401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement including employer matching contributions, raises and investment growth.
How a 401(k) grows
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement account in the US. Contributions come straight out of your paycheck, often before income tax (traditional) or after tax with tax-free withdrawals later (Roth). Three things drive the final balance: how much you put in, how much your employer adds, and how long the money compounds.
Understanding the employer match
A common formula is "50% match up to 6% of salary." If you earn $70,000 and contribute 6% ($4,200), your employer adds 50% of that, $2,100. Contribute only 3% and you get just $1,050. Not contributing enough to get the full match means turning down part of your pay.
Example
A 30-year-old earning $70,000 with $15,000 saved contributes 6% with a 50% match up to 6%. With 3% yearly raises and a 7% average return, the balance at 67 would be about $1.69 million. Of that, about $278,000 comes from the employee, $139,000 from the employer and the rest from investment growth.
Contribution limits
The IRS sets an annual limit on employee contributions, adjusted most years for inflation, plus extra "catch-up" contributions from age 50. Employer matches have a separate, higher combined limit. Check the current year's figures on IRS.gov; this calculator does not cap contributions.
Getting the most from your 401(k)
- Always contribute at least enough to get the full match.
- Increase your contribution by 1% a year, or whenever you get a raise.
- Choose low-cost index or target-date funds; a 1% fee can cut the final balance by around 20–25% over a career.
- Avoid early withdrawals and loans, which usually trigger taxes, a 10% penalty and lost growth.
- Check your vesting schedule; employer money may not be fully yours until you have worked a set number of years.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At least enough to get the full employer match, and ideally 10–15% of salary in total, including the match, for a comfortable retirement.
Is a traditional or Roth 401(k) better?
Traditional saves tax now; Roth saves tax later. Roth is often better if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, such as early in your career.
What happens to my 401(k) if I change jobs?
Your contributions are always yours. You can leave the money in the old plan, roll it into your new employer's plan or roll it into an IRA.
Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Results are estimates; check important decisions with a qualified professional.