401(k) Calculator
Enter your salary, contribution % and employer match — see your projected 401(k) balance at retirement, with a full contribution vs growth breakdown.
How to use — 401(k) Calculator
- Enter your current age, planned retirement age, salary and current 401(k) balance.
- Enter your contribution as a % of salary (10–15% is a common target).
- Enter your employer match — e.g. "50% match up to 6%" means enter 50 and 6.
- Click Calculate — see your projected balance, total contributions, employer match and growth.
FAQ
What is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) is a US employer-sponsored retirement account. You contribute a percentage of each paycheck before taxes, many employers match part of it, and the money grows tax-deferred until retirement.
How does employer matching work?
A common formula is "50% of your contributions up to 6% of salary" — if you earn $70,000 and contribute 6% ($4,200/yr), your employer adds 50% of that ($2,100/yr). Always contribute at least enough to get the full match — it's free money.
What annual return should I assume?
A diversified stock-heavy portfolio has historically returned about 7–10% per year before inflation. 7% is a reasonably conservative long-term assumption. This calculator compounds monthly.
Does this account for contribution limits or salary growth?
No — it assumes a constant salary and contribution for simplicity. The IRS also caps annual employee contributions (the limit changes each year), so very high earners should check the current limit.