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401(k) calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement, factoring in employer match, 2026 IRS contribution limits, and decades of tax-deferred compounding. Free, instant.
2026 401(k) contribution limits
The IRS sets annual 401(k) contribution limits. For 2026:
- Employee deferral: $23,500 ($1,958/month)
- Catch-up (age 50+): additional $7,500
- Super catch-up (age 60–63): additional $11,250 instead of $7,500
- Total employee + employer: $70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up)
Max it out and you put $23,500/year of pre-tax income directly into the market.
Employer match — the free money
Most 401(k) plans match a percentage of your contribution. Typical structures:
- 100% match up to 3% of salary — full dollar-for-dollar
- 50% match up to 6% — half a dollar per dollar to 6%
- Safe harbor plans: 3% non-elective or 100% of first 3% + 50% of next 2%
Add the employer match to your monthly contribution in the calculator. On an $80k salary with a 50% match to 6%, that's $2,400/year of free money — ignore it and you leave it on the table.
401(k) growth examples
| Starting age | Monthly contrib. | Years to 65 | Balance at 65 (7%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $500 | 40 | ~$1.31M |
| 30 | $1,000 | 35 | ~$1.81M |
| 35 | $1,500 | 30 | ~$1.83M |
| 40 | $1,958 | 25 | ~$1.59M |
| 45 | $2,500 | 20 | ~$1.31M |
401(k) Calculator FAQ
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to get the full employer match — that's an instant 50–100% return. After that, aim for 10–15% of gross income. Maxing out the 2026 limit of $23,500 takes ~$1,958/month and is the gold standard if you can afford it.
What rate of return should I use for a 401(k)?
Use 7% for conservative real (inflation-adjusted) projections, or 10% for nominal long-term S&P 500 returns. A typical 401(k) target-date fund holds a mix of stocks and bonds returning 6–8% nominally net of fees. Lower the rate to 5–6% if you're within 10 years of retirement and shifting to bonds.
Should I take the 401(k) match before paying off debt?
Yes for the match portion — a 50% or 100% match beats almost any interest rate. After capturing the match, prioritize debt above 6–7% APR (credit cards, high-rate personal loans) before contributing more. Below that, keep maxing the 401(k).
Traditional vs Roth 401(k) — which one?
Traditional reduces taxes today (deduct contributions, pay tax in retirement). Roth pays taxes today but withdrawals are tax-free. Pick Roth if you're early-career and expect higher income later; traditional if you're in your peak earning years and expect a lower tax bracket in retirement.
When can I withdraw from my 401(k) without penalty?
Age 59½ for penalty-free withdrawals. Before that, you'll pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus ordinary income tax. Exceptions: Rule of 55 (separate from employer in year you turn 55+), SEPP/72(t) substantially equal periodic payments, or rollover to a Roth IRA conversion ladder.
Does this 401(k) calculator account for inflation?
The calculator returns nominal future value. To see real purchasing power, use 7% instead of 10% as your rate — that's roughly the S&P 500's 100-year average minus ~3% inflation. Or use the inflation calculator separately to deflate the final number.