Pretax or Roth contributions

Hold return and years constant while today’s tax rate and retirement tax rate differ.

Compare contribution types as retirement solutions for retirement income planning when the tax rate now and the tax rate later are not the same.

Selects the matching state income-tax pack for this tax year. Medicare, HSA, 401(k), and RMD rules stay federal.

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Example report

Illustrated results

Pretax after-tax future value

$11,060

Roth after-tax future value

$11,059

Difference (Roth − pretax)

-$1

Federal + state tax on this contribution now

$2,504

After-tax future value

Assumptions

  • Today's tax is the incremental 2026 federal tax plus California 2026 tax on this contribution.
  • Retirement tax is the incremental federal and California tax on the pretax future value using the same 2026 packs (future inflation adjustments are not projected).
  • Roth growth is illustrated as qualified tax-free.
  • Rule year 2026: IRS federal income tax (2026-rev-proc-2025-32) and California state rules (2026-enacted-v1; progressive income tax). Medicare IRMAA, HSA, 401(k), and RMD tables are federal.

Educational planning software—not investment, tax, legal, Medicare, or Social Security advice. Projections depend on your inputs and assumptions. Optional professional review is separate when available.

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