numbers you have entered, not financial advice. NetWorthy never recommends a specific security and never moves money on your behalf.

Annual pre-tax contribution

Years until retirement

Expected annual return (%)

Marginal tax rate today (%)

Marginal tax rate in retirement (%)

$717,902.05

Roth, after tax

$736,794.10

Traditional, after tax

Traditional

Ends ahead

$944,607.82

Traditional, before withdrawal tax

$72,000.00

Income tax deferred

-$18,892.05

Difference

Both sides start from the same pre-tax income: the traditional account receives all of it, the Roth receives what survives tax today. With the same rate in both years the two are identical — the rate difference is what decides it.