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401(k) Calculator
Estimate your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your contributions, employer match, and investment growth.
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Projected Balance at Retirement
Total Employee Contributions
Total Employer Match
Investment Growth
401(k) projections are estimates based on constant returns and contributions. Actual results will vary. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice.
Calculated in your browser. We never see your numbers.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your current age and target retirement age, along with your current 401(k) balance and how much you plan to contribute annually. Set the expected annual return rate (historically 7% is a common long-term estimate for a diversified portfolio). Enter your employer match rate and the cap as a percentage of salary, then input your annual salary. Click Calculate to see your projected retirement balance, broken down by employee contributions, employer match, and investment growth.
401(k) Growth Formula
The projected balance uses the future value of a lump sum plus an annuity: FV = B × (1 + r)^n + (C/12) × ((1 + r)^n − 1) / r, where B is the current balance, r is the monthly return rate (annual rate ÷ 12), n is the total months (years × 12), and C is the total annual contribution (employee + employer match). Employee contributions are capped at the 2026 IRS limit ($23,500 base; $31,000 for ages 50–59, 64+; $34,750 for ages 60–63). The combined employee + employer total is capped at $70,000 per year.
Example Calculation
Suppose you are 35 years old, plan to retire at 67, and have $25,000 saved. You contribute $10,000 per year to your 401(k) on a $75,000 salary, with a 7% expected return. Your employer matches 50% of the first 6% of your salary — that's $2,250 per year in free money. Your total annual contribution is $12,250. Over 32 years at 7% growth, your 401(k) would grow to approximately $1.4 million. Of that, roughly $320,000 came from your contributions, $72,000 from employer matching, and the rest — over $1 million — from compound investment growth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that lets you contribute pre-tax income directly from your paycheck. The contributions grow tax-deferred until withdrawal in retirement (for traditional 401(k)) or tax-free for qualified withdrawals (for Roth 401(k)). Many employers offer matching contributions, making it one of the most powerful retirement savings vehicles available.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
A common guideline is to contribute at least enough to capture your full employer match — that's an immediate 50–100% return on your money. Beyond that, financial experts often recommend saving 10–15% of your gross income for retirement, including the employer match. If you're starting late, consider maximizing contributions up to the IRS limit, including catch-up contributions if you're age 50 or older.
What is an employer match?
An employer match is when your company contributes money to your 401(k) based on your own contributions. A common match is '50% of the first 6% of your salary' — meaning if you earn $60,000 and contribute 6% ($3,600), your employer adds $1,800. This is essentially free money and should always be captured before considering other investments. Check your plan documents for your specific employer match formula.
What is the difference between a Traditional and Roth 401(k)?
A Traditional 401(k) uses pre-tax dollars — you reduce your taxable income now and pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. A Roth 401(k) uses after-tax dollars — no tax deduction now, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free, including all the growth. The best choice depends on whether you expect to be in a higher or lower tax bracket in retirement. Many plans allow you to split contributions between both.
What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
For 2026, the employee contribution limit is $23,500. Workers aged 50–59 and 64+ can contribute an extra $7,500 in catch-up contributions for a total of $31,000. Workers aged 60–63 get an enhanced 'super catch-up' under SECURE 2.0 of $11,250, for a total of $34,750. The combined employee + employer limit is $70,000. These limits are indexed to inflation and may change annually.
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