Retirement
401(k) Calculator
Project your 401(k) balance at retirement, including your contributions, the employer match, and long-term investment growth.
Enter your salary, contribution rate, and employer match to see how much your 401(k) could grow and how much of it is free matching money.
Retirement
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Scenario presets
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Example
Contributing 8% on a $75,000 salary with a 4% match means thousands of dollars in free employer money added every year.
Results
Projected 401(k) balance
$1,239,638
Employer match added
$90,000
Investment growth
$929,638
Projection
Trend view
Milestones
Decision cues
Breakdown
Cost mix
Result reading
The visual trend is moving up, with an approximate change of $1,187,452 across the period shown.
Planning cue
Use the output as a scenario test rather than a promise. Small input changes can materially change the result.
Employer match is modeled as a dollar-for-dollar match up to the cap you set. Salary growth and contribution limits are not modeled.
How it works
What the result is showing you
These sections explain what the calculator measures, which assumptions matter most, and where the number can be misleading.
The employer match is free money
Most employers match a portion of what you contribute, commonly dollar for dollar up to a few percent of your salary. Contributing at least enough to capture the full match is one of the most reliable returns in personal finance.
Why starting early matters so much
Because 401(k) money compounds for decades, contributions made in your twenties and thirties do far more heavy lifting than the same dollars added later. Time in the market is the largest single driver of the final balance.
What this projection assumes
This model holds your salary, contribution rate, and return steady, and treats the match as dollar for dollar up to the cap you set. Raises, contribution limit changes, and market swings will all move the real outcome.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions people ask most about this calculator.
How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
A common starting point is to contribute at least enough to get the full employer match, then work toward 10% to 15% of your salary including the match. The right number depends on your budget and other goals.
How does the employer match work?
Employers typically match your contributions up to a percentage of your salary. This calculator models a dollar-for-dollar match up to the cap you enter, so if you contribute less than the cap, the match shrinks to match your rate.
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