See what your Roth IRA looks like at retirement — and what waiting even 5 years costs you.
// Your situation
2026 max: $583/mo ($7,000/yr)
S&P 500 historical avg: ~7% inflation-adjusted
// Employer 401(k) match
Include free money from your employer
// Cost of waiting
What if you started 5 years later?
Waiting 5 years costs you:
$203,127
That's money you'd have at retirement — gone from delay, not from spending.
// Why Roth specifically
Tax-free growth
Every dollar of growth — dividends, interest, capital gains — is completely tax-free. Forever.
Tax-free withdrawals
At 59½ you pull money out 100% tax-free. No taxes on the gains, ever.
No required distributions
Unlike a Traditional IRA, there's no age you're forced to start withdrawing.
Contributions are flexible
You can withdraw your contributions (not gains) penalty-free anytime — it's not locked up forever.
At age 65, you'd have
$655,226
100% tax-free at withdrawal
You contributed
$103,200
Market grew it by
$552,026
You (16%)Growth (84%)
// Growth over time
Age 27
$14,319
Age 32
$34,617
Age 37
$63,392
Age 42
$104,185
Age 47
$162,014
Age 52
$243,994
Age 57
$360,211
Age 62
$524,963
Age 65
$655,226
Contributions
Total balance
// Milestones you'll hit
$25,000Age 30 · year 8
$50,000Age 35 · year 13
$100,000Age 42 · year 20
$250,000Age 53 · year 31
$500,000Age 62 · year 40
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This tool provides general estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Your actual numbers will vary — talk to a licensed financial advisor or tax professional before making decisions.