401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement with employer match and salary growth.
Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Age | Salary | Your Contribution | Employer Match | Balance |
|---|
Can't find what you need?
Request a ToolHow to Use the 401(k) Calculator
This calculator projects your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your current savings rate and employer match. Here is how to use it:
- Enter your current age and retirement age. The calculator uses the difference to determine how many years your money has to grow. Most people target age 65, but you can adjust this to see how retiring earlier or later changes your balance.
- Enter your current 401(k) balance. This is the starting amount that will compound over time. If you are just starting, enter 0.
- Enter your annual salary. Your contributions and employer match are calculated as percentages of this amount.
- Set your contribution percentage. This is the percentage of your salary you contribute each paycheck. The default is 6%, which is a common starting point.
- Set the employer match. Enter the match rate (e.g., 50% means your employer contributes 50 cents for every dollar you contribute) and the match limit (the maximum percentage of salary the employer will match on).
- Adjust the return rate and salary growth. The default 7% annual return reflects a long-term stock market average. The 3% salary increase accounts for typical annual raises.
Results update instantly as you type. Use the Share button to send a pre-filled link to anyone, or Copy to grab the projected balance.
About 401(k) Retirement Plans
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that lets you contribute a portion of your pre-tax salary. Many employers offer a matching contribution, which is essentially free money added to your account. The funds grow tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay taxes on gains until you withdraw the money in retirement.
The power of a 401(k) comes from three factors: your contributions, your employer's match, and decades of compound growth. Even small increases in your contribution rate can result in significantly larger balances over a 30 to 40 year career. This calculator helps you see exactly how those factors combine.
All calculations run entirely in your browser. Your financial information is never sent to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
Financial advisors generally recommend contributing at least enough to get your full employer match. Beyond that, aim for 10-15% of your salary if possible. If you cannot afford that now, start with what you can and increase by 1% each year. Even small increases make a large difference over decades of compound growth.
What is an employer match?
An employer match is money your company adds to your 401(k) based on your own contributions. A common arrangement is a 50% match on the first 6% of salary you contribute. That means if you earn $75,000 and contribute 6% ($4,500), your employer adds $2,250. Not contributing enough to get the full match is leaving free money on the table.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit?
For 2025, the employee contribution limit is $23,500 per year. If you are 50 or older, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500, for a total of $31,000. These limits are adjusted periodically for inflation. Employer matching contributions do not count toward your employee limit.
Should I max out my 401(k)?
Maxing out your 401(k) is a strong move if you can afford it, but it is not always the top priority. First, contribute enough to get the full employer match. Then consider paying off high-interest debt and building an emergency fund. After that, increasing your 401(k) contributions or funding a Roth IRA are both excellent options depending on your tax situation.