Roth vs Traditional 401(k)

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Roth vs Traditional 401(k)

Compare after-tax retirement values when contributing the same dollar amount to a Roth vs Traditional 401(k).

Inputs

Annual contribution ($)

Annual return (%)

Years to retirement

Current tax rate (%)

Retirement tax rate (%)

Results

Roth after-tax value

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Traditional after-tax value

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Winner

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Advantage amount

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Pre-tax balance (same for both)

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Roth is generally better if your retirement tax rate will be higher. Traditional is better if it will be lower. If rates are equal, they're mathematically equivalent — assuming you save the tax deduction from Traditional contributions.