401k Calculator
Your 401(k) balance at retirement, with employer match and 2026 limits.
E.g. 50% means the employer adds 50 cents per dollar you contribute.
Your result
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Enter your numbers to see the result.
This 401k calculator projects how much your 401(k) could hold when you retire. Enter your salary, how much you contribute, your employer’s match formula, your current balance and age. It applies the 2026 contribution limit of $24,500, adds the age 50+ catch-up and the higher age 60–63 catch-up, and shows the employer match you collect each year.
What is a 401k Calculator?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan that lets you invest part of each paycheck before most taxes (traditional) or after taxes (Roth 401(k)). Many employers add a matching contribution, which is effectively free money for your retirement.
For 2026, the IRS lets employees contribute up to $24,500. Workers 50 and older can add an $8,000 catch-up, and those aged 60 to 63 get a higher catch-up of $11,250 under SECURE 2.0. A 401k calculator brings all of this together to estimate your balance at retirement.
How does the 401k Calculator work?
Each year, the calculator works out your contribution as a percentage of salary, capped at the IRS limit for your age. It adds the employer match based on the match rate and the cap, then grows the balance at your expected return. Contributions made during the year earn roughly half a year’s return.
Your salary rises by the raise you enter, so contributions and match grow over time.
How to use the 401k Calculator step by step
- Enter your age and retirement age.
- Enter your salary and contribution percentage.
- Enter your employer’s match rate and the cap.
- Add your current balance.
- Set expected raises and return.
- Read your projected balance and the yearly table.
401k Calculator example with real numbers
You’re 35, earn $85,000, contribute 8% of pay and your employer matches 50% of what you put in, up to 6% of salary. You have $40,000 saved and plan to retire at 67.
| Example input | Value |
|---|---|
| Age / retirement age | 35 / 67 |
| Salary | $85,000 |
| Your contribution | 8% |
| Employer match | 50% up to 6% of salary |
| Current balance | $40,000 |
| Raises / return | 3% / 7% |
| Example output | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated 401(k) balance at 67 | $1,834,114 |
| Your total contributions | $357,019 |
| Employer match total | $133,882 |
| This year: you / employer | $6,800 / $2,550 |
| Match you leave on the table | None |
| Growth | $1,303,213 |
The 401k calculator projects about $1,834,114 at 67. Your contributions total $357,019 and your employer adds $133,882 over the years. This year you put in $6,800 / $2,550.
Key features of this 401k Calculator
- 2026 contribution limit with age-based catch-ups
- Employer match formula
- Match you’re missing
- Salary growth
- Balance by age table
Who should use the 401k Calculator?
Who is this 401k Calculator for?
- Employees with a workplace 401(k)
- People deciding how much to contribute
- Workers nearing 50 or 60 planning catch-ups
- Anyone comparing job offers with different matches
Practical use cases
- Checking whether you capture the full match
- Projecting your balance at 67
- Seeing the effect of raising your contribution by 1%
- Planning catch-up contributions in your 60s
Key benefits
- Current limits: includes the 2026 age 60–63 super catch-up.
- Match clarity: see free money you might be missing.
- Long-term view: raises and growth included.
- Easy: no account login needed.
Tips for better results
- Contribute at least enough to get the full employer match.
- Increase your contribution by 1% each year or with every raise.
- Check your plan’s vesting schedule; unvested match can be lost if you leave early.
- Keep fees low by choosing low-cost index funds in your plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Contributing less than the match cap.
- Cashing out a 401(k) when changing jobs.
- Ignoring vesting schedules.
- Forgetting to update contributions after a raise.
Limitations of this 401k Calculator
- It assumes a constant return and steady raises.
- It doesn’t model vesting, loans or withdrawals.
- Future IRS limits will rise with inflation; 2026 limits are used for every year.
401k Calculator vs other ways to calculate
| Account | 2026 limit | Tax now | Tax later |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional 401(k) | $24,500 (+ catch-up) | Deductible | Taxed |
| Roth 401(k) | Same combined limit | No deduction | Tax-free |
| Traditional IRA | $7,500 (+$1,100) | May be deductible | Taxed |
| Roth IRA | $7,500 (+$1,100) | No deduction | Tax-free |
Your plan provider’s website shows your actual balance and fund choices. To add an IRA on top, see the Roth IRA calculator and traditional IRA calculator.
Privacy and data handling
This 401k Calculator runs entirely in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to Qorico or stored on any server, and nothing is saved after you close the page. The Copy and Download buttons create the result on your own device. If the page has analytics turned on, it may count that a calculation happened, but it does not record the values you entered.
401k Calculator FAQs
What is the 401(k) limit for 2026?
$24,500 in employee contributions. Workers 50+ can add $8,000, and those aged 60–63 can add $11,250 instead.
How does an employer match work?
A common formula is 50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary. If you earn $85,000 and contribute 6%, the employer adds $2,550.
What is the age 60–63 super catch-up?
SECURE 2.0 lets workers aged 60, 61, 62 and 63 contribute a higher catch-up of $11,250 in 2026 instead of $8,000.
Roth or traditional 401(k): which is better?
Traditional lowers taxes now; Roth gives tax-free withdrawals later. If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth may be better.
Does the employer match count toward the $24,500 limit?
No. The $24,500 limit applies to your own contributions. A separate, higher limit covers total contributions.
What happens to my 401(k) if I change jobs?
You can leave it, roll it to your new employer’s plan or roll it into an IRA. Cashing out triggers taxes and often a 10% penalty.
Related tools
Sources and references
We checked the method and the current figures used in this 401k Calculator against these official and primary sources:
- IRS: Retirement plans
- IRS: 401(k) and IRA limits for 2026 (IR-2025-111)
- U.S. Department of Labor: wages and overtime
- Investor.gov (U.S. SEC)
Written and reviewed by the Qorico Team
