Retirement & Planning

Roth Contributions Within Your Retirement Plan

Use this calculator to help determine the impact of roth contributions within your retirement plan and your paycheck.

Inputs
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%

Estimates only. Adjust any value to recalculate instantly.

Results
Tax-free balance in 30 years $808,584 $240,000 contributed · $568,584 tax-free growth
Total contributions $240,000
Tax-free growth $568,584
Tax-free at retirement $808,584
Growth multiple 3.37×
Contributions vs tax-free growth
Contributions vs tax-free growth Contributions: $240kTax-free growth: $569k
  • Contributions $240k
  • Tax-free growth $569k

Roth contributions within your plan use after-tax dollars but grow and are withdrawn tax-free, and unlike a Roth IRA they have no income limit. The employer match, however, always goes into a pre-tax account.

Projected tax-free balance by yearView table
YearBalance
1$8,560
2$17,719
3$27,520
4$38,006
5$49,226
6$61,232
7$74,078
8$87,824
9$102,532
10$118,269
11$135,108
12$153,125
13$172,404
14$193,032
15$215,104
16$238,722
17$263,992
18$291,032
19$319,964
20$350,921
21$384,046
22$419,489
23$457,413
24$497,992
25$541,412
26$587,871
27$637,582
28$690,772
29$747,686
30$808,584

How the roth contributions within your retirement plan calculator works

It compounds your annual Roth contributions at your expected return to retirement. Because Roth money is contributed after tax, the entire ending balance — contributions and all growth — is tax-free.

Worked example

Worked example: with annual roth contribution of $8,000, years until retirement of 30 and annual return of 7.00%, the roth contributions within your retirement plan shows tax-free balance in 30 years of $808,584.

Total contributions
$240,000
Tax-free growth
$568,584
Tax-free at retirement
$808,584
Growth multiple
3.37×

The formula

Each year: balance = (balance + annual contribution) × (1 + return). All qualified withdrawals are tax-free.

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Confirm exact figures with your lender, plan administrator or advisor.

Frequently asked

Questions about the roth contributions within your retirement plan

Can I make Roth contributions in my workplace plan?

Increasingly yes — many 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans now offer a Roth option, and unlike a Roth IRA there is no income limit to contribute.

Why choose Roth contributions?

You pay tax now for tax-free withdrawals later. It is attractive if you expect higher future taxes, want tax-free income in retirement, or are early in your career at a low rate.

Is the employer match also Roth?

Traditionally the match goes into a pre-tax account even if your contributions are Roth, though some plans now allow Roth matching. Pre-tax match money is taxed at withdrawal.

Is the Roth Contributions Within Your Retirement Plan free to use?

Yes. Every calculator on FinCalculators is completely free, with no sign-up, login or paywall. You can run as many scenarios as you like.