Roth vs Traditional vs 401(k): After-Tax Growth Comparison

Enter the same starting contribution and assumptions for each account type, then see which produces the highest after-tax value at withdrawal. Includes an optional 401(k) employer match.

Starting contribution (each account)
Example: 10000. This is the amount contributed/deferral. (401(k) match is added on top.)
Years invested
How long the money compounds before withdrawal.
Annual return rate (%)
Assumed average annual growth rate (same for all accounts).
Income tax rate at withdrawal (%)
Applied to Traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals (qualified Roth assumed tax-free).
401(k) employer match (%)
Match is added to your contribution (e.g., 6% match adds 6% of your contribution).
Optional: current tax rate for Roth (%)
Used only to show Roth “out-of-pocket cost today.” Does not change the Roth’s tax-free withdrawal.
Interpretation used: The “starting contribution” is deposited into each account. Traditional IRA/401(k) withdrawals are taxed at your entered withdrawal tax rate. Roth withdrawals are assumed qualified and tax-free.

Keep Exploring Retirement Planning Tools

Visit our calculators hub for additional retirement calculators, including other savings calculators such as 401(k) and Roth tools.

To check current contribution rules and official guidance, please visit the IRS here: IRS: Learn more about HSAs and HRAs .

Don’t forget to read some of our retirement-related articles, including: Gen X Retirement Planning: A 20-Year Guide and Tax Planning for Gen X and Retirees .

Disclaimer: Regulations and laws governing taxes, Social Security, and government-regulated retirement plans can and do change over time. RetireCoast attempts to keep our information current, but we may not always catch something new—particularly at the state and local level. Confirm details before implementing any strategy into your retirement plans.