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HSA vs Roth IRA: Quick Chooser & Tax Calculator
Updated on
Not sure whether to fund your HSA or Roth IRA first? Use this quick chooser and see the math in dollars (including HSA’s payroll tax advantage and the Roth vs Traditional tradeoff).
- HSA first (especially if funded via payroll and/or employer contributes) — triple tax advantage.
- Roth vs Traditional IRA/401(k): if your future tax rate ≥ today’s, favor Roth; if lower later, favor Traditional.
- Then consider taxable accounts.
Want deeper context? See Roth vs Traditional IRA and Retirement Tax Windows.
Quick Chooser
See the math (per $1,000 of out-of-pocket budget)
| Option | Future after-tax $ |
|---|
Your calculation
Which account ends up ahead
Your budget grown at the return and horizon you entered, then taxed: the HSA at your future rate on the share you said is not qualified medical, the Roth not at all, the traditional account in full. It assumes the contribution routes you described and ignores state tax, employer plan costs and contribution limits.
Want help deciding the order? See the adviser option.Optional next step
Want help deciding the order?
The winner here depends on rates you had to guess at, and on the rest of your accounts. If you want a second opinion on the sequence, you can request an adviser match.
- No fee to request a match
- No obligation to hire
Expect questions about your situation, your name, email and phone, and phone verification by text. A match is not guaranteed.
The form is run by Kapitalwise, our advisor-matching partner. Kapitalwise sends your details to advisers who pay for the introduction, so expect calls and texts. Clear Money Guide is paid when you submit the form, whether or not you ever hire anyone. This is free to you and there is no obligation to hire anyone.
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Figures verified against 26 U.S.C. §3101 (the 7.65% payroll tax default) and §106(d) on September 30, 2026; the payroll-tax exclusion for cafeteria-plan HSA contributions was not re-checked.
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