Calculators

401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement with your contributions, the employer match, raises and the 2026 IRS limits.

How it works

Each year you put in a percentage of your salary, capped at the IRS limit for your age. Your employer adds its match, a percentage of your contribution up to a share of your salary. Both are invested monthly and grow at the return you choose, and your salary rises each year with the raise.

balanceₜ = balanceₜ₋₁ × (1 + return) + you + employer
Deferral limit
$24,500 in 2026; $32,500 from age 50; $35,750 at ages 60–63
Match
E.g. 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary = up to 3% of salary
Annual additions
You plus employer, capped at $72,000 before catch-up

Worked example

Age 30, earning $80,000 with 3% raises, contributing 10% with a 50% match up to 6%. $25,000 already saved, 7% return, retiring at 65.

  1. 1This year: you put in $8,000, the employer adds $2,400
  2. 2Over 35 years you contribute $483,697
  3. 3Your employer contributes $145,109
  4. 4Investment growth adds $1,722,203

The 401(k) is worth about $2.38 million at 65, in future dollars.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I put in a 401(k) in 2026?

$24,500 of your own salary deferrals. From the year you turn 50 you can add $8,000 of catch-up, and in the years you turn 60 to 63 the catch-up is $11,250 instead. Employer money is on top, up to a $72,000 combined limit before catch-up.

How much should I contribute?

At least enough to get the full employer match, since that is an instant 50–100% return. Beyond that, 15% of pay including the match is a common target. If the employer match is 50% up to 6%, contributing less than 6% leaves money on the table.

Why is the result so large?

It is in future dollars. With 3% raises and inflation, $2.4 million in 35 years buys about what $850,000 buys today. To see the result in today's money, set the salary increase to 0% and use a return after inflation, about 4–5%.

Do high earners have to make catch-up contributions to a Roth?

Yes, from 2026. If you earned more than $150,000 in FICA wages from the employer last year, your catch-up contributions must go into the plan's Roth 401(k). The regular $24,500 can still be traditional.

Related calculators

More in Finance