A plan for your number
Roth IRA Contribution Goal Calculator
This free Roth IRA contribution goal calculator helps retirement savers estimate the monthly contribution needed for a target balance, with no signup required.
A target, not a promise.
Future contribution limits, future catch-up increases, fees, inflation, and market volatility are not modeled. This is not a recommendation to exceed legal limits.
Explore growth assumptions →How the monthly amount is calculated
The model compounds your starting balance for the remaining months, then solves for an equal monthly deposit to fund the rest of the target. With monthly rate r and n months, the deposit is max(0, (target − balance × (1 + r)ⁿ) ÷ (((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r)). At a zero return, it is the remaining target divided by the number of months.
Deposits arrive at month end. Target and results are future nominal dollars. The limit comparison uses the current age-based 2026 limit, held fixed; it does not forecast future law or income eligibility.
Methods and IRS sources →Answers before assumptions
Frequently asked questions
01Is this calculator free?
Yes. All calculators on this site are free to use; there is no paid tier.
02Do I need an account?
No. You can edit assumptions and view results without signing up.
03What does this tool solve for?
It estimates the fixed end-of-month contribution needed to reach your target balance by your chosen retirement age. The target is stated in future nominal dollars.
04How is this different from the retirement age tool?
This tool solves for monthly dollars; the retirement age tool solves for time. Use the latter when your savings amount is known but your retirement date is flexible. Estimate retirement age →
05How do I aim for $1 million?
Enter $1,000,000 as the target, then enter your balance, ages, and expected return. The monthly result depends on those assumptions and may exceed IRA limits.
06Is my starting balance included?
Yes. Your existing balance compounds for the entire projection before the remaining target is funded by new contributions.
07What if I already have enough invested?
The required monthly contribution is zero when the projected starting balance already reaches the target. A zero estimate does not guarantee the goal will be reached.
08What if the required contribution exceeds the IRA limit?
The result flags the excess and shows the projected shortfall at the current age-based limit. You may need more time, a different target, or savings outside an IRA; income eligibility can reduce the allowance further. Check your income-based allowance →
09Are future contribution limits forecast?
No. The limit comparison holds the 2026 age-based limit fixed. It does not predict future limit increases or automatically add future catch-up contributions.
10How is the return calculated?
The annual return is divided by 12 and compounded monthly. Contributions arrive at the end of each month, and the model assumes a constant return.
11Does the target account for inflation?
No. This tool uses future nominal dollars. A target in today’s purchasing power needs to be increased for your inflation assumption before entering it.
12Can I compare the answer with my current savings plan?
Yes. Enter your planned monthly contribution to see its projected balance and the remaining gap to your target.
13Is the monthly amount financial advice?
No. It is a mathematical estimate, not a personal recommendation. Returns, taxes, fees, legal eligibility, and changing circumstances can alter the outcome.