401(k) Calculator
Project the future value of your 401(k). This calculator combines your contributions, your employer's match, annual raises, and investment growth to estimate your balance at retirement — and shows exactly how much of it comes from free employer money.
Formula reviewed for accuracy. Our methodology & sources
401(k) Calculator
finance calculator
How It Works
Enter your salary, current balance, contribution percentage, and your employer's match terms (for example, 50% of contributions up to 6% of salary). The calculator steps through each year to retirement, growing your balance, adding your contribution and the matched amount, and increasing your salary by your raise rate. The 4% rule then estimates the monthly income your balance could support.
Formula
Each year: Balance = Balance × (1 + return) + your contribution + employer match Employer match = salary × min(your %, match limit %) × match rate
Examples
$70K salary, 6% contribution, 50% match up to 6%, age 30→65
A typical mid-career saver capturing the standard employer match.
Maxing the match at 10% contribution
Contributing above the match cap — the extra goes in unmatched but still compounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an employer 401(k) match work?
A common match is "50% up to 6%": your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, but only on the first 6% of your salary. Contributing at least enough to get the full match is widely considered essential — it is an immediate, guaranteed return on your money.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match. Many planners suggest aiming for 10–15% of income (including the match) over time. The IRS also sets an annual contribution limit that changes each year.
What return should I assume?
A diversified portfolio has historically returned about 6–8% per year before inflation over the long run. Using 6–7% is a reasonable, slightly conservative planning assumption.
Does this calculator include taxes?
No. A traditional 401(k) grows tax-deferred and is taxed on withdrawal, while a Roth 401(k) is taxed up front and withdrawn tax-free. This tool projects the pre-tax balance; your withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) will be reduced by income tax.
What is the 4% rule?
It estimates a sustainable withdrawal: you can take about 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement, adjusting for inflation thereafter, with a low chance of running out over 30 years.
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