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Free · 2026 IRS limits · Employer match

401(k) calculator

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement. Models employer match, 2026 IRS limits ($24,500 + $8K catch-up at 50, $11.25K super catch-up at 60-63), and pre-tax growth. Free, no sign-up.

By Snowballr Research Team
Last reviewed July 1, 2026Fact-checked against primary sourcesEditorial standards
Coverage: Compound interest · Retirement · FIRE · Debt payoff · Mortgages · Fraud prevention
Built from: IRS · FINRA · SEC · BLS · Federal Reserve · Freddie Mac30+ primary sources verified
2026 401(k) rules snapshot · As they actually stand
Employee elective deferral
$23,500 base · +$7,500 catch-up at 50+ · +$11,250 super-catch-up at 60–63 (SECURE 2.0 §109). (IRS Notice 2025-79.)
Combined employee + employer limit
$70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up). The "mega backdoor Roth" lives in this gap — only ~22% of plans permit after-tax contributions above $23,500.
Roth catch-up mandate hit pause
SECURE 2.0 originally required high earners ($145k+ FICA wages) to do catch-up as Roth starting 2026. IRS Notice 2023-62 extended administrative transition to 2027 — pre-tax catch-up still allowed through 2027.
Employer match math
Median 401(k) match in 2026: 4.7% safe-harbor or 50% to 6% (T. Rowe Price plan census). Always capture the full match — a guaranteed 50–100% return that beats every other deployment of the same dollar.
Quick answer · 4 most-asked 401(k) scenarios
$0 start, $500/mo + 50% match (3% salary cap) at 25
$60K salary, match adds ~$150/mo → $650/mo total. 8% / 40 yrs → $2.03M at 65.
$50K balance, $1,500/mo + match at 35
$100K salary, 100% match to 4% → $1,833/mo total. 8% / 30 yrs → $2.51M at 65.
Max contribution from 30 ($2,041/mo + match)
$24.5K + employer adds $500/mo → $2,541/mo. 8% / 35 yrs → $5.27M. Catch-up at 50 adds more.
Late starter: $0 at 50, max ($32.5K + match)
$2,708/mo + match. 7% / 17 yrs → $1.05M at 67. Super catch-up 60-63 adds ~$80K.

Key 401(k) terms (used throughout this page)

401(k) plan
Employer-sponsored retirement plan under IRC §401(k). Pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, ordinary income tax on withdrawal.
Employer match
Free money. Common: 50% of contribution up to 6% of salary (max 3% of pay) or dollar-for-dollar up to 4-5%. Always capture the full match before other savings.
Vesting
How much of employer contributions you own. Graded (25%/yr over 4 years) or cliff (0% then 100% at milestone). Your contributions: always 100% vested.
Roth 401(k)
After-tax 401(k). Pay tax now, withdraw tax-free at 59½. Best if you expect higher tax bracket in retirement or want tax diversification.
Catch-up contribution
Extra contribution at age 50+: $8,000 in 2026. Super catch-up at 60-63 under SECURE Act 2.0: $11,250.
RMD
Required Minimum Distribution. Starts at age 73 (SECURE Act 2.0) for traditional 401(k). Roth 401(k) RMDs eliminated for 2024+.

2026 IRS 401(k) contribution limits

AgeEmployee limitCatch-upTotal employeeCombined w/ employer
Under 50$24,500—$24,500$72,000
50-59 / 64+$24,500$8,000$32,500$80,000
60-63 (super)$24,500$11,250$35,750$83,250

The super catch-up for ages 60-63 is the largest contribution window in your career — use it. Limits apply to combined Traditional + Roth 401(k) contributions, not each separately.

How to use this 401(k) calculator

  1. Current balance. Sum all your 401(k) accounts (current + rolled over). Include Roth 401(k) if relevant.
  2. Monthly contribution. Your monthly contribution + dollar value of employer match. Both compound.
  3. Annual return. 7-8% for target-date funds; 9-10% for all-stock index. Use 7% real for inflation-adjusted projections.
  4. Years to retirement. Standard: 65 or 67 - current age. Adjust if you're targeting early retirement.
  5. Read the result. Projected balance at retirement age. Multiply your annual retirement spending by 25 (4% rule) to compare against your FI number.

Employer match: capture the free money first

An employer match is a guaranteed 50-100% return on every dollar you contribute, up to the match limit. The two most common structures:

  • 50% match up to 6% of salary: Contribute 6% of pay, employer adds 3%. Total: 9%.
  • 100% match up to 4% of salary (dollar-for-dollar): Contribute 4%, employer adds 4%. Total: 8%.
  • Tiered match (less common): 100% of first 3% + 50% of next 2%. Max employer = 4% on a 5% employee contribution.

Concrete example: $60K salary, 50% match to 6%. Contribute 6% ($3,600/yr) → employer adds $1,800/yr. That $1,800 alone compounded at 8% for 40 years → ~$565,000. You only had to put in $144,000 of your own money to get there.

Roth 401(k) vs Traditional 401(k)

Same calculator, different tax timing:

  • Traditional 401(k): Tax break now (deferred). $24,500 contribution at 24% marginal rate saves $5,880 in current taxes. Pay ordinary income tax on withdrawals in retirement.
  • Roth 401(k): No tax break now. Pay tax on $24,500 contribution upfront ($5,880 at 24%). Withdrawals tax-free in retirement (after 59½ + 5-yr rule).
  • Mathematically: If your marginal tax rate is the same now and in retirement, they're equivalent. If retirement rate is higher → Roth wins. If retirement rate is lower → Traditional wins.
  • Practical: Most savers benefit from a mix. Younger / lower-income now → Roth. Peak earning years → Traditional. Tax diversification reduces single-policy risk in retirement.

