401(k) Calculator
A 401(k) is the most efficient retirement account most Americans have access to: contributions reduce your taxable income today, growth is tax-deferred, and an employer match is an immediate return no market can reliably match.
Your retirement picture
30 years of contributions and growth.
Employer match is calculated from this figure.
$4,200 this year, capped at $24,500 by the IRS limit.
50 means the employer pays 50 cents per dollar you contribute.
Long-run stock market returns have averaged near 10% nominal, roughly 7% after inflation.
Discounts the result by 3% a year for inflation, so you can compare it with prices you know today.
Balance over time
Projected balance from age 35 to 65. The curve steepens because later growth is earned on a larger balance.
Where the balance comes from
Uses a constant annual return, which real markets never provide. The 2026 elective deferral limit is $24,500, with an $8,000 catch-up at age 50 and over. Employer contributions do not count against that limit. Withdrawals before age 59½ are taxed and generally carry a 10% penalty.
Never leave the match on the table
A typical match is 50 percent of contributions up to 6 percent of salary, which is an instant 50 percent return on that portion. Not contributing enough to earn the full match is the most common and most expensive retirement mistake.
How the projection works
The calculator compounds your starting balance and contributions at the expected annual return, and adds the employer match each year. Real returns vary widely. The S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10 percent annually before inflation over the long run, but a single decade can be far above or below that.
Subtracting about 3 percent for inflation gives a sense of the balance in today's dollars, which is usually the more useful number for planning.
Contribution limits
For 2026 the employee elective deferral limit is $24,500. Employees aged 50 and over can add an $8,000 catch-up contribution, and those aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250 instead.
Employer contributions do not count against the elective deferral limit. The combined limit for employee and employer contributions is $72,000, or $80,000 including catch-up.
Frequently asked questions
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional lowers your taxable income now, which suits people in a higher bracket today than they expect in retirement. Roth is better if you are early in your career or expect higher taxes later. Many people split contributions.
What happens to my 401(k) when I change jobs?
You can leave it with the old employer, roll it into your new plan, or roll it into an IRA. Rolling into an IRA usually gives you more investment choices; rolling into a new employer plan preserves the ability to do a backdoor Roth without the pro-rata rule.
Can I withdraw from my 401(k) early?
You can, but withdrawals before age 59 and a half are subject to income tax plus a 10 percent early distribution penalty, with limited exceptions such as a first-time home purchase and certain medical expenses.
What is vesting?
Employer contributions may not be fully yours until you have worked there a set period, often three to six years on a graded schedule. Your own contributions are always 100 percent vested immediately.
This calculator is an educational tool and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs and assumptions described above. Verify important figures with a qualified professional or the relevant government agency before acting on them.