How to project your 401(k) at retirement
This calculator grows your balance one year at a time, adding what you contribute, what your employer matches and the return you expect, then converts the result into today's dollars so it is easier to judge.
How to use it
- Enter your Current age, Retirement age, Current 401(k) balance and Annual salary.
- Set Your contribution as a percent of pay.
- Copy your plan's match into Employer match and Employer matches up to.
- Adjust Expected annual return, Salary increase per year and Expected inflation.
How the math works
Each year your contribution is your salary times your percentage, capped at the 2026 IRS limit for your age. The employer adds the match rate times the smaller of your contribution and the match ceiling. Contributions are deposited monthly, and the balance compounds monthly at the effective rate that equals your annual return. Today's dollars divide the result by (1 + inflation) for each year to retirement. Monthly income uses the 4% rule.
Worked example
With the starting numbers, a 30-year-old with $50,000 saved and a $75,000 salary contributes 10% ($7,500 in year one) and gets a $2,250 match. At 7% growth and 3% raises, the balance at 65 is $2,511,105, made of $453,466 you contribute, $136,040 from your employer and $1,871,599 of growth. That equals $1,058,107 in today's dollars at 2.5% inflation, and the 4% rule pays about $8,370.35/mo ($3,527.02 in today's dollars).
Limits and edge cases
- Limits are held at 2026 levels for every future year. The IRS usually raises them, so long projections can understate what high savers may contribute.
- Pay above $360,000 is ignored for contributions and match, and employee plus employer contributions stop at $72,000 (catch-up is extra).
- The tool treats you as your listed age for the whole year, so the 60 to 63 catch-up applies in those four years.
- Returns are steady. Real markets swing, so also try a lower rate. Taxes, fees, vesting schedules and Social Security are not included.
- Compare with the IRA calculator, test growth after inflation in the inflation calculator, or see how fast you could retire with the early retirement calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
You can contribute $24,500 in 2026. Workers 50 and older can add $8,000, for $32,500, and those aged 60 to 63 can add $11,250 instead, for $35,750. Employee plus employer contributions are capped at $72,000, not counting catch-up.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
Contribute at least enough to earn your full employer match, then work toward 10% to 15% of pay including the match. If you cannot start there, raise your rate by 1% each year.
Do catch-up contributions have to be Roth in 2026?
Yes, if your plan offers catch-up contributions and your Social Security wages from that employer were above $150,000 in 2025. Your 2026 catch-up then goes in as Roth. That changes how it is taxed, not the balance this calculator projects.
What does the 4% rule mean for 401(k) income?
The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your balance in the first year of retirement and adjust that amount for inflation after, and the money has historically lasted about 30 years. A $1,000,000 balance would support $40,000 a year, or $3,333 a month.
Sources: IRS, 2026 401(k) and IRA limits; IRS Notice 2025-67 ($72,000 additions limit, $360,000 pay limit, $150,000 Roth catch-up threshold).