💼 401(k) Calculator
A 401(k) grows from three streams at once: your own contributions, your employer's matching dollars and compound growth on both. This calculator adds your yearly contribution to the matched amount, then compounds the combined total at your expected return for the full horizon.
The employer match is free money with a ceiling — it applies only up to the match limit you set. Balances shown are before taxes and withdrawals; early withdrawals before age 59½ generally face penalties.
How to use this calculator
Enter your salary, contribution rate, employer match details, expected return and years to retirement to project your 401(k) balance.
- Enter your Annual salary and Your contribution as a percent of it.
- Enter the Employer match rate and the Match limit as a percent of salary.
- Set the Expected annual return and Years until retirement.
- Press Calculate to see the projected balance plus the 10- and 20-year milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What does this 401(k) calculator project?
It adds your yearly contribution to the employer match, then compounds the combined amount at the expected return. For an $80,000 salary with 6% contributions, a 50% match up to 6% of salary, 7% returns and 30 years, the projected balance is about $680,118.
How is the employer match computed?
Your contribution is matched at the match rate, but only up to the match limit applied to your salary. In the example, 6% of $80,000 is $4,800 from you, matched at 50% for $2,400 a year of free money.
Are taxes included?
No. Balances are shown pre-tax, and withdrawals in retirement are generally taxed as income. Early withdrawals before age 59 and a half usually face penalties too.
What if I contribute more than the match limit?
You still get the full match (it is capped at the limit), and your extra contributions keep compounding. The calculator handles any contribution rate you enter.