401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement including employer match, salary growth, and compounding. See the real value of “free money” from employer contributions.
2026 IRS 401(k) Limits
- Employee Contribution
- $23,500
- Catch-Up (age 50+)
- +$7,500
- Total (incl. employer)
- $70,000
- RMD Age
- 73
Your Information
Age, salary & current balance
Employer Match (Free Money!)
Don't leave this on the table
✓ You're capturing the full employer match! Annual match: $2,250
Example: 50% match up to 6% means employer adds 3% if you contribute at least 6%.
Investment Projections
Returns and inflation assumptions
Projected 401(k) Balance at Retirement
$1,484,655
At age 65 · Inflation-adjusted: $657,261
- Your Contributions
- $247,850
- Employer Match
- $123,925
- Investment Growth
- $1,082,879
- Monthly Income (4%)
- $4,949
🎁 Employer Match Value — Your “Free Money”
$2,250
Annual Match (Yr 1)
$123,925
Total Match (Lifetime)
$401,631
Match Grown at Return
Always contribute enough to get the full employer match — it's a 50-100% instant return!
📈 401(k) Growth: Your Money vs Employer Match vs Growth
📋 Contribution Rate Scenarios
| Contribution % | Your Annual | Employer Match | Balance at Ret. | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | $2,250/yr | $1,125/yr | $882,207 | $2,941/mo |
| 6% | $4,500/yr | $2,250/yr | $1,484,655 | $4,949/mo |
| 10% | $7,500/yr | $2,250/yr | $2,020,163 | $6,734/mo |
| 15% | $11,250/yr | $2,250/yr | $2,663,096 | $8,877/mo |
| 23.5% | $17,625/yr | $2,250/yr | $3,417,981 | $11,393/mo |
📅 Year-by-Year Growth Schedule
| Age | Salary | Your Contrib. | Employer Match | Growth | Year-End Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | $75,000 | $4,500 | $2,250 | $2,573 | $39,323 |
| 34 | $77,250 | $4,635 | $2,318 | $3,239 | $49,514 |
| 35 | $79,568 | $4,774 | $2,387 | $3,967 | $60,643 |
| 36 | $81,955 | $4,917 | $2,459 | $4,761 | $72,780 |
| 37 | $84,413 | $5,065 | $2,532 | $5,626 | $86,003 |
| 38 | $86,946 | $5,217 | $2,608 | $6,568 | $100,396 |
| 39 | $89,554 | $5,373 | $2,687 | $7,592 | $116,048 |
| 40 | $92,241 | $5,534 | $2,767 | $8,704 | $133,054 |
| 41 | $95,008 | $5,700 | $2,850 | $9,912 | $151,517 |
| 42 | $97,858 | $5,871 | $2,936 | $11,223 | $171,547 |
| 43 | $100,794 | $6,048 | $3,024 | $12,643 | $193,262 |
| 44 | $103,818 | $6,229 | $3,115 | $14,182 | $216,788 |
| 45 | $106,932 | $6,416 | $3,208 | $15,849 | $242,261 |
| 46 | $110,140 | $6,608 | $3,304 | $17,652 | $269,826 |
| 47 | $113,444 | $6,807 | $3,403 | $19,602 | $299,638 |
| 48 | $116,848 | $7,011 | $3,505 | $21,711 | $331,865 |
| 49 | $120,353 | $7,221 | $3,611 | $23,989 | $366,686 |
| 50 | $123,964 | $7,438 | $3,719 | $26,449 | $404,291 |
| 51 | $127,682 | $7,661 | $3,830 | $29,105 | $444,888 |
| 52 | $131,513 | $7,891 | $3,945 | $31,971 | $488,694 |
| 53 | $135,458 | $8,128 | $4,064 | $35,062 | $535,948 |
| 54 | $139,522 | $8,371 | $4,186 | $38,395 | $586,900 |
| 55 | $143,708 | $8,622 | $4,311 | $41,988 | $641,822 |
| 56 | $148,019 | $8,881 | $4,441 | $45,860 | $701,004 |
| 57 | $152,460 | $9,148 | $4,574 | $50,031 | $764,756 |
| 58 | $157,033 | $9,422 | $4,711 | $54,522 | $833,411 |
| 59 | $161,744 | $9,705 | $4,852 | $59,358 | $907,326 |
| 60 | $166,597 | $9,996 | $4,998 | $64,562 | $986,882 |
| 61 | $171,595 | $10,296 | $5,148 | $70,163 | $1,072,488 |
| 62 | $176,742 | $10,605 | $5,302 | $76,188 | $1,164,583 |
| 63 | $182,045 | $10,923 | $5,461 | $82,668 | $1,263,635 |
| 64 | $187,506 | $11,250 | $5,625 | $89,636 | $1,370,146 |
| 65 | $193,131 | $11,588 | $5,794 | $97,127 | $1,484,655 |
How a 401(k) Works and Why It Matters
A 401(k) is the most powerful tax-advantaged retirement savings tool available to most American employees. This calculator shows your projected balance including the full employer match, often called “free money” because it's compensation on top of your salary. For the complete retirement picture, pair this with our retirement calculator, compound interest calculator, and income tax calculator.
🎁 The Power of Employer Match
- An instant 50-100%+ return — impossible to beat elsewhere
- 50% match up to 6%: contribute 6%, employer adds 3% (50% instant return)
- 100% match up to 4%: dollar-for-dollar (100% instant return)
- Always contribute at least enough to capture the full match
- Missing the match means leaving compensation unclaimed
⚖️ Traditional vs Roth 401(k)
- Traditional: pre-tax contributions reduce income now, taxed on withdrawal
- Roth: after-tax contributions, tax-free withdrawals in retirement
- Choose Roth if you expect higher taxes in retirement than now
- Choose Traditional if you're in a high bracket now, lower later
- Many experts recommend splitting between both
📋 Key 401(k) Rules & Limits (2026)
- Employee limit: $23,500/year ($1,958/month)
- Catch-up (50+): additional $7,500 ($31,000 total)
- Total with employer contributions: $70,000 max combined
- Early withdrawal before 59½: typically 10% penalty + income tax
- RMD age: required minimum distributions begin at 73
- Vesting: employer match may require 2-6 years to fully vest
🚀 Early Start vs Late Start
Investing $500/month at 7% annual return:
- Starting at 25, retire at 65: ≈$1.31M
- Starting at 35, retire at 65: ≈$609K
- Starting at 45, retire at 65: ≈$252K
Starting 10 years earlier can more than double your savings — time is your most valuable investing asset.
— FAQ