401(k) Calculator
Calculate retirement savings needs, 401k contributions, and pension planning.
Personal Information
Your current age
When you plan to retire
Your current gross annual salary
Current value of your 401(k) account
Contributions
Percent of salary you contribute
Percentage as Roth contributions
Expected annual salary increases
Employer Match
Employer match rate (e.g., 50%)
Max salary % employer matches
Annual dollar limit on employer match
Investment Assumptions
Expected investment return
Annual plan fees and expenses
401(k) Projection
Projected 401(k) Balance
At retirement (age 65)
Monthly Contribution
$6,000 annually
Monthly Income at Retirement
Using 4% withdrawal rule
Balance Growth to Retirement
Indigo = employer match & investment growth, gray = your contributions.
Contribution Breakdown
Employer Match Analysis
Retirement Readiness
Contribution Limits (2024)
Scenario Analysis
Optimization Tips
How it works
A 401(k) calculator compounds your pre-tax contributions plus any employer match to your retirement date. Because contributions come out before income tax and grow tax-deferred, more money stays invested and compounds — and the employer match is an immediate, guaranteed return on top of market growth.
Projected 401(k) balance
FV = Balance₀(1 + r)ⁿ + (yourContribution + employerMatch) · [(1 + r)ⁿ − 1] / r
- Balance₀
- current 401(k) balance
- r
- expected return per period
- n
- periods until retirement
- employerMatch
- employer contribution (e.g. 50% of yours up to a cap)
Worked example
- Salary $80,000, you contribute 6% = $4,800/yr
- Employer matches 50% up to 6% → +$2,400/yr
- 7% return for 30 years
- $7,200/yr total grows: 7,200 × [(1.07³⁰ − 1) / 0.07]
Balance ≈ $680,000 — and a third of it came from the “free” employer match.
Good to know
- Always contribute at least enough to get the full match — skipping it leaves a guaranteed 50–100% return on the table.
- 2024 employee contribution limit is $23,000 ($30,500 if 50+); the employer match doesn't count against it.
- Traditional 401(k) defers tax until withdrawal (good if you'll be in a lower bracket later); a Roth 401(k) taxes now but withdrawals are tax-free.
- Withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger income tax plus a 10% penalty.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match — it is an immediate, guaranteed return. Many planners suggest working toward 10-15% of gross salary including the match. For 2026, the IRS employee deferral limit is $24,500, with an additional catch-up contribution allowed at age 50 and older.
How does an employer 401(k) match work?
A typical match is 50% or 100% of your contributions up to a set percentage of salary, often 3-6%. On an $80,000 salary with a 50%-up-to-6% match, contributing $4,800 earns an extra $2,400 per year. Matched funds may vest over several years before they are fully yours.
Should I choose a traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional contributions are pre-tax now and taxed at withdrawal; Roth contributions are taxed now and withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. Roth tends to favor people who expect a higher tax bracket later, traditional the reverse. Many savers split between both to hedge future tax rates.
What happens if I withdraw from my 401(k) early?
Withdrawals before age 59½ generally incur ordinary income tax plus a 10% penalty. Exceptions include the Rule of 55 (leaving your employer at 55 or later), disability, and certain hardship provisions. Early withdrawals also permanently forfeit future compound growth.
What rate of return should I assume in projections?
Diversified stock-heavy portfolios have historically averaged roughly 7-10% per year before inflation, but conservative plans often model 5-7%. Run the calculator at several rates to see a realistic range instead of anchoring on one number.