401(k) Calculator

Project your 401(k) balance at retirement based on your current savings, salary, contribution rate, and employer match. This uses the same compounding growth model as our Investment Calculator, framed around a workplace retirement account.

401(k) Calculator

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Current age

Retirement age

Current 401(k) balance

Annual salary

Your contribution (% of salary)

Employer match (% of salary)

Expected annual return (%)

Projected balance at retirement

$1,223,207

Your contributions

$147,000

Employer match total

$98,000

Assumes your employer matches in full up to the percentage you enter — check your plan's actual match formula and cap.

How the projection works

Your contribution and your employer's match combine into a single monthly amount that grows using the standard future-value-with-contributions formula, on top of whatever balance you're starting with.

FV = P(1 + r)ⁿ + PMT × [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) ÷ r]

Example

Age 30, $15,000 current balance, $70,000 salary, contributing 6% with a 4% employer match, assuming 7% annual return until age 65 (35 years): monthly contribution (yours + match) = $583.33, projected balance ≈ $1,223,207, of which $147,000 was your own contribution and $98,000 came from the employer match.

Step-by-step guide

Enter your current age and planned retirement age.
Enter your current 401(k) balance and annual salary.
Enter your contribution percentage and your employer's match percentage — check your plan documents for the exact match formula.
Enter an expected annual return and review the projection.

Common mistakes

Contributing less than your employer's full match — leaving match money on the table is often described as leaving free money unclaimed.

Not accounting for annual contribution limits — the IRS caps how much you can personally contribute to a 401(k) each year, separate from employer matching.

Frequently asked questions

How does employer matching typically work?

A common formula is matching 50% or 100% of your contribution up to a certain percentage of salary — for example, "100% match up to 4% of pay." Check your specific plan's Summary Plan Description for the exact formula and any vesting schedule.

What's a vesting schedule?

Some employers require you to stay a certain number of years before employer-matched funds are fully "yours" if you leave the company. Your own contributions are always 100% yours immediately; matched funds may vest gradually.

Should I choose traditional or Roth 401(k) contributions?

Traditional contributions reduce your taxable income now but are taxed on withdrawal; Roth contributions are made after tax but grow tax-free. This calculator projects the balance either way — the difference is in how it's taxed, which depends on your personal tax situation.

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