401(k) Calculator
Project 401k balance with contribution + employer match + market growth.
401(k) balance at age 65
$2,689,274
2026 limit: $23,000 employee, $30,500 if 50+. Match is FREE money — always contribute enough to capture full match.
Year-by-year breakdownShow table ▾Hide ▴
| Age | Contributed | Growth | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 31 | $10,400 | $832 | $11,232 |
| 32 | $21,112 | $2,588 | $23,700 |
| 33 | $32,145 | $5,366 | $37,512 |
| 34 | $43,510 | $9,276 | $52,786 |
| 35 | $55,215 | $14,436 | $69,651 |
| 36 | $67,271 | $20,972 | $88,244 |
| 37 | $79,690 | $29,025 | $108,715 |
| 38 | $92,480 | $38,745 | $131,226 |
| 39 | $105,655 | $50,297 | $155,952 |
| 40 | $119,224 | $63,859 | $183,084 |
| 41 | $133,201 | $79,624 | $212,825 |
| 42 | $147,597 | $97,802 | $245,399 |
| 43 | $162,425 | $118,620 | $281,045 |
| 44 | $177,698 | $142,325 | $320,023 |
| 45 | $193,429 | $169,186 | $362,614 |
| 46 | $209,632 | $199,491 | $409,123 |
| 47 | $226,321 | $233,556 | $459,876 |
| 48 | $243,510 | $271,721 | $515,231 |
| 49 | $261,215 | $314,356 | $575,571 |
| 50 | $279,452 | $361,861 | $641,313 |
| 51 | $298,235 | $414,668 | $712,904 |
| 52 | $317,583 | $473,248 | $790,831 |
| 53 | $337,510 | $538,109 | $875,619 |
| 54 | $358,035 | $609,801 | $967,836 |
| 55 | $379,176 | $688,919 | $1,068,095 |
| 56 | $400,952 | $776,108 | $1,177,060 |
| 57 | $423,380 | $872,068 | $1,295,448 |
| 58 | $446,482 | $977,552 | $1,424,033 |
| 59 | $470,276 | $1,093,378 | $1,563,654 |
| 60 | $494,784 | $1,220,431 | $1,715,215 |
| 61 | $520,028 | $1,359,667 | $1,879,695 |
| 62 | $546,029 | $1,512,123 | $2,058,152 |
| 63 | $572,810 | $1,678,918 | $2,251,727 |
| 64 | $600,394 | $1,861,263 | $2,461,656 |
| 65 | $628,806 | $2,060,468 | $2,689,274 |
A 401(k) calculator projects the future value of your workplace retirement account. It combines three inputs that drive the balance: the money you defer from each paycheck, the money your employer adds through a match, and the compound growth of both over the years you stay invested.
The employer match is the part people most often underestimate. It is an immediate return on your contribution before markets do anything, which is why capturing the full match is usually the highest-priority move in any retirement plan.
Because 401(k) contributions are typically automatic and pre-tax, the account tends to grow quietly in the background. Modeling it makes the long-run payoff of small percentage increases visible.
How this calculator works
The calculator applies the annuity future-value formula to your combined monthly deposits: FV = PMT x [((1+r)^n - 1) / r], where PMT is your contribution plus the employer match, r is the monthly return (annual return / 12), and n is the number of months. Example: on a $60,000 salary, deferring 6% is $300/month, and a 50%-up-to-6% match adds $150/month, for $450/month total. At a 7% annual return over 30 years (r = 0.07/12, n = 360), that grows to roughly $549,000. Your own $300/month alone would reach only about $366,000, so the match is responsible for roughly $183,000 of the ending balance in this example. The IRS caps employee deferrals each year; for 2025 the limit was $23,500 with a $7,500 catch-up at age 50+ (and a higher catch-up for ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0). Always check the current year's IRS limit.
What affects the number
- Employer match formula: a match such as 50% up to 6% of pay is free money; contributing less than the threshold leaves part of it unclaimed.
- Contribution rate: raising your deferral by even 1% of salary compounds into a large difference over a full career.
- Vesting schedule: employer contributions may vest gradually, so match dollars can be forfeited if you leave before you are fully vested. Your own contributions are always yours.
- IRS annual limits: employee deferrals are capped each year, with extra catch-up room at 50+. Confirm the current year's figure before maxing out.
- Investment mix and fees: your fund choices and their expense ratios determine your real return; high-fee funds quietly reduce the ending balance.
- Traditional vs Roth 401(k): traditional lowers taxable income now and is taxed at withdrawal; Roth is funded with after-tax dollars for tax-free qualified withdrawals later.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At a minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match, because that is an instant return you cannot get elsewhere. A common general target is 10-15% of gross pay including the match, but the right number depends on your age, other savings, and retirement goals. If you cannot hit that immediately, increase your rate by 1% each year until you do.
What is the 401(k) contribution limit?
The IRS sets an employee deferral limit that adjusts most years for inflation. For 2025 it was $23,500, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution allowed at age 50 or older, and a higher catch-up for ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0. Always check the current year's IRS limit, since these figures change.
Does the employer match count toward my contribution limit?
No. The employee deferral limit applies only to the money you put in. Employer match dollars fall under a separate, higher combined limit on total additions to the account. This means the match effectively lets you get more into the plan than your deferral cap alone would allow.
Should I choose a traditional or Roth 401(k)?
It comes down to your tax bracket now versus in retirement. Traditional contributions are pre-tax and reduce your taxable income today, but withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. If you expect to be in a higher bracket later, Roth often wins; if you expect a lower bracket, traditional may be better.
This calculator provides general estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Your actual results depend on your specific situation, tax rules, market returns, and the current year's IRS limits.