401(k) Contribution Calculator
Estimate how 401(k) contributions, employer match, current balance, return assumptions, and inflation could affect retirement savings. For example, a 30-year-old earning $70,000 with a 5% contribution and 4% employer match could have over $800,000 by age 65 at 7% annual return.
Your Details
Basic information about your situation.
Age you plan to stop working
Enter 0 if starting fresh
Pre-tax contributions. Pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement.
Contributions
How much you and your employer contribute.
How much you contribute each paycheck
e.g. 100% = dollar for dollar match
e.g. 6% = employer matches up to 6% of your salary
Growth Assumptions
Expected returns and inflation over time.
Projected Retirement Balance
At age 65 after 35 years.
Projected Balance at Retirement
$1,668,866
$703,212 in today's dollars (inflation-adjusted)
Years to Grow
35
Monthly Contribution
$425
Annual Employer Match
$5,100
Total Employer Contributions
$178,500
Balance Breakdown
Estimated Monthly Income at Retirement
Methodology and limitations
Last reviewed:
Methodology
Projects 401(k) balance from salary, employee contribution rate, employer match assumptions, current balance, expected return, and inflation rate.
Limitations
Uses the calculator's built-in 2025 contribution-limit constants. It does not model 2026 limits, tax brackets, vesting, plan fees, salary growth, or Roth tax outcomes.
Official sources
How to Use the 401(k) Contribution Calculator
Estimate how 401(k) contributions, employer match, current balance, return assumptions, and inflation could affect retirement savings. For example, a 30-year-old earning $70,000 with a 5% contribution and 4% employer match could have over $800,000 by age 65 at 7% annual return.
Method used
This calculator estimates annual employee contributions, employer match, yearly growth, inflation-adjusted balance, and retirement income from 3% and 4% withdrawal-rate scenarios.
Annual contribution = employee contribution + employer match; yearly ending balance = starting balance + contributions + growth
Practical example
Example: enter salary, contribution percentage, employer match terms, current balance, expected return, and inflation rate.
- $85,000 salary
- 6% employee contribution
- 100% employer match up to 6%
- $15,000 current balance
- 7% expected return and 2.5% inflation
The output shows projected retirement balance, today's-dollar balance, contribution mix, employer match, and estimated monthly income.
Assumptions
- Contribution limits use the calculator's built-in 2025 IRS-limit constants.
- Salary is held constant in the projection.
- Investment return and inflation assumptions are steady each year.
What this includes
- Employee contribution, employer match, catch-up eligibility, projected balance, real balance, and yearly projection table.
What this excludes
- 2026 limit updates, tax brackets, vesting schedules, plan fees, salary growth, Roth tax analysis, and required minimum distributions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does this 401(k) calculator handle employer match?
Enter your employer match percentage and the salary percentage up to which the match applies - for example, 50% match on the first 6% of salary. The calculator computes your employee contribution from your salary and contribution rate, then adds the estimated employer match to total yearly contributions. Match dollars compound alongside your contributions over the projection period. If your employer has a vesting schedule, unvested match funds may not be yours if you leave the company early.
Which contribution limits does it use?
The calculator uses built-in 2025 IRS contribution limit constants for employee deferrals and catch-up contributions for workers age 50 and older. If your combined employee contribution exceeds the annual limit, the calculator caps it accordingly. A separate update is needed before representing 2026 IRS limits. Total contributions including employer match are also subject to the overall annual additions limit set by the IRS each year.
Does this compare Roth and traditional 401(k) taxes?
No. The account type toggle labels whether contributions are pre-tax (traditional) or after-tax (Roth), but the projection does not calculate current tax savings on traditional contributions or future tax-free withdrawals from Roth accounts. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce taxable income now but are taxed on withdrawal. Roth contributions are taxed now but grow and withdraw tax-free in retirement. Consult a tax professional to determine which account type fits your situation.
Does this include salary growth?
No. Salary is held constant throughout the projection in the current calculator logic. In reality, annual raises increase both your contribution dollar amount and potential employer match over time, which can significantly boost ending balances. To approximate raise impact, manually increase the salary input or contribution rate for a rough higher-end estimate. Future versions may add an optional annual salary growth assumption.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
A common goal is to contribute at least enough to capture your full employer match - that is an immediate 50% to 100% return on those dollars. Many financial planners suggest saving 10% to 15% of gross income for retirement, including the employer match. Use this calculator to test different contribution rates and see how each affects your projected balance at retirement age, both in nominal dollars and inflation-adjusted terms.