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Roth vs. Pre-Tax Retirement Contribution Calculator

The real decision isn't "Roth or Traditional" — it's whether you'd rather pay tax on this contribution now or on the withdrawal later. This tool compares the after-tax outcome both ways, for a workplace plan or an IRA, and shows the retirement tax rate where the decision flips.

1Your Account

Which type of account, and what you're already working with.

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Leave at 0 if you plan to contribute the same dollar amount every year
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Shown separately below — your Roth vs. pre-tax election doesn't change how much your employer contributes

3Your Tax Situation

This comparison lives or dies on your marginal tax rate now vs. in retirement — not your effective rate. We'll explain the difference if you use the estimator below.

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Enter 0% if you expect to retire in a state with no income tax
Informational only — used in the notes below, not in the math, since your entered rates already reflect your own expectations

4Projection Assumptions

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For context only — we compare the after-tax value at the start of retirement, assuming your retirement tax rate stays constant across your withdrawal years
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If left unchecked, we assume the tax savings are spent rather than invested — this makes a real difference (see your results)

5Optional: Split Contribution

Curious about splitting your contribution between both? Enter a percentage to see a blended result alongside the all-Roth and all-pre-tax outcomes.

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This tool provides general educational estimates only. It is not personalized tax, investment, or legal advice, and tax law changes over time. Read our full disclaimer →

Your Roth vs. Pre-Tax Comparison

Fill in your numbers above, then select "Compare Roth vs. Pre-Tax" to see your results.