401(k) Contribution & Growth Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement including employer match and the 2026 IRS contribution limit ($24,500, plus catch-up). See year-by-year growth.
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Adjust values to see instant results
Additional Details
Balance at Retirement
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Total Employer Match
$84,000.00
Detailed Breakdown
Growth Over Time
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Projects 401(k) growth using annual compounding: each year, your contribution (capped at the IRS elective-deferral limit for your age) plus employer match (matched up to your specified limit) is added to the prior balance, which then grows at your expected annual return. For 2026, the IRS elective-deferral limit is $24,500, plus a $8,000 catch-up for those 50+ (a larger $11,250 "super catch-up" applies at ages 60-63 under SECURE 2.0). Combined employee + employer contributions are capped at the overall IRC Section 415(c) limit of $72,000, with modeled catch-up deferrals above the regular employee limit added on top.
How to Use This Investment & Retirement Calculator
- 1
Fill in Current Age, Retirement Age and Current 401(k) Balance
Current Age starts at 30; Retirement Age starts at 65; Current 401(k) Balance starts at $40,000. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 2
Fill in Annual Salary, Your Contribution (% of salary) and Employer Match Rate
Annual Salary starts at $80,000; Your Contribution (% of salary) starts at 8%; Employer Match Rate starts at 50%. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 3
Fill in Employer Match Limit (% of salary) and Expected Annual Return
Employer Match Limit (% of salary) starts at 6%; Expected Annual Return starts at 7%. Replace each one with your own figure.
- 4
Read the results
The calculator leads with Balance at Retirement and Total Employer Match, followed by 4 supporting figures.
Example Calculation
What the calculator above returns before you change anything: age 30 to 65, $40,000 already saved, $80,000 salary, 8% contributed, an employer match of 50% on the first 6% of pay, and a 7% return.
You put in 8% × $80,000 = $6,400 a year, which stays under the 2026 employee limit of $24,500. The employer matches 50% of the first 6% of pay: $2,400. Each year the balance grows 7% and then takes both deposits; the salary stays at $80,000.
Result: Balance at 65: $1,643,548. That is $224,000 of your contributions, $84,000 of match and $1,295,548 of growth on top of the $40,000 you start with.
What Affects Your Results
Rate of Return
Even small differences compound massively over time. 7% vs. 8% over 30 years on $100K means a difference of $200K+. Asset allocation drives your expected return.
Time Horizon
Compounding accelerates exponentially. Most of your wealth is generated in the final years — a 30-year investment earns more in its last 5 years than its first 15.
Contribution Consistency
Regular monthly investments (dollar-cost averaging) smooth out market volatility and ensure you're always buying — including during dips when prices are low.
Fees & Expenses
A 1% annual fee vs. 0.1% fee on a $500K portfolio costs you $4,500/year extra. Over 30 years, high fees can consume 25–30% of potential returns. Use low-cost index funds.
Tips & Best Practices
- Start early. Thanks to compounding, $200/month invested from age 25 to 65 at 8% returns grows to ~$700K. Waiting until 35 cuts that to ~$300K — a $400K penalty for the 10-year delay.
- Don't try to time the market. Research consistently shows that time in the market beats timing the market. Missing the 10 best trading days over 20 years can halve your returns.
- Consider tax-advantaged accounts first: 401(k) (especially with employer match), IRA, HSA. These reduce your tax drag — a 25% tax bracket investor keeps more in a tax-deferred account.
- Rebalance annually. If stocks outperform and grow from 80% to 90% of your portfolio, rebalancing back to 80% locks in gains and manages risk.
- Factor in your state's tax treatment of investment income. Some states exempt certain investment income or have lower rates on capital gains.
StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the 401(k) contribution limit for 2026?
For 2026, the IRS elective-deferral limit is $24,500. Employees 50 and older can contribute an extra $8,000 catch-up (total $32,500). Under SECURE 2.0, employees aged 60-63 get a higher "super catch-up" of $11,250 instead (total $35,750).
How does employer 401(k) match work?
A common structure is "50% match up to 6% of pay" — meaning the employer contributes 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, until your contribution reaches 6% of your salary. Contributing at least enough to get the full match is generally considered a top financial priority, since it is an immediate, guaranteed return.
Is my employer match subject to the IRS contribution limit?
No — the $24,500 elective-deferral limit only applies to what YOU contribute from your paycheck. Employee and employer contributions together are subject to the $72,000 overall limit for 2026; eligible catch-up deferrals can be added above it.
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