RETIREMENT · EMPLOYER PLANS

401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement age, factoring in employer match, annual raises, and compound growth. See exactly how much your contributions and match add up over decades.

LAST REVIEWED · APR 08, 2026 · BY A. CHEN, CFP®
You need
$2,330,878
Your DetailsReset
Current age
30 yrs
1870
Retirement age
65 yrs
5075
Annual salary
$75,000
$20K$500K
Current balance
$25,000
$0$2M
Your contribution
10%
0%100%
Employer match
4%
0%15%
Expected returnBefore inflation
7%
1%12%
Annual raise
3%
0%10%
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How the 401(k) calculator works

This calculator projects your 401(k) balance by compounding your current balance at your expected rate of return, then adding your annual contributions and employer match each year. If you include a raise rate, your contribution and match amounts grow automatically.

Why employer match matters

Employer matching is free money — literally a 100% return on the matched portion of your contribution. If your employer matches 50% of the first 6%, contributing at least 6% is the minimum smart play. Not contributing enough to get the full match is leaving compensation on the table.

Contribution limits

For 2026, the IRS allows up to $23,500 in elective deferrals ($31,000 if you’re 50 or older). Employer contributions are on top of this limit, up to a combined $70,000 total.

Methodology. Uses iterative year-by-year projection: each year applies the return rate to the existing balance, then adds employee contribution (salary × contribution%) and employer match (salary × match%). Salary grows by the optional raise rate annually. FV = PV×(1+r)^n + PMT×((1+r)^n−1)/r with annual compounding.

Sources

  • IRS Publication 560 — Retirement Plans for Small Business
  • IRS 401(k) contribution limits for 2026: $23,500 ($31,000 if 50+)
  • Average employer match: 4.7% of salary (Vanguard How America Saves, 2025)
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Frequently asked questions

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)? +
At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match. Ideally, aim for 15% of gross income including the match. If that’s too much right now, increase by 1% each year until you get there.
What rate of return should I assume? +
A 7% nominal return (before inflation) is a reasonable long-term assumption for a diversified stock/bond portfolio. Conservative planners use 5–6%; aggressive ones might use 8–10%.
Does this calculator account for taxes? +
No — 401(k) contributions are pre-tax, so your withdrawals will be taxed as ordinary income in retirement. This calculator shows the gross balance; your after-tax income will depend on your future tax bracket.
What happens to my 401(k) if I change jobs? +
You can roll it into your new employer’s plan or into an IRA without tax penalty. Avoid cashing out — you’ll owe income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you’re under 59½.
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