401K Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your current balance, contribution percentage, employer match, expected return and years until retirement.
How to use the 401K Calculator
- Enter your inputs into the 401K Calculator above.
- Results update instantly as you type — no submit button needed.
- Adjust any value to see how the result changes in real time.
The 401(k) projection
FV = PV(1 + r)^n + (Annual contribution + Employer match) · [((1 + r)^n − 1) / r]
PV is your current balance, r is the expected annual return, n is years to retirement. Annual contribution is your salary × deferral %; employer match is whatever your employer adds based on plan rules.
Worked example
Age 30, $25,000 current balance, $80,000 salary, contributing 10% with a 50% employer match on the first 6%: annual contributions $8,000 + $2,400 match = $10,400. At 7% return over 35 years, projected balance ≈ $1.74 million.
Frequently asked questions
What's the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?
The IRS set the 2026 employee deferral limit at $23,500, plus a $7,500 catch-up for 50+ and a new $11,250 super catch-up for ages 60–63 under SECURE 2.0.
Should I max out before getting the full match?
Always get the full employer match first — it's a 50–100% instant return. After that, decide based on your other goals: high-interest debt, emergency fund, Roth IRA, or further 401(k).
Roth or traditional 401(k)?
Traditional reduces taxes today; Roth pays them now in exchange for tax-free withdrawals later. Roth wins if you expect higher rates in retirement, traditional wins if you expect lower.