401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance with contributions, employer match, pay raises and investment growth.
…
How to do it
- 1Fill in the boxes
Type your numbers or pick the options you need.
- 2See the result
The answer updates right away as you change a value.
- 3Use it
Copy the result or note it down. Nothing is sent anywhere.
About this tool
Enter your salary, your contribution and your employer match as a percent of pay, your current balance, years to retirement, expected return and yearly pay raise. The calculator adds contributions each year and compounds the balance to show the total at retirement. Figures are for the 2026 tax year and can change. A guide only, check irs.gov or a tax professional.
How it is calculated
Each year the tool adds your contribution and the employer match, both as a share of that year's pay, and grows the balance by the expected return. Pay rises by the raise rate each year. Contributions are assumed to arrive evenly through the year.
Example
On $80,000, with 8 percent saved and a 4 percent match, a $20,000 start and 7 percent return, the balance after 30 years is above $1.6 million, before inflation.
Limits and tips
The 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500, with extra catch-up contributions from age 50. Always capture the full employer match first, because it is an immediate return. Results are in future dollars and inflation reduces what they buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is an employer match?
Money your employer adds to your 401(k), often 50 to 100 percent of your contributions up to a share of pay.
Is the return guaranteed?
No. Markets go up and down. Test a lower return to see the effect.
Is there a contribution limit?
Yes, $24,500 for employee deferrals in 2026, more with catch-up contributions at 50 or older.
Are withdrawals taxed?
Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed as income. Roth 401(k) qualified withdrawals are not.