401(k) Calculator
A 401(k) with an employer match is essentially free money — often a 50% to 100% return on your matched contributions — and capturing the full match is one of the highest-return moves in personal finance, yet many employees leave thousands on the table by contributing less than the match threshold. This calculator projects your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your current balance, your contribution rate, your employer's match, your salary growth, and your expected return, then estimates the annual retirement income that balance could generate. Enter your current balance, your salary, your contribution percentage, your employer's match percentage and cap, your expected annual return, your salary growth rate, and the years to retirement, and the calculator returns your projected balance at retirement, the total contributions, the employer match value, and the estimated annual retirement income. The employer match is the most valuable feature of most 401(k) plans, and contributing at least enough to capture the full match should be your first priority — it's an immediate, guaranteed return you can't get anywhere else. Beyond the match, increasing your contribution rate over time (a 1% annual increase is barely noticeable in take-home pay but compounds significantly) is one of the most effective ways to build a larger balance. The 2026 contribution limit is $23,000, plus a $7,500 catch-up if you're 50 or older, and many plans now offer a Roth option for after-tax contributions. Use this calculator to confirm you're capturing the full match, project your balance, see how increasing your contribution rate changes your outcome, and estimate the retirement income your 401(k) will provide.
401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance with employer match and contributions.
Projected 401(k) balance
$1,412,301
After 30 years
Your monthly contribution
$600
Employer match / month
$225
Free money
Always contribute at least enough to capture the full employer match — it's an immediate guaranteed return. The 2026 employee limit is $23,500; this calculator doesn't cap contributions.
About This Calculator
A 401(k) with an employer match is essentially free money — often a 50% to 100% return on your matched contributions — and capturing the full match is one of the highest-return moves in personal finance, yet many employees leave thousands on the table by contributing less than the match threshold. This calculator projects your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your current balance, your contribution rate, your employer's match, your salary growth, and your expected return, then estimates the annual retirement income that balance could generate. Enter your current balance, your salary, your contribution percentage, your employer's match percentage and cap, your expected annual return, your salary growth rate, and the years to retirement, and the calculator returns your projected balance at retirement, the total contributions, the employer match value, and the estimated annual retirement income. The employer match is the most valuable feature of most 401(k) plans, and contributing at least enough to capture the full match should be your first priority — it's an immediate, guaranteed return you can't get anywhere else. Beyond the match, increasing your contribution rate over time (a 1% annual increase is barely noticeable in take-home pay but compounds significantly) is one of the most effective ways to build a larger balance. The 2026 contribution limit is $23,000, plus a $7,500 catch-up if you're 50 or older, and many plans now offer a Roth option for after-tax contributions. Use this calculator to confirm you're capturing the full match, project your balance, see how increasing your contribution rate changes your outcome, and estimate the retirement income your 401(k) will provide.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Results depend on assumptions that may not reflect your actual situation.
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Written by
James MitchellSenior Financial Analyst & Personal Finance Expert
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) • MBA in Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business