For informational purposes only. Not financial, investment, or tax advice. Results are estimates based on the inputs provided. Consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.
Calculator tool
How this calculator works
Use the explanation to understand the formula, assumptions, and practical limits behind the calculator result.
What the 401(k) Calculator Projects
This calculator starts with your current 401(k) balance, adds employee contributions based on salary, adds the employer match you enter, and compounds the combined balance through the remaining years to retirement.
It is a planning projection, not a promise of market performance or tax outcome.
2026 Employee Deferral Limits Used
| Age entered | Employee deferral cap used by the calculator |
|---|---|
| Under 50 | $24,500 |
| 50 to 59, and 64 or older | $32,500 |
| 60 to 63 | $35,750 |
If the salary-based employee contribution exceeds the applicable cap, the calculator limits the employee contribution and shows a warning. Employer match is still displayed separately because real plans can have their own match formulas and limits.
How to Read the Visuals
The result separates:
- Total money contributed
- Employer match over the projection period
- Investment growth generated by the return assumption
The growth chart is useful because long-term projections often become dominated by compounding later in the timeline. That does not mean the return is guaranteed; it shows how sensitive the final balance is to time and assumed growth.
What the Projection Leaves Out
This calculator does not model:
- Salary raises
- Inflation
- Plan fees
- Vesting schedules
- Contribution timing within each year
- Taxes at withdrawal
- Investment volatility
Use several return scenarios, verify the actual match formula in the plan document, and compare traditional versus Roth tax treatment separately before making a major payroll change.
Frequently asked questions
What does this 401(k) calculator estimate?
It estimates a future account balance from the current balance, annual salary, employee contribution percentage, employer match percentage, assumed annual return, and years until retirement. It is best used for scenario comparison.
What 401(k) limit does the calculator use for 2026?
It uses the current 2026 employee deferral limits: 32,500 when the general catch-up applies, and $35,750 for ages 60 through 63 under the higher catch-up rule.
How should I think about employer match?
Match can materially increase savings, but the calculator only uses the percentage you enter. Verify the real match formula, annual cap, and vesting schedule before assuming every matched dollar is yours immediately.
What return assumption should I use?
Test a conservative case, a middle case, and a stronger case instead of trusting one number. The longer the horizon, the more a small change in return changes the projected balance.
Does the result compare traditional and Roth 401(k) taxes?
No. It projects account growth before withdrawal taxes. Traditional and Roth 401(k) choices differ mainly in when tax is paid, so compare them with your actual tax situation rather than reading the growth projection as a tax recommendation.
What should I verify before increasing payroll contributions?
Check the real match rules, vesting schedule, plan fees, payroll timing, emergency cash needs, debt obligations, and whether the higher contribution fits your monthly budget. The best percentage on paper is not useful if it creates a cash-flow problem.
