457(b) Roth vs. Pre-Tax Calculator

Compare what Roth and pre-tax contributions to a governmental 457(b) give you to spend after tax, from the year you leave the job through every withdrawal year, including withdrawals before 59½. The roth ira calculator is free to use with no sign-up, and works on desktop and mobile.

Your governmental 457(b) plan

2026 IRS limits

Current age

yrs

Age you leave this job

yrs

Contributions stop here.

Age withdrawals start

yrs

At or after you leave the job.

Years of withdrawals

yrs

Level withdrawals that use up the account.

Annual contribution

The same amount goes in as Roth or as pre-tax, at the start of each year.

Contribute the 2026 maximum every year$24,500, plus $8,000 from age 50 or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63.

Tax rate now

Marginal federal plus state.

Tax rate on withdrawals

Average rate in retirement.

Expected annual return

Invest the pre-tax tax savingsKeeps take-home pay the same under both choices.

More options

Tax rate on taxable account growth

Applied each year to the growth of the invested tax savings.

Your results

Better choice

–

More spending money

–

Roth 457(b), after tax

–

Pre-tax 457(b), after tax

–

Totals are all after-tax withdrawals over the withdrawal years.

How the two choices compare

Total contributed–

Balance when withdrawals start–

Yearly withdrawal from either account–

Tax on pre-tax withdrawals–

Tax on Roth withdrawals–

Invested tax savings, paid out–

Break-even tax rate on withdrawals–

Year-by-year comparison

Both accounts hold the same balance; only the tax on what comes out differs.

Age	Contribution	Withdrawal	Roth taxable part	Roth after tax	Pre-tax after tax	Account balance

Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial, tax or legal advice.