401(k) Calculator
See where your 401(k) is headed. Enter your salary, contribution, and employer match to project the balance at retirement — and how much of it is free employer money.
Projected 401(k) balance
How you compare
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Check it outDon't leave the match on the table
An employer match is an immediate, guaranteed return — a 50% match on the first 6% of pay is free money you only get by contributing enough to capture it. This projects your balance with monthly compounding and shows the employer match as both an annual figure and a multi-year total, which is often tens of thousands of dollars.
How it’s calculated
Annual contribution = your % of pay + employer match (match rate × the lesser of your % and the match limit), compounded monthly to retirement.
If an annual salary increase is entered, salary (and the contribution and match amounts derived from it) grows by that percentage every 12 months instead of staying flat; leaving it at 0% reproduces the flat-salary projection. Current age and retirement age are optional convenience fields — when both are filled in, they recompute years to retirement for you, but years to retirement remains the field that drives the projection.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Year-by-year growth
Assumes match stays constant as a share of pay; salary stays flat unless an annual salary increase is entered.
Worked example
$70k salary, 6% contribution with a 50%-to-6% match, $20k balance at 7% for 30 years grows to ~$800k — $63k of it free match.
Common mistakes
- Contributing below the match and leaving free money behind.
- Assuming a steady return and ignoring fees.
Frequently asked questions
How does the match work?
A common setup matches 50% of your contributions up to 6% of pay. Contribute at least to the limit to capture the full match.
What return should I assume?
Be conservative and long-term. Markets vary year to year; this assumes a steady average and ignores fees and taxes.
Are taxes included?
No. Traditional 401(k) withdrawals are taxed later; Roth contributions are taxed now. This shows the pre-tax balance.
What's the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
You can defer up to $24,500 of salary in 2026, plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50+ (and a higher $11,250 catch-up at ages 60–63). Employer match doesn't count against your deferral limit (IRS, Notice 2025-67).
Should I contribute more than the match?
Always capture the full match first — it's an instant 50–100% return. Beyond that, many planners suggest 12–15% of pay total (including match) for retirement; compare a Roth IRA for tax diversification before maxing the 401(k).