Free 401(k) calculator: project your retirement balance with employer match and 2026 contribution limits, and see if you're capturing your full match.
Your employer matches a percentage of what you contribute, up to a cap. Example: 50% up to 6% of salary.
2026 IRS limits: $24,500 employee ($32,500 at 50+ with catch-up). Employer contributions are extra. Estimates for planning only — returns vary and are not guaranteed. Not tax or investment advice.
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How much will your 401k be worth at retirement? Our calculator factors in your contributions, employer match, investment returns, and salary growth to project your nest egg. See how small changes today can mean hundreds of thousands more at retirement.
A 401k grows through three sources: your contributions, employer matching, and investment returns. The power of compound growth means starting early matters enormously. A 25-year-old contributing $500/month at 7% return will have roughly $1.2M by 65. Starting at 35 with the same contribution yields only about $567k.
Future Value Formula
Determine optimal contribution percentage based on retirement goals.
Ensure you're capturing the full employer match benefit.
See how different retirement ages affect your nest egg.
Calculate how much you need to save to reach retirement goals.
Visualize the power of compound growth over decades
Maximize employer matching (free money!)
Understand how contribution changes affect retirement
Plan retirement income using the 4% rule
Stay within IRS contribution limits
For 2026 the employee limit is $24,500 if you're under 50. At 50+ you can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and a SECURE 2.0 rule lets ages 60–63 add $11,250 instead ($35,750 total). Employer contributions are on top of this; the combined employee + employer total is capped at $72,000 ($80,000 including the age-50+ catch-up).
At a minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match — that is free money you cannot get back. A common overall target is about 15% of salary including the match. This calculator flags when you are contributing below your match cap.
A typical match is '50% up to 6%': your employer adds 50 cents per dollar you contribute, on the first 6% of your salary — so contribute at least 6% to capture it all. Some employers match 100% up to 3–5%. Matching formulas and vesting schedules vary by plan.
Every dollar of unclaimed match is compensation you forfeit. If you contribute below your match cap, raising your contribution at least up to that cap is usually the highest-return move you can make — an immediate, guaranteed return before any market growth.
The 4% rule suggests withdrawing about 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation. A $1,000,000 401(k) would provide roughly $40,000/year (about $3,333/month) before taxes.
Many planners use 6–7% for a long horizon (the S&P 500 has averaged roughly 10% before inflation, about 7% after). Use a more conservative rate as you approach retirement and shift toward bonds. Returns are never guaranteed.