Roth IRA for Kids Calculator
A child with a paycheck can have a Roth IRA. See what a few years of contributions could grow to, tax-free, by retirement.
At 65, tax-free
$2,138,524
About $420,791 in today’s dollars, from $40,000 put in.
At 18, when contributions stop: $57,438
Contributions come out any time, tax- and penalty-free. Growth comes out tax-free after 59½.
Balance What was put in At 18, when contributions stop
Why starting early matters
Put in the same amounts, but start at 25 instead of 10, and at 65 it’s $674,152. Starting now is worth $1,464,372 more, for the same money in. That’s compounding: the early dollars get the most years to grow.
Year by year
| Age | Year | Put in so far | Balance | In today’s dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2026 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 11 | 2027 | $5,000 | $5,400 | $5,243 |
| 12 | 2028 | $10,000 | $11,232 | $10,587 |
| 13 | 2029 | $15,000 | $17,531 | $16,043 |
| 14 | 2030 | $20,000 | $24,333 | $21,620 |
| 15 | 2031 | $25,000 | $31,680 | $27,327 |
| 16 | 2032 | $30,000 | $39,614 | $33,176 |
| 17 | 2033 | $35,000 | $48,183 | $39,177 |
| 18 | 2034 | $40,000 | $57,438 | $45,342 |
| 20 | 2036 | $40,000 | $66,995 | $49,851 |
| 25 | 2041 | $40,000 | $98,438 | $63,184 |
| 30 | 2046 | $40,000 | $144,638 | $80,083 |
| 35 | 2051 | $40,000 | $212,521 | $101,501 |
| 40 | 2056 | $40,000 | $312,263 | $128,648 |
| 45 | 2061 | $40,000 | $458,817 | $163,056 |
| 50 | 2066 | $40,000 | $674,152 | $206,666 |
| 55 | 2071 | $40,000 | $990,551 | $261,940 |
| 60 | 2076 | $40,000 | $1,455,444 | $331,997 |
| 65 | 2081 | $40,000 | $2,138,524 | $420,791 |
New to this? The Parents Hub explains how these accounts work, who can open them and what to watch out for.
Important — please read
This calculator is an educational tool. It shows a simple, fixed-rate projection: it assumes your money grows at the same rate every year with no interruptions, and it ignores taxes, fees, inflation, market volatility, sequence-of-returns risk, and changes to your contributions or circumstances. Real investment returns vary widely year to year and can be negative. Past performance does not predict future results.
The numbers shown are hypothetical illustrations, not a forecast, a promise, or a recommendation, and nothing here is investment, tax, legal, or financial advice or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Paycheck Paradox is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, or tax advisor.
Before making any financial decision, talk to a qualified professional — a licensed financial advisor, CPA, or attorney — who can account for your full situation. You are solely responsible for your own decisions.
Provided “as is”, with no warranty of accuracy or fitness for any purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Paycheck Paradox accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of, or reliance on, this tool.