401(k) Retirement Calculator
This 401(k) calculator helps you estimate how much you can save for retirement based on your contributions and employer match. Adjust your salary, contribution rate, and expected return to see your future balance. A valuable tool for long-term retirement planning.
Retirement Details
Projection
Enter your salary and contribution details to see your projection.
How a 401(k) Grows Over Time
A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged employer-sponsored retirement plan. You contribute a portion of each paycheck on a pre-tax basis (traditional 401k) or after-tax basis (Roth 401k), and the money grows tax-deferred (or tax-free for Roth) until you withdraw it in retirement. The real power of a 401(k) is compound growth — returns are earned not just on your contributions, but also on previously earned returns, snowballing over decades.
The employer match is perhaps the most valuable benefit to maximize. If your employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of your salary, and you earn $60,000, contributing 6% ($3,600/year) earns you a free $1,800 match — an instant 50% return before any market gains. Never leave a match on the table.
2026 401(k) Contribution Limits
| Age Group | Employee Contribution Limit | Catch-Up Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — |
| Age 50–59 & 64+ | $32,500 | $8,000 |
| Ages 60–63 (enhanced catch-up) | $35,750 | $11,250 |
The ages 60–63 enhanced catch-up contribution was introduced by SECURE 2.0 and applies starting in 2025.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your annual salary — this is used to calculate your dollar contribution amount.
- Enter your contribution percentage — the share of your salary you contribute each year.
- Enter your employer match percentage — how much your employer contributes on top of your contribution.
- Enter your current 401(k) balance (use 0 if you are starting from scratch).
- Enter years to retirement — how many years until you plan to stop working.
- Enter an expected annual return rate (7–8% is commonly used for long-term diversified portfolios).
- Click Calculate to see your projected retirement balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At a minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — that's free money. Beyond that, many financial planners suggest saving 10–15% of your gross income for retirement in total across all retirement accounts. If you started late, aim for 15–20%.
What return rate should I use in projections?
For a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds, 6–8% annually (before inflation) is a commonly used long-term assumption. The S&P 500 has averaged approximately 10% annually before inflation over the past century. More conservative portfolios with higher bond allocations typically project 5–6%.
What's the difference between a traditional and Roth 401(k)?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax — you reduce your taxable income now and pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. Roth 401(k) contributions are after-tax — no upfront deduction, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are completely tax-free. Roth is generally better if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement; traditional is better if you expect to be in a lower bracket.