401(k) Retirement Calculator
Project your balance at retirement — with employer match, salary growth and compounding — and see how much is free match money and how much your money earned on its own. Instant, no sign-up, formula shown.
Employer match & assumptions
Your balance compounding to retirement
Notice how the curve steepens — later growth dwarfs early contributions. That's compounding.
What your contribution rate does to the outcome
Same salary, match and return. A few extra percent today is enormous at retirement.
| Contribution | You contribute | Employer match | Balance at retirement |
|---|
The exact method — with your numbers
Each year: grow the balance by the return, then add your contribution and the employer match.
r = annual return · c = your contribution rate · Match = min(c, cap) × match-rate × salary. Salary grows each year, so contributions rise too. Compounded from your age to retirement.
How to use this 401(k) calculator
- Ages & balance. Enter your current age, target retirement age and current 401(k) balance.
- Salary & contribution. Set your salary and the percent you contribute each year.
- Match & assumptions. Open the panel to set your employer's match, expected return and salary growth.
What your result actually means
The investment growth line usually becomes the largest piece of your final balance — proof that time in the market beats timing it. The employer match is an immediate, guaranteed return you can't get anywhere else, which is why contributing at least up to the match is nearly universal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What return should I assume?
A diversified long-term portfolio has historically returned roughly 6–8% annually before inflation. Returns vary year to year and are never guaranteed — try a lower figure to stress-test your plan.
Does this include taxes or contribution limits?
No — it's a pre-tax growth projection and does not enforce annual IRS contribution limits. Treat very high contribution percentages as illustrative.
Why does salary growth matter?
Because your contribution is a percentage of salary, raises increase the dollars you invest each year, compounding the effect.
Method & sources
- Calculation: Annual compounding with contributions and employer match added each year; cross-checked against an independent year-by-year simulation.
- Match structure (e.g. 50% up to 6% of pay) reflects common U.S. employer 401(k) plans; confirm your plan's exact terms.
- Reviewed: · Assumptions reviewed quarterly.
Educational estimate, not financial or tax advice. Excludes taxes, fees and IRS limits.