401(k) Calculator
Use this 401(k) calculator with employer match to estimate how much your 401(k) could be worth at retirement. Include your match, salary raises and expected returns, and see the result in today's dollars. Uses the 2026 IRS contribution limits.
Estimate only. Assumes a steady return, contributions spread evenly through the year and 2026 contribution limits in every year. Taxes and fees are not included.
Your 401(k), year by year
Salary, contributions and balance at the end of each year, using the numbers above.
| Age | Salary | You | Employer | Balance |
|---|
401(k) contribution limits for 2026
The IRS sets a yearly cap on how much you can put into a 401(k) from your paycheck. For 2026:
| Your age in 2026 | Employee limit | Catch-up | Total you can contribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 | — | $24,500 |
| 50 to 59, or 64+ | $24,500 | $8,000 | $32,500 |
| 60 to 63 | $24,500 | $11,250 | $35,750 |
Employer contributions do not count toward the employee limit. The same limits apply to 403(b) plans, most 457 plans and the federal Thrift Savings Plan. The IRS usually raises these limits for inflation, so this calculator's use of 2026 limits every year is a conservative assumption.
How the calculator works
For each year until retirement, the calculator works out your contribution as a percentage of salary, capped at the IRS limit for your age, and adds your employer's match. It spreads both across 12 months and grows the balance at your expected return, compounded monthly. Your salary then rises by the yearly raise you entered.
The "yearly income at 4%" line uses the 4% rule of thumb, which suggests withdrawing about 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement. It is a rough planning guide, not a guarantee.
Worked example: starting at 30 on $60,000
A 30-year-old earns $60,000, has $15,000 in a 401(k) and contributes 6% of pay. The employer matches 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary. Pay rises 3% a year, the account earns 7% a year and inflation averages 2.5%.
- First-year contribution: 6% × $60,000$3,600
- First-year employer match: 50% × $3,600$1,800
- Total you contribute by 65$217,663
- Total employer match by 65$108,832
- Balance at 65$1,255,255
- In today's dollars$528,928
Investment growth, about $913,760, makes up nearly three-quarters of the final balance. Raising the contribution from 6% to 10% lifts the balance to about $1.74 million. Dropping to 3% would cut it to about $708,000, and the employer match would fall by half, because the match only applies to what you put in.
Ways to grow your 401(k) faster
- Always get the full match. Contributing below your employer's match limit leaves part of your pay on the table.
- Raise your rate by 1% a year. Many plans offer automatic increases. Timing it with a raise means your take-home pay still goes up.
- Start as early as you can. Early contributions have the most years to compound. See how time changes growth in the Compound Interest Calculator.
- Watch fund fees. A lower expense ratio leaves more of your return to compound.
- Avoid early withdrawals and loans. Withdrawals before age 59½ usually face income tax plus a 10% penalty, with some exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 to a 401(k). Workers aged 50 and over can add a catch-up contribution of $8,000, and those aged 60 to 63 can add up to $11,250 instead, according to the IRS.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At a minimum, many people contribute enough to get the full employer match, since that is extra pay you would otherwise leave behind. A common long-term target is 10% to 15% of income for retirement, including any employer match.
How does an employer 401(k) match work?
A common formula is a 50% match on the first 6% of salary you contribute. If you earn $60,000 and contribute 6%, or $3,600, your employer adds $1,800. Contributing less than 6% means receiving a smaller match.
How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?
It depends on your contributions, employer match, salary growth, investment returns and time. In this calculator's example, a 30-year-old earning $60,000 who saves 6% with a 50% match on 6% and earns 7% a year could have about $1.26 million by age 65, or about $529,000 in today's dollars.
Are 401(k) contributions taxed?
Traditional 401(k) contributions are made before income tax, which lowers your taxable income now, and withdrawals are taxed in retirement. Roth 401(k) contributions are made after tax, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and is not investment, tax or retirement advice. Investment returns are not guaranteed and can be negative. Your plan's rules, vesting schedule, fees and future IRS limits may differ. Consider speaking with a qualified financial professional about your situation. Contribution limits source: IRS, 2026.