Retirement Account Comparison Calculator

Different retirement vehicles grow, get taxed, and pay out in different ways, and lining them up by projected balance reveals which one does the most for you over time. The stakes are clear once you see the 2026 contribution limits, which reach $23,500 for 401(k)s and $7,000 for IRAs, since the choice of account shapes how much of that money you ultimately keep.

Projections run on compound interest formulas, with the tax treatment adjusted for each account type. The tool separates traditional from Roth handling, layers in employer matching scenarios, and respects the varying contribution limits. Your current tax bracket, your expected bracket in retirement, and your time horizon all feed into the after-tax value it reports for each option.

Traditional accounts hand you a tax deduction now but tax your withdrawals later, whereas Roth accounts take after-tax dollars up front and then grow tax-free. Employer 401(k) matching deserves special attention, since it amounts to an immediate 100% return on the dollars you contribute. Because your retirement tax bracket weighs heavily on which structure wins, estimate it as carefully as you can.