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Compare tax strategies. See which account type wins for your retirement timeline and .
Tax-Smart Retirement Planning →
Roth Wins
$117,069
13.6% more after-tax wealth at retirement
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IRA/401(k)
Contribute pre-tax dollars (immediate deduction), pay taxes on withdrawals. Best if you expect lower taxes in retirement.
IRA/401(k)
Contribute after-tax dollars (no deduction), withdraw . Best if you expect higher taxes in retirement or want tax-free growth.
2026 Contribution Limits
IRA: $7,500 (under 50) / $8,600 (50+). 401(k): $24,500 (under 50) / $32,500 (50+; $35,750 at ages 60-63).
Income Limits
Roth IRA has income limits. Traditional has no income limits but may lose deduction if you have a workplace plan.
Flexibility
allows penalty-free withdrawal of contributions at any time. has before 59.5.
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Example output — not real data
💰
$67K
Lifetime Savings
🎯
Split 60/40
Best Strategy
📅
2026-2031
Conversion Window
Plan multi-year Roth conversions with bracket-aware timing
Fill low brackets strategically to minimize lifetime taxes
Which account to draw from first — optimized year by year
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Go beyond Roth vs Traditional. Sagery Pro includes Roth conversion planning, backdoor Roth strategies, tax-loss harvesting optimization, and state-specific tax planning. Start at just $8/mo.
Yes! You can split contributions between Traditional and Roth accounts in the same year. The total across all IRAs cannot exceed the annual limit. Many people use both strategies to diversify their tax situation.
A backdoor Roth is an advanced strategy where you contribute to a Traditional IRA (non-deductible), then immediately convert it to Roth. This works even if you earn too much for direct Roth contributions. Sagery Pro covers this strategy in detail.
You can always withdraw contributions penalty-free. Earnings require you to be 59.5+ AND have the account for 5+ years, or use the Roth conversion ladder strategy. Read the full rules on IRS.gov or our Pro guides.
No! IRAs have no Required Minimum Distributions () during your lifetime. You can let them grow tax-free indefinitely and pass them to heirs. This is a huge advantage for wealth building.
If you earn too much for Roth contributions, consider backdoor Roth conversions. If you maximize your 401(k) with Traditional, consider Roth for after-tax contributions. High earners benefit from tax diversification.
Pro Tip
Run this calculator with different tax rate assumptions to see how sensitive your decision is. Even small changes in expected taxes can shift which strategy wins. Use Pro features for Roth conversion scenarios.
Sagery provides educational estimates, not financial advice. All projections are based on the assumptions you provide — actual results will vary. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.