401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement, including employer match, raises and the 2026 IRS limits.
About the 401(k) Calculator
For 2026 you can defer up to $24,500 of salary into a 401(k). From age 50 you can add an $8,000 catch-up ($32,500 total), and at ages 60–63 a higher $11,250 catch-up instead (SECURE 2.0). Employer contributions don't count toward your own limit.
Always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match; it's an immediate return on your money.
The formula
Each year: balance × (1 + r) + (your contribution + match) × (1 + r/2)
2026 limits (IRS Notice 2025-67)
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employee deferral | $24,500 |
| Catch-up, age 50+ | $8,000 |
| Catch-up, ages 60–63 | $11,250 |
| IRA contribution | $7,500 (+$1,100 at 50+) |
Worked example
Example: Balance at 72 = $2,495,923
- Inputs: Current age: 39 years; Retirement age: 72 years; Salary: $94,000; You contribute: 9 % of salary; Employer matches: 55 % of your contribution; …up to: 7 % of salary; Yearly raise: 3%; Current balance: $44,000; Expected return: 7%.
- Formula: Each year: balance × (1 + r) + (your contribution + match) × (1 + r/2)
- Result: Balance at 72 = $2,495,923
- Your contributions: $465,959
- Employer match: $199,327
- 2026 limit (under 50): $24,500
Questions people ask
Traditional or Roth 401(k)?
Traditional lowers tax now; Roth is taxed now but tax-free later. Many people split.
What's a typical match?
50% of what you contribute up to 6% of salary is common.