Invest & Retire
Roth vs Traditional
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Which wins
Roth keeps $1,066 more
Your rate now (22%) is at or below your retirement rate (24%), so paying the tax now wins.
Roth · pay tax now
Goes in, after today's tax$5,460
Grows to$41,563
Tax at withdrawalNone
You keep$41,563
Traditional · pay tax later
Goes in, pre-tax$7,000
Grows to$53,286
Tax at withdrawal-$12,789
You keep$40,497
The Rule of Thumb
The whole game is your tax rate The growth is identical either way. What differs is when you hand the government its cut. Pay it when your rate is lower.
Most young men: lean Roth Early in a career your bracket is usually the lowest it will ever be. Locking in today’s rate and never paying tax on the growth is a strong bet. Always take any employer 401(k) match first, then favor Roth.
Everything on this site is educational. Nothing here is financial, legal, or tax advice, and the calculators produce estimates only. Talk to a licensed professional before making financial decisions. © 2026 Kindred Oak.