Two accounts. Same name, almost. Same contribution limit, shared. Same investments available inside.
One word different.
And that one word decides whether you hand the IRS money now or forty years from now. It decides whether your retirement withdrawals count as income. It decides whether the government can force you to take money out at 73.
Traditional or Roth.
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Most people pick by vibes. They heard Roth is better. Or they wanted the deduction. Or a coworker said something at lunch in 2014 and it stuck.
Here is the uncomfortable truth: there is no universally better one. The right answer depends on a number you cannot know for certain, which is your future tax rate.
But you can get much closer than a coin flip. Most people never try.
Let's actually work it out.