How to use the 401(k) calculator
- 1 Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
- 2 Enter your salary and the percentage you contribute.
- 3 Enter your employer match, for example 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary.
- 4 Add your current balance, expected return and salary growth, then read the balance at retirement.
Worked example
Age 30, $70,000 salary, saving 10% with a 50% match up to 6%, $20,000 already saved, 7% return and 2% raises. In the first year you contribute $7,000 and your employer adds $2,100. By 65 the account could reach about $1,792,690, of which roughly $349,961 is your money, $104,988 is the employer match and $1,317,740 is investment growth.
Getting the most from your 401(k)
- Take the full match first. A 50% match is an instant 50% return; nothing else comes close.
- 2026 limits: $24,500 of your own contributions, plus $8,000 catch-up from age 50, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63. Employer money counts toward a separate, higher total limit.
- Roth catch-up rule: from 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in Social Security wages the year before, your catch-up contributions must go in as Roth.
- Vesting: your own contributions are always yours, but the match may vest over a few years.
Saving beyond the 401(k)? A Roth IRA adds tax-free growth. See whether the total is enough with the Retirement Calculator.
Features
Employer match
Handles common formulas such as 50% up to 6% or 100% up to 4% of salary.
2026 limits
Your own contribution is capped at $24,500, plus $8,000 catch-up from 50, or $11,250 at ages 60 to 63.
Salary growth
Contributions rise as your pay grows each year.
Clear breakdown
See your money, your employer's money and investment growth separately.
When to use it
Choosing a contribution rate
See how 6%, 10% or 15% changes your balance at 65. Add tax-free growth with the Roth IRA Calculator.
Getting the full match
Check you contribute enough to collect every dollar your employer offers. Check the total with the Retirement Calculator.
Catch-up planning
See the effect of extra contributions after age 50. See the effect on your pay with the Paycheck Calculator.
Job offers
Compare a higher salary with a richer 401(k) match. Retiring early? Model it with the FIRE Calculator.
Related Savings and Investing tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
Employees can defer up to $24,500. Those aged 50 or over can add $8,000 of catch-up contributions, and those aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250 instead.
How does an employer match work?
A typical match is 50% of what you contribute, up to 6% of salary. If you earn $70,000 and save 6%, you put in $4,200 and your employer adds $2,100.
Do employer contributions count toward my limit?
No. The $24,500 limit is for your own deferrals. The total of employee and employer contributions is capped separately at $72,000 for 2026.
What return should I use?
Many people use 5% to 7% a year for a stock-heavy portfolio over long periods. Returns are not guaranteed, so try a lower figure to see a cautious case.
Is the result in today's dollars?
No. It is the future dollar balance. Inflation will reduce what it can buy, so a balance 35 years from now will buy much less than the same amount today.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional contributions reduce tax now and are taxed when withdrawn. Roth contributions are taxed now and withdrawn tax-free. The growth figure here is the same for both; only the tax timing differs.
What about vesting?
Employer contributions may vest over several years. If you leave before you are fully vested, you may lose some of the match.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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