A 401(k) calculator projects what your retirement savings could grow to. Enter your age, current balance, salary, contribution rate, employer match and expected return. The tool applies the 2026 IRS elective deferral limit ($24,500, or $32,500 if you are 50 or older) and compounds monthly, the way payroll contributions actually land.
How to use it
- Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
- Enter your current 401(k) balance and annual salary.
- Set your contribution as a percent of salary, and your employer’s match the same way.
- Pick an expected annual return. 7% is a common long-run assumption for a stock-heavy portfolio, before inflation.
- Read the projected balance, split into your contributions, employer match, and growth.
How the math works
Your yearly saving is capped at the 2026 IRS elective deferral limit, and total yearly additions (yours plus employer) are capped at $72,000. The balance compounds monthly with contributions spread across the year. Salary growth is not assumed, so treat the projection as a baseline, not a promise.
Worked example
Your contributions: $178,500 Employer match: $89,250
Investment growth: $1,143,076
Projected balance at 65: $1,435,826
2026 401(k) Contribution Limits
From IRS News Release IR-2025-111. The calculator above enforces the elective deferral limit automatically.
| Limit | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employee elective deferral | $24,500 |
| Catch-up contribution (age 50+) | $8,000 |
| Max employee deferral (age 50+) | $32,500 |
| Super catch-up (ages 60–63) | $11,250 |
| Max employee deferral (ages 60–63) | $35,750 |
| Total annual additions (employee + employer) | $72,000 |
Source: IRS News Release IR-2025-111.
Frequently asked questions
How does a 401(k) calculator with employer match work?
It adds your contribution and your employer’s match each year, then compounds the running balance. The match is free money, so even a small match changes the final number a lot over decades.
What are the 401(k) contribution limits for 2026?
$24,500 in elective deferrals ($32,500 if you are 50 or older; $35,750 for ages 60 to 63 under the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up), and $72,000 in total annual additions including employer money. Source: IRS News Release IR-2025-111.
What is a good 401(k) contribution percentage?
Common guidance is 10 to 15% of salary including the employer match, but the right number depends on your age, goals and other savings. At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match.
Is the projection guaranteed?
No. Returns vary year to year, and the tool uses a smooth average. It is a planning baseline, not a prediction.
Sources
2026 limits: IRS News Release IR-2025-111.