Vesting schedules

Your contributions are always 100% yours. Employer match is subject to a vesting schedule. ERISA caps at 6 years for graded, 3 years for cliff:

  • Immediate (best): 100% vested day 1. Common at tech and finance.
  • Graded 4-year (most common): 25%/yr. Leave after 2 years → keep 50% of employer match.
  • Cliff 3-year: 0% for 2 years, then 100% at year 3. Leaving before 3 years = forfeit all employer match.

When evaluating job switches, calculate forfeited unvested match as part of the total comp delta.

Early withdrawal penalty (before 59½)

Withdrawing from a 401(k) before 59½ triggers a 10% penalty plus ordinary income tax. On $50,000 withdrawn at 24% marginal:

  • Federal income tax (24%): $12,000
  • 10% early withdrawal penalty: $5,000
  • State income tax (varies, ~5%): $2,500
  • Net to you: ~$30,500 of $50,000 = 39% loss

Penalty exceptions: hardship (medical, foreclosure, principal residence, tuition), Rule 72(t) SEPP, total disability, separation from service at 55+, qualified domestic relations order (divorce), death.

Who this 401(k) calculator is for

20s starter
Capture full match, then start at 10% contribution rate. $60K salary + match @ 8% for 42 years → $2M+. Bump 1% per raise.
30s catching up
15-20% contribution rate. Max if salary allows. $100K + 4% match → $14K/yr + $4K match. 8% / 32 yrs → $2.4M.
40s late start
Max contribution + every catch-up. $32.5K/yr at 50+ + match. 7% / 22 yrs → $1.7M. Work to 70 adds $700K+.
50s+ super catch-up
$35.75K (ages 60-63) + match. Largest contribution window of your career. 6% / 7-10 yrs → $300-500K added to the pot.

What happens to your 401(k) when you leave your job

Four options after separation:

  • Leave it with the old plan: Simplest. Funds stay invested. Limited control if plan has high fees.
  • Roll into new employer's plan: Consolidates accounts. Subject to new plan's fund menu and fees.
  • Roll into a Traditional IRA: Most flexibility. Choose any investments. No tax consequences for direct rollover. Watch the 60-day rule on indirect rollovers.
  • Cash out: Usually a mistake. Triggers 10% penalty + income tax + lost compounding. Only consider for extreme hardship.

Rule of thumb: roll into IRA for flexibility, unless your new employer's plan has unusually low fees or institutional share classes you can't get retail.

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Methodology & sources

  • Compound growth formula: standard future-value-of-annuity (P(1+r/n)^(nt) + PMT × [((1+r/n)^(nt)−1)/(r/n)])
  • 2026 IRS contribution limits: IRS Notice on cost-of-living adjustments for qualified retirement plans
  • SECURE Act 2.0 provisions (super catch-up, RMD age 73, Roth 401(k) RMD elimination): HR 2954 (2022)
  • Vesting limits: ERISA §203 (29 USC §1053) — 6-year graded / 3-year cliff maximum
  • Early withdrawal penalty & exceptions: IRC §72(t)
  • Long-run real return ~7%: Robert Shiller CAPE dataset; NYU Stern (Damodaran) historical returns
  • Vesting practices & match structures: Vanguard How America Saves annual report

401(k) calculator FAQ

What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?

For 2026, the IRS limit on employee 401(k) contributions is $24,500. Workers age 50+ can add a catch-up of $8,000 (total $32,500). Workers ages 60-63 get a super catch-up of $11,250 under SECURE Act 2.0 (total $35,750). The combined employee+employer limit is $72,000 (or $80,000+ with catch-ups).

How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match — that's an instant 50-100% return. Beyond that, aim for 10-15% of gross income across all retirement accounts (401k + IRA). Maxing the 401(k) at $24,500/yr from age 25 to 65 at 8% return → ~$6.4M nominal balance.

Should I choose traditional or Roth 401(k)?

Traditional 401(k) saves tax now (your current marginal rate); Roth 401(k) saves tax later (your retirement marginal rate). Choose Roth if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement or value tax diversification. Choose Traditional if you're in your peak earning years and expect lower retirement spending.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave my job?

You have 4 options: (1) leave it with the old employer's plan, (2) roll it into your new employer's 401(k), (3) roll it into a traditional or Roth IRA, or (4) cash out (taxes + 10% penalty under 59½ — strongly avoid). Rollovers preserve tax-deferred status. IRA rollovers typically offer more investment options than employer plans.

Can I withdraw from my 401(k) before age 59½?

Yes, but with a 10% early withdrawal penalty plus ordinary income tax on the amount. Exceptions include: hardship (medical, foreclosure prevention, principal residence, post-secondary tuition), Rule 72(t) SEPP, disability, separation from service at 55+, qualified domestic relations order (divorce), and death.

What is 401(k) vesting?

Vesting determines how much of your employer's contributions you keep if you leave the company. Graded vesting (most common) builds 25%/year over 4 years. Cliff vesting gives you 0% until a milestone (e.g., 3 years) then 100%. Your own contributions are always 100% vested immediately.

Is this 401(k) calculator free?

Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no email required. Updated to current IRS contribution limits and SECURE Act 2.0 rules. Works on mobile and desktop.

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