How the 401(k) projection works
For each year until retirement, the calculator adds your contribution and your employer's match in 12 monthly deposits, grows the balance at your expected return, then raises your salary for the next year.
Example: you're 30, earn $75,000, have $25,000 saved and contribute 8%. Your employer matches 50% up to 6%, so it adds 3% of your pay, $2,250 in the first year. With 3% raises and a 7% return, you'd have about $1,939,994 at 65. That's $817,457 in today's dollars at 2.5% inflation. You put in $362,772, your employer $136,040, and growth adds $1,416,182.
Growth does most of the work, which is why starting early matters more than any single raise. Returns are never guaranteed, and real markets go up and down, so treat the result as a planning estimate.
2026 401(k) contribution limits
| Your age in 2026 | Most you can contribute |
|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 |
| 50 to 59, or 64 and over | $32,500 ($8,000 catch-up) |
| 60 to 63 | $35,750 ($11,250 catch-up) |
The limit covers your own contributions, traditional and Roth combined. Employer money doesn't count toward it. The IRS raises the limits with inflation most years, so the calculator grows them at your inflation rate for future years.
From 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in FICA wages the year before, catch-up contributions must go in as Roth.
Get the full match first
An employer match is an instant 50% or 100% return, more than any investment reliably pays. If you can only save a little, save at least enough to collect the whole match. The calculator flags it when you're below that line and shows how much you're leaving behind each year.
To see how a lump sum grows on its own, use the compound interest calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I put in my 401(k) in 2026?
$24,500 of your own money. If you're 50 or older you can add a $8,000 catch-up, for $32,500. If you turn 60, 61, 62 or 63 during the year, the catch-up is $11,250, for $35,750.
How does a 401(k) employer match work?
Your employer adds money based on what you contribute. With "50% up to 6%", if you earn $60,000 and contribute 6% ($3,600), your employer adds $1,800. Contributing more than 6% doesn't raise the match.
What rate of return should I use?
Many planners use 5% to 7% a year for a stock-heavy portfolio over decades, after fees. Use a lower number if you hold more bonds or want a cautious estimate.
What is the 4% rule?
A rule of thumb that you can withdraw about 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation, with a good chance the money lasts 30 years. The calculator uses it to turn your balance into a monthly income estimate.
Was this calculator helpful?