401(k) Calculator
Project how much your 401(k) could be worth at retirement based on your contributions, your employer match, salary raises and investment returns, using 2026 IRS contribution limits.
Result
How the projection works
Each year, the calculator adds your contribution and your employer match to the balance and grows it at the return you enter. Contributions are spread through the year, so on average they earn half a year of growth in the year they are made. Your salary grows by the expected raise each year.
2026 contribution limits
In 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 of your salary into a 401(k). Workers aged 50 and over can add an $8,000 catch-up contribution, and those aged 60 to 63 get a higher catch-up of $11,250. The calculator caps your contributions at these limits, which are usually raised over time for inflation.
Always get the full match
A common plan pays 50 cents for each dollar you contribute, up to 6% of your salary. Contributing less than the match limit leaves free money on the table, and that money compounds for decades.
Related guide: How Much Should You Put in Your 401(k)?
Frequently asked questions
What return should I assume?
Many planners use 5% to 7% a year for a stock-heavy portfolio before inflation. A lower figure gives a more conservative estimate.
What is the 4% rule?
It is a rule of thumb that suggests withdrawing about 4% of your savings in the first year of retirement, adjusted for inflation afterward. It is a starting point, not a guarantee.
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional contributions reduce your taxes now and are taxed when withdrawn; Roth contributions are taxed now and withdrawn tax-free in retirement. This calculator shows the account balance before any taxes.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, legal or medical advice.