401(k) Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 401(k) growth calculated?
401(k) growth is calculated using compound interest applied to your contributions and employer match. The calculator multiplies your annual contribution plus match by your expected annual return rate, then compounds that balance each year until retirement. Higher contribution rates and longer time horizons produce exponentially larger results because of compounding.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026, the IRS limit on employee 401(k) contributions is $24,000 for workers under 50. Workers 50 and older can contribute an additional $7,500 catch-up, bringing their total limit to $31,500. Employer match does not count toward these employee limits, but the combined employee plus employer total is capped at $72,000.
Does employer match count toward the contribution limit?
No. Employer match is separate from the employee contribution limit. The employee limit ($24,000 in 2026 under age 50) only covers your own payroll contributions. Employer match is on top of that. The combined employee plus employer plus profit-sharing total is capped separately at a much higher IRS limit.
Should I contribute to a traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income now but are taxed at withdrawal. Roth 401(k) contributions are made with after-tax dollars but grow and withdraw tax-free. The right choice depends on whether you expect your tax rate to be higher or lower in retirement. Younger workers in lower tax brackets often benefit more from Roth; higher earners closer to retirement often prefer traditional.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k) each year?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match (usually 3 to 6% of salary), because that is free money. A common target is 10 to 15% of gross salary including the match. Use the calculator to see how your contribution rate translates into projected retirement balance, and increase the rate by 1% each year you get a raise.
How to Use This 401(k) Calculator
This free 401(k) calculator helps you estimate how much you can accumulate for retirement based on your income, contributions, employer match, and expected investment returns. It’s a great tool for visualizing how consistent saving and compounding can grow your retirement nest egg over time.
To get started, enter your current age, annual income, starting balance, monthly contribution percentage, and employer match details. You can also input your expected rate of return and any 401(k) account fees to get a more accurate projection.
Once you click “Calculate,” the tool provides a full summary including:
- Final 401(k) Balance
- Total Employee Contributions
- Total Employer Match
- Investment Returns
In this example, starting at age 21 with a $50,000 balance, contributing 10% of a $100,000 salary, and receiving a 3% employer match, you could retire at 65 with over $5.6 million—thanks largely to over $4.7 million in investment growth.
Below the results, you’ll see a dynamic chart breaking down the total value of your 401(k) over time. It visually separates contributions, employer match, and investment growth, so you can clearly see the impact of compound returns year after year.
Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning your retirement strategy, this 401(k) calculator gives you a powerful view of your financial future.
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