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Which IRA wins given your current and expected retirement tax brackets?
Monthly compounding · end-of-period contributions. Roth final = compounded contributions (tax-free). Traditional final × (1 − retirement tax rate). Assumes same gross contribution both sides.
No — these are projections that assume your inputs hold. Real markets and life are variable.
The Trinity Study suggests withdrawing 4% of a balanced portfolio in year one and adjusting for inflation typically lasts 30+ years.
At minimum, capture the full employer match — that's free money. Beyond that, balance against debt payoff and emergency reserves.
Roth wins if you'll be in a higher tax bracket in retirement; Traditional wins if you'll be in a lower bracket.
Immediately. The single biggest variable in retirement success is years of compounding.
Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not financial advice. Verify with a qualified professional before making decisions.
Last updated October 2026