401(k) Calculator – Retirement Savings & Match

A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account. This calculator projects your balance month by month: each month your contribution and your employer's match are added, the whole balance earns your expected return, and once a year your salary rises by the increase you enter. At the end it splits the result into what you started with, what you contributed, what your employer contributed, and what investment growth added.

Here r is your annual return as a decimal. It repeats for every month until retirement, and the salary is multiplied by (1 + salary increase) at the start of each new year.

An employer match is part of your pay. Contributing less than the full match leaves money on the table. For example, on a 75,000 salary with a 3% match, your employer adds 2,250 a year only if you contribute enough to earn it. Try setting the match to 0 in the calculator to see how much of your final balance it is responsible for.

The IRS limits how much you can contribute each year. For 2026 the employee limit is $24,500, with an extra catch-up of $8,000 for people aged 50 and over ($11,250 for ages 60 to 63), and the combined employee and employer limit is $72,000, not counting catch-up (IRS announcement). These limits change most years, so check IRS.gov for the current figures. This projection calculator deliberately does not cap contributions at the legal limit, so you can model any percentage. The US Paycheck Calculator does apply the employee limit, because it estimates a real paycheck. Neither tool models early-withdrawal penalties, required minimum distributions, or the difference between traditional (pre-tax) and Roth (after-tax) accounts.

To see how a salary converts to an hourly rate, use the Hourly to Salary Calculator. For general compound growth on a lump sum, try the Interest Calculator, and to see what inflation does to your future balance, use the Inflation Calculator.

How does a 401(k) calculator work?

It projects your balance month by month. Each month your contribution (a percentage of salary) and any employer match are added to the balance, and the whole balance earns the expected investment return. Your salary is raised once a year by the salary increase you enter. After the number of years until retirement, the final balance is shown, split into your starting balance, your contributions, employer contributions and investment growth.

What is an employer 401(k) match?

An employer match is money your employer adds to your 401(k) when you contribute. A common formula is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary, which equals 3% of your salary if you contribute at least 6%. Enter the match as a percentage of your salary in this calculator. Matching rules differ between employers, so check your plan documents.

What rate of return should I assume?

Long-run returns on a diversified stock-heavy portfolio have historically been around 6% to 8% a year before inflation, but they vary widely year to year and are never guaranteed. A more cautious assumption, such as 5% to 6%, is often used for planning. Try several values to see the range of outcomes.

Is the result in today's dollars?

No. The result is a nominal future amount, so it does not adjust for inflation. To get a rough figure in today's purchasing power, subtract your expected inflation rate (for example 2.5% to 3%) from your return assumption and run the calculation again.

Are there limits on 401(k) contributions?

Yes. The IRS sets a yearly limit on employee elective deferrals. For 2026 it is $24,500, plus a catch-up of $8,000 for people aged 50 and over ($11,250 for ages 60 to 63), and a separate combined limit of $72,000 that includes employer contributions. The limits change most years, so check IRS.gov for the current figures. This projection calculator does not cap your contribution at the legal limit; the US Paycheck Calculator does apply the employee limit.

Financial Disclaimer

Investments are subject to market risk and may lose value. Returns are not guaranteed, and past performance is not an indicator of future results. This calculator provides illustrative estimates only and is not financial, tax or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making retirement decisions.