401k Calculator: How Much Will You Have at Retirement?
Project your 401k balance with employer match, 2026 contribution limits and a Roth vs Traditional comparison. Free and private.
Last updated: June 2026
2026 limits: Employee contribution up to $24,500, plus an $8,000 catch-up at 50+ ($32,500 total) or an $11,250 super catch-up at 60-63 ($35,750 total). Employer match is on top, up to a combined $72,000.
Projected at retirement
- Balance at retirement
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- Your contributions
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- Employer match
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- Investment growth
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- Monthly income
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- Monthly income
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After-tax value in retirement
- Traditional 401k
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- Roth 401k
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Traditional is taxed at your retirement rate; Roth is tax-free.
| Age | Your contribution | Employer match | Balance |
|---|
The retirement account most people underuse
The 401k is the workhorse of American retirement, and the employer match makes it the rare place you can earn an instant return on your money. This 401k calculator projects your balance at retirement from your contributions, the match and compounding growth, and shows the after-tax value under both Traditional and Roth treatment.
Two numbers drive the outcome. The first is the match: contributing enough to capture a full '50% up to 6%' match adds thousands of free dollars every year. The second is time, because the early contributions compound the longest. The year-by-year table shows how the employer match and growth stack on top of your own deferrals, and the limit warning flags if your chosen percentage would exceed the 2026 cap for your age.
Roth versus Traditional comes down to your tax rate now versus in retirement. The after-tax panel makes that concrete using your assumed retirement rate. To see your take-home pay today, pair this with the US paycheck calculator, compare account types with the Roth vs Traditional IRA calculator, and set a target with the retirement calculator.
Disclaimer: Projections assume steady returns, which real markets do not provide. 2026 limits are shown; employer match terms vary. This is not financial advice. Consult an adviser or see dol.gov. Full disclaimer.
How it works
Three quick steps — no account, nothing uploaded to a server.
Enter your details
Add your age, salary, current balance and contribution percentage.
Set the match and return
Enter your employer match terms and an expected return.
See your balance
Get your projected balance, the match value and a Roth vs Traditional view.
Rates and rules on this page are verified against IRS 401(k) plan guidance. Last checked July 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the 401k contribution limit for 2026?
The 2026 employee contribution limit is $24,500. If you are aged 50 to 59 or 64 and over, you can add a catch-up of $8,000 for a total of $32,500. If you are aged 60 to 63, an enhanced super catch-up of $11,250 raises your total to $35,750. These limits cover your own salary deferrals; employer matching is on top, up to a combined $72,000.
How does an employer 401k match work?
Many employers match part of your contribution, commonly 50% of what you put in up to 6% of your salary, often written as '50% up to 6%'. On an $80,000 salary that is up to $2,400 a year of free money. Always contribute at least enough to capture the full match, because anything less leaves guaranteed money on the table.
Traditional or Roth 401k, which is better?
A Traditional 401k uses pre-tax money and is taxed when you withdraw in retirement. A Roth 401k uses after-tax money and grows tax-free, so qualified withdrawals are not taxed. Roth tends to win if you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Traditional if you expect a lower one. The same contribution limits apply to both.
When can I withdraw from my 401k?
Generally at age 59 and a half without penalty. Withdraw earlier and you usually pay income tax plus a 10% penalty, with some exceptions such as hardship or the 72(t) rule. Traditional 401k accounts also require minimum distributions starting at age 73, while a Roth 401k has no lifetime required distributions.
What return should I assume for a 401k?
A long-term assumption of about 7% is common, reflecting historical stock market returns of around 10% minus roughly 3% inflation. Actual returns vary year to year and are not guaranteed, so try a few rates. Lower-cost index funds and target-date funds are popular low-maintenance choices inside a 401k.
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